Page 107 of Dead Pretty

I wait while she rummages around in her bag before she finds them and holds them out for me to take.

“Don’t worry about bringing them back, just leave them in the drawer under the counter. I’ll get them later.”

“Will do.” I take the keys from her outstretched hand and then make my way through the library to open up.

I feel bad for bringing Margaret down just then. But it’s not long before my thoughts are back to Jack, and I’m smiling again.

But my happy bubble doesn’t last for long when Detectives Sparks and Peters walk through the doors of the library only minutes after I unlocked them.

The computer we use to check out books hasn’t even had a chance to fire up when they come strolling in.

I put the keys in the drawer, like Margaret asked me to, and wait for the detectives to approach.

I start to feel a nervous, jittery sensation in my body. Worrying that they know who I really am. What my past is.

“Good morning,” I say to them when they reach the desk.

The library is empty, except for me and the detectives.

Our other staff member, Derek, is in the upstairs stacks, putting yesterday’s returned books away.

“Audrey Hayes,” Detective Sparks says my name. There is an edge to his tone that I don’t like. “We’re here to speak with your boss. Is she here?”

“I’m here,” Margaret says, coming up behind me. “Do you have news of Mike?” she asks them.

“Can we talk somewhere private?” Detective Peters says.

“We can talk here. As you can see, there is only us here.”

Detective Sparks’s eyes flicker to me.

“I can leave you alone.” I go to move, but Margaret stops me with a hand on my arm.

“Stay. Please, Detectives, can you tell us what is going on?”

“We recovered a male body late last night, which we identified through dental records as Michael King.”

Margaret gasps next to me, covering her mouth with her hand. I’m just standing here, not knowing how to react. What to do.

Hearing about death is not new to me.

“Ho-how did he die?” Margaret asks.

“We can’t determine cause of death until the autopsy is done. I hate to ask … but we have been unable to locate a next of kin. Do you know anything of Michael’s family?”

Margaret shakes her head. “He didn’t have one. He came from foster care. His parents died when he was young. No other family. I think he was close to one of his foster parents. I’m not sure of her name though …” She’s shaking her head, clearly distressed.

“Don’t worry. We can locate his details through the local foster agencies now that we know that is where we need to be looking,” Detective Peters says.

I can feel eyes watching me. Detective Sparks is just staring at me.

It’s unnerving as hell.

I look away, turning to Margaret, giving him the side of my head.

Her eyes are wet with tears. She gets a tissue from her pocket, dabbing at her eyes.

“I just can’t believe it,” Margaret says.