In Bed with the Enemy by Janet Woods

tea?’
    ‘No, show him straight in, he’s probably busy - but fetch another cup first, please Shirley. He might like some tea, as well.’ Casually, she added as Shirley walked away. ‘How are the job interview’s going?’
    ‘Good. I think Dave McCauley will get the job. He’s done it before and has two kids to support. He’s been out of work for some time, so they really need the money.’
    The niggle of guilt she felt didn’t stop her wolfing down a couple of sandwiches whilst she waited. She blessed Leon for the trouble he’d taken on her behalf, even if they were a bit bulky with cheese - and gave her an instant case of the hiccups!
    ‘Miss Channing.’
    ‘Jeff ... hic! ... take a ... hic! ... seat.Excuse me ... hic! I’ve got the... hic ... ups ... hic! ... oh hell!’
    Jeff grinned. ‘I’ll get you some water.’ He filled a cup with water and held it out. ‘Take a few sips then hold your breath to the count of thirty.’
    Her face turned red with effort as she held her breath, and a couple of spasms later she was back to normal. ‘Thanks, would you like a cup of tea? And call me Darcie, would you? Miss Channing’s a bit formal for someone I went to school with.’
    ‘Sergeant Holmes doesn’t encourage informality with the general public, just in case we have to arrest them.’
    ‘Well, next time you arrest me you can be as formal as you like - but at the moment you’re out of uniform.’
    He reddened at the reminder. ‘Actually, it’s my day off.’ He sipped the tea she’d poured out and gazed at her over the cup. ‘I‘ve found out what happened to your father.’
    She took a deep breath. ‘What?’
    ‘Would you like someone with you, Darcie.’ Jeff half stood up. ‘Perhaps I should fetch Mister Price.’
    ‘No. I’m all right. Just tell me.’
    ‘He was almost on the outskirts of Sydney when he stopped to change a tire. He was hit by another car.’
    ‘Why didn’t the other driver see him?’
    ‘It was dusk and your father didn’t have his lights on. It was no-one’s fault. You know how it is on those long trips. People get tired, and become careless.’
    She nodded. ‘Did he ... did he... ?’
    ‘It was instant. He didn’t suffer.’ Jeff’s hand closed over hers for a second. ‘He was cremated in Sydney straight after the coroner’s report.’ Taking an envelope from his pocket he slid it across the desk. ‘All the details are in there.’ Awkwardly, he stood. ‘I’m so sorry, Darcie. Your father was a good man and a fine teacher.’
    ‘Yes.’ She managed a shaky smile. ‘Thanks for taking the trouble. I appreciate it.’
    ‘If there’s anything else I can do ...?’
    There was more depth and sensitivity to Jeff than she’d thought. ‘This sort of thing can’t be easy for you.’
    ‘It comes with the job, I’m afraid.’
    ‘Jeff ... ?’ she murmured as he opened the door, then changed her mind about what she’d been about to say. She’d wait until Colin got back from his holiday and approach him directly before she involved the police. Like Leon had said, there was probably a simple explanation.
    ‘What is it, Darcie?’
    ‘You’ve been very kind.’
    He gave her a brief smile and left, leaving her staring at the envelope on the desk. She didn’t see the point of opening it. She picked it up and was about to return to the chalet when the phone rang.
    ‘I’ve just seen Constable Watson leave. Are you okay, Darcie?’
    ‘Fine, Leon.’ Her mouth curved in a smile. ‘It’s made it a bit easier knowing what happened to him.’
    ‘Do you feel like talking about it?’
    ‘Not really.’ She gazed at the envelope in her hand. ‘I’ll leave the report in the chalet when I go back to the kitchen. You can read it for yourself.’
    ‘How do you like your office?’
    ‘It has an ego- stroking ambiance, especially the notice on the door. But your sandwiches gave me hiccups, which rather spoiled the effect I was about to make when Jeff walked