Alex Barclay - Time of Death

‘No.’

‘Had Helen Wheeler?’

‘As far as I know, no.’

‘Was there another reason for you to meet Douglas Hammond?’

‘No,’ said Ren. ‘And, for the record, I did not kill him.’

‘No one’s accusing you of being a killer,’ said Glenn. He paused. ‘Do you know the expression, “the point of no return”? Well, I’m here. And what a great location it is.’

The world was no longer a wonderful, magical place to Glenn Buddy.

‘I have allowed you in further to this than I should have,’ said Glenn. ‘I’ve made a huge mistake. And you’ve helped me make it. I was doing you a favor and now I feel manipulated.’

The darkest place is often to be found on the wrong side of the sunniest person. ‘What? You think you can’t trust me?’

Glenn Buddy’s face was all the answer she needed.

‘I know,’ said Ren. ‘I know. But…please. From here on, I promise, I will ask you for nothing. And right here, right now, I can promise that there is nothing I have done that you need to-

Ren’s cell phone rang. She glanced down. ‘I’m sorry, I have to take this. It’s my brother. It’s a family…issue.’ Jay, of all people, to the rescue.

Glenn gestured that he was going to go out for a cigarette. Ren nodded. She answered the call.

‘Hi, Jay.’

‘I was talking to Mom,’ he said, straight in. Just like mother.

‘And?’

‘She found out that Dad went to see Daryl Stroud.’

‘And?’ said Ren.

‘Well, do you think that was wise?’ said Jay.

‘If I thought it was unwise, would I have suggested that Dad do it?’

‘Well, I think it was unwise.’

‘OK.’

‘OK, what?’

‘You have your opinion and I have mine. Mine happens to be shared by Dad and Matt.’

‘You made Dad go and talk to Daryl.’

‘Are you for real?’ said Ren. ‘He’s a grown man. I suggested it. He was happy to do it.’

‘You know he would do anything for you.’

‘As he would for any of us. Including Beau,’ said Ren. ‘So, Dad paid Daryl a visit. It’s not like he was going to compromise the entire investigation and Beau’s reputation because of something I suggested he do. You are being ridiculous.’

‘You can be very reactive, Ren,’ said Jay. ‘And impulsive.’

‘So, if I say “fuck you” right now, will that fall under one of those categories? Will that have no merit either?’

‘I don’t want to get into anything,’ said Jay.

‘So calling me was meant to, what…?’

‘To let you know to step back,’ said Jay. ‘And…not to make things any worse for Mom and Dad. They’re very vulnerable.’

‘Jesus Christ,’ said Ren, ‘you’re acting like I’m a door-to-door salesman looking to scam the elderly out of their life savings. Give me a break. And why, in God’s name, did you tell them about that fling I had?’

‘How do you know I told them?’

‘Oh, please. Like Matt would,’ said Ren. ‘That stuff is my business, Jay. Do you understand that concept?’

‘Matt mentioned it to me, that’s all,’ said Jay.

‘To you,’ said Ren. ‘Not to anyone else. And not, I would imagine, in a gossipy way. Why the hell would I tell Mom and Dad that kind of shit?’

‘Yeah, well, I don’t know why the hell you wouldn’t.’

‘Jesus Christ!’ said Ren. ‘That still doesn’t make it your call. Will you ever, ever respect someone else’s wishes? Ever?’

‘Maybe I was just looking out for you,’ said Jay.

‘How exactly was that looking out for me?’

‘Well, maybe these flings aren’t good for you.’

Ren exploded. ‘How fucking dare you! Where do you get off-’

‘Go ahead, Ren, fight with the world.’

‘I am not fighting with the world,’ said Ren. ‘What the hell are you talking about?’

‘You’re so angry.’

‘I am not angry.’

‘Yes, you are. It’s unbelievable.’

‘Did you ever think I’m just angry with you?’ said Ren. ‘The world is fine from where I’m standing. Maybe I’m just fighting with you.’

‘Me?’ said Jay.

‘Yes.’

‘Why?’

‘Nothing,’ said Ren.

‘Oh, grow up,’ said Jay. ‘“Nothing” — you’re like a child, Ren.’

‘You are the most patronizing…fuck you.’

‘Do you behave like this at work?’

‘Oh my God, what in the hell does that have to do with anything? Work? Is that what’s important here? How I am in work? What are you going to do, call my boss? See how I’ve been doing?’

‘What is that supposed to mean?’

‘You know nothing about me. You have no clue. And do you know why? Because you don’t listen. Because you think you are better than everyone. You judge. You watch and you judge. And it’s the Jay filter. Which is a shit filter. And do you want to know why?’

‘Sure, Ren, go ahead: why?’

‘Because…why did you go to Mom and Dad about me?’

‘Huh?’ said Jay. ‘What are you-’

‘I covered your ass. Why did you go to Mom and Dad about me drinking?’

‘Are you talking about when you were fifteen?’

‘Yes!’ said Ren.

‘This is ridiculous,’ said Jay.

‘You told Mom and Dad that I was drinking. Two beers!’

‘Are you actually talking about-’

‘I’m talking about Beau!’ shouted Ren. ‘Why wasn’t it Beau that you told on?’ She held back tears, but her voice was cracking. ‘Why didn’t you tell them about Beau? Why didn’t you tell them he had been smoking shit every night? Why didn’t you say that he had a little bag of pills he carried around with him? You knew. I know you knew. So, fuck you. You didn’t over-ride him when he asked you to keep a secret. You over-rode me. And you were wrong. Hasn’t that ever entered your head? Ever? You were wrong. You picked the wrong fucking sibling to rat out.’

She slammed the phone down.

Glenn Buddy coughed.

Ren swung around. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said.

‘I just caught from “so, fuck you” onwards.’

‘Right…’ What did you hear? I can’t even remember what I said.

‘Do you always talk to your brother that way?’ said Glenn. ‘Was that your important call?’

‘There are extenuating circumstances.’

Glenn took a seat opposite her again. ‘Are you taking any of this seriously? I come here to talk to you about your close connection with a murdered judge and you take a personal call?’

‘I am taking everything seriously,’ said Ren. ‘This is very important. And so was that other call. You’ll just have to-’

‘Don’t tell me — trust you?’

Ren let out a breath.

‘I don’t have a lot of time, here,’ said Glenn. ‘I just want to know is there anything else you’re not telling me?’

‘No.’

‘Agent Bryce, you know the position I’m in here. I am investigating the death of a federal judge. You are with the FBI. And Cliff James was the best man at my wedding. Do you see where I’m at?’

Oh, God, I do. ‘I understand, Glenn. I really do. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize your position.’

My own, however, is a different story…

One week earlier

By a stand of trees on a quiet Genesee road, Douglas Hammond was parked in his green BMW. Ren jogged up to the passenger door. Hammond unlocked the door and she sat in.

‘Thanks for coming,’ said Hammond.

Jesus, ‘Thanks for coming?’

He looked at her expression. ‘Well, you might not have.’

‘Do you really think so?’

Their breaths were white in the cold air. Hammond’s hairline was dotted with tiny beads of sweat.