Page 57 of D for Dead

Boaz shuffled his feet, looking uncomfortable.

‘I was with Mr Cunningham. We were finding some clothes that fit. I went to help as soon as I heard the screaming and arrested the lady for what she did to Amy.’

‘I tried your cell. It’s switched off.’

‘Uh, I think it’s broken from where it got wet.’

Jake shook his head. The man was a walking liability. He sucked in a breath, held it, counted. Losing his temper wouldn’t help anyone.

‘Okay, come on, Officer Magnum. I need you to take Heidi and Huckleberry home.’ Somewhat reluctantly he took out his cuff key and released Nadine from the table.

‘You’re letting her go after what she did?’ Boaz demanded angrily.

‘For now, yes.’ Jake glanced at Troy and then Nadine. ‘I’ll talk to Amy about whether she wants to press charges. If she does I’ll be in touch. But don’t think about pulling any shit with her dog. If you do, you’ll come off worse.’

Nadine’s red lips trembled, her steely eyes glaring at him. She didn’t say a word.

Troy gushed his thanks and apologies, the mask he habitually wore now back in place.

‘What about Amy?’ Boaz wanted to know. ‘I’m supposed to be watching her.’

‘I’ve got Amy. I have an appointment to get her to.’

* * *

‘I don’t think this is a good idea,’ Amy protested as Sullivan opened the passenger door of his car. He put his hand on her head and pushed her down into the seat when she made no attempt to get in.

‘I can’t go like this, with these cuts on my face. It’s too short notice. Besides, I’ve been giving it some thought and I don’t think–’

He shut the door, cutting off her complaint, so Amy paused, waited until he got in the driver’s side, before continuing.

‘Seeing this guy isn’t a good idea. I don’t need to see a shrink because of a stupid nightmare. I’m perfectly fine. I just have a stressful situation going on at the moment. A shrink is not going to be able to help me. I already know what’s wrong. See, I diagnosed myself.’

Sullivan sat patiently through her argument, a neutral expression on his face.

‘You done?’ he asked when she finally paused for breath.

‘Yes. No… maybe.’

‘Which is it?’ His eyebrows lifted, dark eyes questioning, the slightest hint of amusement in them.

‘Yes. I guess.’

‘Good.’ He cranked the ignition, pulled away from the beach house. ‘You’ll be fine. Shinnick is a nice guy. He doesn’t bite.’

‘You’re still making me go? I said I didn’t want to.’

‘I know.’ He glanced over at her. ‘Put your seat belt on.’

Amy huffed, annoyed he had changed the subject, but put the belt on anyway.

She had never been much of a rebellious type.

‘So what possessed you to go into Nadine’s house? You had to know it would spell trouble,’ Sullivan asked, tone casual, eyes on the road.

Keeping the subject away from Doctor Shinnick, Amy noted.

‘I already told you. Officer Boaz fell in the sea. Troy happened to be passing and offered him a towel and a change of clothes.’