Crust Investigates: The Devil-Child of Dulwich (Crust 4) by Peter Caffrey

Author:Peter Caffrey [Caffrey, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mondo Perverso
Published: 2023-07-18T00:00:00+00:00

Abigail wasn’t happy.

‘I’ve been waiting for you,’ she snapped at Susan when he returned with Crust. ‘I said I wanted to show you something important, but instead you went out to play with your Papa.’

‘Trust me, he’s not my bloody Papa,’ Susan muttered, glancing at Crust. ‘I’ve got time now, if you still want to show me whatever it is.’

‘I might have something better to do,’ she replied petulantly.

Susan stood for a few seconds, considering the situation. Could he be arsed dealing with a sulking brat? Crust wanted him to try and find out what was going on, but he’d been the one who’d spent the past few days dressing up and picking flowers, and it was all getting a touch tedious. While Crust had been eating fine foods and supping beer with Missus Eaves, he’d been playing dolls with a ten-year old. Maybe the girl had been dropped on her head, or perhaps she really was possessed by the Devil. Either way, the dwarf figured it was time to try another approach.

‘Fuck off, Abigail,’ he hissed. Within seconds, tears welled up in her eyes.

‘What do you think you’re doing?’ Crust snapped. ‘Don’t upset her for fuck’s sake, not until we’ve earned our fee.’

‘I just thought it might shock her into being more cooperative.’

‘I think you’ve failed on that score. Look at the state of her.’

Susan was struck with a smothering sense of guilt, not because of his boss’s reaction, but because of the obvious distress he’d caused the girl. Maybe his unexpected empathy was because both of them knew bullying, or maybe it was because he was wearing her underwear. Either way, he felt her pain.

‘Sorry,’ he muttered, ‘I didn’t mean that. I’m just … upset, because I really want to see whatever it is you’re going to show me.’

Her tears dried up almost immediately.

‘Really?’

‘Yes, really,’ he said, despising the fact he’d let her manipulate him. ‘Come on, let’s go right now.’

‘But Nanny said it’ll soon be lunchtime.’

Glancing around theatrically, Susan leaned in and whispered in a conspiratorial fashion, ‘To hell with Nanny; let’s do what we want to do!’

With a giggle, Abigail nodded.

‘I’ll come with you,’ Crust said.

Susan shook his head, but Crust whispered, ‘I might spot something you miss, plus I want to find out more about her parents’ enemies.

The three set off towards the rear gate, Abigail leading with Crust beside her, while Susan waddled behind. Sometimes, he wished people would just fucking slow down.

Leaving the gardens and heading into the woods, Crust asked Abigail about the locals, why they disliked Lord and Lady Burtle, and whether anyone had ever threatened her. Abigail’s replies revealed little more than Susan had already established. When they eventually reached the wildflower meadow. Abigail stopped and turned to face Susan, a look of concern on her face.

‘Promise me you won’t tell anyone what I’m about to show you.’

‘I promise,’ Susan said, pretty certain no one would actually care.

‘And you,’ she added, glancing at Crust.

‘My lips are sealed!’

‘Properly promise. You must both say, “Cross my heart and hope to die,” to make it a proper promise.

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