Free Bitter Nothings by Vicki Tyley

police to check around Mt Remarkable accommodation, anyway.”
    “Todd?”
    “Detective Senior Sergeant Gleeson.”
    “On first-name terms, already?” Sophie chuckled. “I’m impressed.”
    Dervla opened her mouth and paused. Explanations would only invite more questions. “Did Emmet say anything to you about the argument he had with Dad last Thursday?”
    Lips pursed, Sophie shook her head. “What makes you think he’d confide in me?”
    Perhaps because you spent the night with him. “I don’t know. You tell me.”
    Sophie’s eyes widened, then creased in laughter. “What? Me and your little brother?”
    The doorbell rang.
    “Hold that thought,” Dervla said, getting up from the table to answer the door.
    On the doorstep stood her half-sister, her white skin paler than normal, if that were possible. Her overgrown fringe did little to conceal the dark hollows under her eyes. Jeans two sizes too big hung from her hips. “I saw the news and um… y’know, I…”
    “Am I glad to see you.” Dervla longed to hug her but hung back, fearful of doing more harm than good. She looked so fragile – both physically and emotionally. “Come in.”
    Alana gnawed at her bottom lip, hesitating.
    “What is it?”
    “Nothing. It’s just…” Alana shook her head. “Nothing.”
    Dervla hooked her by the elbow and steered her inside. “Well, whatever it is, it’s better discussed in the cool.”
    Although by the way Alana had her bony arms wrapped around herself, she wasn’t feeling the heat. She said nothing and hugged herself tighter.
    “I really am glad to see you, Alana.” Especially since the last time they’d met, her half-sister had told her in no uncertain terms to butt out of her life. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
    Something akin to fear flashed in Alana’s eyes. She shrank back.
    “No, no,” Dervla said, remembering the reaction to an earlier suggestion that Alana might need help. “It’s nothing like that, I promise. Sophie’s a good friend. You’ll like her.”
    Though Alana still didn’t look entirely convinced, she trailed Dervla down the hall. Progress.
    When they reached the doorway to the living area, Sophie looked up, flashing a smile at Dervla’s visitor. “Hi, I’m Sophie,” she said, making room at the small, round table for one more.
    Alana, however, was less than forthcoming.
    “And this is my sister, Alana,” Dervla said, jumping in. “Have a seat. What can I get you? Juice, water, tea, coffee?”
    “Nothing.” Alana stared at her feet, clicking her fingernails. “Thanks.”
    “We were worried about you. Where have you been?”
    More clicking. “Y’know, here and there.”
    “Your housemates didn’t know where you were?”
    “So? Like you tell me where you go.”
    Dervla scanned her half-sister’s face, looking for the pinprick pupils or the other telltale signs.
    “I’m clean, okay? Why won’t any fucker believe me?”
    Without thinking, Dervla tipped her head to the side.
    “What?” Alana threw her hands up. “Oh, fuck you, too.”
    Seconds later the front door slammed, the sound reverberating through the house.
    Sophie blinked and gave her head a sharp shake. “That went well.”
    “You don’t understand. She thinks I don’t care.”
     

CHAPTER 10
     
    Dervla stared at the blank computer screen. She had no idea what she was supposed to be doing, let alone what day it was. Alana’s last disappearing act hadn’t helped matters, but at least her half-sister wasn’t wanted for murder. Unlike her father.
    Her mobile phone rang. She watched it vibrate on the desk for a moment, then pressed the hands-free button. “Gabe.”
    “Thought you ought to know,” her brother said, not wasting any time on pleasantries, “the autopsy findings confirmed cause of death for all three as ‘gunshot wound to the head.’” He coughed. “But it showed up something else, too.”
    Dervla held her breath.
    “Did you know Lucinda was