Red Angel by Helen Harper Read Free Book Online Page A

like an idiot.’
    ‘I’m not going to see anyone else.’ He rolls his tongue across his teeth. ‘Neither should you.’
    ‘Chance would be a fine thing,’ I mutter. ‘How long are we going to have to keep this up?’
    ‘A few months perhaps? It’s not going to be as bad as you think. We do get along.’ His eyes gleam, dropping momentarily to my mouth. ‘Most of the time.’
    I swallow. ‘I don’t like lying,’ I mumble. Even though it’s all I seem to do.
    ‘It’s not lying.’ He smiles. ‘We’ll just be acting … affectionately towards each other. The world can draw its own conclusions.’
    ‘Semantics.’
    ‘If you say so.’
    We stare at each other for what it is probably only a few seconds. It feels like forever. ‘I should go,’ I mutter eventually.
    ‘Tomorrow night then? I’ll pick you up around nine.’
    ‘I can hardly wait.’
    *
    As my new ‘assignment’ will only take up a fraction of my time – and New Order won’t allow me to take on any more jobs – I decide to go freelance. I’m not sitting on my thumbs until this stupid media furore dies down; I’ll be a bit more careful, that’s all. Besides, I have things of my own that I want to investigate.
    I jog from the Montserrat mansion to the nearest Underground entrance. It’s already late and a guy is pulling across the barrier as I approach. ‘No more trains, miss,’ he says, barely glancing in my direction.
    ‘I’m not after a train,’ I tell him. ‘I just want to get inside.’
    ‘Why would you want to do that? You don’t look homeless. Only the…’ His voice trails off as he recognises me. ‘Only the Red Angel uses the tunnels,’ he finishes weakly.
    I give him a small curtsey. ‘As you see.’
    ‘Of course, ma’am. Of course!’ He scrambles to re-open the gate. ‘Are you going after a bad guy?’
    ‘I have some business to take care of,’ I prevaricate. Technically I’m breaking the law by going into the tunnels, even if the station’s caretaker doesn’t seem to care. Neither do I need to use the vast tunnel system to travel around when it’s dark. I simply don’t want to be followed by a posse of journalists and fans. ‘It’s really important,’ I say softly, ‘that no one finds out where I’ve gone.’
    He nods his head vigorously. ‘I won’t tell a soul.’
    I scan his face. I reckon he’s telling the truth. ‘Thank you.’
    He bites his lip and looks at me anxiously. He obviously wants to say something else. I give him an encouraging glance and he gives me a huge smile. ‘Can I have your autograph? It’s not for me, you understand. But my daughter…’
    ‘Of course. Do you have a pen and paper?’
    He fumbles in his pocket and hands me a small pad and chewed pen. He looks embarrassed. ‘Sorry, I should find you something better.’
    ‘This is fine. Who do I make it out to?’
    ‘Lisa. And Jonesy.’
    ‘That’s you?’ He nods. I scrawl my signature and pass it back. ‘You ever need some help, Jonesy, you get in touch with me. Alright?’
    He looks like he’s about to pass out. ‘Yes, miss! I mean, Red Angel! Ms Blackman!’
    ‘Bo is fine.’ I clap him on the shoulder. The offer of a favour is the least I can do if he’s going to let me sneak in. Maybe being famous does have its advantages after all but the hero worship feels slightly awkward, so I quickly take my leave, darting down the steps to the train tracks.
    ‘Bye, Bo!’ he shouts enthusiastically from behind me.
    I wave in return and hastily jog away. It doesn’t take long to reach the exit I require. There are no trains running at this hour and I’ve spent enough time studying the network of tunnels so I know exactly which route to take. It helps that I’m finally coming into my own as far as my vampiric skills are concerned. I sprint at breakneck speed, barely breaking a sweat.
    When I emerge onto the street, I fill my lungs with fresh air and run the last few yards to the pub. Not wanting to be recognised, I