Ten

Stan opened a beer, and turned round as Renee walked into the kitchen. He waved his bottle in the direction of the TV in the room next door, where Henry sat apparently watching a news program.

"Is he really watching the news?" Stan asked.

"Elizabeth told me he hated current affairs." Renee came and stood side by side to Stan, facing in Henry's direction. "How did it go at the house."

"Much as you'd expect. He was quiet, didn't say much at all. I think he was holding together well, but I still can't really get where he is with all this. Seems to be coping ok. What's he like during the day?"

"Quiet, withdrawn. Then he talks for a while, mainly asking about school, and contacting his friends. I spoke to the local education officer, we're going in to see him tomorrow first thing. You'll be working?"

"I could get an hour off. The department is planning to bring him in tomorrow. I'll see if I can put them off till the afternoon."

"You mean they're going to interview him?"

"It won't be a full scale, all out interrogation. More low key. I've already told them I don't think he knew anything, but you know." He shrugged. "Procedure. I've not told him yet. Guess now is as good a time as any." He walked through to sit down next to Henry.

Outside, Paige sat watching in the darkness. She knew the layout of the Beeman's, having been visiting the last 5 odd years. She had been sat for the last couple of hours hidden behind a laurel bush, feeling the cold for most of the time, but resolved to succeed in her personal mission. She saw Stan move from the kitchen to the lounge, and move out of sight, although she had earlier seen her brother disappear in the same direction, so she would just wait. It was after nine pm now, the safe house key allowed her to remain out all night if need be.

Another hour passed, and finally she saw Henry leave through the kitchen in the direction of the stairs. She watched as a bedroom light went on, the one next to Matthews room. Now she knew which room Henry was staying in. She had already worked out a plan to contact him, she just needed to be patient. Another twenty minutes passed; Stan and Renee turning all the downstairs lights off as they retired for the night. Paige gave it another hour after the front bedroom lights went out, while Henry's room at the back stayed on. She stood up, stretched her legs, and moved around the lawn, staying out of sight as best she could, staying in the shadows. Taking no chances. She had earlier spotted a single piece ladder she had seen Stan use to clear the guttering of leaves. Paige had judged they would be just long enough to achieve her aim, and now she picked them up. She was shocked at how heavy they were, and her first attempt at lifting them ended in failure, making far too much noise for her liking. She watched for lights coming on, ready to run, but none did. She stood back, assessing her plan. She now had a better idea of how to do this, and tried again. Having judged the weight of them she did better second time around, and rested them as quietly as she could against the wall underneath, and just to the side of Henry's window. Slowly, and as quietly as she could, she climbed the steps, cursing her own inability to place her feet quietly on the rungs.

Reaching up, she softly scratched against the window, then pulled back out of sight. There was no movement, so another thirty seconds later she repeated the exercise. She had to do this another time before Henry opened the curtains and spotted Paige, who gestured to him with a finger to her lips, and opened the window.

Paige whispered, "Henry. Don't make a sound."

The shock and disbelief was evident on Henry's face. He whispered back, "Paige! What are you doing here? I thought you'd gone."

"There's no time to talk properly. I need to see you, to explain everything. Can you get out, tomorrow evening?"

"Yeah, I guess so. I talked to Renee about going to see Josh sometime, and she said it would be okay."

"It needs to be after dark, Henry. It's very dangerous for me. This is really important to understand, you must not say anything to anyone. Act normal, then after we've spoken I'm going to turn myself in. There are some things I need to say to you first, so you can put some perspective on all this."

They arranged the meeting point, then Paige backed down the ladder, replaced it exactly as she had found it, and slipped away into the darkness.