24

Zander stood on the platform and hefted Kate’s case onto the train. He’d hoped she’d change her mind and stay. But maybe this was for the best. Things had been skewed in the house. A few weeks apart might be what they both needed. “Be safe.”

“I’ll try.” She hugged him, and kissed his cheek.

Zander turned and caught her lips. His skin sizzled, blood pounded in his ears, and every nerve ending he had tingled. He deepened the kiss, pulling her close.

Kate responded, only moving away when the train whistle blew. She backed onto the train. Her cheeks flushed and a smile crossed her lips.

Zander closed the door. “You know where I am. Call me.”

“I don’t have your number.” The train jerked and began to move.

Zander laughed and walked along the platform, keeping pace with the train. “Just call the office and ask for Zander with a Zed. I’ll return the call if you leave a number.”

“Promise?” The train gathered pace.

He raised a hand and waved. “Promise.” He waved until she closed the window, and then turned to find Isabel standing there. “What are you doing?”

“We’re needed. Still on duty until five, remember?”

Zander nodded, and glanced back at the vanishing train. “She’s gone.”

“Yeah, but she’ll be back one day.” Isabel put a hand on his arm. “Look, Zander, if she’s the one God has planned for you, then you’ll see her again. Now we have to go and do some work. The Guv is letting you out into the cold, cruel world again.”

Zander followed Isabel down the platform. Huge flakes of snow fell onto the rails. He exchanged a stare with Isabel and they both laughed.

“Will you look at that? The Guv has actually made it snow. So what have we got?”

“Body of a woman, mid-twenties, found in the underpass by a bloke walking his dog.” Isabel started to fill him in as they exited the station and walked across the car park.

Zander was eager to get out there and deal with a new case. There was hope he’d see Kate again one day; hope that she’d want to see him and spend time with him.

Until then he had a job to do and criminals to catch.