The English Boys Read Online Free Page A

present.”
    Owen Burke looked at his wife and sat down, allowing the inspector to continue.
    â€œEach of you has your own story to tell,” the inspector stated, “but if you talk to others, you’re going to change their stories, and they yours. So I want you to think about everything you can remember and keep it to yourself until it’s your turn.”
    There was a murmur of assent. Daniel looked at Hugh, trying to keep his eyes off his friend’s bloodstained jacket and hands. He loosened his tie, unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, and sat down next to his brother. The two of them hadn’t gotten along in years. In fact, he wished his mother hadn’t insisted Alex accompany them to the wedding. She had probably told him he’d never have another chance to see a wedding in Westminster Abbey, or some other rot like that.
    â€œChrist, can you believe it?” Alex said, ignoring the inspector’s request. “I mean, a murder in a fuckin’ church.”
    Daniel held his tongue out of respect for his mother, who frowned at Alex.
    â€œWatch your language,” she whispered. “We’re in a place of worship.”
    â€œMore like a war zone, init?” He looked at Daniel, daring him to say something about his deliberate use of lower class speech, flexing his wiry shoulders under his jacket to antagonize him.
    â€œExactly like a war zone,” Daniel replied. Had they been at home, he’d have gotten him in a head lock. “Full of bloody criminals.” He glanced at Alex’s coat, wondering if there was a bag of cocaine tucked inside.
    â€œBoys,” Sheila Richardson hissed. She looked at her husband with irritation. “Gerry. Say something.”
    â€œWhy bother?” he grumbled, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “No one’s listened to me in years.”
    Before Daniel could reply, another police officer stepped into the room. He murmured something to Murray and then left.
    Carey rose from her chair. “Inspector, surely my parents don’t need to be present for this.”
    â€œMiss Burke—”
    â€œI’m sorry, but you’ll appreciate how unbearable this is for our family. Could you let them go first, please?”
    Inspector Murray cleared his throat. “Certainly. Will you need someone to drive you home afterward?”
    â€œNo, sir,” Owen Burke answered. “I have my car.”
    â€œDad, are you sure you can drive?” Carey asked.
    â€œI can drive,” he declared. “Anything to get out of here.”
    â€œAre you going to fingerprint everyone?” Alex interrupted, shifting in his chair.
    Murray shook his head. “Not at present, no. Just be prepared to answer a few questions, and then you’ll be free to go.”
    Noel Ashley-Hunt finally broke his silence. “Our son has also been through a devastating shock. We’d like to take him home. And my mother-in-law—for God’s sake, she’s in her seventies. She’s certainly not a suspect.”
    Ashley-Hunt’s temper, though Daniel had never seen it, was legendary. Even Hugh clashed with his father on occasion. The man was used to getting his own way.
    Murray looked at one of the officers. “Take the Burkes into the next room and get a statement from each of them so they may leave. Then talk to the Ashley-Hunts.”
    A quarter hour later, another officer was assigned to interview the Richardsons. Alex leapt out of his chair, eager to state his non­involvement. Sheila Richardson tried to repair her face with a tissue while her husband held her handbag. Daniel was rising to follow his brother and parents into the next room when Inspector Murray put a hand on his shoulder.
    â€œNot you,” he said, shaking his head.
    â€œWhat?” Sheila asked, tissue poised in mid-air. “Why not him?”
    Daniel looked at his mother and shrugged, conscious that everyone in the room had looked