“A drone, I’d say. Lots of people use them now to explore the bay and record the marvels of nature. I believe our local police also have a few to watch the inhabitants of the island. Helps their policing.”

“Makes sense now. I’ve seen some amazing nature videos on YouTube taken by drones. I might have to get one.” She returned to her whale watching. “And I’m sure this rare event will turn up on YouTube too.”

“Yep, for sure. And a drone could be fun, but let’s continue the guided tour with our feet on terra firma.” He winked at Ruby and tapped his feet on the ground. “Good old solid earth . . . the plan was to have a snack at my place and then go for a walk.”

“Do you live with anyone?”

“Nope. Just me and the friends who drop in.”

“Not married then?”

Christopher swallowed. “Was. But I’m a widower.”

Her eyes expressed sadness. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

He felt the half smile on his face. “That’s okay. We’ll all be together again one day. I’m just waiting patiently for that day.”

“We?”

Been a while since he spoke about this and he felt the emotions battling. “I lost my children as well.”

“Oh, that’s so sad.” Her eyes closed briefly. “I’m sorry.”

He turned and took a deep breath “It’s good, Ruby. You’ll understand as you keep digging.”

She laughed. “There you go again”

Christopher raised his eyebrows.

“Digging.”

She was a lovely girl and wanted to lighten the air. He shook his head.

“Is there hope for me? Come on. Let’s get some food.”

They stood. Christopher took a quick glimpse back towards the ferry terminal. The man in the mauve shirt stood at the start of the track, looking up at them. The green reptilian entity hovered behind him. What evil thoughts were being presented to that person’s mind?

<°)))><

Jack had done some preliminary work from home and now made his way to work. He sighed in relief. The powers-that-be had finally set a date for Toby Watts’s trial. It was still a few months away, and other things had been on Jack’s mind. The case had sucked a lot of energy out of the investigation team, although they were satisfied the man was behind bars—and would be forever more once the trial was over. They needed to get the likes of him off the street. Watts was evil, and the product of an evil upbringing.

Jack took time off and left the paperwork for the court case in his partner’s capable hands. He took his family up north to a place called Daydream Island and how he already missed the quietness of that place as he made the readjustments required for dealing with millions of people and their vehicles. But the change of routine pleased them all, and the resort was a stark contrast to his recent island adventures. The holiday had given him time to reflect.

He had long spiritual talks with Erica, about Churchie and his ability to see the unseen. Jack believed it possible. He recently read about a psychic who gained the ability to communicate with spirits after being knocked unconscious in a car accident at an early age. The article wasn’t overly complimentary—the psychic was into crystal balls, tarot cards, auras and the like. Jack knew that both Catherine and Churchie would say people should stay away from such things. They were convinced evil aligned itself with such tools of the trade, that evil even took up residence in paraphernalia connected to these things.

Jack had been to church a few times but hadn’t worked it out yet. He knew psychics and the like fleeced people, but so did so-called Christians. He also struggled with the ‘sweetness’ of church—not rugged enough, not manly enough. Erica understood, and she told him he needed to lower his guard. That was hard, given what he’d put up with for the last fifteen years. He’d needed to guard his mind from the filth he was faced with, but it was all about protecting his family, society. All good intentions. Now he imagined a battle going on between good and evil, but he couldn’t work out what the battle was about, although the image of a warrior appealed to him.

58 – Daydream Island a day dream

JACK’S CHEST TIGHTENED as he walked back into the office. Was Daydream Island just a figment of his imagination? He looked at his in-tray. It wasn’t overflowing, which didn’t surprise him. It was the world living in his computer terminal that worried him. Some called it the e-tray. There’d be hundreds of e-mails waiting for him.

“Hello, Jack.” Catherine said. ‘Welcome back.”

Catherine leaned on a partition feeding herself on some yogurt.

“I can tell by the look on your face that you’ve already forgotten about your holiday.”

Jack gave a soft laugh. “I have, Cath. But good to see you.”

“I’ll let you get settled. Then maybe we can get together and I can update you on a few of the investigations.”

“The emails etc. can wait. Let’s have a chat now. I need one of my favourite coffees.”

They made their way to the place of coffee beans. Horns tooting, cars revving, brakes squealing, fire sirens, hundreds of pairs of shoes pounding the pavement. Where had his peace gone? They put in their orders and found a corner table away from the noise.

“Good holiday?”

“It was, Cath. Good to spend time with Erica and Johnny. Good bonding time. That’s really all I wanted. Only worry is the son’s talking of becoming a policeman.”

“We need our peacemakers, Jack. But I know what you’re thinking.”

“Think I’ll need to get out soon and start a business and employ him so he doesn’t.”

"We would miss you, Jack. You’re good at what you do.”

“Thanks Cath.” The coffee arrived. “And you . . . how have you been?”

“Well, things have been quiet since the angels and demons battle finished. Thankfully. Toby Watts will go to trial soon, and we still need to do some work on the High Priestess side of things. Forensic have come back saying there are more than one man’s fingerprints in the house.”

“Interesting.” Jack said, sipping his coffee.

“It is. The other fingerprints belong to a person named Gill Watts. Toby’s younger brother.”

“Nothing wrong with a brother visiting his older brother.”;

“Nope, except Gill gives Toby a run for his money regarding his criminal record.”

Jack closed his eyes. His mind was clear from his holiday, so the alarm bells set off by his firing neurons weren’t warnings cluttered by surrounding noise.

“Did you happen to view the CCTV footage of when Toby Watts left the marina at the ferry terminal?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

“Someone assisted Toby Watts to get his boat on his trailer, but didn’t leave with him. I assumed it was a friendly gesture by one of the islanders, but now I wonder if the person came in on the boat with Toby Watts. If he did, he’s likely to be an accomplice to the Jill Winter murder.”

“See what I mean? We need you, Jack. You’re not going to start up a lawnmowing business so you can employ your son. No, you’re going to stay a peacemaker.”

Jack raised his eyebrows. Lawnmowing business. Good idea. His first client could be the old lady who wanted to shoot the cats that peed on her plush lawn.