Title: Death of a Colleague
Fandom: Spooks (MI5)
Rating: PG
Length: 239 words
Summary: A colleague has suddenly died. POV of original character

In the office that morning it was noticeable everyone made a slight detour, so they walked further away from Paul’s desk.  Everything was still in place on his desk, as if he was coming in late, maybe having had a meeting or gone for a dental appointment.  Meg, who had made the coffee, was heard to make a slight choking sound as she walked past without stopping with the customary ‘Coffee, milk, one sugar’.

We had a rush job on, so Tom had dashed out for sandwiches, and when he’d come back, we heard him swear and then say, “Um, would anyone like an extra cheese and pickle?”  No-one did, so they ended up in the bin.

It was Thursday, so the day we normally went for a drink after work.  We discussed whether we should go, but I suggested we have a drink in Paul’s memory.  Some of the team chose not to come, and I could understand why, but in the end five of us went and sat round a table with six seats.  It seemed appropriate.

On the Friday morning, I was surprised to see two operatives from Section D enter our office.  They looked round and approached my desk, one from either side.

“We’d like to talk to you about the murder of Paul Wallace,” one of them said.

I kept my expression entirely blank, just as my masters in the Kremlin had taught me.