Read Online Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie - Free Book Online

the river, so perhaps Helen found it wise not to protest. Helen, unlike his own recalcitrant wife, knew on which side her bread was buttered.
    “Oh, yes. Leo’s grandparents are there as well, and he’s on his best behavior. Hoping to increase the size of his Christmas check, I should imagine,” Piers added with an air of satisfaction. Leo Dutton had inherited his father’s good looks, and was already well versed in using them to his advantage.
    Piers polished off the last third of his whisky, stretched, and stood. “I’d better be off. If I make Helen keep dinner waiting, I’ll have to endure injured looks the rest of the evening. We’ll see you at church later on, shall we?”
    Caspar doubted that Piers felt any more religious impulse than he did, but several of their clients were churchwardens or membersof the congregation, so it behooved them to put in an appearance. Nantwich was still a small enough town that the social lives of those with money to spend on investments were closely intertwined, and the firm’s business depended on their keeping and strengthening ties with those in prominent positions.
    “If we make it,” responded Caspar, with another glance at his watch. “At this rate—”
    Piers turned back from the door with a sigh of exasperation. “For heaven sake’s, man, ring your mother-in-law. If you’re worried—”
    “I’m not worried,” Caspar said mulishly. He downed half his drink in a rebellious gulp and felt the fire burn all the way down to his gut.
    “Caspar.” Piers eyed him speculatively. “You’ve had a row, haven’t you? A flaming row.” His heavy brows drew together as he frowned. “You didn’t tell Juliet about our little talk, did you? That was to be just between us. You agreed.”
    Now Caspar was torn between guilt and a desire to vent. “It just came out,” he admitted. “I didn’t intend it. She had the gall to say she’d always tried to do her best by our marriage. Bitch.” He swallowed the rest of his drink, and this time he barely felt the burn.
    “Goddamn it, Caspar.” Piers no longer looked amused, and Caspar suddenly felt crowded by the other man’s physical presence. “I’d no intention of making things worse between you and Juliet. I was just looking out for your interests, because you’re my friend as well as my partner. If you couldn’t keep your mouth shut, I won’t be responsible for the consequences.” He turned away, and a moment later, Caspar heard the outside door open and then slam firmly shut.
    He stood, his empty glass dangling from his nerveless fingers. Now he’d torn it. Piers was right, he should have kept his mouth shut. The last thing he’d wanted was to make Piers angry with him, or to betray his trust. He couldn’t remember Piers ever raising his voice towards him before.
    But it was odd, he thought, swaying slightly as he made an effortto set the glass neatly on his desk. Piers had been angry, there was no mistaking that, but just as he’d turned away, Caspar could have sworn he’d seen a gleam of satisfaction in his partner’s eye.
     
    Annie Lebow had no trouble getting a mooring at Nantwich Canal Center. On Christmas Eve, most sane boaters were happily landlocked with family or friends.
    The canal center occupied the old Chester Basin, once the terminus of the Chester Canal. Finished in 1779, the canal had been cut wide to accommodate the barges carrying heavy goods, including the famous Nantwich cheeses, across the Cheshire Plain from Nantwich to Chester. After years of decline, the basin had been resurrected in the nineties by an industrious couple, becoming an important center for boatbuilding and boat repair, as well as providing everyday services for boaters.
    Annie needed some work done on the Horizon —the electrical system had developed a glitch—and Nantwich had seemed the obvious choice. Or so she had told herself, disregarding the fact that she was unlikely to find anyone to do the necessary repairs