In the summer of 1944, Leslie Atwater -- feeling abandoned by his lover Edward -- rushes to London to enlist in the armed services. After failing the physical, he retreats to the sanctuary of St. Michael’s rectory and to the love and support of his brother Robert.<br><br>When a bomb explodes near St. Andrew’s Home for Boys, it unearths a skeleton of an adolescent. As Leslie, Edward, and Robert set about identifying the remains, the shocking discovery stirs up an old antagonism between the two brothers and brings to light a string of repressed memories for Leslie.<br><br>With the truth obscured by the passage of years, can Leslie and Edward sift through the lies and subterfuge to track down the coldhearted killer of a kindred spirit?

Kindred Spirit

“Dammit, Caroline, you’re as stiff and pompous as Edward.”


She put a hand on Edward’s lap, and he jumped when he felt her touch his privates. “But I’m not nearly thatstiff.” Then she leaned over, kissed them again, and with a, “Come on kids, let’s leave them to it,” she slipped outside, closing the door behind her.


Quickly Edward hopped up, ran to the door, clicked the lock, and double-checked it to be sure. Then he flew back under the covers, sporting a mischievous smile. “Shall we?”


“Honestly, I thought you’d never ask.” 23: Home


After Caroline’s little family hugged, bussed Robert on the cheek, and promised they’d make every effort to see each other soon, they separated and were well on their way to Kent by midday.


Chapter 34