We pretty much just say goodbye.
(Oh. Thanks for helping me find out what happened to Brigid.)
You’re welcome.
(And Oliver? One time in the shower you didn’t keep your eyes closed properly and I saw your willy. It was pretty gross.)
Her laugh cut off mid-way, like someone had slammed a door shut.
‘She’s gone,’ he told Alice.
‘Just like that. Easy. I wonder what it’s like, riding around in someone’s head.’
‘You will never find out because you’ll outlive everyone, including me.’
Alice smiled. ‘I’ve already outlived everyone, except Amanda.’
‘She’ll be fine,’ he lied.
‘Thank you for lying to me.’
They rounded up the kids and climbed back into the car.
He held his breath all the way down the drive and out onto the street. Then barely breathed as they headed back towards the motorway.
‘You seem tense, Oliver.’
‘This is where a hitchhiker usually reveals themselves. I’m waiting for a voice. But it might be that this time I’ll come away with nothing more than a satisfied feeling for doing a good job.’
‘It has been a pleasure working with you. I’m glad you gave me a chance for one more adventure,’ Alice replied.
Oliver relaxed his shoulders and smiled. ‘I enjoyed it as well.’
His phone rang and he jumped.
‘Oliver, I had a favour to ask,’ Beth said. ‘Since my dog has taken a shine to you, I was wondering if you would take Monty in once I’ve…moved on to join Debbie.’
‘Yes!” the children chorused from the back seat.
‘Damn it. I’ve got you on speaker. I’ll have to check with my wife. Can I call you tomorrow with an answer?’
‘Say yes, Dad, I can take the dog to school and rule the playground,’ Reed said.
That’s another conversation I’m going to need to have.
He promised to let Beth know ASAP and hung up. The children were predictably disappointed he hadn’t said yes instantly.
All Oliver had to do before Christmas Day the following week was buy all the presents, finish decorating the house, and plan what they were going to eat on the day.
His phone rang again and he pressed the button on his steering wheel to answer it on speaker again.
‘Maybe it’s the lady about the dog?’ Rose said hopefully.
‘Brian,’ Amanda’s voice came through. ‘I need to talk to you. It’s about my cat, John.’
THE END
Author Note
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© Copyright 2018 Rodney Strong
Rodney Strong asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.
Published by LoreQuinn Publishing
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the production of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Editor: Anna Golden
Murder in Paint first published in March 2018
Murder in Mud first published in November 2018
Murder in Doubt first published in May 2019
About the Author
Rodney Strong quit a 9–5 job in 2016 to finally pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a writer (he still has the very first play he wrote at age 6). He lives in Porirua, New Zealand, with his wife, two children, and two cats (plus a 3rd cat that is trying desperately to be adopted).
When he's not writing he attempts to stay away from chocolate, goes for runs (sometimes), reads, and enjoys spending time with his young children (who contribute a lot to the running and craving for chocolate).
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rodneystrongauthor/
Twitter: @RodneySwriter
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Ghostly Hitchhiker Box Set Page 71
