Read Online Chris Collett - [Tom Mariner 01] by The Worm in The Bud (txt) - Free Book Online Page A

wall by the door to Moloney’s office Mariner’s attention was caught by one of several framed front pages: ‘LOCAL HOMELESS CHARITY EXPOSED’,
    byline Edward Barham. Mariner scanned the page. ‘This was one of his?’
    ‘Yeah. Caused quite a furore at the time. Eddie won a couple of awards for it, too. I think his only regret was that Frank Crosby didn’t get put inside. Still, the publicity didn’t do the bastard much good.’
    Frank Crosby. Although Mariner had never personally had dealings with the man, Crosby’s was the name you heard bandied around the station canteen with frightening regularity, in connection with just about anything criminal you could shake a stick at. Drugs, gambling, prostitution, Crosby was up to his ears in it. That was an interesting link.
    Darren, Eddie Barham’s erstwhile coworker, it transpired, had called in sick, so interviewing him would have to keep until another day. If indeed that proved to be necessary.
    For Mariner a clear picture was emerging of a man under pressure, and he still hoped that the path report would remove any remaining traces of doubt.
    Returning to the office, Anna couldn’t help but remark on the contrast with her entrance earlier this morning, when the world had been a different place and she’d been in command of her life. Now, in a matter of hours, she felt as though chaos theory was being tested out at her expense. She tried not to dwell on it. If she was going to keep on top of things, she needed to focus on her job again.
    Becky came in, full of concern. ‘It’s true?’ Anna nodded.
    ‘Oh, Anna, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?’
    Anna smiled bravely. ‘I’m fine. It’s a shock of course, but we weren’t exactly close.’
    ‘Do you want us to re-schedule tonight?’ Becky asked.
    Anna didn’t know what she was talking about. ‘Tonight?’
    ‘Robinson’s at da Paglia,’ Becky reminded her.
    ‘Oh shit.’ With all that had happened, the dinner engagement had flown completely out of her mind.
    ‘If you’re not feeling up to it, I’m sure Jonathan will understand.’
    Anna didn’t share her friend’s optimism. The meeting with Robinson’s had been set up weeks ago and to cancel it now would be a PR disaster, both for Priory and for her personally. ‘It’s not that. Remember my younger brother, Jamie?’
    ‘Yes, of course.’
    ‘Well, with Eddie gone, I’m left with him.’
    ‘Oh God. What will you do?’
    ‘Try to find someone else to look after him I suppose.’
    She’d have to. There was no alternative. A thought suddenly struck her. ‘Mark’s a GP. Would he know anyone who could help?’
    ‘He might. I can ask him.’
    ‘Tell him I’m desperate.’
    ‘I’ll see what I can do.’
    Becky had been gone less than a minute when a second knock preceded Jonathan, as suave as ever in a navy blue Paul Smith suit, his well-chosen tie providing a tasteful splash of colour. He closed the door behind him. ‘I heard the news, Anna. I’m so sorry.’ For a moment he looked as if he might hug her, but then, remembering that they were in full view of the outer office, he settled for taking Anna’s hand in both of his. It was one of those few occasions when it wasn’t enough. Anna wanted to sink into his arms and be held, close and tight. ‘You’ll need a few days off,’ he was saying. ‘Take as much time as you like.’
    ‘No, it’s okay, I’ll be all right.’
    Jonathan allowed a respectable pause.
    ‘What about Robinson’s, tonight?’
    ‘It shouldn’t be a problem,’ Anna said, with far more conviction than she felt.
    ‘Are you sure? I mean, we can’t call it off at this late stage, but if you don’t feel up to it, I’m sure I could ask Melanie to stand in for you.’
    ‘No. I’ll be fine. Really.’ The offer of Melanie as substitute had come a little too quickly for Anna’s taste. Fine or not, she was damn sure she wasn’t going to let that little upstart muscle in on her deal. She was already beginning to