The branch manager of Huxley bank was not the most approachable of men when flashed a warrant card; and asked questions on the transactions of the bank’s clients. The wiry red veins on his cheeks suggested asthma or other respiratory affliction, and still, he smoked a packet of twenty within the six hours Lina was stuck reviewing CCTV.

Requiring a search warrant to obtain the bank details of the individual who withdrew the two hundred pounds found on Martha, the best they were granted was a date of when the twenty-pound notes came into circulation. Thomas, lacking patience, chose to leave Lina behind and drive to the British War Time Museum to gain further insight into the bayonet found, and confirmed as – one of – the murder weapon.

The slog of police work and investigations often led to them being sat before a screen, closely watching unidentified individuals in grainy, jittering images. This time, at least, a mutual understanding between the ruddy faced branch manager and Lina allowed her to smoke whilst entering the seventh hour of recorded footage.

Phone humming in her coat pocket, Lina didn’t check before pressing it to her ear, a shoulder raised to wedge it in place to keep both hands free.

“DI Haines,”

“Cute.”

“Huh?”

“Too busy to check who is calling?”

Distracted, Lina took the phone out from between her ear and shoulder, glimpsing the name, before cursing under breath as she realised, she looked away from the footage she was supposed to be reviewing.

“Am I interrupting?” Benji sighed, sounding disappointed.

Unable to deny Benji was a distraction, Lina paused the film, winding it back five minutes, “When are you not?” She tutted, but it came with a smile as she swapped the phone to the other shoulder, “I’m reviewing something, so I can’t be on the phone long,” She took the opportunity to stand and stretch, rubbing her thighs from their promising cramps due to her sitting crossed legged too long.

“I thought we agreed to only watch porn together?” Benji was relaxed, rather, he portrayed well that he was calm of mind.

Lina hummed gently back, observing the security office, checking she was alone, “I don’t think it counts when you’re the star of the show,” vaguely touching on the few occasions they filmed themselves, Lina’s skin warmed with the breathy laugh that came down the line, “Which, they have access to.” Before a short static pause filled Lina’s ears.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Benji’s bringing it up, set Lina’s stomach plummeting, “Half of IT have seen my breasts, haven’t they?” Grimacing at the thought, it was made no better when Benji teased her with a laugh, and then tentatively broached the purpose of the call.

They agreed that all their private photos and videos would be transferred off their phones. Especially when Benji held a penchant for losing his in bars.

“The videos are still on there.”

“…Which ones?” Dreading to know the answer, Lina rubbed the knotting skin between her eyebrows.

Benji was trying to appease, and it was evident with the blow being softened in compliments, “I caught you in a flattering angle. Golden hour truly is the gem of film,” He laughed, but it was not a joking matter for Lina.

Taking a deep breath, biting back the stress fuelled scream, Lina started to understand how the branch manager could smoke a packet in only a few hours. “Benji,” She whined, “You promised!” Refraining from shouting, Lina slumped back in the computer chair.

“It’s why I’m calling,” Benji slipped into a soft tone, “How suspicious would it come across if I wiped my phone from my computer?” He was drumming his fingers, cautious of the answer.

Lina close to bowled backwards out the chair, “You do know what evidence tampering is, yes?”

“Surely only counts if charged?”

“That’s not how the law works. They’re going to check your phone to corroborate your alibi, Benji,”

“So don’t do it, but let half of Bishopsgate station ogle at your bedroom splendour?”

“Chances are they’ve cracked it already.”

It didn’t sit well with Lina, but she at least hoped the cyber forensics team would be considerate.

“Where’s bitch boy?”

“Wartime museum.”

“He won’t have access to it, will he?”

“No, because that is covered under distribution of exploitive material. The only ones allowed to see it, unless it must be presented in evidence, are the cyber team.”

“I’m fine with that.”

“Your fine?!” Lina screeched, “They must create a detailed written report of everything found. Our love life is about to put Mills and Boon out of commission!”

Benji snorted in his effort to cover a laugh, “I was thinking the less violent shades of grey,”

Eyes rolling, Lina grumbled a minute, then countered, “Don’t kink shame,”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Benji mused back, “But I am suffering a severe case of blood loss on the brain right now,”

“I’m not sure what you expect me to do about that,” There was no chance Lina was about to let Benji get all hot and bothered and leave herself high and dry. Not when there was no telling when she would be home.

Benji had something in mind, “You have the answer in your hand,”

“In two of them actually,” Lina hushed, hitching her breath, making small noises to entice Benji’s blood flow issue, “…Benji,” softly panting his name, Lina waited until his breaths were heavy.

“Mm?”

“Love you,” She grinned, before snapping her thumb on the hang up, smiling with a shake of the head when she set her phone down on the desk, finally lighting the cigarette she took out, and waited to tap the play button on the CCTV as her phone buzzed repeatedly.

The first text consisted of six crying emoji. The second, ‘Player two has left the game’, before finally, ‘Love you too’ came through with a kissing emoji.

Smiling to herself, knowing well what to expect when she was home, Lina resumed her work. Praying that something soon, would come up on screen that could get the investigation rolling.