The Recovery Assignment

by Alison Roberts

  ‘We can’t search properly until daylight. We’ll have to leave everything as it is until then.’

  The reminder that they needed to drive back to the city was unwelcome. They should be staying—at least close to the scene. Like at a motel…Charlotte bit her lip and tried to concentrate. On the job, she told herself firmly, not on inventing some reason to detain them.

  ‘But that’s wasting time. This car might have a broken windscreen as well as the indicator light and they’ll need to stop and get that fixed. If the victim was hit with enough force to smash the light it could well have knocked off a side mirror as well. Let’s keep hunting, Hawk. A mirror would give us the colour of the car and we could have garages warned to keep a look out.’

  ‘There’s not many garages open after midnight. We can’t do anything more right now. We might well ruin some evidence by stomping all over it in the dark.’

  Charlotte’s acceptance of the inevitable was grudging. ‘The scene needs protecting, then.’

  ‘The local guys have got that covered.’

  ‘Oh. So I guess we’re heading back to town?’

  ‘No. We’re going to talk to Maggie.’

  ‘The nurse, right?’ Ivan Colleridge had already returned to the scene, spoken at length to the police and been taken back to the city by another police vehicle. His own car would have to be examined the following day by forensic experts before it could be completely cleared of having caused the fatal injuries to the victim. ‘It’s getting a bit late, isn’t it, Hawk?’ Charlotte checked her watch and tried not to sound too pleased at the delay. ‘It’s nearly 1 a.m.’

  ‘She’s expecting us. She runs a B&B so she’s probably used to being disturbed at odd hours.’

  A B&B was almost the same as a motel. Charlotte found herself almost hoping that the squad car would refuse to start when Hawk turned the key, then they would have an excuse not to try and get back to town that night. But it started first go, of course, and that was probably just as well. This was simply a physical obsession and she had to find a way to cope with it and move on.

  It was time she moved on. Time to see whether it was possible to add that missing dimension to her life. It wasn’t being disloyal to Jamie. Charlotte could be quite certain that Jamie wouldn’t have remained celibate if she had vanished from his life. And maybe Hawk was right. Maybe he was the perfect partner to start with. He wasn’t going to push her in any direction she didn’t want to go. He didn’t want any kind of long-term relationship. And he hated kids. Look at the way he’d reacted to Cam’s news. Only yesterday he had announced that he wasn’t going to make any attempt to get to the States for the wedding, which was only a few weeks away.

  This was purely physical and it didn’t need to be a big deal. One night would be enough. Just finding out whether she was capable of physical satisfaction again would let her know that she was taking the right path here. She was sure Hawk would oblige, providing the circumstances were right. And he was an ideal candidate quite apart from his aversion to involvement. He was probably very good in bed. With everything he had going for him, he must have clocked up plenty of practice by now.

  The circumstances weren’t going to be right tonight, however, and Charlotte followed her partner up the steps and onto the verandah of the large old house with a weariness of spirit that was suddenly competing with the increasing tiredness of her body.

  Maggie Shaw was certainly expecting the visit.

  ‘Do come in,’ she urged, after they had introduced themselves. ‘I’ve got a nice hot cup of tea waiting for you. You must be exhausted.’ Pushing half-moon spectacles back into position on the bridge of her nose, she immediately dislodged them again by shaking her head. ‘Such a terrible job you have to do but I suppose someone has to.’ She peered at Maggie. ‘I wasn’t expecting a young girl like you, though, dear.’

  ‘Thank you for seeing us, Mrs Shaw. We’ll try not to take up too much of your time.’

  Maggie didn’t appear to have heard Charlotte. Shadowed by two obedient border collies, she led the way through an impressively tiled foyer, past a gracefully curving stairway and down a hallway that led to a vast kitchen where an ancient coal range sat surprisingly juxtaposed to the latest in European cookware. She still hadn’t stopped talking by the time she ushered Hawk and Charlotte onto chairs around a scrubbed pine table.

