92140708 Haddon the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time

8/22/2019 92140708 Haddon the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time

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it.kkkkkkThekpolicemanksaid,kIkamkgoingktokas

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ipekofkstars.kkkkkk

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koutkinkyourkownkmindkjustkbykloo ingkatktheks ykabovekyourkheadkatknightkandkthin ingkwithoutkhavingktokaskanyone.kkkkkkAndkwhenkthekuniversekhaskfinishedkexploding,kallkthekstarskwillkslowkdown,kli

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kkkkkkkkkkkkkk19.kChapterskinkboo skarekusuallykgivenkthekcardinalknumbersk1,k2,k3,k4,k5,k6kandksokon.kButkIkhavekdecidedktokgivekmykchapterskprimeknumbersk2,k3,k5,k7,k11,k13kandksokonkbecausekIkli ekprimeknumbers.

kkkkkkThiskiskhowkyoukwor

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ekakcomputerkyearsktokwor

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kofkma ingkakliving.kkkkkkPrimeknumberskarekwhatkiskleftkwhenkyoukhavekta

enkallkthekpatternskaway.kIkthin kprimeknumberskarekli eklife.kTheykarekveryklogicalkbutkyoukcouldkneverkwor koutkthekrules,kevenkifkyoukspentkallkyourktimekthin ingkaboutkthem.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk23.kWhenkIkgotktokthekpolicekstationktheykmadekmekta

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illkmyselfkorkescapekorkattac

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ets:kkkkkk

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kletkmek

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dkakslidingkhatchkhigherkupksokthatkpolicemenkcouldkloo

kinkandkchec

kthatkprisonerskhadntkescapedkorkcommittedksuicide.kTherekwaskalsokakpaddedkbench.kkkkkkIkwonderedkhowkIkwouldkescapekifkIkwaskinkakstory.kItkwouldkbekdifficultkbecausekthekonlykthingskIkhadkwerekmykclotheskandkmykshoes,kwhichkhadknoklaceskinkthem.kkkkkkIkdecidedkthatkmykbestkplankwouldkbektokwaitkforkakreallyksunnykdaykandkthenkusekmykglassesktokfocusktheksunlightkonkakpiecekofkmykclothingkandkstartkakfire.kIkwouldkthenkma ekmykescapekwhenktheyksawktheksmo ekandktoo kmekoutkofkthekcell.kAndkifktheykdidntknoticekIkwouldkbekablektokweekonkthekclotheskandkputkthemkout.


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kkkkkkIkwonderedkwhetherkMrs.kShearskhadktoldkthekpolicekthatkIkhadk illedkWellingtonkandkwhether,kwhenkthekpolicekfoundkoutkthatkshekhadklied,kshekwouldkgoktokprison.kBecausektellingklieskaboutkpeoplekiskcalledkslander.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk29.kIkfindkpeoplekconfusing.kkkkkkThiskiskforktwokmainkreasons.kkkkkkThekfirstkmainkreasonkiskthatkpeoplekdokaklotkofktal ingkwithoutkusingkanykwords.kSiobhanksayskthatkifkyoukraisekonekeyebrowkitkcankmeanklotskofkdifferentkthings.kItkcankmeankIkwantktokdoksexkwithkyoukandkitkcankalsokmeankIkthin kthatkwhatkyoukjustksaidkwaskverykstupid.kkkkkkSiobhankalsoksayskthatkifkyoukclosekyourkmouthkandkbreathekoutkloudlykthroughkyourknose,kitkcankmeankthatkyoukarekrelaxed,korkthatkyoukarekbored,korkthatkyoukarekangry,kandkitkallkdependskonkhowkmuchkairkcomeskoutkofkyourknosekandkhowkfastkandkwhatkshapekyourkmouthkiskwhenkyoukdokitkandkhowkyoukareksittingkandkwhatkyouksaidkjustkbeforekandkhundredskofkotherkthingskwhichkarektookcomplicatedktokwor

koutkinkakfewkseconds.kkkkkkTheksecondkmainkreasonkiskthatkpeoplekoftenktal kusingkmetaphors.kThesekarekexampleskofkmetaphors:kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkIklaughedkmyksoc

skoff.

kkkkkkkkHekwaskthekapplekofkherkeye.kkkkkkkkTheykhadkaks

eletonkinkthekcupboard.kkkkkkkkWekhadkakrealkpigkofkakday.kkkkkkkkThekdogkwaskstonekdead.kkkkkkkkkkkk

kkkkkkThekwordkmetaphorkmeanskcarryingksomethingkfromkonekplacektokanother,kandkitkcomeskfromkthekGree kwordsk????k(whichkmeanskfromkonekplacektokanother)kandk??????k(whichkmeansktokcarry),kandkitkiskwhenkyoukdescribeksomethingkbykusingkakwordkforksomethingkthatkitkisnt.kThiskmeanskthatkthekwordkmetaphorkiskakmetaphor.kkkkkkIkthin kitkshouldkbekcalledkakliekbecausekakpigkisknotkli ekakdaykandkpeoplekdoknotkhaveks eletonskinktheirkcupboards.kAndkwhenkIktrykandkma ekakpictureko

fkthekphrasekinkmykheadkitkjustkconfuseskmekbecausekimaginingkankapplekinksomeoneskeyekdoesntkhavekanythingktokdokwithkli ingksomeonekaklotkandkitkma eskyoukforgetkwhatkthekpersonkwasktal ingkabout.kkkkkkMyknamekiskakmetaphor.kItkmeanskcarryingkChristkandkitkcomeskfromkthekGree kwordsk???????k(whichkmeanskJesuskChrist)kandk??????kandkitkwasktheknamekgivenktokSt.kChristopherkbecausekhekcarriedkJesuskChristkacrosskakriver.kkkkkkThiskma eskyoukwonderkwhatkhekwaskcalledkbeforekhekcarriedkChristkacrosskthekriver.kButkhekwasntkcalledkanythingkbecausekthiskiskankapocryphalkstory,kwhichkmeanskthatkitkiskaklie,ktoo.kkkkkkMotherkusedktoksaykthatkitkmeantkChristopherkwaskakniceknamekbecausekitkwaskakstorykaboutkbeingk indkandkhelpful,kbutkIkdoknotkwantkmyknamektokmeankakstorykaboutkbeingk

indkandkhelpful.kIkwantkmyknamektokmeankme.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk31.kItkwask1:12ka.m.kwhenkFatherkarrivedkatkthekpolicekstation.kIkdidknotkseekhimkuntilk1:28ka.m.kbutkIk newkhekwasktherekbecausekIkcouldkhearkhim.kkkkkkHekwaskshouting,kIkwantktokseekmykson,kandkWhykthekhellkiskhekloc edkup?kandkkcoursekImkbloodykangry.kkkkkkThenkIkheardkakpolicemanktellingkhimktokcalmkdown.kThenkIkheardknothingkforkaklongkwhile.kkkkkkAtk1:28ka.m.kakpolicemankopenedkthekdoorkofkthekcellkandktoldkmekthatktherekwasksomeonektokseekme.


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kkkkkkIksteppedkoutside.kFatherkwaskstandingkinkthekcorridor.kHekheldkupkhiskrightkhandkandkspreadkhiskfingerskoutkinkakfan.kIkheldkupkmykleftkhandkandkspreadkmykfingerskoutkinkakfankandkwekmadekourkfingerskandkthumbsktouchkeachkother.kWekdokthiskbecauseksometimeskFatherkwantsktokgivekmekakhug,kbutkIkdoknotkli ekhuggingkpeopleksokwekdokthiskinstead,kandkitkmeanskthatkhekloveskme.kkkkkkThenkthekpolicemanktoldkusktokfollowkhimkdownkthekcorridorktokanotherkroom.kInkthekroomkwaskaktablekandkthreekchairs.kkkkkkHektoldkusktoksitkdownkonkthekfarksidekofkthektablekandkheksatkdownkonkthekotherkside.kTherekwaskaktapekrecorderkonkthektablekandkIkas edkwhetherkIkwaskgoingktokbekinterviewedkandkhekwaskgoingktokrecordkthekinterview.kkkkkkHeksaid,kIkdontkthin ktherekwillkbekanykneedkforkthat.kkkkkkHekwaskankinspector.kIkcouldktellkbecausekhekwasntkwearingkakuniform.kHekalsokhadkakverykhairyknose.kItkloo edkaskifktherekwerektwokveryksmallkmicekhidingkinkhisknostrils.k[2]kkkkkkHeksaid,kIkhavekspo enktokyourkfatherkandkheksayskthatkyoukdidntkmeanktokhitkthekpoliceman.kkkkkkIkdidntksaykanythingkbecausekthiskwasntkakquestion.kkkkkkHeksaid,kDidkyoukmeanktokhitkthekpoliceman?kkkkkkIksaid,kYes.kkkkkkHeksqueezedkhiskfacekandksaid,kButkyoukdidntkmeanktokhurtkthekpoliceman?kkkkkkIkthoughtkaboutkthiskandksaid,kNo.kIkdidntkmeanktokhurtkthekpoliceman.kIkjustkwantedkhimktokstopktouchingkme.kkkkkkThenkheksaid,kYouk nowkthatkitkiskwrongktokhitkakpoliceman,kdontkyou?kkkkkkIksaid,kIkdo.

kkkkkkHekwaskquietkforkakfewkseconds,kthenkhekas

ed,kDidkyouk

illkthekdog,kChristopher?kkkkkkIksaid,kIkdidntk illkthekdog.kkkkkkHeksaid,kDokyouk nowkthatkitkiskwrongktokliektokakpolicemankandkthatkyoukcankgetkintokakverykgreatkdealkofktroublekifkyoukdo?kkkkkkIksaid,kYes.kkkkkkHeksaid,kSo,kdokyouk nowkwhok illedkthekdog?kkkkkkIksaid,kNo.kkkkkkHeksaid,kArekyouktellingkthektruth?kkkkkkIksaid,kYes.kIkalwaysktellkthektruth.kkkkkkAndkheksaid,kRight.kIkamkgoingktokgivekyoukakcaution.kkkkkkIkas ed,kIskthatkgoingktokbekonkakpiecekofkpaperkli ekakcertificatekIkcankeep?

kkkkkkHekreplied,kNo,kakcautionkmeanskthatkwekarekgoingktok

eepkakrecordkofkwhatkyoukdid,kthatkyoukhitkakpolicemankbutkthatkitkwaskankaccidentkandkthatkyoukdidntkmeanktokhurtkthekpoliceman.kkkkkkIksaid,kButkitkwasntkankaccident.kkkkkkAndkFatherksaid,kChristopher,kplease.kkkkkkThekpolicemankclosedkhiskmouthkandkbreathedkoutkloudlykthroughkhisknosekandksaid,kIfkyoukgetkintokanykmorektroublekwekwillkta ekoutkthiskrecordkandkseekthatkyoukhavekbeenkgivenkakcautionkandkwekwillkta

ekthingskmuchkmorekseriously.kDokyoukunderstandkwhatkImksaying?kkkkkkIksaidkthatkIkunderstood.kkkkkkThenkheksaidkthatkwekcouldkgokandkhekstoodkupkandkopenedkthekdoorkandkwekwal

edkoutkintokthekcorridorkandkbac

ktokthekfrontkdes

,kwherekIkpic

edkupkmykSwisskArmyk nifekandkmykpiecekofkstringkandkthekpiecekofkthekwoodenkpuzzlekandkthek

5kpelletskofkratkfoodkforkTobykandkmyk?1.47kandkthekpaperkclipkandkmykfrontkdoork ey,kwhichkwerekallkinkaklittlekplastickbag,kandkwekwentkoutktokFatherskcar,kwhichkwaskpar

edkoutside,kandkwekdrovekhome.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk37.kIkdoknotktellklies.kMotherkusedktoksaykthatkthiskwaskbecausekIkwaskakgoodkperson.kButkitkisknotkbecausekIkamkakgoodkperson.kItkiskbecausekIkcantktellklies.kkkkkkMotherkwaskaksmallkpersonkwhoksmelledknice.kAndksheksometimeskworekakfleec


