Of Night and Dark Obscurity

He placed the files down upon the desk and waited. Soon enough the door knob to the office turned and he saw a figure enter the room. Without waiting a second more, he grabbed the figure and pushed the person up against the wall.

“What do you want here, eh?” He said angrily.

“Inspector. It’s me. Caroline.”

Chapter 14

In the dark, Val looked down into the face of Caroline. His hands had secured her shoulders to the wall and suddenly it was as if he had been burned. He removed his hands.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

“I came to see you. Your sergeant at the station told me you would be here.”

“I see.” Val reached inside his pocket for the matches to re-light the lamp. He turned away from her to light it.

“I’m to purchase another house,” she told him awkwardly trying to fill in the silence. “As I’ve had several people want to help at the Guild and be a part of this, we can afford it now.”

“Who else has offered their support?”

“Well Lady Lyttleton of course, she likes to be seen to do things and be progressive as long as she isn’t doing the actual work.”

“That’s a bit harsh,” he said.

“I didn’t mean it that way. I’m very grateful to her.” She added. “And my estate agent. Peter Davies.”

Val felt the matches in his hand. “Peter Davies?”

“You know him?” She asked.

“No not really. I asked for his help with an address to a building.”

“Did you? He’s very good at his job. He’s agreed to put in some funds for the housing project as well.”

“It seems you always get what you want.” He took the match out of its box and struck it. It didn’t flame.

“Well even you agreed it’s a good project. It’s not some milliner shop. I’m trying to do something good here.”

Val turned to her then. “How can I help you Miss Derry? You sought me out at this late hour away from the station.”

She smiled. “I did, didn’t I? I can’t seem to make it to see you in normal hours, can I?”

“Makes you wonder,” he said quietly. “Doesn’t it?”

“Makes you wonder, what?” She asked.

“Why you seek me out? Why it’s always at night and why it’s when we are alone.” He took a step towards her.

“Is this where you ask me to kiss you again?” She said boldly.

“Do you want me to ask you to kiss me again?” He responded back.

Caroline could feel her heart beat inside her chest. “Your question was entirely inappropriate then and now. You know that. I know that,” she told him.

“Yet you did it. Hmmm.”

Caroline remained silent.

“Why did you do it? You could have refused me.”