Sixty-Four
When Rohan walked into Ruby's at lunch the next day Sid whistled loudly. "Annie said we wouldn't recognise you today."
Rohan blushed and looked at where Annie was standing beaming at him from a table at the far end of the café. He slipped into the booth with Harry and Sid. "She took me shopping yesterday. I've never had the courage to go by myself." He sighed, looked back at Annie, and then smirked at the two men.
"Mary did all my shopping for me too." Sid chuckled. "I'd say you're no different than most men. Jeez I never even knew my size until she passed away."
"What do you mean most men?" Harry elbowed Sid. "Only men with wives and girlfriends don't know their clothes size. Independent fellas like me know all about everything." He pointed his thumb at his chest.
Rohan chuckled as the two men ribbed each other. He was sure they were trying to make him feel like a normal man and he wished so much that he was.
Touching his shoulder, Annie said, "I've put your order in." She smiled and added, "I'm just making a new pot of coffee. It shouldn't be long."
"Thanks, Annie." Rohan blushed up at her. His leg jerked. For some reason he felt shy in front of Sid and Harry. He hoped Annie was okay with him after yesterday. His life seemed to have changed overnight. Here he was with friends, new clothes and hair style, no glasses and Annie. He sucked in a breath to try and take it all in.
"I better get back to work." Annie headed to the coffee machine and wondered what was going on. Rohan hadn't reacted like she thought he would. They'd had two wonderful nights out and a fantastic day shopping. His confidence was on a high until she'd said something to trigger a change in him but he'd come good in the end. He'd made her laugh and said she drove him crazy. Maybe Sid and Harry's ribbing was a little too much too soon. Then there was Sally's death to consider. Perhaps his work place was still in turmoil because of it. She sighed, lifted the coffee pot and headed to fill up his cup.
As Rohan stood to leave, he searched the café for Annie. She was taking an order. He wanted to speak to her because it had been a bit awkward earlier and he wasn't happy with the way he'd left her yesterday so he waited by the register.
"Hey. Are you off?" she chirped as she rung up the money and put it in the till.
"Yeah." Rohan smiled. "Can you come outside for a minute?"
Annie looked around the café. Everything seemed to be in order. "I'll let Ruby know I'm taking five." She jerked her head toward the servery. "Just give me a minute."
When she stepped outside Rohan was nowhere to be seen so she looked around the corner of the building. He was leaning against the wall with his head hung. "Rohan. Are you okay?"
He looked up and smiled. Annie sucked in her breath. He was so handsome. "Why are you hiding around here?"
"Not hiding, Annie." He tilted his head. "Just wanted some privacy." He sighed. "Truth, is I feel a little overcome today with Sid and Harry carrying on."
"I'm sorry, Rohan. It's my fault, I told them we'd gone shopping and how wonderful you looked." A surge of anxiety gripped Annie's stomach. Maybe she needed to keep things to herself a little more in future.
Reaching for her hand, Rohan said, "It's not your fault. They would have said something anyway and I'm copping it a bit at work too." He cupped her face. "I'm not used to this kind of attention. I'm a bit overwhelmed. I know I upset you yesterday and earlier so I wanted to let you know I'm okay even if I'm weird again. I didn't want you to think it was you." He saw the crease in her forehead disappear and knew he'd done the right thing explaining it to her. "You're so wonderful, Annie." He pulled her toward him and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Do you want me to come over tonight?" He hoped he'd have the courage to explain things to her more. "I'll understand if you don't. Tell me if I'm annoying you."
"You're not annoying me, Rohan. I'd love you to come over if you want to." She smiled. "No pressure. Maybe I could cook for us."
His face lit up. "Is seven too early?"
"Seven's perfect." Annie touched his chin. "I better get back." She kissed his cheek. "Thanks for explaining what was going on with you."
Rohan watched her go and headed back to work.
As he stepped into the lab Rohan noticed some police officers searching the bins and shelves. The door to Jack's office was closed.
Bill jerked his head and said, "Coppers are back."
"Why?" Rohan frowned.
Shrugging, Bill said, "Apparently, they have a warrant. That's why they're searching the place." He looked Rohan up and down. "That girlfriend of yours has really straightened you out, hasn't she?" Bill's upper lip curled. "Still... it doesn't change the fact that you're a pussy."
Rohan ignored him and went back to work.
Thirty minutes later Jack's door opened. "Rohan! Can you come here a minute?"
Rohan frowned again. He put what he was working on away and pushed his chair in.
Two detectives were seated at Jack's desk. They stared at him. "You're Rohan Wayland."
"Yes." Rohan's chest constricted. He didn't like the way they were looking at him. "Ye... yes. I'm... Ro... Rohan Wayland." Anxiety flourished. He clawed at his forearms. He tried to cling to some of the new strength he'd found but the familiar suffocating blanket of intimidation smothered him.
"I'm Detective Day and this is Detective Bevin. We'd like you to come to the station with us."
"W... w... why?" Rohan's eyes darted from the detective to Jack and back again.
"We have some questions in relation to the death of Sally Parks."
Rohan drew a breath. He swallowed hard. "I... I... do... don't know any... thing about th... that." He flicked his eyes toward Jack once more.
Jack couldn't help but feel sorry for Rohan. He'd made so much progress over the last two months and now he was back to square one. "It's alright, Rohan. Go with them. It's better to have this sorted down at the station rather than here at the office." He smiled to help ease Rohan's tension. "Is there someone I can call for you to let them know where you'll be?"
Rohan's mind raced. Why was he being questioned about Sally's death? Why was he being taken to the station and who could he call? He sucked in another breath and tore at the skin on the back of his hand. "Yes. Can... can you call Ruby's Café on Charlotte Street and as... ask fo... for a man named Harry." Rohan wiped his large hand down his face. "Te... tell him please."
"Harry who, Rohan?" Jack looked up from the notepad he was writing on.
"They'll know... wh... who I'm talking about." He sighed. "Tell him not to tell An... Annie." Rohan's eyes darted to the detectives and back again. "I... do... don't un... under... stand."
"We'll explain it at more length down at the station." The detective's stood up. Day looked at Jack. "The team should be finish searching this afternoon." He took hold of Rohan's arm. "Come on. We don't want a fuss so let's do this nice and easy."
"Ar... are you arr... arresting me?"
Detective Day smirked. "Not here. Not yet. Like I said we want to ask you some questions."
As the detective opened the door Rohan peered at everyone in the room. Bill Peters and two of the lab assistances stared at him so he hung his head. He had no idea what was going on but it didn't feel good.
Do you think Rohan is guilty?
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