The Death Collector (51 page)

Someone was getting out of the car. A man. Tall and grey, hunched over in a faded checked shirt and loose slacks. There were other people inside.

Joe put his hand on Mary’s. ‘I came here early for a reason,’ he said, his voice soft. ‘I wanted to be here when you arrived because you coming back here felt like it completed the story. Except it isn’t fully finished, not with things as they are.’

‘What do you mean?’

Joe sighed. ‘I wanted to make it right with your family, build some bridges.’ He put his hands up, palms outwards. ‘Don’t be angry with me, Mary. I just wanted to make it right. You’re a proud woman, and I didn’t want that to get in the way.’

Mary swallowed, and a tear ran down her cheek. Her chin quivered. ‘You spoke to my family?’

Joe nodded.

‘What did they say?’ she said, her voice a croak.

Joe turned and pointed to the car. ‘There they are, Mary. They’re here for you. They want to bring you home.’

Mary looked past and her hand went to her mouth. ‘It’s my daddy,’ she whispered.

‘He misses you. They all do. Too many things were said. Now is the time to try to make it right.’

She nodded slowly and let out a sob, before stepping past Joe.

Mary walked back along the beach, her hair blowing gently. Aidan had stopped further along and was looking back, confused.

Mary’s father started walking towards her, his arms out, and she started running, her sobs drifting up on the breeze.

As she threw herself into her father’s arms, she buried her head in his chest. He kissed her head and then lost his face in her hair. Everyone else got out of the car, and soon they were in a huddle, kissing Mary, hugging her.

Joe turned around. ‘Go to them, Aidan,’ he said. ‘It’s your family.’

As Aidan went past, slowly, nervousness on his face, Joe smiled, his eyes glistening.

It’s done
, he thought. This was why he did it. It wasn’t for him, or for the law. It was for this, the right thing.

He nodded to himself, satisfied. He’d done the right thing.