See Them Die: A tense, gritty psychological thriller (Dr Hamlet Mottrell Investigations Book 1) by Michael Fowler

Author:Michael Fowler [Fowler, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2022-04-07T16:00:00+00:00

Over the next hour Alix fired questions at Hamlet which he answered, though he could tell from the number of sighs she released that he wasn’t providing the responses she was hoping for. He explained that without his notes to refer to, he knew nothing much more of his past than she did, and he definitely couldn’t recall him ever mentioning anyone that he was close to, or fond of.

‘James Harry Benson was a loner,’ he told her. ‘He engaged only where he had to, and even then, he didn’t reveal much.’ Hamlet took a sip of his coffee, grimacing as a cold bitterness filled his mouth. He glanced across at Alix’s mug and guessed hers would be cold too. ‘Shall I get us another?’ he said, throwing the dregs into the soil. She nodded and handed her mug over. He slung the cold remains in the direction of the stream and returned to the cabin where he made a fresh brew.

When Hamlet returned, Alix was standing on top of the bank, looking down over the stream.

She turned as he set down the mugs. ‘You really have got a stunning place here, Hamlet. I would give my right arm to live somewhere like this.’

‘You wouldn’t say that in winter. Not that it’s exactly freezing because I’ve got my log fire, but it can be pretty gloomy and certainly lonely if we get a heavy fall of snow.’

‘I bet it was fun as a kid. You did say you used to come here with your grandfather on a regular basis, didn’t you?’ she said, returning to the bench.

‘Most weekends. I certainly spent most of the school holidays here.’

‘Did your parents come here much?’

‘They did, but it was only usually for the odd day — barbeques and the like. This was mine and Grandad’s place. We spent a lot of time here. As you know my adoptive dad was a doctor, so he always seemed to be out working, and Mum was always busy with charity stuff from what I remember, so weekends and holidays I came here with Grandad.’ Hamlet looked at Alix and could tell she was asking out of interest rather than probing as a detective. ‘Don’t read anything untoward in that. The time I did spend with my adoptive parents was quality. They gave me so much support, especially helping me qualify as a doctor myself.’ He let out a light laugh. ‘You’re making me sound defensive.’

Alix laughed with him. She picked up the fresh coffee he’d made, took a drink and gazed out across the stream again. Hamlet was suddenly conscious of a light wind that had picked up whilst they had been sat there. It was gently swishing the top boughs of the trees, though it wasn’t cold by any means. Actually, quite pleasant, just sat here, he thought. He hadn’t had a decent conversation with another adult for years.

‘What about your real parents, Hamlet?’

‘Never knew them. By that, I mean I can’t remember them. They died in an accident when I was two and a half and that’s when I was adopted.

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