Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes

Detective Inspector David Snow…

My office doesn’t look much like an office these days, what with catering to my suffering body, so I was very surprised when a familiar face appeared around the door.

   ‘Hi, Jaye. I thought I would pop in to see how you are. I heard the news and couldn’t believe it. How are you really?’

I hobbled back to my bed, just for effect. ‘As you can see, David, I am as weak as a kitten and unable to stand up unaided. Good to see you, though.’

   ‘You look good to me. The other reason I am here is that I hear you are disappointed with me. Do you think it could be time to pull myself together and make some changes? Would this be a good time to remember who controls my actions?’

   ‘Very funny. I just did a recap to get a grip on it all, only to find there was nothing to grip. How did I allow you to turn into a lazy good for good-for-nothing?’

He shrugged, something that used to endear me in the past, but now made me so mad I could hit him. ‘Do you like the way you’re acting?’

   ‘Suits me fine, Jaye. I’m as happy as Larry.’ 

   ‘That’s not strictly true, though, is it?’

He narrowed his eyes, which he does when trying to find a good answer.

   ‘Well, is it?’

He sighed, and I began to melt, despite my better judgment. I was supposed to be solving an important problem, after all.

I waited, watching his face for any signs of relenting. The inner turmoil was painful to watch. What he finally said was unexpected.

   ‘You have  been talking to James.’

This sounded like an accusation, an act of treachery, even. That was when I realised that the inner struggle I had glimpsed earlier was probably worse than I thought.

   ‘I am sorry, David. But pardon me a minute, I don’t remember writing about the current state of you.’

He looked confused for a minute, then his face fell when he realised he had let me down.

   ‘I am so sorry, Jaye. I have allowed everything to slip through my fingers in your absence. I want to make some changes, but I’m unsure how to do it for the best.’ 

He turned to me, smiling the slow way he does when trying to twist my arm to get his own way. It always worked in the past, but today, I needed to have him on the same page as me—if that was even possible these days. He might be past redemption. 

The next hour was a wonderful mix of planning, promising and enjoying each other’s company. Many things were discussed, and I was exhausted by the time he left.

A quick rest, though, and I was itching to get started…