On the run

Chapter 34

Ellie had been totally unaware anyone had actually been in the station asking for her boss until she was leaving just before five.

"DS Miller," the desk sergeant called to her as she came from the stairs doorway. "Someone was asking about DI Hardy."

"When was that?" Ellie asked.

"About half an hour ago but he left so I didn't want to bother you."

"You didn't tell him anything did you?"

"No Ma'am, of course not but he was asking question like what time DI Hardy worked after I said he'd left for the day. I did tell him he'd be in at nine in the morning. Is there something wrong?"

"No, don't worry about it. If anyone comes back in the morning, tell them Hardy's taking a day off."

"Is he?" the desk sergeant asked. "He's only just come back."

"I think he's stuck on his new girlfriend," Ellie grinned. "Were you asked anything else?"

"Only where Hardy lived, I said I couldn't give out any personal information, Hardy would bust me back to the school crossing patrol."

"Well just you remember that if anyone comes back. Did they say who they were?"

"No, just a friend of Hardy's, which I find hard to believe."

"I don't know, since he met his girlfriend," Ellie quipped.

Back at the hotel Rose and Alec were in, Alec had called Pete.

"So you think the both of you are safe for now?" Pete asked him.

"Yes, I used another name but I dare not use my bank card or Rose's too much. Can you call the hotel in the morning and pay for the room?"

"I'll get Jake to do it. Do you want me to send Mickey down?"

"Wait until we see what happens first, there may be no need. I got DS Miller to take the caravan key, if we can't go back, Mickey can get it from her and clear the caravan out. Any more news?"

"No, not as far as I know. If Yvonne's team are on our side, Jake will get to know what she's up to, if she still trusts them. I notice you've dropped your accent, any reason?"

"Yes, I booked in under the name of an old friend of ours, Rose is using another name. We're in room 103 at the Belmont hotel in Sidmouth if Jake's going to pay. Any chance of getting a bank card in another name or from Vitex?"

"I'll get one sorted and have it sent by courier to wherever you're going next. Have you got enough money for now?"

"We'll manage, there's always the trusty psychic paper," he grinned at Rose.

"I'll call Jake and let him know where you are, just try and relax until morning, Yvonne's mob will still be going around in circles back in Broadchurch."

"I hope so Pete, they can ask all they want at the station, I have them all well trained. I'm not so sure about the reporter though, he doesn't seem to like me much."

"That's because you talk to him wrong Alec," Rose reminded him.

He ended the call and went up to her. "Best call me Jack when we go downstairs," he whispered, kissing her cheek.

"Aren't you having an identity crisis? I'll have to get used to being called Donna so you'd best tell me about her."

"She was brilliant, it just took someone to show her she was and I dread to think what happened to her after I stayed here."