Hidden by Derick Parsons, John Amy Read Free Book Online Page A

one disfunctional relationship to another.   ‘But if you haven’t, are you free to have dinner with me tonight?  Strictly in friendship, and perhaps to discuss the case?’
    ‘N ot tonight.’  She pointed to the file on his desk, ‘That’s my date this evening.  We can catch up on the old days some other time.’
    He handed her the file slowly and with a certa in care, imbuing the simple action with an almost ritualistic air, as if he were formally passing over a sacred trust.  As perhaps he was.
    Kate took it with equal solemnity and stood up, ‘I wish you hadn’t sedated her earlier; I’d love to see her now, even for just a few minutes.  But I guess tomorrow will do.  I’ll pop in about two o’clock.  It’ll be a while before I’m ready to begin a regular schedule of therapy sessions but I want to have a few informal chats with her over the next week or two, to get her used to talking to me, before I try to win her trust.  Nothing formal, and certainly not therapy; I’ll just pop in for a chat whenever I have time.’
    ‘You can set your own hours,’ Trevor agreed, getting to his feet, ‘And I agree that you need to feel your way in, to get to know her before starting your course of therapy.  But obviously once you draw up a regular schedule I’ll expect you to stick to it rigorously; I don’t have to tell you how important routine can be to the mentally ill.  But do you have to leave already?  What about the guided tour of my little kingdom?’
    He seemed serious but Kate only flashed him a brilliant smile and said gaily, ‘Your ego trip will have to wait.  I can’t wait to get started, and that file is calling out to me.  Besides, I’ve already taken up a lot of your time.’
    He nodded and handed her his card, ‘All my numbers are on that, and my email.  I’ll have Cathy give you an Employee Information form to fill out, but can I have your mobile number now?’
    Kate fished her own card out of her purse and gave it to him, hiding a wry smile; perhaps at last she’d get some use out of the blasted thing.  One of the first things she had done on returning from England was buy an Irish Smartphone, but in fact she needn’t have bothered; the only people who ever rang her were her family, and they rang her landline, as it was so much cheaper.  It spoke volumes about her present life that she was delighted by the idea that someone might actually ring her on her new mobile, though she would have died rather than confide this to Trevor.
    He placed the card on the desk before extending his hand and saying softly, ‘Welcome home, Kate.’
    She knew exactly what he meant but after shaking hands she pirouetted away, saying archly, ‘I told you; I came home months ago!  No, you needn’t come with me, I’ll see myself out.’
    She walked out of his office into the huge gothic foyer, her mind already teeming with questions, and with a vast curiosity as well.  If nothing else meeting Grainne Riordan would be an interesting experience.  And, as ever, a little voice whispered in the back of her mind, But will you be able to help her?  This voice was an old enemy, rooted in her own lack of self-belief, and she quietly told it to take a hike.  But the very fact that it had returned infused her with a certain familiar warmth, as it confirmed that she was truly back doing the job that alone in her often pain-filled life made her feel whole and fulfilled.  The job that alone can make you forget your own past, your own problems, the voice whispered.  And this time she had no ready reply with which to banish it.
    Kate was walking down the steps toward her car, her head bent in thought, when a voice behind her caused her to turn around.
    ‘Ms Bennett, wait a minute!’  It was Riordan, emerging from a black Government limousine which contained not just a chauffeur but a Special Branch bodyguard to boot.
    She blinked at him in surprise and said stupidly, ‘I thought you were long