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

concern spread over Burton’s
features. ‘Don’t do this now, ok mate? I’ll come and see you some
time later today, I just can’t do this now, you got that?’ Burton’s
grip on his front door was broken as the large, heavyset visitor
pushed by and stood at the bottom of the stairs.
    ‘My boss tells
me your first instalment of the money you owe us is way overdue.
I’ve come here to make sure you honour that agreement.’ Both men
looked round as a woman’s voice filtered through the
hallway.
    Kate was
standing by the entrance to the living room, her eyes focussed on
her husband. ‘Who is this man, Hal?’
    Burton looked
away almost immediately, unable to meet his wife’s look, let alone
manage a reply. After several seconds, he mumbled weakly. ‘Why
don’t you go and see how Oscar is doing, hon, yeah? I’ll sort this
out and be right up.’
    Kate raised her
arms and put both hands in her hair, not wanting to face her worst
fears. ‘NO! You tell me who this man is and what he’s doing in our
house, now. RIGHT NOW!’
    The visitor
focussed his dark, cold eyes on the woman and took two steps
towards her. ‘Listen lady, your husband’s a gambler and he owes us
over a hundred grand! Now shut the hell up and-’
    The S.U.C.O.
commander couldn’t stand it anymore. At the sight of his wife
pushing past and running up the stairs, he lashed out quickly,
ramming the side of his hand into the visitor’s throat who
immediately slumped over and gasped for breath. Burton took hold of
his collar and dragged him into the nearby dining room and slammed
the door shut. He knelt down and spoke into the visitor’s right ear
quickly, with a decisive tone. ‘Now, you listen and listen good.
Now is not a good time for me, understand? I want you to go back to
your boss and tell him that he’ll get his money. Not today, but
he’ll get it. That was never in doubt. If you ever come round to my
house and talk to my wife again, you’ll be worrying about yourself
far more than my account.’ With that, he dragged the visitor to his
feet, opened the front door and hurled him out onto the path.
Burton tried to regain control and rushed up the stairs, into their
bedroom. Out of breath, he stopped in his tracks at the sight of
two suitcases spread out on the bed. Next to the wardrobe, Kate
could be seen sobbing uncontrollably. Burton dropped to his knees
as his wife refused to look at him. ‘Kate……I……believe me. I was
just about to tell you everything when that guy showed up. You have
to believe me! Kate?!’
    Kate looked
round sharply, tears streaming from her eyes. ‘How could you do
that to me Hal? Huh? I’m your wife and I have to hear your secret
from some thug who comes into our house! This is our home!’ Kate
wiped away the tears and pushed her husband back as he tried to
move closer. ‘You lied to me, Hal! You did it again; you’ve been
gambling with our lives! Look, where it’s got us, we’re in debt; we
have criminals coming here and threatening us. Where will it end?’
The emotion took hold of her as she got up and began to lash out at
her husband, striking him whichever way she could. ‘How could you
do this to us! How……’ The tears came again as a mixture of hurt and
fear took hold of her.
    Burton felt
sick to his stomach. How could I do this
do my wife and son? That was the one
question revolving in his mind. More than anything, Burton wanted
to hold his wife and somehow comfort her through the pain, in an
attempt to cover over what had just happened. He sat on the bed,
unable to think of the right words to say. ‘I wish I could turn the
clock back believe me, but I can’t. All I can do is sort out this
mess and we’ll be back on track, you hear me?’
    At the sound of
her husband’s voice, something took hold of Kate, who forced
herself to her feet, wiped her eyes quickly and continued to pack
the suitcases. ‘It’s too late, Hal. I just can’t believe you did
this. It’s not just me this