"You're the last person I expected a phone call from." Martin Baxter remarked with a slight chuckle.
"You're the first friendly face I've seen in months." Alec answered dully from where he was leaning against the back of the hidden rest stop that was outside the outskirts of the town.
Baxter snorted from beside him. "Well, if I'm the friendly face, God knows what the rest of them are like."
"Oh, you have no idea." Alec answered with a groan. "It is another world."
Martin shifted a little bit and he finally pointed out, "It's a bit cloak and dagger, Alec, meeting out here. What's wrong with the office?"
"Small town, everyone's eyes on you. Don't like it." Alec grumbled.
Martin glanced at Alec before he looked away. "I, uh… went through all the results you sent me."
"So?" Alec asked expectantly and Martin sighed.
"It's not good, Alec."
"No." Alec agreed casually and the doctor insisted, "You've got to change all of this. No stress, no pressure, nothing that'll cause unnecessary exertion."
"I can't." Alec argued.
"You have to." Martin peered at his patient worriedly. "If you don't, you'll end up dead!"
"Ah, you bloody doctors." Alec groaned. "Always, 'Do as I say or you'll end up dead'."
"I'm serious!" Martin said sternly. "Look, I'll make sure all the paperwork gets filled in. You can be invalided out-"
"Not til I'm done here." Alec refused. Martin stared at him skeptically.
"You like it that much?"
"No, I hate it. I hate the air, I hate the sand. I hate the stupid people, I hate the way they work, I hate their bloody smiley bloody faces. I hate the never-ending sky."
"Well, why be here at all?" Martin asked, not able to comprehend why Alec would stay if he hated everything that much. Alec was silent for a while before he answered.
"It's penance."
"What?" Martin asked, sure he'd misheard. It couldn't be true. "No. Really?"
Alec looked back at his friend. "Really."
Martin leant back, shaking his head.
"Let it go, Alec. Find something, anything. Come back and be with the living." Martin advised. "I'm saying this as a friend, not a doctor."
Alec slowly trudged his way back to the station when he bumped into a familiar figure. Literally.
"Sorry- oh." Emma stood awkwardly for a second in front of him before she stepped away, intending to walk around him as she completed her way around the corner and away from him.
Alec almost just let her go by. He was tired and he was about to be more so when he returned to the station where a very uncooperative Mark Latimer was still waiting. But Martin's words rang in his mind and he finally reached out and caught Emma's arm as she was going past.
"Wait."
She turned to him, looking a bit wary and a bit resigned. Alec cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry about… the other day. I didn't mean to pry and I didn't mean to be rude."
She looked a bit surprised; Alec looked away and awkwardly pursed his lips. He looked back at her as she said at last, "Thank you. For apologising."
"Right."
They stood awkwardly for a moment and Emma asked politely, "Were you, uh, coming back from dinner?"
"Um, no, I haven't eaten yet." Alec answered and Emma hesitated.
"Um… do you need company? I was just going to get a bite at the Thai place down the road from the police station." She offered clearly with great reservation. Alec shook his head.
"Ah, no, I need to head back to work."
She frowned. "Without dinner?"
He shrugged and she observed carefully, "That doesn't sound healthy."
"I really don't think it's your business." Alec grumbled, Martin's words ringing in his head and making him feel particularly cross. Emma raised a brow.
"It's not, but I always thought this was a free country where we can show concern for our fellow man." Emma said dryly. She gestured up the road. "Come on; you can take to-go if you really can't bear my company but you shouldn't skip meals. Especially not when you're working the whole night, which it looks like you are."
"Why do you say that?" Alec asked a little sharply and Emma raised both brows.
"You have bags under your eyes like you haven't slept in days." She informed him. "And you don't need to be so rude. I know you're looking for a murderer but most of us do actually just want to help you. Even if you don't believe us."
Again Alec glanced at her but she was already heading down the street. Alec followed although it was mostly reluctantly. But he did need to get back to the station and Emma was clearly going the same way.
