Harry and James were both double-checking the plans of the property with one of the man from the surveillance team that would be stationed outside the building to check that no one would trespass on the premises. Each was standing at one side of the table, not looking at the other, talking only to the surveillance guy. Once they had finished, the officer left the room, too happy to escape the icy atmosphere. As the door was starting to close behind him, Harry made a sudden movement to leave as well, casting a quick glance towards Dempsey. He was about to call her back when the door opened wide and a black man entered the room.
Harry gasped, it had been years since she had last seen this man. "Watson?"
Dempsey grinned, recognizing his former colleague. The man smiled back as Dempsey walked to him and clapped him on the back "Hey, it's been a long time!"
"Dempsey, Makepeace. It's good to see you again."
"Well she's a Dempsey too now." Dempsey reminded him and Watson smiled "Right!"
Harry ignored James' comment pointedly and shook Watson's hand. "What are you doing here?"
"Chas phoned me earlier in the afternoon and he told me about this... case. I'm not working in his service anymore, I got detached to SO15, the anti-terrorist branch, some ten years ago but I've got days-off to take and... I thought I could be useful on this one. I volunteered to supervise the protection of your children."
The couple was a bit stunned by the news. They certainly weren't expecting this. Watson was unnerved by their lack of reaction. "That is if you agree of course."
"Of course, yes" answered Harry, catching one of his hands between hers and shaking it. "Thank you so much"
"Yeah that's just great dude" Dempsey added. "I'll be reassured to know that you are watching over them rather than this bunch of young idiots playing on their phones out there." He jabbed his thumb towards the window.
Watson smiled; he had indeed met a young officer playing on his iPhone on his way in. "That's what friends are for. Don't worry, I'll be keeping an eye on everything. And everyone." He assured them then moved towards the stretched plan on the table. "That's it?"
"Yes." Harry joined him at the table and soon the three of them were making sure it was an effective plan.
An hour later, James and Harriet were both really happy their former colleague had joined them here. He spotted some shortcomings and advised a few changes in the position of some watchmen. It was clear that Watson knew what he was talking about. He had definitively gained a lot of experience and self-confidence in the last twenty years and his time in the SO15 had certainly given him a first-class knowledge of leading a team on such occasions.
"I'm really glad you're here mate!" Dempsey said truthfully. Watson's arrival was one of the few things that had happened in the last two days over which he could rejoice. It may even be the only good thing actually.
"Maybe we should introduce you to Jess and Tom." Harry offered. "I believe you haven't seen them since they were babies."
"Yeah, I think so. The little girl had pigtails and the other one was still wearing diapers." Watson smiled remembering meeting the couple a few years after their wedding one afternoon in the park. Their ways had parted once James and Harry had stopped working for the police and they had never really kept in touch, but despite all the years he was determined to help them out of this tricky spot.
"I think they're in their room I can go and tell them..." James began.
"No, not now, if you don't mind I'd prefer to have a tour first. You know, see the different places, check with the guys, stuff like that." Watson was very professional; the plan had to be flawless.
"Ok, ok, we'll leave you a while then. Anyway, Harry and I need to talk." James announced and to make sure she wouldn't wriggle her way out of it he grabbed her arm. She frowned but he didn't pay any attention to it and led her out of the room.