Chapter 20 : A New Life 2
Summary:
With this chapter I intend to end this first season, which is situated between the magic and the reality of Richard and Camille. Logically, some facts have had to change, more and more, as the lives of both of them progress. Enjoy!
Chapter Text
Camille, contrary to her now usual habit, doesnt meet Richard that night. There she is, along with Dwayne, cheering Fidel on. The young officer can't seem to shake his nerves - he's less than two weeks away from being a father!
Fidel asks:
"Are you sure the Chief isn't upset about not being with you?"
Camille thinks for a while. She thinks that, way back when they first met, when they weren't quite clear that they already knew each other because of their special connection, it's possible that Richard was thrilled not to have her in his life.
It's very different now, of course. If she is there with them it is because Richard needed that afternoon and part of the evening to talk to his father and the Croydon estate agent. He wants to speed up the sale of his house. Not only him, but also Camille is fed up with roasting in the evenings in the shack of her lover, friend and almost, almost, fiancé.
Dwayne chuckles and comments:
"I'd say our DI is already addicted to the Sergeant, Fidel. The Chief has stolen our Caribbean goddess."
Camille can't tell them that she was already Richard's even before she met him in person on the island.
"You might as well say that I have stolen Richard from the UK."
"You know he still has a temporary posting on the island, right? Of course you could still be together, although it would be complicated." Fidel says, fearing he is on slippery ground.
Camille feels a small cloud looming over her life. Richard has assured her that he is staying on the island, but, as Fidel says, nothing official is certain yet. And, unless the Loa intervene, not everything depends on the iron will of the DI and DS.
As they say, prepare for the worst (i.e. fight tooth and nail to achieve your purpose) and hope for the best.
She decides to change the subject while making a mental plea to Richard's God and the Loa of Saint Marie.
"At the moment he is busy with his house in Croydon and some very special errands he has given his parents. That's why I'm with you tonight - I think he wants to extend the shack and install air conditioning!"
Fidel and Dwayne look at each other, the Chief is preparing the nest for Camille and him.
"I wouldn't worry about Juliette and the baby, Fidel. Everything will be fine. I'm sure." Camille assures Fidel tenderly, she can't wait to be an aunt!
Fidel gets up from the table and concludes his part in the conversation with the following:
"I'm sure you do. But I think it's time for me to go. Camille, you told me earlier that the first baby is always late, but ... what if it isn't? I'd better go now."
Camille also gets up and says to Dwayne:
"I'm off to keep an eye on my friend in the shack. That restless head of his has been busy lately with a multitude of plans. I'm off to make sure he gets some rest tonight."
"Yes, of course, I have no doubt." Dwayne replies with a chuckle.
But Dwayne soon forgets about the two of them, about Fidel, about the baby even. Earlier he has seen a brunette beauty too lonely and he is there to remedy that unforgivable mistake.
Who would have thought that he, Dwayne Myers, would end up being one of the main suspects in Nadia Selim's dreadful crime!
"There's no doubt about it, Camille, Dwayne was with that woman." Richard tells his DS the bad news as they are cleaning up the crime scene.
Camille knows that Dwayne has conquered half the female population of the island of Saint Marie, or the other way around. Dwayne doesn't care much about seducing or being seduced. The result is the same.
"I guess with his history of conquests, it's not hard for him to end up with a poor victim, Richard. "
Richard looks at her very seriously:
"Frankly, Camille, I have a hard time seeing Dwayne as a murderer. Why would he have to kill that woman? The officer doesn't care about his reputation and he's not ambitious. He's got plenty of women! And he has brains and common sense. But I must follow procedure. For his own good as well as our own."
Camille is starting to get angry with Richard. Like it hasn't happened in a long time.
Richard interrogates Dwayne in front of Camille. He confirms that he hit on the woman, that he accompanied her to her house. The victim invited him for a coffee, which resulted in a couple of kisses and something else, of course. And, strangely enough, some self-defence classes. Strange. But she was alive when he left!