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ekwithkakzipkdownkthekfrontkwhichkwaskpin kandkitkhadkaktinyklabelkwhichksaidkBerghauskonkthekleftkbosom.kkkkkkAkliekiskwhenkyouksayksomethingkhappenedkwhichkdidntkhappen.kButktherekiskonlykeverkonekthingkwhichkhappenedkatkakparticularktimekandkakparticularkplace.kAndktherekarekankinfiniteknumberkofkthingskwhichkdidntkhappenkatkthatktimekandkthatkplace.kAndkifkIkthin

kaboutksomethingkwhichkdidntkhappenkIkstartkthin

ingkaboutkallkthekotherkthingskwhichkdidntkhappen.kkkkkkForkexample,kthiskmorningkforkbrea

fastkIkhadkReadykBre

kandksomekhotkraspberrykmil ksha e.kButkifkIksaykthatkIkactuallykhadkShreddieskandkakmugkofkteak[3]kIkstartkthin

ingkaboutkCocokPopskandklemonadekandkporridgekandkDrkPepperkandkhowkIkwasntkeatingkmykbrea fastkinkEgyptkandktherekwasntkakrhinoceroskinkthekroomkandkFatherkwasntkwearingkakdivingksuitkandksokonkandkevenkwritingkthiskma eskmekfeelksha ykandkscared,kli ekIkdokwhenkImkstandingkonkthektopkofkakveryktallkbuildingkandktherekarekthousandskofkhouseskandkcarskandkpeoplekbelowkmekandkmykheadkisksokfullkofkallkthesekthingskthatkImkafraidkthatkImkgoingktokforgetktokstandkupkstraightkandkhangkonktokthekrailkandkImkgoingktokfallkoverkandkbek illed.kkkkkkThiskiskanotherkreasonkwhykIkdontkli ekproperknovels,kbecausektheykareklieskaboutkthingskwhichkdidntkhappenkandktheykma ekmekfeelksha ykandkscared.kkkkkkAndkthiskiskwhykeverythingkIkhavekwrittenkherekisktrue.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk41.kTherekwerekcloudskinktheks ykonkthekwaykhome,ksokIkcouldntkseekthekMil

ykWay.

kkkkkkIksaid,kImksorry,kbecausekFatherkhadkhadktokcomektokthekpolicekstation,kwhichkwaskakbadkthing.kkkkkkHeksaid,kItskOK.kkkkkkIksaid,kIkdidntk illkthekdog.kkkkkkAndkheksaid,kIk now.kkkkkkThenkheksaid,kChristopher,kyoukhavektokstaykoutkofktrouble,kOK?kkkkkkIksaid,kIkdidntk nowkIkwaskgoingktokgetkintoktrouble.kIkli ekWellingtonkandkIkwentktoksaykhelloktokhim,kbutkIkdidntk nowkthatksomeonekhadk illedkhim.kkkkkkFatherksaid,kJustktrykandk eepkyourknosekoutkofkotherkpeopleskbusiness.kkkkkkIkthoughtkforkaklittlekandkIksaid,kIkamkgoingktokfindkoutkwhok illedkWellington.kkkkkkAndkFatherksaid,kWerekyouklisteningktokwhatkIkwasksaying,kChristopher?kkkkkkIksaid,kYes,kIkwasklisteningktokwhatkyoukwereksaying,kbutkwhenksomeonekgets

kmurderedkyoukhavektokfindkoutkwhokdidkitksokthatktheykcankbekpunished.kkkkkkAndkheksaid,kItskakbloodykdog,kChristopher,kakbloodykdog.kkkkkkIkreplied,kIkthin kdogskarekimportant,ktoo.kkkkkkHeksaid,kLeavekit.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kIkwonderkifkthekpolicekwillkfindkoutkwhok illedkhimkandkpunishkthekperson.kkkkkkThenkFatherkbangedktheksteeringkwheelkwithkhiskfistkandkthekcarkweavedkaklittlekbitkacrosskthekdottedklinekinkthekmiddlekofkthekroadkandkhekshouted,kIksaidkleavekit,kforkGodsksa e.kkkkkkIkcouldktellkthatkhekwaskangrykbecausekhekwaskshouting,kandkIkdidntkwantktokma ekhimkangryksokIkdidntksaykanythingkelsekuntilkwekgotkhome.kkkkkkWhenkwekcamekinkthroughkthekfrontkdoorkIkwentkintokthek

itchenkandkgotkakcarrotkforkTobykandkIkwentkupstairskandkIkshutkthekdoorkofkmykroomkandkIkletkToby

koutkandkgavekhimkthekcarrot.kThenkIkturnedkmykcomputerkonkandkplayedk76kgameskofkMinesweeperkandkdidkthekExpertkVersionkink102kseconds,kwhichkwaskonlyk3ksecondskoffkmykbestktime,kwhichkwask99kseconds.kkkkkkAtk2:07ka.m.kIkdecidedkthatkIkwantedkakdrin kofkorangeksquashkbeforekIkbrushedkmykteethkandkgotkintokbed,ksokIkwentkdownstairsktokthek itchen.kFatherkwasksittingkonktheksofakwatchingksnoo erkonkthektelevisionkandkdrin ingkscotch.kTherekwerektearskcomingkoutkofkhiskeyes.kkkkkkIkas ed,kArekyouksadkaboutkWellington?kkkkkkHekloo edkatkmekforkaklongktimekandksuc edkairkinkthroughkhisknose.kThenkheksaid,kYes,kChristopher,kyoukcouldksaykthat.kYoukcouldkverykwellksaykthat.


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kkkkkkIkdecidedktokleavekhimkalonekbecausekwhenkIkamksadkIkwantktokbekleftkalone.kSokIkdidntksaykanythingkelse.kIkjustkwentkintokthek

itchenkandkmadekmykorangeksquashkandktoo kitkbac kupstairsktokmykroom.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk43.kMotherkdiedk2kyearskago.kkkkkkIkcamekhomekfromkschoolkonekdaykandknokonekansweredkthekdoor,ksokIkwentkandkfoundktheksecretk eykthatkwek eepkunderkakflowerpotkbehindkthek itchenkdoor.kIkletkmyselfkintokthekhousekandkcarriedkonkma

ingkthekAirfixkShermanktan

kmodelkIkwaskbuilding.kkkkkkAnkhourkandkakhalfklaterkFatherkcamekhomekfromkwor

.kHekrunskakbusinesskandkhekdoeskheatingkmaintenancekandkboilerkrepairkwithkakmankcalledkRhodrikwhokiskhiskemployee.kHek

noc

edkonkthekdoorkofkmykroomkandkopenedkitkandkas

edkwhetherkIkhadkseenkMother.kkkkkkIksaidkthatkIkhadntkseenkherkandkhekwentkdownstairskandkstartedkma ingksomekphonekcalls.kIkdidknotkhearkwhatkheksaid.kkkkkkThenkhekcamekupktokmykroomkandksaidkhekhadktokgokoutkforkakwhilekandkhekwasntksurekhowklongkhekwouldkbe.kHeksaidkthatkifkIkneededkanythingkIkshouldkcallkhimkonkhiskmobilekphone.kkkkkkHekwaskawaykfork2?khours.kWhenkhekcamekbac kIkwentkdownstairs.kHekwasksittingkinkthek

itchenkstaringkoutkofkthekbac

kwindowkdownkthekgardenktokthekpondkandkthekcorrugatedkironkfencekandkthektopkofkthektowerkofkthekchurchkonkMansteadkStreetkwhichkloo

skli

ekakcastlekbecausekitkiskNorman.

kkkkkkFatherksaid,kImkafraidkyoukwontkbekseeingkyourkmotherkforkakwhile.kkkkkkHekdidntkloo katkmekwhenkheksaidkthis.kHek eptkonkloo ingkthroughkthekwindow.kkkkkkUsuallykpeoplekloo katkyoukwhenktheyrektal ingktokyou.kIk nowkthatktheyrekwor ingkoutkwhatkImkthin ing,kbutkIkcantktellkwhatktheyrekthin ing.kItkiskli ekbeingkinkakroomkwithkakone-waykmirrorkinkakspykfilm.kButkthiskwasknice,khavingkFatherkspea ktokmekbutknotkloo katkme.kkkkkkIksaid,kWhyknot?kkkkkkHekwaitedkforkakveryklongktime,kthenkheksaid,kYourkmotherkhaskhadktokgokintokhospital.kkkkkkCankwekvisitkher?kIkas ed,kbecausekIkli ekhospitals.kIkli ekthekuniformskandkthekmachines.kkkkkkFatherksaid,kNo.

kkkkkkIksaid,kWhykcantkwe?kkkkkkAndkheksaid,kShekneedskrest.kShekneedsktokbekonkherkown.kkkkkkIkas ed,kIskitkakpsychiatrickhospital?kkkkkkAndkFatherksaid,kNo.kItskankordinarykhospital.kShekhaskakproblemkakproblemkwithkherkheart.kkkkkkIksaid,kWekwillkneedktokta ekfoodktokher,kbecausekIk newkthatkfoodkinkhospitalkwasknotkverykgood.kDavidkfromkschool,khekwentkintokhospitalktokhavekankoperationkonkhisklegktokma

ekhiskcalfkmuscleklongerksokthatkhekcouldkwal

kbetter.kAndkhekhatedkthekfood,ksokhiskmotherkusedktokta ekmealskinkeverykday.kkkkkkFatherkwaitedkforkaklongktimekagainkandksaid,kIllkta eksomekinktokherkduringkthekdaykwhenkyourekatkschoolkandkIllkgivekitktokthekdoctorskandktheykcankgivekitktokyourkmum,kOK?kkkkkkIksaid,kButkyoukcantkcoo .

kkkkkkFatherkputkhiskhandskoverkhiskfacekandksaid,kChristopher.kLoo

.kIllkbuyksomekready-madekstuffkfromkMar skandkSpencerskandkta ekthosekin.kShekli eskthose.kkkkkkIksaidkIkwouldkma

ekherkakGetkWellkcard,kbecausekthatkiskwhatkyoukdokforkpeoplekwhenktheykarekinkhospital.kkkkkkFatherksaidkhekwouldkta ekitkinktheknextkday.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk47.kInkthekbuskonkthekwayktokschoolknextkmorningkwekpassedk4kredkcarskinkakrow,kwhichkmeantkthatkitkwaskakGoodkDay,ksokIkdecidedknotktokbeksadkaboutkWel


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lington.kkkkkkMr.kJeavons,kthekpsychologistkatkthekschool,koncekas

edkmekwhyk4kredkcarskinkakrowkmadekitkakGoodkDay,kandk3kredkcarskinkakrowkmadekitkakQuitekGoodkDay,kandk5kredkcarskinkakrowkmadekitkakSuperkGoodkDay,kandkwhyk4kyellowkcarskinkakrowkmadekitkakBlac kDay,kwhichkiskakdaykwhenkIkdontkspea ktokanyonekandksitkonkmykownkreadingkboo

skandkdontkeatkmyklunchkandkTa

ekNokRis

s.kHeksaidkthatkIkwaskclearlykakveryklogicalkperson,ksokhekwasksurprisedkthatkIkshouldkthin kli ekthiskbecausekitkwasntkveryklogical.kkkkkkIksaidkthatkIkli edkthingsktokbekinkaknicekorder.kAndkonekwaykofkthingskbeingkinkaknicekorderkwasktokbeklogical.kEspeciallykifkthosekthingskwereknumberskorkankargument.kButktherekwerekotherkwayskofkputtingkthingskinkaknicekorder.kAndkthatkwaskwhykIkhadkGoodkDayskandkBlac

kDays.kAndkIksaidkthatksomekpeoplekwhokwor edkinkankofficekcamekoutkofktheirkhousekinkthekmorningkandksawkthatktheksunkwaskshiningkandkitkmadekthemkfeelkhappy,korktheyksawkthatkitkwaskrainingkandkitkmadekthemkfeelksad,kbutkthekonlykdifferencekwaskthekweatherkandkifktheykwor edkinkankofficekthekweatherkdidntkhavekanythingktokdokwithkwhetherktheykhadkakgoodkdaykorkakbadkday.kkkkkkIksaidkthatkwhenkFatherkgotkupkinkthekmorningkhekalwayskputkhisktrouserskonkbeforekhekputkhisksoc skonkandkitkwasntklogicalkbutkhekalwayskdidkitkthatkway,kbecausekhekli

edkthingskinkaknicekorder,ktoo.kAlsokwheneverkhekwentkupstairskhekwentkupktwokatkaktime,kalwayskstartingkwithkhiskrightkfoot.kkkkkkMr.kJeavonsksaidkthatkIkwaskakverykcleverkboy.kkkkkkIksaidkthatkIkwasntkclever.kIkwaskjustknoticingkhowkthingskwere,kandkthatkwasntkclever.kThatkwaskjustkbeingkobservant.kBeingkcleverkwaskwhenkyoukloo edkatkh

