23

Kate was in two minds as to whether to go to meet Zander. Especially as he’d never given her his number and she had no way of letting him know she was coming. Or not.

The Jack’s House incident had been all over the news for several days. Her past had been dredged up, along with everyone else’s, and now the whole world knew about her past. She’d been fired from her job by a text message. At least her brother still loved her.

She glanced at the text she’d written and hit send. Do I go and meet this bloke?

The reply was immediate. LOL. He kissed you back. So yeah, call him, and say yes. Let me know how it goes.

Taking a deep breath, she looked up police stations in Headley Cross on the Internet. Picking the first one, she dialled.

“Fleet Street Police Station. How can I help you?”

She bit her lip. “Hi. Could I speak to a detective please? His name is Zander with a Zed.”

There was a short pause. “Sorry miss, no Zanders here.” The phone went dead.

Kate tossed the phone to the couch beside her. She wasn’t going to try anymore. What was the point? Once was embarrassing enough. Twice would be too much. The handset beeped and she turned it over.

Well? Was he there? her brother asked. Don’t leave me in suspense here.

Nope.

So try another police station. There’s more than one and you said he’s local.

It was an hour before she plucked up the courage to try again.

“Manor Road Police Station. Sergeant Daniels speaking.”

“Hi. I’m trying to trace a Detective Sergeant with TVP. He gave his name as Zander with a Zed.”

“One moment.” There was a brief pause, and she could have sworn she heard a slight snicker, before her call was transferred.

“Hello, this is Zander with a Zed’s phone.” The female voice had more than a hint of laughter in it. “He’s in a meeting right now. I’m his partner DC York. Can I help?”

“It’s Kate. We were in the Jack House together. Can you ask him to call…no, wait, just tell him yes. He knows the time and place.”

~*~

Zander glanced at Isabel through the closed office door as she howled with laughter before putting a note on his desk. Something had amused her.

A hand waved in front of his face. “Zander! Are you listening?”

He turned his attention back to the Guv. “Yes, sir. Sorry.”

“As I was saying, the CPS are charging Liz, Mel, and Jack Horner with murder, conspiracy and perverting the course of justice. The TV company have decided to pay everyone anyway. And the families of those who died.”

“Good.”

DI Holmes raised an eyebrow. “They want to pay you as well.”

“I wasn’t on TV.”

“I know. And so do they. But evidently it is company policy to pay everyone involved to prevent them suing.”

“I don’t want a penny of it.” Zander folded his arms. “Give it to the police charity. The one for the kids who lose a parent in the line of duty.”

“Consider it done. OK, off you go. No leaping any more fences today though. Or kissing suspects.”

His face scorched. “I am not living that one down, am I?” He angled his head. “So, one question, Guv? Did you ever kiss your wife while you were investigating that murder case she was involved in when you first met? You know when she was a witness, long before you married her?”

DI Holmes’s cheeks pinked and he waved a hand. “Get out of here. I want all your paperwork done by the end of the week.”

“Guv.” Zander took that as a yes. He left the office, strode back to his desk, and gave Isabel the stink eye.

She was still laughing.

“What is so funny?”

“We just had a phone call from someone wanting to speak to Zander with a Zed.”

His cheeks warmed further. Kate. It had to be. “What did she want?”

“Hah!” Austin yelled and pounded his desk. “Told you he’d know it was a her. That’s drinks tonight you owe us, Isabel.”

Zander threw a pen at him. “I repeat, what did she want?”

“She just said to tell you yes as you know the time and place.”

“Thank you.” Zander dropped into his chair. “Now if you kiddies don’t have any work to do, I have a toothbrush and a filthy floor that need attention. Or a pile of paperwork I need help with.”

Austin leapt to his feet. “Jason and I are just off out, Sarge. I’m sure Isabel will help.”

Isabel grinned and picked up the top file. “The sooner it’s done, the sooner you can go out, right?”

Zander grinned. “Right. Oh, and Jason…that footage had better disappear before lunchtime.”

“Yes, Sarge.”

~*~

Kate walked down the High Street to the café, trailing her suitcase behind her. She pushed the door open. Chattering, clinking cutlery, and the delicious scent of coffee flooded through the opening.

Would he be here?

Zander stood as she entered and waved, a big grin gracing his face.

She half waved back and skirted her way around the tables to where he sat, trying not to hit anyone with her case en route. “Hi.” She went to hug him and then tried to pull back as she changed her mind.

Zander didn’t hesitate to pull her closer. He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “It’s good to see you again. Grab a chair, and I’ll go get you a coffee. You want anything to eat? Sandwich, chips?”

“Thanks. Just a sandwich.”

Less than a minute later he was back. He nodded to her suitcase as he sat down. “Going somewhere?”

“Being a cop and noticing things again?” She took the cup. “Thank you.”

“No, being a friend and noticing things.” He angled his head. “What’s wrong?”

She sniffled, trying to unwrap the sandwich. “Don’t make me cry again. Been a rough few days. I lost my job so there’s really no point sticking around town. They didn’t even have the guts to ring or tell me to my face. I got a text message.”

He frowned. “The cattery sacked you? Whatever for?”

“Having an undisclosed criminal record, even a juvenile one sealed by court order, is against company policy. So is hacking as it turns out. Anyway, I’m going to stay with my brother. Jonathan says I can work for him, answer his phones and so on. At least until something else turns up, which it won’t.” She sighed. “And before you offer, don’t go and speak to them on my behalf. I didn’t really like working there anyway, so this is for the best.”

“Fresh start.”

“Yeah.” She sipped the coffee. “Did you really hurt your leg on a fence?”

“That was so embarrassing.” Zander’s cheeks reddened under the beard. “I almost caught the bloke. He scaled a fence, leapt over it, landed fine, and scarpered. I scaled the fence, lost my balance, landed awkwardly and couldn’t move. Is, my partner, ended up catching the bloke. And she’s never let me forget it since.”

“Nor would I. The cane did come in handy a couple of times. I’m sorry if kissing you got you into trouble. Your boss didn’t seem pleased.”

Zander shrugged. “He’ll get over it. And he was miffed about something else I’d done, so don’t worry about it.” His fingers slowly stroked the back of her hand. “I don’t regret it.”

Rivers of warmth ran up her hand and shivered down her spine. “I still think you’re cute.”

Zander pursed his lips. “Even with the beard?”

Kate giggled. “You know I’d never kissed a bloke with a beard before.”

“Funnily enough nor have I. Is there much difference?”

She laughed. “That depends if we’re talking full beard or stubble.”

Zander smiled. “My partner says the same thing. Her fiancé tends to alternate between the two depending if he’s working or not. Or on how hot the weather is.” He leaned back in his chair. “Are you sure you have to leave town?”

She nodded. At least now she knew for sure there was nothing between him and his partner. “I’ve given notice on my flat, so I have nowhere to live now anyway. Why? Are you giving me a reason to stay?”

He held her gaze for a long moment. “I could do.”

Her pulse raced as his fingers tightened around hers. What did she do? She’d never get a refund and Jonathan was expecting her. Would Zander wait for her if she did go?

Her phone beeped and she glanced at it.

Tell me when you’re on the train. Can’t wait to see you.

She glanced at her watch, and sighed. “I—I have to go. My train leaves in fifteen minutes. And Jonathan’s expecting me.”

Disappointment, quickly hidden, flickered in his eyes. “I’ll give you a lift to the station. It’s the least I can do.”