A Great Leap (First Draft) - Outer Realms Book 1

Chapter 4

Mikayla felt a brief flicker of relief when she was informed of Amy Colora's arrival, glad to step away from staring at her computer screen until the reality of the conversation to come reasserted itself. She and Joel closed their computers and left their conference room.

"I think we play it the same as before," Mikayla said as they made the way down to reception, "I'll tell Ms Colora about her brother then you take over."

"You want me to steer her toward anything specific that we haven't thought of already?"

"The girlfriend, the job, friends and family. No need to push her too hard unless you think she's actually involved."

At reception that officer on the desk pointed them at a woman pacing off to one side, her brow furrowed in worry as she chewed on her lip. She was a woman of average height with long brown hair that fell down her back in waves, glasses perched on her nose.

"Ms Colora?" Mikayla asked.

"Um, yeah," Amy replied with a half smile, "You're the one who called. What's this about? Was my brother robbed or hurt or something? He wasn't arrested, was he?"

"Come this way and we'll find somewhere to sit down. Do you want a tea or coffee or water or something?"

"No, thanks. I have to get back work so I'll have to be quick."

Mikyla led the way to a visitor's lounge off the foyer and they all sat down. "Your brother hasn't been arrested," Mikayla said, summoning all her will to keep her face calm with the words forced from her lips, "I'm sorry but a body was found and we believe it to be your brother Rhys."

The colour drained from Amy's face and her mouth fell open as she let out a broken, gasping sob. Her eyes were glazed and vacant and pulled in a ragged breath but Mikayla saw little in the way of thought behind the young woman's face. After a minute, Amy blinked away tears and a measure of awareness lit up her eyes.

"I, um, how... You're sure it's Rhys?" she asked.

"As sure as we can be," Mikayla answered, "He was found in his home this morning." Mikayla tapped Joel's knee and he took over.

"I'm afraid we're going to have to ask some questions, Ms Colra," he asked gently, "I'm sorry but this will probably be very difficult for you."

"Why?" Amy asked, "What kind of questions?"

"We just need to make sure of a couple of things," Joel answered smoothly, "You talk to your brother regularly?"

"All the time. Still have sunday lunch with our parents every week."

"Have you noticed any changes in his behaviour recently?"

Amy shook her head. "Not really. He moved a couple of months ago but he's always a bit off while he gets settled in a new place."

"He moved often then?"

"Every twelve to eighteen months or so. I mean, he was just renting until this new place. He's going to ask his girlfriend to move in. He was going to anyway. Ready to settle down and that. God, she's going to be a nightmare after she finds out."

"You mean Jessica Nyhan?" Amy nodded woodenly. "Their relationship was good then?"

Amy sneered. "I wouldn't go that far. Rhys... loved... he loved her and she could be really sweet but she can be a real princess about things too. If things don't meet her expectations she can lose her shit. Threw some epic tantrums when she's had a bit to drink."

"Has she ever been violent?"

"I- Why? Do you think she hurt Rhys?"

"We're exploring all possibilities until the coroner says anything definitive but to tell the truth, it really doesn't look like your brother was murdered. But please, we have to ask these questions. Was your brother's girlfriend ever violent?"