A Girl, A Boy and A Boat Pt. 05

"Hmmmm.... That's a lot, could we negotiate."

She pulled his mouth down to hers and kissed him, "How about an hour then?"

"Deal." Rob chuckled, sweeping her up into his arms, making her giggle as he carried her through to the master bedroom.

In fact, it was just 57 minutes before, totally spent, he rolled off his thoroughly satisfied girlfriend and lay back on the bed breathing heavily.

"I think I might need the rest of the 8 hours to recover."

Samantha rolled over so her body was pressed up against him, "Does that mean we can't do it again?"

"Are you trying to kill me woman?" Rob kissed the top of her head, "Maybe if you wait until morning."

"She frowned, "Sorry mister, I have to be at the bar at 10 to try and get my old job back tomorrow."

"Really? Can't you do it Monday or something?"

Sam kissed his cheek, "No. Errol was really good to me and I let him down when I.... anyway, I need to go and beg."

Stopping midway through her sentence he felt her stiffen against him as she went to refer to the time she had been forced to quit her bar job by Valentine.

"You mean when you went to be Valentine's whore." He said it for her.

"I... I'm sorry Rob. I've messed everything up." She sniffled, the tears filling her eyes and yet again she imagined what people would say about her being with him.

"Hey that's enough. That was then and this is now." Pulling her tighter to him he held her, "I love you; don't you forget it."

"I love you to." She whispered as they lay in the darkness waiting for sleep to claim them.

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Samantha was awake first the following morning and, quietly slipping out of bed, she quickly showered before heading to the galley to start breakfast.

"Can I get a coffee?" Rob asked when he joined her a short while later.

"Sure."

"And why are you up so early? You don't have to be at the bar till ten."

She shrugged, "I wanted to go home and change first. I need to make a good impression with Errol if I want any chance of getting my old job back."

"Have you checked your phone? Anything from you know who?"

"No." Sam looked troubled, "I don't understand it. I expected him to be ranting or threatening me or something but no, there's been nothing."

"That is a bit worrying. Do you want me to drive you?"

"It's ok, it's a nice day and I don't mind the walk." Sam shook her head, "That way you can get on with whatever you need to do."

"I have a fishing charter tomorrow so I need to do some preparation. But other than that, I thought I might go down to Samuel's bar later. Apparently there's this really sexy waitress starting work there."

"Typical man, that's all you think about." She giggled and punched his arm, "And I haven't got my job back yet."

"Ok, guilty as charged."

They both laughed.

"Anyone home?" A voice from above interrupted them and they both tensed momentarily, looking at the entryway to the galley.

"Yeah down here." Rob answered after a second.

A smiling black face appeared in the doorway prompting him to continue.

"Henry, come on in. This is Samantha, you know the girl I told you about. Sam this is my best friend, Henry Legrande."

"Hi, Henry." Samantha stood up and offered him her hand which he immediately took.

Hi, nice to meet you." His eyes studied her for a moment, taking in every detail.

"Can I get you a coffee?" Sam asked when he eventually released his hold on her fingers.

"Is the sea blue." The policeman's grin was infectious, "How did you get a girl like this man, she's perfect."

"So, what brings you out so early on a Sunday morning?" Rob enquired, ignoring his friend's question.

"I came by last night but there was no one home." He turned his attention back to Rob, "So, I thought I'd drop by this morning. Update you on that matter we talked about."

"We went over to my folk's place so Sam could meet them."

Henry raised an eyebrow, "Really? And how did that go?"

"I am here you know." Sam turned and informed the two men who continued as if she wasn't.

"Mum loved her."

"Can't say I'm surprised. She's far too good for you." Henry winked at her as he spoke.

"So, what was the matter you talked about?" Sam finally got to interrupt them, putting three mugs of coffee on the small table and sitting down.

The policeman glanced at Rob, getting a nod from him, before responding.

"Valentine D'Souza and.... you."

"Well, other than the two messages on my phone I haven't heard anything from him since I told him I quit."

"And you won't." Henry informed the two of them, "We have him in custody, he's been there since Saturday morning."

"Arrested? For what?" Samantha exclaimed taken totally by surprise.

"Apparently one of his other girls was persuaded to leave and go freelance by her boyfriend. So, he had one of his thugs give the guy a beating and put him in the hospital."

As he said it Sam glanced over at Rob knowing that the same thing could have happened to him because of the mess she had created.

"So, what will happen to him now? Will he go down for it?" It was Rob's turn to ask the question.

"If he gets himself a good lawyer, which he will, then my best guess is that he'll get a suspended sentence, that's if he doesn't manage to wriggle out of it altogether." The policeman frowned.

"But what about now. He'll stay in prison till the trial won't he?"

Henry looked at Sam as she fired another question at him, the worry etched on her face.

"I very much doubt it. He'll get bail and probably be out some time tomorrow."

Biting her lower lip she persisted, "Then he'll be free to come after me?"

"Possibly not. He'll be bound over and any misdemeanour will see his bail rescinded, then he'll be behind bars until the trial. So, my guess is he'll bide his time and stay out of trouble for the moment."

"Damn I need to get going or I'll be late." Samantha looked at her watch before jumping up and kissing her boyfriend, "See you later."

"Before you go." The policeman stopped her, "Would you be willing to come in to the station sometime and make a statement, about Valentine?"

She glanced at Rob quickly for reassurance, biting her lip as she considered her answer for a moment.

"Sure." Letting out a deep breath Sam finally agreed, "Anything that helps put him away."

"Great. Anytime next week will be fine?"

"Sure, we'll sort something out." Rob interjected, "Won't we babe?"

Agreeing with him Samantha picked up her bag and headed for the hatchway.

"Bye Henry, and thanks." She threw back over her shoulder as she disappeared.

"Do you really think he'll come for her eventually?" Rob asked his friend after she had gone.

"Without a doubt, that's how he operates. Charm them into his bed, convert them into one of his working girls and then keep them there by fear."

"How long do you think we've got?"

"Hopefully he'll keep his nose clean for now. He won't want to break the terms of his bail and end up back in jail." Henry swallowed the last of his coffee, "But her statement will add to the evidence we have against him."

"I'll let you know when we're coming in to the station."

"Good. Now I better get off, I have things to do."

"Fancy a beer later? On me."

The policeman grinned, "If you're paying then you'll have a hard job stopping me."

Rob slapped his friend on the shoulder, "See you in Samuels's at 12?"

"You're on man."