Impurity (DI Gardener 1)

“What would Sarah have wanted you to do?”

Gardener thought for a few moments. “She would have told me to ride it at least once. See if it was everything I thought it would be.”

Reilly slapped him on the shoulder. “There’s your answer, then, son. Just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You get two crash helmets. I’d like a wee go on this beauty.”

Gardener smiled. “You’re on.”

“Mind you, we’ll not be getting far on this.” Reilly had what was left of the seat in his hands. “How much is a new one?”

“I’ve no idea.”

“Maybe you should ring your man. You know, the one we met in Rawston.”

Gardener paused, glancing at his watch “That’s a good idea. Can’t see them being cheap, but when we’ve seen Fitz, I’ll take you up on that. You haven’t seen my Dad pottering around, have you?”

Reilly shook his head. Although the back door was locked, Gardener still paid a visit to the p

otting shed and the greenhouse. At the door to the shed, he turned to Reilly. “He’s found himself a girlfriend, you know.”

“You’re kidding me!”

“No. Apparently they’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks. Meeting secretly at her house when they’re supposed to be at the gardening club.”

Reilly chuckled. “Well, the randy old fox. And you didn’t know? You, a detective!”

“I know. Takes some believing.”

“Mind you. I don’t reckon he’s the only one.”

Gardener opened the door, stepped inside. “What do you mean?”

“Come on, son, you don’t have to act the innocent with me. My wee wife’s a good judge of character. Laura thinks there’s something going on in your life as well.” He saw Gardener hesitate. “Listen, the expression on your face has just told me everything. Well, come on, who is she?”

“I think you and Laura have been sniffing too many shamrock seeds.” Gardener smiled, leaned back against the doorframe. “It’s not what you think.”

“Try me.”

Gardener fidgeted with his hands. “There is someone, but it’s one-way traffic. She’s Jacqueline Bâlcescu, she’s a minister. I’ve seen quite a bit of her over the last few months when I’ve been tending Sarah’s grave.” The memory of his late wife came to mind. Even though nothing had happened, he still felt like he was cheating on her somehow. “We’ve talked a lot. She invited me for a meal one night. She wanted me to stay.” Gardener didn’t say anything else.

“And you couldn’t?”

After a pause, Gardener answered. “No, I couldn’t. It was too soon, Sean. I just couldn’t commit. What does that make me?”

“Sensible?” replied his partner.

“That’s not how I saw it. I was frightened. Of what, I’m not sure. I was with Sarah for twenty years. She was my wife, the mother of my child. She was everything to me. I’ll never find that again. I was terrified. The thought of staying over and going to another woman’s bed, touching her in a way I’ve only ever touched one woman, genuinely terrified me. I couldn’t do it.”

“Look, son, if that’s how you felt, then good on you. I think it’s too soon anyway. I admire you for it. It’s not every man who can show the control you did. I said sensible because you have that wee son of yours to think about. And to be sure, a relationship with a minister wouldn’t be an easy one.”

“Do you really admire me for it?” asked Gardener.

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t. And you know that.”

He did, which was why he loved Reilly like a brother. “Thanks, mate, that means a lot to me.”