As they walked, Emma asked conversationally, "So… I'm curious. What brought you to Broadchurch in the first place?"
At his questioning look, she elaborated, "Well, I'm not really sure what to talk about with you except Danny, but I suspect you're not allowed to tell me anything about that."
"So you ask me why I'm here?" Alec asked dubiously. She shrugged.
"Well, if you're doing another late night at the station, I doubt your day's been great. And since you've arrived, you've been solving a murder case so I doubt you're finding Broadchurch very pleasant. It leaves me with not much else to ask about."
Alec grunted as he reluctantly agreed. But as he hedged on answering, Emma pointed out, "Oh, come on. You know my story, I should get to hear your reason for coming to Broadchurch. It's rare for someone new to move here so I was just curious."
Another thought occurred to her and she added, "But you don't have to answer if it relates to your case."
"I just took a job when it was offered." Alec answered shortly at last.
Emma asked dryly, "Are you always this charming, Alec?"
He scrunched up his face and she noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing." Alec muttered and she said a little impatiently, "No, you made a face; what?"
"I just don't like the first name thing." He explained and Emma shot him a somewhat amused look.
"And that warranted that kind of disgusted look?" He shrugged and she actually smiled although it was faint. "Fine; does Inspector Hardy do?"
He didn't give her a positive indication but she took the lack of a negative reaction to mean he was fine with that.
"So, you came here for the job. Well, have you managed to find anything about here that is to your taste despite the circumstances?" Emma asked, striving to keep the conversation going.
"No."
"You might elaborate a bit, Inspector." Emma grumbled. "Do you have something against the beach or the town?"
"I don't like water." Alec confessed so abruptly that Emma was a bit startled. "So I'm not fond of the beach you all are so proud of."
He refrained from going into the rant he'd given Martin but Emma seemed to sense it anyway.
"Where did you come from before here?" She asked curiously.
"A bit north - not far." Alec answered and Emma nodded thoughtfully.
"But it was a bigger town than here, I'm guessing? You don't like the small-town feel." Emma observed. Alec snorted.
"Hard to get smaller than here."
That drew a real smile out of her and Alec was a little bit surprised by how it made her look much younger and prettier in a sweet kind of way. He could now see how she could be a (much beloved, based on Ellie's and a few people's passing comments) preschool teacher. He'd been skeptical when he pictured the sombre woman he had come to know but now he realized it was just that Danny's death had affected her.
That instantly made him suspicious again and he recalled the theory he'd concocted before about Mark Latimer.
"How's your relationship with Mark Latimer?" Alec asked abruptly, interrupting whatever Emma had been about to say. "You said before that he was how you met Beth."
"Yes, that's right." Emma answered, sounding and looking taken aback by the sudden change in conversation. "Um, I'd say my relationship with Mark is normal? He's a good friend."
"And a good husband? Father?" Alec pressed and Emma frowned.
"Are you asking as an inspector again?" She asked warily. Alec shot her a look and she seemed to sigh but she answered a little dully, "Yes, he was a good father. Like I said, he and Danny often did things together. Chloe too, if they could convince her."
"And his relationship with Beth?"
Alec noticed the way Emma seemed to hesitate just briefly before she answered without quite looking at him, "It looked fine."
"You're sure about that?" Alec asked sternly and Emma gave him a sharp look in response.
"If you want details, I would talk to them about it, Inspector." She replied stiffly. "The relationship between a man and a woman is complicated enough between just the two involved."
"But you had no cause to believe there was anything wrong?" Alec pressed.
Emma didn't answer immediately but as they reached the Thai restaurant, she finally answered in a flat tone.
"I think they hit a rough patch. They haven't really connected in a while that I could see, if that's what you wanted to hear. But it's not for me to say whether that means there is a problem or not. Like I said, if you want details, you'll have to ask them."
With that, she walked into the restaurant without him with barely a, "Goodnight, Inspector" thrown over her shoulder. Alec watched her go with narrowed eyes as he fell into thought. Skipping dinner, he went on back toward the station.
