Time to Die

Chapter Forty-Two

Je

‘Why was the location messaged at such late notice?’ Je

Ethan pulled an electronic cigarette from his inside jacket pocket and inhaled the vapour. He seemed too clean-cut to use them, but all coppers had their coping mechanisms, much like Je

‘Sneaky bastards. How did they do that?’

‘It’s a police-authorised social media account. It wouldn’t have been difficult to get the password, with the right authorisation.’

‘I take it they haven’t found him … the Raven,’ Je

‘Of course they haven’t. We’d pla

‘So what now?’ Je

‘You head back to the nick with Zoe while I speak to the DCI here. Zoe’s waiting in the car, there’s no point in compromising her identity,’ Ethan said, his voice tinged with a

‘But what about the interviews, boss? Shouldn’t we head back to Lexton to get the ball rolling?’

‘No. Take Zoe back to Haven and await further instruction,’ Ethan said firmly.

Je

Zoe’s black baseball hat sat low on her forehead during the drive back to the station, reminding Je

‘They’ve made some drug arrests, and seized some DMT,’ Je

‘Not with those bunch of clowns interviewing them,’ Zoe said. ‘They don’t know what they’re dealing with.’

‘I don’t get how people have kept quiet about it for so long. It’s been going on for months now, I would have thought someone would have given their location away.’

Zoe slouched in her seat. ‘There’s no chance of that. They know what happens to people who squeal.’

‘If they’re so scared, why are so many people desperate to join? Is it for the drugs or the promise of redemption? DMT’s not addictive, is it?’

‘It’s not about addiction. The people who join The Reborners have lived very troubled lives. The cult makes big promises, and it delivers. DMT is mindblowing. It can literally help people become born again.’

‘Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.’

Zoe lifted her cap, giving Je

Je

‘They’re not random trips, lots of people report visiting the same spiritual dimension. It’s a process. Each time you do it, you progress further, receiving messages, communicating with higher realms. The drug doesn’t stay in your system like others do, but the psychological effects are long term.’

‘Why are people killing themselves, if it’s so great?’

‘DMT fucks up your head for one, and can give you flashbacks. Long-term users can disassociate themselves from reality, although it’s beyond me how anyone can do DMT for very long. It’s not like recreational drugs, it’s heavy shit – and if you have a bad trip …’ Zoe whistled. ‘It’s enough to make you lose your mind.’

‘Hence the suicides. So what happened when you did it?’ Je

Zoe smiled knowingly. ‘Cheeky. We’d have to be on intimate terms for me to tell you that.’

Je

‘Then choose weed,’ Zoe said. ‘DMT’s not for you. Believe me, babe, you don’t want to go there.’

[#]

The first thing Je

‘Sarge, check this out. One of the suspects is a vicar! Hopefully he’ll have an attack of conscience and give us some names.’

‘From what I’ve heard so far, not many people were privy to names,’ Claire said, flatly. ‘Their so-called leader wore a mask.’

Zoe piped up. ‘Interesting, reminds me a bit of the Wizard of Oz. I wonder if Bert Bishop was the one behind the curtain?’

Claire folded her arms and sat on the edge of her desk. ‘We’ll be the last ones to know if he is. Ethan’s just called in. He doesn’t want us helping Lexton with the interviews.’

Je

‘He has,’ Claire said. ‘He’s had a bust-up with the DCI and threatened to cut all ties. He’s told me to inform you that from now on we keep our own cases.’

‘But what about this case?’ Je

Claire emitted a sigh. ‘I’m sorry. This is my fault. I should have insisted we kept ownership from the start. Ethan will be back later. He’ll explain things then.’

Je