Read Online Never Coming Home by Evonne Wareham - Free Book Online

group at the palazzo, in Venice, another artist.’ Her smile softened. ‘Your father disliked him intensely. Jed was very talented. He’d already had a couple of shows, in Paris and London. I think Oliver realised that I was more than fond of him, even as self-absorbed as he was.’
    ‘What happened?’ Kaz questioned, totally diverted.
    ‘There was a terrible accident. Jed had a crazy habit of decanting his painting chemicals into old wine bottles. There was a mix up. He drank something – it was horrible. But that’s history.’ Suzanne shuddered. ‘What I’m trying to say is that Devlin is an attractive man. I may be wrong, but I sensed some chemistry between you.’ She grinned, looking wicked and youthful. ‘So, if you feel that you want to offer him an additional – inducement – then I would perfectly understand.’ She laughed. ‘Have I shocked you?’
    ‘Yes. No.’ Kaz pushed her hand into her hair, dislodging a handful of pins that scattered onto the floor with a machine-gun clatter. Picking them up helped cover her flush. When she straightened she had herself in hand. ‘A few centuries ago you would have been burnt as a witch,’ she accused.
    ‘For being a mother?’ Suzanne tipped her nose in the air. ‘Mothers know these things.’
    ‘Yeah, well.’ Kaz shifted her feet. ‘All right, yes, there is   … attraction. And I have already thought about what you suggested,’ she admitted. ‘And it’s not one-sided.’ She had the satisfaction of seeing her mother’s eyes widen. ‘I didn’t offer, but it   … sort of came up in conversation.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘Devlin doesn’t mix business with pleasure.’
    ‘Oh. Pity.’ They looked at each other, then dissolved into howls of laughter. It had more than a touch of hysteria in it. Kaz sobered first.
    ‘Mum, I’ll do anything I have to do, to find Jamie, but getting involved with Devlin – he may be on our side, because we’re paying him, but I’m sure that he’s every bit as dangerous as Uncle Phil says. I have to get my daughter back, but if I start seeing Devlin as some sort of life line   …’ She tailed off. ‘He’s a means to an end, that’s all.’
    Kaz had only remembered the invitation to the dinner party at half-past five.
    Now, at nine, they were just finishing the main course. Kaz had no idea what she’d just eaten. It might have been emu, for all she knew. Her eyes flickered around the room, like the eyes of a stranger, the dark red walls, the gleaming tableware, the faces flushed with wine and warmth and conversation. What was she doing here?
    Her skin itched. She wanted to stand, to shout it out. My daughter is alive. Her father has her. I’ve just hired a man who probably kills people for money, to help me find her. Oh God.
    She took a deep, ragged breath and hauled herself back to now. These people were her friends, couples who still welcomed her, despite the divorce, and she knew how rare that was. She tuned back, with difficulty, to her hostess, in raptures over a recent trip to Italy.
    ‘I almost forgot, talk about coincidence. Who do you think we walked into, right in the middle of the San Lorenzo market?’
    ‘I think we’re about ready for the pudding, darling.’
    Kaz turned, just in time to intercept the warning glance between husband and wife, the quick jerk of the head towards her and the embarrassed flush on Gwen’s face as she rose from the table. ‘Of course. Has everyone finished?’ she asked brightly. ‘If you’ll just pass along those dirty plates.’
    Thirty seconds later Kaz was on her feet, gathering dishes. She carried them through to the kitchen.
    ‘You saw all that, didn’t you?’ Gwen dumped plates into the sink. ‘Subtle as a brick, my husband. And I’m no better. I’m sorry, Kaz, I didn’t think. I don’t want to upset you. I have such a big mouth   –’
    ‘Gwen.’ Kaz held up her hand to stop the flow of apologies. ‘It doesn’t matter. Please – just tell me