A Poison Tree (Time, Blood and Karma Book 3) by John Dolan Read Free Book Online Page B

to tell you. I got an A+ for my last business studies essay,” announced Katie Braddock.
    “Well done, sweetheart,” replied her mother.
    “I think it’s because Mr. Jennings fancies me.”
    “ What?”
    “Well, that’s not the only reason . It’s mainly because I’m brilliant. But I think he fancies me too. I catch him looking at me in class.”
    “Are you serious, Catherine? Because if so –“
    “Mum, chill out. So what if I have to run my tongue over my lips and flash him a bit of cleavage now and again? Like Dad says, Focus on the result not the process .”
    Claire looked at her daughter with suspicion.
    “You are winding me up, aren’t you?”
    Katie threw her arms around her mother’s neck and giggled.
    “Just a little bit. Mum, you are sooooo easy.”
    “ You’re just like your father,” she sighed.
    “Now you’re just being nasty. Anyway, I did use one of Dad’s lines in my essay.”
    “Which particular pearl of wisdom would that be?”
    “The one about the difference between capitalism and communism?”
    “Enlighten me.”
    “The difference is that with capitalism man exploits man, whereas with communism it’s the other way round.”
    “I am so glad your expensive education hasn’t been wasted.”
    “When I’m a lawyer my clients are going to love this sort of stuff. Now I’m going out. See you later. And there is no need to worry. I have money and condoms.”
    “That’s a weight off my mind. Do you need a lift anywhere?”
    “No. Tom’s picking me up.”
    A car horn beeped three times.
    “That’s him now. See you later.”
    “Take your keys. I might be out when you get back.”
    Through the window, Claire watched her daughter climb into the battered Ford Fiesta and she waved to Tom. Claire wasn’t worried about Tom’s intentions. Tom was a nice boy. And even if he wasn’t, Katie could handle him. In Katie’s world, Tom was located in the Friend Only Zone .
    Claire consulted her watch. It was just before two. David was spending his Saturday afternoon playing a round of golf with Max and wouldn’t be back for hours. She took out her phone and typed an SMS: MHUP3?
    Within a minute, a reply came back: O K 
    She went upstairs, showered and reapplied her makeup. After due consideration, she put on a pair of tight-fitting jeans, black ankle-length boots and a fluffy sweater. She examined herself in the mirror. The sweater wasn’t right. She changed it for a cream-coloured blouse with a low neckline. She’d have to wear a scarf with her coat, otherwise she’d freeze. March was not being the kindest of months, weather-wise.
    Before she left the house, Claire rang David.
    “How’s it going?”
    “It’s going,” was the response.
    “I’m thinking of driving over to Market Harborough this afternoon. See if I can pick up some nice cheeses and meats from the French market stalls.”
    “No problem. We’re only on the first hole. We’ll be hours unless it decides to rain.”
    MHUP3 . Market Harborough, usual place, 3 o’clock .
    Claire had a reason to be where she would be. She had only to watch the sky. She climbed into her silver Vectra and started the engine.
     
    Claire parked in the free car park behind Church Street, close to the centre of the town of Market Harborough. She made her way to a small tea shop in the shadow of St. Dionysius Parish Church, the large fifteenth-century structure that rose from the street and which, along with the wooden Old Grammar School beside it, fixed the character of this small market town. The old-fashioned tea shop was, in many ways, an improbable spot for a clandestine liaison. Perhaps that was why she and Jack had chosen it.
    Jack Irving, the owner of Jael Construction, was already sitting at a corner table and Claire took the seat facing him.
    “Tea and cakes?” he asked. “Or just tea?”
    “Just tea,” she replied.
    She looked at him. In spite of his shock of silver-grey hair and the wrinkles around his eyes, furrowed