Read Online Out of the Shadows (Akira and Deane Thriller Series Book 1) by Tim Jopling - Free Book Online Page A

supporting her head.
    As her husband
lingered in the doorway, Kate Burton, with her long black hair tied
in a ponytail, focussed her hazel eyes on him. ‘Nice of you to come
home so early, Hal. I’ve been worrying all day over just how bad
things are for us.’
    Hal looked
away, as feelings of guilt consumed his stomach once more. ‘Yeah
hon, I’m sorry, one of those hectic days at the service. you
know?’
    ‘At least tell
me what was more important than your family, Hal. I’ve been sitting
on this sofa, that we don’t even own by the way, wondering where
we’ll be in a couple of months time!’
    ‘I’d tell you
if I could, you know I can’t, that official secrets act kind of
spoils things, huh?’ Burton paused and looked for that twinkle in
his wife’s eyes that showed no sign of appearing. ‘Ok Kate, ok,
let’s sit down and I’ll give you the latest, alright?’
    The young woman
looked intensely worried. ‘I want everything, Hal, all the details,
don’t leave anything out. We’re a family, remember; all of us in
the same boat.’
    Burton rose
from the sofa. ‘I could do with a drink before we start, actually.’
The drinks cabinet appeared further away than before as a hand
pulled him back.
    ‘Just tell me
Hal, for goodness sake! Tell me!’
    ‘Ok, fine!’ He
placed his hands on his legs and lowered his head. ‘First, we’re
six months behind on the mortgage. Our bank accounts don’t have
hardly anything in them, we’re behind on the electric and phone
bill, together with payments on the car, the furniture and the home
video set-up.’ Burton gave a big sigh and continued to keep his
head bowed.
    Kate sat on the
sofa with her arms crossed, not moving. Her eyes intensified their
focus on her husband’s face. Several years ago, the man she loved
and had been married to for nine years had confessed a gambling
addiction. They had gotten out of trouble back then. Kate thought
hard about whether her husband would make the same mistake again,
would place her and Oscar in danger. ‘That’s everything? I’ll only
ask you this one time Hal, don’t you lie to me about it. I’m your
wife and you’re my husband. Our young son is upstairs sleeping. You
stand there right now and tell me that’s all our financial
problems.’ For the first time her voice broke, filled with emotion
and an undercurrent of anger, for being placed in this position
again. ‘TELL ME!’
    Burton jumped
slightly and got up to close the door. ‘You might wake Oscar, ease
up!’ Kate could be seen sitting on the edge of the sofa shaking her
head, tears welling up in her hazel coloured eyes. His mind
continued to sweep through numerous scenarios, What can I say? I’m a gambler, I’m weak, I’m pathetic, and
we’re up to our ears in debt! Outside, rain
continued to fall from the sky. Burton felt dizzy with the weight
of the situation pounding on his very soul. The advice of his
colleague surfaced in his thoughts. ‘Surely your so-called pride isn’t worth more than your
family?’ He sat down on the sofa and tried
to say the words. I’ve been gambling to
help us . His mouth felt dry, his tongue fat
and swollen. Burton never thought he would be about to say the
words again but he loved his wife and son with all his heart and
would do anything to keep them. Before he could begin, the doorbell
interrupted the silence with several rings. Kate placed her head in
her hands as Burton made his way to the door. ‘Better not be those
bloody Latter-day Saints, I’ll give ’em a conversion they’ll never
forget!’ The colour drained instantly from his face, as standing
before him was one of the so called ‘finance managers’ from the
casino. He locked eyes with the visitor, who had obviously come to
collect the debt he owed. From the living room, his wife’s confused
voice could be heard.
    ‘Hal? Who is that at the
door?’

     

Chapter 6
     
    Friday, March 2 nd 19:50,
    Draycott Avenue, South Kensington,
London.
     
    A look of