Chapter 6: Once upon a time... in paradise
Summary:
The end came. What is certain is that the murder of Inspectors must end. They give the island's tourism a very bad image. And that's got Commissioner Patterson in a bad way. ...
Dwayne gets his dates back, Camille proves her worth, Fidel looks for a hole or two and Richard has a bit of a scare...
Chapter Text
The day is finally here, Richard repeats to himself as for the umpteenth time he checks the knot in his tie in front of the tiny bathroom mirror in poor DI Hulme's old shack.
As if the knot were an omen of his first day at Honoré police station on the strange, magical and hospitable island of Saint Mare.
Hisnerves aresomewhatquelled by thememory of thetalk he had with Sergeant Camille Bordey until one o'clock in the morning on the veranda of the rickety hut that is now his home.
A talk in which he confessed to her the real reason for his arrival on the island: Commissioner Patterson's project to put the island of Saint Marie on the map of the Caribbean, to ensure that the valuable human capital of the island and the surrounding area would finally have a chance to move up the police career ladder and to prevent the criminal mafias from considering the island as a sanctuary for their criminal activities... although Richard is not yet going to confess to Camille that she has been part of this project from the beginning, almost from the very moment he was called.
Hopefully it won't even need to be mentioned...
In Sergeant Camille Bordey's flat above La Kaz she is just finishing getting ready to pick up the DI from his shack to drive them both to the police station. For both of them its their first day. She never really got to work inside that the police station of Honoré, let alone Richard. And they haven't worked together before either... Will that make any difference to the strange relationship of friendship, or professional or...?
She hopes not!
Good thing she's had a good two cups of coffee -she hadn't planned onstaying until one o'clock in the morning in her future boss's shack talking about the case that had brought Richard to the island to prepare future strategies!
But we had good reason to stay up late together, she hears herself think. It was also terribly revealing and interesting to hear Richard's motivations, coinciding on many points, with what had always been her own...
The night before in Richard Poole's shack
The waves of the sea have managed to create an atmosphere of true peacedespite the butterflies in her stomach.
The detective sergeant has been telling Richard that she has met threeislandfriends she hasn't seen for at least 10 years or more. Lenaig, Virna and Heike.
Richard looks at her strangely.
"Actually those were the nicknames we used in a book club. Lenaig liked dramas, Virna liked horror and Heike studied stories and legends, especially from Saint Marie. I think that for them, as for me, it was a way to 'get off' the island, to travel. But I'm afraid the book club was too quiet and I felt too restless. But I made good friends!"
"Books, well chosen, help you to travel the world without leaving home, Camille. Although in my case, the journey has been very real. In every way."
Camille looks at him, she likes Commissioner Patterson's project. It was that lack of a future in that police career she loves so much that forced her to leave the island. Now she, perhaps, has more of a reason to stay.
In an attempt to quell those butterflies in her stomach, Camille asks him, as she curses those green eyes:
"And what is it that moves you, Richard? If it weren't for the fact that this is a temporary assignment..." she thinks about how to follow up on the question, missing his nervous look at that comment.
"If it wasn't a temporary assignment... I'd say that coming here at Christmas, abruptly leaving your job, your family and thus avoiding celebrating the holidays with them... I get the feeling you haven't given much thought to what you've done."
Richard mulls over his response, certainly Sergeant Bordey is going to be a great addition to the team. He has to acknowledge that she has amazing intuition, that she canread him like a book.
He avoids her gaze when he answers:
"My life hasn't been easy. Ever since I was a child. Another day, if it comes up, I'll tell you about that. What I can tell you about, because you can imagine, is that my police career in Croydon was stuck. I didn't feel respected or valued. And it was getting worse. I can say without lying that Commissioner Patterson, and I hope you never tell him, saved my career and my life."
"Your life?" she asked in astonishment. "You wouldn't think..."
She remembers feeling enormous terror then.
