“Our family tree had poisoned roots,” said May enigmatically. “Madness and death followed us like shadows.”
“I know how your daughter Elizabeth died, of course, but you never talk about what happened to your wife.”
“One day I’ll take you to meet her,” said May, sipping his beer thoughtfully, “then you’ll understand.”
For once, Bryant had been caught by surprise. He stared at his partner as if seeing him for the first time. “Oh‘ was all he could manage.
“Do you believe in the afterlife?” asked May suddenly, turning to him.
“Me? Good Lord, no.” He smiled sadly at the thought. “I suppose the worst thing isn’t that there might be nothing after my death, but that there might be nothing before it. That’s why I stay busy. There are always regrets, of course. But you have to try and make a difference without hurting anyone along the way, so that you can reach a final state of grace without shame.”
“That’s fair,” May agreed. “Look at that, Maggie’s white corridor is back.”
“I’m not ready to look my Maker in the eye just yet,” said Bryant, shaking his head. “Let’s ignore it and have another pint.”
Outside, beyond the bridges of London, the dying scarlet sun appeared beneath the last dissipating snow cloud, to split corridors of saffron light across the ruffled grey river.
Christopher Fowler
Christopher Fowler is the author of such novels and collections as City Jitters, Roofworld, Spanky and Soho Black, and the Bryant & May mysteries including the award-winning Full Dark House.
In his copious spare time, Fowler runs The Creative Partnership, creating marketing campaigns from his central London headquarters for major and independent UK film companies.
