by LJ Swallow
"Do they ever fight? Physically I mean."
Joss laughs. "Very occasionally and it usually ends in a stalemate. We can't kill each other with our powers, but we can bloody hurt. War and Death? Fun times."
"You fight with the others? I can't imagine that."
We reach Joss's car and climb inside. "To be honest, if I get pissed off, I just walk away. Sometimes I'll inform them what dicks they're being, but I'd rather walk my anger off. I taught Xander to do the same."
I picture the house and conflict possibly happening right now. "Can we go for a walk somewhere, Joss?"
"Sure, where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere."
We drive away from Grangeton, in the opposite direction to the house, and the further we travel from town the further away from chaos I feel. I'd never considered the trauma I associated with my last week, or how much I needed some normal. My heart swells as I look at Joss who sings along to the radio, one hand on my leg.
I rest my head against the headrest. I’m the most relaxed I’ve been for weeks, even before I met the guys. We arrive at a car park at the bottom of a local National Trust walk, and Joss hops out to open my door before I can climb out.
"Is here okay? Will you be warm enough?"
The November day is crisp and bright, no rain but cooler temperatures. "Mostly.”
"Hmm." He heads around to the back of the car and opens the boot, before retuning with a beanie. "Next time we take impromptu trips, I'll make sure we have supplies."
"Good plan."
But we both know there won't be another day out together in the near future. With a Joss grin, he places the black hat on my head and yanks it down so the wool covers my ears. "You look so cute!" He grabs my face with both cool hands and kisses me with a loud "mwah.” "Let's go, beautiful Truth."
13
JOSS
Xander's request I take Vee away for a few hours surprised me. Why isn't he in full-blown control mode? Then, I sensed why. Xander’s fear he's losing control of the situation increased yesterday, and he doesn't want Vee to see or sense his worry. What the hell is with him and Vee? Sure, I understand why they butt heads, but we need to knit tighter. I spoke to Xander about this the other day, but he walked away from the conversation the moment I hit close to the truth.
Hell, I'm happy to share with Vee how I feel. What's the point in throwing up emotional roadblocks that don't need to be there? But Xander is Xander, and he behaves like this to all of us, not just Vee.
I enjoy walking on the Ridgeway, the ancient road that crosses the hills. The long track attracts many visitors as well as locals. The walk stretches miles, as far as Glastonbury, and has connections to ley lines. Perhaps my energy's related in some way, and that’s the draw for me. All I know is I'm infused with calm when I choose to visit here.
The bright day draws hikers, some with dogs charging back and forth. A couple walk towards us, and their brown and white Collie halts as it approaches us, switching from an enthusiastic welcome to wariness. Animals don't like me and the guys much, as if they sense we’re not mortal. Vee bends down to pat the dog’s head, but the dog scampers away, tail between its legs. Vee's face falls.
"Is that because of what I am?" she asks. "I never had problems with animals before."
I wrap an arm around her shoulders, hoping to stop the rising distress. "You're more Truth and less Vee, remember?"
"And part of you all." She sighs. "Do you think that's why Bacon left me?"
I bite back a smile at the name, but she's upset. I stop and turn Vee to face me. Vee's eyes don’t often moisten with tears, but the hurt is clear. I hold her cheeks, and she flinches at the coldness.
"No. He didn’t leave. He just had a few other homes and didn’t always stay at yours. Don't cats visit other homes for food if people living there feed them?"
"I guess." Her doubt remains. "I miss him."
A tear escapes and she quickly swipes it away. Of everything that's happened, this is what makes Vee cry? I pull her close, and her face squashes against my thick coat. Vee slides arms around my waist, and we stand for a few moments in the silence surrounding.
Eventually Vee pulls away and looks up. She tiptoes to place her lips on mine, red cheeked, but tears gone. "I love how you are, Joss."
I rub my nose against Vee's. "And I just love everything about you. You’re an amazing and strong person.”