  ‘I mean, he was pushing seventy, I suppose, but there was still a lot of life in Jimmy. He was supposed to come and help me with my redecoration next week. I’ve had all six bedrooms emptied so I can get them repainted. Goodness knows how I’ll cope now. Still, I expect I’ll manage somehow.’

  ‘So you’re on your own here at present?’ Any hope of finding a witness who might be able to help in the investigation faded.

  ‘Presents? It’s far too soon to start thinking about Christmas.’ Maggie glanced up from her task of pouring hot water into a silver teapot to catch two blank expressions. ‘Sorry. I’m as deaf as a post. You’ll have to speak up a bit, dear.’

  Charlotte caught a faintly amused glance from Hawk as she raised her voice. ‘You don’t have any guests staying at the moment?’

  ‘No. Nowhere to put them until I get the painting done. Except for the old sod cottage in the orchard and that’s not to everybody’s taste. Very original but quaint. There’s two bedrooms but only one loo and it’s a long walk from the main house in the dark.’

  It sounded rather inviting to Charlotte. She avoided meeting Hawk’s eye as she gratefully accepted the steaming china cup of tea.

  ‘How was Mr Colleridge when he was here?’ Hawk asked.

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Mr Colleridge. The man who came to use your phone.’

  ‘Oh…Ivan. He was in a dreadful state, poor man. And who wouldn’t be? He thought he’d just killed someone after all. So did I, to be honest, until I realised that poor Jimmy had actually been dead for quite a while.’ Maggie peered over her spectacles. ‘It’s a long time since I was a nurse but I do remember what dead bodies are like and he wasn’t…fresh, if you know what I mean.’

  Charlotte nodded and disguised the twitch of her lips by taking a sip of tea.

  ‘It’s not as though Jimmy was a pillar of society or anything but he was one of us. He probably wouldn’t have remembered to turn up to help me next week but we liked him despite his faults. He didn’t deserve to die like that.’ Maggie pushed a plate of home-made biscuits towards her guests. She clucked disapprovingly a moment later but it wasn’t due to her offering being declined. ‘It’s such a dreadful thing to have done, isn’t it? To hit someone and simply drive away. I can’t understand it at all. I do hope you catch whoever did this.’

  ‘We intend to,’ Hawk said grimly. ‘We’ll be back first thing in the morning to carry on our investigation.’

  ‘Oh, you’re not going to drive all the way to town at this hour, are you? That’s ridiculous. You’ll have no sleep at all to speak of.’

  ‘We’re used to it,’ Charlotte assured her. ‘We’ll manage.’

  ‘But you don’t need to,’ Maggie protested. ‘I can’t offer you any of the good rooms but the cottage is perfectly habitable.’ She smiled at Hawk. ‘You and Mrs Hawkins would be quite comfortable.’ Hawk’s expression made her blink. ‘You are married, aren’t you, dears?’

  ‘No.’ Hawk and Charlotte’s hurried response was simultaneous.

  ‘Really?’ Maggie blinked again. ‘Funny, I thought you must be. You seem so…’ She clicked her tongue. ‘There I go again. Mad old Maggie.’ A cheerful smile appeared. ‘There are two bedrooms in the cottage. Are you friendly enough to share a bathroom?’

  Charlotte kept her eyes resolutely on the plate of chocolate-chip biscuits. She could feel her heart racing uncomfortably. Here it was, an unexpected opportunity being offered. Nobody would have to know what actually went on in that cottage. Except for her and Hawk.

  ‘Of course we are.’ Hawk’s voice sounded a trifle strained and he cleared his throat. ‘It does
seem more sensible than driving home for a few hours’ sleep, doesn’t it, Charlie?’

  This was it. If she didn’t want time alone with Hawk, with all the possibilities that presented, then she would have to say something. Now.

  ‘Mmm.’ As an articulate response it really didn’t rate but the effect was startling.

  ‘That’s settled, then.’ Maggie beamed. ‘I’m so glad I can do something really useful. I’ll find some towels and show you the way.’

  Hawk said nothing aloud but the look he gave Charlotte spoke volumes. She found her knees curiously weak as she stood up to follow their now bustling hostess.

