Hush Little Baby by J A Baker

Author:J A Baker [Baker, J. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

22

MELISSA

‘Go on, then. Spill. I’m all ears.’

He is standing in the corner of the room, his figure casting a long shadow across the floor. I swallow and think hard. Do I really want to do this? To tell him what I’ve done and make myself a target? For all I know, there may be a reward out for Gabriel’s safe return. This man looks like he could do with some cash, a rapid injection of money in his pocket to keep him going through this dark period of his life.

‘I asked you first. Honesty needs to work both ways.’

He throws his head back and laughs. ‘I’m not your fucking husband. You sound like a marriage guidance counsellor!’

My face heats up. What am I going to tell him – the truth? The reality of my situation is something that can be easily misconstrued and twisted. I’m on the right side of the situation ethically but definitely on the wrong side of the law.

‘I took my grandson without asking. His parents don’t know where he is, but that’s because they were mistreating him. He’s safer here with me.’ I am almost panting, my chest heaving with the effort of speaking. ‘Or at least he was until you turned up all guns blazing. Right, your turn,’ I say, feeling triumphant about being so honest. Will this man do the same and reveal why he is here? Something tells me not, but I wait to hear what he has to say.

‘Kidnap?’ he says quizzically, his eyes widening. He couldn’t look more horrified if I had admitted to killing somebody with my bare hands.

‘That’s a rather brutal way of putting it,’ I say, my voice laced with annoyance. ‘I’d say I’ve saved him from a life of misery. If you knew his parents and had seen what I’ve seen, you would understand.’ I nod and stare at him. Now it’s my turn to widen my eyes. ‘So?’

‘So, what?’ he replies, his voice a near whisper.

‘So, what is your story, Jason who isn’t Jason. You know about me and what I’ve done. Why are you here?’

He dances from foot to foot as if stepping on hot coals. The gun is still dangling from his hand. I try to not look at it. I try to pretend it doesn’t exist. Easier that way.

‘I took some money. A lot of money. From an elderly man.’

‘You threatened him with the gun?’

He lowers his eyes and I freeze.

‘You shot him?’ I can hardly breathe. ‘Is he dead?’ I can’t keep the horror out of my voice.

When he doesn’t reply or look at me, I know that I am standing opposite a murderer. A killer. If he is capable of shooting an elderly man, he will have no qualms about turning that gun on Gabriel and me.

‘I wasn’t the one who shot him.’ He raises his head and meets my gaze. ‘He did it.’

‘Who? Who did it?’ My voice is a near shriek. The time for word games is over. I need to know exactly who I am dealing with.

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