Chapter 8

Laura sat at her desk trying to figure another way. Her car needed service but she had to be in court. She could call a taxi to pick her up from the auto shop but she was concerned about being late. Normally she would ask Robbie but with her rules in place she didn't feel right doing it. Her choice was risk being late or take advantage of Robbie's reliability.

She turned back to her computer typing her last few notes for his case when the perfect solution occurred to her. Grabbing her mobile she sent him a message, "Will give you a recap of the PM if you do me a favor."

The final report was printing when her mobile buzzed, "You are going to give me the report regardless why should I do you a favor?"

She smiled knowing his weakness, "Because you would rather hear it from me thatn read it or hear it from Hathaway."

Within minutes, "What's the favor?"

"I need a ride from the auto shop to court."

Her phone rang. She smiled when she saw his number. She hit the number to answer and before she could say hello, "A taxi service, that's what I am to you?"

"No, you're ever so much more reliable than a taxi."

"Is that your form of flattery Dr. Hobson?"

"It depends Inspector, is it working?"

"Not at all, but you're in luck I have to meet James near there tomorrow morning. So it is convenient for me to take you." The minute the word convenient left his mouth he regretted it.

Laura paused for a moment. She wondered if he knew he'd used that word. Based upon the almost eerie silence on the line he must. For a brief second she thought about letting it go, then she thought it would be better to lighten the mood, "I guess it's better to be a convenience than an inconvenience."

Robbie was happy that she hadn't take what he said the wrong way but he felt the need to clarify, "Laura, you are never an inconvenience to me."

Laura swallowed almost choking on the meaning of what he'd just said. She hadn't expected him to turn more serious on her. She wasn't prepared for the emotion it elicited, "Is 7:30 good for you?"

Robbie stared at the phone wondering what had happened. He had directly addressed a potential issue and now she was avoiding it. Following her lead he replied, "Text me the address. I'll see you then."

It was Laura's turn to stare at the phone. Robbie had ended the call without even saying goodbye. She shook her head, angry with herself. Then she slammed her hand into her desk, angry with him. This would all be so much easier if he would just ask her out.

When Robbie picked her up the next morning, Laura decided to leave the conversation from the prior day in the past. In the short drive, she told him a few things about the PM but saved the best parts for their walk, "I had my suspicions but the PM confirmed it, her wrists were bound to the bed stand post mortem."

Robbie thought about the implications of what she'd said for a moment, "Oh, so the pose was staged then. But for whose benefit, his or ours?"

"Or both possibly? Maybe the idea of discovering her as she was led to some kind of frisson, that's assuming it was a man."

Robbie looked at her questioningly, "A woman you think?"

She smiled at him, "I'm an equal opportunist pathologist. Jessica was attacked while she slept. It would have taken no particular strength to smother her."

"Umm, and there was no obvious funny business, was there?'

Laura grinned at him, "That's not a medico-legal term with which I am familiar." He smiled at her. "But no, no obvious signs of funny business." She motioned her head behind him. "It's your other half." Motioning towards the building she gave him one last, brilliant smile, "Gotta go."

James walked up with two cups of coffee and nodded and Laura walking away, "Something I said?" He handed one of the cups to Robbie.

Robbie took the cup, "Perish the thought." He looked after Laura, "She's up before Mr. Justice Crowder this morning. How did you get on with Mrs. Massey?"

"Maternal instincts just this side of Medea."

"She's the one who did her kids in right?"

James looked at him surprised, "Well done you."

They walked away side by side, "Well I never know when you are going to spring a test."

The two walked away discussing different aspects of the case. James feigned interest as Robbie told him about the PM. He had already read through the report this morning and had expected to be telling Robbie about it. As Robbie talked, James' mind wandered. It was awfully early in the morning for those two to be together. Could it be that they had finally worked out their issues?

He waited outside, holding two cups of coffee. Within a few minutes his patience was rewarded. He let her take two steps past her before calling out to her, "I have coffee if you think you might be interested Laura."

Laura smiled and turned. She took the proffered cup and nodded, "To what do I owe this courtesy."

He fell in step beside her, "No particular reason, I thought you might need a ride back to your car."

She raised her eyebrow at him, "No, thank you, it won't be ready until later this afternoon. I'll catch a ride with someone from the office or I'll call a taxi."

He nodded, "Fair enough, or you could have a dinner with me and I will take you."

Laura stopped walking and looked up at him, "Are you asking me as a friend or are you finally asking me on a date?"

He smiled down at her, God she was beautiful when she was angry, "That depends Laura; which would you like it to be?"

Rolling her eyes at him she turned and walked away calling over her shoulder, "James, one man in my life that can't decide what he wants is more than enough. I don't need to add you to the menagerie."

James laughed to himself as he watched her walk away. She didn't know it, of course, but she had answered his question from earlier. They had not worked out their issue but something told him they might be a bit closer. Perhaps it was time to give the Inspector a gentle nudge.

OK – you can admit it, you hated me for just a second. You didn't really think I was going to make it that easy did you.