Wild Fiction

‘Good, take this one before you go to bed this evening,’ she said passing it over to him. ‘And then take half of this one,’ she said tipping the bottle again and sliding another one into her hand, ‘tomorrow morning. If that doesn’t work then nothing will.’ She smiled at him and he smiled back.
Rebecca and Genevieve stood up and walked to the door. Gunther tried to stand and see them out but they insisted that he did not move.
‘Rebecca,’ Gunther called after her as she was about to close the door.
‘Yes,’ she said turning around.
‘Your hair looks great.’
‘Thanks,’ she said breaking into a grin. She tousled it with her free hand and pulled the door closed.

Chapter 60

Rebecca walked into the house ahead of Genevieve. They stood still in the kitchen and listened. The house was silent. ‘Is anyone at home?’ Rebecca shouted.
‘There’s a message on the answer machine,’ Genevieve said pointing at the flashing red light. She pressed the play button. A long beep sounded, followed by Conrad’s voice.
‘Where are you? When you get this can you come down to the police station. They want to talk to the two of you as well. Hurry up, will you.’
There was a click and then an automated voice in an American accent said: ‘There are no more new messages.’
They could hear the tape rewinding as they left the kitchen.
WPC J. WAKEFIELD raised her eyebrows as soon as they walked in and ran her eyes up and down the length of their bodies. ‘Come through,’ she said disappearing from behind the counter and reappearing at the door into the back offices of the police station.
WPC J. WAKEFIELD showed them into a large interview room. Jerry Ogilvie was sitting at the table with Conrad and James. Styrofoam cups, empty crisp packets, and sweet wrappers lay on the table. Conrad looked as if he was about to fall asleep. James was drawing elaborate doodles on a yellow pad of A4 paper. Jerry stood up as soon as the girls entered.
‘Hello Genevieve,’ he said stretching out his hand to her. He had had a haircut and what remained of it had been slicked back with gel.