That means Officer Myers can't help in the investigation either, he's a witness involved in the case.
With Camille looking at him like that, Richard has a bit of a hard time being the Detective Inspector at Honoré Police Station. But he has to make it so for Dwayne's sake. No one will be able to say that procedure has not been followed.
This procedure is followed until, with everyone at the station, Richard dismisses Dwayne's written statement and integrates him back into the police team, earning a look of approval and affection from Fidel and Camille. But it is Camille who Richard stares at for a few seconds longer than necessary.
What a stressful day! Richard feels that everything is happening all at once. The important thing is that the case seems to be moving forward in the same way.
That is what DI Poole is thinking when he discovers that he has not replied to Commissioner Selwyn Patterson's proposal. The Commissioner has requested his presence when he was about to resolve a small detail of the case. It is paradoxical that his superior has offered him the chance to get his job and his house back, when his old job would now take him away from his real home at the moment!
But Richard realizes something:
"You haven't heard about it now, have you?"
The Commissioner replies:
"No. We need you here, Inspector. I think you already know that."
Richard looks at him astonished and frightened, perhaps? The Commissioner, when he said that particular phrase, didn't sound like him. He remembers when the Loa spoke through him and can't help but feel a twinge of fear.
"I know, Commissioner. It's a good thing I know where my home is. I'll think about it, I promise. Not too much though." Richard says as he pockets the paper. "Now I have to check something with a veterinarian related to the case that can't be delayed. If I may."
"Very well, but don't forget your promise."
And the Commissioner dismisses him with his superior smile.
And, as Richard leaves, he can't help but turn around to look at what looks like Catherine's latest conquest, Aidan Miles, strange man. It looks like he and Catherine are serious. Richard can't help but shiver a little when Catherine introduces them.
Richard also remembers how insistent Camille has been in telling him about his probably new stepfather. It didn't sound like the Detective Sergeant was looking forward to the possible union.
"Richard, at least I know won't be thrown out onto the street, you'll take me in, won't you?"
Richard smiles thoughtfully until he reaches his destination. He, too, is busying himself with the shack's likely renovations. Of course he would welcome the love of his life. He wants them both to have a home. A home suitable for their probable future needs.
The phone rings at that moment:
"DI Poole." He answers.
"Richard! Where are you?"
He is taken aback. That voice sounds like his mother's. He finds it hard to change the subject mentally speaking.
"Mom, I'm glad to hear your voice. You know I'm still here on the island. I'm busy with a case right now. Is there a problem?"
He hears mumbling that he can't quite make out.
"None, son. I'll call you later. By the way, I've already managed to send you what you wanted so badly. It's on its way."
Richard is very happy about that. And, for the moment, he forgets about them, about the Commissioner, about anything that doesn't have something to do with the case. But he makes a mental note to meet Camille just five or ten minutes before he wraps up this case.
And so he does. They both know that, although they haven't drifted apart, the plans to build a life together have done nothing but drive them apart.
Richard, after getting the relevant information from the vet, has arranged to meet Camille at a nearby café.
The first thing she does is sit next to him and kiss him.
"Is something wrong, Richard?"
"Commissioner Patterson has offered me the chance to get my old job back, Camille."
She's not worried about that now, but she needs to make sure Richard hasn't changed his mind, especially after those comments regarding the UK weather that her boyfriend has exchanged with DI Chris Ricketts, the SOCA officer in charge of the case of Nadia Selim, aka Rose Duchamp.
"And you're still thinking about...?"
"Still with you, Camille, still with my friends, still with my responsibilities. And with my life, the only life I've ever fully enjoyed is here."
Camille sighs. The truth is that her mother's affair doesn't exactly give her peace of mind, and Richard was another worry. He is not the only one who carries burdens of abandonment or betrayal. She decides to really trust him and, burying those thoughts that have already hurt her once and done her no good, she changes the subject.
"I know, Richard. Did the vet confirm what you suspected?"
