Page 118 of Five for Silver

“No doubt he’s heard the news … you mightwant to tell him you’re all right.”

Chad opened Romeo’s message.

I promise I’m okay. Come home to me.

Chad exhaled a shaky breath, and blinkedback the prickle of tears in his eyes. He couldn’t break down, notyet.

I will x

“Done?” the DI asked.

Chad swiped away a stubborn tear from hislash line. “Done. I’ve told him I’m okay.”

“Good.”

Chad glanced at the still open door whilepocketing his phone.

“He’ll be along soon,” the DI said.

“He?”

“The superintendent.”

Chad’s toes curled. He nodded, beforesipping his coffee. It helped rid him of the irony tang of bloodstill on his tongue, and he breathed deep, hoping to push the scentout of his nose once and for all.

It lingered, though, and he had to mentallystop his mind rebelling and taking him back to themoment.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

The superintendent’s abrupt tone suggestedhe was anything but sorry. He sat down beside the DI, rested hiselbows on the table, and steepled his fingers beneath his chin.Chad looked over to him and didn’t look away from the stare hereceived.

“I’m superintendent Peter Watts and this isDetective Inspector—”

“Chad is well aware of who we are,” the DIinterrupted.

“Still. The formalities need to beperformed.”

“He’s not a suspect in a crime.”

“Excuse me,” the superintendent shot apointed look at the DI, “but a woman was found murdered on hisproperty.”

The DI glared back. “Murderedwouldimply Chad had a choice in what happened. She was found dead. We’rehere to ask Chad what happened in the lead up to her death and whyshe died. If recent events have affected your abilities to performyour job—”

“Don’t you dare. I outrank you, rememberthat, and I’m personally involved in the case that led to theevents of today.”

“Maybe you’re too close to this.”

“And maybe you are too close to Chad,” thesuperintendent snapped back.

The DI sighed. “Chad. Tell us whathappened.”

Chad took a deep breath, then told them. Hetold them Ally called him. How he’d gone to the front door and seenLucy park outside. How she shot out the window, and he’d fled tothe kitchen. How he heard the front door bang, and thought she wasinside the house.

“What were you planning?” the superintendentasked. “To come up behind her?”

Chad shook his head. “No. I had my keys. Iwas going to drive away.”

“We found Chad’s keys in the dirt.”

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