Costa Crew 2: They Walk Among Us

Chapter 4 - A Change Of Plan

"So I talked to my friends and they said they were okay with me moving," explained Becky.

Curt didn't sound convinced. "I don't know, I don't think you should have to handle everything alone, since I've had a bit more practice…"

"What do you mean, a bit more practice?" asked Becky.

Curt's tone turned cold. "I'm referring to the two years where you didn't contact us at all and broke our family's hearts."

"You said they knew I wasn't dead," retorted Becky.

Curt sighed. "I said they suspected you were working for MI5. But you not calling really upset them. And while they didn't think you were dead, they couldn't be sure, and sometimes they'd have their moments of doubt. There were times I went to see them and they started crying because they believed that you had been murdered and your killer was still out there. I didn't say anything because... well, it wouldn't have changed the past. But you did hurt us."

Becky's jaw dropped. "I'm sorry...I wish you'd told me sooner."

"How did you think we'd feel!?" spluttered Curt. "Two years, Becky! Come on!"

"I thought you'd be glad to see me alive after Amelia tried to kill me, and maybe even grateful for bringing her to justice while you worked in your museum," said Becky bitterly, not believing in a single word she was saying but too proud to admit it. "I'm sorry for the pain I caused, but I was thinking of the bigger picture."

No response. Becky looked at her phone and sighed. Call ended.

***

The station felt different without Paul there. Maybe it was just Ted's imagination, but something was off. As if a spark of life had just died. But still, he had a job to do, no matter the DCI he worked for. He'd survived the morning, at least.

"DS Green," called Drake's voice the moment Ted stepped out of the elevator, having just come back from lunch break. "A word."

Ted groaned. How can I be in trouble already? He thought as he sat down in Drake's office, where Drake waited along with DI Daniels. "Is everything okay, sir?" he asked anxiously.

Drake sighed. "Yes and no. You're not in trouble, if that's what you mean. But everything's not okay. DI Daniels, the file."

"A couple of uniforms called it in a few hours ago," Greg explained as he passed Ted a file. "We'd like you to be there when we speak to the next of kin."

Ted raised an eyebrow. "Me, Ted Green, helping you, Greg Daniels, with speaking to strangers?"

"Just open the file," Drake said impatiently.

Ted did so, then shook his head, trying to stay calm. "No," he whispered. "It can't….this can't be…."

He cleared his throat. "Don't worry, I'll help."

Drake nodded. "Good. The victim's sister should be arriving any moment."

Ted stared at the file, at the picture of the dead body, at all the victim details, unable to believe that what he was seeing was real and not just another nightmare, all the while trying to stay calm and professional.

He took a deep breath as the elevator doors opened. "Wait here," Drake said quietly, getting up and walking to meet the new arrival.

"Miss Hidgens, thank you for coming," he said. "I wish we could meet under more pleasant circumstances."

Becky frowned. "DCI Drake, what's going on? My boss just told me that you wanted to see me and to come over immediately."

Drake sighed. "My office, please," he said.

Becky followed Drake into his office and sat down beside Ted. "You already know DS Green, of course, and you may remember DI Daniels?"

Becky nodded to Greg and looked at Ted questioningly. "DCI Drake thought you should have a friend with you," he said hoarsely, before clearing his throat. "Becky, I'm so sorry, but... Curt's body was found this morning. He'd been stabbed."

Becky's jaw dropped. "Is...is he…"

"He's dead," Drake said bluntly.

Becky shook her head but didn't say anything. Curt...gone...how could it be? She had just spoken to him this morning. Her heart plummeted when she realised that their earlier phone call, which had ended with Becky being too proud to apologize and Curt hanging up without saying goodbye, was the last conversation that she would ever have with her brother.

"Do our parents know?" she asked quietly.

Drake shook his head. "We wanted to tell you first. We'll also need a friend or family member to identify the body."

"It doesn't have to be right now," added Greg.

Becky sighed. "May as well do it now."

"I'll take you over there," Ted said, jumping to his feet. The last thing Becky needed was to see her brother's body with Drake as her only company.

Becky tried to collect her thoughts as Ted drove her to the Medical Examinations building. She had to call people...her parents obviously, and Curt's friends, the museum staff, her cousins and extended family…pretty much everyone they knew. Then there was the funeral - would it be in Glasgow or London? She also had to sort out the apartment, and the museum...part of her felt she ought to run it herself, keeping it in the family, but she knew that this would be impossible. With Curt gone, she absolutely had to move back to Glasgow, plus she didn't know the first thing about running a museum. She'd have to sell it, but she didn't want just anybody to take over. There was so much to do and right now Becky couldn't figure anything out.

Ted introduced Becky to the medical examiner, who led them both to an operating table. "This part hits hard," he whispered. "It's okay to be upset."

Becky nodded, then gulped as the medical examiner pulled back the sheet to reveal the empty, soulless husk that was her brother's body. His pale skin and lifeless eyes, staring vacantly at the ceiling, fixed in an expression of surprise. But what was even more shocking was the wound in his blood-soaked chest. It didn't take a genius - and Becky was a genius - to figure out that this was where he had been stabbed. Someone had stabbed him. This wasn't natural causes - Curt had been murdered.

"That's him," choked Becky. "That's Curt Ewing Hidgens, my brother."

She signed the document presented by the medical examiner to confirm this, then left with Ted. "I need to go back to the station, but I'll take you home first," he said. "Take all the time you need with this. Just know that we're all here for you."

Becky was once again silent as Ted drove her home. Only when he pulled up outside her apartment building did she finally think of something today. "Find out who did this," she said. "Promise me."

Ted sighed. "Becky, I'll do everything I can. But you know I can't promise something like that."