Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter Text
Introduction
His life in Croydon had just been one long metaphorical car crash filled with insults, personal attacks and nasty comments. If truth be told, that pretty much summed up his entire life. Every since his parents had packed off his terrified and alone 8 year old self across country to boarding school. The bullies there were brutal, crying and hiding being a part of daily life. That's when it all really started to steam roll down hill. To his eyes, in a world that is advertised as catering and supporting all, Richard knew he had to stand alone. Well not quite alone. Now he faced the bullies, one by one, as they came with a brave face on, hiding the hurt not giving them the satisfaction of letting them know how they got to him. Because now he was part of an us.
Commissioner Patterson had not made any direct reference to his personal 'situation' but his actions and dismissive attitude spoke volumes. And on a small island such as this where everyone knew everyone else's business he just knew that the team would already know. They were, no doubt, already gossiping and making fun of him behind his back just as the boys club in Croydon had. All he could do is brace himself for when they got bold enough to start saying them to his face. Although if he were completely honest he doubted they could actually come up with anything new. He'd heard it all before. The fact that he was not in the least bit embarrassed about his home life, as the London boys felt he should, just seemed to egg them on further with the taunts. The upshot being there really couldn't be anything new, in terms of insults and put downs, left to say. The team here will be the exact same no doubt. He'd not missed the odd looks the cast his way or the judgmental glares. The didn't trust them. No sir, he didn't trust them one little bit! They'd come out with all they wanted to say soon enough. 'Twas just a mater of time. And until then he would just hold his head up high and carry on. Fixing things best he could was the only option lefty to him.
The bride had been killed by mistake! Who'd have thought it? The bizarre things you saw on the job sometimes. Camille and the others had left for the day, heading to Catharines bar for some post case drinks and team bonding. To be fair Camille had extended an invitation for Richard to join them. But he had fast refused, today he had other things to do and he was already massively behind schedule. Camille in her typical French way had huffed in annoyance and left muttering loudly about "Rude English men!"
Whatever, Richard truly didn't care, not today. Picking up the phone from Camille's desk he fast he dialed the number he had long ago committed to memory. The call just rang and rang, until eventually an answer machine kicked in.
"DAMN!" The solitary word reverberated around the empty station. A slow wave of defeat washed over him. One phone call was all he wanted, two minuets to chat and laugh and feel himself again. His true self, not the police dogsbody self he wore to work.
Richard couldn't deny that the work here had been far more interesting and challenging. The sense of accomplishment he felt were undeniable and invigorating. Under different circumstances he might even have come to enjoy it. But the commissioners disregard for him and his life meant he knew what to expect from this place. It'll be just like Croydon, only hotter, sandy-er and with rather less tea. Patterson was clearly in cahoots with the ol' boys club back in London. All Richard could do is get his head down and carry on forward. His priority was in protecting them from the worst of it.
The clock on the wall told him it was time to go back to the shack. And as much as he wanted to talk on the phone it was actually a good thing he hadn't. If they'd still been home there would have been a very real chance that the flight would have been missed. With a last check of his personal e-mail he re-re-re-checked that all the arrangements for the flight were in place. Having to stay all this time he'd been away with his parents was less than ideal. None of them had ever been close. But him knowing that everything was in place already so when they get to Gatwick all was set was a massive relief for Richard. And if all goes well tomorrow he'll be on the last ferry back from Guadeloupe and life will be a good deal better (and a lot more complicated). With a final large sigh he switched off the computer and headed out into the late afternoon sun.
Chapter one
The mad dash to board the last ferry home for the night had left the normally relaxed and put together Catherine Borday more than a little flustered. She'd had a most lovely time visiting with her old friend, too much fun really as she had managed to totally lose track of time. Only by mad running the entire length of the jetty had she managed to get aboard and even that was only just in time. Tired, sweaty and with her heart still racing she headed below deck to find a quiet table so she could gather her overly scattered wits. Upon entering the lower space she found it to be rather busier than she had expected. But just there, off to one side, she spotted what appeared to be the last free seat. The table it was at had a small family seated around it. A small blond girl of around 5 or 6 sat by the window, her mother sat next to her talking gently in quiet tones. The father had his back to Catherine but was opposite his daughter clearly listening to what ever was being said by the two females before him. Thankfully the vacant chair was on the outside so asking if she could sit wouldn't involve any awkward climbing over of anyone.
