![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frenchy_chicksTitle: Untitled Broadchurch Fanfiction 1
Rating: FRT
Pairing: DI Alec Hardy, Greer MacCulloch (Original Character)
Summary: She'd gotten so used to their little chats, that when he'd moved, she found herself longing for him.
Word count: 3437
Disclaimer: I don't own DI Hardy, or the town of Broadchurch. Sadly.
Author's Note: I found this on my external hard-drive, almost finished. I should start by saying that I absolutely love David Tennant and his portrayal of DI Alec Hardy...I would totally let that man do me, any day And now I've got a little baby plot bunny starting to be formed... how hot would it be to pair Alec with Mac Taylor? Guuuhhh...
Greer had lived in Broadchurch for five years before the murder of a little boy, Danny Latimer had shaken the town and turned neighbor against neighbor. It had also brought DI Alec Hardy to their small town, and that had caused lots of gossip and rumors to start. The people of Broadchurch didn’t much care for outsiders as she had experienced when she had first moved here.
She had purchased a small home for herself on the coast, further away from the “main drag” of town, so she was a little secluded, which is how she liked it. When the weather was nice (and it wasn’t always nice; the wind was brutal around these parts) she would open the French doors and let the breeze from the ocean blow into her house.
When she wasn’t at home, she ran the main library in Broadchurch. She had studied history and archaeology and religion and had even dabbled in some science. She had never been able to decide what she wanted to do and she’d been able to get scholarships for anything, so she’d just kept on studying. But then she’d turned 27 and felt that, although she had done very well in school and was very well educated, she hadn’t done much else with her life. So, she packed up, left Edinburgh behind and moved to Broadchurch to work at their library. It hadn’t been her first choice, but she hadn’t been able to get a job doing anything else, even with all her degrees. Go figure.
Since the murder had caused a buzz in the town, Greer had started to pick up books on criminology and psychology to try and help the detectives figure out who had done it. She followed all the news updates and learned everything she could. Of course, she wouldn’t have been much help as the particulars of the case weren’t available to the public, but she was just as surprised as everyone else when they discovered who had killed that little boy and why.
Now, the case was over, the man responsible acquitted (which never should have happened) and Broadchurch had moved on. Sort of. Everyone was talking about Ellie, and they weren’t always positive. People were also talking about DI Hardy, who hadn’t stayed too much longer after the whole case had “lost it’s interest”, as they were saying. But Greer felt that the case had bothered him. He’d lost another one. She’d done some research on him and had learned that he’d worked on a similar case that hadn’t ended the way it should have. That would obviously take a toll on someone.
Greer hadn’t really known DI Hardy during his short time in Broadchurch, but they had bumped into one another over the months. He had come in two or three times a week to pick a book. He’d explained after two weeks that he had a hard time sleeping, so he would read instead and they chatted briefly about the books he’d returned, whether they were worth reading, and Greer would oftentimes make a suggestion. She found herself missing him coming in and their short chats.
The alarm went off promptly at 7:30am and Greer sighed. She was exhausted, having stayed up all night binge watching a new show that had come on Netflix. Her mother had called her just after supper to check up on her and to not-so-subtly ask why she had yet to find someone to settle down with so she could finally give her dear, aging mother some grandchildren. She found herself thinking about it while lying in bed. Had she really done anything more in her life since moving to Broadchurch? She still hadn’t found anyone she wanted to be with, let alone have children with. She hadn’t even gotten herself a pet.
Forcing herself out of bed, Greer hopped in the shower before throwing on some clothes and eating breakfast while attempting to do something with her hair. She settled on two long braids, ties tightly to her head. It would keep her hair up and out of her face. It was cold and rainy out and she really didn’t need to get sick because she hadn’t bothered to dry her hair. Her mother would have given her a tongue lashing, that was for sure.
