Read Online Before It's Too Late by Jane Isaac - Free Book Online Page A

voice fade into a series of muffled sobs.

Chapter Fourteen
    Jackman was woken by a wet tongue lashing his ear. He groaned, twisted and pushed the dog away. The movement caused a gentle weight to slip off the sofa beside him, closely followed by a splash below. He looked down and groaned again. The file of case material that had balanced on his chest for the last few hours now littered the floor beneath: photocopies of statements, credit card bills, phone logs all mixed up together.
    “Morning!” He looked up to see Celia’s bright face. “Looks like you had a late one.”
    “Hi,” was all he could manage. His mouth was dry and his head was pounding.
    Celia had already gone to bed when he’d returned last night. He’d popped his head around the door, but her face was lost beneath the duvet, a habit she’d kept since childhood. Erik had lifted his head and thumped his tail a couple of times, but made no attempt to move from his comfortable position next to her.
    Jackman had sidled through to his own room in the hope of tempting sleep. After half an hour of staring into the darkness, he remembered the file from Reilly and padded down to the lounge to examine the papers by lamplight. He didn’t recall the moment his eyes finally closed. The lamp still shone in the corner, its dull hue merging with the daylight that was now seeping into the room.
    Celia moved forward, switched off the lamp and drew back the curtains. Instantly, Jackman jerked forward and shaded his eyes, “What time is it?”
    “Five thirty. Love the air this time in the morning.”
    Jackman let out another groan and sunk back into the sofa. Early mornings were another childhood trait that Celia had regained after a few teenage years of respite.
    Paper crackled and shifted beneath him as Erik moved over the papers. “Awww, come on mate,” he said, gently pushing the dog aside.
    By the time he’d reached down and pulled them into a shoddy pile, Celia had returned with two steaming mugs. “Extra strong,” she said. “Your favourite.”
    “Thanks.”
    She looked down at the nest of papers beside him. “You working on that missing girl?”
    He blinked and stared at her through bleary eyes.
    “I’ve seen it on the local news,” she said.
    He stared at her, willing his brain to life. And as the cogs started to turn, the thought of his own daughter being home while young women were going missing in Stratford made him slightly uneasy. “Do me a favour?” he said in his softest tone. “Be extra careful while you’re out and about the next couple of days?”
    “Yes, Dad.” She spoke the words slowly, an ounce of irritation in her voice.
    “I’m serious. Don’t go anywhere alone. Especially after dark. Okay?”
    She raised her eyes to the ceiling and gave a single, weary nod.
    The fresh early morning breeze filtered in from the open French doors at the back of the room. They sipped their drinks in silence and as the caffeine worked its magic, Jackman felt the hazy cloud that filled his head start to disperse.
    He turned back to Celia. “Sleep alright?”
    “Not bad. Woke up on the edge of the bed this morning though. Erik clearly needs to be re-educated in the art of sharing.”
    They both chuckled as Erik ambled back into the lounge, his tail circling. Celia reached down and rubbed his head.
    Jackman rolled his shoulders. Despite being woken at such an early hour, Celia’s warmth and energy seemed to spread into every recess, every corner, transforming the house into a home once more. “What are you up to today?” he asked.
    She sipped her coffee and licked her lips before she spoke, “Thought I’d look up Sam and Mikey. See what they’ve been up to.”
    Jackman nodded. “How long are you here for?”
    “I need to head back tomorrow lunchtime. It’s Adrian’s birthday too. I promised to take him out for a meal, and don’t look so forlorn, I’m back in two weeks and we have our holiday in Newquay, remember? We’ll have loads of