The dangers of Smoking

Part II

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 37

James waited leaning against his car, idly smoking. He heard a noise from the undergrowth, frowning as he couldn't see anything.

"Hello little urban fox" he muttered.

His attention focussed on the front doors as they opened and Evie came through, he watched her bid goodnight to the security guard and head towards him, swinging her bag onto her shoulder. He smiled to himself, every night for a consecutive seven. Just didn't feel right being on his own at night these days. No matter what each of them did at work or with their free time, they always managed to seem to come together at some point in the day, and it just felt right.

Evie felt someone clutch her arm, hard, as she headed towards James and froze, she couldn't do anything for a second.

"He watches you!" a voice said.

She looked at the owner of the voice, he looked homeless, smelled so too, but the look on his face scared her.

"Let go!" she tugged her arm with no avail.

"Be careful!" the man said "He watches you!"

"Oi!" James shouted.

The hand on her elbow was removed and the person staggered back at the force which James pushed him.

"Let her go!"

James stood in front of her, lunging for the man, who eluded him.

"He watches!" he said one last time before running back into the darkness. James made to go after him.

"James!" Evie said, the fear in her voice halted him.

"Are you all right?" he asked urgently.

"Yes" she replied "Just a bit shaken, don't..." she faltered "Don't go after him"

"He just assaulted you!" James exclaimed.

"He's probably homeless and harmless" she replied "He didn't hurt me"

"He could have" James regarded her "If I hadn't been here"

"It's fine" she soothed "I'm OK, I don't think he wanted to hurt me"

"How could you possibly know that?" James sounded frustrated.

"He didn't seem the type" she shrugged "Just confused"

"I've been investigating murder for years" he told her intensely "And there is no type!"

"Just leave it James" she asked "And lets go?"

"Fine" his eyes still travelled in the direction the man has fled "But I'm reporting it"

"There's no need" she replied.

He ignored her as they got into the car "Can you describe him?"

Evie glared at him "No"

"He looked right at you" he protested "Eye colour? Hair colour? About 6 foot from where I was standing"

"I don't know" she replied woodenly.

He shot her an irritated look "You're not being helpful!"

"Really?" she retorted with sarcasm.

He drove for a while, tension visible in every line of his body, face set.

Pulling up outside Evie's flat they got out in silence.

She stopped before putting the key in the lock and turned.

"You know" she said sharply "If you're going to be all dark and moody, I think I'll just got to bed"

"Well excuse me for caring!" he flared.

"I know you care!" she shot back in a furious voice "But you're being ridiculous!"

"A man just jumped out of the bushes and grabbed you, mumbling about God knows what and I'm being ridiculous?!" he challenged.

"Yes!" she hissed "He was an old confused man who was probably looking for somewhere safe to sleep when he saw you waiting for me, there's no harm done"

He folded his arms a petulant sneer on his face "And what if you'd been alone?" he replied "Still no harm done when Dr Hobson is autopsying your body tomorrow morning?!"

"Stop overreacting!" she snapped back.

He didn't reply, just turned back to the car, and then turned to face her again, she could see he was furious.

"If I'm overreacting" he said in a dangerously quiet voice "It's because I don't want anything to happen to you"

She blinked at him as he got in the car and sped away. Letting herself in, she collapsed onto the sofa, staring into space.

…...

Twenty minutes later Evie trudged to the door and opened it, seeing James leaning against the frame. He looked at her, then at his feet, and then back at her again.

"Sorry" he muttered, handing her a small bunch of wilted flowers, at which she frowned.

"All the 24 hour garage had in the 'need to grovel to girlfriend' range" he explained.

She allowed a small smile and stepped back to let him in. He came past her and she closed the door, looking at him, and the bags he carried.

"You opened it without asking who it was" he accused in a quiet voice "It could have been anyone at this time of night, it might not have been me"

She sighed "What's that?" she nodded to the bags.

"Chinese, wine" he shrugged "Cold by now I suppose"

"It'll microwave" she took the paper bag and headed for the kitchen.

"Are you angry with me?" he asked.

"No" she replied and smiled, she wasn't, the mood was down to her own fears. Fears about what had happened, and fears that James was angry with her.

"Open the wine?" she asked. This was uncharted territory for both of them, having not had a serious argument before. They'd had disagreements, and Evie had said her piece as he had, but for some reason, this felt different.

"Yeah" he did, also watching her while she arranged plates and food.

The tension was palpable, neither knowing which direction to take this in. They'd reached a point it would seem, where one more step, and there was no going back.

James tried not to listen to the echo of his father, the one he'd tried to escape for a long time.

'Think priesthood is the best place for you. Haven't got the Hathaway genes have you? Bloody useless with women, still mooning over Scarlett I suppose? Still it's better than being a gay hippie, at least God botherers get paid'

Evie tried not to be hopeful, she knew it wouldn't last. Despite what he said, he was far too good for her. One day he'd realise and that would be that. But then, she reflected, wasn't it going to hurt anyway? She was already in too deep, felt too much for him.

"I'm sorry too" she smiled hesitantly at him and he smiled, taking her in his arms.

"Doesn't matter" he murmured, realising that he meant it, it didn't. He kissed her gently and released her as the microwave announced the food was ready.

"You said you've got the weekend off?" she asked.

He nodded.

"So have I"

"Then" he smiled, handing her a glass of wine "Let's make the most of it"