detective novel in the series The ABC Files
Quickly pulling on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, Sean Carroll combed his hair and stepped into a pair of running shoes. Grabbing his keys, he ran outside and jumped into his ageing Subaru to drive the kilometre to Olivia Lopes’ house on Harrow Place..
A few minutes before, his pleasant dream of sailing with friends on a halcyon ocean had been interrupted by a strident ringing noise. As he emerged from sleep he fumbled for his cellphone.
Sean heard a high-pitched, panicked voice: “Sean? This is Olivia. Can you pick me up at my house? I need to leave! Now!”
“Olivia, why? What’s the matter?”
“I can’t talk. Just come as soon as you can! I’ll be waiting outside.” The call had ended abruptly.
Harrow Place was a quiet street of mansions built on large lots with spacious front lawns shaded by mature trees. Number 17 was dark, as were the neighbouring houses, and there was no traffic on the road. A little light filtered out from the street lamps, but not enough for Sean to pick out details in the front yard. He parked on the far side of the street, and cautiously got out of his car. The air felt damp, and there was dew on the ground.
As best as Sean could see, there was no activity either inside or outside the house, but he started up the long driveway toward the building to investigate. He checked the time on his phone: 4:15 am. Trying to be as unobtrusive as possible, as he approached the house he whispered, “Olivia. Are you there?” There was no answer.
He skirted around a dumpster parked in front of a garage door, evidence of the renovation work underway. It cast eerie shadows on the driveway. Sean crept along a brick path to the left that led to the front door. As he approached the house, he flinched as a spotlight mounted under the eaves came on, triggered by his movement. The light blinded him, and he put up his hand to shield his eyes from the glare. Looking around, his gaze fastened on an object near the front door. Lying beside the steps leading up to the entrance was something that looked like a body.
Sean thought back to last week’s high school reunion. He had not seen Olivia for almost 30 years, but their meeting had revived the ache in his loins that he had for her throughout his years at Riverview High. Sure, she was older now, more mature, but he could still see in her the whimsical, charming, intelligent girl that she had been at eighteen.