My heart thumps against my chest as we connect in our own reality for a few moments, where we forget the others and it's Joss and Vee. I'm happy Vee understands that even though the five of us are one, each of us offers her something different. For now, Vee craves gentle affection and I'm okay with that. Jealousy edged in when I discovered she'd had sex with Heath and possibly Ewan, but when she chooses to, I’ll show the passion I hold for this amazing girl.
Vee winds her hands into my hair, and her cool mouth meets mine again. We kiss the way we did before, and she still tastes like heaven and chocolate cake rolled into one.
My car waits beneath a leafless beech tree at the far end of the car park, and we crunch through the leaves tired but happy. Another couple pass by with a nod and greeting, and head towards their Range Rover. A guy rests on a white hatchback’s bonnet nearby, studying his phone and looking around as if waiting for somebody. An older man, alone with a dog walks to a beaten up Ford close to us.
I unlock the car and Vee pauses. She approaches and winds her arms around my waist again, placing her lips to my ear. "I've seen him before."
Instead of looking, I nuzzle her lemon-scented hair. "Which man? The older guy?"
"No. The younger one sitting on the car. At least, I think I do. He's hidden under a hoodie, but I swear I saw that car before."
Leaning against my car, I pull Vee closer and glance over at the guy while my face is obscured. "Where?"
"Yesterday, at the car park. Don't you remember?"
I tense, and clutch her coat. "The car Xander chased?"
"Yes! Can't you see it's the same?"
"Get in the car," I whisper and open the door.
Once in myself, I position the rear-view mirror to watch him. Is it the same car? It could be, but the make and model are common. I memorise the number plate to compare to a photo Xander took yesterday. If this is the same person, surely he wouldn’t be dumb enough to follow us.
I can't see what he looks like beneath the hood. Are we on alert and reading too much into this?
"Maybe. He's not paying any attention to us. If it were him, he'd run like last time," I say. “I can’t tell from this position, but there might be another person in the car.”
Vee rubs her cold hands together. "Can we go home? Suddenly I don't feel relaxed anymore."
As we leave the car park, I attempt another look at the guy, but he's still hidden. I don't want to say anything to Vee, but something doesn't feel good.
JOSS
My morning relaxation dissipates further the moment I walk back into the house carrying the coffee machine.
Tension.
In the lounge, Ewan's watching TV, stretched out with his legs draped over the end of the sofa.
"Did you find anything while we were out?" I ask Ewan.
"Not on the creatures, but we have found more on the victim. No next of kin, but we have his address. I searched, and John shared a house with two others—a guy and a girl. Xander wants to head over and talk to them."
"Today?"
"You know Xander, no time like the present."
Vee rubs her hands together and blows on them. "Where've you two been?" Ewan asks. "It doesn't take that long to buy a coffee machine."
"For a walk," says Vee. "But it's bloody cold!" She places her hands on Ewan's cheeks, and he swears at her and grabs them. She chuckles. "Hey, at least I put my hands on your cheeks and not your body."
Vee drops onto the sofa next to Ewan and attempts to dig her hands beneath his shirt. They tussle for a moment, Ewan not winning as easily as I'd expect, but he manage
s to keep her hands away from his skin.
I cross my arms as I watch them. Should I be jealous that I spent a morning with Vee and now she's back and paying attention to Ewan? Maybe, but I filled her with this happiness and wiped away some of her dark clouds. Only I can manage that. Together, we recharged and brought some calm into a fractured household.
"Hey, man. I was having my Vee time!" I say, tongue in cheek.
Vee looks over. "Sorry, Joss."
"Don't be, I made you smile today. Not in the same way Ewan did the other night, but maybe next time?"
Vee pokes her tongue out, and I can't resist heading over and planting another kiss on her mouth. Ewan's arms wrap around her waist, and I sense something else happening here. Vee's infusing some of her own happiness into him, because I haven't seen him smile recently. I guess he needs some attention after yesterday; dying isn’t an uplifting occasion.
