Daniel was beginning to put the pieces together, but he needed to make sure he wasn’t jumping to conclusions.
‘Who is Claude, Dudley?’ Daniel hoped his tone was calming.
Dudley huffed incredulously. ‘Claude Van Der Bodem. That’s the arsehole who …’ He looked as though he might begin to cry again. ‘The guy who messed with Annie.’
For the second time that day Daniel found himself trying to comfort someone. He approached Dudley slowly, deliberately, as if approaching a wounded animal. He put an arm around him and Dudley lowered his head. Daniel felt the soft jolts and damp spread of tears on his shoulder.
‘The whole thing was so messed up. Annie was just trying to be nice, and he took it too far …’ Dudley gulped. ‘I just can’t believe we all have to serve that guy as if nothing’s happened.’
Daniel patted his back rhythmically, and Dudley’s breathing evened out slowly. When he leant back, he seemed a bit embarrassed. ‘Sorry, man, I know this is all before your time. I thought I could handle coming back, but it’s a bit much, you know?’
Daniel didn’t know; this was why he had always kept his distance from the rest of the crew. Getting emotionally invested in people only ever led to drama and upset.
‘Do you need me to cover for us both? I’m sure I can manage if you can’t face doing the overnight.’ It was the only way Daniel could think to help. He wasn’t very good with words.
‘Are you sure? I’d appreciate that, Captain.’
The men nodded at each other and then, suddenly uncomfortable with how close they were standing to each other, they both took a step back.
Dudley mumbled something indecipherable as he left. Daniel took a seat and reviewed the day. He had been hoping for this one final agency job to be a simple one, yet already it was turning into something … complicated. Worst of all, and try as he might to avoid it, he had ended up where he hated being the most: involved.