  The cottage was a delight. The thick walls, low, beamed ceilings and soft lighting from imitation hurricane lamps gave it an instantly welcoming feel. Hawk and Charlotte wandered around again after Maggie had finally left, having given firm instructions to come up to the main house for breakfast. Not that there was much to explore. A small living room with an open fireplace, a tiny bathroom and two bedrooms, one of which had an old, single brass bedstead while the other was almost entirely filled by a beautiful, wooden four-poster bed. A double bed. Charlotte was still admiring the detailed carving of flowers adorning the posts when she realised that Hawk was repeating what he’d said.

  ‘I said, which bed do you fancy?’

  Charlotte grinned. ‘There’s not much of a contest, is there? I’d like this one.’

  Hawk’s gaze caught hers. ‘So would I,’ he said softly.

  Charlotte had to bite her lip to prevent a nervous squeak escaping. Hawk was standing very close to her. She could feel the heat his body was generating. Or was it electricity? Something had instantly charged the atmosphere to an almost unbearable level of tension. She had to say something.

  ‘Shall we toss a coin?’

  Hawk didn’t appear to share any of her nerves, and why should he? The question had already been asked after all. She’d had her chance to back out when Maggie had first suggested they stay in the cottage together.

  ‘Maybe we could share.’ And Hawk smiled as his gaze still remained locked on hers.

  The eye contact seemed to go on forever but Charlotte couldn’t look away. She was mesmerised. She remained completely immobilised as Hawk reached out and traced the outlines of her face with his fingers. The contact left a trail of fire across her temple and cheekbone, then down the side of her nose. Charlotte closed her eyes and sighed softly at the touch on her lower lip. Unconsciously, her lips parted, allowing her tongue to touch the gently exploring finger.

  Now it was Hawk’s turn to pause and emit a soft sound of need. The hesitation was only momentary—a punctuation mark as his lips took the place of that solitary finger. Lips as gentle as the touch of his hand had been until, again, Charlotte used the tip of her tongue in response.

  She had to wind her arms around Hawk’s neck then to steady herself under the passionate onslaught of the kiss. And even that measure was inadequate. Charlotte could feel his hands slipping beneath her shirt, sliding up the bare skin of her back, keeping her upright as she stumbled backwards. A flash of that fantasy of Hawk pursuing her and pinning her to a wall surfaced, and now Charlotte knew that it was definitely unwillingness rather than inability that made her powerless to prevent what was happening. And this was so much more exciting than any fantasy.

  Not even such a lengthy abstinence could take the credit for making her body respond with such aching intensity. Charlotte had never known it was even possible to feel like this. A groan of pure relief escaped as she felt the clasp of her bra released and Hawk’s thumbs grazed nipples that had hardened into what felt like raw nerve endings. It was too much. And it wasn’t nearly enough.

  Charlotte found her fingers fumbling with the buttons of Hawk’s shirt and the buckle on his belt. She had to know how far this could go. It was totally new territory for her. His touch was awakening parts of her body she hadn’t realised existed. It was not so much like two bodies connecting as like finding her whole self for the first time. A being capable of experiencing a pleasure greater than anything Charlotte could have dreamed of.

  No bed could have looked more inviting than the softly draped four-poster bathed in the warm glow of the old-style lamp, but it could have been an ancient mattress in the corner of a shed for all Hawk noticed. He couldn’t wait a second longer. By the time he had stroked and kissed all of Charlotte’s clothing aside, there was nothing more he could think to do in the way of foreplay.

  So he did what he’d wanted to do for what seemed like forever. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the nearest available surface that could provide cushioning for the kind of sexual release his body was screaming for. Looming over Charlotte on the bed, however, the desperate need abated just a little. The sight of her pale, slim body framed by the long tresses of her dark hair was so extraordinarily beautiful Hawk had to pause and catch his breath.

  He had to slow down. Had to make sure this was as good for Charlotte as he knew it was going to be for him. She deserved that much consideration for the trust she was showing in him right now. He was the first in a way. The start of a new life for Charlotte. Hawk’s gaze had travelled as far as Charlotte’s face to find huge, dark eyes fixed on his face. Her expression mirrored precisely how he was feeling himself.

