Deep Water by Mark Ayre (best big ereader TXT) 📕

"You're right; I need to know who killed Aurora," he said. "For closure, I have to know. You're telling me it's not Louis; then who? Who could have killed her?"

"I don't know."

"But you could find out."

"I'm not a private detective. Most killers come to me because I'm standing in their way, protecting their target. Your sister's murder relates to your mother's danger because the incident is the touch paper that brought Angel and Ana into conflict with Louis. But if someone other than Louis murdered your sister, they'd likely have no reason to come after anyone else in your family. The chances of them putting their head above the proverbial parapet are next to zero."

"Right, but we could still try—"

"No." Abbie knew what he was going to ask. It wasn't worth entertaining. "Tony, I've been clear. I came to your town to protect your mother. Now I've arrived, I'd also like to ensure no one kills you, Jacob, or Kyle. But that's it. By tomorrow's end, my work will be done, and I'll be gone. The end."

They were almost at the split between smooth concrete and jagged rock. Further on, beyond the crack in the rocks into which Ana had dragged Jacob, another set of stone steps gave access to the beach. Down these came two men; one blonde, one bald—the same men as before.

Tony didn't notice the men. He was lost in darkness.

"So that's it? You're not fussed about my sister?"

"My business is saving lives," said Abbie, "not avenging deaths."

Reaching the bottom of the stone steps, the men made a beeline for the sea. They didn't look the sort to include long walks on the beach under the Likes heading in their dating profiles. They wore bulky jackets. Sensible in the current conditions; also perfect for concealing weapons of which the police would not approve. In her own coat, Abbie could feel the reassuring weight of her gun. The problem was, she couldn't use it. The bang of a shot could bring people running from every direction. Within seconds, sirens could fill the air, and Abbie could be in a heap of trouble at a time she could not afford to be delayed.

Tony still wasn't talking nor paying attention to his surroundings.

"I know you're upset," said Abbie. "If it helps, which I guess it won't, I wish I'd been called here before Aurora died. If I had been, maybe I could have saved her. But I wasn't. Your sister is dead, and you want justice or revenge or whatever, but I can't give it to you. What I can give you is a choice: attend the meeting this evening, hear Louis and your sister out, and get involved in our plan to ensure there is no further bloodshed. Or don't come. Take a step back, do whatever you want so long as it involves staying out of my way because I like you, Tony, but I need to focus on the job at hand. I cannot allow your vendetta against Louis to endanger your mother or his sons. I just can't. So, what's it to be?"

The men stopped just beyond the reach of the tide, side by side, staring out to sea. One of them, Blondie, raised a hand to his jacket, then dropped it when his bald friend gave him a sharp word. They stood a little way along from the crack in the wall.

And they were waiting.

"Fine."

Abbie had been drinking her coffee and watching the guys by the sea without making it obvious. It took her a couple of seconds to register what Tony had said.

"Fine?"

"Yeah. Fine. More than anything, I want my sister's killer to pay. It's not fair on you because it's not your problem, but I'm pissed off you won't help. I hate the thought of working with Louis, but, for now, I'm going to trust you. I'll come to the meeting; I won't say a word against that prick. I'm putting all my faith in you, so please, please, make sure nothing happens to my mum. If we trust Louis and she gets hurt, I'll never forgive you."

"Sounds good, now kiss me."

"What?”

"Come on, they're watching; just make it look real."

"What are you—"

Abbie kissed him. Arms around his neck, lips pressed to his, the whole nine yards.

Given he was angry, Abbie thought Tony might push her away. She had forgotten he was a straight, single man in his late twenties, while she was attractive and available. It took a second for his brain to register what was going on, then his arms slid around her back, and he pulled her close.

The kiss was decent. 7/10. Though further blemished by Bobby, who floated into her mind, staring at her with doe eyes. He wasn't smiling anymore. Forcing him away, Abbie focused on holding the kiss and making it real without letting it swamp her mind. She needed to know what the men by the sea were doing. She had to get this right.

For over a minute, she let the kiss continue. The men by the beach didn't move, though they cast more obvious glances in Abbie's direction.

When Abbie pulled away, she at once turned Tony towards the rocks. "Come with me."

She had his hand, dragged him along. For a few seconds, he allowed himself to be led. When he noticed where they were going, he started to resist.

"Hey, isn't that where Ana—"

"Not now," Abbie hissed. "We just have to—"

He stopped, pulled back. Abbie couldn't let the guys by the beach wonder why their targets hadn't continued on their path. Couldn't have them asking questions about the honesty of the scene playing out before them. As Tony stopped, yanking his hand loose, Abbie squeezed his fingers and spun backwards as though he were dragging her to him. As he tried to speak, she kissed him again, and again he didn't resist. Lonely people could be so weak.

This time, when she broke the kiss, she put her hands on his cheeks and pressed her forehead to his.