“We can put you up here if need be,” he said. “It’s not official protocol, but we’re keeping Mick safe for now, and Alex is with me.”
“I’ll speak to Trudy about it, but I don’t want to freak out the kids.”
“You might all feel safer to be somewhere Tyler can’t get at you,” Josiah suggested. “But it’s up to you.”
When Ted had gone, he hurried to update Esther.
“That is good news,” she said. “And God knows we need some.”
“It means we have three witnesses,” Josiah told her. “Mick, Alex, and Ted. Mick’s a crook and a drunk, and Alex is… well, Alex, but Ted’s a good witness. He has no criminal record, he’s not a drunk or a croc-head, and he runs his own business. He’s kept his nose clean.”
“And the DNA?”
“Mel’s running it now.”
“If it matches the skull, then we really have something to pin on Tyler. Falsifying IS records is a criminal offence.”
“We need to prove he did.”
“I’m sure you’ve got someone looking into Martin Bagshaw.”
“I have, but we really need that kompromat.”
“Agreed. How’s Reed getting on with that?”
“Badly, though not for want of trying.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door and then it was flung open. Mel stood there, holding aloft her holopad with a document floating in front of her.
“It’s her,” she announced. “The DNA from the hair matches the DNA from the skull. We’ve found Solange.”
It was late when he left Ghost Eye, and Storm Jasper was howling outside, buffeting the city with wind and rain. Josiah decided against visiting the Canary Quarter right now. He was tired and he wanted to give Alex the good news. He thought of calling him, but with the ongoing rollercoaster of the investigation already having a bad effect on Alex’s fragile mental state, he decided to tell him in person, in case he had another extreme reaction. Even though thiswasgood news, it was still overwhelming.
The house was in darkness when he got home, which was odd. Usually the lights were on, and Alex was in the living room. Sometimes, Sem was up, but more often he was resting in his room. Josiah pushed open the door cautiously. Something didn’t feel right. The place felt empty and cold, like it had been before Alex moved in.
“Alex…?” He flicked on the light. There was no sign of Alex, but therewassign of a scuffle. The coat stand in the hallway hadbeen knocked over and his thick winter overcoat was lying on the floor. Josiah reached into his pocket for his stun gun and edged cautiously into the living room.
“Alex?” That room was also empty. Trying the kitchen next, he found the small back window smashed in, with shards of glass everywhere. The back door was shut, but it was unlocked and opened easily. Someone had clearly broken the window, reached in, and unlocked the kitchen door. The key was still in the lock. Josiah usually kept it in the cutlery drawer, but someone had taken it out and used it.
He took the stairs two at a time. It was at moments like this when his army alter ego took over and he felt calm, collected, and completely in control. The upstairs was in darkness, just like below, so he almost tripped over the body lying on the landing in a pool of blood. But who was it – Alex or Sem? He flicked on the light, barely breathing, and his heart skipped a beat. Sem.
He crouched down beside him and turned him over, fearing the worst. There was an ugly bruise on Sem’s forehead, but the blood was coming from his previous wound on his abdomen.
“Sem?” Josiah reached for his wrist. He could feel a pulse, thready but there. He put in an urgent call to Sofie, then picked Sem up and carried him to the spare bedroom. The movement woke Sem, and he gazed up at him blearily.
“It’s okay. You’re going to be okay. Sofie’s on her way.” Josiah settled him gently on the bed, covering him with a blanket. “Sem, where’s Alex? What happened?”
Sem opened his mouth and muttered something, but his voice was dry and rasping. Josiah held a glass of water to his lips, and Sem took a few sips, then cleared his throat.
“Man broke in. Had a gun. I came out to see what was happening and he hit me. Alex tried to protect me, but the man hit him with the gun, making him fall down the stairs. I think he dragged Alex away, and I passed out.”
“When did this happen?” Josiah glanced at his watch. The fact the house was in darkness implied it was some hours ago.
“Afternoon,” Sem mouthed, his eyes closing.
“Damn it.” Whoever had Alex was long gone.
He couldn’t leave Sem until Sofie arrived, but he had to tell Esther about Alex’s disappearance, so he needed a plan – and fast. He put in an urgent call to Big Jen, who said she’d be there within the hour, and a few moments later, Sofie arrived, looking pale and anxious. She stitched up Sem’s opened wound and checked out his head.