Ellie yawned as she reviewed some more files on the case when Alec returned from wherever he had been.
"Your friend, Emma. How close was she to Mark Latimer?" He asked as soon as he spotted her at her desk.
Ellie groaned, wondering what was with his obsession with her friend.
"They were friends. She, Beth and I have been close for ten years, so she knows both Mark and Joe really well." Ellie snapped. "Why?"
"Did we dig into whether she was anywhere near Briar Hill on Thursday night?" Alec asked and Ellie frowned in bewilderment.
"No, why?"
"Is it possible she was the one Mark Latimer was meeting?" Alec asked, cutting right to the chase. But Ellie was still confused.
"Why would they be meeting at night in an abandoned..." She trailed off as Alec's implication hit her.
"No. Absolutely not possible." Ellie denied vehemently and Alec raised a brow.
"Why not?" He countered and Ellie rose furiously.
"Even if Mark were that type of man, which I don't believe he is, Emma is not that type of woman. She would never have an affair with her best friend's husband."
"That's not really an answer." Alec pointed out. "Look, Miller, you're again not looking at facts. Anyone is capable of doing anything, given the right circumstances. Suppose he looked at her differently? Suppose he swayed her? Or, suppose she got lonely and swayed him?"
"With all due respect, sir, I've known Emma much longer than you have." Ellie cut in, forcing her tone not to be as snappy as she wanted it to be. "I know what kind of woman she is, and she is not an adulterer nor would she condone someone who is."
"It doesn't matter what you think you know, Miller, you need the facts." Alec sighed.
They were interrupted however by the news that Becca Fisher had come in with some information about the case. Soon, Alec was sitting back in another police interview room across from his hotel owner and he listened silently as she revealed, "Thursday night, Mark Latimer was with me."
Becca's hands tugged on her shirt sleeves uncomfortably as she kept her arms crossed over her chest defensively. "We met in the car park and drove off. We were together 'til about one. Then I dropped him back at the car park."
"What were you doing?" Ellie asked and Becca scoffed.
"Really?" As Ellie just waited, Becca finally said bluntly. "Having sex."
Alec's face didn't change but Ellie's did just slightly. Becca saw and she agreed flatly, "I know. Worst decision of my life."
Some time later, Alec was once again sitting across from Mark Latimer. The man was a lot less defensive although still not very cooperative as Alec sat with his arms folded across his chest and Ellie demanded, "Why didn't you tell us you were with Becca Fisher on Thursday night?"
"Why do you think, El?" Mark muttered reluctantly. "I mean, you know this town. If that got out-"
"So you let us pursue this because you were worried about gossip?" Alec cut across the other man disgustedly.
"No, not gossip." Mark scoffed and he scowled at Alec. "Lives, mate. My family, her business. You don't understand, you haven't lived here. You don't know how these things stick."
Alec just lifted an eyebrow but he let that one slide. Mark meanwhile turned his eyes back to Ellie and he requested quietly, "Don't tell Beth. I haven't done anything like this before, I swear."
"What, with her?" Ellie asked with a hint of sarcasm but Mark ignored that as he swore, "No, not with anyone. I mean, I've had chances but I've never done anything before this."
He paused and his whole body sagged as he just lost all his energy and he admitted in defeat, "We're tired, though. You know, I saw a chance of something else and I took it."
"This has only ever been about Danny's killer, why wouldn't you tell us?" Ellie demanded incredulously and Mark cracked.
"Because I'm ashamed, innit?" His voice broke, catching on a sob while he scratched the back of his neck miserably. "The one time that I took him for granted and that's when I lost him, innit?"
Ellie leant back in understanding at last while Mark sobbed, covering his eyes as he fought back the tears and struggled to control his breathing. Once he was sure he could speak clearly, he pleaded with Ellie, "Please don't tell Beth. Please."
They released him shortly after that and the two detectives watched him walk away from the station.
"The hotel owner, do you believe her?" Alec questioned.
