Grey

-- by Stephanie

Disclaimer: As always, this is just for fun! I do not own the characters of Jessica Fletcher or George Sutherland. Thank you to MCA/Universal and Donald Bain for creating these two wonderful characters. And like everyone else who is participating in this Writer’s Challenge, my intent is not to infringe on anyone’s copyright, nor is it to make any money.

A special thank you to Anne for allowing me to tinker with her Legends and Songs trilogy.

The weather was miserable – even by London standards. It was only three o’clock in the afternoon, but a rain storm had cast a premature twilight over the city, thick grey clouds covering the sky, thick grey fog shadowing the streets.

Inside New Scotland Yard, my mood was nearly as gloomy as the weather outside. Rain streaked down the windows of my office, obscuring the view – not that I would have been able to see much anyway, but the added opacity made the normally comfortable confines of my office seem all the more cramped and dark. The only light came from my desk lamp, as I worked doggedly on a boring report concerning a minor crime that I had been only marginally involved with solving.

The knock at my office door jolted me back to the present. “Aye?” I answered, a tad put out by the interruption.

A junior staff officer opened the door and peered in at me. “Sir, someone here to see you.”

I had nae been expecting any appointments, and was not feeling up to seeing unexpected drop-ins. “I’m rather busy now, Sergeant,” I sighed, dismissing him and turning back to the papers on my desk. “Please ask them to come back tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow morning?” another voice asked. “Are you sure?”

The sudden recognition of just who that beautiful voice belonged to snapped my head back up, making me forget instantly about my report.

Instead of the staff sergeant, there in the doorway stood Jessica. She was wearing a creamy white trenchcoat and a radiant smile; the overall effect in the dim room was as dazzling as if the sun had come out.

I was speechless. She was every bit as lovely as I had remembered. Finally I managed to find my voice. “Please excuse us, Staff Sergeant. And shut the door behind you.”

“Very good, sir,” the officer said, and withdrew.

Once he had gone, I crossed the office in two steps and caught her in a tight embrace. For just a moment I indulged myself, taking in her intoxicating scent, enjoying the feeling of holding her in my arms.

“Jess!” I exclaimed. “What are you doing here? I didn’t expect you for another three days!”

She shifted slightly in my arms, mostly likely so she could breathe. Admittedly, I may have let my enthusiasm get the best of me. “I changed my flight,” she said simply. “Cashed in some of my frequent flier miles. Lovely weather you’re having here.”

“Aye, well …” I said as he released her. “What’s a wee bit of rain?”