Pulling on her red wellies and her blue rain jacket, Greer grabbed her purse and locked up her house before heading off to the library. Although she lived off the beaten path, Greer didn’t own a car. She hadn’t been able to afford one after buying her house, and had settled on a bike with a basket on the front instead. She enjoyed it, but at times like this, she found herself wishing she’d had some other mode of transportation.
It hadn’t taken her too long to get to work. The town was just starting to wake up and she waved at the deliveryman across the road. He was nice, very handsome, but alas, he was married with a little one on the way. She’d missed out on that catch, her mother would have said.
Unlocking the front door and turning the sign from ‘Closed’ to ‘Open’, Greer turned on the lights and trudged over to her desk, pulling of the wellies to replace them with the brown flats she wore every day. She got herself situated before sitting down in her chair and booting up her computer. She knew it was bound to be another long, boring day.
* * *
Another day had ended and Greer started for the front to turn the sign and lock the door. No sooner had she done this and turned back to grab her belongings did someone knock on the door. She sighed loudly.
“We’re closed! Read the sign!” She called over her shoulder.
“I just need a book,” the man replied.
She knew that voice anywhere. It was rare that you found someone in Broadchurch with a Scottish twang and she turned to see DI Hardy staring back at her through the door. Clearing her throat, Greer went to the door and opened it, stepping aside to let him in.
“I didn’t think I’d see you again,” she said, giving him a small smile.
“I hadn’t planned on returning, honestly. Miller called me, she needed help with a new case.”
“Ah. Well, help yourself. I’m just going to get my things together so I can leave as soon as you’re finished.”
DI Hardy nodded his thanks and she locked the door again, watching as he disappeared between the stacks. Greer went to her desk and traded her footwear, puling on her rain jacket. “Ehm, you wouldn’t happen to have any suggestions, would you?” She heard him call.
Walking towards him, Greer found him standing amongst the women’s romance novels and she smirked.
“What? I’ve ready just about everything else here, as I’m sure you’ll remember,” He gruffed.
“I didn’t say anything,” she said.
“You might not have used words, but you’re eyes give you away.”
Greer shrugged in agreement and started to look through the rows of books. She wondered what type of books he would prefer to read. They had everything from easy going, fluffy stories and more hard-core smutty books.
“What do you feel like reading?” She asked.
“It doesn’t matter much, so long as it keeps me interested,” He answered.
“You’re still having problems sleeping?”
DI Hardy nodded and ran his hand through his hair. “The pacemaker was supposed to make it easier for me to sleep, but I still can’t. I think it’s more about getting my brain to shut down now.”
Greer chuckled, “Well reading something that keeps your interest probably isn’t going to help that,” he frowned at her, “but, since that’s what you’re looking after… here, give this one a try.”
She picked a book that strayed further towards the smutty side and handed it to him. He didn’t even bother to read the back, just nodded his thanks and started towards the door. Greer followed behind him and unlocked it to let him out.
“It was nice seeing you again, Detective Hardy,” She smiled.
“Alec. And it was nice seeing you as well…” He trailed.
“Greer.”
“Right. Thanks Greer,” he said, turning and heading off.
She couldn’t keep the smile off of her face for the rest of the evening.
* * *
Greer hadn’t seen Alec at the library the next day and she wondered if he had even bothered to read the book she’d recommended. Or, maybe she had scared him off by choosing a book like that. She had wondered when she’d gotten home last night if it had been unprofessional to give a smut book to a detective, but he’d been in that section and had asked for her suggestion. She only hoped he hadn’t taken too much of an offense, and laughed to herself when she thought of the look on his face when the book started to get good.
Getting on her bike, Greer pedaled her way to the local grocers to pick up the food she’d been neglecting to get. Her cupboards were practically bare. She waved to the young girl at the front counter before wandering down the aisles with a metal basket hanging off her arm. The basket was mostly full when she rounded the corner to see Alec staring into the ice cream freezer.
“Contemplating cheating on your diet?” She teased.
Alec looked over at her, a small smile briefly playing on the corner of his mouth before stalking towards her.
