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Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Weekend in Saint Marie. 

It is dark night, as dark as Caribbean night can be, of course. Richard feels it is impossible to get the perfect night, the quiet, dark night he needs just now to accept the fait accompli.

There is too much light, too much noise and too much heat to get any rest that night. The truth is that he still feels quite vulnerable.  He knows that it is very difficult to come to terms with it.

On the other hand, Richard is aware that for the entire population of Saint Marie, for reasons he does not quite understand, it will be incredibly unexpected and unacceptable, but he also expects it.

After all, he and Camille seemed to be the perfect couple. With their great love, their arguments, their differences, their opposing characters.

They were the attraction of the island, thanks mainly to Commissioner Patterson.

Richard still remembers how Camille, a little more than half an hour before, had come screaming out of the shack announcing that he should remember the moment well, because it was going to be the last time she spent the night with a man incapable of being faithful.

If Richard still prefers stupid English roses like Elizabeth after all the time he's been with her, it's his loss!

It was unfortunate that the middle-aged tourist couple wandered into the shack and heard everything that Camille said, or rather shouted. 

Regrettable that they should witness his latest failed love affair.

Which, as those same tourists would later radiate to the rest of the island's population, would be their most painful failure.

What a time Elizabeth chose to show up at the hut. 

Why wouldn't tea have sedative properties? 

With Camille he never needed sedatives.  Exhaustion and love helped him miraculously. Of course, he knew that she only let him sleep long enough to restore his strength and start again...

Richard Poole grunts.

Many on the island will wonder how it was possible that he and Camille were planning to marry.

Perhaps a blow to the head would help him sleep.

*************************************************

Camille is extremely upset, desperately unhappy and sick with fury!

Who would have thought all this would happen? 

Precisely when she and Richard were doing so well, so well together (in every way).

She is walking on the beach, she needs to reorganize her thoughts, her life, her plans for the future. 

She needs Richard! But that can't be right now.

What will Maman think of all this mess? 

No more grandchildren, her mother will say, so much time wasted with that stupid Englishman for nothing!

And, of course, it will come out about that other woman.  Elizabeth is her name.

Everyone will understand that she can't go back to Richard. He's the last man everyone expected that from! Him with another woman behind Camille's back! 

And Camille Bordey has her pride. Everyone on the island knows that.

Fidel and Dwayne, especially Fidel, are in for a huge disappointment.  Those two officers had put in so much work to get them to finally understand each other... for nothing.

All to no avail.

She watches the waves kiss the beach.  So softly, with that unbearably slow tenderness, like...

‘I think I'll go straight home.  I've got a lot to think about.  I don't want to talk to anyone. Not now.  Not for a few days.’

And she walks briskly on her way home. 

She knows what everyone will say:

‘Richard Poole, in the end he's like every other ordinary man. Poor Camille.  She's getting to be of an age. She has no time to waste now.’

Camille finally arrives home and she opens the door quickly as she has detected that she has been watched more closely than usual on her way to her small flat.

Before, everyone on the island was watching her and Richard when they were together and now that they have broken up, because she is sure that EVERYONE on the island knows about it, now they are still the centre of attention... although separately!

She slams the door shut.

She has to make her intentions clear, her strength.

Let everyone in Saint Marie see that Camille lives as well now as she did before she met a certain uptight, stubborn Englishman, even after she met him.

I'm sure that Maman, as soon as she finds out, will already be looking for her diary to start setting her up on blind dates.

But this time Camille Bordey will choose her prey.

And it will be someone completely opposite to Richard Poole.

She knows what everyone who knows her will say: how is it possible that she and Richard were planning to marry?

************************************************

In the Kaz

‘Mais ce n'est pas possible! (But that's not possible!)’ Is Catherine's exclamation of disbelief.

‘Oh, yes. His daughter was shouting.  She sounded furious. And yet we were far away...’ It is the tourist who is talking to Catherine.  She is the one who, along with her husband, was walking ‘away’ from Chief Inspector Richard Poole's shack at certain times.

‘Are you sure that Camille said Elizabeth's name?’ Catherine asks.

Catherine found it hard to understand Richard's behaviour.

‘I'm sure she did.  It was one of the things your daughter shouted out.’ The animated tourist replied.

Catherine already knew that the couple, Richard and his daughter, had become the most important tourist attraction in Saint Marie. It was not unusual for strangers to be wandering around the Detective Inspector's shack.

Commissioner Patterson dealt with that very well.

Tourists always say they've gone astray.... 

Catherine excuses herself to retreat inside the bar's small kitchen to try to contact her daughter. She must be at home by now.

But Camille doesn't pick up the phone.

Dwayne witnesses the spectacle from a distance. Surely this tourist couple are not drunk or something? Of course, the Chief and Camille are not arguing for the first time (even though they are already together), nor will it be the last.

He will have to make sure whether this time it is serious or not. Catherine seems worried this time, though.

No, before doing anything, before informing Fidel and Juliet, Dwayne prefers to wait until Monday.

But Camille and Richard had already planned the wedding!

He finds it hard to believe about this woman, that tourist woman, is talking about. The Chief and Camille would not have got that far with an argument.

No, he'll wait. Even if he has to smack the Chief and Camille upside the head to get them to come to their senses.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Monday arrived, and it went not as Dwayne Myers would have hoped and expected. Not at all.

Wasn't the break-up serious enough for that unbreakable bond, that eternal love that Camille and Richard felt for each other... to be broken?

Just like that.

When Camille arrived at the police station, Richard was already at his desk with his back straight and concentrating hard on his work.

She was very dignified, smiling at Fidel and Dwayne and wished them good morning and sat down at their table with great ease. 

Once seated at her table she greeted Richard with a:

‘Good morning, sir.’

To which Richard replied with a laconic:

‘Good morning, Sergeant Bordey.’

Fidel, warned and astonished (although he had heard all the rumours about the Chief and Camille), observed with his own eyes the coldness and professionalism with which his superior officers treated each other.

They did not even look at each other.

And so the day passed at the station. No big case came up for them to sink their teeth into. But both Richard and Camille were really engrossed in their reports. 

When Dwayne called Fidel to patrol the market and the harbour, the first thing they both did when they got to the Defender was to exclaim in unison:

‘Why aren't they arguing?’

To such a question, only Fidel, after only a second or two's thought, replied with:

‘Because you know very well that if they start arguing as they did before, they would not be able to resist the temptation to reconcile.  Passionately or not.  Even if they wanted to, they are so stubborn that they would rather ignore each other than argue. They want to make it clear that they don't need each other, that they can live alone as they did before they got engaged.’

Dwayne looks at him in confusion.

‘And what can we do if they don't...?’

Fidel shakes his head as if pondering.

‘I still don't understand anything. I've been talking to the people walking around Richard's cabin and that Elizabeth girl was only in the cabin for one afternoon. And she didn't even stay more than five minutes! Suddenly Camille appeared, threw the woman, who by the way has left the island I suspect never to return, out with a bang, and that's when she told the Chief that this was the last time she would spend the night in his cabin.

Dwayne ponders and says to Fidel.

‘It seems even stranger to me that the Commissioner hasn't opened his mouth. Maybe he's waiting for the waters to subside....’

‘Something that our superiors seem to be fighting to prevent from happening.’ Fidel maintains.

‘For now. I'll talk to Catherine in case she knows anything about this strange English woman.’ Dwayne decides.

He feels terrible for feeling so confused.

He's always known all about relationships!

Fidel ponders what to say next:

‘I'm going to try and find out what Camille and the Inspector were so focused on. He told me it was an old case, but I assure you that none of our records have been accessed.'

‘Maybe he got the case from Commissioner Patterson before the Inspector and Camille broke up.’ Dwayne suggests.

That doesn't matter so much to him. The Chief is always going over old cases. He doesn't understand what's so important about that.

Fidel shrugs and replies:

‘You and I have learned from the master.  Also from Camille, of course. In a case all information, however irrelevant it may seem, is important. We're sleuths now, my friend.  And we've learned that from the best.’

Dwayne pats his friend's back and, with a big grin from ear to ear, says:

‘I love it! That'll always be better than sitting around waiting to see what happens. Count me in.’

But when they arrive at the station, the atmosphere couldn't be colder.

Of course, Fidel and his friend look at each other with confidence - it's only the first day!  And they are not going to give up easily.

It's five to five in the afternoon. Only five minutes left to call it a day.  Obviously there will be no friendly meeting at La Kaz today.

That's unthinkable!

And Richard, back in his role of inflexible superior, asks Camille, who is almost out of her chair as she slings her handbag over her shoulder:

‘Sergeant Bordey, I have reviewed your report and I have detected several inconsistencies that I don't understand. Do I have to remind you that I will never again admit to the lack of rigour in the reports you write as I have unfortunately done before? This time it will be different.

Fidel and Dwayne can see how Camille takes a slow breath and counts to ten as she hangs her bag back on the back of the chair.

The two friends know that the professionalism of their friend and colleague is out of the question. But they also know that, whatever happens to cause a rift between their superior officers, this is not the time to mediate between them.

For the moment they remain silent as they continue to clear their desks and leave the station to finish their work for the day.

Camille replies calmly and with professional respect to her ex-fiancé and ex-lover:

‘It is possible, of course.  Early tomorrow morning we can discuss the points in the report that you don't understand or don't agree with.’

It is already five o'clock in the afternoon. 

Camille has veiled her insult to her immediate superior by telling him that he doesn't understand what's right under his nose! 

Fidel and Dwayne decide to escape.

Everyone knows that collateral damage always hits the innocent first.

Richard, not losing his cool, but with a strange green gleam in his eye, decidedly out of anger, Dwayne opines as he takes one last look over his shoulder surrendered by curiosity, replies:

‘I think the most appropriate time would be now, Sergeant. It can always happen that if we put it off until tomorrow, we could miss several very important points.’

