‘I’m sorry.’ She shifted on the sofa, moving close enough to reach out for him, wrapping her arms around him and dropping her head on his shoulder. ‘I’m so glad you told me. We’re going to get through this. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise. You’ve already been through enough. The whole team knows there’s no question that you’re capable of something like this, no matter how bad it looks.’

‘Not even Sergeant Lively?’ Callanach attempted to lighten the atmosphere.

‘Actually, now that we’ve drafted in Pax Graham, you’re suddenly Lively’s favourite detective inspector,’ Ava laughed. ‘Apparently, you’re no longer the most eligible bachelor in MIT. Are you going to cope?’

‘I’ll try,’ he smiled. ‘So does that go for you as well? Has DI Graham caught your eye with the big shoulders, long hair and the Scots accent?’

‘Would it be any of your business if I said yes?’ Ava teased.

‘Only that I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t be forming personal associations with officers in your command,’ he said.

‘Oh, you mean like waking up in their bed?’ she grinned. ‘Yeah, you’re right. That’s definitely not okay.’

‘Speaking of which,’ Callanach said, ‘looks like you’re staying another night after drinking wine with your antibiotics. Come on.’ He checked his watch. ‘It’s half past two. You may as well stay here again. No point going home now.’

Ava considered arguing then realised how stupid that was. She’d spent one night at Callanach’s, so a second would make no difference at all. And she didn’t want to leave him now, after what he’d revealed to her. There were times when no one should have to be alone.

Chapter Eleven

5 March

Ava made it home to shower and change before driving over to the Reach You charity. Tripp had phoned ahead for her and Rune Maclure was waiting when she pulled up. He held the front door open, stepping back to let her pass and motioning towards her leg.

‘Been in the wars?’ he asked.

‘I got into a fight with a wall. Are you Mr Maclure?’

‘Call me Rune. Given that my parents were so adventurous with their choice of name it always seems a shame not to use it.’

‘Ava,’ she returned, offering her hand. ‘Did DS Tripp tell you why I wanted a word?’

‘He did,’ Maclure replied. ‘Did your face get into a fight with the same wall or was that a separate incident, only from where I’m standing police work is starting to look pretty perilous.’

‘Same wall. I think I’d have to concede that I lost.’