“What a fucking day.” She took another large gulp. “What do we do about Drake and the party? We just told him we wouldn’t go.”
“It’s a masked ball. He won’t see us. And really, he might be useful. He seems to want to find The Chameleon as much as we do.”
“My enemy’s enemy is my friend kind of vibe?”
I smiled. “Exactly.”
I was calm. It was going to be fine. Despite the awful nature of her news, it was a comfort to know that Jenny was not betraying us. I’d cut out the psycho therapist and her dodgy drugs. I had my wife by my side. We’d go to this party, find the person who’d been making our lives hell, and end him. Then I could go back to working on all the other simple stuff in my life that had been getting me down, like my advancing age and my own mortality.
Part Four
Resilience
Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can cause everlasting damage and require years of therapy to heal from. We teach our children about resilience by telling them about our journey to becoming who we are today. Children teach us about resilience by showing us how every tantrum, every sleepless night, every challenge is a chance to rise, radiate, and rediscover our sacred strength as a mama.
—Bells Brightley, parenting blogger (@MindfulMamaBells) and bestselling author ofHow to Be the Best Mom You Can Be: Helping You to Help Them
Kids learn fast that shit happens. You can scream and cry about it or you can dust yourself off and punch back. Metaphorically, of course.
—Hazel Matthews, mother
Chapter Fifty-Eight
September 8, 2007
East London Police Report
Victim: James White. Died of three stab wounds to abdomen. Body discovered by Harry Hogg (bar security). All the cameras in the back office were not working. Bar was very busy that night. Andy Savage (customer) and Mike Tribe (customer) both reported seeing White wave at someone and point toward the back office. Neither saw who he was waving at—there were numerous people standing by the bar at the time. The bar staff claimed not to have seen anything. Unknown female DNA found on three hair strands on floor near body. The three hair strands have been misplaced from the evidence locker.
January 12, 2008
East London Police Report
Victim: Julian Barrow. Head crushed by skillet pan. Body discovered 15:23 on August 2 by Andrew Winpenny (victim’s landlord, responding to bad smell complaints). Estimated date of death July 20/21. Neighbors interviewed. Reports from Chris Walker (tenant at 2B) that victim was seen on July 20 in the evening with a brunette woman in her 20s. No corroborating reports. Walker reinterviewed on August 10 andsaid “he wasn’t good with numbers” and may have been mistaken on the date. No other current leads.
December 17, 2008
Croydon Police Report
Victim: Will Callewaert. Died of one stab wound to the chest. His arm was burned four times with a cigarette. Body discovered by Laura Gracey (victim’s foster daughter). The cigarette used was found inserted into his right nostril. The cigarette only had the victim’s DNA on it.
August 2012
Witness Statement
Cheryl Bell, Capri Grand Hotel Guest
I definitely saw the two of them there. Her hair was different. But god, I’d never forget those cheekbones. I’d die for them. She’s so beautiful, right? Do you think she’s all natural? I mean, the curve of her breasts looks so perfect you’d nearly…Okay, okay, but you asked me if I was sure? So yeah, I’m sure. Herb pissed me off as he kept staring at her. And then I made him switch places with me, and then he got pissed off as I kept staring at her. Like I said, she was…oh yeah, and her husband, he was something special too. I only saw his back for most of dinner, but when they got up to leave—wow. Herb told me I was drooling…Yeah, no I’m sure on the date. It was our wedding anniversary. Real special evening.
August 2012
Witness Statement
Luca Savelli, Capri Grand Hotel Manager
He was a good tipper. The dead guy. He’s stayed here a few times. A few days ago, there was a bit of a misunderstandingwith a waitress. I helped clear things up for him and he was grateful.
August 2012
