When Night Closes in by Iris Gower Read Free Book Online

hurt him.
    He changed tack so smoothly she hardly noticed. ‘Who else from the office met Jon Brandon?’ Jim asked. ‘I know your Mr Watson spoke to him on at least one occasion. The girl, Sally, had she met him before, did you go out together for evenings or anything?’
    Lowri shook her head. ‘Jon always said he wanted time to be alone with me.’ She glanced up from under her eyelashes. ‘It might seem strange to you now but I was actually flattered about that. In any case, Sally enjoys a different sort of night out.’
    â€˜When you visited Sarah Brandon, was she suspicious of your motives?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’ She smiled, though she felt more like crying. ‘I don’t think so. She thought I was simply there on business though she did imply that Jon was never the faithful kind.’
    â€˜Well that doesn’t surprise me. I think you’ve had a lucky escape from Mr Brandon.’
    â€˜What do you mean?’
    He sighed. ‘I can’t say, not just at the moment.’ He looked at his watch.
    â€˜You have to go,’ she said, rising to her feet.
    â€˜Yes, I have to go.’ He walked across the room and stopped in the small hallway. ‘Perhaps I could come and talk to you again, some time?’
    Lowri shrugged, feeling somehow let down. ‘It’s a free country.’
    â€˜I’m not rushing home to an eager girlfriend,’ he said, ‘there’s just some business I have to see to.’
    â€˜Nothing to do with me,’ Lowri said flatly and closed the door in his face. She returned to the sitting-room and looked down at the two cups standing side by side on the table. Funny, it had never bothered her before, living alone. Being with Jon at the weekends had seemed to be an ideal arrangement. Now, for some reason, she felt lost.
    She stood in front of the mirror and studied her appearance. She was fairly tall, her hair a natural dark red, well, almost natural, helped now and again with a rinse. She had unremarkable features though her eyes were quite good, large, long-lashed and a sort of hazel green. She usually made the most of them with the right shadow and mascara. Now they were naked, unadorned. But then she had not been expecting company.
    She sank into a chair. That was twice DI Lainey had seen her at a disadvantage and yet, and yet, there had been an unmistakable light of interest in his eyes. Or did he merely want to prise information out of her? Well, if that was the case, he was not going to get very far. It seemed the inspector knew more about Jon Brandon than she ever had.
    â€˜Why not come out with me and Timmy tonight?’ Sally was swinging her long legs, admiring her slim ankles. It was quiet in the office: the lunch-time flurry of clients had gone back to work. ‘It doesn’t do any good to sit in brooding, that will get you nowhere.’
    â€˜I don’t want to be a gooseberry,’ Lowri said.
    â€˜For heaven’s sake!’ Sally shook her head. ‘You won’t be a gooseberry.’
    â€˜Where are you going, anyway?’
    â€˜Just out, we haven’t really decided yet. Maybe just a drink at the Ship Inn. I’ve heard that a good crowd go there and if we’re hungry, we can always have a bar meal. Come on, get your pretties on and do up your eyes and you’ll have the men running after you in droves.’
    â€˜I doubt that,’ Lowri said.
    â€˜Snap out of it!’ Sally said in a hard voice. ‘You know what you’re doing, don’t you?’
    â€˜You’re going to tell me, I can see.’ Lowri attempted a smile.
    â€˜You are letting that bastard pull you down. He’s dented your self-esteem or whatever the hell you call it. You need to build up your confidence again.’
    Lowri gave in. ‘All right, I’ll come.’ She had been going to have a night in, have a relaxing bath, listen to music or watch some undemanding