Ashes(50)

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Phone in her hand, Harper asked, "Does he have access to a computer? To the Internet?"



"Not the Internet," said Linda.



"What about either of you?" Harper asked the pair.



Wyatt folded his arms. "We use the Internet, yes, why?"



"Because it would be a simple case of finding her on Instagram." Harper held up her phone, showing them Talia's Instagram page. "She also has a Facebook profile. In other words, there are ways he could have gotten a picture of her. Surely you don't spend every moment watching over him. He could have used your computer without your knowledge."



Linda shook her head. "He's a sweet boy."



Harper inwardly snorted.



"He'd never harm anyone," Linda insisted. "He didn't even harm the human who cruelly tried to burn him in an oven. No, I won't believe that he hurt Talia."



"We still need to speak with him." Knox turned to Wyatt. "Take me to him."



Linda opened her mouth to object, but Knox silenced her with a look.



"This way," said Wyatt. They followed him up the stairs, across the landing, and over to a closed door. He gave it a rhythmic knock. "McCauley, you have visitors." Without waiting for an invitation, Wyatt twisted the knob and let the door swing open. "You remember Knox and Harper, right?"



Keeping Harper slightly behind him, Knox entered first. He briefly scanned the room. It had been decorated and filled with toys and games that any boy McCauley's age would love. Linda and Wyatt had clearly spared no expense.



Knox didn't fail to notice the drawings on the walls – like last time, they were pictures of a family. Two adults, two children, and a dog. In each drawing, they were dressed or posed differently, but the people always looked the same. "Hello, McCauley."



From his space on the carpet, McCauley looked up at them. "Hello." His voice was as devoid of emotion as his expression. He stayed very still, his posture unnaturally perfect.



Cocking his head, Knox studied the Lego tower the boy had built. Tall, solidly built, and well-proportioned, it looked like a mock model of a building. Very advanced for a child of six. "You must be a smart boy."



McCauley blinked.



Knox used his psychic hand to lift a Lego brick and place it on the tower. "Can you do that?"



McCauley shook his head. 



Knox feigned disappointment, hoping to prick at the pride of McCauley's demon. It worked. The boy's eyes bled to black and then narrowed. Suddenly, dozens of Lego bricks lifted from the carpet and started to circle the tower like planets orbiting the sun.



"Impressive," said Knox when McCauley's demon retreated. "What else can you do?"



"Just that."



It was a lie. Knox didn't understand why the child would lie about it. It was as if the demon didn't want to show its power. Was it simply used to hiding, having lived amongst humans for six years? Perhaps. "Did you leave the house today?"



The boy gave a slow, stiff shake of the head.



"Do you know why we're here?"



"No, sir."



"I think you do. I think you know what we suspect happened today." That received no reaction whatsoever. "I killed someone when I was a child," he said, ignoring Linda's gasp. "It's not an easy thing to do. Is it?"



"I don't know, sir."



"Talia apologized. She begged for forgiveness. But you killed her anyway. Why?"



McCauley blinked, still exhibiting no emotion. "I don't know who you mean, sir."



"You're quite the little liar, aren't you, McCauley? And you're not as good at it as you think you are."



His eyes narrowed ever so slightly.



Linda shouldered her way into the room and crossed to McCauley. Standing behind him, she placed her hands on his shoulders. "You heard him, he didn't do anything."



Leaning into her, McCauley rubbed at his eyes. "I'm tired."



It was an act, and Linda fell for it hook, line, and sinker – smiling down at him like he was her own, personal angel.



"We'll be back," Knox told her.



Linda's head snapped up. She didn't glare at him, but he knew that she wanted to. Instead, she stiffly inclined her head, as if not trusting herself to speak. She remained with McCauley while the others all made their way downstairs.



In the hallway, Knox spoke to Wyatt. "I think it would be best for all concerned if I remove him from your home."