The Elephant Tree by R.D. Ronald

Author:R.D. Ronald
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Thrillers, Detective, Drugs, Suspense, Fiction
ISBN: 9781848769533
Publisher: Matador
Published: 2010-09-12T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Two days later Angela called. Scott didn’t know how long he’d stayed in the flat that night. He’d drunk the rest of the whiskey before going back down by the stairwell. He hadn’t wanted anything to be the same when he left, no jagged reminders of what should have been with him but wasn’t on the way back out. Scott had wandered aimlessly before eventually coming across a taxi rank where he’d taken a cab home.

‘Stephanie’s gone.’

Scott’s brain swirled, uncomprehending.

‘What?’ he said.

‘Scott, Steph has gone. I don’t know where she is.’

‘You were both gone. I tried to call and I stopped by your place.’

‘No she left the hospital and stayed with me. She was really scared and wouldn’t let me tell anyone she was here, not even you. This morning she went to get clothes and stuff from her place and she hasn’t come back.’

‘Maybe she took off on her own.’

‘No, she was convinced they were still after her. She was at the window all the time watching in case anyone came here. She promised she’d be right back Scott.’

‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘OK I’m coming to your place, Scott. I can’t be here right now.’

The line went dead. Scott sat staring at the now silent phone.

He had done nothing on Christmas day, just wandered around outside in the frozen woods. Hard ground, chill winds and bare tree branches that looked like they’d been dipped in sugar. None of it had seemed real, like walking around in a desolate dream where nothing happened, but one he didn’t want to wake up from. To awaken would mean a return to the realities of his existence.

He didn’t know if anyone had tried to call, probably Jack would have the day before so they could exchange their obligatory Merry Christmas but Scott had left his phone switched off. Now when turning it back on Angela had called and it seemed he would have to deal with her turning up there. At least she was embroiled in some drama about her missing friend, not like she’d be asking a bunch of questions about him he didn’t want to answer.

Scott took a shower and then changed his clothes for the first time since Twinkle’s death. Before that there hadn’t seemed any point. He’d just slept in his clothes when he felt tired and walked around when he didn’t. Boris had known something was wrong, but had just trotted along beside him when he walked and curled up beside him when he slept. At least dogs don’t ask questions, and they don’t judge you, he thought. Scott did feel better after washing and changing, but then felt guilty because of it. He went to the kitchen and made stale cheese sandwiches for him and Boris after the fridge refused to offer up anything more edible.

When Angela turned up, Scott was greeted with the impression she was going to be there longer than just a few hours. She had a large hiker type backpack slung over one shoulder which appeared to be loaded up with her stuff.

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