The News is Spreading…

"Ceri? Get yourself over here with Max…NOW!"

Before Ceri had a chance to answer, Bron had slammed the phone down. Ceri began shaking…something must have happened to Ed. Max came in from the kitchen and stopped short.

"What’s the matter, darling?"

Rushing to her side, he held onto her until she was a bit calmer. "We have to go to Bron’s."

"Why?"

"I don’t know. She just hollered down the phone for us to get there right away. Oh. Max. I’m scared that something might have happened to Ed."

"Come on, love. Let’s go. We’ll use the car and will be there in a couple of minutes," Max said comfortingly. They usually walked down the hill to visit, but this time the car would save valuable time if something bad had happened.

Pulling up sharply outside the house, Max and Ceri rushed up to the porch and were about to pound on the door when it was opened and they saw Ed standing there with a serious expression on his face.

Stepping back to allow them space to get in, he shook Max by the hand and kissed Ceri on the cheek.

"Oh Ed, thank the lord you are okay. I was so worried about you."

"She kinda freaked you out did she? Come on through and sit down. She’s in the kitchen fixing a pitcher of iced tea."

Just then, Bron came in with a large tray, and Max jumped up to help her with it.

"Thanks. Max," she smiled. "Ceri, I’m so sorry about the call. It wasn’t until I disconnected that I realised that I probably got you worried."

"That’s okay, sis. Just never do it again. I thought something had happened to Ed," Ceri smiled at her sister. "Anyway, what’s this all about?"

"You tell her, Ed. I still get all worked up about it."

Ed waited for everyone to sit down and get their drinks before he spoke.

"Well, guys. There’s no easy way to tell you all this. A body has been found, and it wasn’t a natural death."

"You mean an accident, Ed?"

"No Max, ‘fraid not. It’s murder."

"Oh my god! Who was it, Ed?" Ceri asked, beginning to shake again, so much so that Max had to take the glass out of her hand.

"It was that Marce girl, the skinhead’s friend."

"Have they any idea who did it?" Max asked.

"Nice that you didn’t immediately assume that the skin did it," Ed replied.

"What do we do now?" Max asked.

"First thing is that we don’t let the ladies go out alone until the perp is caught. If I was more mobile I’d offer the sheriff my services, but as it is I think the best thing I can do is look after Bronnie, and I strongly advise you do the same, Max."

Both twins started to protest in unison, more out of habit than anything. Bron had no intention of moving out of Ed’s sight while a killer was on the loose and even suggested that Ceri and Max stayed with them.

"I don’t think that’s a good idea, love," Max said. "If he’s still in the area and finds an empty house, he may decide to hold up there. We’ll stay at our place. We don’t need to go anywhere, and I’ll call the sheriff’s office tomorrow to see what’s happening. Meanwhile, make sure both the studios are locked up tight, Bron, and do just what Ed tells you."

"Okay, Max. I’m going to stick to you like glue until this is all over."

Max looked over at Ed and winked. "I think I’ve just found this dark cloud’s silver lining."