‘Oh.’ She thought fast, determined to prolong the ceasefire. ‘OK. We could … book a night in that spa hotel you showed me a while ago. They might have space one Saturday night.’

‘Actually, they do.’ Mike reached inside his jacket, produced an envelope of his own. ‘Well, they did.’

He opened the flap and reached inside, unfolding a sheet of thick paper and placing it on the desk between them.

Hawkins caught sight of the hotel crest in the top corner. ‘You booked?’

He shifted forwards in his seat, reaching out to take her hand. ‘We need a real break, Toni.’

‘When?’

‘Next Monday. Two weeks, all inclusive.’

‘I can’t just … The SIO doesn’t jump ship in the midst of a triple homicide case.’

‘You’ll have it closed out by then. Besides, you said the others could handle it.’

‘I didn’t mean—’ She stopped, aware now that she was being tested. ‘Come on, you know I can’t do this.’

‘Can’t? Or don’t wanna?’

‘Hold on.’ She laughed incredulously. ‘This is a set-up, isn’t it? Present me with a fait-accompli you know I can’t accept, to make it look like I’m choosing work over you.’

Mike stood, snatching the letter. ‘You’re a piece of work, you know that? You think I did this just to land some cheap shot. Well, guess what? I’m done trying to save this relationship.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘It means I’m losing faith here, Toni. That you’re running outta time to show some commitment to anything but your damn job.’

She snorted. ‘You forgot to say: or else.’

They stared at each other, neither backing down. Hawkins’ phone began vibrating again. They both ignored it. Eventually Mike spoke. ‘I didn’t come here to fight.’

More silence, broken only by a chirp from the desktop.

Voicemail.

Before she could stop herself, Hawkins had glanced at the phone.

Mike clicked his tongue. ‘See? Even now we get second place.’

‘Why? Because I looked at a phone?’

He didn’t answer, instead just moving to leave.

She spoke to his back. ‘Did you ever think that perhaps commitment isn’t as easy for everyone else as it is for you?’

‘Never said it was easy.’ He paused at the door, looking round. ‘Just that without it we’re screwed.’

She hesitated. ‘Am I really that bad?’

‘Sometimes. Yeah.’

‘So, what are you saying?’

Mike stared at her for a few seconds, obviously turning the answer over before speaking again. ‘Hey, I don’t know, and I don’t think you do, either. Maybe we both need some space to figure it out.’

She frowned, feeling the tiny leap her heart made in response to his words.

Was this slipping away from them?

Again.

‘I …’ she began, faltering when she realized her next words would have to entail surrender.

Mike nodded, acknowledging that for now at least, there was nothing more to say.