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“It’s okay,” Neri whispered, quickly grabbing the handlebars and righting the tangle of wheels. “I think Aslan has a touch of heatstroke, Dad. Perhaps a beer might not be best.”
“Have a lemonade then,” Anna said, coming to join the disaster in the garden. “I just squeezed some.” She held up a dewy carafe, smiling so kindly, so happily.
My mind spiralled. My heart suffocated.
Too many people.
Too many moving parts and secrets and fears.
“I think I know what’s going on here,” Wayne muttered, placing his hands on his lean hips, puffing up his chest beneath a short-sleeved, lime-coloured shirt. His kneecaps were knobbly beneath neatly-ironed black shorts. “You’re afraid I’m here to interrogate you, aren’t you?”
My heart did its best to keep me alive as I forced myself not to shatter beneath panic. “I, eh...” I cleared my throat.
Get a goddamn grip.
I couldn’t break in front of this man.
I couldn’t show any weakness.
Because she knows.
“I’m just...tired, that’s all. Still healing.”
“I’ll never apologise enough for hurting you so badly, mate,” Jack muttered. “You sure nothing is seriously wrong? I didn’t break anything, did I?”
“I’m fine.” I balled my hands, never taking my eyes off the cop.
“You can press charges, you know,” Wayne said with a quirked lip. “Jack, for all his good intentions, committed assault on you.”
“Wayne’s not kidding that he’s here on your behalf, Aslan. Not ours,” Jack said. “If anything, he’s come to give me the third degree.” He chuckled but his eyes were slightly wary.
I would never lay charges against Jack, even if I could.
“It’s all good,” I muttered.
“That’s a relief to know,” Wayne said with a smile. “In that case, have no fear, Aslan. After my chat with Nerida the other night, I know you could never do such a heinous thing. She’s lucky to have you in her corner.” He grinned at Jack as he placed a beer bottle into the detective’s hand. “Cheers.”
“I told Wayne that we’ve buried our differences.” Jack clinked his bottle with Wayne’s, beckoning me to join them. “I made an awful mistake hitting you, but it’s all good now. So good, in fact, you’ve forgiven me enough to become my future son-in-law.”
“Congratulations, by the way.” Wayne saluted me with his bottle. His smile warmed as it landed on Neri. “To both of you. I met my wife young too. When you know, you know.”
“Thanks.” Neri grinned. “We’re both very happy.”
Wayne studied her for longer than I was comfortable with. Finally, he nodded with another smile. “I can see that. And I’m glad.”
“Will you stay for dinner, Wayne?” Anna asked. “We’re still working through Christmas leftovers, so it will just be a simple fare of roasted chicken, some salads, and the last pieces of chocolate cake Neri and I made.”
“That wouldn’t be too much trouble?” Wayne asked, his face far too eager. “My kids and their kids left yesterday. I returned to work this morning to stay busy even though I’m meant to be off until next Monday. If I’m honest, an empty house doesn’t sound all that appealing.”
I know you worked today.
You were in the house where I dragged a man away to be murdered.
And Zara knows.
But she didn’t tell you.
My hands fisted as I looked at Neri, and all my fear and panic solidified into a glacier, seeping with icy death in my belly.
