Chapter Twenty-five

He spots the couple walking towards him, and stands from his task to receive them, wary but unafraid. When they're close enough for conversation, he announces, "Yer trespassin'." Pointing behind them with the spanner in his hand, he adds, "Public footpath is back that-a-way."

The detectives have anticipated such a reception and Strike pretends to glance at the map in his hand, saying, "Shit, I'm sorry. We're looking for the Brane Cross."

Hoping to disarm Mr. Goldberg, Robin smiles and says, "I suppose this happens all the time?"

Goldberg shrugs and says, "Now an' then." This time he uses his hand to point in a different direction, explaining, "It's just west of 'ere, by an old granite stile. You can cut across the fields, but please don' come back this way. Road is south o' the cross, an' Caer Bran is north, if y'aven't bin there yet."

Strike again pretends to consult his map, looking west, and Robin clutches his arm, trying to project giddy happiness as she announces, "This is our honeymoon. We got married only yesterday."

Goldberg touches his hat, saying, "Congratulations."

When he doesn't expand on that, Robin says, "Thank you so much for helping us. It's beautiful here." Gesturing behind her, at the ruin of an old farmhouse they'd discovered earlier, she continues, "We saw an old for sale sign on that broken down building. Is it yours?"

"Nah, that's Rogers' old place. They try an' sell it every now and then, but there's no power or water, and no road to speak of. Last I 'eard, 'e was talkin' about gettin' a permit for rennervations, make it more appealin', but fixin' it up would cost a fortune."

Robin means it when she glances back that way, saying, "Still, it's a beautiful spot." Returning her attention to their host, she requests, "Do you think Roger would mind if we took some pictures with our drone? We won't bother the cows or anything."

"Rogers is the family name. I can't speak for Ned, but don' see as it could 'urt. No one's lived there for decades. An' I really need to get back to work, unless your man knows tractor engines?"

Strike smiles and says, "Sorry, no. But I owe you a pint, sir, for your kindness."

Surprise evident on his face, Goldberg insists, "Ah, you needn't do that. It's just common courtesy."

Strike insists, "Which is not nearly common enough, as my mum used to say. Please, we're staying at Penzance for two more nights. If you can make it that far, I'd very much like to buy you a drink or two." Gesturing to the nearby farm, he adds, "If you're hiding a wife in there, she's welcome too, of course."

Goldberg licks his lips and says, "Val isn't one for drink. But, as it 'appens, I indulge a little of a Friday evenin' at the Red Lion in Newlyn. D'you know it?"

Strike smiles and says, "No, but we'll find it." Looking at Robin, he asks, "Where's Red Lion in the rankings, sweetheart?"

Amused by this affable version of her famously surly partner, she cheerfully replies, "Number one."

And Strike explains to Goldberg, "Most popular pub name in the UK. My wife is good at that sort of thing; facts and figures."

With obvious pride, Goldberg says, "Sounds like m' daughter, Allie. She's an accoun'ant. Smart as a whip, that one." With a shrug, he continues, "I'd 'ave liked a boy, to keep this place goin'. But farmin' is a mug's game, an' she's no mug." Stretching the strain from his shoulders, he concludes, "In any case, I'd best get back to it. You folks enjoy the rest of your stay. An' don' feel obliged about that drink; you're on yer 'oneymoon, after all."

Strike offers his hand, saying, "Oh, we'll be there. I'm Cam, this is Venetia."

"Melvin...Mel," says their new friend, as he shakes hands with each of them.

Robin waits until they're out of sight and earshot of Melvin before gleefully punching Strike's arm and saying, "You're brilliant."

He chuckles and says, "Pretty sure you charmed him, not me."

"Well, let's say both then. Pity his wife won't be joining us."

"Oh, I dunno, he might be more inclined to spill any secrets out from under her watchful eye."

"You're assuming she's in charge?"

"Having met their daughter, yes." As he holds open a gate for Robin, shutting it behind them, he adds, "Still haven't seen a likely dump site. I liked the look of that old farmhouse and barn, but there's nothing."

"Sounds like Mr. Goldberg didn't hear or see the drone though, so someone could dispose of a body there without attracting attention."

"True. I'll see if I can find out more about the place online, but it might be worth calling Col."

"He won't mind, that it's basically trespassing?"

With a grin, Strike says, "Not unless he's changed significantly since I last saw him. Besides, it's got a right-of-way running by it, so it's practically legal. Now, would you like to actually visit the tourist spots, or go back to our room?"

Mortified when she blushes at the memory of their lovemaking last night—something about now being married to Strike had sparked her passion for him to new heights—Robin hides her face as she says, "Room, please."

A surprised laugh erupts from Strike, and he asks, "Are you blushing?"

"No." Strike halts their progress and merely looks at her pink cheeks, one eyebrow raised, so she concedes, "Okay, obviously a little. I don't know why."

Strike again heads towards the boundary, saying, "Maybe 'cos you're in work mode?"

Accompanying him, Robin says, "Perhaps. It does still occasionally seem weird that I get to see you naked."

"I hope you don't mean I'm weird," pouts Strike.

Robin laughs and says, "No, you're gorgeous, missing leg and all."

