Page 14 of Dead Serious Case 5 Madame Vivienne

“You don’t have to read it now if you don’t want to,” Danny says, his calm presence a contradiction to Dusty, who’s almost vibrating with curiosity. “It’s been an emotionally draining day. This can wait.”

“No,” I say quietly as I shake my head and look across at him. “I don’t think it can. Whatever it was that Viv wanted to say to me, it was important enough for her to put in a letter and make sure it was delivered into my hands. I didn’t listen enough when she was still alive, but I can listen to her now.”

He nods and looks down at the envelope as I turn it over and carefully open it. It feels weighty. I pull out a folded piece of thickquality writing paper, but as I unfold it, an old square photo flutters into my lap. Picking it up, I feel my heart thud when I realise what I’m holding.

The photo is almost falling apart, cracked and worn as if it’s been looked at and touched many times. It’s easy to recognise a young Viv sitting up in a hospital bed. Cradled gently in her arms is a newborn baby swaddled in a blanket and wearing a tiny, knitted cap, still with the hospital band attached to his tiny wrist. I turn the photo over to look at the back but I already know what I’m going to find.

Just one word.Sage.

“Is that her son?” Dusty asks, her voice subdued and her eyes filled with sadness.

“Yes,” I mutter, turning it back to the front and studying Viv’s face. I can’t see her expression because she’s looking down at her baby, but her body language and the way holds him as she gazes at him makes me want to cry.

Unable to look at it anymore, I pass it to Danny and begin to read aloud.

Dear Tristan,

If you’re reading this, then I’m gone. I’ve instructed Mr Hadley that you are to be left the bookshop. I’m so sorry to leave this burden to you, but I don’t know what else to do. I know I’m being selfish, but you’re the only one who’s gifted enough and, I hope, strong enough. I know Danny will have your back no matter what, that you’ll be protected. You also have Dusty and Bruce to watch over you. I know they will.

By now, Mr Hadley must have told you about my son, Sage. I know they are going to try and find him. It’s part of my family’s legacy. The shop must pass down through my bloodline for as long as there’s a living descendant. Tristan, you cannot let them find him. Please. I know this is too much to ask of you, but you have to protect him. He must not inheritthe bookshop. I wish I could explain, but you will just have to trust me. It’s too dangerous. I hid my son for a reason so please, please, I’m begging you, do not let them find him.

I chose to remain on my own, to shoulder this burden alone. It’s been hard and I can admit now, at the end, that I’ve been so lonely. Thank you for being my friend. When I needed someone the most, you and Danny were there for me and it is a kindness I will carry with me. I wish I could repay you in some small way instead of cursing you with my family’s greatest failure.

I wish I’d had more time. I wish I’d been better prepared. In this envelope you will find a key. This key opens a cupboard on the third floor, you’ll know which one when you see it. In it, you will find something you’ll need. I think it belongs to you, I don’t know why. I found it by accident a few days ago in a place I’ve looked over hundreds of times over the years. But I’d never seen it before that day.

Who knows, maybe it wasn’t there before and didn’t appear until it was needed. But the moment I realised what it was, I had a gut-deep feeling it was supposed to go to you, but you’d already left for Yorkshire with Danny. I hope that you find it and that it’s useful. I’d probably get into trouble for giving away family heirlooms if there was anyone left to scold me, but I stand by my gut feeling. It is yours. I only have one request. That you keep it private. There are parts of it that are incredibly personal.

Lastly, in with this letter, you will find a photo of my son. His name is Sage. From the moment I held him in my arms, I felt the whole world shift beneath me and I knew nothing would ever be the same again. This photograph is the only one I have of him, the only time I ever held him. Of everything I own, it is the only thing of value to me, so please take care of it. You may not understand why I gave him up, but it was the price I had to pay. I have to go now, my time is running out.

Thank you for being my friend,

With love, Vivienne.

Still clutching the letter in my hand, I upend the envelope and a small brass key with a black ribbon tied to the head tumbles out.

I don’t realise I’m crying until I feel Danny’s thumb brush across my cheeks to wipe away my tears. Swallowing hard and taking a deep breath, I carefully refold the letter and tuck it back into the envelope, adding the photograph when Danny hands it to me.

“What do you think is in the cupboard?” Dusty asks as I pick up the key.

It’s an old antique brass key, unremarkable except for the length of black ribbon tied to it.

“I don’t know,” I mutter. “But I’m going to find out.”

4

We walk back into the flat and I notice it’s quiet. I’d almost expected to hear the familiar sound of Harrison and Sam bickering. There’s the low hum of the TV in the living room and a few noises coming from the kitchen, but that’s it. I’m so used to the tension between Harrison and Sam whenever they’re in the same space that the relative silence seems unnatural. Hanging my coat on the rack by the door, I wander into the kitchen in search of Chan.

“Hey, sweetie.” He looks up and smiles as he sets a tray of mini pizzas on the counter and removes his oven mitts. “How’d it go?”

“We’ve got a lot to tell you, but I just don’t have the headspace to deal with it right now,” I reply. I sink onto one of the chairs at the kitchen table and set the letter and keys down between the plates of sandwiches and bowls of crisps. “Wow, just how many people are you feeding?”

He shrugs. “It’s giving me something to do. I’m feeling—” He breaks off with a little huff of displeasure. “I don’t know. Unsettled, I guess.”

“What is it?” I ask in concern.

“Lots of things.” He shakes his head. “Viv, obviously, but Death hasn’t been around much. I mean, I know he’s got responsibilities. Ancient supernatural creature with souls to reap and all that. Ever since we started seeing each other, or whatever the fuck we’re doing, he’s been around though. But lately…”

“Lately?”