The Art of Being Right

Awkward Encounters

Wilson got up and left shortly after, dropping his helmet off in his locker before going back to his desk. A few other officers had turned up and were milling around the work stations chatting. Seen as it was quiet, he took a seat, put his feet up on the desk top and began to read the file Hart had given him. He'd just opened the first case report when someone to his left cleared his throat.

"Morning Wilson!" Maddy beamed, placing a mug of what he assumed to be coffee on the desk next to him; she was holding her own in her other hand.

"Hello, Maddy," he replied, gesturing towards the coffee, "what's with this?"

"Well I know you're not exactly a morning person, so I thought seen as I was getting coffee I'd bring you some up."

"Oh. Um, thanks?"

"It's okay," she blushed, clearly missing his confusion, "you're in early; I thought your shift started at eleven?"

"Hart called me in early."

"Oh, okay. It's just I um, saw your Harley outside so thought I'd come up and say hi."

He was vaguely aware of McKein and Jo stood a few feet away, whispering among themselves. Wilson rolled his eyes. It was no secret how Maddy felt about him; the poor girl did nothing to hide it. The entire station knew, but she was the type of girl to stare from the sidelines and pine like a lovesick puppy.

There was an awkward pause between the two of them, and for a second he could've sworn he heard McKein stifle a fit of laughter.

"So what did Hart want you in so early for?" She bit her bottom lip, trying to get the conversation going again.

"A Superintendent from another force has asked for my help on a case they've had open for a few years. Hart gave me the file this morning to read over and decide whether I'm going down there to help."

"Oh cool, can I see?" Maddy grinned when he grabbed a chair and pulled it up next to him, sliding into the seat swiftly. Wilson glanced over his shoulder to stick his middle finger up at McKein and Jo, who laughed in response. "Hang on what's this-"

"No, Maddy don't look at that!" It was too late. She saw it and immediately flinched away, dropping the photo to the floor with a little squeak. Maddy turned around and buried her face in his shoulder, breathing heavily against his shirt.

"Wilson, what's that?" She said against him, her voice no louder than a mumble. He looked down at her awkwardly, with no idea of what to do. He made the mistake of looking over to McKein, who had fallen against the wall he was laughing so hard. He sank down until he was on the floor, crying with laughter, drawing the attention if a few other officers that had been milling around; they all stared.

"It's um... A body?" Wilson tried, a confused look on his face.

"Oh that's horrible." Maddy stepped away suddenly, an even brighter shade of scarlet than before, "sorry, I didn't mean to, er... Sorry." Even Wilson started to blush; his cheeks turning slightly pink as he cleared his throat.

"It's fine, it doesn't - erm." Just at that second Hart walked out if his office, and noticed what was going on almost instantly. He fought the smile that was slowly appearing as he strode towards the group that were watching Wilson and Maddy.

"Listen, Wilson, I know I said I could give you until the end if the day but I've just had their Superintendent - Spencer Fobbs - on the phone. They need a decision by lunchtime. They've said if you're going down there you might be away for a while. He wanted to clear it with me, to see if we can spare you for that long." He chuckled.

"Really? That's not going to leave me a lot of time to go over the file."

"I know, so I'm sending McKein with Maddy in the squad car to cover your round. You've got the morning to get reading. You have until midday."