Read Online Assassin by Shaun Hutson - Free Book Online

his belt at the back, the weapon hidden by the folds of his sweatshirt. He stood before the full length mirror in his bedroom, twisting and turning, making sure that the weapon couldn't be seen. When he was satisfied that it was invisible, he wandered back into the sitting room and poured himself another glass of vodka, swallowing half the fiery liquid in one gulp.
    The strident ringing of the phone startled him.
    He shook his head, as if trying to clear the fog which shrouded his brain, then he crossed to the phone and picked it up.
    'Hello.'
    'Ray
    He recognised her voice immediately and allowed himself a smile.
    'Tina. What's wrong?' he asked, the smile suddenly fading.
    'Nothing. I wanted to know how you were,' she told him.
    'I've been better,' he told her.
    'I didn't get a chance to say anything to you this afternoon.'
    'Nothing needed to be said. It's over now.' He changed the subject. 'Where's Frank? You're taking a risk calling me.'
    'I'm not expecting him until later. I had to speak to you, find out how you were. I wish I could be with you.'
    'If you come you'd better bring a bottle,' he said humourlessly. 'The one I've got's nearly empty.' He glanced at the bottle of Smirnoff and at his glass.
    'Will I see you tonight?' she wanted to know.
    'I don't think that would be a good idea, especially if you're expecting Frank. I'll probably end up in the same hole as Jim if he finds out.' He paused for a moment. 'Tomorrow maybe.'
    Silence.
    'Tina?'
    He heard sounds of movement at the other end of the phone.
    Carter frowned.
    The phone went dead.
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
Eleven
     
    She hadn't heard the key in the lock.
    Hadn't heard the door swing open.
    Only when he pushed it closed behind him did Tina realize that Frank Harrison had walked into her flat.
    She turned and smiled at him, trying to hide her fear, praying that he hadn't overheard. At the same time she pressed down on the cradle of the phone, severing the connection.
    `Frank,' she beamed with practised sincerity. 'I wasn't expecting you this early.' She replaced the receiver and moved away from it.
    'I thought I'd surprise you,' Harrison told her, the bouquet of roses held in one hand so that it bore more resemblance to a club than an offering of affection. He smiled but the gesture never touched his eyes. He held the flowers out before him, as if daring her to take them for him.
    She took a pace forward, reaching for the bouquet.
    `They're beautiful,' she said, preparing to take the offering.
    Instead, Harrison jerked them back from her grasp and gripped her wrist with his free hand, pulling her close to him.
    'If you're that pleased with them then prove it,' he said, smiling even more broadly. But, on Harrison's craggy features, the exaggerated smile looked like a mockery of emotion. As genuine as the greasepaint grin of a circus clown.
    Tina felt a twinge of fear as his vice-like grip tightened on her wrist. She swallowed hard and leant forward to kiss him.
    'Frank, you're hurting me,' she told him.
    Still that grin remained plastered across his features like some vile rictus.
    He dropped the flowers and snaked his other arm around her waist, pressing her lower body against his groin.
    Through the thin material of her skirt she felt the beginnings of his erection pressing into her. He kissed her fiercely, still keeping hold of her wrist, squeezing so tightly now that her fingers began to tingle. She felt his tongue pressing against her lips, trying to force its way inside her mouth and, reluctantly, she allowed him to experience that delight but her response was muted. The pain from her wrist was becoming intense.
    She shook loose and looked at him angrily.
    `You're hurting my wrist, Frank,' she told him and, with infinite slowness, he released it, revealing white indentations where his finger-tips had been. He held her with his other arm, though, still pinning her to him, enjoying the feel and smell of her body, savouring the build up of his own