Page 94 of The Rat

“Here…”

She handed him a coffee, and hewanted to hurl it, to shout at her, to cry tears into the cup and make it evenmore bitter, but instead, he took what Morris offered, and gave hera brief smile.

“Thanks.”

“She lookedpeaceful.”

“She did.”

“Is there someone I cancall?”

“I don’t have anyone. I’mon my own.”

“I can get you acab.”

Rory glanced up. “Where would Igo?”

“Home.”

“What home? I have no home.I have no one. The only people I’ve got left that mean anything tome are inside that prison, and that’s where I want togo.”

Morrisfrowned. “You can’t go backthere.”

“What’s the alternative?”

“Sebastian’s out nextweek. It’sover, you played your part—”

“I still have a week offeeling something, before it all goes dark.”

“You can’t beserious.”

“That’s what I want.” Rorysnapped. “I can’t process any of this.”

“Being inprison won’t help.”

“Yeah it will, and I’m sureHamish won’tprotest.”

“Rory—”

“That’s what I want. Takeme back.”

****

Morriscast him worried looks the wholedrive back to the prison. He snorted at the window, if she wasworried about him, he must’ve looked bad. It was dark, and thestreetlights flickered like they did in horror movies.

“Rory, you don’t haveto—”

He got outof the car before she couldfinish, and she hurried after him. She grabbed his bicep and walkedhim to the door to reception.

“What do theyknow?”

“You were identifying the bodyofa friend,that’s what Hamish told them.”

Rory nodded, then ducked insidethe first door.Morris didn’t leave his side, and he hissed at her togo.

“Wait…”

She took him aside by theinfirmarydoor. “This is crazy. You’re in shock.”

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