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“India’s foster records say that she experienced some juvenile delinquency issues,” says Storm. “Can you tell us about that?”
“It was just the usual thing,” says Mr Garrett. “If the whole town is going to be against you, it isn’t surprising a teen girl would lash out. She fell in with a bad bunch in High School. She just wanted to fit in. It was them mainly who caused the trouble, but everyone was happy to blame our India. Graffiti. Some shoplifting. Once the boys stole a car and India went along with them.”
“She wanted the thrill,” says Mrs Garrett. “She always had that in her. Not like our Rachel.”
“But that was behind her,” Mr Garrett insists. “She grew out of it.”
“I see that she began a couple of university degrees but didn’t finish them,” says Storm. “And wasn’t currently employed?”
“She found it difficult to settle,” says Mr Garrett. “She hadn’t decided yet what she wanted to do in her life. And what has that got to do with anything? You must understand what it’s like to be different. You work for this Agency of Otherkind Investigations. That Detective Zael told us otherkind work here. You must know them. Succubae, goblins, werewolves?” He looks at Storm and Leo searchingly.
Storm only nods. He doesn’t reveal that he is half angelus. That Leo is a werewolf. In his experience, for the humans he had interacted with in cases this has often been more distressing than reassuring.
“Was India happy to come to London?” says Storm. “Was it her idea?”
Mrs Garrett shakes her head. “It was our Rachel who got a job here. She was so proud.”
“And we were glad India wanted to go with her,” says Mr Garrett. “We didn't want Rachel to be alone in the big city.”
Mrs Garrett shoots her husband the most fleeting of defiant looks. “We did worry a little that India might pull Rachel into trouble down here. It seemed to be in her nature. She couldn’t help it.”
“Not werewolf nature, you understand,” says Mr Garrett quickly. “She’s a fun loving girl, our India. She didn’t like to sit at home.”
“Did any of their other friends or acquaintances from home come down to London too?”
“No, they mostly had each other for company. They’d have said if anyone visited.”
“Do you know who their friends in London are?”
“Rachel was too busy with work for friends. And India was too busy with Charlie. They mostly spent time with Charlie’s friends if they went out.”
“We have to ask this,” says Leo. “Was there any friction between the girls recently?”
“That Detective Zael is wrong,” says Mr Garrett, his voice finally getting a little heated. “India loves Rachel. Loved Rachel. India would never have done this. Never. She just couldn’t.”
But there is a desperation in his tone that says he is trying to convince himself of this as much as convince them. He is scared. He is beginning to worry that the girl he raised as a daughter may have killed his biological daughter.
Storm is aware that the questions he and Leo must ask will inevitably sow seeds of doubt in their minds that will taint the Garretts’ relationship with India if she is found, with each other, and with their family and friends. Even now the Garretts must be heartbroken that when they go home they will see I-told-you-so in the eyes of people they regard as friends.
“Were there any arguments?” Leo persists.
“No,” says Mr Garrett shortly.
“Yes,” says Mrs Garrett. “Rachel didn't like India’s new boyfriend. She thought they were moving too fast. She said he was a city slicker. She didn’t trust him.”
“And India didn’t like that?” says Storm.
Mrs Garrett nods. “India thought that Rachel was jealous. But she wasn’t. India’s had boyfriends before. Rachel was never jealous.”
“This was different,” says Mr Garrett. “The others were layabouts and good-for-nothings. Charlie works in banking or consultancy or something, India said. He’s going places. He was handsome. India worried that Rachel didn't like that. He’s posh, you know, good family, wealthy background. Not the kind of boys we have back home. She thought Rachel resented her, a werewolf, for getting such a good catch.”
“But it was all in India’s head,” protests Mrs Garrett. “Rachel wasn’t jealous.”
“Was Rachel seeing anyone?” says Leo.
Mrs Garrett shakes her head. “No. But she’s such a beauty, my Rachel. She had so many admirers. She could have had anyone. But she wanted to build her career first. She was always too busy for boys.”
“Their apartment is in Notting Hill,” Storm notes. “Did you help them pay the rent?”
