Back in the office, everything seemed to be as it was before. Dempsey was greeted by the S.I.10 guys and Harry smiled as they welcomed him back. Dempsey caught her eye and winked at her playfully. She felt a slight blush in her cheeks and she looked away, distracting herself with the paperwork on her desk. Dempsey smirked a little before he was patted on the back by Chas and more jokes ensued.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE?"
Spikings looked murderous. He thundered out of his office to see what all the commotion was about. He eyed Harry at her desk, her head firmly down and then he saw Dempsey's empty desk. His eyes found Dempsey in the corner surrounded by the guys, who all looked rather sheepish.
"Ah. I might have known. The cowboy's back so you all think you can act like a pack of bafoons!"
The men buzzed with "No, of course not," "So sorry, Sir" and "Just welcomin' him back, boss!"
"Well i'm here to tell you, you're wrong! We've got a murder, a jewel theft, three robberies and an alleged assault.....and I've not even had a cup of coffee!"
With that, the group broke up. Dempsey made for his desk, putting his feet up on Harry's, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't get comfy quite yet there, sunny Jim. I need a word."
Harry looked up, confused. Spikings made no eye contact with her and turned to go to his office. Dempsey looked at Harry and leaned over, whispering, "If I'm not out in fifteen minutes, tell my mom I loved her." Harry managed a half smile and watched Dempsey make for Spikings' office, shutting the door behind him.
Spikings was sat behind his desk and he signalled for Dempsey to sit down opposite him.
"So, I'm guessing you know why I asked you in here."
"Er...should I boss?"
Spikings rolled his eyes. "Coltrane's been caught. I need to know if you plan on returning to New York?
Dempsey paused for a moment. Thoughts of New York flooded his mind. Seeing his family again. His old friends...... A little smile escaped his lips which Spikings noticed. Then he turned to the door, which he knew Harry was sitting behind. His face filled with emotion as he took a moment to exhale loudly. He looked back towards Spikings and replied flatly, "No. I'm goin' nowhere, boss."
Spikings looked at Dempsey. He wasn't surprised if he was honest.
"Can I ask your reasons for staying?"
"I got no problems here."
"You no longer have any problems there."
"You tryna get rid of me, chief?"
"Simply stating a fact, Lieutenant. I need to know you're staying for the right reasons."
At that moment, Harry burst in the room.
"Excuse me, Sir, I'm so sorry but Mary Travers has just telephoned and she's willing to give evidence against her ex. We can finally move against him!"
This was a case Harry had been working on whilst Dempsey had been acting as Johnny Lupino. Both Spikings and Dempsey looked at Harry. She looked beautiful in a pastel pink jumper, her hair resting on her shoulders neatly. Spikings watched Dempsey observing Makepeace for a moment. Dempsey turned to Spikings again.
"Trust me, boss. I'm definitely staying for the right reasons."