Blood Line by Lynda La Plante Read Free Book Online Page B

anything from him. Mr Rawlins was very distressed; in fact, he broke down in tears.’
    ‘Yes, it’s very difficult, but we are attempting to trace him,’ said Anna.
    Paul looked around at the artwork on the walls. He nudged Anna. There was a large acrylic painting of Alan Rawlins on a surfboard and he went across to look at it more closely.
    ‘This is Alan, isn’t it?’
    ‘Yes. I did that after he brought me a photograph of when he was surfing in Cornwall. I thought I’d give it to him as a wedding present . . .’
    ‘Did he know you were working on it?’
    ‘Yes, and he was pleased. It’s also a very good likeness.’
    As Dan and Paul went and stood in front of the painting, Anna glanced around the studio. It was obvious why these two men would be friends: everything was neat and orderly, and Dan was clearly good at his job. She checked her watch.
    ‘I think we need to go, Paul.’
    Dan returned to stand beside her with his big, owl eyes blinking.
    ‘What do you think has happened to him?’
    ‘We’re trying to find out.’
    ‘But it’s been eight weeks! Surely he would have at least called his parents?’
    Anna turned to go down the stairs while Paul was shaking Dan’s hand, thanking him for his time.
    ‘Did you know his parents?’ Paul was asking.
    Anna sighed with irritation since Dan had already said Mr Rawlins had phoned him, so it was obvious that he did.
    ‘Yes. I was often round there when we were at school. My mother worked so I’d spend a lot of time with them. Alan’s mother always made us tea so my mum wouldn’t have to cook anything when I got home. It’s very sad what has happened to her as she was such a vibrant and fun-loving lady. Alan adored her. He was very concerned that taking care of her was too much for his father, and sometimes when he took his dad out he’d ask me to sit with her. They have a carer, but she leaves as soon as Mr Rawlins returns home and he’s become housebound as a result.’
    ‘Paul,’ Anna called, heading down the stairs. He eventually joined her outside the studio as she waited in the car.
    ‘Nice bloke,’ he said, getting in.
    ‘Yes, and easy to see why they would be friends.’ Anna stared out from the window of the passenger seat, feeling hungry. They just had the next interview to complete, and then she could have some lunch.
    ‘He’s gay.’
    ‘Pardon?’
    Paul turned out of the mews. ‘I said Dan Matthews is gay – he told me just as you left. He also said that Alan—’
    ‘Don’t tell me you were right?’
    ‘No, what he said to me was that when they were in the sixth form he told Alan that he knew he was homosexual and was terrified of it. Apparently, Alan told him that whatever he was he should keep private as it was his life and no one else’s.’
    Anna looked at Paul. ‘And . . .?’
    ‘Well, it was just such a grown-up thing for Alan to say and the fact is that they remained friends. Dan’s confession made no difference. The poor guy is really distressed; he was almost in tears when I left.’
    ‘You got all that very fast?’
    ‘Takes one to know one.’
    ‘I’m sorry?’
    Paul sighed and hit the steering wheel with the flat of his hand.
    ‘Don’t tell me you don’t know.’
    ‘Know what?’
    ‘You must be the only person at the station who doesn’t know, not that I am in any way embarrassed – to the contrary.’
    ‘You’re gay?’
    ‘Ah, the penny finally dropped, has it, ma’am? Yes, I am.’
    She giggled. ‘I didn’t know.’
    ‘Well, now you do. Did you think that Alan was playing for the opposite team?’
    Again she giggled. ‘No, I didn’t actually, but what do you think?’
    ‘I reckon he was straight. Well, Dan said he was and I don’t get the feedback that he was a closet. It was the painting that sort of gave me the hint about Matthews. Alan was bloody good-looking, wasn’t he?’
    ‘Yes, I suppose he was.’
    Paul glanced at her. ‘You have a very infectious giggle,