Открыть фик целиком в отдельном окне
~~~***~~~
Peter pulled the Corvette into the car park; the long black car hugged the ground like a shadow and all but purred as he switched off the engine.
“Impressive car.” LQ admired as he caressed the dash.
“Yeah, small indulgence.”
“Small?” LQ choked. “You got a side job?”
“No just the one. Had some luck with investments a while ago and this was the dividend. You go on ahead, I’ll be in in a minute.”
“You’re not going to back out are you?”
Peter smiled. “No, I said I’d be there. One drink LQ.”
“Sure.”
He watched the little man go, and realised he was perhaps the only person in the fiasco who he would still consider a friend. Adversity made strange collusion’s and he had no problem in recognising the gentle nature was directed to him more often then not by Cooper. It was a small flame, but one he was grateful for.
He ran his hand across the leather pouch again his heart constricting at the thought of the contents. It was procedure that all people in the OSIR made a video testament to their families in the event of death. He knew that Conner had made one, and he also knew that he was the only heir so to speak to the estate. Sizeable didn’t cover it; the house alone was worth a small fortune and was filled lovingly with antiques and fine furniture from around the world. Along with memories, the one thing they couldn’t put a price on. To see his face again, talking to him left him bereft.
Peter looked up as the headlights of a passing car hit him full force and turned the interior into film noir. He remembered the restaurant, it had been Connor’s favourite and since his death Peter had gone out of his way to avoid it. He wondered casually if Lindsey chose this place on purpose to torture him and then discounted it. He reached into the glove box and pulled out a small delicately wrapped package, inside was a tiny gilt-edge crystal dragon.
It was an open secret that Connor had given Lindsey one every year on her birthday and they had become joint gifts, each one different and often made to order. Peter could no more forget that than he could anything else. Last year he had elected not to come to the party and the cold freeze had grown incrementally.
Peter turned the package over in his hands, uncertain as to the response the gift would get. Would Lindsey consider it a barb thrown at her or would she recognise it for what it was, an endearment that he continued to honour the dead as well as the living.
He jumped as someone rapped on the car window and he looked up into Matt’s smiling face.
“I’m glad you could make it.”
“Don’t get excited Matt, I promised I’d drop by for a drink, nothing more.” He shrugged into his coat and pocketed the gift.
“It’s a start Peter.”
“Or an end. I don’t want to be here.”
“Yeah I know, Lindsey still giving you grief?”
“No more than I give myself.”
“ For what its worth Peter there was nothing you could have done.”
“There is always something I could have done Matt, you weren’t there so with all due respect you have no idea.”
Matt reached out and rubbed Peter across the shoulders as he walked with him. “I, ah, read the case files, Peter.”
Axon stopped. “Why?” his blue grey eyes turning dark.
“Because believe it or not, I have a friend who is still hurting and I’m worried.”
“I won’t be your problem for much longer Matt.”
“Meaning?”
“I’ve had another offer.”
“And you’re taking it?”
“Yes I think I am. So I won’t screw up your cases and you don’t have to worry about carrying dead wood that will betray you.” Peter strode away leaving Matt alone in the car park.
Anton caught up with Matt and frowned.
“Well that went well.” Matt sounded disgusted.
“What happened?”
“I think Peter just resigned.”
“Damn.”
~~~***~~~
It wasn’t so much a restaurant but a private country club, the food of course was exquisite and the oak panelled dining room was filled with familiar faces. Bach played softly in the background from a live chamber orchestra and the birthday girl who handed them a glass of champagne greeted guests.
Lindsey smiled softly when she saw Peter walk in and without preamble made her way directly to him, pushing a glass into his hand.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come.” She smiled sweetly and for a moment Peter relaxed in her company.
“I wasn’t going to.”
“What changed your mind?”
“LQ needed a lift.” He fished in his pocket and pulled out the small package with the hallmark wrapping and placed it in her palm.
Lindsey frowned and with slow reverence opened the gift, unwilling to place it on the table with the rest to be opened later. The tiny crystal dragon was a hatchling newly born from a porcelain egg that was beaded with semi precious jewels and edged in gold.
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at him. For a moment he thought she would throw it to the floor, but instead she put it back into the velvet lined box and put it in her pocket before throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him on the lips.
“Thank you.” She whispered softly into his ear and was gone.
Peter walked into the steadily growing throng. Ignored by most he held his head high and made his way to the corner suite, where the leather armchairs took residence by the fireplace. He put the still full champagne glass down and was immediately recognised by the Maitre De.
“Dr. Axon.” The man bowed in his tuxedo and offered him a double shot of single malt from a silver tray.
“Hello Robert.”
“It has been a long time, sir. It’s good to see you again.”
Peter managed a soft smile and sipped at the whiskey. “Thank you.”
“Preferential treatment?” Anton asked casually as he watched the Maitre De disappear.
“On occasions. How’s Katherine?”
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