"She's no reason to lie." Ellie pointed out but Alec countered, "Aside from the fact they're sleeping together."
Ellie sighed unhappily while Alec thought aloud slowly, "What if Danny found out about Mark and Becca Fisher's affair?"
"What, so a father kills his own son to keep him quiet?"
Ellie couldn't keep the skepticism out of her voice but Alec rebuked, "You think that's impossible?"
Ellie watched as Mark disappeared completely from view.
"I don't know." She admitted softly. Alec exhaled deeply.
"Well, at least you know you were right about your friend, Emma Symons."
Ellie wasn't sure whether she wanted to strangle him or start to cry.
The next morning, Emma was just coming home from her run when she spotted him. Again. With the case going strong, it seemed Alec was always up and out early. He also looked like he was in an extremely foul mood and paired with the memory of the way they had parted the day before, Emma was tempted to just try and avoid him.
However, he saw her as she was about to make the decision and he very obviously started walking directly over toward her. She sighed; she couldn't avoid him now and he most likely had more police questions in mind. It seemed to be the only thing on his mind at any given time. So she stopped when he stopped in front of her and waited while he cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"Hi." He said, and she couldn't stop herself from raising a skeptical brow.
"Morning." She answered neutrally and he took in a deep breath.
"I'm… sorry." He said at last, surprising her. "I shouldn't have asked you about Beth and Mark."
"No, you shouldn't have." Emma agreed neutrally.
He shifted on his feet, looking a bit lost on what to say. He opened his mouth then shut it, while Emma watched curiously as she tried to figure out what he was doing. If he had questions, she was certain he would have asked by now whether she liked them or not. He clearly hadn't been bothered so far. But he just looked uncomfortable as he stood there. Examining him, Emma suddenly realized this was just how he was. He really was just naturally awkward, very borderline rude, and antisocial. Mostly. She wondered if it was part of the job that had made him like that or if it was because he was like that that he was so merciless when it came to questioning suspects.
"But I understand that you were doing part of your job." Emma said in a kinder tone, taking pity on the man. "You're forgiven."
Her tone took on a teasing note as she added, "But you're very quickly running out of your allotments. The only person who has ever used them up as fast as you was Olly."
"Oh, no," Alec protested immediately, "don't compare me to that wee... boy."
Emma raised a brow. "You were about to swear, weren't you?"
"No." Alec denied and Emma snorted.
"Right." She answered, and it was obvious from her tone that she didn't believe him and she was teasing him.
He frowned but Emma moved on as she asked, "So, did you end up eating dinner yesterday?"
"Uh, no." Alec shook his head and Emma frowned at him.
"That's really not healthy." She told him and Alec shrugged. "Are you married?"
"What?" He asked in return with a heavy frown.
"Are you married? Or just generally with someone who will worry about you if you don't take better care of yourself?" Emma asked persistently.
Alec barely suppressed a grumble but he answered shortly, "I can take care of myself."
"Sure, you can." Emma answered dryly. It hadn't escaped her notice that he had refused to answer her question although by this point she wasn't surprised - Alec didn't seem to enjoy sharing his private information at all.
It was partly because of this thought that she said aloud, "You know, it's not really fair, is it? You know my background, you probably know my address and car license plate number, maybe even my height from my health reports - do not tell me you know my weight."
"Why would I look at that?" Alec asked in confusion and Emma smiled.
"You are such a man. Only a man would ask that." She answered lightly. Alec eyed her but for once it wasn't out of suspicion but more like he was trying to figure her out. But they were interrupted as his phone rang.
"Uh, sorry." Alec apologised, quickly pulling out his mobile. Emma shook her head.
"Go ahead. If you don't need me, I do need to get a move on too." She added, gesturing to her current outfit.
He nodded and waved her off as he answered his phone while Emma continued on her way, jogging past the Trader's Hotel where she thought she saw a dark-haired female figure draw away from the window. But she paid it no mind as she hurried on toward her home, leaving Alec behind as he rushed off too for his own job.