Page 24 of Inbetweeners
“But when you were on your own?”
“No. Eventually, I gave up trying.” Emmett pulled his bottom lip through his teeth. “What if I pretended to be psychic and told the police that Charlie had spoken to me before he passed over?”
“Or I could just make an anonymous call to the press?”
“Or you could do that. Except won’t they be able to trace your number?”
“I can hide it.” He googled the number for theHackney Gazetteand once he was sure the newsperson was taking him seriously, he said, “A guy called Barry Monahan might have had Charlie Rose killed because Charlie owed him money.”
“His family!” Emmett whispered.
Nix rolled his eyes and ended the call.
“Why didn’t you tell them he loved his family?”
“Because then they’ll think I’m some nut job. Come on, let’s go.”
“We said we’d tell his family.”
“You saidokayto doing that.I didn’t. If you’re that desperate, go to his funeral, but good luck explaining why you’re giving them that message.”
“Wanker.”
“My favourite hobby. Almost. More fun with two.”
When they got back to the bike, Emmett hesitated before he put on the helmet. “You think we’re supposed to tell Tar when we do this?”
“He didn’t say to, so no.”
“Did you notice anything different about Charlie?”
“Other than him being covered in blood but having no visible injuries? No. He looked like everyone else.”
“Which doesn’t make it easy for us to see who’s dead. We could hear him and touch him. I was hoping for some dark shadow or something we could look out for.”
“I think the point is that we could see him and no one else could.”
As Nix swung his leg over the bike, his phone pinged with a message. Another couple of addresses.Great.
“What was that?” Emmett asked.
“More work. Why didn’t Tar text you?”
Emmett pulled out his phone. “Ah, he has. My phone’s on silent. Well, at least we don’t have to wander around looking for dead people.”
Nix set Google Maps and pulled out. “First one is in Islington.”
Emmett held the grab bar. “Did Tar tell you that someone would be trying to stop us doing this?”
“Yes.”
“Any thoughts on who or what? Charlie gave us some clues but we don’t even know if this couple keep the same faces. Assuming the woman was involved too. I mean, it’s obvious they want to make use of dead bodies, but since I didn’t even know vampires and werewolves and the rest existed until two days ago, I don’t get what they’d want with them.”
“It can’t be for any good reason.” Nix accelerated through the lights as they were changing and Emmett wrapped his arms around his waist.
Nix grinned. “Oh yeah! Bit lower.”
“Dickhead,” Emmett muttered.