"Yes, my motives have always been several: if possible, to prevent crime. If not, to bring justice to the victims, almost, almost, even to avenge them, to avenge their memory, by bringing the criminals to justice so that they pay for what they did. Get people to trust the police. I'm not the only one who thinks like thatbutthere are some bad apples out there. There is certainly a lot to be done. The thing is, when you only havethose reasonsto make your life meaningful and when some colleagues areinterferingto stop you fulfilling even that... it can get dangerous."
"You're scaring me, Richard."
Richard then looks at her.
"It was seemed like the logical and practical thing to sentimentality.I had no love for the place and saw no possibility, at the time, of leaving it. I think Commissioner Patterson saved my life and not just my police career... but don't worry, that's all in the past. I hope what I've told you never gets out. You know, Patterson has spoken very highly of you. We're going to have to handle this case together very carefully. Two Inspectors have been killed and I need both of us to trust each other."
A good way to divert the subject from the personal to the professional. She thought at the time. Very clever movement.
Evidently the wine had loosened their tongues more than the two of them intended and she, realizing perhaps that they were starting to go too far, looked at her wristwatch and, rising, said goodbye to him with the following words:
"I love your motivations, Richard Poole..." she willthink about hismeans and the opportunities another time "but I think that, since we havediscussedthe case and the way we will be working in the immediate present and seeing that it is already one in the morning, as much as I enjoy chatting with you, I have toget somesleep for a few hours. We'll do this again, I promise."
She turns away, but changes her mind, turns around and plants a kiss on eachof his cheeks,purely as a friendly French gesture, nothing else. Or so she thinks.
Richard stands up not knowing what to do and smiles his half smile at her.
"Good night, Camille. Have a good night's rest. We have a lot of organizing to do tomorrow."
Camilles house
Camille has finished getting ready and sets out topick upher boss.
Bright and early.
In the Jeep on the way to work they both avoid talking about their talk the night before. They don't know what they will find at the station and want to be completely focused on the case.
Even though they both trust each other almost blindly.
At the station…
DI Poole is at his desk with his computer from the last century (another thing to change if Patterson wants him to stay at Saint Marie) going over the reports again.
Specifically the reports that Sergeant Thompson is passing on to him. There are obviousholes, differences between the information he already had and what she has given him.
But he keeps that to himself.
Would that explain thestrainedatmosphere he detected when he entered the office? On the part of Fidel and Dwayne there were handshakes, friendly greetings, respectful smiles... and perhaps the odd look or two between Fidel and his friend when they saw him and Camille enter the office together. Something that Richard would have cared more about at another time, but if everything goes as it should, as he expects... it wouldn't really be a problem.
On Lily's part, he has sensed nothing but distant coldness. But it may be understandable, she may feel threatened. Not only by him, but also by Camille.
Though that doesn't explain the holes he spots in the death reports of thetwo previous DIs. And it also reminds him to tread carefully.
He's surethe enemyis very close tohome. Andhewon't settle for making life miserable on the jobfor them. No, he is determined to arrest them.
He looks at Camille, who, in order not to make the atmosphere even more tense, has found herself a place at the information desk in the office.
She looks up and returns his gaze with a smile. She is worried about Richard. Lily Thompson's fleeting glance of hatred and fear at the Inspector was very revealing. That is why she has been unwilling to sit at Richard'sdeskas he has offered. She has even been somewhat cold to him.
She needs to become, if not friends, then close colleagues with Lily. Her intuition tells her that this woman has something to do with the murders she and Richard are here for.
Her musings are cut short when Commissioner Patterson shows up with his big, loud voice in the office. Everyone rises promptly except Camille,as she was already standing up,and Richard, who takes his time to finish collecting the papers before greeting him properly.
"Commissioner" greets Richard.
Patterson observes the scene before him. Even he realizes that something is amiss.
"Please get on with your work. Inspector, I would like to officially welcome you to the island of Saint Marie. If you think anything could be changed, anything at all, please let me know. We'll see if it's possible."
"While you're on the subject..."
"Although I warn you that the budget is limited. You understand that I want to see results first."
"I understand." Sighs Richard. He suspects he's going to have to make do with his old computer for quite some time.
Patterson turns around again when he was almost at the exit of the office.