Camille, after watching her friends and traitorous comrades leave (flee!), looks at Richard with one of her most lethal looks and comments:

‘Could I comment on something out of order, sir? I beg you to accompany me to the cells. I suppose you don't want any witnesses. I don't want anyone to come right away *interrupting us*. It's something I want to clear up with you now so that there are no misunderstandings in the future. Afterwards, if you like, we'll amend that shoddy report.’

Richard rises calmly and parsimoniously. He remembers when Camille chastised him severely on the case of the murdered girlfriend, their first case together as police officers. 

When they were not yet together. When they were tense and angry, like now.

Richard responds, confident that this time his authority will not be undermined, as he knows how to defend himself:

‘I would beg you not to take too long, Sergeant. I want to take as little time as possible with these rectifications.’

Camille makes a frankly insubordinate gesture at Richard's back as they both head for the cells.

Stepping through the curtain that gives scant privacy to the rudimentary cells of the police station, Camille is startled when her right arm is gripped tightly by the strong hands of the Inspector, who, with the advantage of surprise, corners the Sergeant against the wall, kisses her with uncharacteristic passion and, when he breaks away from her mostly to catch his breath, asks her with all the love and passion he feels for her in his voice:

‘Have you missed me, my love?’

Camille, who is still recovering from that passionate kiss from Richard, a kiss which, by the way, she has never made the slightest gesture of refusing, replies:

‘What do you think, mon coeur?’

Then it is she who, with a smile of a tigress about to eat him, who corners him against the wall and kisses him again with the enthusiastic support of her poor, defenceless prey.’

Then there is a small noise in the station and the two of them part abruptly.  They both peek stealthily through the curtain. 

Fortunately it was only a clueless bird that has managed to find its way out of the street without any problems.

Richard hugs Camille tightly and comments:

‘I've already spoken to Elizabeth. She says she loved being part of a secret police operation. She's always been a little crazy. But seriously, we have to be careful.  You know what the Commissioner told us.’

Camille breaks away from him just enough to whisper:

‘Need I remind you that it was you who almost put me through the wall by pinning me in your arms?’

Richard looks back at her with that green gleam in his eyes. What Dwayne had earlier mistaken for anger was nothing more than love and passion.

He replies:

‘When you are absolutely right, I have to give it to you.’ Then he rests his forehead on hers and continues:

‘I missed you the very moment you walked out of the cabin door. How long do you think it will take you to get...?’

Camille places her index finger gently on his lips.

‘I've missed you a lot too. But this case is important. It's only just begun! I found a small shed in the jungle.  It belonged to a great-uncle of Maman's.  We can go there to compare notes on this case and... whatever else comes up.’

Richard kisses her sweetly again:

‘Whatever comes up... of course.’ Then he looks at her with great concern and says, no, he almost begs her:

‘Be very careful. Although I've come up with something to keep you protected even though we're still officially ‘separated’. Did you really think I was going to let you take unnecessary risks?’

Camille is acting as an undercover officer again and Richard is so concerned about her that it fills her with even more tenderness and love.

She hugs him:

‘I am a police officer who knows very well that working as a team means accepting help from colleagues.  I will be very careful, always. I don't want to lose you. And it amazes me that I am the one to tell you, a senior officer totally out of control because of your totally unprofessional feelings for me, that if we exchange information in that shed in the jungle, it will be on very rare occasions and pretty much only for that purpose.  Even if I am occasionally weak and fall into your clutches, of course.’

Richard smiles and hugs her tightly. Suddenly he tenses, hears voices.  With warning gestures, he looks at Camille, separates from her and, with his lips, indicates an emergency plan.

Camille understands what he means.

‘No! If necessary I will go outside so that everyone can hear us, Richard. You are now only my superior. I repeat that I can live alone perfectly well. I've done it before and I can do it just fine right now.’

‘I'll remind you, Sergeant, I'm way ahead of you in living alone.  And I wasn't doing badly, to tell you the truth. My life wasn't a mess! I was just asking you to reassure me that I can still go to tea at La Kaz without any problems. What did you have in mind?’

At the same time as they ‘argue’, Camille has wiped the traces of lipstick off Richard's face and fixed his suit. 

When they both emerge through the curtain separating the cells from the rest of the police room they are both the epitome of (angry) police professionalism.

Camille, carrying the papers that had been scattered on the floor of the cells now in his more or less organized hand, throws them into Richard's table in a rude manner.

When the two officers look around they see only a few absent-minded tourists who are quick to stammer out a plausible excuse to leave the way they came in.

Camille and Richard smile at each other one last time before she goes home to prepare for her ‘date’.

Richard throws the papers in the bin and closes the station.

He calls it a day.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Wednesday 6pm.  Camille is dressing up more carefully than ever.  She has to be perfect for her date this evening so that everyone in Saint Marie will think she wants to slam the door on her relationship with Detective Inspector Richard Poole. 

That it is very adult of the two senior Inspectors to be able to continue working together despite the failure of their relationship.

Let them think what they want!  That's what it's all about. The man Camille is dating, Elliot Marston, has come to the island of Saint Marie to continue his tourism-related business. 

That's behind closed doors, of course.  In reality, he is a professional assassin who carries out his assignments with terrifying effectiveness. 

Interpol is well aware of his activities, of course.  But he never leaves any loose ends.

Richard, in the little free time away from the police station that Camille has allowed him to enjoy since they became engaged, began to study the Marston case.  At least for the last two or three months.

Richard soon discovered a pattern: on every job there was always a person to help him get to his target - the assignment of the moment. 

That's usually it.  What threw Interpol off the scent was that they were not always women.  Also men. Marston appears to be a cold and ruthless man.

And since Marston tended to make friends easily, the organization really believed that he was using this group of people as a shield.  Innocent people as a human shield.

Richard thought that Marston did not surround himself with just any random person – it added a very serious element of human error in the very analytical equation of the professional killer - so he observed that the killer made the person he used feel special enough that the help he gave Marston was unconditional. 

The assassin ensured a high degree of loyalty and, if necessary, once these people were used, he eliminated them. But not at the place where the murder was committed.  He would take them on trips and there they would always disappear.

Richard, as soon as he told the commissioner, Patterson devised this plan of using Camille as Marston´s next ´helper´, especially when, upon learning of this, requested additional reports from London and he was informed that Marston was planning a trip to Saint Maire.  Obviously to carry out one of his ‘jobs’. 

Patterson, after mulling it over for not too long, decided that if the island's police team worked in broad daylight, Marston could abscond even without carrying out the assignment.

So the commissioner devised the strategy of separating his favourite officers.  Camille Bordey had worked as an undercover officer before, and Richard would be protecting her like an eagle.

Selwyn Patterson is the only one who knows that Richard and Camille's broken engagement is a smokescreen and Richard, by studying an old unsolved case, had unwittingly pre-empted Elliot Marston's future objective. 

Camille smiles as she studies her appearance in front of the mirror.  She had studied the hitman's file well.

She still remembers what she told Maman when she saw Elliot Marston in La Kaz. Thanks to the commissioner and Richard, Camille was already on the lookout for him.  All tourists, at some point in their holidays, pass through La Kaz.  Marston looked very similar to the photo the Inspector gave him of the suspect.

Maman knew nothing, of course.  She would ‘use’ her mother to set her up with a blind date with this suspect.

‘I like that guy, maman.  Now all I want is to start my new life with other men. I don't want anything serious at the moment, but I need to prove to myself that I can start living without Richard.’

No doubt seeking to get her daughter over her break-up as quickly as possible, Catherine contacted this Elliot.  In discussing her daughter's good qualities and, no doubt to give Camille a professional importance, Catherine commented that her daughter already had one foot in the offices of Commissioner Selwyn Patterson.

Elliot Marston turned on his charm at this information and seemed to decide that Camille was the 'helper' he needed.

He would never disdain the additional advantages of having a contact in the police. 

Richard, constantly informed of his fiancée's movements, thought Patterson was the additional link needed to find out the identity of Marston's target on the island.

One of Camille's objectives that night is to gain the confidence of the hitman.  You don't want to raise suspicions with too many questions on the first date.

************************************************

In La Kaz, later.

Richard is enjoying his favourite drink, a perfect tea, at La Kaz.

Catherine, seeing that Elliot Marston seems a perfect candidate to replace the Inspector in Camille's heart, has decided to lift the veto she'd imposed on Richard.

He was still an important authority on the island after all.  And he didn't seem to care too much about the date that Camille seemed to be enjoying at that very moment under his nose?

It just goes to show Catherine that Richard wasn't quite the right man for her daughter.  A pity, of course. But there's no way to understand a stuffy Englishman.

Catherine shrugs and carries on with her work while Camille laughs again at some comment from her occasional partner that afternoon.

Elliot seems to be delighted with the sergeant's reaction.

‘I admire your great resilience, Camille. I couldn't help but overhear about your big break-up with the Inspector on the island.  Everyone was convinced you were the perfect couple.’

Camille looks sardonically at Richard and replies:

‘Everyone but me. Now I understand what they say about not looking for relationships at work.  The problem was that I focused too much on work and made a mistake. I also work with Officer Myers, but... the concept of children and, above all, of marriage does not suit him!  Logically the only partner available was Richard Poole - there was no one else! Maman was obsessed... you know, with marriage and children.... But it turned out to be a disaster.  I won't make that mistake again!’

Elliot moves a little closer to her.  Another woman scorned and close to forty.  A perfect victim.

‘Of course not. Sometimes we limit our own choices and make other people's needs our own. How did you realize he wasn't the man your life?’ Elliot comments.

Camille laughs again:

‘The man of my life? Where do you get that from? He became the bane of my life! I guess I soon realized that the age gap between us wasn't romantic at all.  Too long living alone, I guess. And he's not the type to change easily, believe me.  The first discussions are lovely, even romantic.  Then... you realize that's not romantic.  It simply proves that this man is not compatible. The important thing is that now I'm free! But let's stop talking about me. Why did you come to the island? Are you a tourist or what?’

Camille pretended not to be too interested in his answer. 

‘Oh, half and half. I'm afraid I'm also here for work.’

Camille couldn't help but feel a little shiver.  That man wasn't lying.