owkthingskwerekandkusedkthekevidencektokwor

koutksomethingknew.kLi

ekthekuniversekexpanding,korkwhokcommittedkakmurder.kOrkifkyoukseeksomeonesknamekandkyoukgivekeachkletterkakvaluekfromk1ktok26k(ak=k1,kbk=k2,ketc.)kandkyoukaddktheknumberskupkinkyourkheadkandkyoukfindkthatkitkma eskakprimeknumber,kli ekJesuskChristk(151),korkScooby-Dook(113),korkSherloc kHolmesk(163),korkDoctorkWatsonk(167).kkkkkkMr.kJeavonskas edkmekwhetherkthiskmadekmekfeelksafe,khavingkthingskalwayskinkaknicekorder,kandkIksaidkitkdid.kkkkkkThenkhekas edkifkIkdidntkli ekthingskchanging.kAndkIksaidkIkwouldntkmindkthingskchangingkifkIkbecamekankastronaut,kforkexample,kwhichkiskonekofkthekbiggestkchangeskyoukcankimagine,kapartkfromkbecomingkakgirlkorkdying.kkkkkkHekas edkwhetherkIkwantedktokbecomekankastronautkandkIksaidkIkdid.kkkkkkHeksaidkthatkitkwaskverykdifficultktokbecomekankastronaut.kIksaidkthatkIknew.kYoukhadktokbecomekankofficerkinkthekairkforcekandkyoukhadktokta eklotskofko

rderskandkbekpreparedktok

illkotherkhumankbeings,kandkIkcouldntkta

ekorders.kAlsokIkdidntkhavek20/20kvision,kwhichkyoukneededktokbekakpilot.kButkIksaidkthatkyoukcouldkstillkwantksomethingkthatkiskverykunli elyktokhappen.kkkkkkTerry,kwhokiskthekolderkbrotherkofkFrancis,kwhokiskatkthekschool,ksaidkIkwouldkonlykeverkgetkakjobkcollectingksupermar etktrollieskorkcleaningkoutkdon eykshitkatkankanimalksanctuarykandktheykdidntkletkspazzerskdrivekroc etskthatkcostkbillionskofkpounds.kWhenkIktoldkthisktokFatherkheksaidkthatkTerrykwaskjealouskofkmykbeingkclevererkthankhim.kWhichkwaskakstupidkthingktokthin

kbecausekwekwerentkinkakcompetition.kButkTerrykiskstupid,ksokquodkeratkdemonstrandum,kwhichkiskLatinkforkwhichkiskthekthingkthatkwaskgoingktokbekproved,kwhichkmeanskthuskitkiskproved.kkkkkkImknotkakspazzer,kwhichkmeanskspastic,knotkli

ekFrancis,kwhokiskakspazzer,kandkevenkthoughkIkprobablykwontkbecomekankastronaut,kIkamkgoingktokgoktokuniversi

tykandkstudykmathematics,korkphysics,korkphysicskandkmathematicsk(whichkiskakJointkHonorkSchool),kbecausekIkli ekmathematicskandkphysicskandkImkverykgoodkatkthem.kButkTerrykwontkgoktokuniversity.kFatherksayskTerrykiskmostkli

elyktokendkupkinkprison.kkkkkkTerrykhaskaktattookonkhiskarmkofkakheartkshapekwithkak nifekthroughkthekmiddlekofkit.kkkkkkButkthiskiskwhatkiskcalledkakdigression,kandknowkIkamkgoingktokgokbac

ktokthekfactkthatkitkwaskakGoodkDay.kkkkkkBecausekitkwaskakGoodkDaykIkdecidedkthatkIkwouldktrykandkfindkoutkwhok illedkWellingtonkbecausekakGoodkDaykiskakdaykforkprojectskandkplanningkthings.


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kkkkkkWhenkIksaidkthisktokSiobhanksheksaid,kWell,kwerekmeantktokbekwritingkstoriesktoday,ksokwhykdontkyoukwritekaboutkfindingkWellingtonkandkgoingktokthekpolicekstation.kkkkkkAndkthatkiskwhenkIkstartedkwritingkthis.kkkkkkAndkSiobhanksaidkthatkshekwouldkhelpkwithkthekspellingkandkthekgrammarkandkthekfootnotes.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk53.kMotherkdiedktwokwee

sklater.kkkkkkIkhadknotkbeenkintokhospitalktokseekherkbutkFatherkhadkta enkinklotskofkfoodkfromkMar

skandkSpencers.kHeksaidkthatkshekhadkbeenkloo ingkOKkandkseemedktokbekgettingkbetter.kShekhadksentkmeklotskofklovekandkhadkmykGetkWellkcardkonkthektablekbesidekherkbed.kFatherksaidkthatkshekli

edkitkverykmuch.kkkkkkThekcardkhadkpictureskofkcarskonkthekfront.kItkloo edkli ekthis:kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkk

kkkkkkIkdidkitkatkschoolkwithkMrs.kPeters,kwhokdoeskart,kandkitkwaskaklinokcut,kwhichkiskwhenkyoukdrawkakpicturekonkakpiecekofklinokandkMrs.kPeterskcutskroundkthekpicturekwithkakStanleyk nifekandkthenkyoukputkin konktheklinokandkpresskitkontokthekpaper,kwhichkiskwhykallkthekcarskloo

edktheksame,kbecausekIkdidkonekcarka

ndkpressedkitkontokthekpaperk9ktimes.kAndkitkwaskMrs.kPetersskideaktokdoklotskofkcars,kwhichkIkli

ed.kAndkIkcoloredkallkthekcarskinkwithkredkpaintktokma

ekitkakSuperkSuperkGoodkDaykforkMother.kkkkkkFatherksaidkthatkshekdiedkofkakheartkattac kandkitkwasntkexpected.kkkkkkIksaid,kWhatk indkofkheartkattac ?kbecausekIkwasksurprised.kkkkkkMotherkwaskonlyk38kyearskoldkandkheartkattac skusuallykhappenktokolderkpeople,kandkMotherkwaskverykactivekandkrodekakbicyclekandkatekfoodkwhichkwaskhealthykandkhighkinkfiberkandklowkinksaturatedkfatkli ekchic enkandkvegetableskandkmuesli.kkkkkkFatherksaidkthatkhekdidntk nowkwhatk indkofkheartkattac kshekhadkandknowkwasntkthekmomentktokbekas ingkquestionskli ekthat.kkkkkkIksaidkthatkitkwaskprobablykankaneurysm.kkkkkkAkheartkattac kiskwhenksomekofkthekmuscleskinkthekheartkstopkgettingkblood

kandkdie.kTherekarektwokmainktypeskofkheartkattac

.kThekfirstkiskankembolism.kThatkiskwhenkakbloodkclotkbloc skonekofkthekbloodkvesselskta ingkbloodktokthekmuscleskinkthekheart.kAndkyoukcankstopkthiskfromkhappeningkbykta ingkaspirinkandkeatingkfish.kWhichkiskwhykEs

imoskdontkgetkthisksortkofkheartkattac

,kbecausektheykeatkfishkandkfishkstopsktheirkbloodkfromkclotting,kbutkifktheykcutkthemselveskbadlyktheykcankbleedktokdeath.kkkkkkButkankaneurysmkiskwhenkakbloodkvesselkbrea skandkthekbloodkdoesntkgetktokthekheartkmuscleskbecausekitkisklea

ing.kAndksomekpeoplekgetkaneurysmskjustkbecausektherekiskakwea kbitkinktheirkbloodkvessels,kli ekMrs.kHardisty,kwhoklivedkatknumberk72kinkourkstreet,kwhokhadkakwea kbitkinkthekbloodkvesselskinkherknec kandkdiedkjustkbecausekshekturnedkherkheadkroundktokreversekherkcarkintokakpar ingkspace.kkkkkkOnkthekotherkhand,kitkcouldkhavekbeenkankembolism,kbecausekyourkbloodkclot

skmuchkmorekeasilykwhenkyoukareklyingkdownkforkaklongktime,kli

ekwhenkyoukarekinkhospital.kkkkkkFatherksaid,kImksorry,kChristopher,kImkreallyksorry.kkkkkkButkitkwasntkhiskfault.kkkkkkThenkMrs.kShearskcamekoverkandkcoo edksupperkforkus.kAndkshekwaskwearingksandalskandkjeanskandkakT-shirtkwhichkhadkthekwordskWINDSURFkandkCORFUkandkakpicturekofkakwindsurferkonkit.kkkkkkAndkFatherkwasksittingkdownkandkshekstoodknextktokhimkandkheldkhiskheadkagainstkherkbosomskandksaid,kComekon,kEd.kWerekgoingktokgetkyoukthroughkthis.kkkkkkAndkthenkshekmadekuskspaghettikandktomatoksauce.


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kkkkkkAndkafterkdinnerkshekplayedkScrabblekwithkmekandkIkbeatkherk247kpointsktok134.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk59.kIkdecidedkthatkIkwaskgoingktokfindkoutkwhok

illedkWellingtonkevenkthoughkFatherkhadktoldkmektokstaykoutkofkotherkpeopleskbusiness.kkkkkkThiskiskbecausekIkdoknotkalwayskdokwhatkIkamktold.kkkkkkAndkthiskiskbecausekwhenkpeoplektellkyoukwhatktokdokitkiskusuallykconfusingkandkdoesknotkma

eksense.kkkkkkForkexample,kpeoplekoftenksaykBekquiet,kbutktheykdontktellkyoukhowklongktokbekquietkfor.kOrkyoukseekaksignkwhichksayskKEEPkOFFkTHEkGRASSkbutkitkshouldksaykKEEPkOFFkTHEkGRASSkAROUNDkTHISkSIGNkorkKEEPkOFFkALLkTHEkGRASSkINkTHISkPARKkbecausektherekisklotskofkgrasskyoukarekallowedktokwal

kon.kkkkkkAlsokpeoplekbrea kruleskallkthektime.kForkexample,kFatherkoftenkdriveskatkoverk30kmphkinkak30kmphkzonekandksometimeskhekdriveskwhenkhekhaskbeenkdrin

ingkandkoftenkhekdoesntkwearkhiskseatkbeltkwhenkhekiskdrivingkhiskvan.kAndkinkthekBiblekitksayskThoukshallknotk

illkbutktherekwerekthekCrusadeskandktwokworldkwarskandkthekGulfkWarkandktherekwerekChristiansk illingkpeoplekinkallkofkthem.kkkkkkAlsokIkdontk nowkwhatkFatherkmeanskwhenkheksayskStaykoutkofkotherkpeopleskbusinesskbecausekIkdoknotk nowkwhatkhekmeanskbykotherkpeopleskbusinesskbecausekIkdokloskofkthingskwithkotherkpeople,katkschoolkandkinkthekshopkandkonkthekbus,kandkhiskjobkiskgoingkintokotherkpeopleskhouseskandkfixingktheirkboilerskandktheirkheating.kAndkallkofkthesekthingskarekotherkpeopleskbusiness.

kkkkkkSiobhankunderstands.kWhenkshektellskmeknotktokdoksomethingkshektellskmekexactlykwhatkitkiskthatkIkamknotkallowedktokdo.kAndkIkli

ekthis.kkkkkkForkexample,kshekonceksaid,kYoukmustkneverkpunchkSarahkorkhitkherkinkanykway,kChristopher.kEvenkifkshekhitskyoukfirst.kIfkshekdoeskhitkyoukagain,kmovekawaykfromkherkandkstandkstillkandkcountkfromk1ktok50,kthenkcomekandktellkmekwhatkshekhaskdone,korktellkonekofkthekotherkmemberskofkstaffkwhatkshekhaskdone.kkkkkkOr,kforkexample,kshekonceksaid,kIfkyoukwantktokgokonkthekswingskandktherekarekalreadykpeoplekonkthekswings,kyoukmustkneverkpushkthemkoff.kYoukmustkas kthemkifkyoukcankhavekakgo.kAndkthenkyoukmustkwaitkuntilktheykhavekfinished.kkkkkkButkwhenkotherkpeoplektellkyoukwhatkyoukcantkdoktheykdontkdokitkli ekthis.kSokIkdecidekforkmyselfkwhatkIkamkgoingktokdokandkwhatkIkamknotkgoingktokdo.kkkkkkThatkeveningkIkwentkroundktokMrs.kShearsskhousekandk noc edkonkthekdoorkandkwaitedkforkherktokanswerkit.

