[DI Ruth Hunter 18] The Chester Killings by Simon McCleave

Author:Simon McCleave [Simon McCleave]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0CLKX7YTD
Publisher: Stamford Publishing
Published: 2024-03-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 30

As Ruth drained some pasta over the kitchen sink, she could feel the frustration of the day getting to her. The ongoing friction between her and DI Weaver was making her feel uncomfortable. And the conversation with Nina Taylor had left both her and Nick feeling a little flat. They had hoped that Nina would help them narrow down the investigation in terms of suspects. Plus, Ruth was anxious about hearing back from the adoption agency.

She was distracted and, as the pasta suddenly dropped into the colander, the steam rose up and scolded the side of her right hand.

‘Shit!’ she said, moving the colander over to the work surface. Then she went to run her hand under some cold water. ‘Bollocks, bollocks.’

‘You swear too much,’ said a voice.

It was Daniel.

Ruth looked around and gave him an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry, I burned my hand.’

Is it okay?’ he asked.

‘It’ll be fine. It’s my own silly fault.’

‘You tell me not to swear,’ he said with a shrug.

‘Yeah, that’s because you’re eleven.’

‘What age can I swear then?’

Ruth laughed. ‘You can’t.’

‘What? Never?’

‘No.’

Daniel looked confused. ‘Some of the kids at school swear loads.’

‘Do they?’ Ruth asked, as she started to stir the bolognaise sauce on the hob.

‘Katie Palmer told our PE teacher to ‘fuck off’ the other day,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘She’s been suspended.’

‘Good, but it’s probably not a good idea to repeat exactly what she said.’

‘Oh yeah,’ Daniel said with a smile. ‘Sorry.’

‘Cheddar or Parmesan on your bolognaise?’ she asked.

‘Cheddar,’ he replied, as though that was a silly question.

Then Ruth noticed that he was holding a piece of paper in his hand. ‘What’s that?’

‘It’s a permission slip. We’re going on a school trip to the Imperial War Museum in Manchester and then we’re going to the Arndale Centre.’

‘Sounds great,’ Ruth said, but something about Daniel’s face suggested he was worried about going. ‘Don’t you want to go?’

‘Yes,’ he said hesitantly.

Ruth wasn’t convinced. ‘Are you worried about going to Manchester?’

‘Sort of,’ he admitted. ‘It’s just I’ve never been to a big shopping centre before. What if I get lost? Or what if the school bus goes without me?’

‘They won’t go without you,’ Ruth said, trying to reassure him. ‘You’ve got your phone if anything happens.’

He lowered his eyes and looked troubled. ‘I wish you were going.’

‘So do I,’ she said with a smile. ‘I tell you what. Why don’t you put one of those tracker apps on your mobile phone. Then if you get lost or left behind, I can find you by looking at my phone.’

‘No, it’s all right,’ he said, although she could see he was still worried. ‘I might download it another time.’

Ruth smiled at Daniel’s bravado. He didn’t want to admit that he was scared.

He moved a little closer to Ruth. ‘You know that lady?’

‘What lady is that?’ she asked, as she opened the cupboard to grab some plates.

‘The lady that came yesterday to talk to me, you and Sarah.’

‘Susannah?’

‘Yeah. Has she told you anything about my adoption yet?’

Ruth could see that it was troubling him.

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