Catherine watched her daughter's reaction from a distance and couldn't shake a negative feeling.  She made a call to Dwayne:

‘Dwayne, where are you?’

‘I'm at Fidel and Juliet's house.  This afternoon I had to take refuge at their house. You know how my story with Andrea ended.’

Laughter is heard on the other end of the phone.

‘My daughter is having a date with the man I met yesterday.  And, for a second, I saw an expression on her that I didn't like at all. Could it be possible that you and Fidel were watching my daughter from afar while she's with that man?’

Catherine hears Dwayne's concerned comment on the other end of the line and she replies to Officer Myers:

‘Yes, the inspector and I are here now.  Although right now I am the one who is worried about her, I am very sure of that. Richard is unperturbed enjoying his tea. Excuse me...?’

Catherine smiles and answers again. She seems satisfied and more at ease with Dwayne's response.

‘Thanks! I owe you and Fidel a few beers. I'll let you know if my daughter gets out of here later.’

Richard has listened to this whole conversation with apparent indifference. 

He managed to stay close to the phone. He hadn't really expected his strategy of keeping an eye on Camille without the order coming from him to work out so well. In fact, he had a plan B prepared in case that solution hadn't worked out on its own.

In any case, he always has the phone on night and day to answer Camille's possible distress call.

Of course the commissioner's undercover police operation would immediately be called off.

When he sees Camille say goodbye to Elliot Marston almost an hour into the date, he can't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Discreetly, of course.

From her hand signal as she walks towards the bar to talk to Catherine, Richard already knows that Camille and Elliot have a date for another day.

He rises leisurely after finishing his tea without looking back, and prepares to go to the shed hidden inside the forest a few metres from his shack. 

He already knows that it will still take her an hour and a half to finish her ‘date’, talk to her mother and go home. She´ll be watched by her friends Dwayne and Fidel until she arrives home. When they see Camille go into their small flat, they don't suspect that she will go out the back window to meet the Inspector.

Richard takes a book and the case reports with him.

They have to come up with a strategy to find out the killer's target soon.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

It´s nightfall and Richard is waiting in the secret jungle shack for Camille to show up.  To make matters worse Richard notes irritably that he has forgotten his book back in his home. He has already gone over two or three times the notes and reports provided by Commissioner Patterson on the extraordinary case he and Camille are handling.

He thinks he has a glimpse of one important piece of information or another. But he needs more time and more information. 

And most of all, he needs Camille! Richard is beginning to feel guilty and frightened by the potential danger she is in. Elliot Marston is a highly dangerous individual.  In his apparent normality hides a psychopath with no respect for human life.

She is a police officer with experience and resources to spare as an undercover agent. But... Camille is no longer just that, she is his fiancée.  And although Richard is not a superstitious man, this is not the first time he has fallen short of what he considered to be his happiness.

Although in this particular case, he would rather be dead than endure anything happening to Camille.

A voice greets him lightly from the small shed door.

Richard looks with great relief at the woman who smiles somewhat mockingly at him from the doorway.

Camille hides that, as a good connoisseur of human behaviour, she knows that Richard was suffering.  It is what she suspected was going to happen.

So she goes over to him and plants a big passionate kiss on him as she hugs him tightly.

And it works.  Richard forgets absolutely everything.

But they are involved in a case!  Reluctantly he pulls Camille away from him and regretfully communicates:

‘I'm sorry, Camille. You really don't know how sorry I am.  But you know you have to tell me first...’

She stops him from continuing:

‘And I will inform you properly.’ With mischief she continues, ‘You are my superior officer and I must obey you in absolutely everything.’

Richard forgets almost everything again.

‘But...’ continues Camille, ’... we have almost two hours.  And I assure you, unless we do something to refresh our minds, we shall be unable to think. And, above all, you will be unable to come up with such magical and unexpected solutions. So I recommend my favourite remedy.  Follow me.’

She takes him by the hand and leads him to the small cubicle that serves as the only room in the squalid shed.

Certainly that one room was in a deplorable state when Richard first saw it. For this reason, the Inspector set about tidying it up and cleaning it as much as possible within his means and installed a small but clean mat.  In addition, he installed a mosquito net in the only window of the room that served as a temporary dormitory.

As they both make themselves comfortable on the mat, Richard comments:

‘I swear I've never handled a case this way. How I regret the lost years before I met you. But then...’

Camille says in his ear:

‘Afterwards you will be informed of absolutely everything, which is not much, that I have found out. You know that you can order me anything you want and I obey you blindly’.

And indeed, Richard exceptionally orders her absolutely everything he wants from her.  Even though deep down he knows that the one who blindly obeys in this crazy, life-filled relationship is him.  Always.

Good thing he hasn't forgotten the coffee, because if he doesn't sleep in the mornings and doesn't sleep much at night either, he doesn't know how he's going to find the energy he's going to need for this information gathering session

There are definitely other side effects of this kind of case management that are not so pleasant.

************************************************

A little over half an hour later.

Camille Bordey is reporting everything she found out at her meeting with the suspect.  She hasn't forgotten anything.  In any case, she has already given Richard a report of what she knows.

Richard takes it and keeps it scrupulously in his briefcase. He will study it in his home later.

It's a good thing that he has precisely no one following in his footsteps.  For the time being. 

Another side effect of this way of handling a case is that it doesn't matter if the sergeant gives her report to her superior officer when they are both stark naked.

Nor does it matter if she is leaning on his chest as they look at the stars (they are part of the night sky) through the poor little window.

When she has finished briefing Richard and he has, as best he can, made a few neat notes on his notepad, she remarks to him:

‘Can you imagine if you and I always worked like this, so... comfortable, relaxed and...?’

Richard completes the question for her:

‘...so satisfied? I've always  admired nudists.  If only for the fact that they were doing something I've always been afraid to do. But I'm afraid that, even here in the Caribbean, that would get us into a lot of trouble. But you're right about one thing.’

Camille, as best she can, turns around a little and looks at him smiling:

‘Just one thing?  OK.  What am I'm right about?´

Richard kisses her tenderly. 

‘That my brain feels so much better because you're in my arms.  Safe, protected and loved.  I loved you before, but now that you're taking such a big risk, I love you even more. I promise you I'm going to wrack my brain like I've never done before to figure this out as soon as possible.’

Camille looks at him and replies very seriously.

‘You know I'm very careful, Dwayne and Fidel haven't been far from me since I left La Kaz! I'm the only one who's noticed, though. Or so I hope. Besides, you and I have our own key to alert us at a moment's notice if there's any danger.’

Richard nods:

‘Don't ever forget it.  I keep an eye on it day and night.’

Camille smiles again.  She had certainly never handled a case like this before. Before, she always felt so lonely.

‘Well. At least while we're at the station we're together. I'll take the opportunity to find out some more of our suspect's civilian and police files from the station's computer and you, Richard, already have material to put that wonderfully sexy brain of yours into action.’

Richard looks at her carefully and asks:

‘How much time do we have left?  My sexy brain informs me that we still have time for one more round.’

She turns around, settles in and says in his ear:

‘Just enough.  Tomorrow we'll have a double coffee.’

‘And an extra tea.’ Richard whispers as they begin their second round.

He doesn't know in what state and how he'll get to his cabin, but who cares about that?

Better not to tell the Commissioner.

****************************************

It's a dark night. A shadow walks carefully through the most hidden and concealed streets of the small town of Honoré .  In a few minutes she will reach the window of her own house through which she will enter it.

Camille doesn't even know what time it is, does it matter? She has parted from Richard knowing that it wouldn't take him ten minutes to get to his own shack, to his home.  Of course, it has taken her a bit longer than Richard to get to her little flat.

She smiles.  They are engaged and still haven't talked about where they will live, whether they will keep that shack or not, whether they will accept the commissioner's offer?

It doesn't matter now. At that moment she is already carefully closing the bathroom window through which she has gone out to deliver her ‘report’ to Richard. 

What a night!  These English know how to amuse a woman.  And it's a good thing, because she's French, well, half-French, but the Caribbean half has a lot to say too!

As soon as she is sure that she is safe in her flat, she sends a message to Richard.

‘All good. MC. Camille.’ MC for Mon Coeur...

Seconds later, she receives his confirmation:

‘Sleep well.’

Richard certainly doesn't trust text messages.  He is a prudent man.

Camille expects no less from her immediate superior.

Passing into her room for that much-desired rest, she notices a neatly folded note by the front door.

Without touching anything, she takes a photo of it with her mobile phone to show Richard exactly what state the note was in before she reads it. 

This is how police procedure works in cases like the one she is handling now.  Of course, it is most likely that it belongs to a neighbour or even to maman.

When she opens it, she can't help a little shudder:

‘I was just trying to make you feel less lonely, my little camellia. Where have you been? Does your mother know that you go on dates with strangers without her knowing?  I'm a serious man, I assure you. I would never cheat on you.  You have no need to look for adventures when I'm here. You can trust me. I'll call you tomorrow.  MS’

Camille calms down. Or so she tries to.  Suddenly she has woken up enough to need a lime tea.  The first thing she does is take a photo of the contents of the note and sends it to Richard.

It doesn't take Camille half a minute before she gets a phone call.

‘Camille, are you OK, are you alone, do you think they might have broken into the flat?’

The detective sergeant takes a small, expert look around and checks the small sign that, since returning to work as an undercover agent, she has placed on the front door of the flat. 

He also looks at the other windows in the flat. The window through which he came in was still the same as when he left.

That window has always had a small defect that in this case has been an advantage.  It is very easy for it to get stuck and remain effectively closed.  Camille knows how to unlatch it.  So she was able to get in through it.

To make sure that no one had entered her flat while she was out, she leaves a small box with some flies in it. In case anyone even tried to force the window, those flies would have flown away.  And the little insects were still there.

‘Richard, I'm fine. Uneasy, that's all. No one seems to have entered the flat. Everything is as I left it. What do you think?’

Richard is silent on the other end of the line.

