Read Online Fire Hawk by Geoffrey Archer - Free Book Online Page B

limited time we spent together in other ways, my darling,’ she riposted.
    â€˜I seem to remember that determination was mutual.’
    â€˜Well, I can hardly deny that. But there was another reason. I always had the distinct impression you didn’t
like
me in your kitchen. Afraid I’d scratch the non-stick off your pans or something.’
    â€˜Nonsense.’
    She served the omelette on a plate painted with flowers which looked Italian and hand-made.
    â€˜Got nice taste, Mrs Mowbray has,’ Chrissie remarked.She turned her head as if listening. ‘Where is she, by the way?’
    â€˜In England. Their daughter’s at school there.’
    She sat down opposite him and watched him eat.
    â€˜This is good,’ he told her.
    He felt she was observing him. Like a doctor studying a patient – or an inquisitor working out what approach to take.
    â€˜How bad was Baghdad?’
    He glanced up. Her face had an odd, bruised look, as if in some way she felt responsible for what had happened to him.
    â€˜It wasn’t nice,’ he answered.
    â€˜No. I’ve gathered that much. They interrogated you for a long time?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜What did they ask?’
    He hesitated. She was approaching forbidden ground again. But he could tell her some of it.
    â€˜Well, a man approached me in the hotel. He whispered something to me. The interrogator wanted to know what it was.’
    â€˜And that “something” was to do with biological weapons?’
    â€˜Yes. The man mentioned anthrax.’ No harm in telling her that.
    â€˜
Anthrax!
’ Her alarm surprised him. ‘But what exactly? He gave you details about an attack being planned?’
    â€˜Not details.’
    â€˜Well, what
did
he say then?’
    â€˜Chrissie . . . I can’t go into this.’
    She looked uncomfortable and began twisting the diamond and ruby ring on her wedding finger. ‘No. No, of course you can’t.’
    Sam finished eating. He could see there was more she wanted to know.
    â€˜When they arrested you, I get the impression they knew who you were – is that right?’
    â€˜They knew precisely. They had my real name.’
    She put a hand to her mouth. ‘But how? Any ideas?’
    â€˜None whatsoever.’
    She took in a deep breath. ‘That must have been one hell of a shock.’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜They’ll go mad in London.’
    â€˜Undoubtedly.’
    She was breathing faster than before, as if nervous for him. He watched the rise and fall of her breasts and noticed a couple of buttons had come undone on her blouse.
    â€˜And later,’ she asked after a while, ‘did it ever get so bad that you thought you might not—’
    â€˜Yes. I got pretty low,’ he interrupted euphemistically. He wasn’t going to tell her just
how
low he’d got in that stinking, shit-caked cell. Despair like that was shaming to look back on. Best not talked about. Best not even remembered.
    â€˜I’m so sorry.’
    â€˜Wasn’t your doing, sweetheart,’ he replied dismissively. He didn’t want her pity.
    â€˜No. I know it wasn’t. But I’m still sorry.’
    They drank the coffee she’d made.
    â€˜I can’t tell you how good that was,’ Sam murmured, pushing away the plate. ‘I feel almost human again.’ He stroked his chin. ‘Could do with a shave though.’ Two days since a razor crossed his skin – or was it three?
    She reached over and touched his hand. ‘Won’t you tell me about it? It might help to talk.’
    â€˜No.’
    She took her hand back as if his refusal hurt. Shelooked down at her long, slim fingers with their neat clear-lacquered nails. Her hair fell forward covering much of her face. She tossed it back but kept her eyes down. The set of her mouth conveyed a sadness which he’d seen before from time to time and never fully