Fatal Designs by Lucy Appadoo

Author:Lucy Appadoo [Lucy Appadoo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lucy Appadoo
Published: 2023-11-23T00:00:00+00:00

Edward slowly opened his eyes on Ray’s couch the next morning, rubbing the back of his neck. He had stayed the night so he wouldn’t drink again. His drinking usually escalated on the weekends. It was only Saturday. How was it only Saturday?

He got up and walked to the kitchen, pouring water into the electric kettle. A cup of coffee would wake him up before he spoke to Ray about getting help for his drinking. Enough was enough.

While waiting for the kettle to boil, the doorbell rang. He approached the front door and swung it open, his chest clenching when he saw two police officers standing there. “Hello, officers. What can I do for you?”

The policeman said, “Yes, hello. I am Officer Michaels, and this is Officer Abruzzo. We need to speak to Mr Ray Astbury.”

“What is this about, officers?”

“We would rather speak to Mr Astbury. Is he home?”

Edward nodded. “Yes. Come inside and I will wake him up.” He opened the door wider and they stepped inside. Officer Michaels was stout and of average height, his eyes darting in all directions around the house. Officer Abruzzo tucked his shirt over his protruding belly.

He rushed into Ray’s bedroom and called out. The display on the digital clock read seven o’clock. “Wake up.”

Ray roused from sleep as he turned to Edward. “What the fuck, man? It’s early.”

He huffed. Edward despised his brother’s regular use of such foul language. “The police are here. Get up now.” He wondered what had happened for the police to arrive here this early. For all he knew, Ray might have had a bar fight or assaulted someone while drunk. Any number of incidents could have occurred without him knowing.

Ray jerked as he pulled the blankets off himself and quickly reached for a jumper on the floor. He swung it over his head then reached for his pants lying over a chair. “What the hell are they doing here this early, Eddie? This is madness.”

He stood cross-armed. “I don’t know, Ray. You tell me.”

Ray shook his head. “I’ve done nothing wrong.” Edward was curious, wondering if this might have been simple questioning about an incident not initiated by his brother.

They entered the living room and Officer Michaels approached Ray. “Mr Astbury, you are under arrest for assault. We would like you to come with us to the station.”

He frowned. “What?”

Officer Abruzzo intervened. “Please come with us.”

Edward’s blood ran cold.

Ray put up his hands. “What assault? Who did I hurt?”

Officer Michaels said, “The assault of a young woman at the local Motor Inn yesterday afternoon. You can come with us quietly to the station or we can cuff you. Your choice.”

He flailed with his hands. “Fine, fine. I’ll come quietly.”

“Officers. This has to be a mistake,” said Edward.

“No mistake. Please come with us, Mr Astbury,” said Officer Michaels.

Edward touched his brother gently on the shoulder. “I will meet you at the station, Ray. We will sort this out, do not worry.”

Ray nodded with dark pools of despair in his eyes.

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