‘I'm going to call the commissioner, Camille. We'll do one thing he and I talked about in case there were problems and we could still avoid aborting the operation. He'll talk to one of his police officers, a stranger to your mother who will pose as one of your neighbours.  She will tell him that a stranger has been hanging around your house late at night. If I'm not mistaken, Catherine will call Dwayne and, if not himself, Fidel will go to watch your house.  Another Patterson agent will meet up with whoever is going to watch your house and both will keep you safe.  But...’

‘Yes, Richard?’ Camille suspects what he will say next.

‘Lock yourself in your room and keep your gun loaded.  Don't hesitate to fire if you notice any noise, any noise at all. But before that try calling me and we'll abort the operation.  I'll talk to Dwayne or Fidel, whichever one of them is there and, together with Patterson's agent, they'll get into your flat without delay even if they have to break the door.  In the meantime I'm already on my way there.  I'll bring a gun.’

Camille looks at the phone in shock. Richard Poole with a gun? She didn't know he had one.  She suspects he's gotten hold of one on Commissioner Patterson's direct orders. 

‘Richard, I promise you I will do as you say.  It's not the first time I've been in this situation. Nothing will happen. Marston still hasn't told me what he wants me to do. He's just marking his territory. You must think about what he puts in the note.  That I seek my love affairs without needing Maman's help. And the truth of the matter is that it has been so in this case.’

Richard seems to ruminate on his reply.

‘I think you're right. Anyway, please do as I say.  Tonight, and every night, you'll be protected. There will always be Dwayne or Fidel looking out for you.  I'm going to call Patterson.  Good night, my love.’

‘Good night, Richard.’

Despite her unease, she realizes that Richard has overreacted.  What she wonders is whether this is because he remembers a case that has gone wrong or because she and Richard are romantically involved.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Two days have passed since Camille received Marston's note promising to call her the next day. The one he slipped under her door, causing some concern! But Marston did not call her the next day, but the afternoon of the second day.

Camille imagines that this must be his strategy to generate ‘anxiety’ in Marston's victims.

For Camille (and Richard) this is good for their work and other things.

On the same day that Camille receives Marston's call, Camille and Richard meet again in the ramshackle shed that she uses to inform him of the relevant news, if any.

She has postponed Marston's proposed meeting that same day to the next day.

Camille is back in her favorite position. She rests her head on Richard's chest while he gently strokes her hair with his right hand as he embraces her with his left arm.

Richard has spent the last two days thinking about how to communicate a change of strategy to Camille.  He still remembers Commissioner Patterson's reaction when he informed him of the note received by Camille....

************************************

The meeting with Commissioner Patterson in his office was certainly somewhat strained.

Especially on Richard's part.

Patterson watches the Inspector from his side of the table.  He will have to help the Inspector understand that this is actually good news.

Elliot Marston has taken the bait, even if they have to be very careful. 

“Inspector, I think your reaction last night was irrational, although understandable.  You and I both know that means the Sergeant has been successful and has gotten the suspect to confide in her.”

Richard listens to him.  His rational self understands perfectly well the logic of Patterson's rationale, his other self is terribly frightened.

“Commissioner, I perfectly understand your point of view.  But I think we would have to find some believable reason for me to be near Camille to protect her...”

Patterson tries to reassure him.

“I already have two Guadeloupean officers to protect her, not to mention the continued presence of Officers Myers and Best. I take it you've already thought of something else?”

Richard was sleepless all night. He was afraid of dreaming of losing Camille. So he turned to what he did best: thinking.

“It is vox populi that Camille and I were engaged when we 'broke up' in that 'terrible' way.  It's also vox populi that we had trouble getting engaged.  Everyone on the island knows that Sgt. Bordey has a very lively temper and that I...well, that I can be very stubborn and reserved.  Maybe it wouldn't be so unusual for me to start showing jealousy. You know, after some forced reflection on my part, I 'realized' that maybe I miss her....”

Patterson ponders Richard's comment. It doesn't seem like a bad idea at all.  Then the Inspector could speak directly to Dwayne and Fidel in order to ask for their help.  It would be more direct and the orders given by Richard would also be more direct. Besides, it is true that he and Camille have shown a great passion for each other once all the barriers between them have been broken down.  Barriers put up mainly by the Inspector.

Richard's 'jealousy' would make his and Camille's separation more believable.  Someone might begin to disbelieve that they would suddenly stop loving each other.

“Inspector Poole, that's not a bad idea.  But I think you should mature it.  You should talk to Sergeant Bordey first.  She has more experience with undercover agent work, you know that.”

Patterson tries not to smile when he uses the word 'talk'. He knows perfectly well that the Inspector and the Sergeant, in addition to talking, take advantage of the jungle shed to also catch up on their relationship. 

Richard seems to let out a sigh of relief. He gets up, says goodbye to Commissioner Patterson, promising to let him know how he and Camille decide to act on the matter, and heads back to the station.

At least there he almost always has his fiancée in front of him healthy and safe.

*************************************

“Richard? You're very quiet. Haven't you been listening to me? You don't think it's bad that I've postponed the appointment with Elliot Marston to tomorrow afternoon, do you? I don't want to appear too eager or interested.  That way it's easier for him not to suspect anything. Do you agree?”

Richard kisses her on the head.

“My dear, I've spoken to Patterson and he's agreed to a little idea I've come up with seeing how Marston is in the habit of harassing his victims.  Of course you can decide how to carry it out.”

Camille tries to move to look at him quizzically.

“What have you come up with?”

Richard wraps his arms around her tightly.  He wants to make sure she's not going to interrupt him.

“Everyone in Saint Marie knows that you and I have conducted our relationship in a passionate way...”

Camille interrupts him:

“And we are still carrying on, my love...”

“I'd appreciate it, Sergeant, if you wouldn't interrupt me. We are on official business.”

Camille smiles.  When both officers don't have any clothes on, it's hard to think in officer mode.

“Carry on, ´Inspector´.”

“Very well.  People may start to get suspicious because we have separated so abruptly without, after things have 'calmed down', trying to work things out again.  So Patterson and I have come up with the idea that I could be... 'jealous' so I could be near you to protect you. Also , so I could talk directly to Fidel and Dwayne without the subterfuge of worrying your mother so she can communicate with them by having them keep an eye on you. What do you think?”

She breaks free of Richard's bear hug, turns around, hugs him in a most unprofessional manner and whispers in his ear.

“Are you jealous, Richard?”

He whispers back:

“No. Never.  But if I lose you...I don't even want to think about it.”

“You won't have to.  The idea is a good one.  Maybe if I pick a place I went to dinner with you because I was already going to dinner there before I went out with you, for example, it wouldn't be weird to find you there. I could pretend to be stalked by you so Elliot would awaken his more possessive instincts.  I have a microphone prepared so that Dwayne and Fidel can follow your steps following your orders once they try to help you recover me.  Mic that of course they will have to put on.”

Richard kisses her gently.

“That's not a bad idea.  I'd like you to think of something else and report back to me tomorrow morning.  I'll keep thinking about it.  If this is the case, I'm afraid both you and I will have to be armed when we are near the suspect.”

*********************************************

At that very moment, Elliot Marston is talking in an alley in Honoré with a man, a stranger.

It is dark and no one is disturbing them.

“So, Mr. Marston, I can trust you.  Word is that Sergeant Bordey has not yet fallen into your nets.”

Marston smiles... coldly. He doesn't like to burden his victims. The more they think they're free, the better.

“It's true I didn't call her when I said I would. But you needn't worry.  I already have another appointment with her tomorrow night. You must not forget that she is closely connected with our objective.”

“We all know that. Although at the moment...”

“Never rely on appearances.  That's a piece of advice. I always carry out my assignments.”

The stranger nods and asks.

“And what will you do with Sergeant Bordey once you've made our agreement - the usual procedure?”

Marston smiles coldly again.  He will especially enjoy the moment when Camille looks at him in astonishment when she discovers what he has in mind regarding her.

Elliot Marston really didn't like discovering that Camille wasn't waiting for him at her apartment when he went to see her. 

*********************************

Three pairs of eyes missed nothing of the scene taking place in the alley.  

A Guadalupe police officer and Sergeants Myers and Best.

Fidel already has photo images of Elliot and the stranger, while Dwayne already knows who he can ask about the identity of Marston's 'friend'.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

The next morning all the members of Honoré's police team are working as they always do.

A casual observer would think that they are all as usual, at their posts.  But they aren´t.

DI Richard Poole seems to be just as engrossed in his work as ever, it's true.  But the reality is that he is worried, tense.  He doesn't want to tell Camille, but he has a very strange feeling.  And he doesn't like it. 

It doesn't even help him to prepare the documentation for the Jacaranda clinic case.  They need documentation for the transfer of one of the suspects. Routine work.

Richard also has to submit the statement which, even though it was the work of Honoré's entire team, will bear only the signature of the Detective Inspector.  His. 

But it's strange, he feels as if he's forgetting something, something silly but something vital anyway. A piece of information that would make it possible to close the case successfully without necessarily putting Camille in danger.

DS Bordey watches him stealthily. She is uneasy, it is true. But she has the experience and skills to defend herself if necessary.  Her small firearm is always with her.

But she also has the experience to know that this is not always enough. If it were, she wouldn't have been shot three times.

Fidel still remembers the night before in the company of Dwayne. Marston's friend, Camille's strange and apparent new flirt, reminds him of someone. Someone connected to a case solved by Inspector Poole.

But who it might be escapes him. 

Dwayne has already spoken to all his contacts. He's just waiting for someone to call him on his mobile phone at any moment.

Unfortunately, the day passes uneventfully, but with a strange feeling in all the policemen that there is great danger ahead.

Camille is the one who leaves the station earlier today. She's supposed to have an appointment, so she needs time to get ready. And so she does.

Camille is starting to psych herself up for the date with Marston.  Since he has told her he doesn't know anything about the island, she has sent a text message with the name of the restaurant she will tell her date tonight as a proposition so that Richard will be on his way ahead of time to do the jealousy routine.

 
When Richard receives the message, still sitting at the station table with Dwayne and Fidel, he decides to secure the cooperation of his two officers.