She laughs again, this time at his ridiculous accent, when he quotes, "Shut up, baby, I know it."

"What was that?"

Smiling, Strike asks, "You don't know Futurama?"

"I've heard of it. That cartoon, right? I didn't think you watched TV, other than football?"

"I only watch quality TV shows."

"And a cartoon counts?"

"Absolutely. I can see that we need to fill some sad gaps in your knowledge."

All thoughts of work gone from her mind, Robin says, "But sex first, right?"

Unable to curb his smile, Strike rolls his eyes and obliges, "If you insist."

Strike points out the granite stile—pale against the hedgerow—as Robin spots it. Without a word, he helps her over the fence, and she's grateful when he likewise accepts her help to carefully negotiate the stone steps. Robin points out what must be the Brane Cross, commenting, "Not much to look at, is it?"

Strike chuckles and says, "I doubt you'd look much better if you'd been exposed to the elements since the Bronze Age."

Robin laughs and concedes, "True enough." They head south on the lane, walking in silence for a few seconds, and then she asks, "You really think that Cat's body is somewhere in or around that old farmhouse?"

"I do." The main road is now visible, and Strike says, "Mind fetching the car? My leg is playing up. That stile did me in."

Thrilled that he'd ask for help when, in the past, he'd have silently endured pain severe enough to turn his skin grey, Robin says, "Of course. Thank you, darling."

A slight smile on his lips, Strike guesses, "For not being quite so stubborn?"

Robin quickly kisses him and says, "Exactly. I never want you to endure pain if I can easily alleviate it."

Strike kisses her this time, tender and lingering, and then says, "If you stop chatting and fetch the car, we can get back to the hotel and you can alleviate my other pain."

Glancing around to make sure they are in fact alone, Robin rests a hand on his groin, eliciting a gasp and then sigh of pleasure, as she says, "About here?"

"Yes, that's the spot."

The idea of seducing him right here and now crosses Robin's mind, even though she's never had sex outdoors, but she remembers that he's already in pain, so releases him and commands, "Don't go anywhere."

Strike scoffs a laugh and vows, "Unlikely."

Strolling along, the sun on her face through a break in the clouds, Robin is apparently unable to stop smiling as she walks to where Strike's BMW is parked. He's leaning against a tree when she deftly reverses into the lane a few minutes later. As he gets in the car, she jokes, "Going my way?"

Strikes grins and says, "Certainly hope so." As he buckles up, he reveals, "Looked up that old place online. It's not currently on the market, but the details were still visible, and there's an old well on the property. I think it's concealed by that mess of brambles near the main building, which could easily have sprung up over five years."

A cold dread displacing any warmth Robin was feeling, she can only think to say, "Oh."

She must look even worse than she feels, because Strike asks, "Want me to drive?"

Shaking her head, she puts the car into drive and says, "No, I'm okay. It's what we were looking for, right; an easy place to get rid of a body?"

"Right. But it's still not pleasant."

"No. So, you'll call your friend?"

"Already have. He and Bo can check it out tomorrow." When Robin says nothing, merely staring at the road ahead, Strike adds, "We won't be doing any excavating, even if Bo finds something, so you don't need to be there for it. Col can drive me. In fact, might be a good opportunity for you to sweep Ted's place."

When it comes to coping with human remains, Strike has a distinct advantage, unfortunately because he has so much more experience. "Yeah, okay. I'll take you up on that. Oh, but what if I find something?"

"Call Wardle, or the local cops if he doesn't answer, and then hightail it back to me, because at least one of us will need a hug by then."

Robin smiles, knowing that it will be her, and says, "I hate the thought that Cat might be at the bottom of that well, but I've enjoyed today."

"Yeah, me too. You know, if we solve this one, we might become successful enough that we can pick and choose what cases we work on."

"Probably just as well, considering there'll soon be a third person in our partnership."

After a few seconds, Strike says, "I forgot for a moment, about the baby. Does that make me a terrible father?"

Robin laughs and says, "No. I forget sometimes too, though I presume they'll soon make it impossible." And then she remembers the mystery she'd solved while fetching the car, "Oh, I worked out why I blushed before; it was partly that I was in work mode when you suggested sex. But I think it's more that...God, I was a wild thing last night, wasn't I?" Blushing anew at the memory, she glances at Strike, to see a wide grin, and she continues, "I've never felt like that before. It almost scared me how much I wanted you."

"Hey, in case you've forgotten, I was an extremely willing participant. I am more than happy to accept responsibility for your pleasure, but I'm not one of those guys who needs to call the shots. Any time you want to take control, have at it."

Robin can't quite look at Strike to say, "Okay, thanks. But I don't have any complaints about how we normally do it."

"God, you're adorable. You're like a virgin bride, even though you've been married before."

It's the simple truth when Robin finally understands, "But I've never been in love before, not really."

She's only able to look at her husband when he hisses, "Fuck." And it's to see that his eyes are a little too bright, as if he's on the verge of weeping. He smiles and tenderly accuses, "Fuck, woman, I said you'd unman me."

In all the years she's known him, Robin has never seen him cry, so she knows what a gift this is, and says, "I love you, Husband."

His smiles broadens and he says, "You drive too slow, Wife."