Thread: Farewell, My Lovely (Quix & Xana) - Completed Story

RE Farewell, My Lovely Quix Xana Tom realised he'd been speaking to himself, a second after he'd stepped through the door, and hanging his jacket and tie on the foyer wall-hook. A glance into the darkened and silenced living-room adjacent had told him that Lila wasn't present. It was still barely nine o'clock, and his immediate thought was that she'd be must be in her office, possibly working up the profile on his killer. Actually, that wasn't Tom's next thought, but the one he wanted to believe, as the other possibility that had crossed his mind was that his spouse was irked he hadn't called to advise that'd he'd be late, and subsequently retired early to avoid his company. There was nothing the Detctive disliked more than coming home to an angry wife, pretending to be asleep, with her back turned to him, and who did not even acknowledge his presence when he slipped into next to her. It was ironic that a man who'd seen the worst humanity had to offer, and stared down the most hardened criminals without pause or fear, had his stomach coil into knots at the concept that he may be in trouble with his wife. Not that Lila's anger frightened him, it was just she'd taken a long, long time for Tom to find, and for many years, immersed in his career and not a suave Casanova type, he'd resigned himself to the fact that he'd never discover his other half. Then they'd met, and immediately connected. Lila had been the one woman who appeared to understand and appreciate his dry wit, and the fact that he was not always as serious as he appeared. His sense of humour was just different. She'd also forgiven his lack of natural romanticism, and occasionally even teased him good-naturedly about it. Tom had never loved anyone as he did Lila, and that resulted in his greatest dread. That the jealousy and temper he kept hidden in the depths of his soul would make an appearance during one of their arguments. Tom had never struck Lila. Yet. Still hoping that she was in the study, he padded quietly across the carpet, then halted with teeth clenched in disappointment when he noted that only darkness emanated from under the door. It was at that moment he was distracted by a noise that caused him to jump, and for his head to swivel just in time to catch a white robed figure scurrying across the hall, so swiftly that it could almost have been a mirage. Hey babe... Tom's words stuck in his mouth, and his brows furrowed when the sound of the bedroom door shutting echoed up the hallway. No mirage, it was Lila. Was she that pissed? Baby. He called out again and moved to follow, in readiness to query her when he opened the door, however, before he could, her reaction stopped him dead in his tracks, and he instinctively opened his arms to accept her. Honey, are you okay? Tom arched a curious brow as he scanned her face, and gently rubbed her back, then his gaze shifted to the dresser, and a cold finger of fear shivered its way down his spine. The gun. He'd almost walked into being shot by his own wife, and the Detective's tone held an accusatory note when his shock-widened pupils returned to Lila. What the fuck's going on? It was obviously more serious than the sight of a spider, or after effects of a scary movie.