He looks up from the report he has just initialled and comments as if he feels like the most remorseful man on the planet:

‘Gentlemen, I think I am beginning to realise that I have made a terrible mistake.’ Fidel looks up in amazement and hope. His expression was somewhere between astonishment and hope: it was about time!

Dwayne smiles. He has always hoped that Richard Poole would fight to get Camille back.  Moreover, the officer was almost certain that the first to give up would be the Chief.  Richard can no longer live without Camille.

And Camille is a lot of Camille!

Dwayne is sure she wouldn't allow herself to be separated from Richard for long either.

‘You know there's still time to derail Camille's date, right?’ comments Dwayne.

‘Yeah, and have her rip my head off.  No, thanks. But...’

‘Yes, sir?’ asks Fidel.

‘I was wondering if you two could keep an eye on Marston and Camille.  For my sake. After all, Marston is a stranger on the island. Camille could be in danger.’ Richard almost pleads as he pulls a transmitter from his inside pocket. ‘I would like you to attach this little transmitter to whatever vehicle Marston is going to use to take Camille to whatever restaurant they decide to go to. Just in case.’

Dwayne and Fidel are already getting up from their tables to call it a day at the station today when Fidel reassures Richard with:

‘Now Camille will head to La Kaz to talk to her mother, then she'll have to arrange to meet.  I think that still gives Dwayne and me at least half an hour. Don't worry, she'll never be alone with him.’

Dwayne picks up the transmitter and comments, before leaving with Fidel.

‘Jealousy is very bad, Chief. What took you so long? You'd better be preparing a full-blown apology. It doesn't matter whether you're guilty or not. In the meantime, you can rest easy. Bye!’

Richard waves to them and, as he is closing the station, smiles. His love will be safe.

********************************************

Hour and a half later.

The plan is going awry, so Camille feels. Not only has Elliot, the suspect, not bothered to follow Camille's suggestion, but he is taking her to one of the most inhospitable and remote areas of Saint Marie.

An area where, by the way, there is no reception.

At least she has been able to send a message to Richard with the text: ‘Cancelled dinner...¿?’.

The questions are a key already agreed with Richard that will help him prepare an alternative plan to help her.

In any case, she still has her phone on. She knows that Fidel could reach her if necessary via satellite.

But that doesn't reassure her too much. It's so dark and Marston is driving around in the rental car as if he's known the island all his life.

‘Come on, Elliot! Where are you taking me? I promised Maman I'd help her close up today.’

Marston smiles to himself. Camille is in for a surprise.  This time there's no time to charm her victim in turn, her client is in a hurry. Camille will help him, but this time it will be through threats. There really is no time.

‘My dear Camille.  We're almost there, don't worry. I even promise you that we won't be long’.

And so it is, ten minutes later they arrive at a totally ramshackle house.

Camille looks at Elliot in amazement and then watches as someone comes out of the house.  Someone Catherine wouldn't set her up with, that's for sure.

Marston asks Camille, more like orders her:

‘Get in there, please.’

If only she had been alone with Elliot, she might have done something. But with two men and one at a distance... Camille decides to listen to him.

When Marston's friend closes the door at least it doesn't seem to be the intention of either man to hurt her.

‘Sit in that chair, please.’  Elliot asks Camille. ‘I need a favour and only you can help me.’

She does as he asks.  It's funny, but Marston's friend looks like someone she knows.  She shrugs, now is not the time.

Marston sits down in front of her and begins to explain:

‘You see, I have a friend who is in trouble with the law.  I know you're a cop, Camille.  That's why I chose you.  I thought I'd have more time to sweet talk you, but... my friend is going to be transferred and I know who signs one of the reports that will make that transfer possible which at the moment I'm not at all interested in seeing happen.’

Camille looks at him with what she pretends is indignation.

‘You were cheating me! You were using me! You men are all the same...’

Marston looks at her coldly.

‘No, my dear, not all. Some are far more dangerous than others. You're a cop and I know you're resourceful. So am I. I do my homework. Before I ask you anything, I just want to warn you that I know your mother's daily routine very well.’

Camille decides to keep quiet. The well-prepared strategy has been to no avail in this case.  She waits for him to continue.

‘I can see you're smart. My friend was one of those arrested by your boss and ex-fiancé Richard Poole. And he is responsible for signing that report that will enable the prisoner to be sent to the UK. I need that report. You have to understand that I had already planned to assassinate your dear ex-fiancé, but we are not sure if he has submitted that report to Commissioner Patterson's office or not.  And I don't like to make mistakes. Time is running out. Will you help us?’

Camille is frozen. Richard has narrowly escaped, for the moment.  Only because Marston doesn't know whether the report is still in his hands or not. That and the rush.

‘My mother will be all right, won't she?  I mean, so will DI Poole if I do what you say, right?’

Marston smiles.  The truth is, he's been paid to kill Richard with or without a report. It's also personal.

What he has in store for Camille is also personal. He takes it as a reward.

‘Of course, my dear.’

Camille spots a liar as soon as he's in front of her.  She knows Elliot Marston wants to eliminate some of the evidence and Richard Poole himself. That's for sure. As for Maman...

‘All right, I'll do what you say. But I need to get out of here safe and sound as soon as possible, otherwise my mother will get suspicious.’

Elliot nods and, as they both get up to leave, comments to him as if it were nothing:

‘Here my friend, ‘and points to the stranger who hasn't said a word in the entire interview, ’will be keeping an eye on you and your mother.’

Camille hopes they don't know how she escapes to the shed where she meets Richard.  Although, now knowing what they know, those meetings will no longer be so necessary.

What was an undercover job has turned into catching Marston and his two friends as soon as possible.

‘All right. Will you at least give me a lift to La Kaz? And I expect you to tell me what document to look for.’

‘Of course, let it not be said that I am not a gentleman. I'll tell you the name later. I will pass you another little note under the door of your house. I hope you'll be at home this time.’

Camille thinks: ‘Richard is a real man, a real gentleman.   You wish you were like Richard, idiot. He's worth a lot more than you.´

If Marston only knew what Camille had in store for him....

***************************************

Outside the house where Elliot Marston has taken Camille.

‘Dwayne, are we going in or not?’ asks Fidel.

The Commissioner's agent, Paul, Fidel and his friend are outside the house where Camille appears to be held.

Dwayne checks his watch. Not even five minutes have passed.

‘Give me a few seconds.  I've tried calling the Chief, but there's no reception. I'm just waiting...’

Just then the door to the house opens.  Camille looks tense but fine. They watch as the two men and their friend Camille get into the car and, quickly, the police officers make their way to the SUV to follow them.

But such speed is not entirely necessary. The rental car has the transmitter that Camille asked Richard to give to Dwayne and Fidel to put in the vehicle.

********************************************

Richard is in his beach shack. His home.

He is pacing up and down his living room - dining room - bedroom - kitchen awaiting the imminent arrival of his officers Fidel Best and Dwayne Myers.

By now he knows that Camille is with her mother in La Kaz under surveillance by Paul Brown, Patterson's Guadalupe agent.

Even Harry seems more circumspect than usual.  The little animal smells the tension and worry.  Richard has forgotten his food and Harry is not even complaining about it.

When Richard hears the sound of a vehicle parking near the shack and soft footsteps approaching the shack he almost runs out.

‘Dwayne, Fidel! Explain to me again what has happened.’

The three sit down at the small table on the cabin's veranda and both officers detail everything to Richard, who listens with concern.

When they are silent, the Inspector ponders the situation.  The operation is definitively aborted.  Camille no longer needs to pretend to be interested in a man who has no interest in maintaining a romantic cover with her, quite the contrary.

Richard looks at his friends and tells them of the Commissioner's plan to fake his and Camille's separation on the basis of catching a dangerous criminal.

‘Camille and I have never broken off our engagement. I'm not that crazy!  Before I knew what you told me, I was going to fake a terrible jealousy just to be near her and protect her.  But I don't think that's necessary anymore.’

Fidel and Dwayne are open-mouthed and, in Richard's opinion, hurt.

‘Chief! Didn't you count on us? We're a team!’ Dwayne asks him almost angrily.

Fidel doesn't open his mouth.  He is hurt too, but he is an officer who understands the gravity of the situation and Dwayne.

Camille is in danger and that is what matters.  Then there will be time to ask for explanations.

‘By the way, the fake jealousy was also to get me to give you in person the order to follow Camille, to even ask both of you to put a transmitter on Marston so that I can follow Camille without any problems. I need you. Camille and I need you.  Your astonishment had to be genuine...’

Fidel shakes his head realising that what he is hearing is an apology from his friend and boss Richard.

‘Sir, do we know what happened inside the house yet? Camille seemed fine, but...’

Richard feels his spine go numb. He has spoken to her.

‘I haven't been able to talk to her much, they are keeping an eye on her.  But she has told me in passing what they want and, above all, that she is fine.  They want one of the documents I always have on my desk for transferring prisoners out of the Caribbean. Dwayne, has anyone called you with the identity of Marston's friend?’

Dwayne answers promptly.

‘They were going to call me earlier, but I had no reception... Just a minute.” Dwayne pulls out his phone and checks the messages. ‘Here he is, Diego Suarez. That's Marston's sidekick's name. Does it mean anything to you, Chief?’

Richard thinks. With that memory he already knows right away what report the suspects are looking for.

‘I'll say it does.  But I have to talk to Patterson right away. We have to come up with a plan. And this time, except for the rest of the island of Saint Marie and… Marston, all of us will know what's going on. I'll keep you informed.’

As Richard seems to be dismissing them, it is Fidel who perks up to speak.

‘This... sir.  Dwayne and I think this is a very serious matter. One of us is going to stay with you at night in the shack while the other will stay and watch Camille with the Commissioner's agent.  It's non-negotiable.’

Richard smiles a somewhat forced smile.

‘Wow! I don't think that's necessary, but .... is fine.  I don't think it will be for long. By the way, I'm going to ask the commissioner to put another one of his men at Catherine's disposal.  I mean, another one of Patterson's men to protect Catherine.’

