Time to Die

Bert retreated to the door, as the final threads of clarity evaporated. He backed away, his leaden feet bringing him to his bedroom one last time. Clasping his hand over the wrought iron bedpost, he stared through the white timbered window as his fragile mind transported him back to the most significant day of his life. The day his brother died.

Chapter Nineteen

Je

Je

‘Here it is,’ Je

‘I’ll go around the back,’ Will said, opening the stiff wooden gate to the side alley, which led to the rear of the house.

Je

Her ears pricked to hear the pitter patter of bare feet against lino. ‘Hello?’ Je

A flash of red hair bobbed from what looked like the kitchen at the end of the corridor, just long enough for Je

The rustle of the bag drew out the boy, and he ran to the letterbox, extending his dirty hands to the open hatch. ‘Can you open the door?’ Je

He shook his tear-streaked face, his eyes wide and hungry. Je

Je

She had seen that look before, and she knew exactly what it meant.

‘Please tell me you haven’t found a body.’

Will nodded. ‘Her bedroom window is open. Her body is on the bed. I don’t know how long she’s been there but I’m guessing over twenty-four hours.’

Je

‘He’s inside? Shit,’ Will said, turning up the radio clipped to his shoulder harness. ‘I’ve notified control of the body. Backup isn’t far away.’

Je

‘I don’t think it’s a good idea …’ Will’s voice tailed off as Je

[#]

Je

Her baton still extended, she took in her surroundings. A pair of knee-length leather boots lay on their side next to a denim skirt and a hastily strewn sweatshirt. The glint of a mobile phone spilling out from the skirt pocket caught her attention. Je

Will’s coaxing murmurs echoed from the other side of the door, and she opened it wide, the sound of sirens filtering through as they drew near. ‘You’d better stay here. I’ll get the boy.’

She tentatively knocked on what was the living room door before pushing it open. ‘Hey there,’ she said, looking around. ‘Want to come out to the car and see if we can find you some more chocolate?’

A tuft of red hair popped up from over the brown fabric sofa – followed by a pair of eyes and a freckled nose. Slowly he walked out, nodding in agreement.

Je