Motive for Murder by Anthea Fraser Read Free Book Online

bedside clock and the persistent drip of a tap, surely that was the sound of a car? Yes – and it had turned up off the main road – it could only be Mike.
    As I watched, the mist by the gate starred into two yellow globes, and the blunt nose of the car materialized. I turned and ran out of the room and down the stairs, reaching the hall just as the front door bell pealed.
    Mike stood on the step, shrouded in dampness, a scarf twisted round his neck. ‘Hello, Beautiful,’ he said, and before I found my voice, reached past me to close the door, took my arm, and hurried me over to the car.
    â€˜This is Emily,’ he announced to two shapes in the back seat. ‘Emily, meet Derek and Sandra.’
    I turned obediently to look over my shoulder but could make out no features. ‘Hello,’ I said tentatively.
    â€˜Greetings!’ responded a light male voice.
    And a girl’s added, ‘Hi!’ and giggled.
    Derek! So this was Linda’s old flame. He had apparently not wasted much time in seeking a replacement.
    Mike climbed in beside me and slammed the door. ‘Phew, what a night! At least the car’s warm.’
    It was the second time the car had received me in out of the fog, and the remembered smell of leather, petrol and cigarette smoke was now overlaid with the sickly sweetness of Sandra’s perfume. I settled back against the seat, determined to enjoy the evening.
    Are we going to the Flamingo?’ Derek enquired.
    â€˜Yes, it’s as good as anywhere, isn’t it? I booked a table for eight-thirty.’
    Sandra said, ‘I wonder if that Italian waiter is still there?’ and giggled again.
    Suddenly I felt left out, not one of the party. The three of them had so obviously been out together before. Who had Mike partnered then? Perhaps after all I was wrong about Derek, and it was Mike who had been with Linda.
    â€˜How’s our resident author these days, Emily?’ Derek asked. ‘As uproariously amusing as ever?’
    Mike said with a grin, ‘Matthew doesn’t approve of Derek, either.’
    I could understand that; although I’d not even seen his face, I knew instinctively that I disliked him.
    Since they seemed to be waiting for my reply, I said awkwardly, ‘He’s very well – and very busy, of course.’
    â€˜But not too busy to go boozing at lunch­time and play golf all afternoon, eh?’ said Derek with an unpleasant laugh.
    Unwillingly I thought – so that’s where he goes when we stop work at twelve. Then, defensively: And why shouldn’t he? A bit of male companionship must be very refreshing, when he lived in a house full of women.
    Mike shot a sideways look at me, and, noting my embarrassment, said, ‘Leave her alone, Derek, it’s not fair to criticize Matthew in front of her.’
    Not fair to Matthew, or to me? Had Linda joined in their sneering remarks? I’d never expected to feel sorry for Matthew Haig but I did now, fleetingly – until I thought how little he would care what any of them – any of us – might say about him.
    â€˜Beg pardon I’m sure, miss,’ Derek said. ‘Didn’t wish to offend, I’m sure.’ And Sandra giggled again. I began to wish I had gone to the cinema after all.
    The car ride seemed interminable, especially since I’d no idea where we were going. Mike gripped the wheel, eyes narrowed against the glare of the fog. Behind us, Derek and Sandra whispered and laughed softly. I sat stiff and straight, bitterly disappointed with the start of the evening to which I’d looked forward so much, while the thick whiteness enveloped us like a creeping blindness. The smell of it, cold and acrid, stung my throat and made my eyes ache.
    â€˜Well, we’ve made it!’ Mike said at last. Ahead of us, orange lights blossomed indistinctly like sea anemonies.
    â€˜Well done, lad.’ Derek removed his arm from Sandra’s