by Clare Revell
“All right. But you’ll have to have the couch.”
“The couch is fine.”
****
Adeline glanced around the room as Nate put her bag on the bed. Painted a cheery yellow with yellow daisy curtains, it was nothing like she’d imagined his guest room to be. Turning to him, she signed slowly as she spoke. “A little girly for such a big macho cop, isn’t it?”
Nate’s body shook as he laughed. “Not my choice,” he said trying to sign as well. “Vianne chose it all.”
“She has good taste. Thank you for letting me stay here.”
He moved over to her. “You’re welcome.” His arms enfolded her in their strength and warmth, and she leaned against him. She felt his breath on her cheek and his chest rising and falling. She angled her face towards him.
“I do have rules.” Was that a twinkle in his eye as he spoke?
“Do I want to know?”
“No jumping on the bed. No texting at the table. Homework is done the night you are given it.” He paused, a huge grin on his face. “And, most important of all, eat your greens without complaint or there’s no pudding.”
She widened her eyes in mock horror. “Please, don’t make me eat green stuff. I don’t like green stuff.”
Nate shook with laughter. “All of them,” he repeated. “Then there’s no TV until the homework’s done, no TV on a Sunday and bed by eight-thirty.”
Adeline laughed. “Enough already, or I’ll regret moving in.”
He leaned closer to her, his eyes softening. His left hand came up to cradle the side of her face, his right sliding across her waist. His face was inches away from hers, and her heart leapt as his lips claimed hers. She kissed him back, her eyes closing. Part of her screamed this was wrong, the other part, the part that was in control, took no notice. Her hands slid up Nate’s arms, holding him.
His fingers wound through her hair as he deepened the kiss, her scalp tingling at his touch. She fitted so perfectly with him. Where did he end and she begin? Fire blazed through her, every nerve ending sparkled and lit up like bonfire night. Caught up in an avalanche of feelings, all she knew was him and the way he possessed all of her. She gave herself freely in return, not hiding anything.
He pulled back abruptly, and let go of her.
Adeline opened her eyes. Had she done something wrong? “Nate?”
“I’m sorry,” he said, his cheeks turning an attractive shade of red. “I shouldn’t have done that. I need to get to work. I’ll see you tonight.”
Before she could say anything, he left the room. Adeline touched her lips with her fingers, her throat raw and eyes stinging with raw emotion. How could he kiss her like that and just leave? And why apologize for a kiss that left her senses reeling? She turned to unpack, and caught a glimpse of Agent Debone’s scowling reflection in the mirror.
9
Nate brushed past Agent Debone and walked across the hallway, his face on fire and his stomach churning. How could he have been so stupid? What if it hadn’t been Agent Debone coughing in the doorway? What if Vianne had been around and wandered in? What sort of example would he be setting? Having Adeline stay here might not be such a good idea.
“I shouldn’t need to say it.” Agent Debone pointed out as they reached the top of the stairs. “Because you know about inappropriate behavior and getting involved, as we had that conversation an hour or so ago, and you told me it wasn’t going to happen.”
Nate had no excuse, and wasn’t going to offer one. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry you kissed her or sorry you got caught?”
Nate’s face burned harder, knowing full well he was sorry he got caught. But admitting that wasn’t something he really wanted to do.
Debone sighed, not waiting for an answer. “Once we catch this guy, and we will catch him, then feel free to pursue a relationship with Miss Monroe. Promise me it won’t happen again, and we’ll say no more about it. Otherwise she and I are out of here, and I report you to your commanding officer.”
He’d had that conversation with the DI, too. He may very well find himself busted down to constable and back on the streets in uniform. Probably directing traffic. “Thanks.”
“Good.” Agent Debone lowered his voice. “Since your partner’s wife died, neither of you are thinking straight.”
Nate held his gaze, tempted to tell him he’d liked Adeline since he first met her in the doll hospital, before she got involved in this case. “I know that. I have to go or I’m going to be late. If Adeline remembers any more, or has another vision, call me immediately.”
