Part 4 of 7

Richard frowns, thinks, shakes his head, "She didn't. At least, I don't…"

Dwayne nods vigorously, "Oh, yeah, she did, an' now she's tellin' Camille all 'bout it." He cocks an ear to the door, "Man, oh, man, Chief, you never told us you wuz…"

Richard actually jumps, grabs both men by the collar, and drags them away from the door, yelping, "OK! OK! Enough chit-chat! Don't you two have patrol or something? Down in the town? Away from here? If not, I can certainly find you a job!"

Dwayne smooths down his shirt, giving Fidel a knowing look, "Yeah, yeah, OK, easy, Chief. We're goin'. I imagine you an' Camille have somethin' t' discuss now, don't you?"

Fidel listens to this for a moment then the lights go on in his eyes and he suddenly nods, turning to Richard, "Right! Right! Dwayne's perfectly right, sir, we're late for our 4pm patrol."

Richard looks up at the young man, his demeanor relaxing slightly, "It's only 3:12, Fidel."

Dwayne grabs Fidel's elbow and urges him towards the steps, "Nothin' worse than bein' late fer bein' early, Chief! We're outta here." And they're gone, down the stairs and across the parking lot, leaving their flummoxed and flustered boss behind to face whatever music is coming his way.

A firm step behind him causes him to whirl in agitation. He isn't sure which would be worse at this particular point in time; the disappointed sponge-bathing theoretical mother-in-law or the most beautiful woman in the world who has evidently given up trying to win his clueless yearning heart. He sees and gulps. It's the DSBTMIL.

Catherine stands in the doorway, looking him up and down with a familiar eye, then nods, "Ree-charrr."

He nods back stiffly, "Catherine," trying to stand up straight and look man-of-the-worldly.

Now Catherine's eyes drop to the broken glass and smashed rose at his feet, "You should clean that up. Little messes like that can hurt people badly, ruin their life maybe, make people turn aside and go another way when really they should step over it and stay on the right path. Don't you agree?"

Richard's head bobs automatically. He can't think of the least little thing to say in response.

Catherine ponders him a moment longer then steps in to whisper right at his shoulder, "Bon, we are in accord. Now, I've had a word or ten with my daughter and I think she's ready to talk to you. And…" once more her eyes pass over him in a very knowing manner before she leans back in to finish, "… if you are even HALF the man I know you to be…"

Richard stiffens and feels his cheeks heat up but he keeps his eyes down. There is no way in hell he is going to acknowledge that statement with the slightest hint of agreement. Never in this life. And how was it even possible to forget a sponge-bath? Now his ears are heating up and he prays for deliverance.

But Catherine is stepping back, saying with determination, "… you will march right in there and show my daughter the error of her ways. That King person is rubbish! We both know it. I think even SHE knows it… but he flattered her, paid attention to her, gave her flowers. He turned her head. She's been very lonesome these past few months…"

Richard, eyes still down, nods and mutters, "I know, Dwayne told us. And Juliette can't get Camille to talk about it so everyone is in the dark. No one knows what's going on. And we're worried."

Catherine pats his arm as she passes him on her way to the stairs, "Lah, don't be worried, be brave. Talk to her. She might have something surprising to tell you. And Richard? Please don't start a fight in hopes of avoiding the problem. She's upset enough as it is. Please be kind."

Pausing at the top of the stairs, she calls back over one smooth shoulder, "This is your fault, you know."

Poole jerks, "Me? I didn't do anything!"

Catherine nods, a grim smile that could also be a snarl flashing over her lips, "That is the problem, mon tendre rostbif. Now, you go in there and free my daughter of this cochon or I will serve you up in strips at the next petit dejeuner of the Sainte-Marie Women's Institute Gala. Vite!"

And with those parting words, she descends the stairs with wafting skirts and a hopeful smile.

END – part 4

*thanks to ffh for that final scene, it was just too good to ignore.*