"I'd better ask General Xander for an update and let him know what we saw." Vee chuckles at my statement and lifts her head so I can kiss her once more.
As I walk away, images of my hands on her instead of Ewan's follow.
Ah well, maybe next time.
14
VEE
Xander parks the car in the next street to the house we’re about to visit, and we take the short walk towards where John lived. The Victorian terrace in Woolwich stands out from those around. Students occupy many houses in the street and they’re easy to spot; the front gardens either are concreted or overgrown green patches that were once tended, and the window frames are peeling. This home stands out with a garden as neatly cared for as Portia's, and the windows shine in freshly painted frames. Cream venetian blinds are pulled down to keep people from looking into the bay window.
Several hours ago, I relaxed with chocolate cake in a café. Now I’m impersonating a detective.
Xander brought Joss; their usual fake detective partnership. What we discovered at the crime scene suggests there are high-level demonic connections, which arouses more suspicion. What if the housemates are connected? We could have a lead here.
Xander all but commands me to accompany them. As one of the housemates is a woman, he decides that'll help. Heath expressed concerns about my accidental truth telling, but as I can read lies, it makes sense I do join them.
I joked around with Joss on the way over, holding onto the relaxed Vee from earlier today, and this continues as we make our way toward the house.
"Can you guys act like professionals now?" Xander mutters as we reach the swept path to the door.
Joss swipes a hand down his face, as if switching his expression from jovial to serious. "Are you going to be bad cop and I'll be good cop?" he asks. Xander shoots him a look. "Kidding! Okay, I'm composed now."
The doorbell ring echoes through the house. The guys never warn anybody they’ll visit, which I partly understand but not totally. The drive to London from their house is over an hour and could end up a wasted journey.
No reply.
Xander rings again and brushes the front of his dark grey suit jacket. The door opens slowly, far enough to reveal a tall man, midtwenties. His dark hair's neatly arranged in a similar style to Xander's, but he's pale and less confident. His watery blue eyes are wary behind dark-framed glasses as his gaze lands on me.
"Yes?" He peers at Xander and then to Joss.
"Seth Marks? I'm Detective Warren. These are my colleagues Pete and Trudy." Xander pulls on an official voice and stance, gesturing between us. "We're in charge of the investigation into your housemate’s death."
Suspicion remains on the guys face. "Do you have ID?"
Xander produces something forged impressively enough to fool Seth. Seth hesitates a few seconds, scrutinises the three of us again, then steps back.
The house looks and smells clean and fresh, joined by the scent of strong cleaning products. The unmarked walls are picture free, as if the owner couldn’t bear to let anything mark them. The original wooden floorboards are sanded and polished to perfection.
Definitely nothing like a student house.
Seth ushers us through to a small lounge room. This place looks like a show home. Even the cushions match and are arranged at showroom angles. To be honest, I feel as if I walked onto an IKEA set. If I look behind a wall, will I find a cafe?
"Please sit. I'm not sure what I can tell you. I've spoken to detectives already."
Xander lowers himself into an armchair, but Joss remains standing. What do I do? I place myself in another armchair opposite Seth. "We've read the reports. We just want to find more about Mr Murphy’s background. Have you known him long?"
"A few months. John moved to London around the same time I did, and we decided to share a place. He works for the same company as me."
Xander pulls out a notepad and pen. "You’re employed by Nova Pharmaceuticals?"
"Yes. He works... worked in sales. and I'm, well..." He wrinkles his nose. "I'm a cleaner."
Something he has skills in, judging by his pristine environment.
"And is there anybody you think may be involved. How was Mr Murphy the day he was murdered?"
Xander. Talk about unsubtle...
Seth smooths imaginary dirt from his black trousers. "I hadn't seen him for a week before his death. He works on the road in his job visiting GPs and hospitals. We don't exactly follow each other's every move, so I didn't think anything of it."
"But he was found locally," says Joss. "He can't have been out of town."
