‘And what have you been up to?’ Sineas asked her.
She sighed deeply. ‘Inspector Charles threatened me with a summons last night.’‘A summons?’‘Yeah, that document that demands your presence in court and or whatever. It concerns the deaths of Justin and Miss Bale.’‘He doesn’t honestly think that you did that, does he?’ He sounded bewildered.‘Perhaps…perhaps not. He claims that it’s just “standard procedure”. I’m convinced that it has something to do with the fact that I dated Justin.’‘But you said he only threatened you with it…’‘Yes. He said he’d drag me to court if I refused to come to the station tonight for an “interview”, he called it.’‘So you’re going?’‘What choice do I have, Sineas? I’ll look even guiltier if I don’t.’&lsqu
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Psych 55. At the Stake
‘Evening, Miss Sherman,’ he said then closed the door.She gave him a frightened ‘good evening’ then tightened her hands between her knees.The inspector grabbed a few files here and there, opened one of the cabinets then sat down behind his desk. His expression was now neutral. ‘I’m sure you are aware of why you are here?’ he asked her.She nodded, quietly.‘Good,’ he leaned in, clasping his hands on top of the desk. ‘Malrich has had quite a number of crimes in its wake: petty crime, vandalism, corporate fraud, shoplifting and public disturbances like noise complaints from parties…Basically, Miss Sherman, I’m talking about slap-on-the-wrist crimes.’‘Your…’ she cleared her throat and tried to put on the bravest expression she could, ‘…Your point, sir?’The inspector gave a short, hoarse laugh as if he could smell her fear. He said, &lsqu
Psych 56. Back to the Drawing Board
Inspector Charles’ mind was a labyrinth. So many twists and turns were sprouting in his head. Like a spider web with no beginning and no end. He was suffocating inside it. He tried to reach for the surface but he felt something pulling him back into the deep. Into the cosmic nothingness. He stood staring through his window onto the dark and empty street. He was silent, looking hard…at nothing in particular. He had told Clarissa to sit on a bench in the waiting room. James was standing behind his desk, right beside the chair Clarissa had been sitting in. Finally, the inspector spoke. ‘How did he die?’‘Sir, I’ve already told you twice…’‘Yes, but I want to hear it a third time. Now tell me; how did Doctor Jacob die?’James sighed. ‘Murder, sir. He was murdered. The same way Brittany Bale and Justin Foyer were: countless and deep gashes in the spine, dismembered body parts: arms, legs, torso and head.’There was a short silence between them.‘And where did you say y
Psych 57. The Drill
Clarissa rolled her eyes once again and pulled her hand away. ‘Mom, what does he have to do with what we’re talking about right now? I’m the murder suspect, not Sineas.’ ‘Yes, dear, but I’m telling you, that boy is trouble- I can feel it in my bones.’ ‘But Sineas is a good guy! He’s not like all the other boys in our school. He’s totally…’ ‘Please don’t tell me that he’s different, Claire because I don’t think I can take much more.’ ‘Mom, if only you knew how kind he is, he’s also funny and charming and very smart…’ ‘Justin was smart. And if I recall, he was funny too…and kind. Two months later and you were wishing you had never met him.’ Clarissa replied, ‘Justin was a jerk from the beginning. I just rolled with it because Sabrina and Doreen convinced me that a guy like Justin was a rare find.’ ‘And don’t you think it’s a matter of time before this Murphy boy also shows his true colours? Claire, his own mother escaped from a m
Psych 58. Visage
‘I don’t, Aunt Janice. Believe me, if I did I would tell you.’ ‘Maybe you’re thinking that you can keep her safe but she’s in danger, Sin. She could hurt someone, or herself.’ ‘When I last saw her she looked pretty fine to me,’ he mumbled angrily. ‘And when was that?’ She asked now eyeing him closely. ‘I saw her not too long ago...’ he noticed her look getting more and more suspicious, ‘…before she escaped,’ he concluded. ‘Sineas, I thought we talked about this. You do not see your mother without me.’ ‘I’m sorry, Aunt Janice but this is my mother. I have every right…’ Smack! She had slapped him clean across the face with her left, just below his right eye. His face burned with pain. He had felt the flesh on his right cheek shift to the left from the force. She shot up onto her feet. She was fuming, her fists clenched shut. She looked in the opposite direction, her right hand pointing towards the stairs. ‘I
Psych 59. Scars
The sudden attack had surprised him. But he didn’t mind. ‘Why?’ he played along.‘Because it’s a beautiful day, Sin. The sun is smiling down on us. The birds are singing for us and the air is just…’ she took one long and sharp breath with her mouth, ‘…marvellous!’‘You sound like a holiday infomercial.’She laughed exuberantly and playfully nudged his shoulder.They finally walked past the couple. Sineas had decided to make way for them on the narrow path. He tried to tug on Clarissa’s hand but she pulled back. She didn’t look like she wanted to budge. Luckily, they avoided an awkward collision. The older couple made room for them and Sineas and Clarissa continued on. She was wearing an exultant look on her face. Sineas looked over his shoulder. The man looked like he understood.‘So, how did it go at the station?’ Sineas asked her.Her face immediately bec
Psych 60. Fighting for a Fantasy
‘You can tell me, Claire. Did that psychopath hurt you?’She answered amidst uncontrolled sobs, ‘I think he threatened me…I honestly don’t remember. I think he said something about the night being full of woes or something.’ She began crying a little louder. Luckily the bench sleeper was still knocked out and the left bench was yet to be occupied. Sineas’ heart melted in anguish. Her cries were cries of one in pain, yes, but there was something about the way she cried. It was so low and innocent. It was like watching a harmless kitten drown and there was nothing you could do to stop it. Powerless and shaken by the deep, cold waters that threatened to swallow you both if you dared to jump in. All you could do was stand and watch, waiting for the next person to step in and do something. Sineas decided that he was going to be that person. He was not going to allow her to sit there and wallow in her pain while he idly watched. She ha
Psych 61. The Phone call
‘And?’‘ “Marriage. Doesn’t think he’s catering for his wife’s needs sexually. Symptoms: searches the internet for help tips and drugs to assist him”. Doctor Jacob diagnosed it as low self-esteem and social anxiety. I guess he was yet to decide the cure.’Inspector Charles said, ‘Why do most of the doctor’s patients only have marriage problems? You’d actually think that for a guy who tries to fix marriages, he’d keep his intact.’ The inspector laid his forehead on the desk. He was now facing the floor. ‘This can’t be the end, James.’James replied, ‘I’m sorry, sir but Jevez is the last file.’ He snapped it shut and laid it on top of the three-foot stack.‘Then what will we do, James? Where do we go from here? This snake has us in a whirlwind with our tails tucked between our legs.’ He began to bang his forehead slowly against the edg
Psych 62. ...on Eggshells
His eyes opened wide. He kicked the covers from his body and sprinted to the door. He peeked outside for about five seconds then closed the door, very silently. ‘Mother; where are you?’ he spoke into the phone as he scurried back towards the bed. His voice was hushed. ‘Everyone is looking for you. And by everyone I mean the police.’‘How have you been, son?’ she asked him. She sounded like she was in high spirits.He could feel her smile. Its warmth was radiating through the phone. He smiled too. ‘I’m fine, mother. Everything is fine this side but you…where are you? Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.’‘Do not worry about me, my boy. I’m fine, I’m seriously fine,’ she laughed as if in emphasis to her claim.‘Maybe now but definitely not for long,’ said Sineas. ‘The police are looking for you. You were on the news…’‘The new