Page 4 of Sloth
“I’m sure.” I nod my head and blow out a brave breath as we both step forward.
“This is a crime scene, not a?—”
“This is my brother's wife.” Luke interrupts the officer who's standing guard. Keeping a firm grip of my hand as the officer shakes his head disagreeably, but bends down to lift the plastic sheet that's laid over my husband's body. And when I see what's beneath it, I don’t recoil in horror, I just stare. I stare at the hole that's been blown out of Matthews's head, making him unrecognisable. I stare at the blood and brain matter that are splattered on the tree beside his body, and as tears fall over my cheeks, I take a deep breath and sigh, not from sadness…but relief.
CHAPTER THREE
LUKE
“Who would want to hurt Matthew?” Mom looks tortured as she scrubs the sink in Erin’s kitchen. I’m sitting at the table beside Dad and looking at Sheriff Nelson, hoping he’s got some answers. Dad ain’t with us at all. He’s just staring at the table, blankly. I’ve never seen him this way before. He looks empty, like there’s a part of him missing now.
“Your family get on well with the Murdochs?” Sheriff Nelson checks, and I know exactly what he’s thinking from the suspicious frown on his face.
“We get on with everyone,” Mom answers, still vigorously scrubbing the porcelain basin despite it being spotless.
“This wasn’t the Murdochs. We got no problem with our neighbors, and even if we did, no one's stupid enough to murder on their own land then leave the body behind,” I point out.
“Don’t talk like that.” Mom tosses the scourer pad at the sink and yells at me. “He’s not just a body, he’s your brother!” She erupts into tears, and knowing I caused ’em is like taking a knife to the chest.
It’s been nearly twelve hours since I broke the news to her that Matthew was gone. Since I got back from riding out to seehim with Erin, she’s clearly been keeping herself busy. She’s even baked brownies for the officers investigating the case.
“So, the fact your son was found on their territory isn’t suspicious to you?” Nelson checks with her again, taking a sip of the coffee she made him when he first arrived and trying not to pull a face when he realizes it's stone cold.
“Like I said, he went after a loose steer; he could have ended up anywhere.” I stand up and put my arm around Mom to comfort her. I’ve had enough of all the people who have been coming and going. Wasting time asking stupid questions while there’s a cold-blooded killer out there roaming free.
“I was hoping to speak to your brother’s wife.” Nelson can see how pissed I am, but he doesn’t seem to care. He’s here to do a job, and my irritation ain’t gonna stop him.
“She’s lying down, I’m sure you can appreciate how this is affecting her; they’ve only been married a year.” Mom snuffles.
“Did Matthew have anyone he owed money to? Someone who he’s upset recently? This wasn’t an accidental shooting. Mrs Edwards, all evidence we have suggests your son was targeted.”
“What evidence?” she snaps, clawing at my shirt.
“There were two shots to the head.” Nelson's words have me holding onto her a little tighter. “And they were made from close range.”
“No. My son owed no money. He had no enemies. Matthew was a good man,” she assures him. Drying her eyes and trying to pull herself back together.
“He kept all his important paperwork in the gun cabinet. Maybe you’ll find something there.” A blank voice comes from the bedroom door, and when I look across and see Erin, the first thing that comes to my mind is how beautiful she’s looking. Even with all she’s been through and the grief she must be suffering, she still looks perfect.
I’m a sick fuckin’ bastard.
“Come and sit down, dear.” Mom moves toward her, dragging the poor girl to the table and forcing her to sit. “You should eat. I’ve made soup.”
“I’m not hungry.” Erin rests her elbows on the table, then drags her hands through her unruly hair.
“Oh, Erin, you must keep your strength up.” Mom crouches over her, grabbing her face in her hands. “Matthew would worry if he thought you weren’t tak?—”
“Mom, why don’t you go lie down for a while yourself? I’m sure Erin won’t mind you using the spare room,” I suggest when I see how overbearing she’s being. She’s already cleaned this place from top to bottom; she must be exhausted.
“It was going to be a nursery. Matthew couldn’t wait to start a family,” Mom explains to Nelson, and I notice how the lines in Dad’s forehead furrow a little deeper.
“Come on, Mom, you need some time off your feet.” I pull out a chair for her so she’ll at least sit down.
“We’ll find the person who did this,” Nelson assures her, reaching across the table and taking hold of her hand. “I’m not supposed to make those kinda promises, but I can tell you that I will put everything I got into bringing this animal to justice.”
“I just can’t believe he’s gone.” Mom breaks into another sob, and since Dad doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it, I place my hands on her shoulders and let her know I feel her pain.
“You guys don’t have to stay on my account. Maybe you should go home to rest.” Mom looks outraged by Erin’s suggestion. It’s the first thing she’s said since Nelson left, and that seemed like hours ago.
