Page 36 of Five for Silver

“I’m superintendent Peter Watts fromAlborough police department.”

“Alborough.” Chad whispered, numbly.

“That’s right. As HMS Wiltknot istechnically in our county, this investigation is being overseen bythe Alborough department. You and DI Poole will report to me.”

The superintendent pulled his grey eyes fromChad and attached them to James. He held out his hand. Jamesgrabbed it with both of his. “So good to see you again, Pete.”

Pete.

“James.”

James continued to enthusiastically shakethe superintendent’s hand. “I can’t wait to get started.”

The superintendent smiled. “No time like thepresent.” He glanced up the stairs. “I need to finalize Chad’stemporary transfer to Alborough, but there’s no reason you twocan’t go on ahead.”

James released the superintendent’s hand tocheck his watch. “I said we’d be at Wiltknot as soon as wecan.”

“Then I suggest you don’t waste any moretime.”

Chad stiffened. By the pointed look hereceived, those words were not being aimed at James.

“Right,” Chad took a step away. “I’ll meetyou over there—”

“No.” The superintendent’s gaze cut intohim. “I want you to arrive together. Present a united front.”

He looked back at James. “Whatever you needto get the result, it’s yours.”

James nodded. “Come on, Chad. We better notkeep Vincent waiting.”

****

The razor wire glinted on top of the tallfences. Chad knew Vincent was in no condition to stage a dramaticbreak out, scale the walls, vault the fences, and run off intonight, but Wiltknot would never look secure enough for a man likehim. It was a cage, inside a cage, inside a cage, and as theypassed through the first gate, James turned to him.

“Your sergeant always that highlystrung?”

Chad side-eyed him. “She’s worried aboutme.”

“Worried,” James barked a laugh. “You’resupposedly this seasoned detective who had survived two serialkillers.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m invincible.”

“No,” James clicked his tongue. “It doesn’t.You were here not too long ago, right?”

“Right.” Chad agreed, gritting histeeth.

“Vincent helped you.”

Without Vincent Chad would’ve been too lateto save Shawn. It was an uncomfortable truth that rolled Chad’sstomach and curled his fingers into his knees.

“From what I read that boy would’ve diedwithout Vincent,” James continued. “He saved him.”

“He killed Tate.” Chad snapped.

“Tate killed himself.”

“Tate would still be alive if he’d neverspoken to Vincent.”

“You don’t know that.”

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