CHAPTER 10

“How’s my favourite brother-in-law!” Nicole sauntered into the door with the confidence of someone on their fifth coffee of the day - which she probably was. Nicole was Angie’s sister and despite the ten year age gap they were quite close. She was coming to stay with John and Angie for a few weeks during her university break.

“I’m your only brother-in-law Nic. Unless you two have some secret sibling I don’t know about.” John and Nicole got on very well, her sarcasm rubbed off on him when the two were together. Angie just rolled her eyes, but her chest tightened slightly at the mention of secret siblings.

“So, I heard you two are working on a case while I’m here. Rude. But understandable. So I’m guessing you guys won’t be here a lot in the next few days?” Nicole enquired. Angie explained to her that they would mostly be working from home, but occasionally they did have to go into the office. Nicole almost immediately noticed the way Angie’s shoulder were just a little bit too tight and clocked on to the fact that the case brought back some old memories for her.

After dinner Nicole sent John away to the shops and she sat down next to Angie. She was working as usual, looking at the same images of the lake house that she had been for hours. She was still on edge wondering when they would bring Harrold back in.

“So… rough case?”

“It’s fine.” Angie’s voice had that far away sound she got when she was thinking hard about something.

“I can tell, you’re looking at that picture like it owes you money.” Angie finally looked at Nicole, the same mix of exasperation and resignation that was often on her face when she looked at her sister. She was about to ask Nicole how the drive was when she noticed how she kept tapping her fingers together.

“Who is she?” Nicole looked at Angie for a few moments, slightly in shock.

“What?”

“Who is she?” When Nicole didn’t answer Angie finally elaborated. “You’re doing that thing with your hands that means you have a crush on a girl. Usually a straight one. Who is she?”

Nicole looked at her sister with a small amount of awe. “You’re good.” After a short pause and Angie refusing to look away first. Nicole gave in. “Fine, she’s in my psych class. I saw her at the queer club once though, so hopefully she isn’t straight. Although she was with her flamboyant gay brother so…” Angie waited until it was clear Nicole wasn’t elaborating.

“And?” Nicole just looked at Angie.

“Nic, I know you well enough to know that there’s something else about this girl that you aren’t telling me” Angie couldn’t keep the hint of amusement out of her tone.

“She asked me on a date. But it might be a prank. I don’t know anymore.” After a few minutes of Angie being sympathetic, her phone rang.

“I’m sorry Nic, I have to go.” And with that she rushed out of the door and called to tell John that the police had found Harrold.