Seth shrugs. "I don't think I can help you. There's nothing to tell that isn't already in my original statement."
Seth's telling the truth, but his constant scrutiny disarms me too. He doesn't stare, but whenever Joss or Xander don't address him, he focuses attention on me. I rub an eyebrow and offer a polite smile. I've no idea who this man is, but I’m uncomfortable. He rests his gaze on my side and when he stares an abnormally long time, I look down. There's a slight stain on the shirt from where I dripped coffee on it earlier.
I half-expect him to ask me to remove the shirt so he can wash it.
"Do you know any of his other friends?" asks Joss.
"Most don’t live locally. He kept himself to himself and spent a lot of time in his room. Occasionally he came out with us, but not often."
"Us?"
"Myself and Casey. She lives here too." He pauses. “Like it says in the original statement you apparently read.”
Xander scribbles something on his pad. "Is Casey around?"
"No, she's at work. Casey works in the local hospital." His brow tugs in suspicion. “Don’t you have that information?”
"Nurse?" asks Joss.
"No. She's a receptionist."
Again, Xander scribbles. "And is she your partner?"
"No."
"Mr Murphy’s?"
"No."
I study him for signs he's hiding something. Seth organises several magazines on the coffee table into a neat, straight pile and places the TV remote on top, also at a perfect angle. I don't detect any lies, but he's tense about something.
"Do you think you might be in danger?" I ask him.
He looks up and pushes glasses up his nose with a slender finger. "No."
That was a lie.
His eyes don't show deceit the way another person might, but I know for sure he's hiding something now. Xander catches my eye, and I nod.
"What was that look?" asks Seth and points at Xander. "What are you writing?"
"Just notes. Nothing sinister." Xander holds up the pad and Seth leans forward to read the scrawl.
Satisfied, Seth moves back to his upright position on the edge of the sofa.
Xander returns to his line of questioning. "You have to understand how serious this crime is, Seth. This was an execution-style killing, although we can't find links to any gangs. Is he connected to anything or anyone who—"
"Listen, I've been through this with the police, and I've no doubt you've investigated yourself. I have nothing to add." Seth s
tands and crosses arms tightly across his chest. "If you have a card, I'll take it and contact you if I remember anything else."
"We'd like to speak to Casey sometime. Can you ask her to contact us?"
Xander proffers a card, which Seth takes and places into his shirt pocket.
"I doubt she'll want to talk to you. Casey's upset about his death, and I don't think forcing her to run through her statement again is good for her." Seth's tone switches away from the cool and neutral attitude he's held, and he turns his attention back to me. "Do I know you?"
"Why? Have you been in trouble with the police before?" puts in Xander before I can reply.
"No. Some people have faces that remind us of others, I guess. But I'm sure I have seen you before."
"I don't remember," I say and force a smile. His careful studying unnerves me. There’s an attractiveness to him that would stand out more if he had confidence to match. His well-fitting clothes and immaculate grooming are a positive, as are the captivating eyes behind his glasses. Hot nerd. I chastise myself for judging him.
If I’d seen this guy before, I’d remember.
Seth gives a slight shake of his head and straightens both shirtsleeves. He walks to the lounge doorway and stops, one hand on the handle. "I'm busy today. Sorry I can't help you more. Can you leave, please?"
A reluctant Xander and Joss follow me through into the bright hallway and back outside, with barely a goodbye from Seth. My heels click on the pavement as we walk back to Joss's car.
"We’re staying here to watch him," announces Xander as he climbs into the passenger seat besides Joss. "There's something not right about Seth. He's weird."
"And you’re Mr Normal McNormal from Normaltown," says Joss, and I stifle a laugh.
"You crack me up," says Xander with heavy sarcasm, holding his side as if he's laughing hard. "Things don't add up. He and John haven't known each other long, but they work at the same company. Casey isn't a girlfriend, apparently hardly saw John, but is too upset to talk."
