Devil’s Bread by Liam Hanson

Author:Liam Hanson [Hanson, Liam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 40

Mali hadn’t gone far after leaving the drop-in centre. She’d holed up in what she considered being a safe spot, ready to watch the detective when he came out. Three sightings in a little over twenty-four hours were unlikely to be a coincidence. He’d even come to the drop-in centre and tried to speak to her.

What was his agenda?

Was he working with Bridget Payne and Tommy Hemlock?

Mali was understandably confused and only wished she knew.

Her gut feeling said he wasn’t. That he was all right. If he’d wanted to harm her, then he could have done so the night they first met over on Mermaid Quay. But he hadn’t. Neither had he come on to her, like most older men she’d met on the streets. Instead, he’d given her money and seemed genuinely concerned for her welfare on what had been a hideously cold night.

She was still trying to make sense of things when the doors to the centre flew open. It wasn’t the detective. It was the man who’d twice introduced himself as Cory. He was running with his towel clutched in one hand and the other gripping his side.

Mali watched and waited for the detective to follow, but again, he didn’t. She went after Cory and called his name. At first, he didn’t slow and turned up a side-street, obviously spooked.

She called again. ‘The police aren’t following. It’s okay. I just want to talk.’

He stopped to catch his breath and looked to be in a fair amount of pain. He squinted at her and edged his way closer. ‘You’re the woman from the shopping centre?’

She nodded. ‘If you’d only warned me about the shitty reception I’d be getting in there.’

Cory’s breathing was slowing, his grip on his side not so tight. One end of the towel was draped across the wet pavement. He didn’t appear to care. ‘You weren’t willing to listen to anything I had to say. Not even when we were queuing for breakfast this morning. What’s changed so quickly?’

Mali introduced herself by her full name. ‘I was on my own at the time. Scared and with no idea who I could trust round here.’

Cory rescued the towel and slung it over his shoulder. ‘My question was: what’s changed?’

‘The detective. He’s interested in the both of us. I’m trying to work out why that is?’

Cory shrugged. ‘Don’t ask me. I’ve never seen him before.’

‘But you ran away, just the same?’

‘I didn’t need to know who he was, to realise what he was.’

‘Are you in trouble with the police?’

‘No. Not anymore, and I intend to keep it that way.’

They walked side-by-side. ‘I meant no offence this morning,’ Mali said. ‘I’m just a bit overwhelmed by everything at the minute.’

‘Want to tell me about it?’

Having an ally and an extra pair of eyes on the street might come in useful. She nodded. ‘But can we go find somewhere to sit down first?’

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