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

“He was so worried about her. He tried to get her number off us, but we told him nothing. Nothing.” She started to cry. “That poor boy died not long after. His heart was broken, and I don’t think his mother has ever quite forgiven Surin for breaking it.”

Parker looked up. “Wendy?”

Erin nodded. “That boy was her whole life.” Michael patted her hand gently. “Surin was so angry when I told her about Eamon’s accident earlier, that I thought she was going to leave,” she added.

“What do you mean?” Parker asked, his heart rate picking up a notch.

“She didn’t know about the necklace and how Wendy thought Surin had been in the car with him that night.”

Parker shut the notebook and stared at Erin. “Why would she think that?”

Michael took over. “There were two types of blood found in the car, but only one body. The police wrote it off as a coincidence, but Wendy was adamant.”

Erin shook her head. “Poor woman, she desperately wanted to believe that her son wouldn’t do something so reckless.”

Parker nodded. “Do you think Surin might have gone back to talk to Wendy this afternoon?” he asked.

Erin sat forward quickly. “Well, yes, that makes sense!” Parker stood up and pulled out his cell phone as Erin continued. “They only live four blocks away, which explains why she didn’t take the car.”

Parker put his hand up, gesturing for quiet as he waited for the phone to be answered.

“Mrs Sutherland?” he said politely. “It’s Detective Parker Rhodes. We met earlier. Yes, I’m good, thank you.” He smiled reassuringly at Erin. “I’m just wondering if Surin has visited you today, I’m trying to track her down.” He quickly reached for his notepad and nodded. “She did? Excellent. About what time did she leave?” He quickly jotted the details down. “If it’s not too much trouble, can I pop over for ten minutes to have a chat? I appreciate it. See you then.”

He hung up the phone and turned to Michael and Erin, who were holding hands on the couch.

“She was there five hours ago, and she left on foot. I’m heading over there now.” He grabbed his bag and walked quickly to the door. “As soon as I know, you will know,” he said and pecked Erin on the cheek.

They nodded and watched him jog over to his car. He got in, started the engine and tore down the road, heading to Eamon Sutherland’s home.

***

Madison sipped the god-awful coffee, then placed it back on the table’s scratched laminated surface. She was sitting in a sticky orange plastic chair in the waiting room of the North East local police station. It had been twenty very long minutes since she last spoke to someone, and she was growing increasingly impatient with every tick of the clock. Just as she stood up, intent on making a scene, the door swung open with a squeal and in walked a deputy with a carton full of files.

“Ma’am,” he said with a nod of his head. Madison smiled back at him. “Not sure on whose authority, but you must have friends high up,” he smirked, taking in her tight skirt and neatly buttoned top. “These are the files you requested.” He dropped the box from an unnecessary height and let it bang on the ground loudly. Madison looked at his perfectly creased pants and manicured hands and decided that this man had never seen a day of action in his entire life.

“Thank you, Officer.” She smiled. “Is this everything?”

The man looked at her and tried to hide his eye-rolling, unsuccessfully. “Everything you asked for,” he replied with a droning tone. “All reported incidents, including Peeping Toms, indecent assault, animal cruelty, domestic disturbances, and loitering, for the past twenty years.”

She put her hands on her hips and stared at the pile of dusty paperwork. “Righto, I’ll get started.” She dragged the box over to the table.

“Good luck,” he yelled over his shoulder as he left the room, shutting the door behind him.

“Talk about trying to find a needle,” she mumbled and pulled out the first pile.

37

Wendy was waiting in the doorway when Parker arrived. She had her arms crossed over her chest, a questioning look covering her tired face. He jogged up the path.

“Thanks for seeing me again, Mrs Sutherland,” he said as he once again shook her hand.

“Wendy, please,” she replied.

“What’s this about, Detective?” she added, gesturing him inside.

He had not yet decided how to approach the subject, but looking around the living area that was a shrine to her dead son, he made the snap decision to approach with caution.

“Surin came to see you earlier today?” he questioned and took a seat, leaning forward, elbows on his knees.

“Yes,” she said, offering nothing further.

Parker sighed. “Wendy, I need you to tell me what her visit was all about.”

Wendy shifted in her chair. “Well, it was about Eamon.”

Parker waited, doing everything he could not to reach over and shake the woman into action.

“Yes,” she said quietly. “She came to apologise for Eamon.” Big silent tears began to fall down the woman’s cheeks.

Parker tilted his head. “Apologise for what?” he asked, obviously missing something.

“Well, for breaking his heart to start with,” she spat out and covered her mouth quickly realising the tone.

Parker sighed. “They were just kids,” he said as Wendy started to shake her head.

“You don’t understand, he had it all!” she yelled as angry tears began to flow freely. “Every girl wanted him; every boy wanted to be him.” She stood and started pacing. “He had a scholarship. His life was set.”

Parker leaned back, hoping his distance would calm her.

“When she left him, he never recovered.”

Parker finally understood. “You think Surin ruined his life?” he asked incredulously.

Wendy looked at him —