The Fire

Chapter Thirteen

Present

I had heard no word from The Hooded Man, or from my mum or James. Normally, I would have been pleased about that, but it gave me even more reason to believe what I didn't want to.

I was already dreading tomorrow. My mum would probably make me go to school, I didn't know about James though, I suppose it depended on what happened down at the station and what they had against him. Surely one smudge of DNA wouldn't be enough evidence for the police to arrest James, and, if it was the container I was thinking of, James had used that many times, it is our container. James had an excuse so why would all of this be happening?

Unless they knew something else.

The next two hours consisted of me pacing back and forth through the living room and kitchen, sitting down for ten seconds before returning to my repetitive journey to the kitchen and back. I had no idea how long it would take for them to return – if James ever did return. Why hadn't either of them messaged me? I would have at least expected mum to say something. She knows that I would be stressing out right now and would never hesitate to put me at ease.

I finally gave in and collapsed on the sofa. I put on some music and closed my eyes, taking deep breaths to try to calm myself down.

I jumped when I heard a key in the lock turning. I ran to the door, but James and I nearly ran into each other as he stormed past me to go upstairs. It was obviously bad, and the slam of his door confirmed that.

Beep. Beep.

That was my phone. I ran back to the sofa and grabbed it, swiping the screen and opening my messages.

Don't tell anyone else about me, else you'll find yourself in a body bag – J

That was weird, the text wasn't signed off as The Hooded Man...who on earth was J?

The message disappeared, then came back almost immediately. This time it was signed off as The Hooded Man. What had just happened? Was it a mistake? Did he slip up? Was J who he really was?

But it couldn't be because J could mean James, and with everything that had just happened, everything lined up. Everything fit perfectly, like a puzzle. Maybe it really was him.

"Sophie?" My mum asked, walking into the room.

I turned to her and asked, "Is it bad?"

"Well," she began, taking a deep breath, "they let him off for the DNA results because he had used that container anyway..."

Thank goodness, I knew I was right.

"...but,"

Oh no.

"They have found a motive for James, and they want to question him further. I managed to put them off arresting him, but..."

My mum's words faded away as I stared at the wall and blocked out everything. I didn't want this to be happening. I thought this was over, I thought we would never find out who killed Leah, and I accepted that. Just as I had moved on and started to become more positive about everything, this happens.

I pulled my knees to my chest and put my head in between my knees. I was done denying everything. I needed to speak to James – now.