Page 24 of Not Quite Dead Yet

‘– Opportunistic.’

Jet nodded. ‘Doesn’t that mean it was something they brought with them?’

Dad studied his feet.

‘And if they brought the murder weapon with them’ – Jet paused, not long enough to lose the budding thought – ‘that means they came here with one purpose. It wasn’t a stranger. It wasn’t a robbery gone wrong. It was someone I know. And they came here to kill me.’

Dad ran one hand over his stubble, pulling his mouth open, a silent scream.

‘Who would want to kill me, Dad?’

His eyes filled. ‘I don’t know, baby girl.’

A car door slammed, breaking the moment, and an engine turned over.

Detective Ecker was pulling away.

‘Wait!’ Jet waved her hands, running ahead to cut him off, rapping her fist against his hood.

The engine cut out, car door opened again. Detective Ecker’s face, a new crease between his brow.

‘What?’ he asked, stepping out.

‘Where are you going?’

‘I’m working … on your case.’

‘So am I,’ Jet said. ‘And I’d say I’m slightly more motivated to find the killer. Seeing as they – well – killed me.’

The detective stared at her, waiting for more.

‘Help me, and I can help you.’ She folded her arms. ‘How many murders have you solved?’

‘A fair few,’ he grunted, crease deepening.

‘This is my first,’ she said, hands up. ‘First time being murdered also. Newbie. But I’m a quick learner. Adaptable skill set. Almost got a law degree, by the way.’ Jet clapped. ‘So, if you’ve solved afair fewmurders, then you’ve already worked out that if nothing is missing from the house, then this wasn’t a – Dad,’ she yelled suddenly, ‘what’s that word again?!’

‘Opportunistic!’ he called.

‘An opportunistic murder. It wasn’t a stranger robbing the house and I interrupted them. The killer brought the murder weapon with them. They came here with the intent to kill me. Someone who knows me.’

Detective Ecker screwed his mouth.

‘We aren’t ruling out any possibilities just yet.’

Cop speak for:You’re right, Jet, and you’re amazing at this.

‘OK, well, I am,’ she said. ‘I’m on a pretty tight deadline here, bud.’

Jack had wandered over; the chief too, listening in.

‘My Apple Watch,’ Jet said. ‘You haven’t looked through it yet, I only just gave you the code. Do you have it?’

Detective Ecker hesitated. ‘It’s in the car.’

‘Can I look through it with you?’ she asked. ‘I mean, it is mine?’

Ecker looked back at Chief Jankowski and Sergeant Finney.

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