Revenge by Joanne Clancy Read Free Book Online Page B

to us about the stolen computers."
    "What?!" Penelope sat bolt upright. "Who the hell is she?"
    "I have no idea, P en, but this is getting creepy." She looked like she might burst into tears at any minute. "I think we should call the police."
    "Maybe it's a hoax," Penelope suggested, searching for a plausible explanation. "I don't think anyone will show up her e, not tonight anyway. It's too late."
    "I don't know," Shona was doubtful. "She sounded like she meant what she said."
    The shrill ringing of the front door bell made them jump. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this one way or another," Penelope got angrily to her feet and stalked out of the room . "I refuse to be intimidated in my own home!" She marched to the front door with Shona following close behind her.
    "Can I help you?" Penelope asked, flinging open the door. She quickly took in the petite blonde woman who was standing in front of her and her heartbeat began to return to normal. The woman looked like she wouldn't hurt a fly. She was very pretty and her long blonde hair cascaded around her narrow shoulders. A silver-grey silk scarf was tied in an intricate knot over her expensive chocolate-brown leather jacket. Her jeans were tucked into knee-high tan stil etto boots and a large matching handbag was slung over one shoulder. There was nothing in the least bit intimidating a bout her. She looked baby-faced and both Penelope and Shona began to relax.
    "Yes, actually, I think you can help me," the woman replied. She spoke with an English accent, possibly from the London area, Shona figured. Shona had spent a few years working in Solihull, which was near Birmingham’s city centre and her ear was still attuned to their different intonations. "My name is Savannah. I believe this belongs to you." She remo ved the missing laptop from her handbag and handed it to Penelope who stared at in surprise.
    "Where did you get this?" was all she could manage to say.
    "It was stolen from your office last night," Savannah replied. “ Do y ou have any enemies?” S he asked, arching an eyebrow. Penelo pe was too stunned to respond. “It seems you've messed with the wrong person, b ecause somebody wants you dead.”
    Shona and Penelope listened in abject horror a s Savannah told them there was a contract on their lives and the life of Rebecca McNamara. She advised them t hat the contract was worth one hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling but that she wouldn't carry out the hit if they b ought out the contract.
    "How do we know this isn't some elaborate story you've invented to extort money from us?" Shona asked.
    Savannah sho wed them a photograph of the three women. Shona's blood ran cold and Penelope almost collapsed at the sight of it.
    "Where did you get this information ?" Penelope demanded, snatching the photograph from Savannah's hand.
    "I'm not at liberty to reveal that information just yet."
    "I'm calling the police," Shona turned and walked back inside.
    Savannah marched quickly down the drive and jumped into a taxi which was waiting for her at the gate.
    "What the hell was that about?" Penelope cried. "What's going on around here?"
    "I have no idea but I’m calling the police.”
     
     
    It was 2.30 a.m . when Shona's phone rang again. Her heart almost exploded out of her chest with the fright. Neither of them had been able to sleep and they were sitting i n the kitchen drinking endless cups of sweet tea. Shona stared at the phone. The caller's number was blocked and Shona was too scared to answer it.
    Penelope grabbed the phone. "Hello!" she snapped.
    "Have you started getting the money together?" Savannah asked.
    Penelope took a deep b reath to steady her nerves and exactly as Detective Leary had earlier advised she told Savannah she’d need some time to organise the cash.
    "Good," Savannah sounded pleased. "Meet me at the bus station tomorrow afternoon at two o' clock."
    "I'll meet you at the bar of The Westport Hotel," Penelope said decisively. Detective