Killing the Dead (Season 2 | Book 2): Dark and Deadly Land by Richard Murray Read Free Book Online Page A

with a fearful look to my knife.
    “Windermere,” Lily said. “We’ve been holed up there for a few months.”
    “Then why’re you here?” the man asked. His gaze had taken in the weapons we had on display and his muscles tensed as he prepared to move. My lips curved into a smile as I silently willed him to do so.
    “We’re travelling towards Scotland,” Becky added. “Just passing through and we mean you no harm.” They didn’t.
    The older couple exchanged a look and something passed between them. That sort of silent communication that comes only from a great deal of time spent together. Finally, the man nodded though he looked less than happy about it. I sighed as I saw my chance for violence disappear.
    “Well then,” the older woman said. “You’ll probably be wanting a cup of tea.”
     

Chapter 6 - Lily
    Jonathan and Mary Mason lived in a lovely four bedroomed farmhouse that must have been built at the turn of the previous century. Wooden gables and weathered oak beams as hard as iron formed the bones of the house.
    Their kitchen, slash dining room, was everything I’d imagined an old farm kitchen would be. Solid wooden surfaces with ample spaces for storage. Dried herbs hung from the oak beams and root vegetables filled every available space while photos of smiling children hung on the walls. They even had a walk in pantry.
    While Jonathan seated himself at the pine table, Mary filled a metallic kettle with water and placed it on the hob. Becky, Cass, Gregg and myself joined him at the table while Pat hovered protectively behind his girlfriend and my dear heart leant against the wall at a point where he could clearly watch the outside and internal doors as well as the rest of us, which he managed to do with a great deal of suspicion. He really needs to lighten up a little and start to trust people.
    We waited in silence as Mary went about making the drinks and her husband watched us with a suspicion that equalled Ryan’s. Our backpacks littered the kitchen floor and when I glanced down I saw we’d tracked mud in over the tiles.
    “Oh,” I said. “So sorry about the mess.”
    “Don’t you worry dear,” Mary said without barely a glance at the floor. “It’ll not be the first time they’ve seen mud.”
    “Is it just the two of you here?” Ryan asked, apparently deciding that now was the time to speak.
    “Aye,” Jonathan said with a glower that dissuaded further conversation.
    “Big house for just two of you,” Ryan continued and I winced. He needs to learn what tact is.
    “Our boys are all away,” Mary said. Her voice bore the strain of one holding back some strong emotion and I half rose from my chair to go to her when Ryan spoke again.
    “Likely dead then. The other houses?”
    “Ryan!” I snapped just as Cass said the same. Pat glared at him while Gregg shook his head. Only Becky seemed unbothered by his remark.
    “It’s ok dear,” Mary said. “These are dark times and we all must be cautious.”
    “Cautious is one thing, tactless is another,” I said with a glare that had no effect on him.
    “You’re a couple are you?” she asked as she set a steaming cup of tea before me. It smelled divine and I lifted it in both hands, enjoying the warmth of the cup.
    “We are,” I replied and she nodded.
    “I have had cause to use that same tone on my Jon more than once,” she said. “In answer to your question young man, yes. We are all alone here. The other houses are empty of all but memories.”
    “If you don’t mind my asking,” I said with a quick look to Ryan that hopefully told him ‘ this is how you do it.’ “How is it that just the two of you are here?”
    “Two of those houses are holiday cottages that we would rent out in the summer,” Jonathan said in his gruff voice. “The third was for our eldest and his family.”
    “They went to the hospital with Jennie, their daughter,” Mary said. She wiped a hand across her eyes before she continued. “Jennie