Read Online Lost Innocence: The Accused. Part One by John Daysh - Free Book Online

was that?” he
asked, drying his hair.
    “ Lou. Stan was hit by
a Tic Tac.”
    “ A what?”
    “ I’m sure she said
Tic Tac.”
    “ The
mint?”
    “ She said it’s some
sort of a motorbike with a carriage attached. Stan was hit by one
of them while crossing the street. He’ll be in hospital for a
while.”
    Nigel stood shaking
his head. “Idiot.”
    “ So what now?” Doris
asked.
    “ What do you mean? I
have to go.”
    “ You can’t go. You’re
not well enough. You will have to send another partner!”
    “ I should have gone
in the first place.”
    “ But it’s so hot and
humid over there.”
    “ Then I’ll walk
slowly, drink lots of water and avoid bloody Tic Tacs.”
    She stormed off down
to the kitchen while he followed, strolled into the living room,
picked up the Thai phrase book, then entered the study.
    The aroma of fine
Italian leather lingered in the air and every photo frame,
organizer and business necessity lay neatly in its place. A
luxurious black leather chair stood behind a grand desk and shelves
were loaded with legal books. A Picasso graced the main wall and a
framed Michael Walker hung proudly alongside.
    Using his thumb print
and a six digit PIN, he opened his safe, withdrew his passport,
credit cards and a jiffy bag stuffed with fifties.
    Doris followed him
back up the stairs.
    “ What do you know
about Thai law?”
    “ I’ll find a guy out
there.”
    “ This is insane.
You’re not strong enough.”
    “ I’ve never been in
better shape.”
    This was a blatant
lie. He used to play squash every Tuesday, go fencing on Fridays
and spend Sundays at the golf club. Nowadays, he would take it easy
with a little gardening on a fine
day.
    “ I don’t think you’re
thinking straight.”
    “ Do you want to help
me pack or are you just going to stand there whinging?”
    She could feel she
was losing this battle. Her eyes filled with frustration and
fury.
    “ I think you’re a
stupid, selfish old man!”
    He lunged forward,
took her by the throat and pinned her up against the
wall.
    “ Perhaps, but this is
my decision, not yours.”
    “ You’re hurting me,”
she wheezed, the colour of her cheeks fading from her
face.
    He released his grip.
She fell to her knees. Gasping for air, she picked herself up,
stumbled out of the bedroom and struggled down the
stairs.
    “ I’m sorry.” Nigel screamed. He stood at the top of
the stairs waiting for a response. She didn’t reply. He turned back
to the bedroom, threw some clothes into a Burberry bag then picked
out a suit.
    Back in the study
and dressed, he flicked through an app. on
his iPhone and checked for the next flight to Bangkok. Then
flicking onto Amazon, he searched for a book and downloaded the
latest John Daysh, ‘Cut Out the Middle Man,’ for the flight. He
turned to his bookshelf, slipped out ‘A Course in Miracles’ and
packed it. He left his bag by the front door and strolled back to
the kitchen to find his wife. He leaned over to kiss her, but she
turned away.
    “ I’m sorry for
hurting you. It must be these new meds. I really don’t know what
came over me.”
    Her top lip raised,
yet she didn’t say a word.
    “ I guess we’ll talk
later then,” he frowned.
    He stepped over to
the counter, poured himself a half cup of coffee and after a few
sips, he was ready to leave. He picked up his things at the door,
stepped outside to the garage and glancing up at the grey sky, he
opted for the Jag.
    En-route to the
airport, he pulled over to the side of the road and called his
daughter-in-law on the hands-free, “Hi Lou.”
    “ Hi Nigel. How are
you?”
    “ I’m fine. How are
you holding up?”
    “ As well as can be
expected.”
    “ I’m heading to the
airport now.”
    “ Thank
you.”
    “ Tell me everything
Mike told you.”
    “ Alright, where do I
begin?”
    “ From the beginning.
I need every detail.”
    Nigel listened and
took notes on a pad attached to the dash. Once the call ended, he
checked the rear-view,