S1 E8 - Georgie Tries Her Luck

Part 1 of 2

Dwayne intones in a hushed surprised voice, "That woman is on the hunt."

Camille looks up to see Dwayne leaning hip-shot on the corner of her desk, facing the Public Counter where voices are quietly talking. "What do you mean?" she asks. "Who is?"

Dwayne nods at the counter, "Don' you see the looks she's firin' at the Chief? She wants his head mounted on her wall! I know that look, me, I been avoidin' it for all my life and…"

"What!?" Camille spins around. All she can see is Richard's back, prim and proper as always, dealing with an unseen member of the public. Then she sees the top of a blonde head, hears the low female tones of seduction, imagines the eye-batting. As she rises to her feet, all the hair beginning to bush out on her head, she thinks maybe she also sees his posture changing ever so slightly. Is he reLAXing? Is he leaning just a bit onto one jolly elbow? Is he leaning forward just enough to give the impression of intimacy? Is… is he… is he FLIRTING?

Images of Megan Talbot roar through Camille's head. Oh, no, not that! Please don't make me suffer that again! Once was enough, my heart can't take it, I'll have to throttle him and that'll be end of this on-off romance! Wearing an imitation smile, she stalks towards the counter, leaving a disgusted Dwayne behind. As she approaches, more of this trespassing female comes into view; there's blue eyes, full lips drawn up into a tender smile, creamy shoulders covered in the skimpiest of summer dresses. There stands a glowing Georgie Westcott.

Camille's brain seizes up. This isn't just ANY woman, this is a woman who'd worked hand in hand with Richard to capture a murderer, a woman who put her life in danger, a woman who trusted Richard enough to go along with his mad plan. She shakes her head. Someone ELSE mad enough... because it's supposed to be ME he calls on... not some blonde bystander! He can't resist the perfect English roses, can he? Poor man. I'll kill him!

As she reaches Richard's side, Georgie's eyes slide past him and latch onto hers. Camille hopes her mask is in place because mayhem is uppermost on her mind right now! Something must have slipped through though because Georgie's smile falters and she takes a step back.

Richard turns to see what's going on and that's when Camille sees the photo in Georgie's hand. Peering closer, Camille sees it's puppies. German Shepherd puppies. Something clicks in Camille's head and she steps up briskly to say, "Are these Harry's pups? Oh, aren't they cute?" She flicks the photo out of Georgie's hand and glares at her over the top of it.

Georgie's gaze darts from Camille to Richard and back to Camille. Richard doesn't notice. He's looking at Camille. He hears something in her voice but isn't sure what it means. Georgie has heard it too but knows EXACTLY what it means. Her eyes slide back to Richard, sees his obliviousness, and she smiles. Georgie locks eyes with Camille and a gauntlet is thrown down.

Camille's eyes narrow, she lowers her head and rivets the woman with her best death-stare. Challenge accepted! Georgie smiles sweetly, steps back up and plucks the photo out of Camille's hand, "Yes, they're cute, aren't they? I was just telling Richard…" she pauses, as if scenting the air.

Camille's hackles go up even further, Oh, 'Richard', is it? We'll see about that, missy! She turns to Richard, waiting for him to correct this errant member of the public in the proper form of address with a senior officer of the law. She waits... and Georgie's smile widens. Finally Camille hisses, "I believe you are referring to our Chief of Police, Detective Inspector Poole?"

"Oh, but we're on a first name basis, aren't we, Richard?" Georgie simpers.

This is the point when Dwayne steps up on the other side of Richard and catches his elbow, "Um, chief? There's somethin' back here I need t' show you."

Richard is observing the two women like he's watching a tennis match, "Can't it wait?"

Dwayne shakes his head, "No, sir, I don' think it can." Just as he's drawing Richard out of the direct line of fire, Georgie sighs and slips the photo into her décolletage. Dwayne gulps but perseveres in taking his chief to safety and Richard doesn't even notice as he's already quizzing Dwayne about this 'something' that's so important.

Camille stands her ground and wonders if that's where the photo had been brought out from in front of Richard? Did the woman have that much gall? Is she that blatant? Is she that sure of herself? Giving Georgie one last gun-slinger's look, she sees the satisfied face and decides that this hussy is all that and more!

Georgie matches the look, nods once very slowly, then trills out to Richard's retreating back, "All right, Richard, I can see you're a busy man. Why don't I come back at noon? We can have lunch and I'll tell you all about Harry's adventures in fatherhood."

Camille had managed only two steps away but now she slowly turns back to face Georgie once more. As the two women regard one another, she hears Richard's reply from the back room, "Lunch? Well, all right, things are quiet at the moment. Where would you like to go?"

Georgie takes a triumphant breath to answer when Camille does it for her, "It'll have to be La Kaz, sir. We have several witnesses coming at 1pm about the rum-running the Commissioner is so concerned about. You'll be needed back here by then."

Dwayne speaks up like a good partner-in-crime, "That's right, Chief, witnesses, 1 o'clock."

Camille listens very carefully to Richard's voice as he answers, "Oh, very well then. It'll have to be a very short lunch, Miss Westcott."

Camille smiles at Georgie. MISS Westcott! Did you hear that, you jezebel?

Georgie smiles back, "Georgie, please, Richard. We're comrade-in-arms, aren't we?"

Camille resolutely turns her back on Georgie and shoots Richard right between the eyes. Dwayne sees it and flinches. Richard misses it completely because he's smiling back at the shameless vixen, "We are that. All right, Georgie, I'll meet you at noon at La Kaz." He then looks to Camille, "It is the best spot for tea, after all."

Camille gives him a shark's grin, "Oh, sure, and I'll call ahead to make a reservation."

Richard nods and smiles. So wonderful to have such a dedicated partner as Camille.

Dwayne gulps and pulls his chief further into the safe recesses of the station.

Georgie waits for a moment or two, watching and listening, but all the excitement seems to be over. She pirouettes delicately, flaring her skirt out into a flirty little bell and saunters out, sure she has her sights set on a ripe target.

Camille watches her go, already knowing what she'll tell her Maman as soon as she gets on the phone. Stupid English woman, she gloats, she doesn't know she's up against TWO French women and one of them is a master manipulator of all things male! Sighing complacently, she makes the call then joins Dwayne in keeping Richard occupied for the rest of the morning. She even attempts to distract him to see if he'll notice the time.

He does. "Well, it's noon and I've got an appointment," he states, capping his pen.

Camille gives Dwayne an arched eyebrow. Appointment. Not date. Appointment.

Dwayne signals back ditto. Maybe. We'll see.

Together they watch the chief don his jacket and march out the door. As the silence spins out in the room, Dwayne finally mutters, "Please don' kill him if he comes back with a dinner date. The poor guy can't defend himself and she's a man-eater."

"Not to worry," Camille mutters back, "If Maman does her job, there won't be a dinner date."

END - part 1