Page 25 of The Day After Christmas
Alarm bells.
‘We like you just fine,’ she said hastily. ‘Just don’t set fire to the place or anything. Let’s get home before Andrea locks us both in.’
On the way out, Charlie put his hand on her arm.
‘Felicity?’
‘Yes, Charlie?’
‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’
‘I know what he did,’ said Felicity that night as she snuggled against James’s chest on the sofa.
‘You do? Nice detectoring… er, detectiving… er… detectoristing? Anyway, nice work, Miss Brooks.’
Felicity giggled. ‘Thanks but I didn’t have to do any. He told me.’
‘And?’
‘It’s not quite axe murdering.’
‘Disappointing. Armed robbery?’
‘Not exactly.’
‘Embezzlement?’
Felicity blinked. ‘I don’t know what that is.’
‘No one does,’ said James. ‘So, what then?’
‘Theft. Online. Laptops and such.’
‘Right. Makes sense.’
‘He reckons he was just bored. But I still don’t understand the shameless rule-breaking.’
‘Me neither,’ said James, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath her ear. ‘You know I’m a total stickler.’
She smiled, inhaling the reassuring scent of him. ‘I know, bless you. Never so much as stole a pick ’n’ mix, did you?’
‘I never did. Couldn’t. The guilt would eat me up.’
Felicity thought for a moment. ‘That was the weird thing. Charlie didn’t seem that bothered. He claims he was just looking for something to do.’
‘So? Maybe he was.’
‘Yes… maybe.’
‘You don’t sound convinced.’
‘I think there’s something else going on. I’m just not sure why or what.’
‘Detective Brooks is on the case.’
‘Damn straight,’ Felicity said, with a giggle.