"By the way, welcome to paradise. Also to Sergeant Bordey. We've missed her. Inspector, I know you've only just arrived, but as soon as you can, please update me on the investigation. I'll leave you to your work. I have to meet with my wife and children. I have a family meeting. Good morning."
Two hours later, Fidel and Dwayne are patrolling the harbour as they return to questioning the few witnesses to DI Hulme and DI Anderson's last wanderings.
In a break from the sparse and unproductive questioning, Dwayne continues to observe that Fidel is still as meditative as before the new DI arrived.
"Dude, at Christmas Eve dinner I saw the same old Fidel again. What are you worried about now? I assure you Lily seems to have forgotten her obsession with you."
Fidel looks at him worriedly.
"Didn't you notice how she looked at DI Poole? It was pure hatred. Frankly, Dwayne, for once I have hope of getting somewhere with my career. I'd hate to see Richard Poole go down like the other two Inspectors. I have a feeling we're going to do very well with him. He trusts us and he even told me at dinner that if I work hard, he'll see to it that I get promoted. He seems to have a lot of integrity. He doesn't seem as laid back as Hulme or as obnoxious as Anderson."
Dwayne sighs, he's been putting off his appointments week after week.
"It's really horrible! I swear, if Lily would just disappear from our sight, I'd sleep a lot easier. This girl is a sourpuss. She's the only islander who doesn't know how to live and enjoy herself. But this time I'm not going to be the only one watching this new guy's back, you're going to take turns with me. Besides..."
"Yeah?" Fidel is smiling again. Dwayne could always be counted on.
"Nothing. I don't think it would be a good thing if this killing spree of Met Inspectors continued. We have to get normality back on the island, Fidel. People are starting to get nervous."
"So not only will we protect the new Inspector, but maybe we'll help uncover something bigger. Good thinking, Dwayne! I think you're ready to move up in the police force."
Dwayne looks at him gravely offended.
"No way!"
It's evening, Richard thinks that for a first day it's not bad. The puzzle is already coming together in his head. It was really a matter of common sense. Really simple. But that doesn't make it any less serious.
It's late and he's alone. It's really only eight o'clock at night, but he and Camille have decided by mutual agreement that they both need to concentrate on the case... separately. As tempting as it is to be able to share their respective points of view in a relaxed and calm manner with the sound of the waves as background music.
The Inspector laughs to himself. Its clear that Camille is also feeling a little confused, like him. And if so... it's possible that her life hasalsobeen turned upside down in every conceivable way.
She seems like a good girl, ashismother would say. And for onceshe wouldhaveactuallybeen his choice for a change.
He sighs and tries to get back on the case. As clear-cut as it seems, it's stillonly ahypothesis, and he's not usually wrong. But he needs proof, and that proof has not beenfound. Not all of it. There has been a lot of surveillance with so much murder. That attracts a lot of attention.
And he willcontinue tolook for it.
As he's about to go inside the shack to change into his pyjamas (he'll have to change his wardrobe if he doesn't want to die of dehydration) Lily appears out of nowhere with some papers in her hand.
Richard hesitates cautiously. In Croydon and here he has always made it clear that the only visitors he receives at his home outside working hours are those he allows in advance. And there is only one woman he would allow innow.
"Sergeant Thompson, what a surprise. I thought I made it clear that if there were any developments, to inform Detective Sergeant Bordey first and she would contact me. Is there something serious going on?"
Lily is very nervous, she hasn't even taken a good look at the papers in her hands.
She is no fool, she has Commissioner Patterson breathing down her neck, this Inspector Poole is nothing like the others that have gone before him and she has lost the trust of her co-workers. Only a few months ago she thought she had everything under controlbut nowit seems her life has gone completely off track.
She averts her gaze to hide her hatred, her fear, her nervousness from Richard. When she looks back at him she does so with her best smile. Hulme wouldn't look at her, Anderson despised her, maybe she'll manage tofoolthis Inspector. It's the only chance she has left. She has no choice but to try.
