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Chapter Five
Je
Christian looked immaculate, even after ten hours of filming. He had come straight from the London studio, still wearing his usual black jeans and crisp white shirt, his rolled-up sleeves complementing his ta
Christian tilted his blond head to one side and smiled; the same expression on the TV shows that had made him the housewife’s favourite. ‘Je
Je
‘You haven’t changed much since our schooldays,’ she said, preferring to get back to the task in hand.
‘Thanks. And what about you? I would never have guessed you’d turn out to be a detective. I mean, you were always playing truant at school,’ Christian smiled.
Je
‘Yeah. I managed to sort myself out in the end. You seem to have done pretty well.’
Christian nodded. ‘I was lucky, I fell in with the right people who accepted me for who I was.’
Je
Je
‘I just have one more question for you, how has this made you feel, being a victim of harassment by your cousin?’
The smile slid from Christian’s face and he threaded his fingers together. ‘I feel terrible for reporting this, but I’m worried what he’s going to do next. He’s hurt people, I know he has, and I can’t help but feel responsible.’ He sighed, his eyes filled with an apology that was not his to make.
‘If you don’t mind me saying, there’s quite an age gap between you and your cousin.’
‘Bert’s mum was a lot older than mine. Auntie Grace had her twins in her teens, while I was a late in life surprise,’ Christian smiled.
Je
Christian nodded. ‘Of course. I’m just happy someone’s willing to listen to me.’
Je
‘What can you tell me?’ Je
Christian gesticulated as he spoke, his fingers composing his words. ‘Firstly I want to impart just how bad I feel about all of this. I heard the institution was releasing my cousin into the community, and I didn’t want to know. Since his release, I’ve been getting these frightening visions. He’s plotting to murder people.’
Je
‘Like I said, he rambles on about the past when he calls me. But he’s mentally ill. I don’t care what the hospital says – they shouldn’t have released him.’ Christian looked at her pleadingly, his eyes wide with anxiety. ‘I trust my premonitions, Je
This was a side of Christian that was not shown on the TV screens. She had watched as his career took hold, long after they lost touch, and tried to imagine what it must have felt like to be in his shoes. He always seemed so happy in the public eye, but as Je
‘Can you be a bit more specific?’ she said. ‘I want to help, but we don’t have a lot to go on. The harassment offence barely warrants me giving him a warning, and murderous thoughts aren’t a crime.’
Christian closed his eyes and drew slow, soothing breaths in through his nostrils and out through his mouth. Resting his hands on his lap, his voice became thick and drawn as he entered a trance-like state. ‘He’s in a dark space. It’s enclosed, and it’s cold. Almost like a tomb.’ Christian raised his hand and raked his nails across the back of his neck. ‘The itching. It’s driving him insane. Driving him to the point of …’
Je
Je
‘I need details. Locations, times, method. Have you a photo of your cousin? An address?’
‘I’d describe him as a tall, thin, gaunt-looking man with grey hair. But I haven’t seen him in years. The institution said he was being released to a hostel. They asked me to take him, but I declined. I just don’t have the time to give him what he needs.’
Je