Read Online Cat Burglar in Training by Shelley Munro - Free Book Online
Authors: Shelley Munro
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up empty. Seconds later, a large white handkerchief floated in front of me. Accepting it gratefully, I dealt with the tears. Hopefully I wouldn’t end up looking like a panda bear.
There were a few familiar faces at the funeral. Richard Beauchamp was in attendance, thankfully on the far side of the chapel. I squeezed closer to Kahu and hoped like hell the man didn’t see me. Jemima Cameron, the new friend I kept running into at balls and charity functions, sat a few pews in front of us. I decided to ask her a few questions later.
Also present were a few acquaintances from school. I hadn’t kept in touch with many and wasn’t looking forward to the “what are you doing now?” conversation or the subtle games of one-upmanship, but I’d suck it in and deal. Discovering the identity of Amber’s father was more important than false pride.
While I listened, I took lots of mental notes. I’d tried to keep up with case developments via the net, but the police weren’t releasing much info and most of what I found was supposition on the part of the reporters.
An hour passed. My damp suit started to feel distinctly uncomfortable, the crop of goose bumps pebbling my skin growing by the minute. A shiver worked its way through me.
“Won’t be long now,” Kahu murmured. “It’s stopped raining so it won’t be bad outside.”
The minister wrapped up the service, and everyone stood as Perdita made the final journey to her resting place.
I waited until most people filed from the church, taking the chance to see exactly who’d come to pay their respects. There were several children present, but it was difficult to know if they belonged to the Monings or were related to other attendees. None of them looked remotely like Amber. The funeral notice had been brief with nothing apart from pertinent info relating to the service and burial.
Behind me, Kahu and his fellow officer murmured to each other, no doubt discussing a plan of attack. An arm curled around my waist, making me start. Kahu bent closer to whisper in my ear. “Ready to go?”
“Ah, sure.” With my mind in a pleasant haze, suffused with his citrus aftershave, I wasn’t sure if attending the graveside in police presence would prove helpful or not. My usual lightning-quick thought processes were decidedly foggy. I felt a slight pressure from the arm around my waist and stepped into the aisle. Try and ignore it. I unsuccessfully suppressed another shiver.
“Still cold?” Kahu’s husky voice massaged my skin and hiked desire with a suddenness that took me aback.
“No, I’m fine,” I said, hoping the rain would start again. Another dousing with cold water might benefit both me and my hormones.
“I need to talk to a few people.” Kahu paused to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. The move was intimate and smacked of possession. My stomach roiled but there was no distaste involved. My frisky hormones frolicked like spring lambs as I stared into his eyes. “Will I see you later?”
“Ah…probably not. I have to get home. My father isn’t well, and if I’m not there to supervise, he overdoes things.” I comforted myself with the fact I spoke nothing less than the truth. Father and Ben would attempt a job without my approval, especially if they couldn’t wear me down again. So far it was a standoff.
Kahu nodded.
“Coming?” his partner asked with a trace of impatience.
“I’ll be with you in a minute.” Kahu waited until the other man moved out of hearing range. “Can I ring you?”
I started to nod before my brain fully engaged. Oh, boy . “No,” I said. Of course, I ended up making a total fool of myself, but that was nothing new where this man was concerned.
Kahu grinned, a flash of white teeth. “I’ll give you my card,” he said, amusement shading his words. He whipped a plain white business card from his pocket and pulled out a pen to jot another number on the back, while I stared in helpless horror. My only excuse—the man
There were a few familiar faces at the funeral. Richard Beauchamp was in attendance, thankfully on the far side of the chapel. I squeezed closer to Kahu and hoped like hell the man didn’t see me. Jemima Cameron, the new friend I kept running into at balls and charity functions, sat a few pews in front of us. I decided to ask her a few questions later.
Also present were a few acquaintances from school. I hadn’t kept in touch with many and wasn’t looking forward to the “what are you doing now?” conversation or the subtle games of one-upmanship, but I’d suck it in and deal. Discovering the identity of Amber’s father was more important than false pride.
While I listened, I took lots of mental notes. I’d tried to keep up with case developments via the net, but the police weren’t releasing much info and most of what I found was supposition on the part of the reporters.
An hour passed. My damp suit started to feel distinctly uncomfortable, the crop of goose bumps pebbling my skin growing by the minute. A shiver worked its way through me.
“Won’t be long now,” Kahu murmured. “It’s stopped raining so it won’t be bad outside.”
The minister wrapped up the service, and everyone stood as Perdita made the final journey to her resting place.
I waited until most people filed from the church, taking the chance to see exactly who’d come to pay their respects. There were several children present, but it was difficult to know if they belonged to the Monings or were related to other attendees. None of them looked remotely like Amber. The funeral notice had been brief with nothing apart from pertinent info relating to the service and burial.
Behind me, Kahu and his fellow officer murmured to each other, no doubt discussing a plan of attack. An arm curled around my waist, making me start. Kahu bent closer to whisper in my ear. “Ready to go?”
“Ah, sure.” With my mind in a pleasant haze, suffused with his citrus aftershave, I wasn’t sure if attending the graveside in police presence would prove helpful or not. My usual lightning-quick thought processes were decidedly foggy. I felt a slight pressure from the arm around my waist and stepped into the aisle. Try and ignore it. I unsuccessfully suppressed another shiver.
“Still cold?” Kahu’s husky voice massaged my skin and hiked desire with a suddenness that took me aback.
“No, I’m fine,” I said, hoping the rain would start again. Another dousing with cold water might benefit both me and my hormones.
“I need to talk to a few people.” Kahu paused to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. The move was intimate and smacked of possession. My stomach roiled but there was no distaste involved. My frisky hormones frolicked like spring lambs as I stared into his eyes. “Will I see you later?”
“Ah…probably not. I have to get home. My father isn’t well, and if I’m not there to supervise, he overdoes things.” I comforted myself with the fact I spoke nothing less than the truth. Father and Ben would attempt a job without my approval, especially if they couldn’t wear me down again. So far it was a standoff.
Kahu nodded.
“Coming?” his partner asked with a trace of impatience.
“I’ll be with you in a minute.” Kahu waited until the other man moved out of hearing range. “Can I ring you?”
I started to nod before my brain fully engaged. Oh, boy . “No,” I said. Of course, I ended up making a total fool of myself, but that was nothing new where this man was concerned.
Kahu grinned, a flash of white teeth. “I’ll give you my card,” he said, amusement shading his words. He whipped a plain white business card from his pocket and pulled out a pen to jot another number on the back, while I stared in helpless horror. My only excuse—the man
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