Under the Skin (Ritual Crime Unit) by E. E. Richardson

Author:E. E. Richardson [Richardson, E. E.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fantasy
Publisher: Abaddon Books
Published: 2013-10-28T18:30:00+00:00

GARY HOLLAND WAS strictly a small time crook, and even that was pushing it. In truth he was mostly just an enthusiastic collector, with a bad habit of getting carried away when it came to purchases that didn’t quite square with the law.

He looked distinctly wary as he opened up the door of his small terraced house to let her step inside. “Chief Inspector,” he said, with a strained smile. He was an awkward little man, somewhere in his early thirties, with a bald spot and a taste for knitted jumpers that prophesied the old man he’d become. “Now, I don’t know what you’re looking for this time, but I can assure you, my collection is completely clean. No more Libyan scorpion sting charms for me!”

It was hard not to feel a bit sorry for him. His twitchy mannerisms always made him appear guilty even when he was telling the truth—which he genuinely might be, this time round.

Or maybe not. As she stepped into the house, Pierce was immediately reintroduced to the collection that cluttered every inch of space. If anything, it seemed Gary’s hoarding tendencies had grown since last she was here.

Even the narrow hallway was lined with rows of shelves; she had to squeeze her way along. The contents made for a disturbing display: a mangy looking badger paw holding a candle stub; the skeleton of an eel with its eyes replaced by black stones; a taxidermied owl that had seen much better days. If there was a ritual artefact that had once been a live animal, Gary had it, or a framed, authenticated photo of it, or at the very least a set of books and articles about it.

Shapeshifting pelts he didn’t have a licence to keep, but that didn’t stop him tracking down all there was to know about them.

“You’re in luck, Gaz,” Pierce told him. “I’m not here to inventory your collection this time.” Though no doubt if she did, she would find more than a few things that shouldn’t strictly be there. “I’m here for your expertise.”

She almost regretted the words when she saw how he puffed up. She suddenly imagined decades of fielding calls from him offering the RCU his expert guidance.

Of course, the way things were going, Pierce might not be part of the Unit long enough for that to be her problem. And besides, right now she needed information, and she couldn’t go to anyone that Maitland might be watching.

Gary ushered her through to the living room, as musty and cramped as the rest of the house. There was only one actual armchair, the rest of the space taken up by glass display cases and shelves. He scurried off to fetch a chair from the dining table. “Can I get you something to drink, Chief Inspector?” he asked from the doorway. “Erm, I’ve only got Diet Coke or soya milk, but...”

Pierce demurred, not least because she didn’t want to contemplate what he might serve it up in. As she sat in the armchair, she found herself facing a goat’s head with both of its eyes stitched closed.

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