“I was trying to figure out what you meant by providing me with the book you did, actually. I was looking for a bit of light reading, not that,” he said.
Greer laughed and shrugged her way by him, opening the freezer and grabbing a pint of chocolate ice cream. “You asked for a suggestion. I gave you one,” She answered.
Alex followed her down the next aisle and leaned against the shelf as she browsed through the cereals.
“The things I read in that book… I certainly didn’t get any sleep last night,” He spoke.
Greer looked at Alec and smiled. His hair was disheveled and he had bags under his eyes.
“Well then, I guess that booked worked. You wanted something you keep you interested. Did it?” She wondered.
Alec groaned and moved past her to the cashier, putting down the can of beans he’d been holding. He paid for them and picked up the small bag, not moving as Greer put her basket down right after him.
“You didn’t answer my question,” she spoke.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? I already told you I didn’t sleep a wink last night, which, by the way, did nothing for my focus while trying to go through case files,” he grunted.
“Oh? And what exactly were you focusing on?” She was having fun with this.
Alec turned on his heel and headed out. Greer quickly handed over her money in exchange for the brown bag full of food and hurried out after him. He hadn’t gone far, in fact, he was standing next to her bike waiting for her.
“Why would you ask something like that in public?” He wondered.
She chuckled and shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. It gives this boring town something to talk about for a while.”
Alec shook his head and looked at her. “The last thing this town needs to do is start more gossip about me.”
Greer put her groceries in the basket and got on her bike. “Why not? You’re very mysterious. People know very little about you, the real you, that is. We’ve got to come up with some kind of idea as to who you are.”
“I’d prefer that people ask me questions to get to know me and not make up stories about what I like and who I am. Do you have any idea what the woman at the Inn is going to think if she finds that book you leant me?”
Greer laughed out loud, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Have a good night, Alec. Enjoy the book!” she called as she pedaled away.
* * *
Greer woke with a start. She wasn’t sure what had awoken her, and she looked around her room for something that would give explanation. Finding nothing, she got up and decided to start her day. The library was closed, but she still had things she needed to do: cleaning, for one. At noon, she would have to go in to town to meet with her book club, but for now she would clean.
The afternoon came faster than she had expected and she rushed to get to the meeting on time. She wouldn’t say the book club was that wonderful – it was used more as a way for the local mums to get an hour away from their kids and spent the time gossiping about their neighbors and talking about their husbands. She only went because from time to time they would actually talk about the book they were supposed to read that week.
After the book club, Greer walked her bike around the corner and was about to get on it when someone grabbed her from behind. It took her by surprise and before she could scream, a hand covered her mouth and she started to be pulled back towards the wooded part of town.
Her body felt as though it has frozen. She couldn’t move and this person was abducting her for God knows what reason. Had he been stalking her? Was he responsible for the noise that had woken her up this morning? She found herself getting angry and she could feel all her strength coming back to her. She started to fight with everything she had now and clenched her jaw around a finger that had slipped into her mouth. The man cursed at her and shoved her to the ground. Turning, Greer kicked out hard at the man’s crotch and took off running, not looking back. She hadn’t seen his face, and didn’t know who he was, but she didn’t want to turn around to find out. She could hear him running after her and she pushed herself even harder.
Coming out onto the street, Greer quickly looked around for anyone who might be able to help her in case the man grabbed her again. The streets were empty and she swore under her breath before taking off again in the direction of the library. It wasn’t too far and she knew if she could get inside and lock the door, she could call for help. Rounding the corner, Greer could make out the shape of a person walking towards the library and she picked up her pace. She knew the other man was still following her and she wasn’t about to let him win.
As she got closer, she could see that the person was Alec, and she was relieved. “Alec!” she yelled.
He looked up at her, a confused look on his face and she crashed into him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and trying to catch her breath.
“What’s going on?” He asked, his arms holding her shoulders.