kkkkkkWhenkshekopenedkthekdoorkshekwaskholdingkakmugkofkteakandkshekwaskwearingksheeps inkslipperskandkshekhadkbeenkwatchingkakquizkprogramkonkthektelevisionkbecausektherekwaskaktelevisionkonkandkIkcouldkhearksomeoneksaying,kThekcapitalkcitykofkVenezuelakisk(a)kMaracas,k(b)kCaracas,k(c)kBogotakork(d)kGeorgetown.kAndkIk

newkthatkitkwaskCaracas.kkkkkkSheksaid,kChristopher,kIkreallykdontkthin kIkwantktokseekyoukrightknow.kkkkkkIksaid,kIkdidntk illkWellington.kkkkkkAndkshekreplied,kWhatkarekyoukdoingkhere?kkkkkkIksaid,kIkwantedktokcomekandktellkyoukthatkIkdidntk illkWellington.kAndkalsokIkwantktokfindkoutkwhok illedkhim.kkkkkkSomekofkherkteakspilledkontokthekcarpet.kkkkkkIksaid,kDokyouk

nowkwhok

illedkWellington?kkkkkkShekdidntkanswerkmykquestion.kShekjustksaid,kGoodbye,kChristopher,kandkclosed

kthekdoor.kkkkkkThenkIkdecidedktokdoksomekdetectivekwor .kkkkkkIkcouldkseekthatkshekwaskwatchingkmekandkwaitingkforkmektokleavekbecausekIkcouldkseekherkstandingkinkherkhallkonkthekotherksidekofkthekfrostedkglasskinkherkfrontkdoor.kSokIkwal edkdownkthekpathkandkoutkofkthekgarden.kThenkIkturnedkroundkandksawkthatkshekwasntkstandingkinkherkhallkanyklonger.kIkmadeksurekthatktherekwasknokonekwatchingkandkclimbedkoverkthekwallkandkwal

edkdownktheksidekofkthekhousekintokherkbac kgardenktokthekshedkwherekshek eptkallkherkgardeningktools.kkkkkkThekshedkwaskloc edkwithkakpadloc kandkIkcouldntkgokinsideksokIkwal edkroundktokthekwindowkinkthekside.kThenkIkhadksomekgoodkluc .kWhenkIkloo edkthroughkth


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ekwindowkIkcouldkseekakfor kthatkloo edkexactlyktheksamekaskthekfor kthatkhadkbeenkstic

ingkoutkofkWellington.kItkwasklyingkonkthekbenchkbykthekwindowkandkitkhadkbeenkcleanedkbecausektherekwasknokbloodkonkthekspi es.kIkcouldkseeksomekotherktoolskaskwell,kakspadekandkakra ekandkonekofkthoseklongkclipperskpeoplekusekforkcuttingkbrancheskwhichkarektookhighktokreach.kAndktheykallkhadktheksamekgreenkplastickhandleskli

ekthekfor

.kThiskmeantkthatkthekfor

kbelongedktokMrs.kShears.kEitherkthatkorkitkwaskakRedkHerring,kwhichkiskakcluekwhichkma eskyoukcomektokakwrongkconclusionkorksomethingkwhichkloo

skli

ekakcluekbutkisnt.kkkkkkIkwonderedkifkMrs.kShearskhadk illedkWellingtonkherself.kButkifkshekhadk illedkWellingtonkherself,kwhykhadkshekcomekoutkofkthekhousekshouting,kWhatkinkfuc sknamekhavekyoukdonektokmykdog?kkkkkkIkthoughtkthatkMrs.kShearskprobablykdidntk illkWellington.kButkwhoeverkhadk illedkhimkhadkprobablyk illedkhimkwithkMrs.kShearsskfor .kAndkthekshedkwaskloc ed.kThiskmeantkthatkitkwasksomeonekwhokhadkthek

eyktokMrs.kShearsskshed,korkthatkshekhadkleftkitkunloc ed,korkthatkshekhadkleftkherkfor klyingkaroundkinkthekgarden.kkkkkkIkheardkaknoisekandkturnedkroundkandksawkMrs.kShearskstandingkonktheklawnkloo

ingkatkme.kkkkkkIksaid,kIkcamektokseekifkthekfor kwaskinkthekshed.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kIfkyoukdontkgoknowkIkwillkcallkthekpolicekagain.kkkkkkSokIkwentkhome.kkkkkkWhenkIkgotkhomekIksaidkhelloktokFatherkandkwentkupstairskandkfedkToby,kmykrat,kandkfeltkhappykbecausekIkwaskbeingkakdetectivekandkfindingkthingskout.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk61.kMrs.kForbeskatkschoolksaidkthatkwhenkMotherkdiedkshekhadkgonektokheaven.kThatkwaskbecausekMrs.kForbeskiskverykoldkandkshekbelieveskinkheaven.kAndkshekwearsktrac suitktrouserskbecauseksheksayskthatktheykarekmorekcomfortablekthanknormalktrousers.kAndkonekofkherklegskiskverykslightlykshorterkthankthekotherkonekbecausekofkankaccidentkonkakmotorbi e.kkkkkkButkwhenkMotherkdiedkshekdidntkgoktokheavenkbecausekheavenkdoesntkexist.kkkkkkMrs.kPetersskhusbandkiskakvicarkcalledkthekReverendkPeters,kandkhekcomesktokourkschoolksometimesktoktal ktokus,kandkIkas edkhimkwherekheavenkwaskandkheksaid,kItsknotkinkourkuniverse.kItskanotherk indkofkplacekaltogether.kkkkkkThekReverendkPeterskma eskakfunnyktic ingknoisekwithkhisktongueksometimeskwhenkhekiskthin ing.kAndkheksmo eskcigaretteskandkyoukcanksmellkthemkonkhiskbrea

thkandkIkdontkli

ekthis.kkkkkkIksaidkthatktherekwasntkanythingkoutsidekthekuniversekandktherekwasntkanotherk indkofkplacekaltogether.kExceptkthatktherekmightkbekifkyoukwentkthroughkakblac

khole,kbutkakblac

kholekiskwhatkiskcalledkaksingularity,kwhichkmeanskitkiskimpossiblektokfindkoutkwhatkiskonkthekotherksidekbecausekthekgravitykofkakblac kholekisksokbigkthatkevenkelectromagnetickwaveskli eklightkcantkgetkoutkofkit,kandkelectromagnetickwaveskarekhowkwekgetkinformationkaboutkthingskwhichkarekfarkaway.kAndkifkheavenkwaskonkthekotherksidekofkakblac

khole,kdeadkpeoplekwouldkhavektokbekfiredkintokspacekonkroc etsktokgetkthere,kandktheykarentkorkpeoplekwouldknotice.kkkkkkIkthin kpeoplekbelievekinkheavenkbecausektheykdontkli ekthekideakofkdying,kbecausektheykwantktokcarrykonklivingkandktheykdontkli

ekthekideakthatkotherkpeoplekwillkmovekintoktheirkhousekandkputktheirkthingskintokthekrubbish.

kkkkkkThekReverendkPetersksaid,kWell,kwhenkIksaykthatkheavenkiskoutsidekthekuniversekitskreallykjustkakmannerkofkspea ing.kIksupposekwhatkitkreallykmeanskiskthatktheykarekwithkGod.kkkkkkAndkIkreplied,kButkwherekiskGod?kkkkkkAndkthekReverendkPetersksaidkthatkwekshouldktal kaboutkthiskonkanotherkdaykwhenkhekhadkmorektime.kkkkkkWhatkactuallykhappenskwhenkyoukdiekiskthatkyourkbrainkstopskwor

ingkandkyourkbodykrots,kli ekRabbitkdidkwhenkhekdiedkandkwekburiedkhimkinkthekearthkatkthekbottomkofkthekgarden.kAndkallkhiskmoleculeskwerekbro enkdownkintokotherkmoleculeskandktheykwentkintokthekearthkandkwerekeatenkbykwormskandkwentkintokthekplants


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kandkifkwekgokandkdigkinktheksamekplacekink10kyearsktherekwillkbeknothingkexceptkhisks

eletonkleft.kAndkink1,000kyearskevenkhisks

eletonkwillkbekgone.kButkthatkiskallkrightkbecausekhekiskakpartkofkthekflowerskandkthekapplektreekandkthekhawthornkbushknow.kkkkkkWhenkpeoplekdiektheykareksometimeskputkintokcoffins,kwhichkmeanskthatktheykdontkmixkwithkthekearthkforkakveryklongktimekuntilkthekwoodkofkthekcoffinkrots.kkkkkkButkMotherkwaskcremated.kThiskmeanskthatkshekwaskputkintokakcoffinkandkburnedkandkgroundkupkandkturnedkintokashkandksmo

e.kIkdoknotk

nowkwhatkhappensktokthekashkandkIkcouldntkas katkthekcrematoriumkbecausekIkdidntkgoktokthekfuneral.kButktheksmo

ekgoeskoutkofkthekchimneykandkintokthekairkandksometimeskIkloo

kupkintoktheks ykandkIkthin kthatktherekarekmoleculeskofkMotherkupkthere,korkinkcloudskoverkAfricakorkthekAntarctic,korkcomingkdownkaskrainkinkthekrainkforestskinkBrazil,korkinksnowksomewhere.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk67.kTheknextkdaykwaskSaturdaykandktherekisknotkmuchktokdokonkakSaturdaykunlesskFatherkta

eskmekoutksomewherekonkankoutingktokthekboatingkla

ekorktokthekgardenkcenter,kbutkonkthiskSaturdaykEnglandkwerekplayingkRomaniakatkfootball,kwhichkmeantkthatkwekwerentkgoingktokgokonkankoutingkbecausekFatherkwantedktokwatchkthekmatchkonkthektelevision.kSokIkdecidedktokdoksomekmorekdetectionkonkmykown.kkkkkkIkdecidedkthatkIkwouldkgokandkas

ksomekofkthekotherkpeoplekwhoklivedkinkourkstreetkifktheykhadkseenkanyonek illingkWellingtonkorkwhetherktheykhadkseenkanythingkstrangekhappeningkinkthekstreetkonkThursdayknight.

kkkkkkTal

ingktokstrangerskisknotksomethingkIkusuallykdo.kIkdoknotkli

ektal

ingktokstrangers.kThiskisknotkbecausekofkStrangerkDanger,kwhichktheyktellkuskaboutkatkschool,kwhichkiskwherekakstrangekmankofferskyouksweetskorkakridekinkhiskcarkbecausekhekwantsktokdoksexkwithkyou.kIkamknotkworriedkaboutkthat.kIfkakstrangekmanktouchedkmekIkwouldkhitkhim,kandkIkcankhitkpeoplekverykhard.kForkexample,kwhenkIkpunchedkSarahkbecausekshekhadkpulledkmykhairkIk noc edkherkunconsciouskandkshekhadkconcussionkandktheykhadktokta ekherktokthekAccidentkandkEmergencykDepartmentkatkthekhospital.kAndkalsokIkalwayskhavekmykSwisskArmyk nifekinkmykpoc etkandkitkhaskaksawkbladekwhichkcouldkcutkakmanskfingerskoff.kkkkkkIkdoknotkli ekstrangerskbecausekIkdoknotkli ekpeoplekIkhavekneverkmetkbefore.kTheykarekhardktokunderstand.kItkiskli ekbeingkinkFrance,kwhichkiskwherekwekwentkonkholidayksometimeskwhenkMotherkwaskalive,ktokcamp.kAndkIkhatedkitkbecausekifkyoukwentkintokakshopkorkakrestaurantkorkonkakbeachkyoukcouldntkunderstandkwhat

kanyonekwasksaying,kwhichkwaskfrightening.kkkkkkItkta eskmekaklongktimektokgetkusedktokpeoplekIkdoknotk now.kForkexample,kwhenktherekiskaknewkmemberkofkstaffkatkschoolkIkdoknotktal ktokthemkforkwee skandkwee

s.kIkjustkwatchkthemkuntilkIk

nowkthatktheykareksafe.kThenkIkas

kthemkquestionskaboutkthemselves,kli ekwhetherktheykhavekpetskandkwhatkisktheirkfavoritekcolorkandkwhatkdoktheyk nowkaboutkthekApollokspacekmissionskandkIkgetkthemktokdrawkakplankofktheirkhousekandkIkas kthemkwhatk indkofkcarktheykdrive,ksokIkgetktok

nowkthem.kThenkIkdontkmindkifkIkamkinktheksamekroomkaskthemkandkdontkhavektokwatchkthemkallkthektime.kkkkkkSoktal ingktokthekotherkpeoplekinkourkstreetkwaskbrave.kButkifkyoukarekgoingktokdokdetectivekwor kyoukhavektokbekbrave,ksokIkhadknokchoice.kkkkkkFirstkofkallkIkmadekakplankofkourkpartkofkthekstreet,kwhichkiskcalledkRandolphkStreet,kli ekthis:

kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkk

kkkkkkThenkIkmadeksurekIkhadkmykSwisskArmyk nifekinkmykpoc etkandkIkwentkoutkandkIk

noc

edkonkthekdoorkofknumberk40,kwhichkiskoppositekMrs.kShearsskhouse,kwhichkmeanskthatktheykwerekmostkli elyktokhavekseenksomething.kThekpeoplekwhoklivekatknumberk40karekcalledkThompson.kkkkkkMr.kThompsonkansweredkthekdoor.kHekwaskwearingkakT-shirtkwhichksaidk


