Page 24 of The Killer’s Mark

‘Who’s Edgar?’ Esmerée asked.

‘You’ll see,’ Poe replied.

She did. And within five minutes, Edgar had accepted her into his family.

‘What time’s your train, Poe?’ Estelle asked.

‘Me and Tilly are on the nine forty-eight out of Carlisle.’

‘Where is she?’

‘Staying in the office tonight. She’s finishing some freelance work for Alastor Locke.’

Esmerée yawned and stretched.

‘Do you want me to show you your room, Esmerée?’ Estelle said.

‘Sure. I’d better get an early night if we have a train to catch.’

‘You’re not coming,’ Poe said.

‘The hell I’m not!’

‘This isn’t the start of a debate. You’re fifteen and I’ll be visiting some seedy as fu … heck places. There will be things I need your help with, but this isn’t one of them.’

‘Well I ain’t staying in this creepy-ass house on my own.’

‘No, you’re not,’ Estelle said. ‘You’re coming to work with me tomorrow.’

Esmerée folded her arms and pouted. ‘I’m not sitting in a stuffy office while you type letters for your asshole boss.’

Estelle smiled. ‘I work in a mortuary.’

‘What’s a mortuary?’

‘What you Americans call a morgue.’

‘Where they keep dead people and shit?’

‘Exactly where they keep dead people and shit. And tomorrow I’m performing a post-mortem.’

‘What, like cutting up some dead dude?’

‘Yes. The police want me to figure out what killed him.’

‘And I can watch?’

‘You can help if you want.’

‘For real?’

‘Of course.’

Esmerée’s grin was wider than the Wetheral viaduct. ‘I am soooo down for that.’

‘I thought you might be. Now, if you thought Poe was starting early, you’re in for a rude awakening. Literally. I’ll be knocking on your door at five thirty.’

Over Esmerée’s head, Poe mouthed a silent ‘Thank you.’