"That's right, Camille. And..." Richard still doesn't know how to tell her about his suspicions regarding her mother's friend, he man called Aidan. Until he's absolutely sure, he prefers to check first and not tell her anything.
Surely it's just a coincidence that Nadia Selim's name is an anagram of Aidan Miles' name. And that the man hasn't been on the island very long and that...
Shit! He has always said that coincidences don't exist. But before saying anything to Camille, he still hopes for a miracle. But, if that's not the case, he'll have to tell her first. Before officially solving the case. He owes her.
"Yes, Richard?"
"My mother called. It seems she's already sent me what I asked for. And when I spoke to the Croydon estate agent and my father, I also got my father to act on my behalf so I don't have to be present at the sale of the house."
Camille isn't sure that's what Richard meant to say to her.
"Very well, don't you feel dizzy with so much change in such a short time, darling, don't you feel like you're burning bridges to make it impossible to go back if necessary?"
Richard looks at her with determination.
"Go back where?" He takes her hand in his, discreetly caressing it. "I didn't have anything before. Not even professionally speaking. I was nobody. You're not changing your mind?"
Camille smiles:
"You know I haven't. But I promise you that never before has my life had as many drastic changes in a row as it has now. I'm not like you, but that doesn't mean I don't feel dizzy just thinking about how much my life has changed. And know that I love you. I love you very much. That's for sure."
Richard looks away. He's about to solve a case, he's going to tell the Commissioner that he won't call that phone number and that the shack renovations will go ahead. And the woman in his life has just told him she loves him in broad daylight and surrounded by strangers.
It's a madness he hadn't thought he'd ever experience.
"I love you too. But we have to go back to close the case. Then we'll take care of the rest. I'm meeting you here, alone, just to make sure you and I are still rowing in the same direction, that's all."
They return to the station where Richard begins to organize all the necessary paraphernalia to bring the case to a close.
For the first time, when Richard manages to tie up the ends of the case and sends Fidel and Dwayne to La Kaz to "buy them a few beers to celebrate something very important" and to close the case, he holds Camille. He wants to tell her about Aidan Miles. The man is very dangerous. She needs to be at Catherine's side and be prepared for what might happen.
"I've already called Miss Westcott to take the dog to La Kaz."
"And you kept me here to tell me that? You could have done that on the way to the bar."
Camille is afraid. Deep down she doesn't want to know what Richard wants to tell her - he's sure to be forced to go back to his country!
"I'm afraid your mother's boyfriend is involved in the case, Camille." Richard decides to be blunt.
She is taken aback. Aidan didn't like Richard, but she thought it was because he felt a kind of "territorial" threat.
"Is my mother in danger, Richard?"
He sighs.
"I honestly believe his interest in her is sincere. But he is very dangerous. I also believe that if he feels cornered he will not hesitate to hurt her or anyone else. But your mother is all right now, my love, don't doubt it. If she knows nothing now, before it all becomes clear, Aidan will sense no danger from her and will not harm her."
"But it will all come out right now, won't it?" she asks anxiously.
"Almost from the moment we walk into your mother's bar but, just to be safe, please bring your gun. It's loaded, right?"
"Of course, Richard. The regulations require it. And this time I won't hesitate to use it if I have to."
Richard smiles, strokes her face and says:
"That's my girl."
The Saint Marie police station is always on duty, or almost always. Because when the middle-aged couple approaches the entrance, they are dismayed to see that it is closed.
There is a weather-worn metal sign indicating where to call if you need anything.
And that is what they were going to do. But a shopkeeper from one of the stalls below, no doubt wanting to make a sale in return for the favour he is going to do them, points them to where the officers were headed at that moment.
Of course, the man doesnt know that if they have gone to La Kaz it was not to drink, but to close a case. Since he doesn't care much about that, he decides to limit himself to making an instant profit with these clearly grateful tourists and forgets about it.
