Page 50 of Three for a Girl

He didn’t face her, instead he opened the passenger window. It was hotter outside the car than inside it, but less claustrophobic. Ally huffed and shut Chad’s window from her side.

“Talk to me.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not focused on the case. We’ve got a missing person, a missing person with possible missing kidneys, and I need you to concentrate.”

Chad scrunched and relaxed his hand on his knee. He looked down at the movement and sighed.

“The two officers in the corridor…”

Ally tightened her fingers around the wheel. “Knew I should’ve thrown that coffee—”

“No … they were talking, someone’s been killed, strangled.”

Ally chuckled, “One case at a time, Chad, another team will be on that.”

“That’s not it.”

Ally’s lips parted, but seconds passed before she spoke.

“I see. It’s reminded you of the countdown killer.”

“Reminded.” he muttered.

“Romeo Knight is dead. If someone’s been strangled, it wasn’t him. He’s gone, Chad. I mean, unless he’s come back as a ghost, one that can use his hands.” Ally shook her head. “Fuck, I’m not helping, am I?”

“It would be my fault.”

“What? If his ghost came here and started strangling people.” Ally sighed. “You don’t know the details of that case—you overheard two officers talking, that’s all. Keep that detective head of yours firmly on and focus onthiscase and everything will work out all right.”

Chad closed his eyes, and exhaled a long breath. “All right.”

“This is you, remember?” she pointed her finger at him, “Detective Fuller. Don’t let this chance to be you again go. He’s gone … you’re still here.”

He nodded.

“That’s my partner.”

****

“Ellen and Kerion’s home.” Ally said.

They passed through the huge gates, flawless lawn surrounded the three story house. The white walls looked as if they’d been painted the day before, the slates on the roof were all intact, all the exact same brick-red color. The hedges were shaped, the flowers were all uniform, the only thing that killed the show home vibe were the two police cars parked outside, and the yellowed grass where the sun had got too much.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more perfect looking house.”

Ally took the words from Chad’s mouth, even the sun reflecting off the white gave it a saintly glow, and when Chad stepped out of the car, the smell of sweet flowers hit him. He found the source—there were baskets full of pink and purple flowers hanging from the porch, attracting bees and butterflies. One fluttered in between him and Ally and they shared a look.

“Hey…” A police officer flapped his hand for their attention. He stood next to his car, and when they approached, he grabbed something off the back seat.

“Wait till you see what I’ve got for you.”

“What do you reckon?” Ally murmured.

Chad shrugged.

“A sparkling halo.” She chuckled. “Or an angel weeping? Or maybe … god’s physical glow in a bottle?”

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