DARK HOUSES a gripping detective thriller full of suspense by Helen H. Durrant Page A

“Where d’you want to go?”
    She made no reply and staggered round to the back of his car.
    “You haven’t got one of them plate things,” she said. “You could be anyone.”
    Parents’ words. She’d have been told many times never to do this.
    “My daughter’s about your age,” he said. “She’s at the sixth form now, doing A levels.”
    It seemed to reassure her. “I go there,” she said, and smiled.
    “My Annie broke her wrist or it’d be her I was waiting for,” he said. “She loves going to that place.” He nodded towards the club. “Cheap drinks and good music, so she tells me. Which way are you going?”
    “Towards the Link.”
    “My fare hasn’t turned up. At least let me get you away from this part of town. It’s not the place for a young girl to be alone at night. Anything could happen.”
    “I should ring my mum,” she said. She rummaged in her bag.
    “Tell her you’ve got a taxi. Tell her not to worry.”
    The girl nodded. “You could speak to her.”
    “No, just tell her you’ll be home soon. It’s easier.”
    She swiped buttons on her phone. He listened to the conversation, which quickly turned into an argument. Finally she threw her phone back into her bag.
    “Stupid woman just goes on and on about how late it is. Can you believe she’s been walking the streets looking for me? I told her I was coming here and I said I’d be late.”
    “I’ll have you home in no time. Come on.”
    “She asked me to send a photo of your plate,” she said, looking again at the rear of the saloon. “What shall I do?”
    “It must have fallen off as I came over the bridge. I’ll have to get another one made tomorrow.”
    “I could photograph the registration plate,” she said, and took a shot.
    “You shouldn’t keep your mother waiting. Hop in and let’s go.”
    “I’m trying to send her the picture but I can’t see anything back here,” she said.
    “There’s not much signal round here anyway. I’d give it up if I were you.” He watched her throw the phone onto the seat beside her.
    “Does your daughter like the sixth form?”
    “Yes, I think so. It’s hard work but she needs the grades for uni. She wants to be a vet,” he said.
    “I don’t know what I want to do. My mum says I should get a job and earn some money. But there isn’t anything out there for people my age, is there? My mum doesn’t know what she’s talking most of the time.”
    “Even so, you don’t want to worry her. You’ve had a lot to drink. Here, get this down you.” He threw her a bottle of water. “It’ll sober you up.”
    He drove round the back streets, avoiding the CCTV on the main roads. He was pleased. It had gone like clockwork, just like the last one.
    She was practically lying down on the back seat now. With what he’d put in that water, she’d be out of it soon. He drove slowly, and as he turned into Archibald Terrace he turned off the car headlights.
    “Come on, girlie, we’re here. Time to have some fun.” She was dopey as he helped her out, so she didn’t ask questions or struggle. He took the key from his pocket and let them into the house. He chuckled at the confusion on her face as she walked through the door. It changed to a look of terror when she saw what was waiting for her.

Chapter 6
    Day Two
     
    At five the next morning, Greco’s mobile became a buzzing glow on the bedside table. He grabbed it and looked. The station.
    “Who is it at this hour?” Suzy groaned.
    “Trouble. Something must have happened,” he replied.
    “Go downstairs and take it, Stephen, or you’ll wake Matilda.”
    He grabbed his dressing gown and went down.
    “Duty sergeant, sir,” the voice began. “Archibald Terrace. A woman heard screaming from the empty house next door. She went round the back and saw someone leaving. Whoever it was had left the back door open. She got her husband to go inside and check.” There was a few seconds’ silence. “From what she said it sounds like the