A uniformed PC entered the HMET suite carrying a large bunch of flowers. He looked over to the small group having coffee which comprised Sian, Rory, Scott, and Finn.
‘Is one of you DS Sian Mills?’
‘One of us is,’ Rory said. ‘That’s all the hint you’re getting,’ he smiled.
Sian stood up. ‘I am. I’m guessing those are for me.’
‘Yes. They were just delivered downstairs.’
She took the bouquet from him and smiled as she looked for a card among the roses, carnations and lilies. ‘Aren’t these gorgeous?’
‘Secret admirer?’ Scott asked.
‘I bet they’re from a serial killer taunting you from his prison cell,’ Rory said.
‘They’re from Stuart,’ Sian said, reading the card.
‘I was so close,’ Rory laughed.
‘He hopes I’m ok and not working too hard. He’s pleased he’s married to the most beautiful, understanding, and tolerant woman he could hope to meet, and he’s looking forward to the next twenty-five years together,’ she read with a huge grin on her face. ‘Take a note here, boys. I’ve been married for twenty-five years and my husband can still surprise me with flowers. If you want to keep your partners that long, be attentive, and don’t take them for granted.’
‘I’ve been married for four years this November,’ Finn said.
‘I can’t believe that,’ Rory said. ‘You’re twenty-four, you look about twelve, yet you’ve been married for four years. It’s like you’ve skipped freedom and gone from college straight to being middle aged.’
‘If you find the person you’re meant to be with, does it matter how long you wait before marrying them?’ He said with a smile.
‘He’s only jealous, Finn,’ Scott said.
‘I’m not jealous. I’m in a very close relationship with Natasha. Or had you forgotten?’
‘Difficult to forget when the plaster is falling off my bedroom wall.’
‘Well, you won’t have to put up with it for much longer. You’ll be moving out soon.’
‘I know,’ he grinned. ‘I can’t wait.’
‘You’re definitely moving into the flat above Matilda’s garage?’ Sian asked, cradling the flowers in her arms.
‘Yes. We’re going around tomorrow to measure up.’
‘Don’t you think it’s going to be a bit weird, trying to have sex when the boss is within hearing distance?’ Rory asked.
‘She won’t be able to hear anything. The garage isn’t as close to the house as you think. Besides, DCI Darke’s bedroom is at the back of the house. There’s plenty of distance.’
‘I still think it’s going to be awkward. Speaking of DCI Darke,’ he said, leaning forward in his seat, ‘did you see the way she charged out of here earlier with a face like thunder?’
‘Difficult not to,’ Sian said. ‘I thought she was going to break the glass in the door the way she slammed it.’
‘What’s going on?’ Finn asked.
‘No idea.’
‘Surely you know, Sian. She tells you everything.’
‘Well, she hasn’t told me this time.’
‘It must be serious then. I wonder if it’s to do with the ACC and her husband.’
‘Could be,’ Scott mused. ‘If it was to do with the case, she would have told us.’
‘Sian, have you got any Minstrels in your drawer?’ Rory asked.
‘You’re banned from taking anything out of my snack drawer until you put something back in. It’s running empty at the moment.’
‘I’ll do a shop at the weekend. I’ll fill it up for you on Monday.’
‘Nothing until you do. I’m going to try and find something to put these in.’
‘Scott, go and steal us a Toffee Crisp or something,’ he whispered once Sian had left the office.
The phone on Scott’s desk began to ring. ‘Do your own dirty work,’ he said as he went to answer it. ‘Homicide and Major Enquiries. DC Andrews speaking.’
‘Hello Scott, it’s Danny Hanson from the Sheffield Star. How are you?
Scott pulled out his chair and sat down. ‘I’m ok thank you. What can I do for you?’ He never wanted to stay on the phone long with journalists in case he said something he shouldn’t.
‘I was wondering if you could give Aaron Connolly a message for me?’
Scott looked over to Aaron’s desk. ‘Erm, sure. He’s here somewhere in the building, I can find him for you if you want to hold?’
‘No. A message will be fine.’
‘Ok.’
‘Tell him that Leah Mercer is having a boy.’
Scott waited for him to elaborate. He didn’t. ‘Is that it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Ok. Will he know what that means?’
Danny laughed. ‘He should do.’
‘Fine. I’ll pass that on for you.’
‘Thank you, Scott.’
The line went dead.
Scott looked down as he pondered the message he had written in his untidy scrawl.
‘Rory, where have I heard the name Leah Mercer from before?’
‘Bloody hell, Scott, are you losing it? Leah’s family were butchered while she was away on honeymoon earlier this year.’
‘Oh yes, I remember now.’
‘Why?’
‘I just had a call from Danny Hanson. He’s told me to tell Aaron that Leah is having a boy.’
‘What’s that got to do with Aaron?’
‘That’s what I thought.’
‘Where is Aaron?’ Rory asked.
‘I’ve no idea.’