“Of course. That goes without saying.”
“Thanks. School finishes at lunchtime today. Cassie will pick Vianne up at one-fifteen, and take her back to the manse to play with Lara. I’ll collect her from there and be home around six.” Nate grabbed his keys and headed out into the blazing sunshine, his face still hot.
Birds sang in the trees lining the street as he got in the car. He slammed the door, and shoved the keys into the ignition. Propping his elbows on the steering wheel, he buried his head in his hands, praying hard. He liked Adeline. If he were honest he liked her far too much. Once this was over he had every intention of pursing her, courting her, dating her, whatever the current word was. But until then he had to remain professional. But he couldn’t do that. Not without a lot of help from the Lord.
He drove to work, arriving with no clear idea how he got there. His desk was a mess and moving a pile of papers to make a space didn’t really make an impact. He slumped into his chair and glanced at Dane’s empty desk next to his. A wooden framed photo of Dane, with his arms wrapped around Jas, the sun setting behind them, sat on it, their smiles taunting him. They should have had years left together, watching the kids grow, and playing with their grandchildren. Instead it was over. Jodie and Vicky were motherless, and Dane was a widower.
Nate closed his eyes, incoherent, wordless prayers falling from him. Footsteps jerked him out of his thoughts, a second before a hand dropped on his shoulder. He glanced up into a concerned face. “Hey, Guv.”
DI Welsh half smiled, a yellow folder clasped in her free hand. “How are you doing, Nate?”
He shrugged.
“Are you sure you should be here?”
“Where else should I be?” Nate nodded to the papers on his desk. “It’ll take a month of Sundays just to go through this lot. I’m also waiting for the coroner to ring. I’m going to attend the post mortem.”
“Is that a good idea?”
He resisted the urge to snap. Attending Jasmine’s autopsy wasn’t going to be a picnic, he knew that. But he needed to go. “It’s something I have to do.”
“All right.” DI Welsh paused, staring at him intently. “I hear Miss Monroe is staying at your place.”
How did she find out so fast? Silly question. Debone must have told her.
“Yeah. As is Agent Debone from MI5.”
She perched on the edge of his desk, resting the yellow folder on her lap. “Is that a sensible idea? Even if we set aside our conversation last night, you’re an elder in your church. You also have a small, impressionable child in the house. Besides which there is a killer out there after her.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
“I’m inclined to disagree with that. By putting Miss Monroe in your house, you’re putting yourself and your niece in danger.”
“Look, Guv. I’m there all evening and all night. Agent Debone is there the whole time.” Nate pushed a hand through his hair. “Where else do I put her?” he snapped. “If MI5 hide her away, we lose the only advantage we have. The guy they assigned to her is a complete idiot, not to mention rude and ill mannered. He actually turned his back on Adeline to discuss her with her brother. He told her he wasn’t talking to her, so it didn’t matter if she couldn’t see his lips move.”
DI Welsh straightened and tapped the folder on her thigh. “That’s way beyond being rude. He should know better.”
“Tell me about
it. She saw her best friend killed yesterday, never mind having the Prime Minister die in her arms. Agent Debone’s adamant it doesn’t concern her. Adeline needs to be around friends right now, not some…” He broke off, not wanting to say something he’d regret. Or say something that put him into the same rude category he’d just placed Agent Debone.
DI Welsh nodded. “Just be careful.”
“I am. Agent Debone is sleeping downstairs so we have the whole house covered. Hopefully, we can clear this up in a few days, and everything can go back to normal. Well, as normal as possible for Dane and the kids.”
The phone rang and Nate reached to answer it. “DS Holmes…Thanks, I’ll be right there. Don’t start without me.” He hung up. “They’re ready to do the post mortem.”