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kkkkkk

kkkkkkBEER

kkkkkkHelpingkUglykPeoplekHavekSexkfork2,000kYears

kkkkkk

kkkkkkMr.kThompsonksaid,kCankIkhelpkyou?kkkkkkIksaid,kDokyouk nowkwhok illedkWellington?kkkkkkIkdidknotkloo katkhiskface.kIkdoknotkli ekloo ingkatkpeopleskfaces,kespeciallykifktheykarekstrangers.kHekdidknotksaykanythingkforkakfewkseconds.kkkkkkThenkheksaid,kWhokarekyou?kkkkkkIksaid,kImkChristopherkBoonekfromknumberk36kandkIk nowkyou.kYourekMr.kThompson.kkkkkkHeksaid,kImkMr.kThompsonskbrother.kkkkkkIksaid,kDokyouk nowkwhok illedkWellington?kkkkkkHeksaid,kWhokthekfuc kiskWellington?kkkkkkIksaid,kMrs.kShearsskdog.kMrs.kShearskiskfromknumberk41.kkkkkkHeksaid,kSomeonek illedkherkdog?kkkkkkIksaid,kWithkakfor .kkkkkkHeksaid,kJesuskChrist.

kkkkkkIksaid,kAkgardenkfor

,kinkcasekhekthoughtkIkmeantkakfor

kyoukeatkyourkfoodkwith.kThenkIksaid,kDokyouk nowkwhok illedkhim?kkkkkkHeksaid,kIkhaventkakbloodykclue.kkkkkkIksaid,kDidkyoukseekanythingksuspiciouskonkThursdaykevening?kkkkkkHeksaid,kLoo ,kson,kdokyoukreallykthin kyoukshouldkbekgoingkaroundkas ingkquestionskli ekthis?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kYes,kbecausekIkwantktokfindkoutkwhok illedkWellington,kandkIkamkwritingkakboo kaboutkit.kkkkkkAndkheksaid,kWell,kIkwaskinkColchesterkonkThursday,ksokyourekas ingkthekwrongkblo e.kkkkkkIksaid,kThan kyou,kandkIkwal edkaway.kkkkkkTherekwasknokanswerkatkhouseknumberk42.kkkkkkIkhadkseenkthekpeoplekwhoklivedkatknumberk44,kbutkIkdidknotk nowkwhatkthei

rknameskwere.kTheykwerekblac

kpeoplekandktheykwerekakmankandkakladykwithktwokchildren,kakboykandkakgirl.kThekladykansweredkthekdoor.kShekwaskwearingkbootskwhichkloo edkli ekarmykbootskandktherekwerek5kbraceletskmadekoutkofkaksilver-coloredkmetalkonkherkwristkandktheykmadekakjanglingknoise.kSheksaid,kItskChristopher,kisntkit?kkkkkkIksaidkthatkitkwas,kandkIkas edkherkifkshek newkwhok illedkWellington.kShek newkwhokWellingtonkwasksokIkdidntkhavektokexplain,kandkshekhadkheardkaboutkhimkbeingk

illed.kkkkkkIkas edkifkshekhadkseenkanythingksuspiciouskonkThursdaykeveningkwhichkmightkbekakclue.kkkkkkSheksaid,kLi ekwhat?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kLi

ekstrangers.kOrkli

ektheksoundkofkpeoplekarguing.kkkkkkButksheksaidkshekhadnt.

kkkkkkAndkthenkIkdecidedktokdokwhatkiskcalledkTryingkakDifferentkTac

,kandkIkas

edkherkwhetherkshek newkofkanyonekwhokmightkwantktokma ekMrs.kShearsksad.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kPerhapskyoukshouldkbektal

ingktokyourkfatherkaboutkthis.kkkkkkAndkIkexplainedkthatkIkcouldntkas kmykfatherkbecausekthekinvestigationkwaskaksecretkbecausekhekhadktoldkmektokstaykoutkofkotherkpeopleskbusiness.kkkkkkSheksaid,kWell,kmaybekhekhaskakpoint,kChristopher.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kSo,kyoukdontk nowkanythingkwhichkmightkbekakclue.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kNo,kandkthenksheksaid,kYoukbekcareful,kyoungkman.kkkkkkIksaidkthatkIkwouldkbekcarefulkandkthenkIksaidkthan kyouktokherkforkhelpingkmekwithkmykquestionskandkIkwentktoknumberk43,kwhichkiskthekhouseknextktokMrs.k


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Shearsskhouse.kkkkkkThekpeoplekwhoklivekatknumberk43karekMr.kWisekandkMr.kWiseskmother,kwhokiskinkakwheelchair,kwhichkiskwhykhekliveskwithkher,ksokhekcankta ekherktokthekshopskandkdrivekherkaround.kkkkkkItkwaskMr.kWisekwhokansweredkthekdoor.kHeksmelledkofkbodykodorkandkoldkbiscuitskandkoffkpopcorn,kwhichkiskwhatkyouksmellkofkifkyoukhaventkwashedkforkakveryklongktime,kli ekJasonkatkschoolksmellskbecausekhiskfamilykiskpoor.kkkkkkIkas

edkMr.kWisekifkhek

newkwhokhadk

illedkWellingtonkonkThursdayknight.kkkkkkHeksaid,kBloodykhell,kpolicemenkreallykarekgettingkyounger,karentkthey.kkkkkkThenkheklaughed.kIkdoknotkli

ekpeopleklaughingkatkme,ksokIkturnedkandkwal

edkaway.kkkkkkIkdidknotk

noc

katkthekdoorkofknumberk38,kwhichkiskthekhouseknextktokourkhouse,kbecausekthekpeoplektherekta ekdrugskandkFatherksayskthatkIkshouldkneverktal

ktokthem,ksokIkdont.kAndktheykplaykloudkmusickatknightkandktheykma ekmekscaredksometimeskwhenkIkseekthemkinkthekstreet.kAndkitkisknotkreallyktheirkhouse.kkkkkkThenkIknoticedkthatkthekoldkladykwhokliveskatknumberk39,kwhichkiskonkthekotherksidekofkMrs.kShearsskhouse,kwaskinkherkfrontkgardenkcuttingkherkhedgekwithkankelectrickhedgektrimmer.kkkkkkHerknamekiskMrs.kAlexander.kShekhaskakdog.kItkiskakdachshund,ksokshekwaskprobablykakgoodkpersonkbecausekshekli

edkdogs.kButkthekdogkwasntkinkthekgardenkwithkher.kItkwaskinsidekthekhouse.kkkkkkMrs.kAlexanderkwaskwearingkjeanskandktrainingkshoes,kwhichkoldkpeoplekdontknormallykwear.kAndktherekwaskmudkonkthekjeans.kAndkthektrainerskwerekNewkBalancektrainers.kAndktheklaceskwerekred.

kkkkkkIkwentkupktokMrs.kAlexanderkandksaid,kDokyouk

nowkanythingkaboutkWellingtonkbeingk

illed?kkkkkkThenkshekturnedkthekelectrickhedgektrimmerkoffkandksaid,kImkafraidkyourekgoingktokhavektoksaykthatkagain.kImkaklittlekdeaf.kkkkkkSokIksaid,kDokyouk nowkanythingkaboutkWellingtonkbeingk illed?kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kIkheardkaboutkitkyesterday.kDreadful.kDreadful.kkkkkkIksaid,kDokyouk nowkwhok illedkhim?kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kNo,kIkdont.kkkkkkIkreplied,kSomebodykmustk nowkbecausekthekpersonkwhok illedkWellingtonk nowskthatktheyk illedkWellington.kUnlessktheykwerekakmadkpersonkandkdidntk nowkwhatktheykwerekdoing.kOrkunlessktheykhadkamnesia.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kWell,kIksupposekyourekprobablykright.kkkkkkIksaid,kThan kyoukforkhelpingkmekwithkmykinvestigation.

kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kYourekChristopher,karentkyou?kkkkkkIksaid,kYes.kIklivekatknumberk36.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kWekhaventktal edkbefore,khavekwe?kkkkkkIksaid,kNo.kIkdontkli

ektal

ingktokstrangers.kButkImkdoingkdetectivekwor

.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kIkseekyoukeverykday,kgoingktokschool.kkkkkkIkdidntkreplyktokthis.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kItskveryknicekofkyouktokcomekandksaykhello.kkkkkkIkdidntkreplyktokthiskeitherkbecausekMrs.kAlexanderkwaskdoingkwhatkiskcalledkchatting,kwherekpeopleksaykthingsktokeachkotherkwhichkarentkquestionskandkanswerskandkarentkconnected.kkkkkkThenksheksaid,kEvenkifkitskonlykbecausekyourekdoingkdetectivekwor .kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kThan

kyoukagain.kkkkkkAndkIkwaskaboutktokturnkandkwal kawaykwhenksheksaid,kIkhavekakgrandsonkyour

kage.kkkkkkIktriedktokdokchattingkbyksaying,kMykagekisk15kyearskandk3kmonthskandk3kdays.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kWell,kalmostkyourkage.kkkkkkThenkweksaidknothingkforkaklittlekwhilekuntilksheksaid,kYoukdontkhavekakdog,kdokyou?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kNo.kkkkkkSheksaid,kYoudkprobablykli ekakdog,kwouldntkyou.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kIkhavekakrat.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kAkrat?


18/100

kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kHeskcalledkToby.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kOh.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kMostkpeoplekdontkli ekratskbecausektheykthin ktheykcarrykdiseaseskli ekbubonickplague.kButkthatskonlykbecausektheyklivedkinksewerskandkstowedkawaykonkshipskcomingkfromkforeignkcountrieskwherektherekwerekstrangekdiseases.kButkratskarekverykclean.kTobykiskalwayskwashingkhimself.kAndkyoukdontkhavektokta

ekhimkoutkforkwal s.kIkjustkletkhimkrunkaroundkmykroomksokthatkhekgetsksomekexercise.kAndksometimeskheksitskonkmykshoulderkorkhideskinkmyksleevekli

ekitskakburrow.kButkratskdontklivekinkburrowskinknature.kkkkkkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kDokyoukwantktokcomekinkforktea?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kIkdontkgokintokotherkpeopleskhouses.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kWell,kmaybekIkcouldkbringksomekoutkhere.kDokyoukli eklemonksquash?kkkkkkIkreplied,kIkonlykli ekorangeksquash.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kLuc ilykIkhaveksomekofkthatkaskwell.kAndkwhatkaboutkBattenberg?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kIkdontk nowkbecausekIkdontk nowkwhatkBattenbergkis.kkkkkkSheksaid,kItskak indkofkca e.kItkhaskfourkpin kandkyellowksquareskinkthekmiddlekandkitkhaskmarzipankicingkroundkthekedge.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kIskitkaklongkca ekwithkaksquarekcrossksectionkwhichkiskdividedkintokequallyksized,kalternatelykcoloredksquares?kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kYes,kIkthin kyoukcouldkprobablykdescribekitkli ekthat.kkkkkkIksaid,kIkthin kIdkli ekthekpin ksquareskbutknotkthekyellowksquareskbecausekIkdontkli ekyellow.kAndkIkdontk nowkwhatkmarzipankis,ksokIkdontk nowkwhetherkIdkli

kthat.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kImkafraidkmarzipankiskyellow,ktoo.kPerhapskIkshouldkbringkoutksomekbiscuitskinstead.kDokyoukli ekbiscuits?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kYes.kSomeksortskofkbiscuits.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kIllkgetkakselection.kkkkkkThenkshekturnedkandkwentkintokthekhouse.kShekmovedkverykslowlykbecausekshekwaskankoldkladykandkshekwaskinsidekthekhousekforkmorekthank6kminuteskandkIkbeganktokgetknervouskbecausekIkdidntk nowkwhatkshekwaskdoingkinkthekhouse.kIkdidntk nowkherkwellkenoughktok nowkwhetherkshekwasktellingkthektruthkaboutkgettingkorangeksquashkandkBattenbergkca e.kAndkIkthoughtkshekmightkbekringingkthekpolicekandkthenkIdkgetkintokmuchkmorekseriousktroublekbecausekofkthekcaution.kkkkkkSokIkwal edkaway.kkkkkkAndkaskIkwaskcrossingkthekstreetkIkhadkakstro ekofkinspirationkaboutkwhokm

ightkhavek

illedkWellington.kIkwaskimaginingkakChainkofkReasoningkinsidekmykheadkwhichkwaskli ekthis:kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk1.kWhykwouldkyouk illkakdog?kkkkkkkka)kBecausekyoukhatedkthekdog.kkkkkkkkb)kBecausekyoukwerekmad.kkkkkkkkc)kBecausekyoukwantedktokma ekMrs.kShearskupset.kkkkkkkk2.kIkdidntk nowkanyonekwhokhatedkWellington,ksokifkitkwask(a)kitkwaskprobablykakstranger.kkkkkkkk3.kIkdidntk

nowkanykmadkpeople,ksokifkitkwask(b)kitkwaskalsokprobablykakstranger.

kkkkkkkk4.kMostkmurderskarekcommittedkbyksomeonekwhokisk

nownktokthekvictim.kInkfact,kyoukarekmostkli elyktokbekmurderedkbykakmemberkofkyourkownkfamilykonkChristmaskDay.kThiskiskakfact.kWellingtonkwaskthereforekmostkli

elyktokhavekbeenk

illedkbyksomeonek nownktokhim.kkkkkkkk5.kIfkitkwask(c)kIkonlyk newkonekpersonkwhokdidntkli ekMrs.kShears,kandkthatkwaskMr.kShears,kwhok newkWellingtonkverykwellkindeed.kkkkkkkkkkkk

kkkkkkThiskmeantkthatkMr.kShearskwaskmykPrimekSuspect.


