Free A Journal of Sin by Darryl Donaghue Page B

People that went to church, at least,’ she said, checking the landlord was still out of earshot.
    ‘Tabs?’ He had a good idea of what she was getting at, just wasn’t sure how she knew.
    ‘Writing things down that people told him, told him in confidence in confessionals. All our deepest, darkest sins.’ She writhed her fingers towards him like they were sitting round a camp fire telling ghost stories. He played dumb, not wanting to get further onto Sarah’s bad side. She was the only hope he had of being able to read through the journals, so pissing her off wasn’t a good idea. ‘I say “our;” I never went to confession.’
    ‘What are you talking about?’
    ‘He wrote down things people confessed in little books. No idea why, or what he intended to do with them.’
    ‘That’s some imagination you’ve got. Sunbury’s just not that interesting. If he was scribbling down our sins, they’d make for pretty dull reading.’ He turned around on the bar-stool and pointed to an elderly patron sitting near the back wall. ‘What do you think she’s into?’
    ‘Doris the Diamond Thief. An unassuming grandma walks into a jeweller’s, distracts the staff with claims of rampant incontinence, granting her access to the toilets in the back room, then boom, makes out like a bandit.’
    ‘Because the diamonds are all kept in cardboard boxes in the warehouse?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘It’s not a clothing store.’
    ‘And it’s not your go. When it’s your go, you can decide. Right, that guy in the corner, plaid shirt.’ She swivelled on the stool, her knee nudging his thigh.
    ‘Don’t you know who that is? That’s Erdel the Phantom Groper. He comes here every night, eats alone. To onlookers it seems like a sad thing to do, but he’s just building up confidence before springing on his victims.’
    ‘Then what happens?’
    ‘There’s a clue in his name. His mother called him Erdel the Phantom Groper for a reason. Legend has it he pinches unsuspecting maidens on the bum and cartwheels away into the night.’
    ‘Maidens? Did he arrive here in the same time machine as you?’ They turned back to the bar, leaving Doris to plan her next heist and Erdel to silently spin off into the night.
    ‘How do you know about these notes?’ Only three people knew. He hadn’t said and Sarah wouldn’t have mentioned anything, which left only Sean, or someone Sean had told.
    ‘That would be telling. It’s not common knowledge and I’m certain my informant wouldn’t want their name tied to it.’
    ‘Your informant, Special Agent Suzanne?’
    ‘Says Sunbury’s newest deputy. You were in his place with Miss Marple earlier, so you must know.’ Word carried on the wind in this town.
    ‘There weren’t any secret books. Whoever you’ve heard from has a crazier imagination than you.’
    Her lips pursed to speak, but she paused before opening her mouth. ‘You’re just covering it up for your new friend. Typical pig.’ She grinned and poked him in the ribs. He giggled like a tickled child. ‘Aren’t you? Aren’t you? Ticklish are you. I have ways of making you talk.’
    ‘Stop it.’ He knocked her hands away.
    ‘Ooooh, I’ve hit a nerve. I bet you’re in them. That’s why you’re denying it.’
    ‘I have nothing to confess.’
    ‘We’re all sinners in the eyes of the Lord.’
    ‘What’s gotten you so interested anyway? You’re not religious, so I’m guessing you never went to confession, so what have you got to worry about?’
    She leant in; her breath tickled his ear. ‘I may have been the subject of a few.’ He shuddered as her tongue toyed with his earlobe. ‘Where’s she keeping them?’
    ‘I. I don’t know.’ He tilted his head away. ‘I don’t know anything about any books, or notes or anything.’ He wanted to stay, to let her nibble her way from his ear, to his lips, then down, down until she explored every inch of his skin. It’d been too long since he’d felt a touch like hers, but there