Page 49 of Three for a Girl

“Huh?”

“It’ll help. Your sore throat—cold, whatever. You look close to death.”

Chad hung his head. “I feel it.”

“I got some cold and flu tablets in my bag, strong as nails.”

Chad winced imagining them sliding down his throat.

“They’ll sort you out on the way.”

“On the way?”

“The DI’s sending us to Ellen and Kerion’s place. Millionaire Avenue. Focus on the investigation, Chad.”

“Yeah.” He breathed, nodding.

****

Someone had been murdered—people were killed all the time.

Someone had been strangled—Romeo wasn’t the first killer to favor his hands.

Someone had been killed that night—didn’t mean it was Romeo that did it.

But what if—

“You listening to me?”

Chad blinked, snapping back from his thoughts. “What?”

“Some partner you are, I’ve been talking to you for ten minutes.”

“About what?”

Ally smacked her hand onto the screen. The radio had been playing, but Chad had blocked it out.

“The message from Marcy’s parents.”

“What did they say?”

“They’re grateful for all the supportive messages and haven’t given up hope on her finding a kidney. Christ, Chad.”

“I wasn’t listening.”

“No shit. You’re out of it.”

“Maybe it was the painkillers you gave me.”

“What do you take me for?”

Ally slammed the brakes on and the momentum threw Chad forward. He cursed, gripped the back of his neck, checking the mirror in case there was someone behind.

“What the hell—”

“I’m not moving until you tell me what’s wrong.”

“Nothing’s wrong… I’ve got a cold.”

---