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 11
"You're keen" Laura Hobson said as she saw Hathaway in the corridor of the mortuary "I've just logged the body in!"
James for a second she thought, looked utterly horrified.
"I forgot something" he replied, standing straighter, as if in defence of himself "Yesterday. Just leaving again"
Laura eyed him with suspicion "OK. Be late morning before I have anything"
He nodded curtly and left.
…...
The next morning saw James trying to make sense of the evidence he'd gathered the day before from the shelter, the belongings of 'Sam'.
James pulled a face at the PC assisting him and made her laugh.
"This is disgusting" he held a plastic bag at arms length as he spoke.
"Why would anyone carry all this around with them?" she asked in wonder.
"People have attachments Julie" he sighed "Not up to us to question them"
"I suppose" she answered "But still..."
He gave her a rueful smile "Bet the brochure didn't explain this side of policing did it?" he quipped.
"It certainly" she frowned, fishing about in another bag "Did not" she held aloft a pill bottle "Bingo"
James took the bottle from her and squinted at the label, he couldn't make out much of the text, only a few grouped letters here and there. He put it in an evidence bag.
"Forensics" he said, and gave Julie a look. She looked different, he noticed, hair? Make up? No, expression, that was it, her expression.
She noticed him watching her and glanced around her cautiously, making sure no one could overhear.
"Sarge?" she asked.
"What is it?" he put his hands on the table, leaning in so they could keep low voices.
"I met someone" she said, her eyes full of happiness.
"You did?!" of course he thought, that was it, love. That was her expression, she was in love "That's great!"
"Wonderful" she whispered.
"I'm pleased for you" he said with genuine warmth "I hope it works out"
"I think it will" she smiled with enthusiasm.
"Good God what is that smell?!" Lewis' northern tones cut between the pair like a knife and they stood back. Lewis looked at them, realising that he'd interrupted something.
"The life and times of Sam" Hathaway flourished his hand across the table where the contents of a man's life lay.
"Ugh" Lewis pulled a disgusted face "Anything interesting?"
"Bottle of pills" James held the evidence bag up and rattled it "But not a lot else"
"Hmmm" Lewis said "Any idea what they are?"
"Label is too faded" James replied "Going to get them over to forensics"
"We can do that on the way" Lewis replied "I took up where you left off with Leverick, found some family"
James peeled his gloves off with evident relief "Close?"
"Son" Lewis nodded "We'll go and have a word"
James gave Julie an apologetic smile as he backed out of the room, she scowled at him, and then laughed.
"I should have stayed in traffic" she muttered.
"Sorry" James grinned before turning to leave.
"You could try looking it!" she called out good naturedly.
...
Evie stopped short as she reached her locker, here was a small card sticking out from under her name label.
Retrieving it she read the front.
Detective Sergeant James Hathaway, Oxfordshire CID.
It was followed with some numbers, office and mobile. She looked at it and then looked around, no one was in sight. She looked at it again, her face flushing as the thought occurred that perhaps Dr Hobson had left it there, she and Lewis were obviously playing cupid.
Opening her locker she reached up to put the card on the shelf, losing her grip it fluttered to the floor, she noticed small, neat writing on the opposite side to the official one.
Thus do I pine and surfeit day by day,
Or gluttoning on all, or all away.
She read, slightly puzzled by the quotation, and continued on.
One cannot survive on biscuits alone (she read) however we may wish to. Thank you for a truly wonderful lunch and evening, allow me to return the favour with dinner?
James.
…...
Lewis fiddled with the radio controls as Hathaway drove.
"You probably won't get much signal out here" James said "There's CD's in the glove compartment"
"I've heard your CD's" Lewis returned with an air of disdain. Switching off the static noise.
James gave him an amused look "How come this son never reported his father missing?"
"'Disengaged'" Lewis replied "Or so he said"
James nodded "At least that's two victims we have relatives for"
"I wonder if Julie will turn anything else up in 'Sam's' belongings" Lewis wondered "And speaking of Julie, sorry, for interrupting there"
"I was glad of the excuse to leave" James snorted with laughter.
"Playin' the field a bit aren't you?" Lewis teased him "Two women on the go?"
James flashed him an impatient look, but didn't answer. Julie was his friend, they had worked together and become close, over issues Julie had discovered she had. He had listened, been there when she felt alone. Her secret wasn't his to tell, and he didn't intend to break confidence. If that led to some ribbing, then so be it.
"All right!" Lewis laughed "I'll mind my own business!"
"Be appreciated" James replied in a flat tone "Sir"
…...
Lewis moved back as the bar man placed their meals in front of them.
"Looks good" James rubbed his hands together.
"It will be" Robbie promised "Morse brought me here once, said the food was second only to the beer"
James laughed slightly "I wouldn't know" he looked pointedly at his orange juice.
"You'll get your chance" Lewis promised before tucking into his meal.
"What did you make of him? Leverick's son?" James asked between mouthfuls after a few moments.
"Cold fish" Lewis replied, laying down his knife "He didn't seem that bothered"
"I'm wondering if he has motive" James said.
"For killing his father?" Lewis looked surprised "What?"
"When I spoke to the wife" James told him "I got the distinct impression that Leverick was trying to make contact, and being rebuffed"
"Mmmm" Lewis pondered "He told me that his father disappeared in the early 80's and he'd neither seen or heard from him since. His mother had remarried, and her husband had brought him up"
"Maybe he didn't want the embarrassment of a homeless, estranged father cramping his style?" James offered.
"He did seem more bothered at having to arrange and pay for a funeral" Lewis sighed "Than the fact his father is dead"
James' phone bleeped and he set his knife and fork down, fishing in his pocket. Watching him, thinking it may be a case development, Lewis smiled and looked away at the flash of happiness that went across his companions face as he read the message. That kind of look had nothing to do with work, not even for James.
…...
Evie bit her lip as her mobile announced that the message had been delivered. It was done now, she thought. But couldn't stop herself going back and reading what she'd sent.
Shakespeare? I thought you weren't a fan. Dinner sounds lovely – biscuits or not. Evie.
She started slightly as the display lit up with an incoming message, she held her breath and read it.
Are you free tonight? No biscuits though. Or coffee. You can have too much of a good thing.
She smiled before typing a reply.
After 6 will be fine. Proper food? Sounds wonderful.
She sat staring into space for a few moments, opening the next message as soon as it arrived.
Pick you up at 7. Proper food. Wear something warm.
She started as she heard Laura behind her.
"Could you bring the latest contestant through Evie?"
"Of course" Evie smiled over her shoulder and waited for her to leave again.
Look forward to it.
She typed and sent.
…...