The Wilds by Kit Tinsley

to water again.
    ‘We didn’t find any sign of a crime at the scene,’ Pearce said reassuringly. ‘You said yourself that you got knocked out and were away from her for some time. She probably just got annoyed waiting and decided to leave and scare you.’
    ‘She wouldn’t do that,’ Tim said, a trace of anger in his voice that was not lost on Pearce, who regarded him coolly for a few seconds. ‘She loves me,’ Tim continued, dropping his gaze to the floor.
    ‘I’m sure she’ll turn up,’ Pearce said, returning to reassuring mode. ‘Just go home, she’ll probably call you before the night’s out.’
    Pearce could see the temptation on the young man’s face, the flicker of anger in his eyes, the twitch of the nostrils and the slight parting of the lips that all suggested he wanted to argue. Then it was gone, whatever the boy wanted to say, he had thought better of it.
    Tim nodded slowly then started to walk away.
    ‘Oh, Tim,’ Pearce called after him, making him stop and look back. ‘Just in case she doesn’t turn up, don’t go too far away. We might want to speak with you again.’
    The boy looked at him in disbelief. Pearce watched as he once more nodded and then walked away. Pearce felt a little better now; something about intimidating people always made him feel a better. He headed back inside, trying to think of ways he could intimidate Flynn. That would give him the greatest satisfaction.
    He walked into the small kitchen next to the CID offices. Holly Booth was in there making a coffee. She saw him enter and held up an empty mug to him, waving it to show she was asking if he wanted one. He nodded.
    ‘So what did you make of that Lovecott boy?’ he asked.
    He could see from the way she was studying his face she was trying to tell if he wanted her honest opinion, or if he just wanted her to say what he wanted her too.
    ‘Honestly,’ he said.
    She set the teaspoon she was holding down on the counter and turned to face him.
    ‘Honestly,’ she repeated. ‘I don’t think he has anything to do with Miss Mears’ disappearance. He seems genuinely upset and concerned. He seems like the kind of lad who wouldn’t hurt anyone.’
    Pearce shrugged.
    ‘Those kind of people are often the most dangerous,’ he said. ‘Did you know he does clay pigeon shooting? Quite the marksmen, apparently.’
    Booth laughed. The kettle behind her switched off and she turned back to the cups.
    ‘Just knowing how to use a gun doesn’t make you a killer,’ she said while pouring the drinks. ‘If it did we’d have to arrest about half the population around here. You asked for my honest opinion, sir, and I gave it to you. The more important question, I suppose, is do you think he’s involved?’
    She finished stirring the coffees and handed the black one with two sugars to Pearce.
    ‘Thanks,’ he said, taking the steaming cup from her. ‘I don’t think he has anything to do with her disappearance. What worries me is, if she didn’t just get pissed off and leave him, then what did happen to her?’
    Booth looked at him, he could see the question she was too scared to ask dance across her face.
    ‘What is it?’ he asked.
    ‘Something is going on out there isn’t it, sir?’ she said. ‘Something bad. I was wondering if you had any idea what it is?’
    Pearce sighed. He seemed to be getting questioned about this whole thing from all directions.
    ‘Something is going on,’ he said. ‘I don’t know what it is for sure. I have a few suspicions, but I’m not ready to voice them yet.’
    Booth nodded. Pearce could see she was disappointed with his answer. He had to admit he was fond of her. Over the years he had taken a lot of rookies under his wing, but she was the one who had shown the most promise. One day she would make a fine detective and, God willing, if he ever got his promotion, she was destined to make a great replacement for him.
    ‘When I am ready,’ he said, ‘you will be the first to