The First Betrayal by A. M. Clarke Read Free Book Online Page A

island, he cycled thirty miles in the dead of night, to seek safety and refuge in the nursing home. He relinquished his dignity, denounced his freedom and worst of all, and signed over his family heritage for the simple act of sleeping safe.
    Although this had supposedly happened before Stephens’s time here, whether true or not, the issue was still the same and still as relevant. The island was a good and safe place, but not without the usual drunken fights and neighbour squabbles. They all knew it was a matter time before something happened and the police would be needed. However, no one would have believed just how badly.     
    Getting through to the police desk, he informed the sergeant on duty what he had discovered. With the weather so bad, it was impossible to get anyone over that night, but the sergeant promised as soon as it eased, someone would be there to deal with it. He also asked if Stephen could secure the premises overnight without contaminating anything. Doing as requested, he went back in and removed the keys from Gladys’s bag, which he found in the kitchen. It was distasteful going through her things, knowing she was lying dead in the bath, but it had to be done. Locking up the house him and Chequers climbed back in the jeep and went home.

Chapter Twenty Three
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    Vera was like an oversexed teenager waiting to go on a third date. Her pulse was racing and she was flushed with anticipation. She fluttered around the home waiting for Adams arrival. Checking on this and correcting that. Everything was as usual, running like clockwork, but she picked and picked at the smallest things.
    The staff were aware of why she was behaving so strangely, and were all-laughing at her. Desperate, pathetic, middle-aged fool, just some of the comments the jealous, back-stabbers were whispering about her. She didn’t care, opportunities like Adam only happened on rare occasions and she wasn’t about to let this one slip past her.
    She hovered at the reception desk and at 6.15; he strolled up the drive. He walked with confidence, self assured in his body and very aware of how good he looked.
    ‘Adam, I’m so glad I was here to welcome you, and delighted you came.’
    ‘How lovely to see you again Vera and might I be bold enough to say how beautiful you look.’
    ‘Well - - thank you Adam, that’s so nice of you to say. Now please come and meet everybody. Those who can are in the main dining room, and the other residents who can’t join us will be happy to talk with you in their rooms.’
    ‘Thank you Vera, I’m very hopeful that at least one of these wonderful old people will remember my uncle. My mother would be so happy to hear news of him.  She hasn’t heard from him in some time and pride dictates that he should be the one to get in touch and of course, my mother has been too proud to chase after her brother. Now where are those meatballs I’ve been looking forward to all day?’
    Vera played hostess like she had never done before, charming and interested. She allowed Adam carte blanch with the residents while she watched and waited for an opportune moment. That moment occurred when monopoly had finished with a petulant Mary, who claimed that she owned all the hotels and didn’t believe anyone who went to jail should receive monetary recompense.
    ‘Jail is where we keep the bad guys. Why would we give the fuckers money? Keep them locked up and throw away the bankers. That’s what we should do. ’
    ‘Come on Mary, you owe me, I let you have that hotel at cost. The penthouse is vacant, so let’s get fruity.’ 
    ‘You are a dirty old has been Ezra, one good push and your hip would give out.’
    ‘You know it, the hydrotherapy pool will be quiet tonight, how about it Mary, those bubbles will really loosen you up, and, my hip works better with a bit of lubrication.’
    ‘All right Ezra lets see you in action. Come on George, Edna, what about it Charles. Everyone to the pool for a bit of