The Sect (The Craig Crime Series) by Catriona King Read Free Book Online

recent anal tearing with no indication that he’d had sex. Like the tattoo they were made after death, but…”
    Craig understood immediately. “But that wasn’t all. There were older tears as well. You’re saying that he was gay.”
    “Or engaged in anal penetration, which isn’t always the same thing. He might have preferred objects to people.”
    Craig pressed for the details. “How old are the older scars?”
    John shook his head. “Not childhood abuse if that’s what you mean. There’s no sign of that, unlike on the girl. They aren’t more than two years old and they show no signs of violence.”
    He returned the implement to the cabinet and led the way into his room, taking a seat behind the desk and removing some photographs from a file. He tapped them with a finger.
    “You can look if you wish but it’s just old scars and the new tears. It’s just speculation at the moment but I think that our first male victim had engaged in consensual anal penetration sometime in the past two years.”
    Liam finished the thought. “And he died for it?”
    It was Craig who answered. “It’s too early to say.” He glanced quickly at the photographs and then headed for the door. “Bring everything with you to the briefing, John. Liam, let’s try to I.D. our victims before we jump to conclusions about why they were killed.”
     
    ****
     
    The meals were all eaten, the medication dispensed and now it was time for prayer. The room’s doors slid back to allow entry to a group of dull-eyed, shackled teens. They dropped to their knees as the dark-suited men watched them, their gazes like searchlights seeking signs of apathy or disrespect.
    The teenagers glanced anxiously at each other and then at the man standing, arms extended, at the front of the room. Then they feigned devotion like their lives depended on it, as they undoubtedly thought that they did.

 
    Chapter Four
     
    Jake glanced at the clock above his grandmother’s head and then rose slowly to his feet. Her large eyes teared up instantly so he sat down again, taking her thin hand in his own. He smiled, tracing her familiar lines with his gaze until slowly she smiled back, then he spoke softly, as if saying the words more quietly would lessen their impact in some way.
    “I must go to work, just for a few hours. The Superintendent has been kind but we need this job.”
    We. That’s what it was now, but then that’s what it had always been. Him and them; his surrogate parents, with his partner Aaron very much the fourth wheel. Meredith McLean nodded and held her grandson’s smooth hand up to her cheek. Her voice was strong, stronger than Jake had expected it to be.
    “You have your work, Jake, and you have your life with Aaron, just as your grandfather and I had ours. I’ll be fine once tomorrow is over, you’ll see. I’ll do all sorts of things; join clubs and make new friends. Don’t worry about me, please.” With that she set down his hand decisively and waved her own towards the door. “Now, go to work and I’ll see you later.” She rose briskly and turned her slim back towards him, busying herself with washing a cup. “If I turn around and you’re still there I’ll be very cross, Jake McLean.”
    He took his cue and slipped out, but his mind whirred with questions about where their lives would go next. Regardless of what his grandmother said, he wanted to spend time with her; but how would Aaron feel about that? He’d been patient with his absences so far; as he’d nursed his granddad at home and then kept vigil in the hospital at the end. But it had been six months now and even a lover’s patience and sympathy only stretched so far.
    Aaron would expect their life together to return to normal once the funeral was over, except that it couldn’t possibly. His granny needed him even more now, no matter what she said, and… Jake stopped by his car, realising something. And he needed her. She’d been his mother since he was five, how