Sin, Repent, Repeat by A. J. Harlem

Author:A. J. Harlem [Harlem, A. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

As the reverend drove, Roy counted the pulse beats in his feet. In total, by the time they reached the station, there’d been one thousand, two hundred and twenty-three.

He’d only ever driven past Ironash Police Station, never actually gone into the car park.

And now he was here, he wished he wasn’t. Sinners should avoid places like this. They answered to God and only God. The men and women in these walls weren’t who he owed explanations to. They wouldn’t understand. How could they?

“Here we go, shouldn’t take long.” The reverend stepped out of the car.

Roy did the same, tucking his t-shirt into his jeans and trying to stand tall, as though his feet were normal.

He lagged a fraction behind Reverend Sanders, he didn’t want his limp to be spotted.

“Bill’s funeral is on Friday, so the soup lunch will be cancelled, Roy, but if your offer of mowing the churchyard lawn this week is still open, I’d be very grateful. I want it to look its best for the mourners and all that.”

“Yes. I can mow it.” He hoped he could with feet like this.

“Thank you.” They walked up the wide steps. “I know it must be hard for you at the moment?”

Why? Does he know about my feet…my back?

“What with having lost your bell ringing partner, and then Dee. You were fond of both of them. If you need to talk you know where I am.”

“Yes, Reverend. Thank you, Reverend.”

The reverend opened the door and gestured for Roy to go through first.

He did.

At the reception desk, a policeman in a dark-blue uniform looked up from a computer. His attention scanned first Reverend Sanders and then Roy.

His gaze lingered on Roy, eyes slightly narrowed. He pressed his lips together.

Roy tried his best to push his pain away and walk how he usually did. One foot in front of the other.

“Good afternoon,” Reverend Sanders said.

“Reverend.” The policeman nodded. “What can I help you with?”

“I’ve brought Roy Campbell in for elimination prints. The young policewoman, DI Williams I think she said her name was, asked us to.”

“Ahh, okay.” He consulted a file at his side. “Yes, I’ve got you down on my list, Roy. Shouldn’t take long.”

“Good,” Roy muttered and stared at the floor. A small clump of mud peeled from his right boot onto the white tiles.

“If you can just step over here.” The policeman went to a table against the wall.

Roy hesitated. He had a sudden urge to turn and run. Get the hell out of there. Why had the reverend insisted on keeping his stupid promise to the police lady?

“Go ahead.” Reverend Sanders clasped his shoulder again.

Roy gritted his teeth and fought a wince.

“It’s nothing to worry about, Roy. It doesn’t hurt.”

“Just a bit messy.” The policeman smiled.

Roy moved up to the table; his right heel was killing him. Perhaps he’d have to give his feet a break from taking the punishments his mortal flesh deserved. It just wasn’t practical.

The policeman placed a piece of paper in a square black machine.

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