Page 28 of Beyond the Darkness
“I don’t think so.When I told him about them, he never mentioned it.”Hudson took a drink.“But Julian wasn’t in that film, so why would he?”
“And why would anyone who is a fan of the film think it was a good idea to kill him and stage it to look like your death scene?You realise how insane all of this sounds?”
“Of course I do, but surely it’s worth your time to look into it.Just in case the two things are connected.”
The detective rattled his pen on the tabletop.“Where are all these letters you received?Do you have them?”
“No.They’re with Rav Millard, the producer.He was going to see if he could find out where they came from.”
Coppola shook his head.“Another amateur sleuth,” he muttered.“All right, I’ll look into it.But first I need to take all of this down in a statement.”He pulled the pad in front of him and clicked on his pen.“Let’s go through this all again from the beginning.”
It took over an hour for Coppola to write down everything that Hudson told him.Luke came back down in baggy shorts and T-shirt, with wet hair.When he realised they were still busy, he grabbed a beer and disappeared into another room.Hudson watched with envy, wishing he could be with him rather than with this obtrusive police officer.
When Coppola finished his paperwork, Hudson called Rav and told him to get all the letters and photographs together and someone from the police department would call to collect them.Rav sounded distracted and pissed off and didn’t stay on the call for long.Hudson didn’t think it was the best time to bring up the subject of the podcasters Rav had arranged to join the already-fraught rehearsals from next week.That argument could keep for another day.
Finally, the detective was done.“We’ll start by tracing the whereabouts of this guy Robbie Wiseman.You’re sure the stalking order is still in place?”
“I checked with my lawyer.It was made indefinitely, and I haven’t applied to have it revoked, so yes.”
“Then it should be straightforward enough.”He gathered his things together.“Are you staying here now?”There was a sly quality to the question.
“For a few hours, yes.Then I’ll be back in the city.But you can reach me on my cell wherever I am.”
It was a relief when he finally left.Hudson couldn’t put his finger on it, but there just seemed like there was something very off about the guy.
Good-looking shit.
He found Luke sitting in the front garden, enjoying the evening sun as the detective drove away.He looked stunning with the low, golden rays reflecting on his light brown skin.He’d kicked off his shoes and his bare, toned legs were stretched out in front of him.
“All good?”Luke asked.
“I think so.He’s written down all the details, though I’m not sure how seriously he’s actually taking it.Strange guy.”
“Yep, I’ve always thought so too.”
“I got the impression you two have history.”
Luke laughed.“Not in the way you’re thinking.Benito is one of the few openly gay officers in the Blyham force, not that you would ever know it.He’s done very little to support the community.All through the Blyham Strangler months, he kept his head down to avoid any of the controversy.People were pissed at the police back then.Rightly so.Their efforts to protect the local men who were being targeted were negligent.Even now that the Strangler is behind bars, hate crime is still raging all over the city.Not just homophobia, but racism, anti-Semitism, disability abuse, transphobia.They have weaponised the word woke and use it as blanket term to attack anything they don’t like.I’m not saying that’s Benito’s responsibility—just because he’s gay, he doesn’t owe us something extra—I just think he could do better.A hell of a lot better.But he’s not the only gay cop on the force I know, and they’re all as career-focused as he is.”
Hudson took the chair beside him, raising his face towards the sun, which was still warm.He drew the fresh sea air deep into this chest and sighed.
“Do you feel better for reporting it?”Luke asked.
“Hard to say.I’d rather none of this was happening, but the more the cops know, the quicker they can find Robbie.Or whoever else is behind all this.”He inhaled again and ran his hands across his face, trying to draw away the tension.“This is an incredible place you have here.”
“Isn’t it?I couldn’t believe my luck when it came on the market.The previous owners were an elderly couple who had to sell up when they moved into sheltered accommodation.It was very old-fashioned when I bought it.But over a few years, one room at a time, I’ve gotten the house just how I want it.”He sipped his drink.“Thankfully, I managed to hang onto it after the divorce.Kris hated living out here.He hated the house too.”
“How long were you married?”
Luke gave a long sigh.“Less than two years, but we were separated for more than half of that time.It’s the timeless story of someone turning out to be a completely different person on the other side of the ceremony.”He finished his drink.“Feel like a walk along the beach?It’s good for clearing the head.”
“Brilliant idea.”
Luke locked the front door, and they headed across the road and down to the beach.The sand was soft.Hudson took off his shoes and the walk was instantly easier.Luke did the same and they strolled to the water’s edge, before turning right.
“It’s beautiful,” Hudson said, taking in the long, flat shoreline.
“Mmm.North and south of here, the coast becomes more rugged and rocky, but we’re in an even plane here.”