“Someone grabbed me. I was heading back home and someone came up behind me, grabbed me, and started to pull me into the woods. I-I broke free and just started running. I think he followed me,” She gasped.
Alec pulled Greer away from him and looked at her seriously. “Did you see his face? Can you give a description?”
“I didn’t see his face, but I could tell you how tall he is, maybe other things.”
With that, Alec took her across the street, put her in the passenger seat of his car, and drove her to the police station.
* * *
It had all happened to fast. The description she gave was very good considering she hadn’t seen his face. She learned about the current case they were working on, where an older woman had been abducted and beaten. Their profiles had been almost identical and they were able to figure out exactly who the person had been. Alex had been furious by the discovery. He had yelled and it had shaken Greer, never seeing him this intense before.
They had brought the man in before too much time had passed, and Alec questioned him while Ellie sat with Greer, telling her what would happen. There would be no trial. The man had confessed and as he had already been in trouble with the law for murder, he would go away this time for good.
At half eleven, Alec came back into the room where Greer was and sat next to her. “Are you okay?” He asked quietly.
“I think so. I’m not even sure what really happened just now. Surely all cases aren’t this easy, but does it always feel like the time has just been a haze?” She asked.
“I’ve heard people describe it that way before, yes. It’s almost like sleepwalking. You don’t have to worry, Greer. He’s never getting out.”
Greer nodded and looked over at Alec. “Why did he choose me?”
Alec sighed, “You don’t want to hear the answer to that.”
“Yes, I do. I want to know why, out of everyone else here, he chose to come after me next. I need to know, Alec,” she said.
He looked at her, and Greer could almost se the cogs turning in his head, trying to decide whether it was a good idea to share the information or not. Thankfully, he’d decided to tell her.
“He said he went after you for two reasons. You’re an outsider, and that made it easier for you to follow. You’re also a strong, independent woman, and… he liked women who put up a fight. It ehm… he said it turns him on.”
She felt her stomach flip in disgust and she turned away from Alec, wiping her hand across her cheek to catch the tears she hadn’t thought would come.
“I shouldn’t have told you,” he muttered.
“No,” Greer shook her head, “I’m glad you did. And you’re sure… you’re absolutely sure he won’t be getting out?”
Alec nodded and she let out an elated sigh. “Well, at least that’s good news. I ehm… I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t run into you. You have no idea how relieved I was to see you,” she admitted.
“Well… I was going to the library to talk to you, actually. About that book,” he admitted.
Greer let herself smile and laugh shortly, hiding her smile behind her hand. “Is that so? Were you looking for more recommendations?” She teased.
He shrugged, but didn’t say anything and she smiled again. “I do have more like that… if you wanted.”
“What I’d like is to be able to actually sleep… not be kept up by the images my mind produces after reading that… that, naughtiness,” Alec replied gruffly.
Greer didn’t say anything, just smiled. She had her own images playing in her mind, ones she wouldn’t mind playing out at some point in time, but she was sure she wasn’t exactly his type.
“Come on… I’ll drive you home,” Alec said after some time, standing and offering Greer his hand.
“What about my bike?” She asked, slipping her hand into his.
“About that… we can’t seem to find it. Seems someone’s nicked it.”
Greer’s eyes went wide. She couldn’t believe it! Not only had she been attacked, but someone had the nerve to steal her bike, her only mode of transportation?
“Bollocks!” she swore.
“We’ll get you a new one,” Alec said, amusement playing in his eyes.
“Not bloody likely,” she muttered.
She was shocked when she heard a small laugh come out of this mouth, and saw the smile playing on his lips. Had she really made the detective laugh? Her own smile was starting to play at her lips, and she let Alex tug her out of the room towards his car.
“Let’s worry about sorting that out later. Right now, my goal is to get you home.”
“Oh it is, it is?” Greer teased, loving the annoyed groan that came from him.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” he hushed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Detective. It must be that naughty book you’ve been reading. It’s making you hear things,” she smiled sweetly.
