Read Online Dark Ritual by Patricia Scott - Free Book Online Page B

look as if he was going to get anything else from this young man. He was shut up tight like a safe door. Peale hoped Fowler would take what Martin had said seriously. If not he’d ask him to come in again.
    “Thank you, Mrs. Robbins, Mr. Robbins. We may have to ask for your help again, Mr. Robbins.”
    After he saw them out of the door Gerry patted him on the shoulder. “You did all right, Ian. Really . It was pretty tough going. You got the gist of it and you got more from him than we expected. We know now that Macey has a knife,” Gerry Coombe said assuring him with a smile in her blue eyes. “Fowler should be well pleased.”
     

 
    Ten
     
    Fowler wondered whether he was taking their friendship too much for granted when he stood on Viviane Trent’s doorstep again. Was he taking advantage? She might feel he was but he was sure that she could help him more than anyone else at that moment.
    “Hello, I didn’t think I’d see you again quite so soon,” Viviane said, opening up the door to him with a broad grin. “Kitchen or in here?”
    “In here, thanks,” Fowler said, sinking down with relief and a deep sigh onto the long settle. The evening sun was still warming up the room pleasantly through the open latticed windows where a large grey tabby cat cleaned its whiskers carefully on the cushioned window seat.
    “How’s it going so far or can’t I ask?”
    “So-so. I need some feedback from you on something unexpected that’s just been thrown at us.”
    He studied her face carefully for her immediate reaction to this. She was smiling. He wondered why he had taken so long to get in touch with her again. He’d chatted to her quite a bit when Steve invited him and Julie over. He’d envied Steve and felt guilty about it afterwards when Steve died so unexpectedly. This had hindered him from calling her again when he’d got divorced. He hadn’t wanted Viviane to suspect that he’d been keen on her from the moment he’d first met her, and now he mustn’t blow it.
    “Something unexpected? Wow! So surprise me.” She laughed. “It must be pretty important. You’re not generally at a loss for words. Is it the lead you hoped for?”
    “Could be. But it’s corny and crazy. Doesn’t make any sense to me.”
    “So — what do you know now, Bob?”
    “I think it sounds pretty weird but I’d like your views on it.”
    “Tell me all about it in a minute. Coffee or can I get you anything stronger? Anything to eat?”
    She wasn’t about to pressure him. She smiled and stood up ready for his order. He obviously needed to think things out.
    “Coffee — black will be fine.” He chuckled. “I’m driving back to Gloucester. It’s been a hell of long day.” He shook his head slowly and groaned again. “And it’s not finished yet. Now there’s this new angle to think out. I doubt if I’ll catch much sleep tonight. The chief will want to know how things are going.”
    The cat left its post on the window ledge and jumped down onto the arm of her easy chair and fixed Fowler in place with a golden stare. Viviane went into the kitchen and called out, “Got a place to live there, have you? In Gloucester? You’re managing okay?”
    “Yes, I have rented a flat — furnished. Two rooms and bathroom. A shade bigger than a bed-sit. Not bad. But only temporary, I hope. You’ve heard that Julie and I were divorced, three years ago now?” He guessed that she knew already. But he wanted to tread carefully and not just assume that she was interested in his affairs because he was in hers.
    He heard her answer as she clicked on the kettle. “I did hear some talk, Bob. Sorry. You don’t mind talking about it then?”
    “No.” But the gusty sigh that followed this told her that he was still feeling raw about it. “And I’ve been moving about like a Nomad ever since. Not been able to settle down anywhere for a while.”
    “I heard you’d asked for a transfer. Settled in all right in Gloucester? Different to the