Free Opposing Forces by Juliet Anderson

fine.”
     
    “Did you want a restraining order against him?”
     
    “If he bothers me again, then I’ll get one.”
     
    “In that case I’ve no need to detain you further.  I’ll get the statement drawn up and back to you for signing tomorrow.”
     
    “I’m actually off to Paris tomorrow lunchtime on business.”
     
    “When will you be back?”
     
    “Sunday night or Monday morning, I’m not sure.”
     
    “No problem, I can have it back before you leave for work tomorrow morning. I’m on a night shift.”  He stood up to leave. 
     
    Maisie followed him out to the hall.  “Thanks for coming around, Philippe. I’m glad it was you.”  To his amazement she wrapped her arms around him for a moment before kissing his cheek.  As he held her gently, he hoped his jacket was long enough to hide the throbbing in his trousers.
     
    “Always a pleasure, Maisie.”
     
     
    She was up early the next morning and ready to go, she was just waiting for Philippe.  He arrived shortly before 8am.  Passing him a cup of coffee, she read the typed statement and signed the bottom.
     
    “Before you go, could you please give these to Sergeant Dufrais.”  She handed over a small bouquet of exquisite pink and cream roses, tied with a beautiful lilac bow.  There was a handwritten note to go with it.
     
    “No problem, I should catch him before he finishes his shift.  Are you leaving now?  If so, I will walk you down to your car.”
     
    Maisie handed him her suitcase and followed him out.  It was kind of nice having her own police escort.  He gallantly loaded her suitcase into the boot of her car.
     
    “Thank you once again for everything, Philippe.”  She handed him a card.  “My number is on that.  Call me next week if you’d like to meet for a drink.  There’s no obligation and I shan’t be offended if you don’t.”
     
    Philippe watched her pull away in her Audi.  Not call her?  He would have to be insane to miss that opportunity.  Unlike Frankie Lavigne, he would not screw up this chance. 
     
     
    Albert turned positively pink when Philippe handed him the roses.  He turned pinker when he read her handwritten note.  She had such class. In fact, he was fast becoming Miss Carrington’s number one fan. He found a glass jar for the roses and had them on proud display on his desk.  They also reminded him that he needed to update the Chief, not because another law suit might be pending but he had asked for everything relating to Miss Carrington to be relayed to him.
     
    He took the elevator to the top floor and entered the lion’s den.
     
    “Dufrais. I understand you needed to update me on something?” Steffen Grundberg barely glanced up from this desk.
     
    “Yes, Sir.  I wanted to let you know that we had a distress call from Miss Carrington last night and had to send a car around.”
     
    Steffen’s head snapped up.  “Miss Carrington?  What happened?”
     
    “She had one drunk and very emotional Frankie Lavigne attempting to kick her door down. He’s still in the cells as we speak.”
     
    “Any particular reason?”
     
    “He was playing the field and she’d found him out.”
     
    Dumb asshole, Steffen thought to himself.  Guess she won’t be wearing his shirt again in a hurry.  “And how is Miss Carrington?  Is she pressing charges?”
     
    “She’s fine from what I understand from Officer Thevenez.  And no, she doesn’t want to press charges.”
     
    “What’s Thevenez got to do with this?” Steffen growled.
     
    “I sent him around to take her statement.” 
     
    “Is there anything I need to do or is she quite happy?”  He wouldn’t have minded an excuse to see her himself.
     
    “No, she more than pleased.  Besides she was off to Paris for a few days this morning.”
     
    At least now he could guarantee a few days peace with Maisie away.  He glanced at the two files on his desk, perhaps now was an opportune time to scan them ready for his