Alec sighed and Greer laughed as they walked towards his car. Things were finally starting to get interesting in Broadchurch.
END
Rating: FRT
Pairing: DI Alec Hardy, Greer MacCulloch (Original Character)
Summary: She'd gotten so used to their little chats, that when he'd moved, she found herself longing for him.
Word count: 3437
Disclaimer: I don't own DI Hardy, or the town of Broadchurch. Sadly.
Author's Note: I found this on my external hard-drive, almost finished. I should start by saying that I absolutely love David Tennant and his portrayal of DI Alec Hardy...
Greer had lived in Broadchurch for five years before the murder of a little boy, Danny Latimer had shaken the town and turned neighbor against neighbor. It had also brought DI Alec Hardy to their small town, and that had caused lots of gossip and rumors to start. The people of Broadchurch didn’t much care for outsiders as she had experienced when she had first moved here.
She had purchased a small home for herself on the coast, further away from the “main drag” of town, so she was a little secluded, which is how she liked it. When the weather was nice (and it wasn’t always nice; the wind was brutal around these parts) she would open the French doors and let the breeze from the ocean blow into her house.
When she wasn’t at home, she ran the main library in Broadchurch. She had studied history and archaeology and religion and had even dabbled in some science. She had never been able to decide what she wanted to do and she’d been able to get scholarships for anything, so she’d just kept on studying. But then she’d turned 27 and felt that, although she had done very well in school and was very well educated, she hadn’t done much else with her life. So, she packed up, left Edinburgh behind and moved to Broadchurch to work at their library. It hadn’t been her first choice, but she hadn’t been able to get a job doing anything else, even with all her degrees. Go figure.
Since the murder had caused a buzz in the town, Greer had started to pick up books on criminology and psychology to try and help the detectives figure out who had done it. She followed all the news updates and learned everything she could. Of course, she wouldn’t have been much help as the particulars of the case weren’t available to the public, but she was just as surprised as everyone else when they discovered who had killed that little boy and why.
Now, the case was over, the man responsible acquitted (which never should have happened) and Broadchurch had moved on. Sort of. Everyone was talking about Ellie, and they weren’t always positive. People were also talking about DI Hardy, who hadn’t stayed too much longer after the whole case had “lost it’s interest”, as they were saying. But Greer felt that the case had bothered him. He’d lost another one. She’d done some research on him and had learned that he’d worked on a similar case that hadn’t ended the way it should have. That would obviously take a toll on someone.
Greer hadn’t really known DI Hardy during his short time in Broadchurch, but they had bumped into one another over the months. He had come in two or three times a week to pick a book. He’d explained after two weeks that he had a hard time sleeping, so he would read instead and they chatted briefly about the books he’d returned, whether they were worth reading, and Greer would oftentimes make a suggestion. She found herself missing him coming in and their short chats.
The alarm went off promptly at 7:30am and Greer sighed. She was exhausted, having stayed up all night binge watching a new show that had come on Netflix. Her mother had called her just after supper to check up on her and to not-so-subtly ask why she had yet to find someone to settle down with so she could finally give her dear, aging mother some grandchildren. She found herself thinking about it while lying in bed. Had she really done anything more in her life since moving to Broadchurch? She still hadn’t found anyone she wanted to be with, let alone have children with. She hadn’t even gotten herself a pet.
Forcing herself out of bed, Greer hopped in the shower before throwing on some clothes and eating breakfast while attempting to do something with her hair. She settled on two long braids, ties tightly to her head. It would keep her hair up and out of her face. It was cold and rainy out and she really didn’t need to get sick because she hadn’t bothered to dry her hair. Her mother would have given her a tongue lashing, that was for sure.
Pulling on her red wellies and her blue rain jacket, Greer grabbed her purse and locked up her house before heading off to the library. Although she lived off the beaten path, Greer didn’t own a car. She hadn’t been able to afford one after buying her house, and had settled on a bike with a basket on the front instead. She enjoyed it, but at times like this, she found herself wishing she’d had some other mode of transportation.