  ‘I never knew it was possible,’ she whispered, ‘to want someone this much.’

  And suddenly there was no need to slow down. No chance to try and be gentle and considerate. That could come later. Right now, Charlotte wanted this as much as he did. Just as fast. Just as hard. And just as passionately. Charlotte’s cry of ecstasy only a short time later was almost matched in volume by Hawk’s, and it was several minutes before either of them could speak.

  ‘How deaf do you reckon Maggie really is?’

  ‘I hope she’s very deaf.’ Charlotte caught her lower lip between her teeth as she smiled. ‘Otherwise she’d know what was going on despite this cottage being the other end of the orchard.’

  ‘We’d better be a bit quieter next time, then.’

  ‘Next time?’

  Hawk paused just long enough to kiss Charlotte. Twice. ‘Are you trying to tell me that wasn’t worth repeating?’

  ‘Oh…no.’ Charlotte’s mouth curved in mischievous lines beneath his. ‘It’s just that we’ve got work in just a few hours. Some sleep might be a good idea.’

  ‘I have a much better idea.’ Hawk slid his hand upwards from where it rested on Charlotte’s belly. He cupped the small, firm breast he had been smitten with on the first moment of discovery and the sigh he gave as he lowered his lips to her nipple was one of pure contentment.

  ‘Mmm.’ Charlotte bent her head as she pressed her lips to the top of Hawk’s head. ‘You’re right,’ she murmured. ‘This is a much better idea.’

  A tiny part of Hawk’s brain registered the fact that he was now making love to Charlotte Laing for the second time. There was a tiny alarm bell sounding to remind him that once was supposed to have been enough. Hawk silenced the alarm without a moment’s hesitation.

  Once could never be enough. Not when he’d found his perfect physical match. So…he wanted some more.

  So what?

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  ‘SHE’S one out of the box, isn’t she?’

  ‘Sure is.’

  The response was deliberately casual but Hawk cast a swift glance at the senior officer standing by his side. Lance Currie did not appear to be making any reference to an illicit liaison between colleagues, however. He was too busy watching Charlotte as she was being positioned in front of television cameras. An episode of Crimewatch was being filmed, having been chosen as a means of appealing for information from the public in an attempt to solve the hit-and-run case that had claimed the life of Jim Patterson two weeks ago.

  ‘Smart, too. I know you had doubts about working with someone with Charlie’s qualifications, but I wasn’t wrong, was I?’

  ‘Nope.’ Hawk had no arguments with that statement. ‘She�
��s good.’

  ‘Good enough for you to go to the trouble of persuading us to buy that incredibly expensive toy for her. Has it been used yet?’

  ‘It was very helpful when we were assessing someone who refused to go in an ambulance after a crash last week.’

  ‘We?’ Currie raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

  ‘Charlie’s been giving me a crash course in patient assessment.’ It was more difficult to sound casual now. While those out-of-hours sessions were quite serious in content, there was no need to conceal the more private communication that was adding a distinct piquancy to their working relationship these days.

  ‘Oh?’ The suggestive tone was a relief. Clearly, Currie did not suspect anything because he was enjoying this opportunity to try and get a rise out of Hawk. He gave his superior officer a very bland look.

  ‘It’s not a nice feeling not to have any idea what to do other than call for an ambulance when someone’s sick or injured. I’m just making the most of an unexpected resource to gain a few new skills.’

  ‘We have workplace first-aid courses available, you know.’ Currie couldn’t resist the opportunity to point out the correct station protocol for such an issue. ‘I’ve done more than one myself.’

  ‘And would you recognise the difference between ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, boss? Or know what the significance is?’

  The signal for quiet in the studio was the ideal way to terminate this discussion. Currie didn’t have to admit he knew nothing about cardiac rhythms and Hawk no longer had to tread through any kind of verbal minefield. They both turned their gazes in the same direction the cameras were pointing.

  Charlotte gave a succinct history of the incident using a map and computerised reconstruction. Then she spoke directly into the camera.