A Foreboding of Petrels by Steve Burrows

Author:Steve Burrows [Burrows, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780861541768
Publisher: Oneworld Publications

28

‘Constable Holland.’ Glover Boyd peered through the chain-wide gap at the person standing beside Holland. ‘And?’ He raised his eyebrows.

Such frippery was not likely to find favour with Maik in his present mood. He had been coughing quietly for most of the journey up here and his breathing was still a touch laboured.

‘Sergeant Maik,’ supplied Holland.

Glover Boyd closed the front door in order to disengage the chain. This moment had always held a frisson of uncertainty for both police officers. Would the door reopen, or would they hear the click of a lock being fastened against them as the person tried to escape out the back? It had gone both ways over the years. Constable Holland would undoubtedly end up handling the athletic side of things if Boyd did decide to do a runner today, but the fatigue that seemed to be ever-present these days made even the prospect of writing up a flight-and-pursuit report more than Danny really wanted to be bothered with. In the end, there was the satisfying rattle of the chain being released, and Glover Boyd swung the door inwards to allow the two men to enter.

The living room was a good deal tidier than on Holland’s last visit. It was amazing what a call ahead from the police could do, he thought wryly. But the hosting showed no improvement. As before, Glover Boyd settled into his leather armchair without any mention of even a cup of tea. He seemed utterly at ease with the officers’ visit. ‘Another quiet evening alone, as you see, Sergeant,’ he said. ‘Rather glad of the company, truth be told.’

Maik didn’t respond. His practice of never taking an instant dislike to anyone was being severely tested by Mr Glover Boyd. ‘We’re wondering if you’ve ever heard of a man named Arliss Dyer,’ he said without preamble.

Boyd thought for what seemed be about the right amount of time before shaking his head slowly. ‘Can’t say I have. Who is he? Please don’t tell me he’s an irate husband.’

‘Your ex-wife seemed to believe you’d know him,’ said Maik testily.

‘My ex-wife’s wounds run deep, Sergeant. I try to be understanding. As the person who inflicted them, I suppose I’m at least partly deserving of her efforts to cause me problems. To my knowledge I’ve never laid eyes on this man Dyer, nor even heard of him.’

There was a carelessness about the response that was difficult to ignore. Boyd wasn’t trying to convince anybody of anything. It simply didn’t seem to matter to him one way or the other whether he was believed or not.

‘The fact that your ex feels the way she does about you, though, that must make things a bit awkward for your mother, working in the same field and all,’ said Holland. ‘I imagine it’s difficult for them to avoid coming into contact.’

‘On the contrary, they remain close. It’s me my mother doesn’t like. I suppose we are what you would consider the classic dysfunctional family.’

Holland didn’t know why people didn’t just say family.

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