Broken Fall: A D.I. Harland novella by Fergus McNeill Read Free Book Online Page B

voices touched something in him and he stood without moving until the final strains of the piece faded.
    ‘Okay, that was much,
much
better.’
    Harland looked up to see the young man clapping appreciatively as he addressed the choir.
    ‘The ending was perfect. If we can go through it just one more time, I need the tenors to back off just a
little
during the first section, then build the feeling to give me everything on those final phrases.’
    There was a murmur of assent from the assembled choir. The young man held up his hands.
    ‘Everyone ready? Here we go …’
    At his gesture, the singing began once more.
    From his position in the doorway, Harland noticed Amanda, off to one side in a seat at the end of the row. She was wearing a simple, tight grey sweater and jeans, her face rapt as she watched the stage. Following her gaze, he allowed himself to be drawn back into the music, watching the conductor and the choir. He was in no hurry.
    The piece lasted several beautiful minutes, now soaring, now mournful, before its last delicate notes echoed round the hall.
    ‘Yes,
that
was it,’ the young man enthused. ‘You really made me feel it, right in here.’
    He placed a hand over his heart, then turned and walked to the edge of the stage to beam down at Amanda.
    ‘Thank you for this,’ he grinned.
    She smiled back at him, one hand rising to push her hair back from her neck.
    ‘It’s your music, Ben.’
    ‘I know but it’s an incredible feeling to hear the music you’ve written brought to life
properly
…’ He hugged himself excitedly. ‘Seriously, thank you.’
    Amanda lowered her eyes demurely.
    Ben turned to the choir, his arms wide.
    ‘And thank
you
all,’ he said, walking over to them. ‘Brilliant job, everyone. Just brilliant.’
    As the room relaxed into movement and discussion, Harland started to work his way forward between the rows of chairs. Glancing over her shoulder, Amanda noticed him approaching, and rose to her feet, coming to meet him with a puzzled smile.
    ‘Detective Harland?’
    ‘I’m sorry to bother you here.’ He smiled, then gestured towards the stage. ‘Although, in a way, I’m glad I did. That was … beautiful.’
    It was a clumsy compliment, but her face lit up and she inclined her head to one side, obviously pleased.
    ‘It
was
beautiful, wasn’t it?’ Grinning, she turned and walked over to the young man, who had climbed down from the stage and was sliding a sheaf of music scores into a battered old rucksack. Taking his arm, she pulled him forward. ‘Detective Harland, this is Ben Dawson. He composed the piece you just heard.’
    ‘
Composed
, as well as conducted?’ Harland raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed. ‘You’re an extremely talented man.’
    Amanda’s eyes shone, while Ben gave a self-conscious shrug.
    ‘Thanks. I get such a kick out of hearing it …’ He grinned, and looked down. ‘Sounds way better when these guys sing it than it ever did in my head.’
    ‘Well, it was a pleasure to hear it.’
    Ben smiled in acknowledgment, then glanced at Amanda who gave him a curt nod.
    ‘I guess … I should probably be going …’ he said, one hand reaching out awkwardly towards her, then dropping to his side.
    ‘I’ll be in touch,’ Amanda replied smoothly. She gave him a warm smile, then watched as he turned to gather up his bag. ‘Thank you, Ben.’
    ‘Good to meet you,’ Harland nodded, as the young man passed him with a cheerful wave and made his way to the door. He turned to find Amanda facing him, her gaze sharp and professional.
    ‘Well, Inspector?’
    Harland stared at her, momentarily caught off balance.
    ‘Sorry?’
    ‘I assume you came to ask me something?’ she prompted him.
    ‘Yes, of course.’ He didn’t want to blunder in with the Tracey question – better to start with something else. ‘I wanted to know if you’d noticed any recent deterioration in your father-in-law’s health? Anything that might have given you cause for