Page 116 of D for Dead

‘It’s fine. I could do with the fresh air.’ She smiled tightly and Jake knew she was thinking about the implication of his words: that she was no longer safe in her own home. ‘I’ll go get his lead.’

While he didn’t want to scare her, she needed to be prepared. They would keep her safe as best as they could, but she needed to be on her guard. He thought back to the last conversation he’d had with Rebecca, before Amy had woken up. The developments with Ryan Caparelli were worrying and it was difficult to believe he wasn’t somehow involved. Until they found out how, they had made the decision to keep the news from Amy. She would find out sooner or later, but right now it would be something else she didn’t need to deal with.

* * *

As they walked along the riverbank he broached the subject of therapy.

‘Paul Shinnick called me this morning.’

‘Okay.’

‘He says he’s been trying to get hold of you and you’re not returning his calls.’

‘I know.’ Amy kicked at a pebble, rolling it down the bank and into the water. ‘He’s left me a couple of voicemails.’

‘And?’

‘And I think I’ve had enough sessions. What’s done is done. I don’t want to rehash it anymore.’

Jake had expected this reaction.

‘It’s standard stuff, Amy. He’s trying to help you come to terms with the memories you’ve uncovered.’

‘I am coming to terms with them: in my own way.’

‘Are you? Because it seems to me you’re still reeling from what happened.’

Amy stopped walking, turned on him angrily. ‘What are you now a therapist too?’

It was good to see some fire back in her eyes.

‘Just someone trying to help,’ Jake told her calmly.

‘I don’t need your help and I don’t need any more help from Doctor Shinnick. Yes, I’m reeling from what happened. I’m also reeling knowing some sick psycho is out there using my books as an excuse to kill people I know. But I’ll deal with it in my own way.’

‘If it doesn’t break you first,’ Jake muttered, taking a quick step back when Amy looked like she was going to take a swipe at him.

‘Stick to the detective stuff, okay?’ she snapped. ‘And keep the psychoanalytical bullshit to yourself – unless of course you’re prepared to share. You want to know all my secrets, but I notice you’re not so willing to tell me your own.’

Jake’s temper prickled. ‘I don’t have secrets. I have a past that has nothing to do with this case. Yours does.’

‘But I never asked for it. I never asked for any of this. You want me to trust you, you want me to put my faith in you, believe you will keep me safe and catch this asshole. Why should I?’

‘Don’t make this personal. I’m just doing my job, Amy.’

‘Are you?’ She held his gaze for a moment and he saw the frustration and disappointment in her eyes. ‘Are you really just doing your job?’

When he didn’t answer, she shook her head, stormed past him back in the direction of her apartment building.

‘Amy!’

‘I’m going back. You’ve got Huckleberry.’

‘Amy! Dammit. Come back here.’

Irritated when she ignored him, Jake whistled to the dog. Huckleberry came to him obediently and stood patiently while he clipped on his leash, before hurrying after her.

They walked back up to her apartment in silence.