The Death List by Paul Johnston Read Free Book Online Page B

clause. “I saw something in the paper the other day about a prowler in your area.”
    “Really?” She didn’t sound too bothered. “It wouldn’t be the first time. Anyway, you know I always keep the doors and windows locked, and put the alarm on when I go to bed.”
    “Yes,” I said, realizing that all I’d done was give her a reason to worry. Still, under the circumstances, it would be good if she took extra care.
    “Anyway, I phoned to ask if you’d like come round at the weekend. Bring Sara, too.”
    I’d forgotten all about Sara. She was supposed to finish the story she’d been working on and come round to my place to spend the night.
    “I’m…I’m not sure,” I said. “I’ll give you a ring. Good night.”
    The way Fran returned the greeting made it clear that she thought I was losing my grip.
    Which was true.
     
    Before I could move from the phone, I heard the key turn in the lock. Sara appeared, her brown hair tousled and her face lined. The furrows had been getting deeper in recent months. She worked too hard, and I knew I didn’t always give her enough support.
    “Hello, stranger,” she said, dropping her bag. She peered at me. “What’s the matter? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”
    “Um, no,” I said, getting up and going over to kiss her. I’d been frantically trying to remember if I’d left anything around that would alert her to what had been going on. The screen saver was on the computer. I thought about switching the machine off, but that would only draw attention to it. I would shut it down normally when she was in the shower. She always headed straight for the bathroom after work.
    “Hello, Sara,” she said, giving me an encouraging smile. “It’s lovely to see you. I’ve missed you so much.”
    I repeated the words, laughing. Sara had the ability to make anyone smile, not a quality widespread among journalists. It had helped her break some major stories.
    “Sorry,” I added. “I’ve had a hard day at the typeface.”
    Shit. Now she was on her way over to the screen.
    “What have you been working on?” She looked at me hopefully. “Not the new novel.”
    I wasn’t quick enough to dissemble. “Uh, no. Just some reviews.”
    The smile didn’t fade. “Never mind. I’m sure it’ll come together soon.”
    “Sara, my darling,” I said, taking her arms. Her scent filled my nostrils. It took me back to the first time I’d met her. She’d walked up in a wave of perfume and I’d fallen head over heels in love on the spot. That had never happened to me before. Even more amazingly, she told me she’d had the same experience the first time she laid eyes on me across the crowded room. I shook my head to dispel the memory. “I…there’s something I have to tell you.” My serious tone made her move her head back to study me. I’d had it with the bastard I’d let into my life. I was going to share the burden. “Well, it’s a bit weird. This morning I—”
    My mobile rang. I raised my hands at her and went to my jacket pocket.
    “Hello?”
    “Matt, you will remember not to tell anyone about today, won’t you?” The White Devil’s voice was calm, almost cheerful. It had a neutral tone, as if it weren’t really his—as if he was putting it on.
    How did he know I was about to tell Sara?
    “Matt, I know you’re there. Speak!”
    “Yes…I will remember that.” I tried to smile at Sara as she went past me into the bathroom. I waited till the door had closed. “You bastard. Are you bugging me?”
    There was a laugh that tailed off into a snarl. “What do you know about surveillance technology, Mr. Award-Winning Crime Novelist? As much as a sparrow can crap.” The line went dead.
    I sat down, my heart pounding. He was right. I didn’t have a clue about modern surveillance hardware. He could have been beaming a camera down from a satellite for all I knew. The bastard had even found out my mobile number, though I guessed that wouldn’t take