"I'm so sorry, Inspector. Since you commented that you value people who work hard I thought you probably didn't want to wait until tomorrow."
"I appreciate your devotion to the job. I will keep that in mind. But I also like that procedure is followed. I need to rest now. Since you have not yet told me anything that I might consider urgent, I urge you to let Sergeant Bordey know."
"I suppose she will be in Guadeloupebynow, would be quicker if I just talk to you here."
"What? Why don't I know anything about that?" Richard becomes momentarily upset. What if it's Camille who's in danger? That possibility never occurred to him, and it makes him terribly nervous.
Lily takes a step back.
"Oh! I mentioned to her that Hulme was looking intosomething onGuadeloupe as well and she said it would be interesting to pull that thread, sir."
Richard takes those two steps closer to her, forgetting his earlier misgivings. He is somewhat furious and... quizzical. Camille, from what heknows ofher, is not one to flout the rules, not entirely. And they have agreed to trust each other completely.
Camille has not gone to Guadeloupe. That's as sure ashisname is Richard. He hides his smirk. Lily has made a miscalculation.
Before he can comment again, he and Lily hear a strange noise in the thick of the night, footsteps perhaps. Lily immediately dismisses it, there are too many wild animals on the island.
"All right, anyway, Sergeant, I beg of you, if it's not urgent, prepare a report for me tonight and I'll read it first thing tomorrow morning."
As he turns away, Lily feels her hatredflare out of control.
He ignores her too! Fortunately she has her regulation weapon at hand. She can throw the gun into the sea and say that she and Richard have confronted a stranger...
When Richard, sensing danger at his back, turns around and finds himself facing the barrel of Lily's gun, he angrily realizes that he too has made a miscalculation.
He is still thinking about throwing tea in the sergeant's face when Dwayne emerges from the thicket followed by Fidel and Camille.
Lily, seeing herself cornered, decides that at least she will have the satisfaction of finishing Richard off and with a terrifying speed to Camille, Fidel and Dwayne she approaches a paralysed Richard Poole and, while grabbing his arm with a force of fear, hatred or both, threatens him with her free hand, pointing it firmly at the back of his head as she tells the officers in front of her:
"One more step and the Inspector dies!"
But Camille shoots her, wounding her in the arm, while Fidelrushes to protectRichard, who had already immobilised her and DwaynerushesLily to take the gun from her and take her away from Richard and Fidel.
Onlywhen Camille looks at Richard and he looks back at her with a reassuring gesturedoes she callan ambulance for Lily.
Dwayne is already readingLilyher rights.
Richard watches all this in amazement - he was being watched by his own colleagues!
When he hears a movement at the table where he had left his cup of tea, he sees that the lizard is also watching him.
"What's the matter, mate, too much fuss?" says Richard amusedly to the animal.
"Are you all right, sir?" asks Fidel checking the Inspector for holes.
"Yes, Fidel, I'm fine." Despite everything, Richard sits down on the chair on the veranda. "But..., how...?"
Camille steps forward:
"Too many Inspectors have been killed, sir. When Lily told me about Guadeloupe, I knew instantly that she wanted to keep me away, separate me from the group. She, if she could help it, would barely speak to me at the station, I was an intruder. I was an interloper, and suddenly she's 'doing me the favour' of giving me a clue?"
"And that's why you were with Dwayne and Fidel watching me almost in my sleep, of course." Richard comments.
"No, sir. " Fidel continues. "She called me to confirm about Guadalupe, I guess just in case. When I told her that it was already under investigationby another team, she heard me say goodbye to Dwayne, tellinghimto keep a close eyeon you tonight. She asked mewhat we were up to, put two and two together and ordered me to join Dwayne in the surveillanceon you. And she told me she would join the two of us."
"And that's it, Chief." Dwayne finishes. He is holding Lily tightly. He prefers to do it himself. He doesn't care how Lily feels about him, he's never cared about her. But he knows the hatred she felt first for Fidel and then for Richard. Heknows how to handleher properly. "
Richard stands up hiding the excitement he feels at being protected in such a way by his teamthat he barely knows, except for Camille, for more than two days.
