By twenty past six Claire had reached Canley Fields and had settled down on a bench enjoying the early morning sunshine.

John had seen Claire as soon as he entered the park, not wanting to have her follow him, he turned around and decided to run the streets and back alleys of Canley.

An hour later and Claire was losing hope of seeing John so she caught the bus back home. Glancing at the clock in the kitchen, she realised she had to be at work in fifteen minuets.

Dashing upstairs, she leapt in the shower for the second time that morning and pulled out her black trouser suit with the sky blue top. Grabbing a handful of hairpins, she rushed downstairs, pulled her mobile, keys and coat off the hall table and ran out to her car.

 

10 to 8 Claire entered the office, Don smirked at her. She had no make up on, her hair hadn’t been brushed and her top was buttoned up wrong.

“Claire, you’re late!” Deakin called

“I know!” Claire shot back

“Make sure you mark it down”

Claire let out an exasperated sigh “Guv”

She dumped her stuff unceremoniously on her desk and glared at Don who was trying hard not to laugh.

“Late nigh then Sarge?” Chirped Kerry brightly

“Something like that” Claire growled as she sat down and buttoned her shirt properly.

About an hour later, Claire had just finished doing her make up when Don sidled up to her

“I know”

“You do?” Claire’s heart sank, John had told Don who she was.

“Yeah John told me”

“And you’re alright with it?”

“Alright with it?” Don repeated, “I’m sad to hear you’ve broken up, you two were a match made in heaven”

Claire smiled “Thanks Don”

“I hope you work it out soon”

Claire let out a big sigh of relief; John hadn’t told Don who she really was after all. Ambling over to the kettle she flicked the switch:

“Anyone for coffee?” She called

Kerry was on the phone but she signalled she wanted one anyway, John didn’t answer.

Claire made three coffees; she left one on Kerry’s desk, dumped one on John’s and sat at her desk with her coffee.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully and Claire often pondered on why John didn’t tell Don who she really was.

Half past seven that evening, Claire was on her way home when she met John at the top of the stairs.

“You didn’t tell Don who I really am, why?”

“Because I respect you too much and I didn’t want another murder added to the list” John replied, making eye contact with Claire before hurrying off.

The last comment puzzled Claire, why did he say that? What does it mean? As she slowly made her way home she pondered on it and to this day just over two months later it still bothers her.

 

I didn’t want another murder added to the list” Claire said out loud

“What’s that Sarge?” Rumbled Duncan

“Oh nothing Dunc, don’t worry”

Claire wrote the sentence on a piece of paper and mixed the words around until she came up with:

‘I added another murder to the list’

“I’ve got it” Claire almost yelled

“You alright Sarge?” Duncan queried

“Yes! I think I’ve just worked out the meaning of something someone said to me about a month ago”

“Right..” Duncan replied rolling his eyes