Page 121 of The Final Vow

But still Poe hesitated. He still had doubts.

Bradshaw sighed. ‘Look, I was waiting until my speech to tell you this, Poe, but I suppose now is as good a time as any.’

‘Time for what?’

‘What have we been talking about for the last six months, Poe?’

‘My PTSD?’

‘No, our plan.’

Their plan.Of course. Their plan to leave their jobs and go into business together. It had been something to think about, to dream about, when he’d been at sea and Bradshaw had been in the bowels of MI5 or GCHQ or wherever the hell Alastor Locke had hidden her. It was a total fantasy, though. A non-starter.

‘I can’t ask you to give up your career for me, Tilly,’ he said. ‘I just can’t.’

‘You’re not asking me to give up my career, Poe. I’ve already left. I’m asking you to give up yours for me.’

‘You’ve already left?’

Bradshaw nodded. ‘I handed in my notice to Alastor Locke last night. I hate working for him, Poe.Hate it.I told him I would finish my current assignment but, after that, I’m unemployed. Unless . . .’ She reached into her dress pocket and removed a slim piece of cardboard. It was the size of a credit card. She handed it across.

It was a business card. Navy blue, gold letters. Poe stared at it until his eyes became wet.

Washington Poe & Tilly Bradshaw

Gumshoes For Hire

‘You actually used “Gumshoes”,’ he said, his voice breaking. ‘I was only half serious when I suggested that.’

‘You’re only ever half serious, Poe,’ she said. ‘I think it’s because you have a sunny disposition, although DCI Flynn says it’s because you suffer from mild retardation.’ She chewed her bottom lip, worried. ‘Don’t you like it?’

He looked at the business card again.

‘It’s perfect, Tilly,’ he said. ‘Absolutely perfect.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I guess I’m leaving the National Crime Agency then,’ he said. He tucked the card into his top pocket. Patted it like he was in an Ealing comedy. ‘Funny, I thought I’d be sadder.’

‘It’s the right time, Poe,’ Bradshaw said.

‘It is, Tilly.’ He checked his Timex. ‘Speaking of time,’ he said. ‘Don’t you have a groom to escort to the altar?’

‘I do, Poe.’

‘Come on then. Let’s not keep the lady waiting.’ He paused. ‘Oh, and Tilly?’

‘Yes, Poe?’

‘There’s no reason Estelle needs to find out about any of this, is there?’

‘No reason at all, Poe.’

‘You’ve already told her, haven’t you?’

‘I have, Poe.’