| Call Me Daddy © Xeen PART 2 Jack Buchanan was the typical New York cop, suave and sassy. Tall, handsome if you like that kind of man: perfect smile, perfect teeth, perfect bleached hair, perfect physical condition. The poster guy. And funny. His popularity was viral. He was invited to every party, drinking with the lads at the pub after hours, helping everyone in every possible way. From the PCSO’s to every constable, male or female, half the division was already conquered. Lynley was not. He was certain that Buchanan had a few skeletons in his closets. Haven’t we all? In the meantime, Havers was literally walking on air and he admitted to find it very painful to watch. She had had the time of her life at the NYPD obviously. Now her dreams of ever becoming an inspector and go up the ladder was as vivid as exhausting. But she was entitled to a shiny career if only she could manage to hold in check her emotions and outbursts and work with any given partner she would be paired with. She sent him a fax just in time to spare him the humiliation of ignoring her day and hour of landing back home. He arranged for a cab. He thought it would send a strong signal - but apparently Havers missed it. She called him right the minute she set foot in her flat. “Sir? I’m home! Can’t believe I’ve been gone that long… Thank you for the cabby. Jack was very impressed, cliché-wise, I mean. We’re planning to have some standard English diner, would you like to meet us, say 8:30? Jack will be staying at my place. I discovered that I have a room with no defined purpose. I could fill it with all the files I take back home and call it my office but I find it far more exciting to transform it into a guest room. Imagine you won’t have to sleep on the sofa next time we will work late on a case! So, 8:30, what do you think?” As far as Lynley was concerned, she could have stuffed the room with cotton candy or used bus tickets. He could not care less. Next time he would stay over for the night was ultimately fading away in the distance of a very remote future. He should have seized the day and let her know his true feelings before she left but then he would not have been half the man he was. He would have had to let his guard down in the first place. Now, whatever might have happened between us never would. She had turned unexpectedly into a completely alien Barbara, levitating around each obstacle with grace in turmoil of good feelings and new skills. Now she was able to show her expertise for the whole world to see instead of keeping it hidden behind her awkwardness and bad temper. And all this time, I had been barking at the wrong trees. How typical! “8:30 is perfect! Would you like me to come and take you both to the place of your liking?” “Oh…” Lynley heard Barbara asking some indistinct questions in the background. A young male voice answered. “OK. Come pick us up. We’ll be ready!” she finally said. “Thank you Sir,” she added and hang up. * Maybe that was their idea of a good time but Lynley felt completely out of sync. Not that he was unable to possibly enjoy some kidney pie and thick gravy, rinsed down with a cold mediocre draught ale and water from the tap, but tonight, he was simply not in the mood. Havers, on the contrary, looked radiant and happy. She had put on some light make up, enhancing her eyes and mouth. Instead of her ever so familiar sneakers and slacks, she was wearing some fancy stilettos, a long dress in the shades of anis green and a modest golden necklace with a small peridot pendant. He spotted a very girly new bag she sat on the back of her chair instead of shoving it anywhere as usual. He was suddenly feeling tired and old. He was uncertain of how to handle her sergeant’s toy boy. What ever happened to sponteneous collusion? Their once perfect connivance seemed lost. He hardly recognised her when she laughed with caution, her incredible eyes sparkling over her glass. Being so careful was so unlike her. Suddenly, it hit home. They had tamed her. They had turned his perfect Barbara into an average good looking female and a great professional. That did not suit her. That was sort of unsettling to watch her behave out of character. How odd. He turned to the back of the pub and saw some agitation going on. Two men were busy installing some sort of karaoke and he remembered the night he almost lost her, the scent of salted water and putrid seaweed when he kept her in his arms, her blood dripping on his sleeve. “… what do you think?” “Sorry Havers. You were saying?” “Did you ever try to sing in public, Sir? That is… exhilarating! Do you mind?” “Not at all Havers.” He was curious. She and Carly Baker, their prime suspect in the murder of that young boy, had a round at karaoke in a local pub while he was in London. Maybe he was back already but he did not know where she was at the time or he would not have missed it for the world. These few days alone with her in that cheap trailer had been pure torture and the best time he had had in years. Helen knew. She must have put him to the test. Did he ever pass? Havers was getting ready and waved joyfully from the stage. “She’s a happy bunny, that kid,” said Buchanan. He took a sip of his beer and waved back. “Never met someone with that much energy and joie de vivre. She was kinda of our mascot back in New York, you know. Not to mention I can’t imagine how my trip to Normandy would have turned out without her. She’s a great shoulder to cry on. You must have missed her when she was in New York. She’s your partner, right?” “Actually, she is my DS. But I guess you can say she is, even if it is not entirely accurate according to our standards.” “I’m not going to apologise just yet, I’m getting used to your system even if the sound of it looks very formal compared to what I’m used to. How do you fit in, Tommy? You don’t mind me calling you Tommy, don’t you? Barb told me you’re a Lord? I can’t believe I'm actually meeting with a Lord. What are the odds?” he grinned. Lynley nodded dismissively. He could easily picture what she was seeing in him. Direct and easy going, he was everything Lynley was not. “You must be a pretty sight the two of you working on a case,” Jack stated. “I couldn’t help but notice that she still calls you Sir after all this time and you call her… Havers? Male/female partners, I always thought that was the worst law enforcement idea in a million years!” At that point, Lynley