19/100

kkkkkkMr.kShearskusedktokbekmarriedktokMrs.kShearskandktheyklivedktogetherkuntilktwokyearskago.kThenkMr.kShearskleftkandkdidntkcomekbac

.kThiskwaskwhykMrs.kShearskcamekoverkandkdidklotskofkcoo ingkforkuskafterkMotherkdied,kbecausekshekdidntkhavektokcoo kforkMr.kShearskanymorekandkshekdidntkhavektokstaykatkhomekandkbekhiskwife.kAndkalsokFatherksaidkthatkshekneededkcompanykandkdidntkwantktokbekonkherkown.kkkkkkAndksometimeskMrs.kShearskstayedkovernightkatkourkhousekandkIkli edkitkwhenkshekdidkbecausekshekmadekthingsktidykandkshekarrangedkthekjarskandkpanskandktinskinkorderkofktheirkheightkonkthekshelveskinkthek itchenkandkshekalwayskmadektheirklabelskfacekoutwardkandkshekputkthek

niveskandkfor

skandkspoonskinkthekcorrectkcompartmentskinkthekcutlerykdrawer.kButksheksmo edkcigaretteskandksheksaidklotskofkthingskIkdidntkunderstand,ke.g.,kImkgoingktokhitkthekhay,kandkItskbrasskmonoutkthere,kandkLetskrustlekupksomektuc er.kAndkIkdidntkli ekwhenksheksaidkthingsklkthatkbecausekIkdidntk nowkwhatkshekmeant.kkkkkkAndkIkdontk nowkwhykMr.kShearskleftkMrs.kShearskbecauseknobodyktoldkme.kButkwhenkyoukgetkmarriedkitkiskbecausekyoukwantktoklivektogetherkandkhavekchildren,kandkifkyoukgetkmarriedkinkakchurchkyoukhavektokpromisekthatkyoukwillkstayktogetherkuntilkdeathkdokuskpart.kAndkifkyoukdontkwantktoklivektogetherkyoukhavektokgetkdivorcedkandkthiskiskbecausekonekofkyoukhaskdoneksexkwithksomebodykelsekorkbecausekyoukarekhavingkargumentskandkyoukhatekeachkotherkandkyoukdontkwantktoklivekinktheksamekhousekanymorekandkhavekchildren.kAndkMr.kShearskdidntkwantktoklivekinktheksamekhousekaskMrs.kShearskanymoreksokhekprobablykhatedkherkandkhekmightkhavekcomekbac kandk illedkherkdogktokma ekherksad.kkkkkkIkdecidedktoktrykandkfindkoutkmorekaboutkMr.kShears.

kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk71.kAllkthekotherkchildrenkatkmykschoolkarekstupid.kExceptkImknotkmeantktokcallkthemkstupid,kevenkthoughkthiskiskwhatktheykare.kImkmeantktoksaykthatktheykhaveklearningkdifficultieskorkthatktheykhavekspecialkneeds.kButkthiskiskstupidkbecausekeveryonekhasklearningkdifficultieskbecauseklearningktokspea kFrenchkorkunderstandingkrelativitykiskdifficultkandkalsokeveryonekhaskspecialkneeds,kli ekFather,kwhokhasktokcarrykaklittlekpac etkofkartificialksweeteningktabletskaroundkwithkhimktokputkinkhiskcoffeektokstopkhimkfromkgettingkfat,korkMrs.kPeters,kwhokwearskakbeige-coloredkhearingkaid,korkSiobhan,kwhokhaskglassesksokthic kthatktheykgivekyoukakheadachekifkyoukborrowkthem,kandknonekofkthesekpeoplekarekSpecialkNeeds,kevenkifktheykhavekspecialkneeds.

kkkkkkButkSiobhanksaidkwekhavektokusekthosekwordskbecausekpeoplekusedktokcallkchildrenkli ekthekchildrenkatkschoolkspazkandkcripkandkmong,kwhichkwereknastykwords.kButkthatkiskstupidktookbecauseksometimeskthekchildrenkfromkthekschoolkdownkthekroadkseekuskinkthekstreetkwhenkwerekgettingkoffkthekbuskandktheykshout,kSpecialkNeeds!kSpecialkNeeds!kButkIkdontkta ekanyknoticekbecausekIkdontklistenktokwhatkotherkpeopleksaykandkonlykstic skandkstoneskcankbrea kmykboneskandkIkhavekmykSwisskArmyk nifekifktheykhitkmekandkifkIk illkthemkitkwillkbekself-defensekandkIkwontkgoktokprison.kkkkkkIkamkgoingktokprovekthatkImknotkstupid.kNextkmonthkImkgoingktokta ekmykAklevelkinkmathskandkImkgoingktokgetkankAkgrade.kNokonekhaskeverkta enkankAklevelkatkourkschoolkbefore,kandkthekheadmistress,kMrs.kGascoyne,kdidntkwantkmektokta ekitkatkfirst.kSheksaidktheykdidntkhavekthekfacilitiesktokletkusksitkAklevels.kButkFatherkhadkankargumentkwithkMrs.kGascoynekandkhekgotkreallykcross.kMrs.kGascoyneksai

dktheykdidntkwantktoktreatkmekdifferentlykfromkeveryonekelsekinkthekschoolkbecausekthenkeveryonekwouldkwantktokbektreatedkdifferentlykandkitkwouldksetkakprecedent.kAndkIkcouldkalwayskdokmykAklevelsklater,katk18.kkkkkkIkwasksittingkinkMrs.kGascoyneskofficekwithkFatherkwhenksheksaidkthesekthings.kAndkFatherksaid,kChristopherkiskgettingkakcrapkenoughkdealkalready,kdontkyoukthin ,kwithoutkyoukshittingkonkhimkfromkakgreatkheightkaskwell.kJesus,kthiskiskthekonekthingkhekiskreallykgoodkat.kkkkkkThenkMrs.kGascoyneksaidkthatkshekandkFatherkshouldktal kaboutkthiskatksomeklaterkpointkonktheirkown.kButkFatherkas edkherkwhetherkshekwantedktoksaykthingskshekwaskembarrassedktoksaykinkfrontkofkme,kandksheksaidkno,ksokheksaid,kSaykthem


20/100

know,kthen.kkkkkkAndksheksaidkthatkifkIksatkankAklevelkIkwouldkhavektokhavekakmemberkofkstaffkloo ingkafterkmekonkmykownkinkakseparatekroom.kAndkFatherksaidkhekwouldkpayksomeonek?50ktokdokitkafterkschoolkandkhekwasntkgoingktokta eknokforkankanswer.kAndksheksaidkshedkgokawaykandkthin kaboutkit.kAndktheknextkwee kshekrangkFatherkatkhomekandktoldkhimkthatkIkcouldkta

ekthekAklevelkandkthekReverendkPeterskwouldkbekwhatkiskcalledkthekinvigilator.kkkkkkAndkafterkIvekta enkA-levelkmathskIkamkgoingktokta ekA-levelkfurtherkmathskandkphysicskandkthenkIkcankgoktokuniversity.kTherekisknotkakuniversitykinkourktown,kwhichkiskSwindon,kbecausekitkiskaksmallkplace.kSokwekwillkhavektokmovektokanotherktownkwherektherekiskakuniversitykbecausekIkdontkwantktoklivekonkmykownkorkinkakhousekwithkotherkstudents.kButkthatkwillkbekallkrightkbecausekFatherkwantsktokmovektokakdifferentktownkaskwell.kHeksometimesksaykthingskli e,kWevekgotktokgetkoutkofkthisktown,k

iddo.kAndksometimeskheksays,kSwindonkiskthekarseholekofkthekworld.kkkkkkThen,kwhenkIvekgotkakdegreekinkmaths,korkphysics,korkmathskandkphysics,kIkwillkbekablektokgetkakjobkandkearnklotskofkmoneykandkIkwillkbekablektokpayksomeonekwhokcankloo

kafterkmekandkcoo

kmykmealskandkwashkmykclothes,korkIkwillkgetkakladyktokmarrykmekandkbekmykwifekandkshekcankloo kafterkmeksokIkcankhavekcompanykandknotkbekonkmykown.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk73.kIkusedktokthin

kthatkMotherkandkFatherkmightkgetkdivorced.kThatkwask

becausektheykhadklotskofkargumentskandksometimesktheykhatedkeachkother.kThiskwaskbecausekofkthekstresskofkloo

ingkafterksomeonekwhokhaskBehavioralkProblemskli

ekIkhave.kIkusedktokhaveklotskofkBehavioralkProblems,kbutkIkdontkhaveksokmanyknowkbecausekImkmorekgrownkupkandkIkcankta ekdecisionskforkmyselfkandkdokthingskonkmykownkli ekgoingkoutkofkthekhousekandkbuyingkthingskatkthekshopkatkthekendkofkthekroad.kThesekareksomekofkmykBehavioralkProblems:kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkNotktal ingktokpeoplekforkaklongktimek[4]kkkkkkkkNotkeatingkorkdrin ingkanythingkforkaklongktimek[5]kkkkkkkkNotkli ingkbeingktouchedkkkkkkkkScreamingkwhenkIkamkangrykorkconfused

kkkkkkkkNotkli

ingkbeingkinkreallyksmallkplaceskwithkotherkpeoplekkkkkkkkSmashingkthingskwhenkIkamkangrykorkconfusedkkkkkkkkGroaningkkkkkkkkNotkli

ingkyellowkthingskorkbrownkthingskandkrefusingktoktouchkyellowkthingskorkbrownkthingskkkkkkkkRefusingktokusekmyktoothbrushkifkanyonekelsekhasktouchedkitkkkkkkkkNotkeatingkfoodkifkdifferentksortskofkfoodkarektouchingkeachkotherkkkkkkkkNotknoticingkthatkpeoplekarekangrykwithkmekkkkkkkkNotksmilingkkkkkkkkSayingkthingskthatkotherkpeoplekthin karekrudek[6]kkkkkkkkDoingkstupidkthingsk[7]kkkkkkkkHittingkotherkpeoplekkkkkkkkkHatingkFrancek

kkkkkkkkDrivingkMotherskcark[8]kkkkkkkkGettingkcrosskwhenksomeonekhaskmovedkthekfurniturek[9]kkkkkkkkkkkk

kkkkkkSometimeskthesekthingskwouldkma ekMotherkandkFatherkreallykangrykandktheykwouldkshoutkatkmekorktheykwouldkshoutkatkeachkother.kSometimeskFatherkwouldksay,kChristopher,kifkyoukdoknotkbehavekIkswearkIkshallk noc ktheklivingkdaylightskoutkofkyou,korkMotherkwouldksay,kJesus,kChristopher,kIkamkseriouslykconsideringkputtingkyoukinkakhome,korkMotherkwouldksay,kYoukarekgoingktokdrivekmekintokankearlykgra


