Chapter 31

I kept Deacon in the interview room for another 20 minutes, quizzing him about the damage

to Fork's car, but it was a lost cause.

He eventually let the old man leave with a warning ringing in his ears.

Fork took the keys to the police car and waited behind the station house until Deacon

drove away.

He gave it five minutes, then slowly drove the route to Deacon's farm.

Along the way the fire warning sign advised him the danger was still extreme.

He turned a defaded sign pointing to the ambitiously named Deacon Estates and rumbled along a gravel

driveway.

A few ragged sheep raised their heads hopefully as he drove past.

The property was high on a hill and offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside.

On Fork's right he could clearly see the Hadler's home some distance below in the shallow

valley.

The rotary washing line was a cobweb on a stick and a couple of garden benches looked

like dolls furniture.

20 years ago he had loved that view on the occasions he'd visited Ellie here.

Now he couldn't stand to look at it.

Fork pulled up outside a dilapidated barn as Deacon was attempting to lock his car.

The man's hands were shaking and he dropped the keys and the dust.

Fork folded his arms and watched Deacon bend slowly to retrieve them.

Deacon's dog trotted over to his master's feet and growled in Fork's direction.

...