The truth is that Richard had also planned to sneak in through the back window of Camille's flat, but....

All the men gathered on the veranda watch Harry make strange movements.

Richard stands up quickly and exclaims:

‘I forgot to give Harry his dinner.’

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

A new day has arrived in Honoré, a new day in which Richard and his team are back at their respective posts, concentrating on their duties.

The Inspector was the last to arrive at the station. He had a rather long meeting with the Commissioner Patterson. But the outcome has pleased both Selwyn and the Inspector.

Richard looks sideways at Camille. She seems fine.  Then he looks at Fidel, he was the one who had to guard the outside of her house all night.

Fidel nods his head indicating that nothing happened. Fortunately.

Officer Best looks tired.

As does Dwayne. He was outside the shack for the first part of the night, until Richard got tired, came out to where the officer was dozing and snapped at him:

‘If you're dozing out here, you might as well do it inside the shack. Come in, please.’

Richard has decided that, whatever happens, he will spend tonight with Camille. He'll figure something out.

‘Sir, can I ask you a question about the Jacaranda clinic case? In private, please.’

Richard raises his eyebrow. 

‘Of course, Sergeant.’

Richard allows himself a smile, a lopsided, barely perceptible smile.  Camille doesn't know that Dwayne and Fidel already know that the engagement between Camille and him is not broken.  But the Inspector has thought it might be best for her to remain in the dark. She could inadvertently pass that information on to Marston and Suarez. 

Concern for the lives of Sergeant Bordey's mother and Richard add enough stress to the case she is handling herself. 

She is the officer who is exposing herself the most by far.

And that Richard is not going to forget.

When the two of them meet in the cell area, thankfully unoccupied, Richard hugs her tightly.  He's been wanting to do that since yesterday.

Camille whispers to him:

‘Richard, can't you see I'm fine?’

Richard nods without speaking.

‘I had my mobile on.  In the worst case scenario Fidel would have been able to reach me and...’ say Camille.

‘You've never been alone, Camille.’

Camille breaks away from him with suspicion in her eyes.

‘Did you really think that, with Commissioner Patterson and I handling the case, you would never have anyone following you around the island? It was one of my conditions.  Non-negotiable.’ Richard continues to explain himself with great seriousness.

Richard omits that, apart from Patterson's agent, Fidel and Dwayne were also there.

Camille smiles. She is liking this job as an undercover agent more and more. Suddenly her countenance darkens.

‘You know you were their target, Richard.  And that they've threatened Maman too. And most of all, you know what they want.’

Richard nods.

‘These risks are inherent to the job, my dear Camille.  That's why a moderately intelligent Inspector never acts behind his team's back, never ever acts alone.  What I don't like at all is that they dared to threaten your mother.  Of course, that indicates that they are starting to make mistakes.  Time is running out for them. By the way, you know I wasn't alone in the shack last night?’

Camille immediately light up. What's this about Richard not being alone the WHOLE night?

‘You'd better explain yourself, Richard Poole.  Or it won't be Marston who teaches you a lesson.’

Richard takes his time and answers:

‘An agent, male of course, stayed near the shack to protect me. Another non-negotiable, this time from the Commissioner. I am never alone. And, by Patterson's smile, not even when we had our ‘meetings’ in the jungle shed. Maybe we've taught them something...’

Camille smiles. 

‘Maybe. You know? My memory fails me, Inspector.  Remind me of those things they (and I) have learned.

Richard looks at her and comments:

‘I will remember you as one loves a totally unique woman in such a way that she will not escape my nets for the rest of my life.’

Camille seems to think carefully before answering:

‘Sounds like a great plan for tonight.  I have my own spider's web too, Richard.  And it's also designed not to let you off the hook... ever.’

Richard clears his throat, he needs a fan urgently!

‘By the way, Camille, tonight I want you and I to be together.  I thought we could spend it in the shed.  Since I know we're well guarded there, that way the agents in charge of our protection could rest tonight and I'd be much more relaxed.

You can “decide” to sleep in La Kaz to “make sure” that your mother will be OK. And from there, through the back of the bar, you can get to our shed in the jungle. It will take you less time than if you went from home'.

‘As far as I'm concerned, I agree, you know. But what if they're watching your shack?’ asks Camille.

Richard, thinking about what he talked about last night with Camille, reassures her:

‘The same agent who stayed with me to protect me will sleep in my shack. And, by not coming out, they'll think it's me.’

Richard slaps his forehead.

‘By the way, Patterson has also beefed up your mother's security.’

The Inspector takes a deep breath. He hasn't forgotten a thing. Dwayne and Fidel can rest and he can spend the night with Camille. Triple peace of mind.

‘You're the boss, Richard.’ Camille nods.  She finds that being with such a forward-thinking and intelligent Inspector has its advantages.

Knowing that they have been in the cells too long and that she and Richard are not alone in the station, Camille asks him:

‘Have you prepared Suarez's forged report? Can I take it with me now?’

Richard nods.

‘Do you have to bring it in person, Camille?’

Camille shakes her head.

´I have told them that, since I don't trust them, because they threatened Maman, I will leave the report in a bin near the harbour at three o'clock this afternoon. This time there is no need to fake appointments or anything like that. I don't have to see their faces again, if that's possible.  And they haven't minded initially. I hope there are agents watching Marston and his henchmen, Richard.  I don't want my work to have been in vain’.

‘Of course, Camille.  I figure out what Marston's objective is anyway.  That part of the plan is also covered. I'm glad the exchange will take place in broad daylight. That's perfect. And you know you won't be alone. Your mother is also under round-the-clock protection as well. By the way, your dates with that man are over now. is that clear?’

Camille feigns indignation.

‘You dare to tell me who I can and can't go out with?’

‘Of course, don't you always say that I am yours? Well, it works both ways. Of course, if you don't mind me dating other women... Since I got engaged to you, they look at me differently.’

Camille ‘gently’ hits Richard on the shoulder, despite which he cannot help but feel some pain. He still remembers the show of force he suffered from her by the side of the pool in the Jacaranda case.

‘Don't even think about it. Come on, let's get out of here and give me that report.’

As the two leave the cell area, they make their way to Richard's neatly tidied desk and, effortlessly, he soon locates the report Camille needs.

‘I want it back as soon as possible, Sergeant.’

‘Of course.  I understand it's confidential information. I know how to do my job.’ Camille replies.

Richard gestures to Dwayne, who he knows has slept a little longer than Fidel. He then sends him a message asking him not to leave Camille alone.

And so, with luck and a carefully thought-out plan, Richard hopes to end this affair as soon as possible. 

**********************************************

That same night, in the early hours of the morning...

Richard and Camille, closely followed and covered by Commissioner Patterson's agents and Dwayne, continue to run through the jungle...

It seems that Marston and Suarez are not so easily fooled.  Richard knows that he and Camille are protected!  Although he hates running through the jungle! 

Camille is in much better shape than he is and that comforts him, but... there hasn't been much time for Dwayne to explain to them what has gone wrong.

Now the operation is aborted! If they all manage to get to safety...

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

16:15 In Elliot Marston's hotel room

Diego Suarez and Elliot Marston are studying the file handed to them by Detective Sergeant Camille Bordey at three o'clock in the afternoon. 

Elliot has been reading it aloud to Diego so that he can corroborate the facts of the case that helped Detective Inspector Richard Poole get the drop on his brother Emilio.

Suddenly Marston freezes, a strange expression of fury on his face.

Diego asks:

‘What's the matter with you now, go on! I need to know when Emilio is going to be transferred.’

Elliot looks at him and comments as if talking about something unimportant.

‘I doubt very much if that information could be trusted, my dear friend.  We came to the island with the intention to deceive and we have been deceived. I should have given that Camille the worst of tortures when I had her in my hands.’

Diego looks at the page that seems to have so upset Marston, but notices nothing strange.

‘What are you talking about? I don't see anything.’ Suarez asks.

Elliot takes a pencil and gently scratches over the surface he wants to show Diego.

Slowly the words that have hit Marston like a hammer come to light.

‘...i dea... Richa... ... am waiti..for yo…in the usu..shed... Don´…miss…out!’

And visible is what looks like a pair of little hearts.

It would even be funny if it weren't for the cold anger that washes over Elliot Marston's face.

‘That bitch has been pulling my leg the whole time.’

It's the first time a supposed ‘victim’ has played back at him, and that didn't sit well with Marston.

Diego covers his face with his hands and asks in desperation.

‘So what are we going to do? Now we don't know when they're going to move my brother!  I thought you were the best!’

This last is said with a mixture of despair by Diego to his partner.

Elliot parsimoniously puts the papers away, stands up and comments:

‘Well, the simplest thing.  Ask that pair of lovebirds in the police. I assure you that Camille will know what suffering is when she sees what I have in store for her great love and then for her. They've made fun of me, they've laughed at me.  We will follow them all day long. With extreme discretion.  Almost better from when they get off work.  That's when they'll be reunited in their love nest.’

Diego comments:

‘Maybe if we have the ‘disinterested’ collaboration of Catherine Bordey, they will talk sooner.’

Marston shakes his head.

‘She's too well protected, going after Camille's mother would ruin our plans prematurely.  We wait, we follow them, we encircle them and... I´ll take revenge.´

‘And we help my brother!’

Elliot looks at him coldly:

‘Of course. Didn't you pay me for that? I always do my jobs.’

Diego Suarez doesn't doubt it, but he suspects that Marston had become infatuated with Camille Bordey. If only to have a little fun with her on the island for a while. 

*********************************************

20:00 Richard's shack

Officer Dwayne Myers listens to his Chief's instructions for the umpteenth time.

‘It's important that you don't expose yourself needlessly, Dwayne.  It just has to look like I'm inside quietly reading a book, drinking my evening tea, watching TV or even talking to Harry...’

‘We all know you don't get bored in the evenings, Chief. Do you think your reputation would suffer too much if you brought me one of my friends? You know, since you've ‘broken up’ with Camille...’

