S2 E2 - Gifts and Graft

Richard Poole wakes up with a shock, staring into the vacant eyes of a feathered fiend! He chases it onto the veranda, heaping abuse upon its crown... and gets a second shock! Camille, his bête noire and fiendishly French nemesis, gives a sassy finger-wave and openly ogles him. Him, being staunchly English, ignores his dishabille and carries on as if fully starched and suited. Even so, he can't help envisioning her in his pajama shirt. If only...

Camille enjoys the gift of him in his pjs with adorable morning stubble. Now, if only she was wearing the shirt...

After a terse conversation, he makes for the bathroom. It never occurs to him that she might NOT give him his privacy. It certainly occurs to HER... but she foregoes the pleasure in order to preserve his dignity. One mustn't woo an Englishman too strenuously. Instead, she prepares a breakfast, enjoying the gift of being all domestic in his kitchen. If only...

He gets a third shock when he sees the meal awaiting him. An overwhelming rush of nameless longing causes him to pitch his briefcase onto the sand while a most un-Poole thought rings in his head. Decorum be damned! A woman has made him breakfast! This simple gift resounds right down into his very soul. Camille, making breakfast every morning! If only...

Later, at the pool of healing waters, he's compelled by Camille's strangely intimate actions to gift her a candle. If he sent a small prayer heavenward while lighting it, he's careful not to think about it. Camille, bathing herself languidly in his company! If only...

She receives the candle with surprise and doesn't hesitate to wing a swift prayer aloft. The moment feels intimate, almost holy, like a promise made. As he turns away, she closes her eyes and shivers. Later that night, in her room, she rekindles it and kneels in supplication. She vows to renew this candle every night until her prayers are answered. If only...

Then, there's that unsettling moment in the station when Dwayne reveals his 'killer smile'. Unsettling because the message conveyed strikes home loud and clear... 'I'm a man who knows women, knows them very well, knows what they like and how to deliver! If you're looking for a good time, ladies, the queue starts on the right.' Richard Poole is startled then puzzled then envious! He waits until he catches Dwayne alone and asks if he can teach him to smile like that.

"You, Chief? I've had decades t' hone my style, ever since I wuz fifteen. When did YOU start?" His boss' reply is barely audible. "I see," Dwayne drawls. "Well, mebee you fitted in more dates than me. I've had thousands. How 'bout you?" The reply is just a ghost of a sound before a silence falls. Dwayne watches his boss fidget then sighs, "I dunno, Chief. A smile like mine can't be copied, it's gotta be earned... an', sorry, I don't think yer anywhere near it."

At his boss' chagrin, Dwayne holds up a hand, "But mebee I kin teach you a shortcut, yes, aye? Come inta the back room." He leads his DI to the locker area mirror and sets him before it. "Now, lower yer chin, more, more, stop. Look up frum beneath yer brows, right, jest like that. Now, smile real small, like you know a secret... and you'll tell it fer a kiss."

This results in a stubborn refusal to do any such thing! "Chief! Do you wanna get her attention 'r not?" and gets a stammered question about who 'she' might be! "Chief, I ain't blind, I know who yer doin' this for. My killer smile won't work on her. She needs a more subtle approach, jest a hint of whut's possible. She'll be so curious she can't resist takin' you up on it. One kiss an' game over, trust me."

Richard Poole spends a few minutes practicing. He tries several variations but they make him look deranged so he opts for the simple moves Dwayne advised. If this works, he'll owe Dwayne big time! Now, he needs to pick his time and hope for the best. If only...

He waits until that evening. The final clues are in and they've solved the case. All that remains is the gathering of suspects, his presentation of the facts, and arresting the guilty party... but that has to wait until morning. It's dark, it's late, and everyone's tired. He asks Camille to help him wrap up his report and dismisses the men. Dwayne's sly wink at the station door is stoutly ignored. He tries to calm himself to begin his approach. He really hopes she doesn't shut him down and declare 'game over' before it's even started.

Ten minutes later, not only is his report finished, it's all over the floor. He's pressed back onto his own desktop and being kissed by an expert! Game NOT over. Game just starting! It takes all his strength to resist complete surrender and convince her to postpone the festivities until they can get back to his place.

Once there, game back ON in spectacular fashion! His last thought as he spirals down into exhaustion? He owes Dwayne more than big time. He owes Dwayne whatever he asks for the gift of that smile! All his 'if onlys' have been answered tonight.

Two weeks later, a much more relaxed DI Poole notices an entry in that month's operational budget... 'witness incentive expense - 3 rum punches, Joolee's bar'.

He signs off on it without question.

END

*I have a picture of that special smile, I think it might be from 'Blind Date' or 'Passion Killers'. Lovely... and dangerous.*

**Closing down collection #7, taking a break before starting collection #8. Thanks to everyone who has supported me in this strange hobby of DiPping. Hope to see you all soon.**