The Dark Places by R. Whitfield (novel24 TXT) 📕

Erin held her out at arm’s length and smiled sadly. “We didn’t lie to you,” she began cautiously. “We thought it would be for the best at the time.” Surin sat back and crossed her arms like a sullen teen. “Sury, you have to understand, you were so different after you broke up with Eamon, distant and sad.” Erin shook her head. “We were worried about how you would take the news of his passing, especially after the drama with the necklace— ”

Surin cut her off instantly. “Necklace?” she said, not recognising the tone of alarm in her own voice.

Erin hesitated before she said, “Yes. Wendy didn’t mention it when you stopped in there today?”

Surin shook her head, unable to find words.

“When they found Eamon, a necklace was found on the passenger seat.”

“So?” Surin asked, ignoring the gnawing feeling that was blossoming in the pit of her stomach.

“Wendy identified it as being the one he had given to you, senior year.” Surin froze as Erin went on. “The police rang me, of course, and I confirmed that you were safe and sound on campus.” She bent down to switch on the dishwasher.

“I-I gave it back to him,” Surin stuttered. “When we broke up, I returned it.”

Erin stood up and nodded. “That’s what the police concluded, but Wendy continued to swear black-and-blue that someone else must have been in the car.” Erin tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “So sad, to lose a child like that.” She placed her hand over her heart. “I can’t even begin to imagine what they both went through.”

Surin stood up and felt her legs teeter for a split second. “I read the report,” she said, to reiterate it, mainly to herself. “It was ruled a single-vehicle accident; his blood alcohol was through the roof.” She started to brush imaginary dirt off her pants, hoping to give the impression of disinterest.

“Yes, we heard that too,” said Erin sadly. “It’s just the blood on the necklace—”

Surin had had enough. “It was a terrible accident, Ma. There was bound to be lots of blood everywhere.”

“I know that too,” Erin added gently. “It’s just that the blood they found on the necklace wasn’t Eamon’s.”

33

Parker felt Surin’s absence more than he had anticipated. The drive back to Baltimore was quick but quiet, and as he pulled up to the station, he regretted leaving without her. As if on cue, his mobile phone started ringing.

“Rhodes,” he answered quickly, hoping to hear Surin’s voice.

“Detective Rhodes, this is Detective Potts.”

Parker swallowed his disappointment. “Yes, Potts?” he replied.

“I’m told to expect you at the morgue before the ME starts on Lucy Mead,” the officer stated, not masking the impatience in his voice.

“Yes, sorry, I’ve just arrived back from North East this very minute.” Parker turned back towards his car and slid back in. “I’m on my way right now, sorry to hold you up,” he added and hung up.

As he navigated his way to the ME’s office, he couldn’t help but again think of Surin. I should call her, he thought, and pressed her speed dial. He waited as her phone rang and rang.

“Elliott, leave a message.” He tapped it off, annoyed. The parking lot came into his sight, and he swerved off to the left, parking right beside the entrance. Debating with himself before he got out, he tried her phone again. After four rings, it clicked over.

“Hello, Surin’s phone,” came a hesitant reply.

“Erin?” he asked.

“Oh, Parker!” she said with a cackle. “Don’t tell her I answered this. She doesn’t like it when I do that,” she said cheekily.

Parker smiled. “I won’t. Is she around?” he asked, not quite sure what he was actually going to say to her.

“No, actually dear, she isn’t. Said she had to go and check up on something.”

Parker frowned. “OK, any ideas what it was about?” he said, scratching his head.

“No, sorry. She walked out the front door and said she would be back in a few hours.” Erin sighed. “She does her own thing that one.”

Parker nodded, even though she couldn’t see. “That is true,” he added with a grin. “I’ll try her later then.”

“OK, it was lovely meeting you. I hope you’ll visit again real soon, even if it’s just to drag Surin down here,” she said and hung up.

Parker sat quietly for a moment longer. Surin would have taken her phone if she was looking into something related to the case, he thought. She’s probably just going to visit an old school friend. With that, he got out of the car and jogged inside to meet up with the irritated Detective Potts. He’d catch up with Surin later on.

***

Madison had heard on the grapevine that Surin and Parker had taken a little road trip back to Surin’s hometown of North East. She tried not to let the little green monster rear its ugly head, but imaging Parker meeting Surin’s parents made her feel decidedly lonely. She dropped her bag to the floor inside the front door, slipped off her unbearable heels and instantly decided on a liquid dinner.

Flicking on the kitchen light, she reached above the oven and pulled down a nice bottle of pinot. Work today had been boring. Madison didn’t do boring. Her boss was refusing to put her back on crime watch due to his ongoing dislike of her resulting from her one-nighter with a cop’s partner and instead had her following some fucking flower festival that was coming to town. She shook her head and sighed. This agreement with Surin better come through, she thought. Pouring herself a generous glass, she ran through what she had learnt today, talking out loud always made her feel more productive.

“Lucy Mead, latest body found, no signs of rape, doesn’t seem to