Page 19 of Five for Silver

“Vincent is a psychopath,” Ally hissed,“that’s why.”

“There’s no way he’s genuine,” Chad said.“When I saw him—”

“He’s not the same man you saw a few monthsago. He’s different. Death, being so close to it, has given him anew perspective. He doesn’t want eternal damnation—”

“Well, he’s getting it,” Ally snapped.“Whether he wants it or not.”

“He wants forgiveness from God—”

Chad shook his head. “I’m not falling forit.”

“What does he have to gain from this?” Jamesasked. His voice turned shrill. “There’s nothing in it for him,he’s dying. He’s got maybe a fewweeksat most.”

“There’s always something in it forhim.”

“He’s not willing to do this unless you’reinvolved.” James took a step closer. “I need your help. Harriet,rest her soul, needs your help.”

“If he was genuine, he’d want to cleanse hissoul and find Harriet with or without me involved. I can’t helpyou.”

“Wow,” James barked a laugh. His handstightened to fists at his sides. “After all I’ve read about you,the detective that survived two serial killers and worked your wayback from disgrace, I never thought you’d be a coward.”

Ally geared up to take a swing, but it wasDI’s voice that bellowed, freezing them all in place.

“Get the hell out of my incident room!”

James deflated. His hands slapped together,and he begged Chad with watering eyes, “Please. I didn’t mean that,it’s just, you don’t understand how much I—”

“Out!”

The DI’s face turned purple as a veintwitched at his temple. James glanced around frantically beforegrabbing a pen and Post-it pad from Josh’s desk.

“When you change your mind, call me.” Jamesscribbled his number down. “I know you’ve been through a lot, Chad,but we’ve got a chance here to do somethinggood. We canfind her.” He tore off the Post-it and shoved it in Chad’s hand.“Please, please think about it—”

“I believe the DI told you to fuck off.”Ally snapped. “So not-so-kindly fuc—”

“I’m going,” James trudged away with hisshoulders down, and his head hanging. He shoved open the doors,only to pause and look back at Chad before stepping through.

Chad curled his fingers around the note,crinkling James’s number into his palm.

For two months he’d been waiting for Vincentto make a move, and finally he had, but he’d refused to playwhatever game he had planned.

He refused to let Vincent Whitehall insidehis head.

Chapter Four

Chad’s eye twitched.

He could sense Josh staring at the side ofhis face, debating whether to break their silence. Josh tore thesleeve of his takeaway coffee, a few millimeters at a time. Chadshuddered, tightening his hands around the wheel, doing his best toblock Josh out as he accelerated into an optimistic gap intraffic.

Chad winced at the car horn berating hisdriving skills.

“Well,” Josh said finally. “That wasshit.”

Chad exhaled. “There was room.”

“Barely,” Josh sipped his coffee. “When youoffered me a ride home, I thought I’d get there in one piece.”

“You will.”

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