"Ahem. I'm afraid, Dwayne, you're going to be onguardat the hospital until Sergeant Thompson is discharged."
"I'll be with him, sir," Fidel points out. He has lost his fear of Lily.
"And I'llwrite upthe report about tonight, sir." Camille informs him with a smile. "I advise you to rest tonight. We'll report back to you tomorrow. I'm glad to see thatyou came to no harm."
She winks at him when the other men nor Lily see her and bids him goodnight.
Richard thinks that, in any case, they will have to search Lily's belongings at the station and at her home tomorrow. He hopes to find the evidence or clues he so desperately needs.
Hecan only charge herfor attempted murderright now buthe is already convinced that it is she who has murdered both Inspectors Hulme and Anderson andJamesLavenderas well.
Fidel, Lily and Dwayne also leave as soon as the ambulance arrives.
Camille takes the Defender with her.
When Richard returns to find himself alone with the lizard, he comments:
"I can assure you that I wouldn't have minded calming down at all with Camille by my side. Just chatting, of course. Don't make a fuss, this heat is killing me and since I've been here I've discovered that I'm not at all keen on getting sand all over the place. Least of all the nosy,annoying lizards like you, but... what happened to me tonight and the night before is really something team knowsme and they still care about me! I'm beginning to suspect thatthe source of my problem in Englandwasn't me, my friend."
The lizard shakes his head from side to side.
"Go hunt bugs!" Richard tells him before going back into the shack to try to relax and sleep.
Next day, afternoon
If anyone had complained about the noise caused by a group of people in La Kaz, Honoré's police team would have been in big trouble, mostly because they were the ones making a fuss celebrating that they had finally cracked the bizarre case of the Met Inspectors' murders.
Well, not so strange, the search of Sergeant Thompson's home revealed that, apart from Lavender, it was she herself who had connections with human trafficking in Guadeloupe and the Caribbean.
"She wasn't like that when she started working in the police," recalls Fidel. "But I think she was driven by frustration that her work was not valued. She decided to move to the side where she earned a lot more in a lot less time. However risky it was. What gives me goose bumps is discovering how easily she pulled the triggeron all 3 victims. And to know that I would probably have been next, or you, sir. Or Camille."
"Enough, Fidel. Fortunately it's all over now." Richard stops him, trying to reassure him. He now understands the pressure agent Best has been under. "The truth is that this time shewas in trouble, we were already warned and this time you, Camille and I already assumed that the danger was within the police."
Richard notices that Dwayne is frowning.
"What's the matter, Dwayne, sorry about Lily?" asks Fidel.
"You've got to be joking! She's always been so weird. No, it's not that. Why didn't you include me among those who could be killed by Lily? Am I not important?"
They all laugh.
"Not at all. I don't know why I didn't include you. Maybe because itseems to me that you're a tougher nut to crack. You would have seen it coming. I think that's just it." Fidel replies.
"Yes, that's possible. It helps to have certain contacts with some badfriends, don't you think so, Commissioner?"
"In the right measure, Agent Myers." Says Patterson, who has stopped by just for a moment to celebrate the end of a nightmare for the prestige of the island's police force.
The Commissioner is delighted to note that, as always, his idea has been a success. Only one piece remains to be secured. Detective Sergeant Bordey has not yet taken up her post at Honoré station.
"Constable Myers, we all know how important it is to have eyes and ears everywhere, but I'm sure you know never to compromise police work. It would reassure me to know that you're very clear on that." Says the Commissioner.
"Of course I do, sir." Dwayne replies with a big smile.
"I trust him, Commissioner." EmphasiseDI Poole. After all, Dwayne was one of those who saved his life.
"Perfect." Patterson answers as he gets up to leave. He needs the team to strengthen their bonds. For that he has to leave the forum. "I have to leave. The family claims me, but... Inspector, can I have a few words with you? "It won't take long at all."
Richard gets up quickly and, feeling the gaze of the three agents on his back, he goes with Patterson to the beach to talk alone with him.
