The dangers of Smoking.
The dangers of smoking are widely known, by smokers and non smokers alike. Detective Sergeant James Hathaway knows them, accepts them and lives with them. Except one. No one thought to warn about that one did they?
Chapter 5
"Where the hell is Hathaway?" Innocent demanded from the door to Lewis' office.
Lewis sighed and put his pen down "He's outside, having a fag"
"Sort him out Robbie" she warned in a no nonsense tone "The fathers lawyer practically danced into my office, demanding James' head on a platter for conduct unbecoming"
"The man was being offensive Jean" Robbie defended "His baby died, we still don't know how because the autopsy isn't in, and then the guy gets himself arrested for D and D! James tried to interview him, about what happened to the baby, it got a little heated"
"Heated?!" she retorted "Hathaway dragged him across the table by the scruff of his neck!"
"A lesser man would have punched him" Lewis told her with meaning "Did you even review the tape Jean? Do you know why?!"
"I don't care" she said with exaggerated patience "If he told Hathaway he was the Devil himself, it's not on"
"He told him that 'one less mouth to feed was a bonus in his eyes'" Lewis went on "I heard it, I was there. James knows what he did, and you know what he's like, he's probably already offered his own head on a platter to the lawyer. He'll take the heat"
"Like I said" Jean replied "Sort him out, so I don't have to"
She left, thinking to herself. Work with Hathaway long enough and you got to see the massive chinks in his armour. Under the faultlessly polite and infinitely smart public school boy was a man with a sensitive soul, and he had been known to lose his head on occasion. Usually carefully controlled, the mask did slip, leaving a mass of vulnerability underneath for those who cared to look hard enough. 'Tortured soul' was one way she would have described him.
…...
"That my p45?" James asked in a flat tone as Lewis handed him an envelope.
"Nope" Lewis said "It's the social services report on the family"
"What do I need that for?" James asked.
"To file a complaint" Lewis told him "They stamped 'no further action' all over it, even if the baby's death is natural causes, further action was definitely warranted. I will write a letter, and I have spoken to Laura, she is going to as well"
Hathaway took the envelope and stored it in his inside pocket, without speaking.
"Now" Lewis went on "If Innocent asks, I gave you the bollocking to end all bollockings for your behaviour in the interview. You will write a letter of apology to the father, and accept any disciplinary action heading your way"
James nodded "What am I looking at?" he asked "Disciplinary wise?"
"Nothing" Lewis smiled "Innocents not daft, she's already talked her way out of it, she's just flexing her muscles. Because you'd be up there now, being roasted alive by her"
Several emotions played across James' face, guilt and gratitude being the main ones.
"Forget it" Lewis advised "And now, we're going to visit my favourite Doctor, the PM results are in"
James pushed away from the wall and followed. His face gave nothing away, but he was touched by Lewis' intervention on his part. People who understood him were few and far between, or they twisted that understanding to their own ends. James was grateful for one true person in his life.
…...
"Would you like a cup of coffee?" Evie asked Dr Hobson as she put her head into her hands.
Looking up Laura gave her a grateful smile "Is it that obvious?"
"Sort of" Evie replied.
"Please" Laura said "Make it strong, in fact you'd better make two extra, Lewis and Hathaway are coming for the autopsy report, not that I can tell them much. Sudden infant death is so cruel, lack of explanation is the hardest thing to give grieving parents, no matter what the circumstances"
Evie gave her a sympathetic smile. Ever since the baby's body had come in last night, the mood had been sombre, and affected everyone.
Evie flicked the kettle on and prepared the mugs, wondering briefly, how Hathaway took his coffee. The same thought didn't occur to her about Lewis. Grabbing her jacket she headed through the side door and towards the smoking bench, finding it already occupied.
"Evie" James said, looking at her. He looked exhausted she thought.
"Hello" she sat beside him, taking in his body position. Leaning forward with his elbows on his thighs, resting his chin on one hand while the other held his cigarette.
He didn't reply except to exhale smoke.
"You seem...tense" she said.
"Accusing parents of murdering their child tends to do that to me" he said in an expressionless voice.
"Was it?" she asked quietly "Murder?"
"We don't know" he sighed "It's what we're here to find out, but there are things not right"
"I don't think there are many answers" she replied "Dr Hobson is thinking SIDS"
"SIDS?" he frowned, glancing at her.
"Sudden death infant syndrome" she supplied.
"That's as may be" he said "But the other children..."
"Yes?" she asked quietly.
"Timid, filthy, half starved" he said savagely.
"Social services?" she asked.
"Apparently they saw no immediate danger"
He ground his cigarette out forcefully with his hand and turned to look at her.
She met his eyes for a moment and gave him a soft smile, he felt a little easier after that smile, having vented his fury a little at the scene he'd witnessed.
"Must be hard" she said "Dealing with cases like this"
"Harder for those with children" he replied, he'd finished his cigarette, but didn't move "And hard for all concerned"
Evie continued to smoke hers "Yes" she conceded "It is, but I suppose all we can do is find out what happened, and bring those, if any, responsible, to justice. Doesn't that comfort you? That you do that?"
"Sometimes" he replied "Sometimes it does"
She stood on her cigarette as she stood up.
"Come on" she encouraged "I'm making you a cup of coffee"
"You are?" he looked at her, he hadn't moved.
"Dr Hobson said you were on your way" she smiled.
He stood and they walked side by side towards the door Evie had come out of, he regarded her as he held the door open, thoughts milling in his mind. So she'd known he was coming. Interesting.
…...