Don't Cage The Birdie (Book 2)(rough first draft)

Chapter 21. Moving day

Once again in as many days James found himself outside Claudia Forrest's house. The street was quiet and calm and a light breeze in the air ruffled through his hair. Her house was just as he had left it the day before, with police tape across the front door telling people to stay away. The Forrests were due any moment and James had arrived earlier to make sure the place was as presentable as possible for them and to welcome them so they didn't have to enter the house by themselves.

Leaning against the hood of his car he looked at the other houses on the street, at Sydney Binding's house that also had police tape across the front door. The man was still in custody and his place had been cleared, everything inside taken into evidence and processed for examination in connection with the break ins. On the other side of her house was the Aldritchs. The front windows were covered by curtains and he had noticed when he had driven up that they ruffled occasionally. Someone behind the curtains was peeking through the edges watching him and he raised a hand in a friendly wave. Some people were just creepy people without any connection to the bad things currently under investigation. They had no part in it, they were just odd bystanders.

After waiting outside in the heat for five minutes James gave up and walked up to the front door. He tore the tape from the front and rolled it up into a bundle and dropped it on the ground and entered the house. Nothing had changed, except the air was stuffier than usual with all the windows locked preventing air flow to air it out. It smelled of antiseptic soap and dampness. The forensic clean up crew had done a good job in the living room. The walls and floor had been cleaned and very little remained of Claudia, except for odd patches on the sofa that they had been unable to remove completely. If the sofa was unclaimed, which James imagined it would be, it would just be thrown out and perhaps burned to remove any of her remains.

Eventually there was the sound of a car engine and tyres crunching to a stop outside on the street. James wandered to the front door, pulling his badge into view. A yellow cab was in the driveway and an elderly couple were climbing out of the back seat. They both looked to be in their mid to late 60s, with grey hair, the man had a matching grey handle bar moustache and was quite large while the woman was taller and skinnier, with fine mature features. They both wore black and the woman was holding onto the man's arm for support as the two of them walked up the driveway towards James.

James walked down to meet them, extending his hand to the man. 'I'm Detective James Holland,' he introduced himself. 'I am the detective in charge of this matter.'

'Kevin,' said the man, shaking James hand. He released and patted his wife's hand. 'This is Doreen.We're Claudia's parents.'

'I've been expecting you.' James sighed, face grave. 'I'm sorry for your loss. I really am,' he said, feeling the pity and grief deep down

Claudia's parents nodded. 'We appreciate that,' said Kevin. He looked around the house, face baffled. 'Is this really it?'

'Yeah,' said James. 'Well,' he frowned, realising that question could mean anything. 'This is where Claudia was staying when she, uhm, passed away.'

'No,' said Kevin, looking around. 'I thought she lived with that crazy bloke? We warned her against him, but, well, kids. They don't listen to their parents.'

'Where's Marjorie?'

James turned, glancing at Doreen. They were the first words he had heard her say. 'She's currently in Manhattan at the police department. She was transported there for safety and to conduct her interview. We thought it best that she not return to the house after everything. You'll get to see her later, though.'

The parents nodded, and Kevin spoke up. 'What about Dean?'

'He's also in custody at the moment,' James told them. He didn't feel like telling them that the man was about to be released and become sole guardian of Marjorie. Or he would be unless they objected and sought custody themselves. That was a matter for them.