Gods and Monsters

XI

A312 Road, London

The River Thames still looked beautiful as the rain beat down on it, little ripples appearing then quickly disappearing, replaced by newer droplets. Peggy and Charlie were five minutes away from Brody's house with Mike and Atlin just ahead. Peggy was amazed she'd even been allowed to stay on the case, let alone help apprehend the suspect. She figured that it had probably just slipped Yates' mind. A bit unprofessional, but under these circumstances, no one was really thinking straight. Here she was driving around with someone who, a few hours before, she had no clue even existed. Since then, he'd caused her to have a panic attack and given the hospital details on how to cure Nick. This really had turned out to be the strangest of days. She thought back to Nick and herself that morning, sat around his kitchen table drinking the gravelly coffee. After today, Peggy couldn't wait to go back to that same scene in the future. She knew it would never be the same, though. Even when Nick was back, and whether or not they decided to work together on this new task force, things would be different. They'd have both been exposed to a side of life they never knew existed and things couldn't help but change after that.

"So, are you going to take the job?" A perky Charlie piped up from the backseat.

Peggy was a bit confused at this. She'd been outside the room when she took the call, there was no way that Charlie could've heard, could there?

"I-I uh... I'm still thinking about it. How did you hear my conversation when I was out of the room?"

"I didn't. It was after you came back into the room. Your body language had changed, you suddenly looked... unsure, as if you had something which you needed to think through very carefully. Like someone had given you an offer and you had a choice to make. I deduced someone's given you a job offer, something to do with what's happened today?"

Damn, Charlie may have looked like he was off his face, but he was really beginning to prove his 190 IQ. She figured there was no point in lying to him now. "Yeah, my boss wants myself and Nick to lead investigations into supernatural events, like the one today. They'll need your help, though. I'm still not sure whether I'll take the job, but if you could give me your answer, I'll pass it on. If you say you won't do it then it doesn't go ahead at all. Full stop."

Charlie began chuckling again. He was constantly like a young child who had just been shown something new. Despite his academic knowledge, he still seemed so naïve and new to the world.

"Well, now I know you definitely didn't read my file." Peggy began to blush at this — she had been caught out. "I mean, they seriously want me to work with the police? Now that's humorous." He looked into the rear-view mirror like he had done in the earlier car journey so he could see Peggy again. He did that thing he had done when they first met at his apartment. Where he stared deep into her eyes, analysing her or whatever it was he was doing. Peggy felt slightly uncomfortable at this but decided to just focus on the road.

"Tell you what, I'll give it a shot. Not for the police, though. My sister lives over in Brentwood. If the supernatural threat is as serious as I suspect it to be then I want to keep her safe. I do have some conditions, though."

Peggy managed to raise a smile at this. "Sure, let us know later on then."

Chelsea, London

The rain had slowed a bit as Peggy pulled up alongside Mike who was still trying to get his lighter to ignite. It felt like it had been such a long time since they'd seen each other although it had actually only been a few hours. Either way, Peggy was still happy to see a trusted face.

"Alright, darling? I see you brought Tom Hanks from Castaway with you. Fancy introducing us?" Mike began, keeping his eyes firmly fixed on Charlie as he stepped out of the car. Peggy stared blankly back at Mike, unaware at his reference.