A Murderer's Heart by Julie Elizabeth Powell Read Free Book Online Page B

she looked across at the girls giggling at Frank’s antics.
    “My work is enough for me....and my friends.”
    Sam said nothing more but noticed a small frown appear on Anne’s face – then it was gone.
    He should have kept quiet. Damn fool. But she was just ripe for a family – a pity he couldn’t oblige.
    They both watched the happy scene, engaged in their own thoughts.
    Anne was mostly content with her life, even though Sam had provoked a little doubt. She had made her decision a long time ago – no use changing now.
    By 9 o’clock, the children had fallen asleep on Anne’s sofa, and darkness nipped at the day’s radiance. The lights she’d had installed last year brought out a different beauty in the garden. Nevertheless, it was time for her guests to depart.
    Barbara made a date for them to go to the gym tomorrow and though it would be difficult, Anne remembered her resolution and agreed.
    Jenny and David carried the girls to the car and strapped them into the back seats – they didn’t wake.
    Frank and Amanda thanked her for a great time and they, along with the other guests, waved goodbye.
    Sam was the last to leave and gently kissed her cheek before he trotted away.
    With satisfaction, Anne closed her front door, cleared the evening’s debris and turned off the lights.
    After a shower she lay in bed knowing she would have to do this again, and soon...it had been wonderful.
    But why did she have a sense of foreboding?
    Shrugging, thinking that it was only worry about Jenny, Anne switched out the light and went to sleep.

{14}
     
     
    After a quick shower, Anne dressed, breakfasted and then, grabbing her briefcase and handbag, drove to the office.
    This morning she would be on time!
    Despite her strange feelings the night before, she had slept very well and was ready to face another week’s hard work.
    Sam was waiting as usual; her coffee was handed to her the moment she sat down. The order of patients was on her desk – the relevant files ready.
    “Any messages?” she asked. “Did Tadmore ‘phone about Missus Armstrong?”
    “I’ve written all your messages on the pad, including those from the answering machine. Nothing from Tadmore though.”
    “Well, not to worry, I did say it didn’t matter, I’d see her tomorrow. Remind me to ‘phone later.”
    “Okay, you have half an hour free after you’ve seen Lee Webber.”
    “Great,” she responded, just as her first appointment of the day arrived.
     
     
    ******
     
     
    It was during the last ten minutes of the morning’s sessions that an unexpected visitor arrived. Sam asked who he was and tried not to show surprise before inviting him to sit and wait, as the doctor wouldn’t be long.
    After the last patient had left through the other door, Anne sat writing up her notes when Sam knocked on her office door. She looked up in surprise – Sam knew she liked to write things up while they were fresh without disturbance.
    “There’s an Inspector Meakin to see you,” he told her, eyes widening with curiosity.
    The Inspector had risen from his seat and stood directly behind. Sam turned, bumped into him then shuffled to one side.
    Anne had stood to welcome her visitor, thinking it must be about Jenny and her stalker.
    Sam awaited instructions.
    “Thanks, Sam, could you get the Inspector a coffee...Inspector? Oh, please sit down.”
    Anne pointed to the chair opposite.
    “Er…yes thank you, white, please, no sugar.”
    Meakin’s voice was surprisingly deep.
    He sat.
    “Oh, Sam could you apologise to my next patient, I’ll try not to be too long.”
    Sam returned with the Inspector’s coffee and a fresh one for Anne, and then left them to it, though not without a questioning look at her before he closed the door.
    Meakin sipped his coffee in silence as he took in his surroundings.
    Anne searched this newcomer’s face while he drank, noting he looked about fifty years old, with not a little grey sprinkled throughout his thick, dark hair.