been to the dump?’
‘More than likely.’
‘I think I’d like to go home for a few days. I can tell Mum and Gran about Jenson and I’d feel safer than being alone during the day while you’re working. Can you drop me at Jewel Bay on the way through?’
He didn’t say anything for so long that the silence began to feel like a lead weight pressing down on me. But I didn’t break it. We were driving through the southern parklands, so I concentrated on the open fields and trees that formed part of the green belt surrounding the CBD, determined not to look at him.
‘I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to take you to the crime scene,’ Ed finally said.
‘I can stay in the car.’
‘I’ve heard that before.’
I knew he was referring to the last case we’d worked together. He’d taken me to a crime scene in a cemetery, and I’d got out of the car for some fresh air. It wouldn’t normally have been an issue. Cemeteries are good places for someone like me. No onedies in cemeteries, and the bodies are usually six feet under — well out of reach.
It was just bad luck that two crime-scene techs transporting a body on a stretcher had tripped as they walked past me. I’d reacted without thinking, reaching out to stop the body from falling. The series of events was almost farcical, but the vision I’d had was both unexpected and shocking. It was the first time I’d realised I could have a vision from touching a body. It was also the day Ed and I had slept together for the first time. Ah, memories.
‘I don’t see what the problem is. Doesn’t Crackers want me to use my talent? Taking me to the scene isn’t exactly breaking the rules when I’m part of the team.’
‘No, I’ll take you to Jewel Bay first. I don’t think he was imagining you traipsing all over his crime scenes.’
‘Traipsing? Is that what I do?’ I leant my head back against the headrest and closed my eyes. I was tired and cross and needed to block him out for a while. The argument was making me so frustrated I wanted to scream or kick something, or both. I heard him sigh again but chose to ignore it. He could stew in his own juices for a while. I was done.
CHAPTER
11
‘Cass? We’re here.’
Ed’s voice dragged me out of sleep. I’d been dreaming of stars again. Better than gooey body parts. I yawned and stretched.
‘Are you coming in?’ I asked.
‘No, I need to get to the scene.’
Silence descended. I didn’t want to be the first to speak. It felt like a battle of wills.
‘How long are you planning on staying?’ Ed finally gave in and confronted the elephant in the car.
‘A couple of days.’ I looked at him. ‘I think it’d be good for us to have a bit of space. We’ve been at each other’s throats and you’ve got a lot going on with work. Maybe when I get back we’ll have a chance to talk properly.’
I leant over to give him a peck on the cheek. He turned his head and kissed me full on the mouth.
‘Don’t stay away too long,’ he said.
I got out of the car and watched him drive away. My heart was beating faster than it should have been and all my nerve endings had sprung to life, giving me a warm tingly feeling. Goddamn that man and the effect he had on me!
I smoothed my hair and waited a couple of beats before making my way through the gate and up to the front door. I’d left my keys back in Adelaide so I had to ring the bell. My first effort went unanswered so I tried again in case Mum and Gran were out the back. I was beginning to think they were out when the latch finally rattled and the door swung open. Gran stood there, an apron wrapped around her waist and flour on both hands. Her grey hair was swept back into a neat chignon. All of that was pretty normal. What wasn’t normal was the set of earbuds and the iPod clipped to her waistband.
‘Cass! What are you doing here? Come inside. I nearly didn’t hear you.’
‘I can see that. What’s with the iPod?’
‘A client of your
‘More than likely.’
‘I think I’d like to go home for a few days. I can tell Mum and Gran about Jenson and I’d feel safer than being alone during the day while you’re working. Can you drop me at Jewel Bay on the way through?’
He didn’t say anything for so long that the silence began to feel like a lead weight pressing down on me. But I didn’t break it. We were driving through the southern parklands, so I concentrated on the open fields and trees that formed part of the green belt surrounding the CBD, determined not to look at him.
‘I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to take you to the crime scene,’ Ed finally said.
‘I can stay in the car.’
‘I’ve heard that before.’
I knew he was referring to the last case we’d worked together. He’d taken me to a crime scene in a cemetery, and I’d got out of the car for some fresh air. It wouldn’t normally have been an issue. Cemeteries are good places for someone like me. No onedies in cemeteries, and the bodies are usually six feet under — well out of reach.
It was just bad luck that two crime-scene techs transporting a body on a stretcher had tripped as they walked past me. I’d reacted without thinking, reaching out to stop the body from falling. The series of events was almost farcical, but the vision I’d had was both unexpected and shocking. It was the first time I’d realised I could have a vision from touching a body. It was also the day Ed and I had slept together for the first time. Ah, memories.
‘I don’t see what the problem is. Doesn’t Crackers want me to use my talent? Taking me to the scene isn’t exactly breaking the rules when I’m part of the team.’
‘No, I’ll take you to Jewel Bay first. I don’t think he was imagining you traipsing all over his crime scenes.’
‘Traipsing? Is that what I do?’ I leant my head back against the headrest and closed my eyes. I was tired and cross and needed to block him out for a while. The argument was making me so frustrated I wanted to scream or kick something, or both. I heard him sigh again but chose to ignore it. He could stew in his own juices for a while. I was done.
CHAPTER
11
‘Cass? We’re here.’
Ed’s voice dragged me out of sleep. I’d been dreaming of stars again. Better than gooey body parts. I yawned and stretched.
‘Are you coming in?’ I asked.
‘No, I need to get to the scene.’
Silence descended. I didn’t want to be the first to speak. It felt like a battle of wills.
‘How long are you planning on staying?’ Ed finally gave in and confronted the elephant in the car.
‘A couple of days.’ I looked at him. ‘I think it’d be good for us to have a bit of space. We’ve been at each other’s throats and you’ve got a lot going on with work. Maybe when I get back we’ll have a chance to talk properly.’
I leant over to give him a peck on the cheek. He turned his head and kissed me full on the mouth.
‘Don’t stay away too long,’ he said.
I got out of the car and watched him drive away. My heart was beating faster than it should have been and all my nerve endings had sprung to life, giving me a warm tingly feeling. Goddamn that man and the effect he had on me!
I smoothed my hair and waited a couple of beats before making my way through the gate and up to the front door. I’d left my keys back in Adelaide so I had to ring the bell. My first effort went unanswered so I tried again in case Mum and Gran were out the back. I was beginning to think they were out when the latch finally rattled and the door swung open. Gran stood there, an apron wrapped around her waist and flour on both hands. Her grey hair was swept back into a neat chignon. All of that was pretty normal. What wasn’t normal was the set of earbuds and the iPod clipped to her waistband.
‘Cass! What are you doing here? Come inside. I nearly didn’t hear you.’
‘I can see that. What’s with the iPod?’
‘A client of your
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