The Major Crimes Team - Vol 1: Lines of Enquiry (12 page)

Anderson’s continued presence at his elbow made Campbell start to believe McKay’s suggestion. Hearing her say she was leaving was a welcome relief. Now there was no reason to fear a lack of willpower followed by a guilt trip.

When the suggestion of heading to a club was mooted, Campbell ducked out of a side door and clambered into a taxi. When the send off had been organised he’d booked a room in the Premier Inn at Buchanan Galleries. He could sleep the drink off before tackling the drive home. With luck he’d be able to spend a couple of hours with Sarah before attending the briefing on the role he was due to assume next week.

He told the driver where to go and settled into the seat, thinking about his years spent policing Glasgow, the murders, rapes and gang wars more prominent in his memory than the pettier crimes. The victims and their families cascaded through his mind like some kind of photo-fit slideshow.

Climbing out of the taxi, he noticed a familiar face sitting at the bus stop outside the Premier Inn.

‘Hello Guv.’

‘Hi. What you doing here?’

Campbell didn’t need his question answered. There was only one reason DC Hannah Anderson was here.

She stepped forward until she was only a foot away from him, her body language removing the need for speech.

‘I’m here to say goodbye to you.’ As soon as the words left her mouth she pressed her lips against his.

All thoughts of Sarah and the baby she was carrying evacuated Campbell’s mind as she thrust a viperous tongue into his mouth. Feeling his body respond to her close embrace he pulled her tighter against him.

It was Hannah who broke away from the kiss first. Stepping a half pace back, she took his hand in hers and nodded towards the Premier Inn. ‘Let’s move this inside.’

Hands fumbled under clothing as the lift clambered its way upwards. Reaching his room door, Campbell fished in his pockets for the keycard. When he pulled it out he had a flash of premonition and turned to face Hannah.

‘I’m sorry. I really want to do this, but I can’t. I’m married and about to become a father.’

Hannah’s face dropped as she realised his decency had thwarted her plans. When she spoke her voice was touched with more than a tinge of bitterness. ‘Bloody typical. The thing that most attracts me to you is the thing that stops us from being together.’

‘I’m sorry.’ Campbell reached for the door handle, knowing he had to get rid of her before he changed his mind again.

‘Goodnight guv.’

As Hannah turned and made her way towards the lift, Campbell eased the door open and went straight into the ensuite bathroom. Stripping naked he tried to decide between an ardour damping cold shower or a hot one coupled with a spot of self-relief.

Figuring he’d already crossed too far over the line, he twisted the shower controls to blue and prepared himself for the icy water.

A DI Harry Evans Novel