Page 46 of Killing Me Softly

“Why not? It’s coming from me.”

“I don’t trust anything that’s had the name Howell attached to it.”

Jervine leaned forward. “Think of it as recompense. A small piece of what you’ve lost.”

Aaron leaned back, the words sinking in but not settling. “Being on the Howells’ payroll doesn’t exactly give me the warm and fuzzies.”

“Hence the lack of a teddy bear clutching a bouquet and an overly saccharine message to go with it.” She gave him a pointed look. “But it’s yours, Aaron. No strings. Take it or don’t. It’s your call.”

Staring down at the papers again, they felt heavy in his hands. He didn’t trust it. Didn’t trust any of it. But he also couldn’t deny the way it pulled inside him, torn between wanting to reject everything connected to his family and how much he could use this money to set up on his own.

He sighed, drifting into the thoughts before snapping back to Jervine. “What about my sister?”

Jervine’s expression tightened, her usual composure visibly pinched. “I’ve tried, Aaron. I really have. But that information is classified unless she chooses to unseal it.”

“But you’ve told her I’ve asked?”

“I’ve passed it along to the people handling her case, yes.”

“And does she get a nice lump sum like this?” He gestured to the paperwork with a bitter edge.

Jervine took a measured sip of her coffee, her eyes steady on him. “Her situation comes with different conditions. And no, before you ask, I don’t know what they are.”

Aaron inhaled, folding his arms. The frustration boiled under his skin, but before he could press her further, something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Across the field, just far enough to make out but too far to hear, Kenny stood with DI Jack Bentley.

Aaron stiffened, focus narrowing in on the exchange. The tension between them was palpable. Even fromthisdistance. Their postures rigid. Then Jack’s hand moved to Kenny’s neck. The touch sent a surge of hot rage through Aaron, like gasoline catching fire. Why did everyone think it was okay to touch Kenny when he couldn’t? He gritted his teeth, silently counting in his head to keep the fury from showing. Maybe he could count how many pounds he had to his name now? But before he even reached the first tenner, the two men turned, heading toward the car park.

Aaron shot up, grabbing the paperwork in a flurry. “Thanks, Jerv. Nothing like a government issue birthday wish to remind me I’m the heir to an estate full of corpses.”

“Aaron—”

“Gotta go.”

“You want to know how to access it?” She nodded to the envelope.

“If I decide to take it, I’ll call you.” He was already moving, darting across the grass as he trailed Kenny and Jack’s path. They reached the car park, each getting into their respective vehicles.

Aaron dug out his phone, fingers fumbling as he hit Mel’s number. “Hey. I need you to drive me somewhere. Now. Like, right now.”

“Only if you tell me everything.”

“Deal. Where’s your car?”

“Parked by the halls. Heading there now.”

Aaron shoved his phone into his pocket and bolted across the grass mounds toward the student car park. When he arrived, Mel was waving by her car.

“Fuck me, Mel!” Aaron came to an abrupt stop.

Mel grinned, slapping the roof of a lime-green Volkswagen Beetle plastered with stickers. Daisies. A pride flag. Heavy metal band logo. But that wasn’t the worst of it.

“Meet Betty.” She tapped the roof.

“Could you not get a more conspicuous car?”

“It’s cute!”

“It has eyelashes!” He gestured at the faux eyelashes curling over the front headlights.

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