THE DESERT 

By Tessa Harvey


    At 9am, as arranged, Sergeant Bellini called to see Marnie and Luka qand their niece, Esther. The older couple were staying with Esther temporarily.
    "You probably have realised why I am here," he asked them.
    "You have found my mummy, haven't you? whispered Esther.
"Where was my sister?" Marnie asked, softly, "my beautiful Anja." 
    Luka sighed. "Everyone loved Annie," he spoke gruffly as usual, but tears stood in his eyes, softening his craggy face.
    "We have ordered an autopsy," the sheriff continued. He turned to Esther and Marnie. "Her body was found when the land was being excavated for the new shopping centre in the neighborhood district."
    "It was Karl, wasn't it?" growled Luka.
    "We believe so. Would you like me to send a counsellor or a doctor to you?"
"No, but thank you," Marnie replied, struggling. "We are going to our own home today. First we will visit Zack. We will keep in touch, of course." "Thank you, Sergeant," added Luka.


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