Downshire Constabulary
Detective Constable’s Simon Guiver and Nicola Ellenden worked for the
Northchapel CID and had worked together on many occasions in the past and they
got on well.
They were on the face
of it chalk and cheese, he was from an upper middle class background, who was a
fast tracked graduate copper, while she was a council estate comprehensive girl
who started as a Community Support Officer before joining the constabulary and
had worked her way up to Detective.
Despite their differences
however they complimented each other, he with his classical education and
analytical mind and her with her razor sharp instincts and hard graft.
The only bone of
contention between them was the driving, they both hated to drive with a
vengeance, this was a very unusual in their profession, as it was the norm for
partners to fight over who gets the keys and not to fight to make sure the
other one did.
They had tried a
number of ways in the past to determine who got lumbered with the driving such
as, Rock Paper Scissors, Arm wrestling or tossing a coin but none of the options
really worked as they both had a propensity to cheat.
So they decided the
fairest way was one of them should drive there and the other would drive on the
return journey.
On the day the life
changing day in question Simon Guiver was driving and there was only one thing
he hated more than driving and that was driving in the rain.
And that morning in
April and it was raining, but not April showers, no it was raining hard and had
been for hours.
At least their
destination, Pomery’s Perfume’s was in Northchapel only about three miles from
the station.
Pomery’s, was an old
family business established in 1879 by Jules Sebastian Pomery and was currently
run by his Great-Great Grandson Claude.
They had moved to
their present location in Northchapel in 1928.
The two DC’s presented
their warrant cards to the Olympic security guard and were waved through the
main gate and directed to the reception.
The broad white
building was a prime example of the art deco style with its angles, curves and
symmetry.
DC Guiver got out of
the car and paused for a moment, despite the rain, in appreciation of the
stylish building.
“What a fabulous building”
Said Simon.
“Yes it’s very…. white.”
Said DC Ellenden running towards the building.
“Is that all you can
find to say about this magnificent structure?”
Said a stunned Simon
“This wonderful example
of Art Deco architecture?”
She stopped running, then
took a moment to study the façade then said.
“Yes, I stand by my
original statement, it’s definitely white, oh and it’s got some green bits”
“You’re a philistine
Nicki” Guiver said running after her.
He caught up with her
by the entrance and they were laughing as they walked into reception together.
They were directed to
the first floor by the reception and were greeted by a middle aged balding man
in a smart suit.
“Good morning” He said
offering his hand. “Paul Cork, assistant manager.”
“Good morning sir, I’m
DC Guiver” Simon said shaking the offered hand.
“And this is DC
Ellenden” He said gesturing toward Nicki.
“Sir.” She said also
shaking hands.
“Would you like to see
the scene of the crime now?” He said relishing the change of routine.
“Afterwards I will
take you through to the conference room Mr. Brownlow would like to meet you
before you leave”
After they had been shown
the suspected point of entry and Mr. Cork had given them a tour of the offices,
which were in good order save for the power leads and data cables trailing to
and from non-existent PC’s, Printers, and Scanners etc, they were shown into
the conference to meet the managing director.
Half an hour later
they were shown out of the board room and stepped into the private lift.
“I suppose this is
wasted on you” Simon said “you being a philistine”
“What do you mean, the
original 1920’s Art Deco Otis Elevator, lovingly restored for posterity” she
retorted as they rode it from the top floor to the lobby. “Not bad for a
philistine hey”
“You fraud” he said
and backed her into a corner “you like it”
“It’s functional” she
said
“And you liked the
“white” building” he suggested
“It just happens to be
my favourite building in Downshire” she said cockily
“You are amazing” he
said and then kissed her
Nicola and Simon
didn’t say a word on the short walk back to the car.
But when she walked to
the passenger side he broke the silence.
“Oy dolly daydream” He
shouted. “You’re driving remember.”
Nicola jumped. “Sorry
Simon I was miles away.”
“I know where you were
and who you were with.”
He retorted and she
flushed red.
“I was with you” she
replied and smiled
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