Chapter Twenty Six – Released At Last

Sergeant Nick Rowan carefully stretched his legs and worked out the kinks in his back, standing next to his hospital bed, as Jo came in with a duffel bag in hand.

"Well hello handsome," she said cheekily as she placed the bag on the bed and walked over to place her arms around his middle, her head tilted upwards.

Nick gently sneaked his arms around her in return and lowered his head toward her, the moment later their lips met in a passionate kiss.

Jo sighed happily as they broke away from each other. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment," she said.

"Actually I have a fair idea," he admitted with a grin. "If I'm not mistaken I've waited just as long."

Jo couldn't help but chuckle, slapping his shoulder playfully. "Go on, get dressed now," she said.

"If this had been any other day I would have preferred you saying I should get undressed," he whispered in her ear.

"You cheeky…" she began as Doctor Bolton walked into the room.

"Everything all right?" he asked curiously.

"Never better," Nick returned with a cunning look directed at Jo.

"Good, I want to talk to you before you leave. Give you some restraining orders and so on," the doctor said kindly before walking away again.

Nick looked after him as he began to unbutton his sleeping wear jacket. "I can't wait to get out of this place," he let on.

"Shall I help?" Jo asked. "We don't want you to overdo anything the first day."

OOOOOO

Lord Ashfordly walked out on the courtyard and looked out over the landscape. It was a beautiful, starry night. He had just waved off the last couple of guests and everyone had been happy, claiming it to be one of the best hunts for years. This was despite all the troubles with the loose horse, the dogs and the little mishap with the beer tent. The lordship gave into a cautious smile as he thought back of the recent events. It had been fun to socialize for a while but now he longed for the peace and quiet, the ordinary days. He briefly wondered how to make the hunt and market even better the next year and then quickly set the thought aside. He would take one thing at a time. With a deep relaxing breath he took one last look at the sky and then turned back to the house, longing for a glass of whiskey.

OOOOOO

-Two weeks later-

Sergeant Lancewood cast an eye over Alf's shoulder just seconds after the cunning old copper had managed to hide the newspaper in front of him behind a police report.

"Was there anything you wanted Sarge?" he asked innocently and curiously, as he turned to look at the man appearing next to him.

He harrumphed as Mike and Phil carefully avoided looking at each other, afraid of bursting into laughter.

"I was wondering if you by any chance had gotten somewhere with that burglary outside Aidensfield," he said.

"Such things takes time, Sarge," the older copper explained.

"Well, if it takes anymore time we will all be dead and buried before the case is solved," Lancewood returned sharply and turned to the other constables present. "You two, what are you sitting there for? Don't you have something to do?" he questioned in irritation. The speed at which the country bobbies worked was just amazing.

Mike was about to explain as the door opened and another sergeant stepped through the door, his uniform new and crisp. The sergeant stripes present on both his arms and the fitted sergeant hat on his head.

"Sergeant Rowan," Lancewood acknowledged. "Welcome back."

Nick smiled softly as he took off his hat. "Thank you Sergeant Lancewood," he returned politely. "I hope everything has run smoothly while I was away," he asked innocently, knowing full well it hadn't.

Lancewood reached up with his hand to scratch the back of his head absentmindedly. "All in all Sergeant Rowan," he let on. "However, I don't think you and I have the same thoughts about policing."

Nick frowned.

"I wish you luck in the future Sergeant Rowan, you're going to need it," he muttered and extended his arm to shake hands.

"I'm fairly confident my constables and I can handle whatever's thrown at us," Nick said with a smile as they shook hands. "Will you be heading back to Whitby?" he asked casually.

"Yes, as soon as possible," Lancewood replied with a faint smile.

Nick watched as the relief sergeant walked through the door exiting the station and then curiously turned back to his officers.

"We can be quite the pain in the ass if we want to," Phil offered by way of explanation.

Alf shook his head sadly. "You know, he wanted to have your job," he drawled, looking for a biscuit that he had obviously misplaced somewhere on his desk.

Nick broke into a grin as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned toward the bench where people came to complain. "Well, as long as you work regular hours and don't be too much of a bother, I think we will get along together great," Nick teased.

