Chapter 11

I had planned on this being the last chapter for Entry Wounds. However, the chapter got long so there will be one more. Then on to Lions. I hope you are enjoying my little clean up job. Just think of this as all of the things that hit the cutting room floor.

The rest of the evening passed in a haze of flirting, lust and love. As they woke the next morning each felt better about their relationship than they had in some time. As they both for the day, Robbie stopped her, pulling her close to him.

One deep kiss, which left them both breathless, later he smiled down at her, "That will have to hold you until this evening."

Cheekily, she smiled up at him, "Don't be so certain, some of the other Inspectors are quite good kissers."

Swatting her behind, he turned her toward the door, "Yes but they won't cook for you like I will."

"You're making them sound better and better."

They didn't have to wait until evening. A call out brought them together later in the day. James had questions about the body and as he was fairly certain he was still on Laura's bad side he sent Robbie to ask them.

Robbie found her packing the last of her equipment into the crime scene truck. He watched her move about smoothly his mind slightly distracted by the fluidity of her body. He thought about her comments about other Inspectors and kissing.

"If I hadn't taken this job, we wouldn't be spending all of this quality time together." He nodded at her as she looked up at him, slightly annoyed. "You'd be talking to a much less attractive DI."

She raised an eyebrow, "Do you want the benefit of my professional opinion or not?"

He moved closer, his hands in his pockets. Lowering his voice, he leaned into her, "I want the benefit of all of your opinions."

Heat suffused her body, she had missed this. Deciding two could play his game, she moved closer to him, keeping her hands to herself. "Well I don't think you do Robbie." He looked away, suddenly embarrassed by the game he'd started. She took another step closer, her body barely grazing his. "Cause of death cerebral hypoxia. But on closer examination of the neck, the furrows of whatever has been used is angled upwards."

Robbie swallowed, feeling the heat from her body. He looked around trying to determine who might be watching them. Laura reached up, loosening his tie, "If I was to strangle you, a not inconceivable prospect these days." Undoing the tie completely, she tightened it around his neck, "I would pull the ligature like this. Then it stays completely horizontal, see?"

He smirked down at her, both embarrassed and thrilled at her proximity. "Yeah."

Sliding the tie around his neck, she smiled, teasingly, at him. "With hanging, the body hangs from the bottom of the noose and furrow slopes upward." Seeing James watching them with an amused expression Laura dropped the tie. Stepping away from Robbie she casually added her last bit of information, "And add to that that he's been moved."

"Are you sure?"

She looked at him, annoyed he would question her. "No, I'm certain. From the way the lividity shifted I'd say he was hanging for maybe half an hour before they moved him onto his back."

Retying his tie Robbie mused, "Homicidal hangings do occur."

Narrowing her eyes, she glared at him, "Well they're rare. I think you're looking at a suicide dressed up like a murder."

The case was solved. Despite a few bumps and bruises the three of them made a good team. Maddox had confirmed she was staying. Robbie was pleased she was staying. He thought she was going to be a good fit for James. He knew he wouldn't be around forever and James needed someone to rely on when he was gone.

He'd wanted James to join him for a pint but he'd refused, claimed other plans. While it was disappointing, it gave him time to run another errand. He just needed to confirm what time Laura would be home.

Pressing the two button on his phone, he waited for it to connect, "Hello pet."

"Congratulations Inspector, solved your first case back. Well done you. I suspect you and James will be off for a pint. Don't forget to ask Maddox to go with you."

He laughed at her breathy rush of words, "Actually James begged off and Maddox had plans with her husband. Although I suspect she was just tired of hanging out with us blokes. Can I talk you into dinner?"

"Sorry Robbie, I have a dead body that needs my attention."

"I guess better that than one of those kissing inspectors you told me about."

She laughed, "Well none of them are as attractive as you are. I'll be here until half seven. I could pick up takeaway on my way home."

He nodded to himself, it would give him just enough time, "That works. Try not to have too much fun."

"I'll try. I love you."

"Same here pet." He disconnected the call, put his car into gear and pulled away.

James watched her through the window. She'd ended her call, based upon her smile his educated guess was a call with Robbie. It was now or never. Pushing on the door he entered the autopsy suite.

"Inspector Hathaway, surely you don't have another case this quickly?"

Her coldness didn't surprise him. It was exactly what he deserved. "Not a criminal case unless being stupid and callous is a crime now."

Laura fought the small tugging at her lips, "Perhaps it should be. I would wager on most days more damage is done by callous stupidity than by murderers."

"And like so many murders, it's the ones closest to us who get hurt."

Laura waited. She knew what he was doing but unlike others, she wouldn't make it easy for him.

He stared at her for a moment, hoping she would extend the olive branch as she'd done so many times. When it didn't come he nodded, "I'm sorry Dr. Hobson…Laura."

"What exactly are you sorry for Inspector Hathaway?"

"I could probably provide an entire list of things but I will put it succinctly. I am sorry for being a complete, unadulterated arse."

Laura couldn't help herself, laughter bubbled up, filling the room. "Well that certainly is succinct." She paused for a moment, her face turning serious. "Before I pass judgment, why did you do it James?"

He looked at her with such pain in his eyes that she walked to him and took his hand. Gratefully he squeezed it as tears filled his eyes, "Because I was afraid I was failing and I wanted someone else to be failing as badly as I was."

"That's quite insightful James. More of what I expect from you."

He smiled down at her, "What's my punishment?"

"Did you skip out on a pint with Robbie to come talk to me?"

He nodded, "I figure the pub will be open tomorrow. But not being square with you, it didn't sit well. I think I know how Robbie felt every time you two fought. And I'm not in love with you."

She smiled up at him, "Not even a little bit?"

Knowing he was almost forgiven he shrugged, "Well maybe a little."

"Your sentence, and it is non-negotiable, is to have a drink with Robbie tonight."

"I saw you on the phone with him, don't you have plans."

Raising an eyebrow she questioned him, "Listening at keyholes again James?"

Holding up his hands, "No, I saw you through the window. You only smile like that when you talk to him. He's the same when he talks to you."

Mollified she smiled, "I have a date with a dead body. I won't be done until seven at the earliest. Which leaves you plenty of time to have a pint or two."

"You don't mind?"

"James, it's an order."

Snapping to attention he mock saluted her, "Yes ma'am. I will see to that order immediately."