The Soul Killer (The DI Barton Series) by Ross Greenwood

Author:Ross Greenwood [Greenwood, Ross]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2020-05-06T16:00:00+00:00

45

The Soul Killer

I closed my eyelids last night but didn’t sleep. I don’t think it was anything to do with Stone being found, because I’ve made my choices in that respect. If the police are better, well, I bow to their superior skills. It’s Claudia. She’s back to not replying to my calls or messages: three of the latter yesterday and nothing in return.

This morning I lay in bed and remembered when I knew, without doubt, we were the perfect match. Her sister had invited her to an end-of-season hockey awards presentation. Annabelle had been voted players’ player of the season. She wanted her father and sister to be there. Seemed fair enough to me. I guess it’s a big deal to be admired by your fellow players. Claudia wanted me to come. I heard her arguing with Annabelle, who was saying it was just close family because it was a small hall. Claudia stood her ground and said she wouldn’t go otherwise.

It was a warm night, but Claudia’s hand shook as we walked towards the Bull Hotel in town. She stopped before the function rooms and pulled me into the quiet bar area.

‘Wait a minute, let me prepare myself.’

I didn’t recognise that version of Claudia. Nothing else seemed to faze her. She took so many deep breaths, I was concerned she might be struggling to breathe.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘Get me a vodka, straight.’

When I came back from the bar, she was sitting in a quiet corner, but she’d calmed down. It’s a pleasant upmarket place and the carpeted floors and wood panelling gave a secluded feel. I sat next to her and waited.

‘I know all these girls from school. They were the popular ones who were good at sport. Annabelle was brilliant at every game she played. I tried out for the team but wasn’t good enough. They put me in defence and I kept making mistakes. Annabelle was on my team and she shouted out, “For God’s sake, Blobbia,” and the name stuck at school for a bit.’

‘What a bitch!’

‘It was kind of her pet name for me when we were growing up, because I was a bit chubby, well, fat’s probably closer. She said it just slipped out because she was frustrated at losing.’

I sipped my drink, unsure what to say. There had always been a barrier between her sister and me. It sounded as if Claudia would be better off without her, but I needed her to work that out.

‘I hate bullies.’

‘Me, too, but we were only twelve and it only lasted for a few years, but I never felt comfortable around that group. It didn’t matter as we got older because I was much more studious. I wasn’t always this much fun, you know!’

She reached across and intertwined our fingers.

‘I’m here for you. It’ll be fine.’

‘I know, I’m just being silly. For a moment, I just felt a bit like a thirteen year old girl being called names as I waddled around the field or the dinner hall.

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