for the dead officers and their families. He seemed to be missing the point that even though some of the dead might have been bad people, they still might have young kids or partners who would be suffering. Her thoughts turned to Bertram Cromwell again momentarily. ‘And Cromwell? Did he get what he deserved?’ she asked. ‘Who knows?’ ‘The answer is no,’ she snapped. JD seemed so distant suddenly, as if he weren’t really listening. ‘I hope the Bourbon Kid gets caught and they stick him in the electric chair!’ ‘Shut up a minute,’ said JD, twisting a knob on the radio to turn up the volume. Beth caught the end of Harry Hunter announcing that there was a development in the Bourbon Kid case. “The local news has obtained some video footage of the Bourbon Kid taken from the police station last night. We urge everyone to check out the footage on the local news or on our Radio SM website. Anyone who spots the man in the picture is advised to steer clear and call the Bourbon Kid hotline. The number is…’ JD switched off the radio before Harry Hunter could read out the number. ‘Wow,’ said Beth. ‘I’m going to check that out when I get home. I wonder what he looks like?’ ‘Probably looks like everyone else in this town,’ said JD. ‘Black and white camera footage is a waste of time.’ ‘Even so. I’d still like to see the face of the man who murdered Cromwell last night.’ JD seemed agitated. He rubbed his chin and took a moment to respond. ‘You know what,’ he said. ‘Now that you’re out of a job why don’t we just get the hell out of this place? Leave today. Right now.’ Beth was taken aback by the suddenness of the suggestion. ‘What? Leave Santa Mondega altogether?’ ‘Yeah. I only came back here for you. Now that you have no ties to this place, there’s nothing to stop you and me from moving away, starting a new life somewhere else. Somewhere with no fucking vampires for starters.’ ‘Really?’ ‘Yeah. Unless you can think of a good reason to stay?’ Beth loved the idea. Leaving Santa Mondega and travelling the world seeing different places with JD had been a distant dream less than twenty four hours ago, but now that dream could become very real. ‘Well, when were you thinking of leaving?’ she asked. ‘No time like now.’ ‘That would be great, but my landlord needs four weeks notice before I move out.’ ‘Fuck your landlord. You can’t pay him if you’re in New Mexico.’ ‘We’re going to New Mexico?’ ‘We could do. We can go wherever you want, babe. Anywhere’s better than here.’ ‘That’s true enough.’ JD pulled the car over. They had arrived at the apartment block Beth lived in. He stopped the car by the kerb right outside the entrance and turned the engine off. He looked at her, his face revealing he was deadly serious. ‘Yeah. Go pack up your clothes and essentials and I’ll pick you up in an hour.’ ‘What are you going to do?’ ‘I’m gonna go get my shit together then I’ll be back.’ He leaned over and kissed her on the lips, a slow lingering kiss that made up her mind for her. ‘Come on, before I change my mind,’ he said. ‘You sure? Really?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘I’ll need more than an hour to pack though.’ JD sighed. ‘What have you got that you’re gonna need on the road? You can leave most of your stuff behind. Just bring the basics and the sentimental stuff you can’t live without.’ Beth smiled and kissed him back. ‘I suppose, most of my furniture either belongs to the landlord or isn’t worth much anyway.’ ‘Great,’ said JD. ‘It’s agreed then. Start packing straight away. No time to make coffee or watch TV right? Just pack and let’s be gone within an hour.’ ‘Okay. One hour.’ ‘If you’re not ready when I get here, I’m leaving without you.’ Beth reached into a pocket on the front of her jeans and pulled out the small cloth he had given her earlier that