Page 50 of Killing Me Softly

“I don’t think he’d tell me.”

“Right. And that would be because…?”

“He doesn’t want me to know.”

“Right.” Mel nodded, twisting her hands on the steering wheel. “Well, I am justthrilledto see you’ve graduated from a man who drugged you to fuck you into a much healthier, more functional relationship. Nothing says stability like surveillance.”

Aaron turned back to Mel. She arched an eyebrow.

“How did you know Taylor drugged me?”

“He told me.”

Aaron was about to ask her at what point did Taylor suddenly grow a conscience, when, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Kenny and Jack walking back toward their cars.

“Shit, down!” He grabbed Mel by the arm and yanked her out of view of the window.

Mel yelped as she ducked awkwardly under the dashboard. “Jesus, warn me next time, action hero!”

“Couldn’t you have picked a low-key car? A black Ford? A beige Volvo? Literallyanythingless conspicuous?”

Mel huffed, flipping her hair dramatically. “Betty is an icon. I’m not downgrading to ‘generic sad-boy car’ just because you’re shit at stealth.”

Aaron peeked over the dashboard, watching as Kenny and Jack stood by their cars, locked in conversation.

“Who’s the other bloke?” Mel asked from her slouched position under the wheel.

“DI Jack Bellend.”

“Unfortunate name. What’s his deal?”

“He’s the detective inspector of Ryston police.” Aaron then watched as Jack put his hands on Kenny.Again. “And Kenny’s ex.”

“I totally had Lyons down as straight.”

“He’s bi.”

“Well, that explains why he looks like a bisexual Pinterest board come to life. Glasses, suits, broody academic vibes. Classic.” She then gasped as Jack gripped the back of Kenny’s neck, drew him closer, and looked directly into his eyes as he spoke. Aaron clenched his hands into balls. “Oh, shit. Do you think they’re still shagging? Is that why you’re following him?”

“Does it look like they are?”

“Oh, for sure. And they’re being real clever about it too. Instead of going to a hotel where it’ll be obvious, they come to a hospital which is known for having an abundance of spare beds. It’s genius really.”

Aaron glared at her. “I hope you’re being sarcastic.”

“Or maybe they’re worried about an unplanned pregnancy?” She arched an eyebrow.

“If any of that is true, Kenny knows what I’ll do to him.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll cut off his massive dick and wear it as a fucking necklace.”

Mel snorted, then wriggled up to look out the windshield. “Maybe he’s helping him with his mum? She died, right? Maybe he needs someone to, I don’t know, move the body?”

“She died in a nursing home. Wouldn’t they move the body to a funeral home? Why would they move it to a hospital? She’s already dead. It’s not like they can revive her after three days.”

“Okay, fine, maybe they’re not moving the body. Maybe they’re donating it to science? Like, ‘Here’s my mum, go ahead and use her to solve crimes.’ Very on-brand for Dr Lyons, don’t you think?”

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