He grunted as the radio buzzed into life.
"4199, this is Dispatch, come in Over"
Reaching into the car window he pulled the hand piece loose.
"This is 4199, Murphy here, what do you want Brody? Over"
"We got a call from Mrs Baker.She says there's a dead body in her barn,
Over"
"Dead body? Jesus Christ... okay we're on our way, Murphy Over and Out"
Putting the hand piece back he called over to his partner who was
battling with the coke machine.
"Hey, Derek, we gotta high tail it over to Bakers farm.she's seeing things
again."
As they pulled away from the diner Murphy started loading his gun.
Angrily putting each bullet into each chamber.
"Do you think there's something out there?" Lawson said watching him
nervously.
"No but this time I'm gonna scare her for real, wasting Police time is a
crime."
The farm seemed deserted. The swing door hung lazily in the
midmorning sun. Murphy struggled out of the car and holstered his gun.
Pulling his hat down tightly he led the way up to the porch.
"Mrs Baker?" he called out, to no reply. "Mrs Baker? It's Sgt Murphy.
Come on out now."
Lawson rounded the back of the house, his hand resting anxiously
against his gun. He could feel the sweat building up inside his cap but
knew Murphy would shout if he dared to take it off. He wiped his forehead
with his hanky and placed it back into his pocket. He could hear Murphy
calling out and silently wished for Mrs Baker to answer.
"Lawson? You find her?" Murphy called as he emerged from the back door.
"No. You?"
"If I had found her I wouldn't be asking you."
"Should we go to the barn?"
Without replying Murphy stormed out fully banging the door behind
him. Muttering to himself he rushed past Lawson who followed closely.
"When I get my hands on her.she'll--"
Murphy stopped suddenly, ignoring Lawson who bumped into the back of
him. From where he was standing he could see the legs. They were bare
with the feet sticking out from behind a bale. He nudged Lawson and
pointed at Mrs Baker who sat beside it in her chair, casually knitting and
rocking. Cautiously he entered the barn, widely rounding the bale where
more and more of the body was revealed. It was naked and face down in the
strewn hay. He reached out to touch Mrs Baker but she spoke before he
could.
"'Bout time you got here."
"Who is it?" Murphy said softly in a voice that Lawson didn't know he
possessed.
"I dunno. But it moved."
Murphy was about to lean into the body but stopped abruptly.
"Moved? I thought you said it was dead?"
"I thought it was but it was over there when I found it first."
She pointed over to the back door of the barn. Murphy pointed at
Lawson and directed him to go to the other door. He reached over to the
body and turned him round. Wincing at the two eyes that stared glassily up
to the roof he waved his hand over them. Nothing.
"Nothing over here boss." Lawson called from the back door.
"Lawson call an ambulance, tell them we got Liam Maguire out at Bakers"
"Sure thing- Maguire? Liam Maguire? But isn't he.?"
"Lawson! Just do it okay"
Murphy removed his jacket and placed it over the boy. He stood back
and went to Mrs Baker who was still knitting. Pulling out his notepad he
stood over her.
"At what time did you discover the body?"
"At 11.30. I called you straight away."
"And how long was it before you noticed.he.moved?"
"After calling you I came back out to see if there was anything I could
do."
"How did you know he was dead?" Murphy asked without looking up.
"Well I guess I didn't, I just presumed." She placed her knitting on her
lap and looked directly at Sgt. Murphy. "It's been eight years since Liam
Maguire went missing." Her voice became low and soft. Staring over at the
body, she sighed. "He hasn't aged a bit."
"Did you know Liam before.he.disappeared?
"Well I know his mum had awful trouble looking after him, what with his
autism and fits. Five other kids she has out there."
Before he could ask any more questions Murphy felt something touching
his leg. Looking down he saw Liam's arm had reached out and grabbed his
trousers. He was sitting up, his face was blank and his eyes stared
straight ahead. Murphy tried to pry his hand away but he held on tightly.
"This boy has got some grip." Murphy said through gritted teeth.
Liam, still staring straight ahead, without warning, opened his mouth
and screamed
* * *
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