Page 473 of The Sinner: James

The sun begins to rise just as I fall asleep again.

The alarm clock wakes me a couple of hours later.

I shower, shave, and put on some new dress pants and a crisp button-down shirt when my phone rings.

I scoop it up from the nightstand as I put my shoes on.

“Sexton, here.”

“This is Thomas, sir.”

“Where are you?”

“London.”

“Already?”

“Yes, I flew in yesterday. I have something for you.”

I freeze.

“Okay.”

“A trail. I don’t know if it leads anywhere or not. The cops checked it and dropped it. But I think it’s worth looking into it. It’s a contact of his. A woman. I haven’t talked to her yet.”

“All right. Don’t do anything. I’ll be there before noon.”

“Okay.”

I toss the phone on the bed, make the trip back to the walk-in closet, pull out a different set of clothes, and change.

On my way to the airport, I leave messages for Lex and Theresa.

An hour later, I’m on a plane, flying at cruising altitude and wrestling with mixed feelings.

Life can be so strange sometimes.

* * *

JAMES

London

“I’m listening,”I say.

I crash into an armchair, a lit cigarette between my fingers.

Thomas sits across from me.

“Abby Newtown. Thirty-five. Former teacher.”

“Former?”

“She switched careers when he graduated from high school. He was her student in Portugal.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“Really? What’s she doing now?”

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