Deadly Desires (Detective Zoe Finch Book 3) by Rachel McLean

Author:Rachel McLean [McLean, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Catawampus Press
Published: 2020-11-11T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Forty-Four

Mo sat opposite Mr and Mrs Hussain for the second time, a cup of tea warming his palms.

“We’re sorry to have wasted your time,” Mr Hussain said.

“It’s not a problem. I’m just glad Amit is home safe and sound.”

Mrs Hussain stared ahead, avoiding his gaze. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her cheeks pale.

“Can I speak to him?” Mo asked.

Mr Hussain pushed his glasses up his nose. “He’s not up to talking to anyone.”

“I’d like to find out what happened to him,” Mo said. “Has he told you anything?”

“He went to a friend’s house for a few nights. Rebellious boys. You know the kind of thing. I can assure you he’ll be suitably punished.”

“I’m not sure that’s necessary…”

Mr Hussain raised an eyebrow. Mo held his stare. It wasn’t his business to interfere in the workings of this family. But Amit was a grown man. And there was a chance a crime had been committed, despite what his parents said.

“I’d really prefer to talk to him.”

“No,” said Mr Hussain. He stood up.

Mo stared at him for a moment. “Which friend did he stay with?”

Mr Hussain looked at his wife. “Who did you say it was?”

She widened her eyes. “I don’t remember.”

“Has he definitely told you he was with a friend?” Mo asked.

“I’m not lying to you, Sergeant,” replied Mr Hussain.

Mo sighed. Amit was back home. No crime had been committed, or at least nothing was being alleged. He could close the case.

He stood and shook the man’s hand. “Well, I’m very pleased that Amit is home. If you do need to get in touch, here’s my card.”

Mr Hussain pocketed Mo’s card without looking at it. He gestured towards the door. “Thank you, Sergeant.”

Mo made for the front door, the Hussains following behind. As he passed the stairs he glanced up, wondering if Amit was listening in.

Outside, he looked upwards. A curtain moved in an upstairs window. Mo waited, just in case.

“Thank you, Sergeant.” Mr Hussain’s voice had lost its friendliness. Mo turned and made for his car.

As he started the ignition, there was hammering on the passenger window. He leaned across. A young man stood outside, his eyes darting between Mo and the door to the Hussain house.

Mo opened the passenger door. “Amit?”

“I’m his brother. Ruhaan.”

“Ruhaan. What can I do for you?”

Ruhaan slammed himself into the passenger seat and closed the door. He hunched down as if afraid of being seen. From the photos Mo had seen of Amit, this young man looked shorter than his brother, squatter. But he had the same eyes. He swallowed and turned to Mo.

“They’re lying to you.”

“About what?” Mo held a breath. “Hang on, is Amit really home? He’s not still missing?”

“Oh, no. He’s home. He came back this morning. But he didn’t stay with a friend.”

“I thought not.” Mo had spoken to all the friends he could find and not one of them had a clue where Amit was. “Where was he?”

“He won’t tell me. But he’s been hurt.”

“In what way?”

“He’s got bruises on his arm.

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