Richard gives him a frightened look.

‘I don't care what other people think, but Camille might misunderstand.  I'd rather not take any chances.  Besides, I'm in the phase now where I'm trying to win her back, you know.  Jealousy and all that.  That way, when she and I get back together again in the public eye, people won't be too surprised. I'd rather not take any chances.’

Dwayne shakes his head ruefully.  Certainly police work has its sacrifice. That's several nights in a row without knowing what it's like to have fun! When did the tables turn? The Chief doesn't sleep alone and he does!

‘Go away, Chief. Camille's not the type who likes to wait. If there's trouble, I know where the shed is.’

Richard blushes, though he knows Dwayne is happy if he and Camille are happy.  He nods and leaves.

*****************************************

In the shed.... Two hours later.

Richard and Camille continue with the same routine.  Passionate encounter and a long time later an official exchange of information.

Although this time Richard insists that they are both dressed.  Although he may have wanted to pretend he didn't care if people knew what they were doing, when Dwayne has shown himself to be aware of their meetings, could not help but return to suit mode.

Richard is rummaging through his briefcase with concern.

‘Richard? What are you looking for? You're making me nervous.’

He is very hesitant. Camille looks quite relaxed.

‘I can't find my mobile.  If I get a call from the Commissioner... How is it possible...?’ Richard ponders. ‘I know what happened.  I was going to text you to tell you to be very careful, and when I checked to see if Harry had his dinner, I left it on the kitchen table. I think we should go back, Camille.’

Camille looks at him quizzically. 

‘I think so too.  I can't help thinking that something might go wrong.’

Richard thinks that on this occasion Camille's intuition might be more accurate than he normally thinks.  In any case, the magic has disappeared to return both policemen to official mode. 

They hear hurried footsteps outside the shed and Camille and Richard (Camille is much quicker) grab their guns.

They hear Dwayne's voice, sounding very worried:

‘Camille, Chief, come out carefully! Marston and his friend are surrounding the shed.  I came in when Commissioner Patterson called on the Inspector's mobile. The commissioner was alerted by one of his agents who was following them.´

Richard and Camille quietly walk out, taking advantage of the darkness of the night. Next to Dwayne is an agent of the commissioner.

‘Dwayne, what are you doing here?’ asks Camille in confusion.

Dwayne looks at the Inspector.

Richard answers:

‘Camille, there is no time for explanations now.  I didn't tell you earlier in case you inadvertently informed your mother or Marston that Dwayne and Fidel already knew that you and I were still together. Catherine was safer that way too.’

‘I'll talk to you later, Richard. Where's the grant agent, Dwayne? There were two protecting us.’

‘Suarez and Marston have split up, Sergeant.  The other officer thought he saw one of them on the left road.’

‘Why did Patterson call so late, Dwayne?’ asks Richard peremptorily.

‘The commissioner suspects Marston hasn't bought the report hoax. And Patterson fears he's very angry.  Apart from the fact that he now wants to get his hands on the information at all costs. Patterson fears for both of you. Suarez and his partner won't let you get out of this alive.’

Richard nods. Just then the officer who had gone to check the grounds approaches.

‘We have to go! They've seen me.  There are two men now and they are heavily armed.’

The agent who was accompanying Dwayne when he was talking to Richard quickly comments.

‘Let's go that way.  It'll give us a five-minute head start.  There's a lot of vegetation though. Inspector, Sergeant, you guys will run between me, my partner and Dwayne. If anything happens to us, make a run for it without looking back.’

Dwayne already has his weapon ready.

‘Chief, Fidel is waiting for us in your shack with a few men.  We should try to get there as soon as possible.’

Richard senses that Marston must think he's been laughed at all along and the only consolation from that is that it's easier to make mistakes.

Camille looks at Richard, Richard at Camille. 

And the race begins.  They are not too far from their shack, their home. But it is night.

*****************************************

Commissioner Patterson seems calm, but he keeps pacing around his Inspector's small shack.  He is worried.  But, despite the small pile of unforeseen events in this ‘perfectly’ organised plan, he is confident that all will be well.

Five Guadalupe agents are stationed inside the hut and in strategic places outside it, on the lookout for any noise, any gunshot.

And Fidel does nothing but check his gun and watch out for the slightest hint of sound of movement.  

Three of his friends are in danger and Dwayne has not let him go with him! He'll settle up with him later.

The commissioner is making sure that the arrest warrant against Diego Suarez and Elliot Marston are perfectly served for the umpteenth time when his ear perfectly adapted to the noise of the jungle warns him that changes are coming.

Perhaps it was also the strange dance Harry did, but Patterson gave the order and everyone prepared to fire on those who seemed to be running toward the shack or else welcome them with open arms.

It was early morning, but not even the birds slept that night.

The first to appear before seven guns pointed with great certainty at him was Paul, one of the Guadalupe agents who had already been watching with Dwayne and Fidel outside the old house where Elliot had held Camille, fortunately without consequences.

He seemed injured, but not seriously.  He was followed by Camille and Richard. Richard seemed quite stressed.  And not just for Camille's safety.

Even an hour later, after reaching the safety of his home, Richard would still say that he would never ever go back into that demon jungle at night.

After them, Dwayne and another of Patterson's agents appeared. Between them they were carrying a wounded Marston. Not seriously, either. But certainly useless for revenge.

The other agent had Suarez handcuffed and with no notable injuries.  Although he looked quite sunken and desolate. 

Richard looked at the commissioner. They both nodded in agreement. Emilio Suarez would remain behind bars for a long time.  Perhaps accompanied by his brother.

Patterson handed Richard and Camille the arrest warrants for both detainees.

Gentlemanly Richard allowed his fiancée to read them their rights as he re-cuffed both suspects with their own handcuffs.

As the Inspector observed Marston's look of hatred at Camille he commented to Patterson.

“Can you assure me that Elliot Marston will never return to Saint Marie, Commissioner?  It seems to me that he's not one to forget. And he's going to have plenty of time to mature a plan.”

“Unquestionably, Inspector Poole.  Don't worry.  The Caribbean is not the only prison outside the UK available to him. Camille will be safe.  And... may I remind you that you will be too. You were his primary target, don't forget.”

Richard sighs.  All he knows is that if he loses Camille....

Finally Dwayne and Fidel, accompanied by four agents, take the detainees to the airport, to, without further delay, take them in a helicopter to Guadeloupe.

It will be Commissioner Patterson who will close the case this time.  Richard and Camille don't care.  Besides, being as they were the targets, Patterson has decided that someone less personally committed to them is required.

Richard is of the opinion that it would be difficult to find someone more devious and dangerous than Selwyn Patterson. Fortunately he acts within the law. 

When he turns around and sees Camille with a bit of a frown on her face, he remembers that he has to explain to her why he didn't inform her in due time that Dwayne and Fidel already knew everything. Also why he didn't seem to trust her.

Good thing Camille hasn't said anything about breaking off their engagement. This time it would be genuine.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Two days after the end of operation ‘Jacaranda 2’ (the title of which Richard came up with), the following people are gathered at La Kaz:

Commissioner Patterson, Catherine Bordey, Richard Poole, Camille Bordey, Dwayne Myers, Fidel Best and the officers who have helped the Saint Marie Police Station arrest Elliot Marston and Diego Suárez.

It's four o'clock in the afternoon and Inspector Poole obviously wants to have just enough time to close the case and have his sacred cup of tea. 

If only Catherine, who is frowning exactly as Camille did when she realized her fiancé had withheld information, agrees to make it for him....

Selwyn Patterson watches the preparation of the explanation of the case with amusement. He can't help noticing that when Richard has tried to consult quietly on an obviously personal matter, Camille has turned away and ignored him.

Catherine's coldness towards her future son-in-law is heightened. Selwyn deduces that the engagement has not been broken off (this time it would be for real, although the Commissioner doubts very much that Camille would let Richard go free for long) because he has heard nothing and he knows everything.

That makes him very happy, there is no one like the cold, stiff and always dressed in his navy suit Richard Poole. And he has already seen to it that DI Poole will live for many years to come on his island.  He also has his own means of making sure that the people he cares about are safe in his territory.

When the Commissioner observes the up-and-coming Sergeant Best and Officer Myers, it appears that things don't seem to be going well between them either. Dwayne wouldn't allow the married Best to accompany them to rescue his senior officers lost in the jungle shed (very famous shed already on Saint Marie Island) and it seems Fidel hasn't taken it too well.

“Ahem.”

DI Poole involuntarily interrupts Selwyn Patterson's digressions.  He is already prepared to explain how and when this case started, the reasons for it and so on.  Also, Camille is not speaking to him except for professional reasons.  At least she hasn't said anything about leaving him.

“I hope it won't take too long, and I also hope to have the enthusiastic cooperation of the other agents on my team at some point or another.”

Camille looks at him with amused coolness. Fidel and Dwayne nod obediently.

“It all started when, upon communicating to the commissioner about Sergeant Bordey's and my intention to marry...” Richard looks almost anxiously at his fiancée, she denies nothing! Thank goodness. He continues” ...he told me that he would have to talk to Sergeant Bordey because one of his contacts who had recently been released from prison had informed him that Emilio Suarez, alias Paul Vincent, linked to the Jacaranda case, had assured him that he would soon be released from prison. Fidel...”

Richard looks at Fidel, who was already prepared to answer adequately.

“Yes, Suarez was in a hurry because they were going to transfer him from Guadalupe prison to one in the United Kingdom to review economic and human trafficking aspects.  Emilio Suarez needed to avoid that transfer as soon as possible.”

Richard nods and continues speaking:

“That is correct. It should be made clear that Camille Bordey and I would have had to travel for the same reason to the United Kingdom to testify before the competent authorities. Agent Myers, not knowing anything about the case yet, was informed by one of his contacts that Emilio's brother Diego was in Saint Marie and had shady dealings with a man who had recently arrived on the island apparently for professional reasons, specifically of the tourist type.”

