Chapter 37

CARTER

“Sorry, it sounded like you said there was a body on the beach?” Bird says.

I nod, but they both stare at me as though they don’t understand.

As if I’m speaking a foreign language.

DCI Bird surprises me by looking surprised; she never has before.

Maddy doesn’t behave how I would have expected her to either. She stands perfectly still behind the bar and gives me the look she used as kids when I was about to get us both in trouble. She almost looks … guilty.

Were they talking about me when I walked in?

I bloody hope not.

“Is it her? Is it Eden?” Maddy asks. Her normally rosy cheeks are pale, and my fearless sister looks afraid.

Does she know what I did?

“He can’t tell you that,” Bird interrupts. “Where is the body now?”

“On the beach. Like I just said—”

“What? You just left it there—”

“No, of course not. I—”

“Bloody hell.”

“I haven’t even seen it yet. I got a call from HQ to say a swimmer found a body on the beach, that’s all I know so far.”

“Well, don’t just stand there, Carter. Let’s go. What are you waiting for?”

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