Moment of Truth by Adam Croft

Author:Adam Croft [Croft, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Cannon Publishing

28

Just before 9.30pm local time, Caroline and Dexter’s plane touched down at Torp Sandefjord Airport. Their onward journey into Sandefjord itself would take them less than fifteen minutes, and the pair had made a note to ask Karlsen why he’d instead chosen to fly in and out of Oslo Gardermoen — a two-hour drive away, on the other side of Norway’s capital city.

They were due to speak to Karlsen first thing in the morning, and were hoping to catch the 2pm flight back home. Having checked in advance, there were still plenty of seats available on both that departure and the late evening one, so they’d opted to play it by ear and book the return flight at the last minute. They didn’t want to spend any longer in Norway than they had to, but at the same time they didn’t want to rush the time they had with Karlsen.

After they’d checked into their rooms at the Hotel Kong Carl, they headed down to the hotel’s restaurant for a late dinner and a nightcap.

‘Feels strange being away so close to Christmas,’ Caroline said, trying to draw Dexter into conversation. He’d been unusually quiet throughout their journey, and she’d wondered if perhaps he was a nervous traveller. Now they had arrived and checked in, she’d expected him to have brightened up. ‘You must be glad to be getting away from Elijah Drummond for a day or so, at least.’

‘I was tempted to send him instead of me,’ Dexter replied. ‘But it didn’t seem like a good idea.’

Caroline smiled. ‘Probably for the best. He needs to be brought a little more up to speed before he gets to enjoy the perks.’

‘No, I mean I wouldn’t be able to stop myself cancelling his return ticket.’

Caroline laughed. ‘I’d be willing to put money on the two of you being best buds by Easter. It’s always the way with these things.’

‘I wouldn’t count on it,’ Dexter replied. ‘If he’s still here at Easter, I won’t be.’

‘Give him time. He’ll settle down. It’s a very different culture here to EMSOU. It took me a while coming from the Met. It just takes a little adjustment. Or a lot of it, in his case.’

The waiter arrived at their table, and they placed their order for dinner, choosing to pay for their drinks separately. There was no way they’d be reimbursed by work for alcohol, but what they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them.

‘You got any plans for Christmas?’ Caroline asked Dexter, as they demolished the complimentary basket of bread rolls.

‘Nah, not really. I’m going over to my parents’. My brother and his missus will be there too. Usual fare. You?’

‘Quiet one at home. It’s the first Christmas without Mark’s parents, so he’s not keen on going all-out. Something a bit more muted, I think. You got all your presents bought?’

‘Not yet,’ Dexter replied, looking at the table and blinking a few times. ‘I’ll have to do a last-minute shopping run when we get back.’

‘Amazon’s your friend now, Dex. Take full advantage of next-day delivery.

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