Thirty Seven

Ben glanced at his watch, time really was getting on. They were getting nowhere with Anderson, “Lock him up, maybe he’ll fucking start talking later” he growled, Welsh indicated for them to take him down. “I’m outa here, see you later.” said Ben. Welsh nodded as he watched his partner leave.

Hollie looked tired when she answered the door, “Hey how’re you doing?” asked Adams as he entered, Hollie drew in a deep breath then closed the door. “Okay” she finally replied. Adams had already entered the lounge room and thrown his keys on the table. “You want a coffee?” offered Hollie, he nodded tiredly as he looked around the room, “Where’s Jo?” he finally inquired, “She’s asleep” Hollie replied, “The doctor gave her something” Adams looked into the bedroom, “Probably best” he agreed. Hollie handed his the mug of coffee then sat down on the armchair.

“Where’s Read, I thought he’d be here?”

“He said he’d something to do”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, he’ll be along later; I’ve a spare room if you wanna stay?”

Adams rested both arms on the back of the sofa, “You sure, I don’t wanna impose”

“You wont be, besides I’d feel safer if you were here”

“We got Anderson in custody.”

“Yeah I know, but I’d still like it if you stayed.”

“Sure, I wanna see how Jo is anyway.”

“My parents wanted to take her home with them, but you know Jo?”

“Yeah, only too well unfortunately.”

Hollie grinned, “Yeah well danger’s my sister’s middle name.”

“Now why don’t that surprise me?” he said as he casually lent down and retrieved the coffee mug.

Hollie glanced at him then let out a deep sigh. “So what’s gonna happen now?” she suddenly asked, he looked confused.

“With what?”

“Jo, I mean, she went off on her own, ain’t that like, against the rules or something.

“I think we can make an exception, anyway I got big plans for your sis.”

“Oh, good or bad?”

“Good of course.”

“So, how come the FBI were investigating?”

“Investigating? As in what, the precinct? Or the Ingebrigtsen case?”

“Both?”

“Well, we got heaps of complaints about people being mistreated down the precinct, at fist we just let them go, but then we got word that they’re had been a big and I mean big cover up. So my boss put me in there under cover.”

“And you assigned yourself to Jo?”

“Yup, well she’s as straight as whatever the hell the saying is.”

“Yeah, she’s whiter than white.”

He laughed, he had a nice laugh thought Hollie, it was at that point she realised just why her sister had fallen for him.

“I wonder where the hell Mark is?” she changed the subject.

“Probably off chasing some broad.”

Hollie pouted, Adams stared at her, “Oh don’t tell me you’ve fallen for him to?” he suddenly asked, she shook her head vigorously.

“No, nothing like that, he’s my boss I worry about him, that’s all.”

“He’ll be absolutely fine” Adams insisted.

“I’m gonna grab something to eat would you like some?”

“Sure, thanks”

“What d’you want?”

“What you got?” he said, following her into the kitchen.

They settled for scrambled egg.

Hollie resigning to the fact that perhaps Mark wasn’t going to show retired to bed, leaving her house guest to unwind on the sofa, “Good night” she said sadly, she couldn’t believe Mark would just not show. Adams looked up and smiled, “Goodnight Hollie” he said quietly.

Technically it wasn’t night, it was morning, almost 10am, if fact.

Adams woke to the sound of screams, blinking a few times before realising that they were in fact coming from Jo’s room, Hollie flew from her own bedroom. “It’s okay, I’ll see to her, you go back to bed” he instructed, she nodded silently as she retraced her footsteps

Jo was sitting up in bed, her mousy brown hair falling around her face, Adams entered and quietly made his way over, “Jo” he whispered, she moved away, “Jo it’s me, it’s Ben” he whispered, this time she looked at him, “Ben” she said his name, he sat down on the edge of the bed then took her in his arms. “He were gonna kill me” she sobbed, he held her close, “You’re save now” he reassured, she held onto him, allowing him to push her back down onto the bed, “Shhh go back to sleep” he whispered, she kept a hold of his hand “You wont go will you?” he shook his head, “No I’ll be just in the next room.” She didn’t want him there, “Please, stay here with me?”

He looked around the room, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, please Ben”

He drew in a deep breath then pulled away the cover and climbed in beside her, a protective arm circling her immediately. All he’d planned to do was provide some support, not make love to her. Yet here he was doing just that. “Sorry” he said, she looked puzzled, “Why?” he was getting out of bed, “I took advantage, I’m sorry Jo.” Jo sat up and rested on one elbow, she’d pulled the cover up a little, “No you didn’t, I wanted it as much as you.” She defended, he shook his head. “I still shouldn’t have done it Jo, I’m sorry. Look I’ll be just next door if you need me okay?” Jo slammed herself down on the bed and placed her hand on her forehead. “Okay” she said eventually.

Mark finished drawing up the release papers for Christian, now all he had to do was get the damn things signed. Then he could go to Hollie, he had planned to call but feared he may waken Jo.