It hadn’t taken her too long to get to work. The town was just starting to wake up and she waved at the deliveryman across the road. He was nice, very handsome, but alas, he was married with a little one on the way. She’d missed out on that catch, her mother would have said.
Unlocking the front door and turning the sign from ‘Closed’ to ‘Open’, Greer turned on the lights and trudged over to her desk, pulling of the wellies to replace them with the brown flats she wore every day. She got herself situated before sitting down in her chair and booting up her computer. She knew it was bound to be another long, boring day.
* * *
Another day had ended and Greer started for the front to turn the sign and lock the door. No sooner had she done this and turned back to grab her belongings did someone knock on the door. She sighed loudly.
“We’re closed! Read the sign!” She called over her shoulder.
“I just need a book,” the man replied.
She knew that voice anywhere. It was rare that you found someone in Broadchurch with a Scottish twang and she turned to see DI Hardy staring back at her through the door. Clearing her throat, Greer went to the door and opened it, stepping aside to let him in.
“I didn’t think I’d see you again,” she said, giving him a small smile.
“I hadn’t planned on returning, honestly. Miller called me, she needed help with a new case.”
“Ah. Well, help yourself. I’m just going to get my things together so I can leave as soon as you’re finished.”
DI Hardy nodded his thanks and she locked the door again, watching as he disappeared between the stacks. Greer went to her desk and traded her footwear, puling on her rain jacket. “Ehm, you wouldn’t happen to have any suggestions, would you?” She heard him call.
Walking towards him, Greer found him standing amongst the women’s romance novels and she smirked.
“What? I’ve ready just about everything else here, as I’m sure you’ll remember,” He gruffed.
“I didn’t say anything,” she said.
“You might not have used words, but you’re eyes give you away.”
Greer shrugged in agreement and started to look through the rows of books. She wondered what type of books he would prefer to read. They had everything from easy going, fluffy stories and more hard-core smutty books.
“What do you feel like reading?” She asked.
“It doesn’t matter much, so long as it keeps me interested,” He answered.
“You’re still having problems sleeping?”
DI Hardy nodded and ran his hand through his hair. “The pacemaker was supposed to make it easier for me to sleep, but I still can’t. I think it’s more about getting my brain to shut down now.”
Greer chuckled, “Well reading something that keeps your interest probably isn’t going to help that,” he frowned at her, “but, since that’s what you’re looking after… here, give this one a try.”
She picked a book that strayed further towards the smutty side and handed it to him. He didn’t even bother to read the back, just nodded his thanks and started towards the door. Greer followed behind him and unlocked it to let him out.
“It was nice seeing you again, Detective Hardy,” She smiled.
“Alec. And it was nice seeing you as well…” He trailed.
“Greer.”
“Right. Thanks Greer,” he said, turning and heading off.
She couldn’t keep the smile off of her face for the rest of the evening.
* * *
Greer hadn’t seen Alec at the library the next day and she wondered if he had even bothered to read the book she’d recommended. Or, maybe she had scared him off by choosing a book like that. She had wondered when she’d gotten home last night if it had been unprofessional to give a smut book to a detective, but he’d been in that section and had asked for her suggestion. She only hoped he hadn’t taken too much of an offense, and laughed to herself when she thought of the look on his face when the book started to get good.
Getting on her bike, Greer pedaled her way to the local grocers to pick up the food she’d been neglecting to get. Her cupboards were practically bare. She waved to the young girl at the front counter before wandering down the aisles with a metal basket hanging off her arm. The basket was mostly full when she rounded the corner to see Alec staring into the ice cream freezer.
“Contemplating cheating on your diet?” She teased.
Alec looked over at her, a small smile briefly playing on the corner of his mouth before stalking towards her.
“I was trying to figure out what you meant by providing me with the book you did, actually. I was looking for a bit of light reading, not that,” he said.
