‘Ez is already here? It’s not even 8.30 a.m.,’ Henley said as the door opened and Pellacia walked into the room and passed her with no acknowledgement.
‘He was here before me, and I arrived at 7.30 a.m.. I think he was just keen to get a start on Durant’s phone.’
‘Thanks,’ Henley said, picking up a new notebook and pen from a desk. ‘If anyone is looking for me, tell them I’m downstairs.’
Henley watched as Ramouter walked along the hallway, in his own world as he moved his head in time to the music being pumped through his headphones. He was almost nose to nose with Henley before he realised she was there.
‘Morning, boss,’ he said warmly. ‘Looks like I’m not the only one who decided to have an early start.’
‘We’ve got a full house,’ Henley replied. ‘Even Copeland was here before me.’
‘She’s keen.’
‘Hmm,’ Henley said non-committally.
‘I’ve been working with you long enough to know what your hmm means,’ Ramouter said, the jovial look on his face now replaced with one of concern.
‘It doesn’t mean anything,’ Henley said, turning towards the staircase.
‘I know that she can come on a bit strong, but she’s got good intentions. She just wants to do a good job.’
‘You’re running to her defence a bit quickly.’
‘I’ve spent time with her.’
Henley raised an eyebrow.
‘Not like that,’ Ramouter replied hurriedly, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. ‘There’s nothing going on.’
‘I never suggested that there was, but—’
‘We’re just friends,’ Ramouter said adamantly. ‘Really, it’s nothing more than that. I don’t think Copeland sees me that way. She’s newly divorced and…’
‘Even more reason for her to—’
‘Boss, come on. You know me.’
‘But I don’t know her,’ Henley said firmly. ‘Be careful.’
‘I know what it’s like being the new guy and trying to fit in with a team that’s tight.Really tight,’ he said.
Henley recognised the truth of his words and nodded her head in agreement. ‘What are you asking me to do, Ramouter?’ she asked.
‘Just give her a chance, like you did with me.’
Henley scanned Ramouter’s face as she searched for suitable words to object to his more than reasonable request. ‘I’ll think about it,’ was all she said.
Ramouter smiled with relief. ‘For a minute there, I thought you were going to tell me to piss off,’ he said.
Henley turned her back and as she walked downstairs shouted, ‘I nearly did.’
‘What time do you call this?’ Ezra asked as Henley walked into his office.
‘I call it far too early to be putting up with any cheek from you,’ Henley replied, taking a seat next to him.
‘Because I’m about to take myself out for a full English breakfast in a mo’ and I’m feeling a bit smug with myself, I’m going to let that slide.’
‘I take it you summoned me down here because you got something useful from Durant’s phone?’
