Time Does Not Always Heal

Chapter 5

Chief Superintendent Innocent walked into Inspector Lewis' and Sargent Hathaway's office closing the door behind her. She closed the blinds to give her more privacy. "You guys give me no choice," she told the detective's empty office.

Quickly and methodically Jean searched their desks and file cabinets. She pulled each drawer open and rummage through the papers. She flipped through Lewis' desk calendar, nothing. 'I thought my life was boring', she mused.

Jean moved to Hathaway's desk, "Now, James, tell me what has been troubling you." She pulled each drawer opened. "This boy is too neat for his own good." The papers in the drawers were neatly stacked, pens and pencils were arranged according to size and color and paperclips were stored in the original boxes. Jean continued her private conversation while she searched.

"What have you been up to lately, James?" Jean thumbed through the diary she found tucked away in the top drawer. 8th March was circled and 'Cynthia' was written on the date. "Whose Cynthia? Cynthia...Cyn..." Her eyes grew wide and then she quickly closed her eyes.

Jean squeezed her eyes tightly, "Oh James, I'm so sorry..." she whispered. Memories of that day flooded back, a tear escaped.

-l-l-l-

Lewis drove Laura to the hospital. They sat in silence each afraid to speak, afraid to say what they thought. Finally, Laura could not keep her fear inside, "Just because," she squeaked. Clearing her throat. "He could be with a friend."

Lewis glanced in her direction and shook his head, "How's your hand?" he notice how she was holding her bandage hand up. "Does it hurt?"

"Not too much. I'll have Daniels take a look and put a proper bandage," a sneaky smile crossed her face as she looked at Lewis. "You make a better cop than you do a medic."

Lewis gave her a small smile, "We'll find him. I'll take you back to the hospital then I'm going to Innocents."

"She won't do anything until there's a body," Laura grumbled.

Lewis narrowed his eyes, "She'll do everything or I will do it without her permission."

Lewis dropped Laura at the hospital, before he left her he promised to call as soon as he talked to Chief Supt. Innocent. Laura leaned over and gave a quick peck on Lewis' cheek. "I'll wait to hear from you." She turned and walked away, Lewis noticed Laura reaching up to wipe her eyes. He then noticed his eyes were tearing.

The drive back to his office was long and lonely. Lewis' mind raced with all the 'What If' questions. Oh how much he hated those 'IF' questions. How can a small word be so strong and put so much fear into a person. That two letter word can stop an army. That two letter word can stop love, stop ….. life!

"DAMN, you James! You could talk to me!" Lewis yelled as he kicked open the car door and slammed it shut. He dashed into the stationed and up the stairs taking two and three steps at a time. People parted as he raced toward Innocent's office, he stopped suddenly in his tracks when he notice the door to his and Hathaway's office closed, the blinds were closed, too.

He opened the door slowly, peering in to see who was in the office. Lewis hoped to find his missing partner, but he found Innocent sitting at James' desk crying.

Jean sniffed and wiped the tears off her face with the back of her hand. She slowly got up from James' chair and gently pushed the chair back in place. "I'm sorry," Jean sighed.

"Sorry for what?" Lewis challenged as he entered the office.

Startled, "Oh Robbie, I didn't see you."

"Sorry for what?" he repeated.

"Let's go to my office," Jean notice Lewis' steadfast. "Please!" she gestured toward the door. She looked pleadingly at her friend.

-l-l-l-