“That can wait five minutes. You might want to take a look at this first. Lots of pictures of our pony-tailed friend.” She held out the file. “It’s the best the tech guys could do. We’re running them through the database now, but so far nothing.”
“Thanks.” He put the file on his desk.
“Look at it, Nate. The post mortem can wait a few minutes.”
Nate tried not to sigh as he picked up the file. He opened it, flicking through the images. “It’s the same guy. Nice shades. No shades. Dark tee shirt, dark slacks.” He paused. “Why so many shots?”
“They’re taken from various CCTV cameras over the past few weeks—one from each road the victim was found on. Along with the one from the doll hospital.”
Nate kept his gaze on the man in the picture, burning the image into his mind. “I’ll deal with this when I get back. I don’t want to hold them up.” He wrote a cryptic note and stuck it onto the file. “Thanks for this.”
DI Welsh stood. “Welcome. See you later.”
****
Adeline checked the door. There was no one there. She shook her head and glanced back at the mirror. The reflection had gone, no doubt chasing after Nate. Had Agent Debone watched them kiss, was that why Nate pulled away so fast? Or was it simply because he realized what he was doing—kissing her in his house and in a bedroom?
One thing she did know. She had to keep tight rein on the gradually increasing deep feelings she had for Nate. He was a church elder and a police officer. He had to be above reproach. They both did. She put her coat on and grabbed her bag and the leash. “Come on then, Ben, let’s go. We’re late as it is.”
She clipped the leash onto Ben’s collar and headed to the door.
Agent Debone stood in front of it. His eyes glittered, and his mood looked darker than normal.
“Where are you going?” He folded arms over his chest, blocking her path.
“Work.”
“No way.”
“Yes, way.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Because there’s a man out there who wants you dead.” He leaned closer, his eyes narrowing, and his face turning red.
Adeline raised her eyebrow. “Shouting at me won’t make me hear you any better.”
“How do you know I’m shouting? You’re deaf.” His arms waved at her, and he was well and truly in her personal space.
Adeline signed at him, her own movements jerky and over exaggerated. “Your body language gives you away. You are right in my face. And you say I’m deaf like it’s a disease. Well it’s not. It’s who I am. I just happen to speak a different language than you. Or do you treat French or Polish people the same way?”
He backed off a pace. “You’re not going out.”
“I have to work. I have deadlines to meet, along with a whole load of toys that need returning and mending today. I can’t let down the children.”
“This perp knows where you are.” He leaned against the door.
“Good. Let him come.”
“Don’t be stupid.”
His attitude was enough to make her want to hit her head against a brick wall. “Don’t talk to me as if I’m a child. I have God, Ben, and Nate looking after me. And you.”
“Do you and DS Holmes have to bring God into everything?”
“Of course. Why? Don’t you?”
“God is for...” He turned around, cutting off the rest of his words as she couldn’t read his lips.
Adeline sighed. He knew how infuriating that was. He did it deliberately.
“Well, I have no idea what he said, Ben, but I can make a good guess. God is for church, Sundays and religious nuts. Guess that makes me a fruitcake. Good job I like them.”
She ruffled his ears and glanced up to see the scowl on Agent Debone’s face deepen as he turned back. As much as she didn’t want this, it was imperative she at least tried to get on with him
“Ben needs a walk, and I need to go in and check the current workload. You can come with me. Sit in the corner or whatever it is you do all day. I’m really not trying to be difficult. I just want to do my job, the same as you.”
“Then we drive.”
“Ben needs a walk.”
“I’ll take him around the block or let him out in the garden.”
Adeline reached into her pocket and pulled out a plastic bag. “Then you’ll need this.”
“Miss Monroe—”
“Agent Debone. It’s called being a responsible dog owner. All he’ll need is ten minutes twice a day.”
“I’ll have someone take him once you get into work. We’ll take my car. It’s raining.”
“I’d rather walk. I have a coat, an umbrella. What more do I need?”
“A lift. Until further notice we do things my way or we don’t do them at all.”
