“Take a drink.” I pointed to the wine.
She did just that.
“We need to talk about something we’ve been putting off.” I tipped my chin and folded my arms.
She raised her eyebrows and leaned back against the counter. Took another sip of wine.
“You know what I’m talking about,” I said.
“Do I?”
I could tell by the flash in her eyes she did.
“Remember when I had to spank your naughty ass for being a brat and throwing pasta at me?”
She huffed in a breath. “Yes.” She set her wine aside.
“Is that going to happen again when we talk about this subject?” I set down my beer and rubbed my palms together. “Because it can. Quite easily.”
“Er…no.” Her cheeks flushed instantly. A delicate pink that dotted down her neck, too.
“You sure? Because I’m happy to have you over my knee while I redden your bottom. Don’t think I’m not up to it because I well and truly am.”
“I’m sure you are.”
“Okay, good.” I stepped up to her, close. “Your brother, Jeremy.”
“What about him?”
“When I went to The Commune of Light, in police uniform, they thought I was there about him.”
A flash of panic in her eyes. “Why? What’s happened to him?” She shook her head, just a little, a micro expression.
I frowned. “He’s missing.”
“But…I…” She pressed her hand to her chest and stuttered in a breath. “Is he dead?”
“No, I don’t think so, though apparently he’d been having mental health issues since you left.”
“Did Nigel tell you that?” She spat out his name as though it were poison on her tongue. “Didhetell you?”
I tipped my head. Studied her. “Nigel is dead.”
“What?” Her eyes widened. “Dead?” She drew her trembling hand to her mouth. “But…I…when?”
I took her into my arms. Wanting to take away all that the bastard had done to her, give her back the childhood he’d stolen. “He’s gone. Dead and buried. Five years ago. I wanted to tell you that after I’d been to the commune. You don’t have to fear him anymore. He’s gone, burning with the Devil.”
“I…oh my goodness, I just never thought that was a possibility, I mean…he was so…”
“He was mortal. A mere man, and not a very good one at that.”
She blew out a shaky breath. “He can’t hurt anyone now. Brainwash anyone else, demand humbling ceremonies, and…” She gulped. “Or do they still do them?”
I shook my head. “The place has changed, it’s got more of a hippy commune vibe now. Families live together. The kids have structured homeschooling. They’re pretty self-sufficient with food. I mean, from what I gathered, they still think Jesus will be knocking on the gates any day now, but Jamie and I and didn’t see anything to suggest illegal or even immoral activity.”
Amy stared up at me, searching my eyes in that way she did that meant I couldn’t hide things from her.
“I promise you, if I’d seen one suspect thing I would have set the Yorkshire Police on a raid. And I did contact the local social service to make sure they call in often.”
