Page 48 of Two for Joy

“Who have you been talking to other than Chad?”

“Will, the guy in the next cell. Holly Stevenson, the journalist—

“No phone calls, no letters?”

“No.”

Gareth snorted. “Who’ve you been talking to? Who have you convinced into taking over from you?”

“No one.”

“What’s with the magpie feathers?”

“Nothing.”

Chad came forward and stood level with the DI. “Romeo?”

“I swear to you I don’t know who’s sending them.”

“He’s a serial killer,” Gareth said. “Don’t listen to him—this is him. This is him again, but through someone else.”

“Chad, I haven’t spoken to anyone but you, not a word.”

Chad stared at him for a long moment, and Romeo willed him to see the hidden meaning in his words. He hadn’t told anyone about the magpie, that was between them, only them.

“I believe him.”

“Of course you do,” Gareth laughed, “He’s got you so wrapped around his finger you’d believe anything that came out of his god-damn mouth. He’s poisoned your mind.”

“Enough.” The DI said.

“This copycat killer,” Romeo said carefully, “Am I right to assume he’s got his number three…”

“Yes…”

Romeo turned his head, frowning. “You didn’t catch him on James’s CCTV.”

“How did you know—” The DI stopped abruptly and looked accusingly at Chad. “You’ve been giving him details. Jesus Christ, Cha—

“Of course I haven’t.”

“Then how else would he know James was a victim.”

Romeo forcefully cleared his throat, then snorted. “News crew. Chad in the background. He wouldn’t have been there unless it was murder. I made a point of avoiding CCTV, and I’m wondering why these cameras in prime positions didn’t catch your killer.”

“The cameras weren’t working.” Chad said. “James … was practically living rough inside his mansion after his drug shame. Barely had enough money to buy his dogs food.”

“Why the hell are you telling him?” Gareth asked. “He’s not gonna help us.”

Romeo smiled at Gareth. “Chad knows that. We’re on opposing teams, always have been. The detectives vs the serial killers.”

“It’s not a game.”

“It is. Life is just a game.”

“Where people get hurt.”

“If you’re on the wrong team, you’ll get burned.”

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