She resisted the urge to salute. “Fine. A lift it is.”
****
Nate’s paper covered shoes whispered against the tiled floor as he entered the morgue.
“It’s nice of you to finally join us, Sergeant.” Professor Jacobs, the home office pathologist’s curt tone cut the air as sharply as any scalpel he might wield. Several blue suited figures in identical surgical garb to the one Nate currently wore stood around the autopsy table. “We were waiting for you. We have a lot of work to do this morning.”
Nate’s jaw clenched and he dug his gloved nails into his palms. He was irritated enough as it was without smart aleck pathologists making it worse. “We all have a lot work to do. What doesn’t help is being caught by the boss as I was about to leave.”
“Sounds fun.”
“She gave me a shed load more files to add to the mounting pile on my desk.” Nate glanced around the room, starting slightly at the one person he wasn’t expecting to see. “Dane? What are you doing here? The Guv would have a blue fit and go up in smoke if she knew.”
Dane jerked his head in the direction of Professor Jacobs. “He’s already done that. I have to be here.”
“No, you don’t.” Nate spoke gently.
“I need to know who killed my wife.”
“We know who it was. She had the herbs in her pocket.”
Dane’s voice shook. “Even so, I—”
Nate put a hand on Dane’s arm, moving between him and the table where Jasmine’s covered body lay. “Dane, mate, this isn’t just another body or another victim lying there. It’s your wife.” He enunciated every word. “The woman you’ve lived with and loved for the last twenty years. You know her like the back of your hand. Do you really want your last memory of her to be like this?”
His eyes searched those of his friend intently. “You know what a post mortem entails. What we need to do to her body.”
“I owe it to her to be here.” Dane’s eyes glistened and his voice cracked. “I owe it to her and to the girls not to leave.”
“No, mate. You owe it to her to remember how she was. Let me do this for the both of you. Come on.” Nate gently led Dane to the door.
Professor Jacobs glanced up. “You can wait in my office, Dane. I should have the preliminary results when we’re done.”
Dane nodded, his eyes haunted.
Nate kept up the pres
sure until Dane finally agreed to wait in the office. He closed the door behind him, and then went back over to the table as the autopsy started.
****
Still angry over the amount of effort it had taken to get here, Adeline got out of the car without waiting for Agent Debone to turn off the engine. His whole attitude toward her was demeaning. She wasn’t a crackpot or an idiot. It was people like him who’d prevented her from coming forward in the first place.
Stamping her way across the pavement, she unlocked the door to the doll hospital and deactivated the alarm. She let Ben off the leash and shook her head. No surprise there. Susie hadn’t opened up—she was late. Again.
Agent Debone caught hold of her arm, stopping her in the doorway. “I need to check the place. Make sure it’s safe.”
Adeline sighed and pulled her collar up against the cold and damp. “The alarm was on, and the building was locked, but sure, feel free. I’ll stand right here. In the rain, getting wet.”
Debone nodded. “While I go inside, in the dry, to ensure there is no one here that shouldn’t be.” He grimaced. “I’m just doing my job.”
She watched him go. “And I’m just trying to do mine.” Because if I sit around and do nothing but think about what’s happened I’ll go insane. Or cry. And neither is an option. Ben wagged his tail, spraying water over her legs. She shook her head. “Did that on purpose, didn’t you, you daft dog,” she said, a wry smile on her face.
Ben rubbed his head against her and plopped down at her feet. She waited until she got the all clear then headed over to reception to check the messages.
Susie ran in from the rain, dripping water from her umbrella onto the floor. She pulled off her raincoat and hung it on the coat rack in the corner. Her long hair had beads braided into the end of each plait, with a head band around her forehead. A bright floor-length gaudy skirt and waistcoat over her pillar-box red blouse completed the ensemble. She spoke around the gum in her mouth. “I’m so sorry I’m late, Dr. A. My bus didn’t turn up, like, so I had to walk.”