21/100

ve.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk79.kWhenkIkgotkhomekFatherkwasksittingkatkthektablekinkthek itchenkandkhekhadkmadekmyksupper.kHekwaskwearingkaklumberjac

kshirt.kTheksupperkwaskba

edkbeanskandkbroccolikandktwoksliceskofkhamkandktheykwereklaidkoutkonkthekplateksokthatktheykwereknotktouching.kkkkkkHeksaid,kWherekhavekyoukbeen?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kIkhavekbeenkout.kThiskiskcalledkakwhiteklie.kAkwhitekliekisknotkakliekatkall.kItkiskwherekyouktellkthektruthkbutkyoukdoknotktellkallkofkthektruth.kThiskmeanskthatkeverythingkyouksaykiskakwhitekliekbecausekwhenksomeoneksays,kforkexample,kWhatkdokyoukwantktokdoktoday?kyouksay,kIkwantktokdokpaintingkwithkMrs.kPeters,kbutkyoukdontksay,kIkwantktokhavekmyklunchkandkIkwantktokgoktokthektoiletkandkIkwantktokgokhomekafterkschoolkandkIkwantktokplaykwithkTobykandkIkwantktokhavekmyksupperkandkIkwantktokplaykonkmykcomputerkandkIkwantktokgoktokbed.kAndkIksaidkakwhitekliekbecausekIk newkthatkFatherkdidntkwantkmektokbekakdetective.kkkkkkFatherksaid,kIkhavekjustkhadkakphonekcallkfromkMrs.kShears.kkkkkkIkstartedkeatingkmykba edkbeanskandkbroccolikandktwoksliceskofkham.kkkkkkThenkFatherkas

ed,kWhatkthekhellkwerekyoukdoingkpo ingkroundkherkgarden?kkkkkkIksaid,kIkwaskdoingkdetectivekwor ktryingktokfindkoutkwhok illedkWellington.kkkkkkFatherkreplied,kHowkmanyktimeskdokIkhavektoktellkyou,kChristopher?kkkkkkThekba

edkbeanskandkthekbroccolikandkthekhamkwerekcoldkbutkIkdidntkmindkthi

s.kIkeatkverykslowlyksokmykfoodkisknearlykalwayskcold.kkkkkkFatherksaid,kIktoldkyouktok eepkyourknosekoutkofkotherkpeopleskbusiness.kkkkkkIksaid,kIkthin kMr.kShearskprobablyk illedkWellington.kkkkkkFatherkdidntksaykanything.kkkkkkIksaid,kHekiskmykPrimekSuspect.kBecausekIkthin ksomeonekmightkhavek illedkWellingtonktokma ekMrs.kShearsksad.kAndkakmurderkiskusuallykcommittedkbyksomeonek nownkkkkkkFatherkbangedkthektablekwithkhiskfistkreallykhardksokthatkthekplateskandkhisk nifekandkfor kjumpedkaroundkandkmykhamkjumpedksidewaysksokthatkitktouchedkthekbroccoli,ksokIkcouldntkeatkthekhamkorkthekbroccolikanymore.kkkkkkThenkhekshouted,kIkwillknotkhavekthatkmansknamekmentionedkinkmykhouse.kkkkkkIkas ed,kWhyknot?kkkkkkAndkheksaid,kThatkmankiskevil.

kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kDoeskthatkmeankhekmightkhavek

illedkWellington?kkkkkkFatherkputkhiskheadkinkhiskhandskandksaid,kJesuskwept.kkkkkkIkcouldkseekthatkFatherkwaskangrykwithkme,ksokIksaid,kIk nowkyouktoldkmeknotktokgetkinvolvedkinkotherkpeopleskbusinesskbutkMrs.kShearskiskakfriendkofkours.kkkkkkAndkFatherksaid,kWell,kshesknotkakfriendkanymore.kkkkkkAndkIkas ed,kWhyknot?kkkkkkAndkFatherksaid,kOK,kChristopher.kIkamkgoingktoksaykthiskforktheklastkandkfinalktime.kIkwillknotktellkyoukagain.kLoo

katkmekwhenkImktal

ingktokyou,kforkGodsksa e.kLoo katkme.kYoukareknotktokgokas ingkMrs.kShearskaboutkwhok illedkthatkbloodykdog.kYoukareknotktokgokas ingkanyonekaboutkwhok illedkthatkbloodykdog.kYoukareknotktokgoktrespassingkinkotherkpeopleskgardens.kYoukarektokstopkthiskridiculouskbloodykdetectivekgamekrightknow.kkkkkkIkdidntksaykanything.

kkkkkkFatherksaid,kIkamkgoingktokma

ekyoukpromise,kChristopher.kAndkyouk

nowkwhatkitkmeanskwhenkIkma ekyoukpromise.kkkkkkIkdidk

nowkwhatkitkmeantkwhenkyouksaykyoukpromiseksomething.kYoukhavektoksaykthatkyoukwillkneverkdoksomethingkagainkandkthenkyoukmustkneverkdokitkbecausekthatkwouldkma ekthekpromisekaklie.kIksaid,kIk now.kkkkkkFatherksaid,kPromisekmekyoukwillkstopkdoingkthesekthings.kPromisekthatkyoukwillkgivekupkthiskridiculouskgamekrightknow,kOK?kkkkkkIksaid,kIkpromise.kkkkkk


22/100

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk83.kIkthin

kIkwouldkma

ekakverykgoodkastronaut.kkkkkkTokbekakgoodkastronautkyoukhavektokbekintelligentkandkImkintelligent.kYoukalsokhavektokunderstandkhowkmachineskwor kandkImkgoodkatkunderstandingkhowkmachineskwor .kYoukalsokhavektokbeksomeonekwhokwouldkli ekbeingkonktheirkownkinkaktinykspacecraftkthousandskandkthousandskofkmileskawaykfromktheksurfacekofkthekearthkandknotkpanickorkgetkclaustrophobiakorkhomesic korkinsane.kAndkIkli ekreallyklittlekspaces,ksoklongkasktherekisknokonekelsekinkthemkwithkme.kSometimeskwhenkIkwantktokbekonkmykownkIkgetkintokthekairingkcupboardkoutsidekthekbathroomkandkslidekinkbesidekthekboilerkandkpullkthekdoorkclosedkbehindkmekandksitktherekandkthin

kforkhourskandkitkma eskmekfeelkverykcalm.kkkkkkSokIkwouldkhavektokbekankastronautkonkmykown,korkhavekmykownkpartkofkthekspacecraftkwhichknokonekelsekcouldkcomekinto.kkkkkkAndkalsoktherekareknokyellowkthingskorkbrownkthingskinkakspacecraft,ksokthatkwouldkbekOK,ktoo.kkkkkkAndkIkwouldkhavektoktal

ktokotherkpeoplekfromkMissionkControl,kbutkwekwouldkdokthatkthroughkakradioklin upkandkakTVkmonitor,ksoktheykwouldntkbekli ekrealkpeoplekwhokarekstrangers,kbutkitkwouldkbekli

ekplayingkakcomputerkgame.kkkkkkAlsokIkwouldntkbekhomesic katkallkbecausekIdkbeksurroundedkbyklotskofkthekthingskIkli

e,kwhichkarekmachineskandkcomputerskandkouterkspace.kAndkIkwouldkbekablektokloo koutkofkaklittlekwindowkinkthekspacecraftkandk nowkthatktherekwasknokonekelseknearkmekforkthousandskandkthousandskofkmiles,kwhichkiskwhatkIksometimeskpretendkatknightkinktheksummerkwhenkIkgokandkliekonktheklawnkandkloo kupkatktheks

ykandkIkputkmykhandskroundktheksideskofkmykfaceksokthatkIkcantkseekthekfencekan

dkthekchimneykandkthekwashingklinekandkIkcankpretendkImkinkspace.kkkkkkAndkallkIkcouldkseekwouldkbekstars.kAndkstarskarekthekplaceskwherekthekmoleculeskthatklifekiskmadekofkwerekconstructedkbillionskofkyearskago.kForkexample,kallkthekironkinkyourkbloodkwhichkstopskyoukfromkbeingkanemickwaskmadekinkakstar.kkkkkkAndkIkwouldkli ekitkifkIkcouldkta ekTobykwithkmekintokspace,kandkthatkmightkbekallowedkbecausektheyksometimeskdokta ekanimalskintokspacekforkexperiments,ksokifkIkcouldkthin kofkakgoodkexperimentkyoukcouldkdokwithkakratkthatkdidntkhurtkthekrat,kIkcouldkma ekthemkletkmekta ekToby.kkkkkkButkifktheykdidntkletkmekIkwouldkstillkgokbecausekitkwouldkbekakDreamkComekTrue.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk89.kTheknextkdaykatkschoolkIktoldkSiobhankthatkFatherkhadktoldkmekIkcouldntkdokanykmorekdetecting,kwhichkmeantkthatkthekboo kwaskfinished.kIkshowedkherkthekpageskIkhadkwrittenksokfar,kwithkthekdiagramkofkthekuniversekandkthekmapkofkthekstreetkandkthekprimeknumbers.kAndksheksaidkthatkitkdidntkmatter.kSheksaidkthekboo kwaskreallykgoodkaskitkwaskandkthatkIkshouldkbekverykproudkofkhavingkwrittenkakboo katkall,kevenkifkitkwaskquitekshortkandktherekwereksomekverykgoodkboo skwhichkwerekverykshortkli

ekHeartkofkDar

ness,kwhichkwaskbykConrad.kkkkkkButkIksaidkthatkitkwasntkakproperkboo kbecausekitkdidntkhavekakproperkendingkbecausekIkneverkfoundkoutkwhok illedkWellingtonksokthekmurdererkwaskstillkAtkLarge.kkkkkkAndksheksaidkthatkwaskli

eklife,kandknotkallkmurderskwereksolvedkandknotkallkmurdererskwerekcaught.kLi ekJac kthekRipper.

kkkkkkIksaidkIkdidntkli

ekthekideakthatkthekmurdererkwaskstillkAtkLarge.kIksaidkIkdidntkli ektokthin kthatkthekpersonkwhok illedkWellingtonkcouldkbeklivingksomewhereknearbykandkIkmightkmeetkhimkwhenkIkwentkoutkforkakwal

katknight.kAndkthiskwaskpossiblekbecausekakmurderkwaskusuallykcommittedkbykakpersonkwhokwask nownktokthekvictim.kkkkkkThenkIksaid,kFatherksaidkIkwaskneverktokmentionkMr.kShearssknamekinkourkhousekagainkandkthatkhekwaskankevilkmankandkmaybekthatkmeantkhekwaskthekpersonkwhok

illedkWellington.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kPerhapskyourkfatherkjustkdoesntkli ekMr.kShearskverykmuch.kkkkkkAndkIkas ed,kWhy?


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kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kIkdontk now,kChristopher.kIkdontk nowkbecausekIkdontk nowkanythngkaboutkMr.kShears.kkkkkkIksaid,kMr.kShearskusedktokbekmarriedktokMrs.kShearskandkhekleftkher,kli ekinkakdivorce.kButkIkdontk nowkifktheykwerekactuallykdivorced.kkkkkkAndkSiobhanksaid,kWell,kMrs.kShearskiskakfriendkofkyours,kisntkshe?kAkfriendkofkyoukandkyourkfather.kSokperhapskyourkfatherkdoesntkli

ekMr.kShearskbecausekhekleftkMrs.kShears.kBecausekhekdidksomethingkbadktoksomeonekwhokiskakfriend.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kButkFatherksayskMrs.kShearskisntkakfriendkofkourskanymore.kkkkkkAndkSiobhanksaid,kImksorry,kChristopher.kIkwishkIkcouldkanswerkallkthesekquestions,kbutkIksimplykdontk now.kkkkkkThenkthekbellkwentkforkthekendkofkschool.kkkkkkTheknextkdaykIksawk4kyellowkcarskinkakrowkonkthekwayktokschool,kwhichkmadekitkakBlac kDay,ksokIkdidntkeatkanythingkatklunchkandkIksatkinkthekcornerkofkthekroomkallkdaykandkreadkmykA-levelkmathskcoursekboo

