Page 18 of Five for Silver

The DI squeezed his temples. “Ally…”

“It’s a valid question,” James snorted. Hissmile returned. “I’m here because I have some fantastic news. Wehave the chance to put the past to rest. We can close the woundthat has festered in Bardhum for decades.”

Ally crossed her arms. “We?”

“Not you,” James beamed at Chad. “But me andChad.”

“What wound?” Chad asked.

James scoffed, rearing back. “What do youmeanwhat wound?”

The DI stepped into the room and gestured tohis office. “Perhaps you’d like some privacy—”

“He’s willing to disclose his last secret.”James took a deep breath. “He’s going to tell us where she is.”

Chad stiffened and caught sight of Allydoing the same.

“You better not be talking about VincentWhitehall?” she growled.

James nodded, undeterred. “Of course that’swho I’m talking about. He wants to reveal the location of thegirl unfound, Harriet Hastings.”

“Brilliant,” Ally said, glancing at Chad.“Where is she then?”

“He’s willing to, but his memory is not whatit was.”

“Of course it isn’t.” Ally got to her feet,then sidestepped in front of Chad. She was too short to block Jamesout, but her glare demanded Chad’s attention. “You’re not buyingthis, are you?”

Chad shook his head.

Ally slumped. “Good.”

“I visited Vincent a few months ago.” Chadsaid. “There’s nothing wrong with his memory. He knows exactlywhere Harriet is.”

“His cancer, the medication. It’s affectedhis memories. He’s not like the Vincent I’ve seen before. He’sincoherent and unaware of his surroundings most of the time.”

“You’ve … visited him?” Chad asked.

“On and off over the years,” James nodded.“But in the last few weeks he’s been speaking to the priest atWiltknot and says he wants to cleanse his soul and admit to all hissins before he moves on. He wants to workwithus. He wantsour help in finding Harriet.”

“What’s this got to do with me?” Chadasked.

James rocked back on his heels. “He hadconditions. Me being one of them, and you another. He wants us tohelp him remember.”

“And how do we do that?”

“Visits to Wiltknot, and escorted drivesaround the local area—”

“You’re kidding me!” Faye shouted, startlingChad forward. “You’re going to let Vincent Whitehall walkabout?”

“Vincent is barely mobile. He will be in thecar with myself and Chad while we drive him to locations to helpjog his memory. He won’t leave the vehicle and he won’t be leftalone.”

“This is crazy,” Ally shook her head.

“You’re not seeing the bigger picture,”James opened his arms. “We can give the Hastings family closure. Wecan find their daughter, sister, auntie, great auntie and lay herto rest. Vincent doesn’t have much time.Wedon’t have muchtime, Chad. We need to start today—”

“I’m sorry,” Chad backed up a step. “But Ican’t.”

James’s eyes widened. “What? Why?”

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