Moon Shadow
Chapter Eight
Arriving at the scene, Pacey noted that Joey was already there talking to Jen, Drue and Chris.
“What took you so long?” yelled Drue.
“I slept in.” Pacey explained curtly. “So what have we got here?”
“From the ID, one very dead Mr Riner.” Chris stated.
“Shit.” Pacey swore softly.
“I’m guessing he drowned.” Jen announced. “From the looks of it our Mr Riner was drowned.”
“There goes our potential and most probable suspect.” Pacey muttered. “The Captain is not going to like this.”
“Well we’ve already wrapped things up.” Drue announced. “You missed out on all the fun, Witter. Arriving late like you did. Some hot chick keep you up last night? Maybe that partner of yours.”
“I don’t like what your implying, Valentine.” Pacey growled.
Drue shrugged. “Anyway we’re all heading back to station. You should have gone straight and saved yourself the trip, Witter.”
Jen and the rest of crew disappeared with the body of Mr Riner while Drue and Chris headed to their cars.
“What took you so long?” Joey asked. “When I left, I thought you were going to take a shower and then leave right after.”
“I had an accident.”
“An accident?” Joey asked quizzically.
“Smell my hands.” Pacey offered Joey.
Joey cautiously lowered her head and sniffed. “Pacey! You smell like my favorite perfume!”
“I uh...accidentally broke the bottle. So I had to clean up the mess. And I’ll buy you a replacement bottle. The only problem is I can’t seem to get the smell out of hands. I’m surprised all of you couldn’t smell me.”
Joey chewed her lip worriedly. “The smell isn’t that strong but it’s a unique fragrance. It is a special floral blend that Andie makes for me. If anyone smells your hands they’ll know.”
“No one is going to link the smell of my hands with you and I being involved Jo.” Pacey laughed.
“Just try and get rid of the smell okay?” Joey replied.
“Don’t you think I’ve already tried.” Pacey protested.
*****
“So Mr Riner is dead?” Captain Hutchinson muttered. “This is
great. This is just freaking great!! Our main suspect drowned!! Perfect!! Can
the day get any better? Okay, Valentine, Wolfe tell me you at least got something
from your visit at Moon Shadow.”
“Employment records and information on Mr Riner.” Chris supplied.
“Fine. Fine. Joey, Pacey I want the two of you to examine these records as well as the ones that Mr Anderson faces through. Find everything you can about Mr Riner including a reason why someone would want him dead. Valentine, Wolfe, I want you to go back to Moon Shadow and see what you can find. I want all of Mr Riner’s whereabouts known before he was killed. By the way what is that smell? For some strange reason it smells like a florist in here.” The Captain barked.
Joey turned a little pale.
Drue who was sitting next to Pacey made a showing of sniffing around until he pointed at Pacey's hands.
“It’s Pacey’s hands, Captain. You know this floral blend smells very familiar. In fact...” Drue stated as he walked towards Joey.
“Stop fooling around Valentine.” The Captain ordered. “I want you and Wolfe at Moon Shadow now. Joey could you please stay, I need to talk to you.”
Drue, Chris and Pacey exited the room as Pacey tried to sneak a reassuring glance at Joey before he left the Captain’s office.
“I realize that Drue was up to his usual tricks but is there anything you want to tell me?” Captain Hutchinson asked Joey.
“Excuse me Captain?” Joey feigned confusement.
“Is there anything you would like to tell me about you and Pacey?”
“Nothing that I can think of.”
“You do know the department’s policy on relationships. I realize that being an officer can be a strain on one’s love life. And you and Pacey have this amazing connection that makes you an incredible team but it also could make it difficult for either of you to pursue romantic relationships. I understand that with the trust the two of you share, the hours you work that it may be easy to fall into a relationship but you do realize that partners cannot be lovers.”
“Yes Captain.”
“And I would really hate to have to break up the best partnership on this force.”
“Let me reassure you that you have nothing to worry about.” Joey stated confidently.
“Good. Very good. Well then, that’s all I had to say. You’re dismissed.”
*****
“What did Captain want?” Pacey asked.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? C’mon Jo, what did Captain want?”
“He wanted to remind me about departmental policy.”
“What are you saying Jo?” Pacey asked suspiciously.
“Nothing.” Joey replied stiffly. “I’ve just been reminded of departmental policy. That’s all.”
“Jo?”
“I don’t think this is the place for such a discussion Pacey. We have work to do.”
“So when can we discuss this?”
“There’s nothing to discuss.”
“Why don’t I like the sound of that?” Pacey asked softly.
Joey looked Pacey into the eyes. “It’s over.”
“No.” Pacey shook his head. “No. It can’t be over just like that. Don’t I get a say in this at all?”
“You don’t.”
“C’mon Jo. This isn’t fair.”
“We’ve got work to do.” Joey reminded Pacey and deliberately opened one of the folders and began reading.
Pacey sighed, unable to catch Joey’s
eyes or elicit a response from her. Reluctantly he opened a folder and began
reading.