"Any questions, sir? There is still somepaperworkto do and…"
Selwyn stops him with a wave of her hand.
"Oh, no! I see that Sergeant Bordey has not yet signed her acceptance of her position at the station. We need it. Have you still not managed toenticeher?"
Richard gives thanks for the darkness of the night. Hides an unwelcome blush. This Commissioner seems, on some issues, to be totally lacking in ethics or discretion.
"I will speak to her when we break up this meeting, sir. I sincerely believe that she now has a better chance of advancing her career with the changes you have put in place. That will convince her."
With which he wants to tell the Commissioner that Richard would never resort tosexual tricks to convince Camilleto stay.
"Understood. Sheseems to already trustyou anyway. I want my entire star teamand that includes her. Don't forget, inspector."
"Impossible toforget, sir. Good night."
And Richard returns to the table where his friends are waiting for him.
When Richard and Camille are left alone in La Kaz having one last beer, Richard decides to broach the subject.
"Camille, would you have any problem returning permanently to Saint Marie? Working here, I mean. I promise not toforce you tomake photocopies or serve coffee."
Camille laughs. Certainly DI Poolehimselfis the best incentive she would have tostay. But there areher friends and her life in Paris…
From the bar Catherine watches her daughter. It seems like she could finally have her daughter close. She would stop suffering in case she ever received a call informing her that Camille had been shot again. Or something worse. Ifonly this annoying English man could dothings right...
Richard is still waiting for a response.
"I can assure you that there would be possibilities for promotion, Camille. On the plane I was able to studythe teams' personnel records, including yours, of course. I'm sorry to say thatthe Paris Divisionhad no intention of helping you climb the ladder. Budget problems, you know. You were stuck, same as me."
Camille is amazed, Richard knows how to tighten the screws. Interesting. She likes to feelshe is desired, wanted by someone whom she respects.
Richard has jumped into thedeep end of thepool. She decides totrust him anddo it too.
"I had a life in Paris, Richard.I had good friends there.I thought I loved my job but my friends were getting busy with their lives and I was starting to feel stagnant..."
"Because you probably didn't see yourself living there Iwrong?" He continues to urge. "Besides. I'm probably risking you being mad at me, but I have to tell you something. My first contact with your friends and you wasnt accidental. I traveled expressly to see if I could recruit you. I need you… we need you, Sergeant Bordey. And I think you need to move forward in your life, not just in the police."
Camille feels slightly irritated and amazed. It's not that it comes as a surprise. She alreadysuspectedsomething likethis, but she doesn't like having her life directed that way.
"You were right. I feel a little angry."
Richard moves closer to her.
"I too have been almost kidnapped from a totally unsatisfactory position. I've already told you. I have changed my country, my life. I can assure you that, despite the heat, the sand, the strange character of the island's population, the apparent black hole in my career...I can say that I have also received something to live for. Something that makes it worth it."
Camille tells him mockingly.
"And what is that something that makes your life so complete, so worthwhile? What is that something that you think could convince me?"
Richard is paralyzed. She plays hard.
"When you saved my life last night, I realized that not everything is about work. There are friends, being able to share my ideas, my life, I mean…" Says Richard.
Camille thinks about it. She is about to take a very big leap. She needs to know it will be worth it. It seems that he respects her,… appreciates her. She has perceived that there is already something special between them, that they have connected.
Without realizing it, Camille realizes that she has already decided what she wants to do.
With a smile she answers, while reassuring him.
"Very good. I stay. But let it be clear, and I'm telling you while we're off duty, that I also want somethingor someone to fillmy life,to makeit worth coming back here. I left here because I didn't see a future and I would like to think that now I have a chance of one. In every sense, both professional... and private."
"In every way, Camille. Always." Richard answers smiling.
Catherine smileswith relief from where she's been eavesdroppingtoo. Perhaps this English man knows what he's doing!
"I sign my contract tomorrow, Richard."
"Why wait until tomorrow? I have the papers in my shack. Will you come with me?"
Notes:
Hopefully someone else can recognise themselves among the characters Camille speaks of ...