Richard looks at Dwayne and Dwayne replies:

“That's right, Chief.  I thought this kind of association was odd. Diego Suarez never lived on the island of Saint Marie and caught the attention of many of my... friends. Of course, I didn't know anything about the case yet.”

Richard clears his throat:

“Actually, none of us knew much of anything. Elliot Marston was the person related to Emilio Suarez's brother and is a well-known figure in the international criminal world... without hard evidence.  He is dedicated to special “assignments”: he helps to eliminate problematic people for his clients such as witnesses, police officers, people related to justice, etc...”

Selwyn speaks for the first time:

“That's right. For that reason, and to avoid tremendous damage to the island and...to justice, I proposed to Inspector Poole a little stratagem.”

Richard nods:

“That's right. He proposed that I talk to Sgt. Bordey to make a comedy.  She and I would pretend to break off our engagement.”

Camille speaks to Richard's almost for a second imploring look:

“At the time it seemed like a great idea.  I would go back to my previous job as an undercover agent in order to get Elliot Marston's interest in finding out who was the witness or undesirable person who needed to disappear. I soon discovered that the person in the way was Inspector Poole himself.”

Before Richard continues speaking, Camille again feels the horror of knowing that, but for the commissioner's warning, she would never have gotten to marry him.  She remembers how much fun it was to feel trapped against the wall of Honoré's cell area when Richard himself was imprisoning her in his arms when they were both feigning their mutual anger and hatred.

“That's right, sergeant. The reason was that all the prisoner transfer reports went through me in the first instance. And if something happened to me, perhaps the transfer would not have been cancelled, but it would certainly have delayed it enough to cause Suarez's escape from Guadalupe prison.  Perhaps the detainee's lawyer would have tried any legal trickery in view of the disappearance or delay of that report. We will never know. Fortunately.”

Richard now realizes how lucky he is to be able to stay with Camille. How close he has come to losing his life. Of losing everything. Now that the case is over he has allowed himself to think deeply about the risk he has taken.

It's barely been 20 minutes, maybe a little longer.

Richard would like to make sure that the offended people take this explanation, this meeting, as an apology. That they understand the decisions made for the safety of everyone involved and that everything returns to normal as soon as possible.

“But we soon had to improvise, as Marston “continues Richard speaking ”did not seem to act as usual. Officers Best and Myers were soon informed by me that Sergeant Bordey and I never broke anything. That we were still engaged and with wedding plans. I'm afraid we could not yet inform Catherine.  I sincerely apologize. That kept her safe, although she always had one or more officers looking out for her safety. Like Sergeant Bordey's.”

Richard's looked at Catherine with genuine contrition.  But also with the look of a Detective Inspector bound by the nature of his job.

Catherine nods. She understands. Her daughter is a cop. But she likes it when her future son-in-law apologizes to her.  She discreetly signals one of the waiters to start preparing the drinks. Among them is the Inspector's tea.

Richard continues to explain himself, this time looking at Camille.

“I considered not communicating to Camille Bordey that her partners Fidel and Dwayne already knew everything. I understood that for her safety it was not in her best interest for Marston or Suarez to overhear anything inappropriate if she spoke to them, thus putting her at more risk than she was already suffering from the nature of her undercover work.”

Camille, who is remembering how much fun she had with Richard in the shed and that it would be a shame to keep punishing him for something that really doesn't matter too much, smiles at him and says:

“I am a professional agent and I understand that perfectly well.  One of my duties is to trust my superiors completely.”

The Detective Inspector sighs imperceptibly and finishes with the explanation, really simple even though everyone knows the danger that all the officers involved in the case have gone through. He already feels he is forgiven. 

“As everyone knows by now, Marston and his associate realized that the doctored report I prepared was not entirely authentic.” Richard hides that Marston noticed a note Camille wrote to Richard too strongly about the false report that caused the hoax to be discovered. “And the suspects prepared a sufficiently dangerous action towards Sgt. Bordey and myself, meeting in the jungle as we pursued the case.”

Selwyn, Fidel, Dwayne and the Guadalupe police officers smile at the case preparation Richard alludes to. But who are they to say anything?

They live and work in the Caribbean.  Today for you and tomorrow for me. As long as it doesn't interfere with police and justice work, no one cares.

“I think we all know by now how it all ended. Camille and I were lucky to get out alive thanks to the support of the Guadeloupe officers and Dwayne Myers.  Sergeant Best stayed at my shack to prevent ambushes at my home along with the commissioner, thus increasing the circle of security in the area.  If it had not also been for them, the effort of the agents protecting us through the jungle pursued by Marston and Suarez would have been for nothing.

Fidel looks at Dwayne and nods.  Now Best understands everything.

“The commissioner could let us know where Marston and Diego Suarez are right now.”

Richard, who was the one who spoke, looks at Patterson with a questioning look:

Selwyn takes over and continues with the explanation.

“Indeed.  At the moment they are both in a prison in the United Kingdom keeping Emilio Suarez company.  They will soon be separated and will serve many years far away from Saint Marie.  Marston will never be able to return to Saint Maire nor will he ever be able to go near Inspector Poole, Sergeant Bordey or any of the people involved in this case. Although evidence of other murders regrettably successfully perpetrated by him in the past is still being studied. The jail sentence could be worse, much worse for him.”

Richard looks around. Somehow the tension seems to have thinned perceptibly.  A lot, if he has noticed that change in the atmosphere.

But… He wants to clarify one final, rather important point.

“I'm aware, like Camille, that the entire island of Saint Marie will also want an explanation for everything that happened, especially the fake breakup of our engagement. Although it shouldn't be any of their business, I've long understood that things work differently here. For that reason, and to prevent this matter from being unnecessarily drawn out, I wouldn't mind, I don't think Camille and I would mind if anyone were to ask Commissioner Patterson, Catherine, Dwayne, Fidel, or even the officers who have so kindly helped us with this case at the risk of their lives, that if anyone asks them, they can clear up this whole matter themselves, all professional details aside.”

Camille, seeing some funny looks, stands up and clarifies something equally important to her:

“I think we all know that, under no circumstances, should this be made public. I repeat, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES.”

Obviously, what happened in the jungle shed is something that should not, under any circumstances, be made public. Camille Bordey's stern, threatening expression makes this clear.

Richard, thanking Camille for her comment, decides that he should finish clarifications.

“Very well.  I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to celebrate that everything went well, especially that we don't have to regret casualties of any kind.  We could have those drinks, which I'm sure will be welcome. We're off duty now! Although I...” comments Richard.

“Here's your tea, Richard.” It is Catherine who has approached at that moment laden with a dainty tea service.  She bends down for just a second and, lowering the tone of her voice, says in a way that only he can hear, “Thank you for going to such great lengths for my little girl's safety.”

Richard averts his gaze, fixing it on his tea. He nods his head.  He would have given his life for Camille.

Guadeloupe's agents are already sitting at one of the three tables available for all the attendees at this meeting, ordering those well-deserved beers.  Dwayne, accompanied by Fidel, conveniently advises them on the best brands in Saint Marie.

Commissary Patterson, after giving an eagle's glance over the whole group, calmly approaches the bar where Catherine is already preparing all the drinks. 

“My dear Catherine.  Never forget that I thought first and foremost of everyone's safety in preparing the whole operation. If you had known from the first moment how dangerous Marston was, you yourself would have ended up in your future son-in-law's jail for murder.  And it seems to me that would have ruined your daughter's wedding.”

Catherine looks at him with a half-smile.

“That's true. No doubt but then Elliot Marston would have been incapable of doing any harm to my daughter. But I thank you that it was done your way.  And that the drinks to be consumed this evening will be on your tab!”

Patterson smiles slyly:

“Anything for the good of the island.  Something tells me this island is going to be overrun by a lot of little Poole's.”

Catherine corrects him:

“By a lot of little Bordey Poole.”

“Of course.”  The commissioner takes a sip of the beer Catherine has reached for him.  It is so deliciously fresh.

******************************************

Richard is savoring the second sip of his wonderful tea when Camille approaches without a word and sits down next to him in a stealthy manner.

The Inspector watches her out of the corner of his eye.  No wonder she was good as an undercover agent.  She is like a cat, a stealthy cat with claws always at the ready.  His cat.

“I take it, my love, that you are no longer angry with me, is that so?”

“Of course I'm not.  I realized during your explanation that I'd a thousand times rather have a live English nuisance than...”

For once she can't speak.

Richard understands that the tension is finally releasing.

He sets the cup down on the table carefully and with both his hands tucks her hands in.

“And I'd a thousand times rather have a live French cat than an English rose incapable of getting on my nerves.  I love you, Camille. Don't forget that, I hope on very rare occasions, I will be forced to make professional decisions that you will not always like. But, very rarely and always for your sake. I suspect you will find yourself in that same situation too.”

Camille looks down and takes a sip of her beer.

“Actually, Richard, as I said before, I am a good and professional agent.  If I have decided to stop being irritated with you, at least for today, it is because... “she then looks up and fixes her eyes on him with the intention of making her position clear.... “... it was because it would be a pity and solemn folly on my part to forget the good times we had in the jungle shed.  And now that I think of it I also remember with great pleasure how you treated me in the cell areas to “scold” me for my inadequately written reports. I love the way you corner me against the walls of the police station...”

Richard realizes that it was a very bad idea to order a hot drink.  He now has heat outside as well as inside. Right now he feels like he's a volcano. Saint Marie's second volcano.

He clears his throat. 

“You know, Camille. I promise you that if I find that I have to work alone on a weekend or any night at the station, I'll count on you for 'help'.”

She smiles at him.

“It's a promise, Richard. You know I'd follow you to the ends of the earth.”

La Kaz is an island of light and music in the dark night.

Camille and Richard are oblivious to the discreet glances from everyone around them.  Even Fidel is recording it on his cell phone for Juliet and little Rosie to witness. But they can't hear them. There´s too much noise in the room and Richard and Camille aren´t speaking loudly. Thank goodness!

An island within an island.

Together, Richard and Camille create their own private world, another island just for two.*

*Thanks, Swepeapatch!