Read Online Last Gasp by Robert F Barker - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Robert F Barker
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Stopping
again, she almost sighed in annoyance. ‘Firstly, we’ve worked together before,
so let’s cut out the ‘Sir’ business, ok? My name’s Gary, right?' She inclined
her head, anything you say , but stayed on alert. 'Second, I’ve still got
a vacancy on my team. I’d like someone like you to fill it. I feel we could
work well together. With your help I- we, could nail this guy. You know, this
Cosworth link is stronger than some people are giving it credit for. You might
want to give some thought to swapping horses.'
Jess let her face show both her disappointment, and lack of
interest. It didn’t put him off.
‘We could talk about it over a bite at Henry’s if you like?’
The station’s closest eatery, Henry’s Wine Bar did good
business out of being the most trouble-free venue in town.
Jess was so taken aback she struggled to reply. She’d
learned long ago how to deflect advances with a smile and light remark. It was
easy enough to make enemies in this job without having to worry about men - and
women - with grudges. But she’d always imagined that people like Shepherd -on
the fast track- would be careful about leaving themselves open to a harassment
charge.
I’m sorry, Sir . I was under the impression you’re
Duty SIO this evening? I'm not sure it would appropriate for you to be seen
dining out with a junior officer? In any case, I think that any discussions
about my future should take place with Mr Carver present.' She let him digest
it and then turned to leave, searching for a way past. But he reached out and
took her elbow, again, not too heavy, but enough to pause her.
'Listen Jess.' He gave her the sincere look again. 'Just because
he’s had some media attention, don’t expect to ride the crest of any wave that
comes along. Your boss isn’t as squeaky clean as you might think. Don’t be
surprised if you find a skeleton rattling around his closet someday. When that
day comes some may assume you’re tainted as well. It would be a shame to ruin a
promising career.'
Jess had heard enough. Time to be out of here. She looked
down at the fingers gripping her elbow. 'If you would like to give me my arm
back, I’ll be on my way. Sir. '
With a final smirk he let go, and stepped aside.
As she crossed the room, Jess was conscious of a feeling
similar to the one she’d had as she’d walked down Megan Crane’s drive that
afternoon. She didn’t look back, and was relieved when she turned the corner,
out of his gaze.
Chapter 10
Corinne Anderson turns sideways,
admiring the way her most recent Kubu purchase disguises the stomach she’s
never quite managed to restore to pre-Tom and Betsy condition. At forty-four,
Corinne is proud of the figure many younger women would envy. Still, she is
glad she decided on her shopping trip that morning.
Dragging herself away from the dressing mirror - she can
still see herself in the one over the dressing table if needs be - she crosses
to the bed where the tools of her trade are laid out. She runs her hands over
them, thinking on how best she might use their different textures, the imagery
associated with them, to get the most from her forthcoming engagement. Like an
artiste preparing for a performance, she is aware of a feeling of excited
anticipation. She knows that only those closest to her have an inkling of how
seriously she takes her favourite pastime.
Corinne Anderson was thirteen when she first started to
become aware that her interests lay in different directions to those of her
celebrity-obsessed friends. In the years following she sought to understand the
nature of the urges that grew strongly within her. In the years following her
doomed marriage – Michael could never come to terms with his young wife’s
emerging preferences – she read widely. Titles such as, ‘The Ties That Bind’
and ‘Different Loving’, striving to grasp the complex psychology that underpins
the range of activities encompassed by the acronym, BDSM – Bondage,
again, she almost sighed in annoyance. ‘Firstly, we’ve worked together before,
so let’s cut out the ‘Sir’ business, ok? My name’s Gary, right?' She inclined
her head, anything you say , but stayed on alert. 'Second, I’ve still got
a vacancy on my team. I’d like someone like you to fill it. I feel we could
work well together. With your help I- we, could nail this guy. You know, this
Cosworth link is stronger than some people are giving it credit for. You might
want to give some thought to swapping horses.'
Jess let her face show both her disappointment, and lack of
interest. It didn’t put him off.
‘We could talk about it over a bite at Henry’s if you like?’
The station’s closest eatery, Henry’s Wine Bar did good
business out of being the most trouble-free venue in town.
Jess was so taken aback she struggled to reply. She’d
learned long ago how to deflect advances with a smile and light remark. It was
easy enough to make enemies in this job without having to worry about men - and
women - with grudges. But she’d always imagined that people like Shepherd -on
the fast track- would be careful about leaving themselves open to a harassment
charge.
I’m sorry, Sir . I was under the impression you’re
Duty SIO this evening? I'm not sure it would appropriate for you to be seen
dining out with a junior officer? In any case, I think that any discussions
about my future should take place with Mr Carver present.' She let him digest
it and then turned to leave, searching for a way past. But he reached out and
took her elbow, again, not too heavy, but enough to pause her.
'Listen Jess.' He gave her the sincere look again. 'Just because
he’s had some media attention, don’t expect to ride the crest of any wave that
comes along. Your boss isn’t as squeaky clean as you might think. Don’t be
surprised if you find a skeleton rattling around his closet someday. When that
day comes some may assume you’re tainted as well. It would be a shame to ruin a
promising career.'
Jess had heard enough. Time to be out of here. She looked
down at the fingers gripping her elbow. 'If you would like to give me my arm
back, I’ll be on my way. Sir. '
With a final smirk he let go, and stepped aside.
As she crossed the room, Jess was conscious of a feeling
similar to the one she’d had as she’d walked down Megan Crane’s drive that
afternoon. She didn’t look back, and was relieved when she turned the corner,
out of his gaze.
Chapter 10
Corinne Anderson turns sideways,
admiring the way her most recent Kubu purchase disguises the stomach she’s
never quite managed to restore to pre-Tom and Betsy condition. At forty-four,
Corinne is proud of the figure many younger women would envy. Still, she is
glad she decided on her shopping trip that morning.
Dragging herself away from the dressing mirror - she can
still see herself in the one over the dressing table if needs be - she crosses
to the bed where the tools of her trade are laid out. She runs her hands over
them, thinking on how best she might use their different textures, the imagery
associated with them, to get the most from her forthcoming engagement. Like an
artiste preparing for a performance, she is aware of a feeling of excited
anticipation. She knows that only those closest to her have an inkling of how
seriously she takes her favourite pastime.
Corinne Anderson was thirteen when she first started to
become aware that her interests lay in different directions to those of her
celebrity-obsessed friends. In the years following she sought to understand the
nature of the urges that grew strongly within her. In the years following her
doomed marriage – Michael could never come to terms with his young wife’s
emerging preferences – she read widely. Titles such as, ‘The Ties That Bind’
and ‘Different Loving’, striving to grasp the complex psychology that underpins
the range of activities encompassed by the acronym, BDSM – Bondage,
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