The Magpie by Marrisse Whittaker

Author:Marrisse Whittaker [Whittaker, Marrisse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books

15

The Work of the Devil

‘I told you I could drive myself!’ Billie shook her head in exasperation at Max Strong, furious at herself for being talked into letting him drive her to the church.

‘I was worried, Billie,’ he glanced across at her, ‘though you seem to have some colour back in your cheeks now, thank goodness.’

Billie’s mind was racing again. Could her father really have been at the centre of a child-selling scam? The very thought chilled her to the bone. She shivered.

Max zipped through a light, just as it was about to change to red and accelerated, overtaking a lane of slow-moving vehicles.

‘And you’re worried about me driving?’ Billie forced the other thoughts from her mind.

‘Worried about the innocent members of the public you would have taken out behind the wheel in that state. One serial killer around here is enough.’ Billie sulkily bit into the pizza slice that Josta had wrapped and shoved in her hand. It did taste good.

‘First Isabelle then me. Is this your new job then, if you’re no longer a shrink, chauffeur to frail single women?’ Max laughed.

‘Frail, you?’ He shook his head in amusement. ‘Have you tried refusing an order from my mother?’ He glanced at her through long dark lashes. ‘I’m simply determined to get you to the church on time.’

As Max spoke, a Jag accelerated out of the scenic driveway of the church they were approaching, causing him to break forcefully. David, stony-faced behind the wheel, sped off. Billie exchanged glances with Max.

‘Stood up. Not for the first time today,’ she observed wryly. ‘At least I was early for my appointment with you.’ Billie opened the car door and jumped out, heading through the church gates.

‘You’re doing this on purpose!’ David’s mother was tearful with rage as Billie crunched up the gravel drive, relieved to be able to put one foot in front of the other thanks to the blood-stabilising effects of the pizza. She thought about depositing the last mouthful in the bin that she was passing, but unable to fight the urge, instead stuffed the remaining morsel into her mouth.

‘David’s just left!’ his mother practically screamed at Billie. She was flanked by David’s genial long-suffering dad on the right, vicar on her left. Billie smiled at him sheepishly, wiping her hand on her jeans before shaking his.

‘Hi, I’m Billie. Sorry I’m late,’ she added with sincerity.

‘Now David’s late for an important appointment!’ his mother wailed. David’s father put his arm around her as though she were a sickly child.

‘Now dear, calm down. Billie is here. She has undoubtedly been busy with work, as you can imagine,’ he added, smiling kindly at Billie. He was always the peacemaker.

‘And what exactly do you do, Billie?’ the vicar asked politely.

‘Chase murderers mostly,’ Billie answered.

‘David’s job is important too!’ David’s mother gibbered, still furious at Billie.

‘Everything okay?’ Billie hadn’t noticed Max park his car on the driveway behind. He joined the group.

‘And you are?’ David’s mother demanded, looking accusingly between the two.

‘My shrink,’

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