Greer laughed and shrugged her way by him, opening the freezer and grabbing a pint of chocolate ice cream. “You asked for a suggestion. I gave you one,” She answered.
Alex followed her down the next aisle and leaned against the shelf as she browsed through the cereals.
“The things I read in that book… I certainly didn’t get any sleep last night,” He spoke.
Greer looked at Alec and smiled. His hair was disheveled and he had bags under his eyes.
“Well then, I guess that booked worked. You wanted something you keep you interested. Did it?” She wondered.
Alec groaned and moved past her to the cashier, putting down the can of beans he’d been holding. He paid for them and picked up the small bag, not moving as Greer put her basket down right after him.
“You didn’t answer my question,” she spoke.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? I already told you I didn’t sleep a wink last night, which, by the way, did nothing for my focus while trying to go through case files,” he grunted.
“Oh? And what exactly were you focusing on?” She was having fun with this.
Alec turned on his heel and headed out. Greer quickly handed over her money in exchange for the brown bag full of food and hurried out after him. He hadn’t gone far, in fact, he was standing next to her bike waiting for her.
“Why would you ask something like that in public?” He wondered.
She chuckled and shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. It gives this boring town something to talk about for a while.”
Alec shook his head and looked at her. “The last thing this town needs to do is start more gossip about me.”
Greer put her groceries in the basket and got on her bike. “Why not? You’re very mysterious. People know very little about you, the real you, that is. We’ve got to come up with some kind of idea as to who you are.”
“I’d prefer that people ask me questions to get to know me and not make up stories about what I like and who I am. Do you have any idea what the woman at the Inn is going to think if she finds that book you leant me?”
Greer laughed out loud, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Have a good night, Alec. Enjoy the book!” she called as she pedaled away.
* * *
Greer woke with a start. She wasn’t sure what had awoken her, and she looked around her room for something that would give explanation. Finding nothing, she got up and decided to start her day. The library was closed, but she still had things she needed to do: cleaning, for one. At noon, she would have to go in to town to meet with her book club, but for now she would clean.
The afternoon came faster than she had expected and she rushed to get to the meeting on time. She wouldn’t say the book club was that wonderful – it was used more as a way for the local mums to get an hour away from their kids and spent the time gossiping about their neighbors and talking about their husbands. She only went because from time to time they would actually talk about the book they were supposed to read that week.
After the book club, Greer walked her bike around the corner and was about to get on it when someone grabbed her from behind. It took her by surprise and before she could scream, a hand covered her mouth and she started to be pulled back towards the wooded part of town.
Her body felt as though it has frozen. She couldn’t move and this person was abducting her for God knows what reason. Had he been stalking her? Was he responsible for the noise that had woken her up this morning? She found herself getting angry and she could feel all her strength coming back to her. She started to fight with everything she had now and clenched her jaw around a finger that had slipped into her mouth. The man cursed at her and shoved her to the ground. Turning, Greer kicked out hard at the man’s crotch and took off running, not looking back. She hadn’t seen his face, and didn’t know who he was, but she didn’t want to turn around to find out. She could hear him running after her and she pushed herself even harder.
Coming out onto the street, Greer quickly looked around for anyone who might be able to help her in case the man grabbed her again. The streets were empty and she swore under her breath before taking off again in the direction of the library. It wasn’t too far and she knew if she could get inside and lock the door, she could call for help. Rounding the corner, Greer could make out the shape of a person walking towards the library and she picked up her pace. She knew the other man was still following her and she wasn’t about to let him win.
As she got closer, she could see that the person was Alec, and she was relieved. “Alec!” she yelled.
He looked up at her, a confused look on his face and she crashed into him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and trying to catch her breath.
“What’s going on?” He asked, his arms holding her shoulders.
“Someone grabbed me. I was heading back home and someone came up behind me, grabbed me, and started to pull me into the woods. I-I broke free and just started running. I think he followed me,” She gasped.
