The Fall by Rachael Blok

Author:Rachael Blok [Blok, Rachael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838931773
Publisher: Head of Zeus

34

MAARTEN

Adrika knocks on the door of the flat for a second time.

‘This definitely the right one?’ Maarten says, looking down the corridor.

‘Should be.’ She knocks again.

A click sounds behind the door and it pulls open a crack. ‘Yeah?’

‘We’re looking for Jaz Braxton. Police.’ Adrika’s words disappear through the gap of air between them.

‘Police?’ The door opens further. A man stands before them in tracksuit bottoms and hair standing up on end. ‘Excuse the state of me. I was in bed. I work shifts. I’m a paramedic.’

‘I’m sorry to have disturbed you. We have this as Jaz Braxton’s address. Is he at home?’

The man shakes his head, yawning. ‘No. Haven’t seen him. But then he knows to be quiet when I’m asleep. Wouldn’t he be at work?’

‘The cathedral is closed today.’

‘Oh, shit, yeah. The fall. I spoke to the crew who brought him in.’

‘Do you know where he might be, if he’s not at home?’ Adrika is polite.

‘Erm… Have you tried his uncle’s? Oh, and he had a date last week – but I don’t know her details. He might be with her? Sorry. I’m shattered.’ He yawns again. ‘I haven’t seen him much in the last few days. He was out last night. At that party.’

‘And when you have spoken to him, would you say he’s seemed like himself?’ Maarten asks. ‘Nothing unusual?’

‘Well, you know his grandad’s just died? He’s been upset. Obviously. Poor bloke. He was round here the morning he died. Can’t believe it. I see it a lot with work, but you never get used to it. Here one minute, gone the next.’

‘Joel Braxton was here?’

‘Yeah.’ He yawns again. ‘Yeah, he came round. I was getting ready for work. They had a cup of tea. Had a bit of a row about something – a lot of swearing. He was gone by the time I was dressed.’ He shakes his head. ‘Not the last words you’d want to say to your grandad. If you’d known. Hindsight and all that.’

‘Do you know what their argument was about?’ Adrika asks, as Maarten’s mind spins.

‘Nah. Something and nothing probably. But there was shouting. Look, I really need to head back to bed for a bit. I can give you Jaz’s number? You probably want to speak to him.’

Outside, Adrika shakes her head. ‘Still no answer.’ She lowers her phone.

Maarten looks up at the sky, blue with sun falling through the clouds like fingers. He had thought when he was young it was the kind of light that collected souls. Took them up to heaven. He has no idea what he thinks now.

‘So, Joel Braxton visited Jaz. That’s the first we’ve heard of it. I wonder if his dad knows? Or Michael Braxton.’

Adrika taps the back of her phone with two fingers. ‘Doesn’t sound like it.’

‘Yes,’ he says. ‘And Jaz has been missing all morning.’

‘What’s our next move?’

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