"Excuse me, do you mind if I...?" she gestured to the seat
The women looked up in surprise and a rather alarmed Richard Poole turned to look at her.
"Catherine?!" The shock in his voice was clear. Rising from his seat slightly he continued "Yes, of course. Please, sit"
He lowered back down waving to the empty chair. The young girl had fallen silent and was casting worried looks between Richard and Catherine. And Catherine couldn't help but notice Richards eyes now only focused on the girl with the occasional nervous glance thrown her way. It was all in the eyes. Richard and this, they girl had identical green quizzical eyes. This thought hit Catherine with amazement and wonder and no small amount of confusion. The awkward silence that followed was almost tangible. The straight laced British man was the first to cave to it.
"Erm... Catherine, this is my daughter Caitlyn" He waved gestured to the small girl now staring wide eyed at the French Women.
"Caitlyn" his voice now in a gentler tone "Catherine here owns a bar on St Marie" The child visibly relaxed "and her daughter is my Detective Sargent" had Catherine imagined it or had his voice become a little harder with that? The girl certainly reacted, tension filled her body once more causing her to sit up as straight as an arrow. An unreadable look in her unbelievably green eyes sought out her fathers. He gave her an almost imperceivable shake of the head, whatever question she was conveying to her father she clearly understood the answer.
More crushing silence followed. Catherine turned to the women sat across the table from her. Her face was watching the three of them, undisguised curiosity pasted across her face.
"And your name...?" Catherine asked
"Oh, erm yes" she seemed surprised at the question. "I'm Olivia. Olivia Bennett. I'm visiting my Godmother on St Marie. Quiet excited really. Ive never even left the UK before. But when Aunt Mary moved out here last year I promised her that I'd be out to visit just as soon as I could" Olivia, feeling the extreme tension in the air and now she'd been invited to speak, felt compelled to feel in the heady silence with chatter. "Well this sweet little one was kind enough to pick up my purse for me when I dropped it climbing aboard. And Mr Poole here has been telling me a little about the island. It all sounds truly beautiful and..."
Oh!?" Catherine interjected "So you are not Caitlyn's..." The question hung heavy in the air.
"No" Richard cut in sharply
"Its just me and daddy" The girl stated quietly fixing Catherine with an clear stare.
A gentle expression filled the faces of both the women at the table.
"I'm sorry for your loss" The french women all but whispered
"STOP!" Richard barked
"My mothers not dead" The child announced evenly
Turning to face Catherine Richard spoke in a low growl "She's just a child! Not even set foot on the island. Stop the games and keep your comments to yourself!" Catherine had no idea how to respond. Richard had never spoken to anyone like this, and if she'd been asked before today she would have said he was incapable of speaking in such a tone.
"I need some air daddy" Father and daughter rose, the girl quickly running around to grasp her dads hand. As they walked away the sweet voice of the wafted back towards the table. "Maybe she was just asking? Not being mean like the others did" Just before they left completely to go above deck Richards deeper voice could just be heard "She old friends with the Commissioner, hes got my file, and he's clearly in, or at least agrees with them all back home. I'm sorry sweetheart, I fear it'll be just the same here" The defeat in his voice darn near broke Catharines heart. But what on earth was he talking about? Just like London? What on earth could have been so bad that the poor girl was worried and her father felt need to warn her? She didn't know the answers to these questions, but she sure as anything was going to find out! And as for Selwyn Patterson! He was going to be getting an extremely loud piece of her mind as soon as she was home. To drag a single father across the world. No thought to him or his child! How could he? Yes sir, Selwyn Patterson was getting an earful tonight.
