Indian Summer by Elizabeth Darrell Read Free Book Online Page A

significantly. ‘The work I do for Andrew is highly confidential. In the wrong hands . . .’
    â€˜The work I do is also highly confidential, don’t forget,’ he returned, growing angry, ‘But it’s locked away at Headquarters. You surely don’t keep sensitive documents at home. That would constitute criminal negligence.’
    â€˜Of course I don’t! You should know me . . .’
    Her hot denial was interrupted by the shrill of the landline telephone. Max was initially tempted to ignore it, then decided the call would provide a cooling down period. Without taking his glance from Livya’s flushed face he took up the receiver.
    â€˜Captain Rydal.’
    â€˜Your famous guts surpassed themselves this time,’ Tom’s voice said cheerily. ‘How the hell did they know there was a complex case under way which you wouldn’t want to miss out on?’ When Max made no immediate comment, Tom added more quietly, ‘I guess things didn’t work out in the UK . Sorry about that, but there’s plenty for you to get your teeth into on this.’
    Still studying the woman on his bed, Max murmured, ‘We’re overnighting here before heading off for two weeks by car.’
    A brief silence from Tom. ‘Your neighbour forgot to mention you had company. Drive carefully . . . and leave your mobile at home.’
    â€˜ Tom ,’ Max said sharply before his friend could disconnect. ‘Tell me what’s under way.’
    â€˜Sure you want to hear?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    As Max listened to all Tom related his interest grew sharper and sharper, and his sense of professional responsibility overrode the irritation of his spat with Livya. No longer watching her, he threw questions at Tom to clarify certain points.
    â€˜The wife and children haven’t been sighted anywhere?’
    â€˜Not so far.’
    â€˜Every effort is being made to track them down?’
    â€˜Maddox has instigated a search for possible bodies on-base and the normal all-points notification has gone out. I have my doubts about Keane killing them, then being topped by his wife’s lover. What I’ve heard so far suggests he would have dished out violence to her long ago, if he’d been that type.’
    â€˜Frank Priest told you Keane had been deeply affected by whatever happened in Iraq? We need to look into that asap.’
    â€˜I’m in the process of doing that. Then I plan to speak to our old friend Captain Ben Steele, who defended Keane.’
    Max grinned. ‘For God’s sake don’t let him mount a private investigation again. Have you considered the possibility that Keane had got into something dodgy prior to going to Afghanistan? Owed money, had double-crossed someone, and that someone made heavy demands that Keane refused to meet when he got back here?’
    Tom sounded slightly irritable when he reminded Max that the body was discovered only twelve hours ago. ‘I’ve called a meeting at eighteen hundred when there’ll be more evidence to work on.’
    Max persevered, however. ‘I think that theory has strong possibilities. After waiting six months, the guy wants what he’s due and gets nasty. What if it went too far; Keane wasn’t meant to die?’
    â€˜Hence the decision to dunk the body in the tank ten hours later, shifting the focus?’
    â€˜Mmm,’ mused Max. ‘I can’t wait to solve the significance of that jellyfish.’
    A chuckle greeted that. ‘By the time you return from your two week touring jaunt we’ll have wrapped up the case and have the answer to that for you.’
    Max became aware of his companion once more, so merely nodded. ‘Yes. Well, keep me up to speed on it, Tom.’
    When he replaced the receiver, Livya got to her feet. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a substantial lunch.’
    â€˜Oh! Yes, a long time