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“Perhaps we should steer clear of any more shoptalk for now,” Nico said, by way of placation.
“Sure, of course,” Gabriel replied, seeming not to take offense at Nico’s reprimand. He went on to change the subject, talking about how snowed under with patients he was at the moment, and outlining his idea for perhaps expanding the little health center, by bringing on another GP or maybe a chiropractor.
Lacey didn’t say anything, merely picked up her fork and continued to eat.
Half an hour later, all three of them walked back up the main street, all patting their full bellies and wrapping their jackets tighter around themselves. The wind had picked up today and felt like it was whipping in straight from the Antarctic.
“Oh, do you mind if I just pop in to see if my jacket is ready?” Lacey said as they passed by the dry-cleaner.
“We’ll wait out here,” Nico said, moving to stand in the leeway of the shopfront, out of the wind. Gabe took his lead and did the same thing. They stood in companionable silence for a few moments, Nico’s mind already going over what was next on his list when he got back to the office. He’d asked Margie and Herb to come in and give formal statements, they were due in an hour, but he needed more background on how long Rania and Karim had lived in that house and—
“You like her, don’t you?” Gabriel said softly, breaking his train of thought. He gave Nico a sideways smile. Before Nico could even open his mouth to deny it, Gabe went on. “Don’t worry, you’re secret is safe with me. I think it’s a good thing. You need a woman in your life.”
“There’s nothing going on between us,” Nico growled, annoyed at his friend’s gentle ribbing.
“Yet.” Gabe winked and patted Nico on the back. “She’s hot, mate. You shouldn’t let her slip through your fingers.”
Nico shook his head in denial but his friend’s words echoed in his head. He had to admit, Lacey was a good-looking woman. Yes, he was physically attracted to her. But it was complicated. Complicated because he was providing Lacey with shelter while her vehicle was fixed. She’d also revealed part of her damaged soul to him, and he wanted to help her with that. Then there was her involvement in this murder investigation. Apart from all that, she’d be moving on as soon as her van was repaired, and as soon as he told her she was no longer required as part of his investigation. Which technically, he didn’t. She’d given her witness statement; she was free to move on. He didn’t want to take advantage of that. This wasn’t the right time to be having a relationship. Not for him, and not for her. He had no claim on Lacey. And she had no claim on him.
CHAPTER NINE
LACEY LOOKED OVER from the passenger seat and smiled at Gabriel. “Thanks for giving me a lift home.” She winced inwardly as she caught herself using the wordhome. It was Nico’s home; she was simply staying there until she could move on again. Hopefully soon. Gabriel was concentrating on the road, which was full of twists and turns, and merely flicked her a smile in return. His car was some cute little stylish MG. Not her cup of tea; give her a practical four-wheel drive or her van any day.
The lift had been Lacey’s idea. It struck her when she saw Gabriel walking down the hallway with Nico late that afternoon on his way to give his witness statement. She’d been stuck at the police station all day, and she knew Nico wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon. She wouldn’t want to pull him away from his vital work anyway. Gabriel lived in Wynyard, and Boat Harbour was another fifteen minutes farther down the road. It’d be a little out of his way, but she thought he’d probably be okay with the suggestion. So, she’d cornered Gabe when he came out from the interview room, and he’d happily agreed, telling her to come to his office in half an hour and they’d leave.
Nico hadn’t looked all that pleased when she’d told him her plan. But it was her only option if she didn’t want to spend the next three or four hours waiting for him to finish up for the night. She knew how it went. When there was a big investigation, sleep was often in short supply for the first few intensive weeks of fact finding interrogations.
She was also feeling emotionally exhausted from her session with Imran. But he’d definitely helped her to put everything into better perspective. She’d told him about Cindi, and how she’d thought she might be getting better. Until the sight of Nico’s blood had given her flashbacks. And then again how she’d frozen when she’d first seen Rania. But he was optimistic when she revealed her police training had taken over and she’d gone on autopilot until Rania was put in the ambulance. Imran had reiterated that she should continue with the breathing exercises and added a few of his own to the mix. He’d also given her a prescription for some antidepressants, which she had in her bag but wasn’t sure if she was going to use yet. She had another appointment booked with him for two days’ time. But would she still be in town by then?
The road straightened, and Gabriel took one hand off the wheel. “So, Nico tells me you’re traveling around Tasmania. You have a sweet remodeled Kombi van. That sounds like a cool thing to do.”
“Yes, I’ve seen some really interesting places,” she replied.
“What’s been your favorite so far?” he queried.
“Probably Wineglass Bay, down on the Freycinet Peninsula. That was spectacular.”
“I’ve never been,” Gabe admitted. “It’s hard for me to take holidays right now. But it’s on my bucket list. I’ll get there one day.”
Lacey nodded her agreement. “It’s probably better to go in summer, then you can swim. The water was too cold for me. But the walk into the bay was amazing. And there were even kangaroos on the beach. I’ve never seen that before.” Images of the gorgeous bay invaded her mind. The glassy, flat water with the beach curving around it like a lover. The red rocks, white sand, and aquamarine ocean. It was no wonder it was considered one of the jewels in Tasmania’s crown.
“You’re right, summer would be a better time to go. It’s bloody freezing at the moment. Don’t you get cold sleeping in that little van of yours every night? Get a little lonely?”
“Not really. I have an electric heater which warms up the space nicely. And once I’m in bed, then I’m always toasty. It’s very snug.” For some reason, she decided not to tell Gabe that she’d been sleeping in the main house.
“Hmm. Well, I’m sure Nico would be happy to warm you up, if you need it.”
She gave him a sideways glance. What was he implying?
“He likes you, you know. I can tell. We’ve been friends long enough I can see the signs when Nico is interested in someone,” he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to suggest that Nico was keen on her.
“Oh…um…” She was at a loss for words. She hadn’t expected Gabe to just blurt that out, and she was completely caught off guard. “We’re not… I’m not…”
“It’s fine,” Gabe laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“No, you didn’t,” she lied. What did she say to throw him off? She didn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea about her and Nico, not even his best friend. “But I’m moving on soon, once my van is fixed, and I…” What? “I’m happy with my own company right now. Especially with everything that’s just happened. It’s all been a bit stressful,” she finished lamely.
“Yes, it has,” he replied lightly. “And I completely understand. But sometimes we all need a little…stress relief.” The cheeky wink he gave her before he went back to watching the road made her groan quietly inside.