It was all rather chaotic in the end. As expected in La Kaz, and as Richard predicted, Aidan tried to resist arrest, not caring if he hurt Catherine by running away. The dog helped provide further evidence of his guilt.
But that didn't stop Catherine from feeling devastated. Devastated, but dignified. She has not shed a tear.
The truth is that Aidan Miles was a man who had also stolen a lot of money, he belonged to an international network of very dangerous criminals and poor Rose paid with her life for doing the right thing.
Fortunately, Fidel's wife Juliette went into labour at the time of the arrest, distracting everybody and leaving Dwayne and Richard to take care of the paperwork and lock Miles in one of the cells. Camille and Catherine have accompanied Fidel with great excitement.
They wouldn't miss this for the world!
Of course, Catherine has left the bar open, one of her trusted staff will run it in her absence. If there was anything important Catherine needed to know, that person would already know where to find her.
Everyone is already on the veranda of Fidel's beautiful house - even the Commissioner is there! He should be surprised that Richard is not at any point trying to make a mobile phone call, but he is not. Before sitting down, the DI has already informed his superior of the decision taken so far in advance.
The Commissioner smiled with all his might - he always wins! Although in this case, he is absolutely sure that Richard and Camille have also won.
Poor Juliette's screams are incessantly heard until the cry of a baby is heard. Seconds later a rumpled, smiling, happy and tired Fidel appears at the window of the house, holding a beautiful baby girl in his arms.
Camille and Catherine are the first to approach this crying and wonderful bundle once Fidel comes out onto the veranda. For a few seconds Catherine has forgotten all the bad things that had happened a few hours before - the arrival of a baby into the world is always wonderful! And she is another beautiful baby girl, like her Camille.
The Commissioner also congratulates her with sincere appreciation. And Dwayne wears one of his broadest smiles, a smile that also includes eyes that reflect his happiness for his dear friend - he already knows he will be the godfather!
Only Richard stands a little apart. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't feel excited. The family at the police station is growing and he is witnessing it. And he is one of the family too.
"Chief, you need to take the girl." It's Dwayne who tells him.
"Come on, Richard, she won't bite." It's Camille, with happiness reflected on her face.
"All right, come here, beautiful!"
When he looks at the little girl's little face, he sees that she couldn't be prettier.
"Richard, come out onto the steps. It's brighter here and I want to take a picture of you."
And he carefully does as Camille asks.
When she has already taken his picture, he is astonished to hear his mother's voice.
"Surprise, Richard, were here!"
An employee of Catherine's bar has sent them there. His mother now thinks she understands why her son has asked them for his grandparent's wedding rings. And why they brought it in person instead of simply posting it.
But she's confused! Her son hasn't been on the island that many months. And the woman who took his picture doesn't seem to have had any children.
Richards mother whispers to her husband.
"Honey, what is Richard doing with that baby in his arms? He's not..."
Her husband looks at her tenderly.
"It can't possibly be his child. Richard sent us a picture of her DS Bordey and it's obvious she hasn't had any children recently. I think your desire to be a grandmother has clouded your judgement."
Richard can't help but notice their presence and looks at them almost in dismay. Especially being with Camille at that moment and with a baby in his arms, he doesn't want to encourage his parents too much, especially his mother!
Now they won't stop insisting on having grandchildren. Especially at Richard's age.
After the initial surprise at their totally unexpected presence on the island, Richard first introduces them to Fidel, Juliette and the precious little Rose.
What a day!
Notes:
There will be a continuation, of course! Despite the fact that this case begins and ends on the same day, the Loa are always managing to get into the lives of the inhabitants of Honoré, on the island of Saint Marie! Thanks to Sweepeaspatch for your always valuable correction, for your incredible contributions to history, thank you! (And also for your ideas for the continuation). Ideas for which I also have to thank OldProf and faarfromhome!
Notes:
This time I wanted the scene of the two of them sitting on the beach to be the beginning of something even they didn't dare imagine, because technically they don't know each other. The magic of the Caribbean does its thing.