Stray Bullet by Simon Duringer Read Free Book Online

second but quickly regained his composure.
    “You may call me Lucio.” he purred, suspiciously looking to Jack for an explanation. “Jack this must be your best guarded secret.” Jack blushed.
     
     
    “Lucio this is my friend Lee. She stayed over last night.” He continued, “Lee, your breakfast’s in the oven. I’m afraid if you’d like eggs you’ll need to cook them yourself. Lucio arrived before I had a chance to…”
     
    “Don’t worry, darling. Why don’t you take Lucio through to the living room and I’ll bring you some coffee once I’ve eaten?” Lee interrupted again.
     
    Jack hardly knew what to say, it seemed the hired whore had turned into the hired house wife!
     
    “Err… yes that’s a great idea thanks, Lee.”   He didn’t want to give Lucio the impression he needed to hire women and so he played along.
     
    “Shall we…?” He beckoned to Lucio, whose mind was playing overtime at how this lady might know him. They wandered through to the living room.
     
    Lee sat in the kitchen to eat her breakfast. Her mind drifted onto what Jack and Lucio might do for a living. It was part of her code never to ask personal questions. She was surprised at Lucio’s comments though. It seemed somehow Jack had kept Lucio from prison. Maybe he is a lawyer or an accountant? she pondered.  If so, he’s one of a kind… she thought smirking to herself.
     
    The alarm on the coffee maker sounded and she rose to try and find the necessary porcelain to create a reasonable presentation for Jack’s guest. This was not her forte, however for a first attempt she seemed quite pleased with herself.
     
    The living room door opened and Lee strolled in with the tray.  “I’m sorry, Lucio.  If Jack had given me more notice I could have been more organised,” she reported apologetically.
     
    Jack, although almost speechless, was pleased at this charade and was curious to see when it would end.
     
    “Lisa, where has Jack been hiding you?” replied Lucio, desperately searching his mind for his connection to her. She simply acknowledged the compliment but did not reply.
     
    She had become very observant, a professional necessity, and recognised the two had been as thick as thieves when she entered but very quickly changed the subject once she approached them.
     
    They continued talking but about nothing in particular while Lee was in the room and after ten minutes or so Lucio looked at Jack;
     
    “Well, Jack.  I need to be somewhere else.  Keep me informed of your progress.” He turned to Lisa. “It has been a pleasure, Lisa,” he said uncomfortably.
     
    Jack walked Lucio to his car to see him off. Lee remained in the house and observed through the kitchen window as Jack ushered Lucio into his Bentley.
     
    Once Jack reappeared in the kitchen Lee said,
    “I ’m sorry, Jack, if I read too far into the situation.”
     
    “Lee…” Jack replied awkwardly “will you come back to speak candidly with me when you have time later this week?”
     
    “You know my rules, Jack,” she replied abruptly picking up her bag and starting for the door.
     
    “Can you not break them just once?” he implored.
    “No .” she said as she reached the front door. She turned looking deep into Jack’s eyes and smiled. “Maybe…” she said and with confusion ruling her mind, she hurried to the car and sped off down the driveway.
     
    “Damn,” muttered Jack to himself. “I think she likes me.”

Chapter 7 – Recollections
     
     
     
    Harvey Walters regained consciousness having spent almost three days and nights in a coma. His first sight was that of nurse Stevens arranging flowers, sent by his wife and children that morning.
     
    “Ah, Mr Walters. How are you feeling this morning?” she asked chirpily, the look of a concerned mother no longer so apparent.
     
    “I’m…”  He coughed hoarsely. “Do you have any water?” he mumbled, unable to continue.
     
    “ Why of course.” She took the glass