Alec pulled Greer away from him and looked at her seriously. “Did you see his face? Can you give a description?”
“I didn’t see his face, but I could tell you how tall he is, maybe other things.”
With that, Alec took her across the street, put her in the passenger seat of his car, and drove her to the police station.
* * *
It had all happened to fast. The description she gave was very good considering she hadn’t seen his face. She learned about the current case they were working on, where an older woman had been abducted and beaten. Their profiles had been almost identical and they were able to figure out exactly who the person had been. Alex had been furious by the discovery. He had yelled and it had shaken Greer, never seeing him this intense before.
They had brought the man in before too much time had passed, and Alec questioned him while Ellie sat with Greer, telling her what would happen. There would be no trial. The man had confessed and as he had already been in trouble with the law for murder, he would go away this time for good.
At half eleven, Alec came back into the room where Greer was and sat next to her. “Are you okay?” He asked quietly.
“I think so. I’m not even sure what really happened just now. Surely all cases aren’t this easy, but does it always feel like the time has just been a haze?” She asked.
“I’ve heard people describe it that way before, yes. It’s almost like sleepwalking. You don’t have to worry, Greer. He’s never getting out.”
Greer nodded and looked over at Alec. “Why did he choose me?”
Alec sighed, “You don’t want to hear the answer to that.”
“Yes, I do. I want to know why, out of everyone else here, he chose to come after me next. I need to know, Alec,” she said.
He looked at her, and Greer could almost se the cogs turning in his head, trying to decide whether it was a good idea to share the information or not. Thankfully, he’d decided to tell her.
“He said he went after you for two reasons. You’re an outsider, and that made it easier for you to follow. You’re also a strong, independent woman, and… he liked women who put up a fight. It ehm… he said it turns him on.”
She felt her stomach flip in disgust and she turned away from Alec, wiping her hand across her cheek to catch the tears she hadn’t thought would come.
“I shouldn’t have told you,” he muttered.
“No,” Greer shook her head, “I’m glad you did. And you’re sure… you’re absolutely sure he won’t be getting out?”
Alec nodded and she let out an elated sigh. “Well, at least that’s good news. I ehm… I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t run into you. You have no idea how relieved I was to see you,” she admitted.
“Well… I was going to the library to talk to you, actually. About that book,” he admitted.
Greer let herself smile and laugh shortly, hiding her smile behind her hand. “Is that so? Were you looking for more recommendations?” She teased.
He shrugged, but didn’t say anything and she smiled again. “I do have more like that… if you wanted.”
“What I’d like is to be able to actually sleep… not be kept up by the images my mind produces after reading that… that, naughtiness,” Alec replied gruffly.
Greer didn’t say anything, just smiled. She had her own images playing in her mind, ones she wouldn’t mind playing out at some point in time, but she was sure she wasn’t exactly his type.
“Come on… I’ll drive you home,” Alec said after some time, standing and offering Greer his hand.
“What about my bike?” She asked, slipping her hand into his.
“About that… we can’t seem to find it. Seems someone’s nicked it.”
Greer’s eyes went wide. She couldn’t believe it! Not only had she been attacked, but someone had the nerve to steal her bike, her only mode of transportation?
“Bollocks!” she swore.
“We’ll get you a new one,” Alec said, amusement playing in his eyes.
“Not bloody likely,” she muttered.
She was shocked when she heard a small laugh come out of this mouth, and saw the smile playing on his lips. Had she really made the detective laugh? Her own smile was starting to play at her lips, and she let Alex tug her out of the room towards his car.
“Let’s worry about sorting that out later. Right now, my goal is to get you home.”
“Oh it is, it is?” Greer teased, loving the annoyed groan that came from him.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” he hushed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Detective. It must be that naughty book you’ve been reading. It’s making you hear things,” she smiled sweetly.
Alec sighed and Greer laughed as they walked towards his car. Things were finally starting to get interesting in Broadchurch.
END
Tags: