Chapter Text
Robbie's almost tempted to turn around and find something - anything - else to do when he sees Innocent walking towards him; especially since Hathaway's shooting him a rather apprehensive look, but she's too close already, and there's no use delaying the inevitable. The case is solved, the killer's dead, and his duty of babysitting Hathaway is obviously over as well.
"Good result."
He nods at her and manages to rasp out a thank you around the rotten taste in his mouth and the lump in his throat. Good result? Five people dead and a teenage girl in the hospital are anything but a good result in his book.
"I was telling Hathaway that DI Grainger needs a bagman," she continues, and he nods again.
"They'll do very well, Ma'am." And he has no doubt that they will. Hathaway may be somewhat awkward, but he's certainly clever enough to do well regardless of which Governor Innocent assigns him to.
"Well, that's my view, but Hathaway asked me to give you first refusal."
"Ma'am?"
"It's your choice, but you'll need someone."
First Refusal? He's stunned - no, gobsmacked - and jerks his gaze towards Hathaway who just bounces once on the balls of his feet, and for a second Robbie flashes back to Laura saying how Hathaway gets on with Innocent and he wonders. Really wonders what the lad might have told her. Wonders what in blazes he could possibly want with a used-up governor who's so scared of being condemned to training others that he'd rather throw in the towel altogether. He can live with a God-botherer if that's what it takes to keep him on the streets. He nods once, giving Hathaway a curt smile before heading towards the car as soon as he sees the lad's expression brightening. His sergeant. He shakes his head, sighing. They'll make do with each other. Somehow.