Page 34 of Dead Serious Case 4 Professor Prometheus Plume
“Not at all.” Tris answers, his friendly expression shuttering. “It’s fascinating. I’ve learned a lot over the years, like how to make a death look like natural causes.” He smiles coolly.
I hear Nick snort quietly next to me.
“I think it’s disgusting, cutting up dead bodies,” Derek cuts in.
“Someone’s got to do it.” Tris shrugs, unperturbed.
“So Tristan mentioned you’re with Scotland Yard, Danny?” Mark interrupts, cutting off Derek and changing the subject before it ends with me punching him for being a dick to Tris.
“That’s right.” I nod. “I’ve got a really good partner and the work is interesting. We caught a serial killer back in the summer, one who’d gone undetected for decades.”
“Really?” Nick asks in interest and I nod again.
“She liked to poison people with arsenic, mostly her husbands, then she’d collect the insurance money, change her name, and move on again.”
“I’m surprised they gave you a job at all,” Derek says.
“Why’s that?” My eyes narrow and my stomach clenches. I just know the next words out his mouth will be insulting and spiteful.
“After the shitstorm you created with the West Yorkshire Police.”
“You mean calling them out on their homophobic bullshit when one of their own was attacked?”
“Your friend brought that on himself.” Derek smirks “He should have kept it behind closed doors where it belongs. The police aren’t there to pander to your lifestyle choices.”
“Lifestyle choices?” I repeat coolly, but before I can say anything further, Nick opens his mouth instead.
“I guess it’s your lifestyle choice to be a homophobic wanker then,” he says evenly.
“What did you say?” Derek’s eyes flash as he turns his attention to Nick.
My eyes flick to Dad. It’s clear Derek is about to kick off but Dad says nothing, he just watches silently. For a second, I think I see a troubled look flicker across his expression, but it’s so fleeting that it’s gone before I can figure it out.
“You heard me,” Nick says in that same calm tone that will undoubtedly wind my brother up even further. “Although hearing trouble does come with age, so I’ll repeat myself in case you missed it the first time. I said you are a homophobic wanker.”
“You little shit.” Derek surges to his feet but Leigh is already there blocking his path, her eyes spitting fire.
“If you take one more step, Derek, if you so much as breathe in my son’s direction, I swear to god they’ll have to identify your body by your dental records,” she warns dangerously.
Nick unfolds himself from the sofa and rises slowly. He actually stands a few inches taller than Derek as he gently grasps his mother’s arm and draws her protectively behind him. “It’s okay, Mum,” he says steadily, his eyes locked on Derek. “I’m eighteen now. If he’s got a problem with me, I’m happy to settle it right here and now.”
I’m about to intervene when my dad suddenly pushes himself out of his armchair, startling everyone into silence. He looks at each of us in turn, then settles his gaze on Derek.
“Leave them alone, Derek,” he rumbles in that quiet tone none of us had dared disobey when we were kids. Only this time it’s not filled with authority. It sounds tired and... sad.
Derek’s mouth falls open in shock, as if he’s never had Dad call him out on his behaviour. Funny thing is, I can’t ever recall a time when Dad has.
I think I’m as stunned as Derek. I don’t know what to say when Dad turns around and without another word walks out of the room.
“What’s going on in here?” Mum says as she wanders in and sets a tea tray down on the coffee table.
“Don’t bother with the tea, Mum. Daniel’s not staying,” Derek says, cold anger seeping from his tone.
“What’s going on?” Mum asks again.
“He’s upset Dad.”
“Pft,” Mum huffs. “Your dad will be fine and you know it. He always takes himself off to the shed when he needs some time to think.”