Read Online Lying Dead by Aline Templeton - Free Book Online Page A

looking round uncertainly for support, and finding none scuttled to join the others. Findlay slammed the gate shut. It was done.
        As the crowd clapped, Flash frolicked round his master in the comfortable knowledge of a job well done, and was given his reward of approval. Bill said, with some relief, ‘He’s home and dry. There are a couple more but I know the dogs and neither of them will come close.’
        The exit from the arena was just by the commentary box. As the next competitor was announced, Findlay and Flash came out. Bill hailed him.
        ‘Well done, man! What a performance! You’ve a brave dog there.’
        Flash, ears pricked and head held high, looked up intelligently as if pleased at the praise, but Findlay did not have the expression of a man savouring success.
        ‘Where is he?’ he said tautly. ‘Murdoch, I mean? Did you see what he’s done to Moss?’
        ‘I know, I know.’ Bill patted his arm. ‘The man’s useless, but the dog’s his now. There’s nothing you can do, Fin.’
        Findlay was not a big man, but he was square-shouldered and physically fit. Like most redheads his skin was pale, but now it looked unnaturally white, the freckles on his cheeks standing out in stark contrast.
        ‘Oh yes? We’ll see. If you see him first, tell him I’m looking for him.’
        He strode off to put Flash back in his battered pick-up along with the other dog, leaving Bill and Marjory exchanging troubled glances.
        ‘Maybe you should go after him, Bill,’ Marjory urged. ‘He’s spoiling for a fight.’
        ‘Susie’s around somewhere. She’ll talk him down. And Murdoch’s probably gone home by now. I’d crawl away if I’d made a spectacle of myself like that.’
        Marjory was doubtful. ‘I hope you’re right. It wouldn’t be a very good start if I ended up having to arrest him for brawling.’ She turned to Laura. ‘He’s coming to work on the farm with Bill next week. He and his wife are moving into the cottage.’
        ‘Oh, that’ll be nice for you!’ Knowing nothing of the background, Laura was innocently pleased. ‘Will she give you a hand in the house? I know you were wanting someone.’
        ‘Not exactly.’ She didn’t elaborate, but Laura, professionally expert at hearing what people didn’t say, left it there.
        ‘I see. Listen, I think I’ll go now. The rain’s trickling down my neck and I reckon the drama’s over.’
        ‘Fine. I’ll call you—’ Marjory was beginning when her phone rang. Pulling a face, she answered it, and Laura, with a pantomime of farewell, set off for the car park.
        Just as she reached it she heard a car alarm sounding, but it was only as she drew nearer that she realized, with embarrassment rather than anxiety, that the car flashing its indicators was her own. Daisy had rapidly become cold, bored and restless and Laura had brought her back to the car some time ago; her movement would have triggered the alarm and this had probably happened at regular intervals since.
        To her further embarrassment, DC Kingsley was standing beside it, waiting for her. ‘Is this your car, madam?’ he said with mock severity.
        ‘Sorry, sorry!’ Laura cried, clicking her key to switch it off. The noise stopped, apart from Daisy’s excited barking. ‘Oh dear, I wish I could just click her off as well!’
        He laughed. ‘Don’t worry about it. It’s the only bit of excitement we’ve had all afternoon. Tansy’s gone to warm up with a cup of coffee in the tent – she wasn’t really dressed for the weather.’
        ‘No, not exactly. Your turn next?’
        ‘Doubt if I’ll bother. There’s a steady trickle starting to leave now and once there are enough people around in the car park we can knock off. What I need is a hot bath and then I fancy finding something a bit stronger than coffee to warm me up. Care to join me?’
        ‘The drink, yes. Call me