.kAndktheknextkday,ktoo,kIksawk4kyellowkcarskinkakrowkonkthekwayktokschool,kwhichkmadekitkanotherkBlac kDayktoo,ksokIkdidntkspea ktokanyonekandkforkthekwholekafternoonkIksatkinkthekcornerkofkthekLibrarykgroaningkwithkmykheadkpressedkintokthekjoinkbetweenkthektwokwallskandkthiskmadekmekfeelkcalmkandksafe.kButkonkthekthirdkdaykIk

eptkmykeyeskclosedkallkthekwayktokschoolkuntilkwekgotkoffkthekbuskbecausekafterkIkhavekhadk2kBlac kDayskinkakrowkImkallowedktokdokthat.kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk97.kButkitkwasntkthekendkofkthekboo kbecausekfivekdaysklaterkIksawk5kredk

carskinkakrow,kwhichkmadekitkakSuperkGoodkDay,kandkIk

newkthatksomethingkspecialkwaskgoingktokhappen.kNothingkspecialkhappenedkatkschoolksokIk

newksomethingkspecialkwaskgoingktokhappenkafterkschool.kAndkwhenkIkgotkhomekIkwentkdownktokthekshopkatkthekendkofkourkroadktokbuyksomeklicoriceklaceskandkakMil ykBarkwithkmykpoc etkmoney.kkkkkkAndkwhenkIkhadkboughtkmyklicoriceklaceskandkakMil ykBarkIkturnedkroundkandksawkMrs.kAlexander,kthekoldkladykfromknumberk39,kwhokwaskinkthekshopkaskwell.kShekwasntkwearingkjeansknow.kShekwaskwearingkakdresskli ekaknormalkoldklady.kAndksheksmelledkofkcoo ing.kkkkkkSheksaid,kWhatkhappenedktokyoukthekotherkday?kkkkkkIkas ed,kWhichkday?kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kIkcamekoutkagainkandkyoudkgone.kIkhadktokeatkallkthekbiscuitskmyself.

kkkkkkIksaid,kIkwentkaway.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kIkgatheredkthat.kkkkkkIksaid,kIkthoughtkyoukmightkringkthekpolice.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kWhykonkearthkwouldkIkdokthat?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kBecausekIkwaskpo ingkmyknosekintokotherkpeopleskbusinesskandkFatherksaidkIkshouldntkinvestigatekwhok illedkWellington.kAndkakpolicemankgavekmekakcautionkandkifkIkgetkintoktroublekagainkitkwillkbekaklotkworsekbecausekofkthekcaution.kkkkkkThenkthekIndiankladykbehindkthekcounterksaidktokMrs.kAlexander,kCankIkhelpkyou?kandkMrs.kAlexanderksaidkshedkli ekakpintkofkmil kandkakpac etkofkJaffakca eskandkIkwentkoutkofkthekshop.kkkkkkWhenkIkwaskoutsidekthekshopkIksawkthatkMrs.kAlexanderskdachshundkwasksittingkonkthekpavement.kItkwaskwearingkaklittlekcoatkmadekoutkofktartankmaterial,kwhi

chkiskScottishkandkchec

.kShekhadktiedkitskleadktokthekdrainpipeknextktokthekdoor.kIkli ekdogs,ksokIkbentkdownkandkIksaidkhelloktokherkdogkandkitklic edkmykhand.kItsktonguekwaskroughkandkwetkandkitkli

edktheksmellkonkmyktrouserskandkstartedksniffingkthem.kkkkkkThenkMrs.kAlexanderkcamekoutsidekandksaid,kHisknamekiskIvor.kkkkkkIkdidntksaykanything.kkkkkkAndkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kYourekverykshy,karentkyou,kChristopher.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kImknotkallowedktoktal ktokyou.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kDontkworry.kImknotkgoingktoktellkthekpolicekandkImknotkgoingktotellkyourkfather,kbecausektheresknothingkwrongkwithkhavingkakchat.kHavingkakchatk


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iskjustkbeingkfriendly,kisntkit?kkkkkkIksaid,kIkcantkdokchatting.kkkkkkThenksheksaid,kDokyoukli ekcomputers?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kYes.kIkli ekcomputers.kIkhavekakcomputerkatkhomekinkmykbedroom.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kIk now.kIkcankseekyouksittingkatkyourkcomputerkinkyourkbedroomksometimeskwhenkIkloo

kacrosskthekstreet.kkkkkkThenkshekuntiedkIvorskleadkfromkthekdrainpipe.kkkkkkIkwasntkgoingktoksaykanythingkbecausekIkdidntkwantktokgetkintoktrouble.kkkkkkThenkIkthoughtkthatkthiskwaskakSuperkGoodkDaykandksomethingkspecialkhadntkhappenedkyet,ksokitkwaskpossiblekthatktal

ingktokMrs.kAlexanderkwaskthekspecialkthingkthatkwaskgoingktokhappen.kAndkIkthoughtkthatkshekmightktellkmeksomethingkaboutkWellingtonkorkaboutkMr.kShearskwithoutkmekas

ingkher,ksokthatkwouldntkbekbrea ingkmykpromise.kkkkkkSokIksaid,kAndkIkli ekmathskandkloo ingkafterkToby.kAndkalsokIkli ekouterkspacekandkIkli ekbeingkonkmykown.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kIkbetkyourekverykgoodkatkmaths,karentkyou?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kIkam.kImkgoingktokdokmykA-levelkmathsknextkmonth.kAndkImkgoingktokgetkankAkgrade.kkkkkkAndkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kReally?kA-levelkmaths?kkkkkkIkreplied,kYes.kIkdontktellklies.kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kIkapologize.kIkdidntkmeanktoksuggestkthatkyoukwereklying.kIkjustkwonderedkifkIkheardkyoukcorrectly.kImkaklittlekdeafksometimes.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kIkremember.kYouktoldkme.kAndkthenkIksaid,kImkthekfirstkpersonktokokankAklevelkfromkmykschoolkbecausekitskakspecialkschool.

kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kWell,kIkamkverykimpressed.kAndkIkhopekyoukdokgetkankA.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kIkwill.kkkkkkThenksheksaid,kAndkthekotherkthingkIk nowkaboutkyoukiskthatkyourkfavoritekcolorkisknotkyellow.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kNo.kAndkitsknotkbrownkeither.kMykfavoritekcolorkiskred.kAndkmetalkcolor.kkkkkkThenkIvorkdidkakpookandkMrs.kAlexanderkpic edkitkupkwithkherkhandkinsidekaklittlekplastickbagkandkthenkshekturnedkthekplastickbagkinsidekoutkandktiedkak notkinkthektopksokthatkthekpookwaskallksealedkupkandkshekdidntktouchkthekpookwithkherkhands.kkkkkkAndkthenkIkdidksomekreasoning.kIkreasonedkthatkFatherkhadkonlykmadekmekdokakpromisekaboutkfivekthings,kwhichkwere:kkkkkk

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkNotktokmentionkMr.kShearssknamekinkourkhousekkkkkkkkNotktokgokas

ingkMrs.kShearskaboutkwhok

illedkthatkbloodykdogkkkkkkkkNotktokgokas ingkanyonekaboutkwhok illedkthatkbloodykdogkkkkkkkkNotktokgoktrespassingkinkotherkpeopleskgardenskkkkkkkkTokstopkthiskridiculouskbloodykdetectivekgamekkkkkkkkkkkk

kkkkkkAndkas ingkaboutkMr.kShearskwasntkanykofkthesekthings.kkkkkkAndkifkyoukarekakdetectivekyoukhavektokTa

ekRis

s,kandkthiskwaskakSuperkGoodkDay,kwhichkmeantkitkwaskakgoodkdaykforkTa ingkRis s,ksokIksaid,kDokyouk nowkMr

.kShears?kwhichkwaskli

ekchatting.kkkkkkAndkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kNotkreally,kno.kIkmean,kIk newkhimkwellkenoughktoksaykhellokandktal

ktokaklittlekinkthekstreet,kbutkIkdidntk

nowkmuchkaboutkhim.kIkthin khekwor edkinkakban .kThekNationalkWestminster.kInktown.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kFatherksayskthatkhekiskankevilkman.kDokyouk nowkwhykheksaidkthat?kIskMr.kShearskankevilkman?kkkkkkAndkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kWhykarekyoukas ingkmekaboutkMr.kShears,kChristopher?kkkkkkIkdidntksaykanythingkbecausekIkdidntkwantktokbekinvestigatingkWellingtonskmurderkandkthatkwaskthekreasonkIkwaskas ingkaboutkMr.kShears.


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kkkkkkButkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kIskthiskaboutkWellington?kkkkkkAndkIknoddedkbecausekthatkdidntkcountkaskbeingkakdetective.kkkkkkMrs.kAlexanderkdidntksaykanything.kShekwal edktoktheklittlekredkboxkonkakpoleknextktokthekgatektokthekpar kandkshekputkIvorskpookintokthekbox,kwhichkwaskakbrownkthingkinsidekakredkthing,kwhichkmadekmykheadkfeelkfunnyksokIkdidntkloo .kThenkshekwal

edkbac

ktokme.kkkkkkSheksuc edkinkakbigkbreathkandksaid,kPerhapskitkwouldkbekbestknotktoktal kaboutkthesekthings,kChristopher.kkkkkkAndkIkas ed,kWhyknot?kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kBecause.kThenkshekstoppedkandkdecidedktokstartksayingkakdifferentksentence.kBecausekmaybekyourkfatherkiskrightkandkyoukshouldntkgokaroundkas ingkquestionskaboutkthis.kkkkkkAndkIkas ed,kWhy?kkkkkkAndksheksaid,kBecausekobviouslykhekiskgoingktokfindkitkquitekupsetting.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kWhykiskhekgoingktokfindkitkupsetting?kkkkkkThenksheksuc

edkinkanotherkbigkbreathkandksaid,kBecausekbecausekIkthin kyouk nowkwhykyourkfatherkdoesntkli ekMr.kShearskverykmuch.kkkkkkThenkIkas

ed,kDidkMr.kShearsk illkMother?kkkkkkAndkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kKillkher?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kYes.kDidkhek illkMother?kkkkkkAndkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kNo.kNo.kOfkcoursekhekdidntk illkyourkmother.kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kButkdidkhekgivekherkstressksokthatkshekdiedkofkakheartkattac ?kkkkkkAndkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kIkhonestlykdontk nowkwhatkyourektal ingkabout,kChristopher.

kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kOrkdidkhekhurtkherksokthatkshekhadktokgokintokhospital?kkkkkkAndkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kDidkshekhavektokgokintokhospital?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kYes.kAndkitkwasntkverykseriouskatkfirst,kbutkshekhadkakheartkattac kwhenkshekwaskinkhospital.kkkkkkAndkMrs.kAlexanderksaid,kOhkmykgoodness.kkkkkkIksaid,kAndkshekdied.kkkkkkAndkMrs.kAlexanderksaidkOhkmykgoodnesskagain,kandkthenksheksaid,kOh,kChristopher,kIkamkso,ksoksorry.kIkneverkrealized.kkkkkkThenkIkas edkher,kWhykdidkyouksaykIkthin kyouk nowkwhykyourkfatherkdoesntkliekMr.kShearskverykmuch?kkkkkkMrs.kAlexanderkputkherkhandkoverkherkmouthkandksaid,kOhkdear,kdear,kdear.kButkshekdidntkanswerkmykquestion.kkkkkkSokIkas edkherktheksamekquestionkagain,kbecausekinkakmurderkmysteryknovelk

whenksomeonekdoesntkwantktokanswerkakquestionkitkiskbecausektheykarektryingktok

eepkaksecretkorktryingktokstopksomeonekfromkgettingkintoktrouble,kwhichkmeanskthatkthekanswersktokthosekquestionskarekthekmostkimportantkanswerskofkall,kandkthatkiskwhykthekdetectivekhasktokputkthatkpersonkunderkpressure.kkkkkkButkMrs.kAlexanderkstillkdidntkanswer.kInsteadkshekas edkmekakquestion.kSheksaid,kSokyoukdontk now?kkkkkkAndkIksaid,kDontk nowkwhat?kkkkkkShekreplied,kChristopher,kloo

,kIkprobablykshouldntkbektellingkyoukthis.kThenksheksaid,kPerhapskwekshouldkta ekaklittlekwal kinkthekpar ktogether.kThiskisknotkthekplacektokbektal ingkaboutkthisk indkofkthing.kkkkkkIkwasknervous.kIkdidknotk nowkMrs.kAlexander.kIk newkthatkshekwaskankoldkladykandkthatkshekli

edkdogs.kButkshekwaskakstranger.kAndkIkneverkgokintokthekpar konkmykownkbecausekitkiskdangerouskandkpeoplekinjectkdrugskbehindkthekpublickto

iletskinkthekcorner.kIkwantedktokgokhomekandkgokupktokmykroomkandkfeedkTobykandkpracticeksomekmaths.kkkkkkButkIkwaskexcited,ktoo.kBecausekIkthoughtkshekmightktellkmekaksecret.kAndktheksecretkmightkbekaboutkwhok illed

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