Page 67 of Brimstone Bound
‘Not yet,’ I muttered.
He watched me for a moment as I continued searching. ‘You’re annoyed,’ he said finally. ‘Is it because of what I said to Robert? I haven’t hidden my motives from you, D’Artagnan – I do want to keep Supe Squad from becoming too intrusive. Wrapping up this investigation quickly is the best way to do that. And, of course, I remain curious about you and your … abilities.’
‘Well,’ I said, flipping open the bin lid and rifling gingerly through the contents, ‘if you get any answers about that, be sure to let me know.’
I picked up a cellophane wrapper with a familiar sticker on it. That sandwich shop did good business. I dropped it back into the bin and turned to the fridge. Its metallic surface was covered with photos held in place by magnets and I gently pulled off one of two smiling young women beaming out at the camera. Anna and Becca. I stared at it for a moment. Not only did they look alike, they had the same shining optimism in their expressions. I sighed and returned the photo to its place.
‘Perhaps,’ Lukas said, ‘it’s time to consider that the deaths are unrelated. It does appear that Becca committed suicide.’
‘Mmm.’ I moved towards him and gave him a pointed look to get the hell out of my way. ‘Excuse me.’
He stepped back. I walked out of the kitchen and headed for the bathroom. It hadn’t been cleaned. I gazed at the rim of blood round the bathtub and the splatters on the floor and swallowed. I wondered whether the blood traces bothered Lukas.
‘What about Anna?’ I asked. ‘Where has she vanished to?’
‘I don’t know.’ Lukas’s expression remained calm. ‘Robert is a professional and he knows what he’s doing. Wherever Anna is, he and his team will find her sooner or later.’
It was the ‘later’ part which worried me.
‘Emma.’ His voice was low, and his eyes were warm with sympathy. ‘I know you want to think that everything is connected, and that the attacks on you and Brown are related to what happened here. But there’s no evidence to suggest a connection. Just because the deaths occurred within a similar time frame doesn’t mean they’re linked.’
‘You don’t think they are, do you?’
‘There’s no proof.’ He reached out for me then seemed to think better of it and dropped his hand. ‘You’re too close to this investigation. And it’s been a traumatic time for you.’
I didn’t raise my voice. ‘Don’t patronise me, Lukas.’
‘That was not my intention.’
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I was in desperate need of a shower and good scrub. ‘I’m going back to Supe Squad,’ I said. ‘Then I’ll think about where to go next and what to do.’
‘I’m still on your side. I still want to help.’
‘I know,’ I said quietly. I managed a small smile. ‘I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon.’
And then I walked out to have a quick word with Robert before leaving Lisson Grove.
Chapter Twenty-Three
I walked into the Supe Squad building, waving at Max on duty next door. The relief on Fred and Liza’s faces when they saw me was unmistakable and gratifying. At least some people were pleased to see me.
‘You must get a new phone sorted,’ Liza scolded. ‘We need to be able to contact you. Whoever killed Tony could be after you as well.’ She shuddered. ‘They could be after all of us.’
I couldn’t meet her eyes. ‘Yes. You should be very careful when you’re out and about on the streets. Don’t go anywhere on your own after dark.’
‘Do you seriously think we could be in danger?’ Fred asked.
‘Yes,’ I said quietly. ‘I do.’
Fred straightened his back with a steely determination that was entirely at odds with the apathetic layabout I’d met on my first day. ‘We’ll keep a look out,’ he promised.
‘Good.’ I scratched my neck. The oversized sweater was beginning to itch; I had to get my own clothes back. ‘Have you managed to find out anything?’
They exchanged glances. ‘I’ll go first,’ Liza said. ‘I’ve been through Tony’s computer. There’s not much on there that’s useful, but I did check his search history.’
I knew from her expression that she’d found something. ‘And?’
‘He was looking up poisons.’ She paused. ‘Specifically poisons that could incapacitate or weaken a person.’
