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Their like for like stubbornness had sometimes dictated that they were still sitting in silence, neither prepared to relent, when the sun came up.
It had been easy enough to communicate by text message and emoji throughout the day, but where did they go from here?
‘Hey, babe,’ Devon said, appearing in the doorway.
Stacey hesitated.
Devon opened her arms, and Stacey fell into them.
They both started apologising at the same time.
‘Oh no,’ Devon said, taking her by the hand. ‘You have nothing to apologise for.’
Stacey allowed herself to be led to the sofa.
‘Listen, I reacted badly. I should never have got angry with you. I should have listened and let you explain. I should have been there for you instead of blowing up. You’re the victim in this, not me, and it breaks my heart that you’ve been suffering alone.
‘It’s all I’ve been able to think about. That bastard put you through hell, and I’m not even sorry he’s dead.’
Stacey leaned into her, feeling the safety and security of the Devon she knew.
‘It doesn’t seem real, Dee. I can’t seem to accept it’s over.’ She tapped the side of her head. ‘It’s like he’s still in here.’
‘Of course he is, babe, cos he found a place in there to live. The threat of the man was always more powerful than the man himself. It’s like an echo. The voice is gone, but the memory of it remains.’
Stacey moved in closer, already finding comfort in Devon’s reassurance.
‘And like any echo, it’ll fade. The space he’s been occupying will gradually be filled with something else.’
‘Do you think so?’ Stacey asked, wondering if she’d ever feel like her normal self again.
‘Of course, but it’s going to take time. You’ve settled into a way of life. A horrible, stressful, anxious existence. Your body has adapted itself to be ready for fight or flight at a second’s notice. It’s an elastic band that’s got to find its shape again.’
‘Not sure my boss sees it that way. They’ve got the guy that ran Birch over, but she still can’t look me in the eye.’
She felt Devon stiffen slightly at the mention of Birch’s name.
‘They got him already?’ she asked.
‘Yeah, he came in and confessed. Case closed. But I’m not sure things with the boss will ever get back to normal. She calls Penn instead of me,’ Stacey said, knowing that Devon would understand just how cutting that was. ‘I don’t think she trusts me to do my job.’
‘She will, babe,’ Devon reassured her. ‘She’s not like normal people when it comes to feelings. Let Penn take the strain a bit. Gives you more time to get your head back in the game.’
‘I love you,’ Stacey said suddenly, feeling the relief wash over her. The tears fell from her eyes, and she didn’t try to stop them. It felt good to let them out.
‘And I love you, babe,’ Devon said, pulling her close. ‘Which is the first thing I should have told you last night. I’m so sorry for the way I acted, but it’s important for you to know that I always, always have your back.’
THIRTY-SIX
Kim had just answered the last email and closed down the computer ready to leave for the night.
‘Ah, Stone, just the person,’ Woody said, filling the doorway to the squad room.
As most of their meetings took place in his office with him sitting behind the desk, she often forgot her boss’s sheer size and stature.
He entered the space with a nonchalance she didn’t buy. His hands were in his pockets, and his tie had been removed. He looked every inch the boss just taking a stroll to see who was still around. Except for the fact he never did that.
As was her habit, her mind automatically began searching for reasons for this unexpected visit. Surely if the chief super was pissed off about her attitude at the Monday meeting, she’d have known about it before now. And that would have been a summons to Woody’s office on the third floor not him having a casual meander down to the squad room.
