Page 22 of Fury

Typical Alfred, always thinking of his business and his money.

“How are you, Papa?”

“Gut, gut.”

“He’s not good,” Julia added from behind me. “He’s exhausted. And he needs to rest. You shouldn’t be having this conversation with him.”

“He asked me to come and update him, Julia. That’s what I’m doing. Then I’ll go.”

For a moment we stared at each other, the blonde woman not much older than me, with bright blue eyes, not unlike my own. Her hair was always perfect. Today it fell in thick waves, beautifully groomed and silky.

“Tell me, daughter. News?” He rasped, moving the blanket off his legs as Julia rushed to his side to stop him from getting to his feet.

“I’m still investigating. There was a break-in at the Walker office last night.”

“Shieße.”

“They only took the old computer. Needed replacing, anyway. I’m having security cameras and alarms installed tomorrow in both offices.”

“What? Why?” the youngest of us all straightened up where he’d been leaning against the mantelpiece, obviously bored.

“Mark, honey,” my stepmother cooed, her voice lamenting, calming her only child like he was still a small boy.

The head of dark blond hair bobbed as he looked across from each of us, cool blue eyes settling on me, his face stilling.

“Nice to finally see you, Mark,” I greeted him, watching as he folded his arms across his chest.

“You could have waited at the train station for me. I sat there for forty minutes thinking your train hadn’t got in yet.”

“You were late, Mark. I had things to do. The taxi worked just fine.”

“So, what’s going on at the funeral homes, then?” Gordon asked from the chair he sat in on my father’s right, like he was ensuring we all knew he was the oldest son.

“They’re getting security systems fitted tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“After the Walker office was broken into last night it seemed a good idea. And means I can monitor some of the staff, too.”

The side of his neck ticked, a sudden note of tension. Tommy glancing over at his older brother, as if trying to work out what he was thinking.

“Don’t worry. It’s free. I’m not spending your inheritance.” I spoke to all of them, the vultures that sat around the ageing man, waiting for him to draw his last breath so they could get their sweaty, grabby little hands on all his money.

“Heidi,” my father warned from my side, and I shrugged in response.

“And what did you have to do to get it free, huh?” Mark challenged, the hint of a smirk straining at the side of his mouth.

“Mark!” His mother scolded, and he shrugged, a loaded glare in my direction.

“It’s called a business deal. Someone needed a cheaper funeral rate. I needed cameras and alarms. Deal done.”

“Ok, ok. So, no clues to the money yet?” My father rasped away impatiently.

“Not yet, Papa. But I’ll work it out.” In the corner of my eye, I caught the uncomfortable shuffle of feet as Mark shifted his weight from one to the other.

“You’ll stay for dinner, won’t you?”

“Not tonight, Papa. I’ve loads of work to do.”