Phil huffed albeit with a smile. "Hear that?" he asked and turned to glance over his shoulder, at Mike, and then back again. "I think he's getting cocky, it's all gone to his head," he stated with a tease.

Nick started looking smug but then put on a neutral, almost innocent look. "I can always go and fetch Lancewood for you," he offered.

"Absolutely not," Alf returned and made to stand, heading for the kitchenette. "Can't have him around, no biscuits and not much tea. I've lost several pounds, Mrs. Ventress is starting to worry."

"Welcome back Sarge. It's good to see you," Mike said.

"Yeah, don't ever scare us like that again," Phil added.

"It's good to be back," Nick returned. "Now, what's with this burglary I've heard so much about?"

OOOOOO

Maggie pulled up at the garage in Aidensfield and came to a full stop next to the petrol pumps. She couldn't help but smile as David walked out from the garage, looking confused in a way only he could. He stopped short when he saw her and fumbled with his hat, took it off and nodded at her politely.

"Mrs. Bolton," he acknowledged. "Should I fill her up?" he asked kindly.

"Yes, please David," she replied.

He almost bolted and hurried to unscrew the lid, fetch the hose and begin the procedure. Maggie's lips were still creased with a smile as she watched him in the rear mirror.

"Hi, Maggie!" Jo hollered as she came walking on the other side of the street.

"Jo, just the one I wanted to see," the nurse hollered back.

Jo stopped and removed her hair from her face as the wind constantly tried to ruffle it and shaded her eyes with her hand as she was about to cross the street to get to the garage.

"What's up?" she asked curiously as she walked up to the Land Rover.

Maggie hesitated and looked around. "You want a ride somewhere?" she asked.

"A private conversation?" Jo asked with a tease. "Well, let me think…I suppose you could drop me off at home. Nick is not there, he's over at the Ashfordly Station. It would be you, me and the four walls, no large ears. What do you say?" she offered.

"It's a deal," Maggie returned. "Jump in."

OOOOOO

Phil Bellamy turned quizzically toward his colleague. "I'm talking to you, are you in there?" he asked.

Mike turned his head with a frown. "Sorry, Phil. I was thinking," he apologized and then hastily got out of his chair, reaching for his helmet and gloves.

"Wow, slow down, where are you going?" Phil asked confused.

Mike grabbed the handle of the entrance door and stopped, turning to look at Phil. "The burglary, its Steads, Stuart Steads," he said confidently.

"Hang on a minute, you're losing me," Phil complained as he leaned forward in his chair.

"He's been taunting us for a week and I didn't see it," the former London constable admonished himself. "Think about it Phil, who else have access to several homes in the area?"

"Just because he's a window cleaner doesn't mean he's a criminal," Phil reasoned.

"No, but the fact that several stolen items have showed up on local markets in Whitby confirms that we are looking for a man with connections there. Steads' has an Uncle Harvey, and he's not exactly straight when it comes to business," Mike reasoned.

Phil snapped his fingers excitedly. "The things missing from homes where the antiques league had been, the things that were never found," he said suddenly as if struck by lightning. "It wasn't the antiques gang after all."

"Stuart Steads," Mike returned darkly. "He used the opportunity, used them as a cover up for the items he stole so that no one would suspect something. Everyone would just assume that the antiques gang grabbed all the things," he finished smugly and jumped as the doorknob twisted in his hand.

Nick Rowan, flanked by Alf Ventress, suddenly stood opposite him with a curious look on his face.

"Sarge," Mike said. "We know who it is."

Nick frowned. "You better take it from the beginning," he said.

"Phil can fill you in," Mike reasoned as he squeezed passed his superior officer.

Nick turned to look after Bradley as he disappeared through the door and then hastily cast a glance at Bellamy. "Phil, update Alf. I'm going with Mike," he said and hastened to catch up.

Alf gingerly moved over to his desk and sat down. "You better get me a fresh cup of tea first," he drawled.

Phil couldn't help but chuckle. "You know, Alf, you really need to cut down on the fags and start to exercise," he said amusedly.

"Why? There's no need to rush through life, it goes fast enough as it is," the old copper returned.

OOOOOO

To be continued

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