began tiptoeing around the idea of straightening the arrogant bastard once and for all. “It’s hard enough without a matter of… social class getting in the way. I mean, nine times outta ten, they either end up killing or screwing each other!” Lynley could not believe what he was hearing. Was the guy stupid or just irresponsibly provocative? “I should know: my wife is in the Force. Was… She was killed in a car crash, five years ago. My three kids in the back seat did not survive. You get tougher Lynley. We never caught the guy. The car had been hijacked, part of a bank robbery which had turned wrong. A dozen dead, including two cops and my family. No finger prints, no DNA, no nothing. You get tougher, you’ll see.” “Please, welcome Barbara to our karaoke night!” a voice loudly echoed in the pub. “How are you tonight Barbara?” Literally saved by the bell. Lynley was left panting from the revelation. Buchanan was nothing like he had imagined. He was straight forward and articulate. He turned his attention to the stage with a forced smile, trying to forget the deep scrutiny he was under. Havers stooped. “I’m fine, thank you,” she said in a distorted voice Lynley hardly recognised. “So, Barbara, did you chose what you’re going to sing for us?” “Yes Sir. ‘The winner takes it all’.” “Abba!” the guy shouted. “What a great song to start our night! Please give a big round of applause to Barbara. You’re not a professional singer, are you?” She blushed. “No, I’m a civil servant.” “Fine then, I leave you to your public. Ladies and gents, I give you Barbara!” Lynley turned his chair to watch her without twisting his neck. Buchanan was already clapping and whistling vigorously. “I don’t wanna talk About the things we've gone through Though it’s hurting me Now its history I’ve played all my cards And that’s what you've done too Nothing more to say No more ace to play” Lynley’s heart skipped a bit. His hands went cold. The song could not be coincidental or he was turning into a delusional paranoid bloke. “The winner takes it all The loser standing small Beside the victory That's her destiny.” Was there a message? Did she intend to sing for him? Resisting the temptation to go downstairs and hide inside the gents, he resumed his control and inhale deeply. Actually, she had a good singing voice, powerful and steady. She seemed to enjoy herself a great deal. “I was in your arms Thinking I belonged there I figured it made sense Building me a fence Building me a home Thinking I'd be strong there But I was a fool Playing by the rules.” Playing by the rules. How could she…. “She’s good,” shouted Buchanan in his hear, “and a looker too,” he winked. “Man, was she popular with the boys. Never let anyone come real close, though,” he added, staring at Lynley with a smile. Lynley smiled back politely, not losing his perfect composure. Maybe Buchanan didn’t mean to be rude but fishing for some information or verifying a lead. This man was obviously on a mission. Havers must have been very talkative in NYC and confide into him. “The gods may throw a dice Their minds as cold as ice And someone way down here Loses someone dear The winner takes it all The loser has to fall Its simple and its plain Why should I complain?” If she was intending to send a message, he was unsure which message that was. Maybe he was trying too hard. There were probably more ghosts in their relationship than meet the eyes but she always understood. Did she not? “But tell me does she kiss Like I used to kiss you? Does it feel the same When she calls your name? Somewhere deep inside You must know I miss you But what can I say Rules must be obeyed.” “I take it you were her mentor in the Department?” finally conceded Lynley. “Well not exactly. She had to prove she could be a valuable asset for us before being accepted,” he said, his eyes locked on the distant petite figure. “You know how these exchange programmes work, don’t you? It’s not so much what the newcomer can learn but in terms of what he brings with him that can prove to be beneficial.” He paused. “She became more of an instant friend, I’d say. And eventually, she won her case when she did demonstrate she was a first class cop. Lots of instincts and guts! Not an unusual combination in a female police officer, you know.” Lynley was proud of Havers and at the same time was striving to get rid of a fluttering feeling: never had he suffered such a jealous sting before. Instant friend? That was a side of Havers he would have some difficulties to master. But there she was, making a fool of herself on the stage of this greasy pub. And having a ball. “I see,” he said flatly. “The judges will decide The likes of me abide Spectators of the show Always staying low The game is on again A lover or a friend A big thing or a small The winner takes it all.” “So, what is it you’re gonna grill me about now, your Lordship?” grinned Buchanan. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to report that I’m given a fair treatment.” Lynley was more than capable of acknowledging when it was necessary to relax and go with the flow. He will give Buchanan a chance but he will not be easily convinced. The American sensed the change and gave him a nudge. “Look at her!” “Yes. She is…” Lynley trailed. Yes she was… very different and he, was at a loss. “... you… you should stop thinking whatever it is you are thinking,” he finally delivered. Immediately, he heard that was not at all what he intended to say. What was wrong with him? “Oh, come on, man!” Buchanan was openly laughing now, “you mean to tell me you have a partner that looks like her…” “She is not my partner. She is my sergeant.” “Whatever. You have a colleague that looks like her and you still get pissy when guys check her out?” he shrugged. “Maybe you're the one that needs to stop thinking what you're thinking.” “I dont wanna talk If it makes you feel sad And I understand You’ve come to shake my hand I apologize If it makes you feel bad Seeing me so tense No self-confidence But you see The winner takes it all The winner takes it all......” “Ok. Truce. Are you ready for another beer? My treat,” said Lynley. He turned to Barbara who was hurrying back to their table. The crowd was cheering enthusiastically at her. She was sporting a very seductive rosy glow and trifling with the customers on the way. It was going to be a bumpy road to win her back now that the world had discovered her. TBC |
 |