The Killing Season by Mark Pearson Read Free Book Online

unpleasant arrangement of four simple words in the world.
    ‘Go on?’ I said, swinging my legs over the examination couch to the floor and buttoning my shirt back up over the bandage that Kate had applied.
    ‘The wedding, Jack! We need to talk about the wedding.’
    I sighed with relief. ‘Plenty of time for that, darling. It’s not until next year. Let’s talk it through tonight at home. When you’re not so busy.’
    ‘I’ve tried talking to you at home, but you never sit still long enough to make any decisions.’
    ‘You know what my decision would be. We’d fly off to the Caribbean, just the four of us, and get married on the beach. Come home as Mr and Mrs Jack Delaney with none of the associated hullabaloo.’
    ‘We are not running off anywhere, Jack. I hope you’re not ashamed of me.’
    ‘Of course I’m not!’
    ‘Then you should be prepared to declare your love for me in front of the whole world! That’s what marriage is all about after all, isn’t it?’
    Kate had a way of dancing me into corners with her words. Questions that I couldn’t answer without being in the wrong. ‘Are you sure you never trained as a lawyer?’
    ‘I’m being serious!’
    I stood up and kissed her. But her lips remained closed tight and the glint in her eye was not one of mischief, but a warning of dark clouds gathering therein.
    ‘I’ve said I am happy to get married here, didn’t I? We’ve set the date and picked the church. Church of England at that!’
    ‘You don’t have to sound like you are doing me a favour!’
    ‘Well, we can’t get married in a Catholic church and you don’t want a registrar performing the ceremony.’
    ‘Don’t you play the Catholic card on me, Jack Delaney!’ she snapped. Seemed I was right about the gathering clouds.
    ‘Well, I was just saying.’
    ‘You are never “just saying” anything. I know you well enough by now for that.’
    ‘You know I love you and just want to make you happy.’
    ‘And that’s why you’re marrying me?’
    I could see it was a loaded question because of the challenging look in her eyes. ‘Of course not,’ I said. Trying to work out quickly what trap she had set. ‘I’m marrying you because it would make me the happiest and luckiest man in Christendom.’
    Her look softened. Perhaps I’d danced around the landmine this time.
    ‘And you really mean that?’
    ‘Sure, if I were to lie to you would not my tongue blacken and fall from my mouth?’
    Kate laughed despite herself. ‘I must be all kinds of fool to be marrying you, Jack.’
    ‘It doesn’t matter what kind of fool – you’re
my
fool and that’s all that matters.’
    She looked at me, considering for a moment, and then smiled again. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Yes, it is.’
    ‘OK. I’d better report back to Amy.’
    ‘You are going nowhere!’ Her voiced snapped back into schoolteacher mode. ‘I told Lesley to hold all appointments for the next half an hour.’ She pulled a fat folder out of a drawer. ‘There is plenty to arrange. Wedding music. Guest lists. The wedding-breakfast menu. Flowers for the church and the reception. Wedding invitations. Wedding stationery. Honeymoon destinations. I have booked the village hall in Upper Sheringham, but we need to talk about entertainment. Bridal car for me. Car for you and your party.’
    ‘Yes, dear.’ I summoned up a smile from somewhere. That beach on Barbados was looking far more attractive by the minute.
    ‘And what if it rains?’ She continued.
    ‘Umbrellas?
    Kate didn’t even bother to respond. ‘And your best man . . . have you picked someone yet?’
    ‘I thought Sally Cartwright.’
    ‘Think again. Much as I love that detective constable I want a traditional wedding and not some other woman standing beside you at the altar making bookends of us both.’
    ‘Yes, dear.’
    ‘And if you call me “dear” one more time I am going to pick up my reflex hammer and brain you with it.’

11
     
    AN HOUR LATER and I was