Crime Stories by A. S. French

Author:A. S. French [French, A. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Neonoir Books

* * *

Ten minutes later, she was outside, flexing her hands and wondering what she’d do with the girl. Chuck’s phone was in her pocket as she removed her mobile from her jacket. A quick online search showed Astrid where the closest women’s refuge was. It wouldn’t be ideal to leave Lucy there, but she had no other choice: as long as she could convince the kid.

‘Come on,’ Astrid said. ‘I’ll take you somewhere safe.’

They strode through the city, Astrid’s head full of memories of when she’d fled from her hated family and had lived on the streets. She didn’t want any of that for Lucy, didn’t want it for any kid but knew it was the only way of life for far too many.

‘Am I going to live with you?’ Lucy said.

They were only a few minutes from the refuge, and Astrid knew this was the time she had to convince the girl to trust a group of adults she’d never met before.

Astrid stopped at a street corner. ‘How long have you been homeless?’

There was sadness and relief in her eyes as she spoke.

‘A month. I was living under a bridge when… when this happened to me.’

Astrid didn’t ask if Lucy would return to her family.

‘It’s dangerous out here, on your own. You understand that now, don’t you?’ The girl nodded. ‘I’m going to find who did this to you and the other kids, and I’ll make them stop, but you can’t live on the streets anymore. So I want you to stay with people who have your best interests at heart. Is that okay?’

Lucy’s shoulders slumped. ‘I suppose so. Will you come and see me when you get back.’

Astrid smiled at her. ‘I promise I will, Lucy.’

She hugged the teenager, knowing it was a start.

But not an end.

Astrid walked her to the refuge and took her inside. She gave Lucy her mobile number and waited while she settled in. She left ten minutes later, feeling Chuck’s phone pressing against her chest, desperate to get started on uncovering its secrets.

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