When the Evil Waits by M Lee (top fiction books of all time txt) 📕

Then, me and my friends started looking for him…’

‘I thought you ran home to check if he was there first.’

‘No, we looked for him, but not for long, then I ran home, but he wasn’t there.’

‘What time was that?’

‘Dunno, can’t remember. My dad thinks it was around two o’clock.’

‘So you told your dad?’

‘Yeah, and we all went out looking for him. I thought he was lost, see.’

‘If you thought he was lost, why did you run home?’

‘Because he’d done it before. Gone home without telling me.’

‘So it wasn’t the first time you’d gone to the park with your brother?’

‘Nah.’

Ridpath closed his notebook. ‘Thanks Dan, that’s useful. I’ve got to go somewhere else now, but I’ll come back maybe tomorrow and we can chat again.’

‘I’m finished? Can I go back upstairs?’

‘Sure, we’ll chat soon.’

The boy stood up, almost rushing to get out the door.

‘One more thing, Dan.’

The boy stopped and turned back slowly.

‘Do you still have your phone?’

‘It’s upstairs.’

‘Can I borrow it? I’ll give it back as soon as I can.’

‘But I need it to text my friends.’

‘Give him the phone, Dan,’ growled Michael Carsley without looking away from the flickering television.

Daniel stared at his father, then left the room, stomping upstairs. He returned a minute later with his mobile phone, one of the cheaper Samsungs.

‘You’ll give it me back?’

‘Of course. Emily will make sure I do, won’t you, Em?’ Ridpath took out an evidence bag and held it open for the boy to put the mobile inside. He then sealed the bag, writing the time and date on it and signing his name.

‘Can I go back upstairs, Dad?’

‘Yeah,’ answered Michael Carsley.

Ridpath stood up. ‘I need to go, Mr Carsley, thanks for your time. Did the undertaker call you?’

‘Mr Daly? Yeah, he did. Said he’d organise everything.’

‘Good, I’ll liaise with him and let you know what’s going on.’

‘When are we going to bury David?’

‘I don’t know the date yet, but let me get back to the office and I’ll let you know.’ He looked at the mantlepiece with its photo of the man and his sons in their football shirts. ‘Could I take the picture?’

‘It’s all I have of him.’

‘I understand.’ Ridpath picked it up and stared at it closely. There was a warmth, a happiness here. ‘I know what it’s like to grieve over someone you love.’

‘Do you? Well, I don’t want your understanding, right? Find my wee lad’s killer. That’s all I want from you.’

‘We will, Mr Carsley, I promise.’ He put the picture into his jacket pocket. ‘I’ll see myself out.’

Michael Carsley nodded once and then turned his head back to stare at the television.

As Ridpath was going out of the house, he heard the click of the remote and the sound of voices.

In the darkened room, the television was the only source of light.

Chapter 31

As they walked past the few press still standing opposite the house, a woman approached them.

‘Hiya, Emily, got any news for a poor reporter?’

‘You know I’m not allowed to speak with you, Molly.’

She eyed Ridpath up and down. ‘And who’s this tall, strapping young man? Your bit of stuff?’

‘This is DI Ridpath… a colleague,’ Emily added.

They both carried on walking with Molly Wright trotting along after them.

‘Ridpath? The name rings a bell. Wasn’t your wife killed? You were a coroner’s officer, weren’t you?’

‘I still am,’ mumbled Ridpath, increasing his speed to get away from the woman.

‘Have they released the child’s body yet? Are you here to arrange the funeral?’

Ridpath stopped dead and turned to talk to her. ‘No comment. Don’t you have anything better to do than feast on the unhappiness of others?’

‘Oh, he is a feisty one. I’m doing my job, DI Ridpath. I wish you lot would do yours. Two weeks since the body was discovered and still the police have nothing?’

He turned and walked away. She followed after him, trying to catch up.

‘Any comment, DI Ridpath? Why have GMP not arrested somebody? I’ve heard you have 3000 replies to your photofit appeal? Care to comment?’

Ridpath carried on walking around the corner with Emily trying to keep up with him. Eventually, the woman gave up and dropped back to rejoin her photographer.

‘You shouldn’t let her get to you.’

‘She’s a leech who doesn’t care who gets hurt as long as she gets her story. I remember them after Polly died. Parasites…’

‘She’s dangerous, that one. I’d watch out for her.’

They approached where they had parked the car. ‘She’s not worth the time of day. The investigation is all that matters.’

For a second, Ridpath went to his safe place. Standing on top of Mam Tor, staring down into Castleton in the Peak District, the wind blowing through his hair and the sun shining on his face. Within seconds, he was feeling calm, collected and focused. ‘What did you think of Daniel?’ he asked, back on the job.

Emily thought for a moment before answering. ‘A good kid, trying to handle a shitty situation. I’m sure he blames himself for his brother’s kidnapping. Even worse, I think the father blames him.’

‘That’s why he’s hiding upstairs all the time?’

‘I think so. When I was the FLO, it was hard to get him to come out of his room, even to eat.’

‘I had the same feeling, but…’

‘What is it, Ridpath?’

‘Some of his statement didn’t ring true.’

‘Like?’

‘Meeting his friends by accident and they just happened to have a basketball?’

‘You think he arranged to meet them?’

‘Possibly, I don’t know. The encounter with the man didn’t feel right either. Almost as if it was scripted.’

‘He’s told it so many times now, he must know the words off by heart.’

‘No, not scripted in that sense, but more expected. As if it was what I wanted him to say…’

‘Rather than him saying it. A police training video?’

‘Or the sort of safety films they show at schools.’ He shook his head, trying to work out what he was trying to say. ‘Something didn’t feel right about it…’

‘I wouldn’t talk about feelings, not while Turnbull is in charge. He’s only after facts, more facts