02 Deep Black Lies by CJ Carver

Author:CJ Carver [Carver, CJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books - crime, thriller and mystery
Published: 2020-02-04T16:00:00+00:00

35

The next morning Harry had singularly failed to find a B&B to stay in locally, so he switched to Airbnb. He was checking out a place in Box that described itself as sparkling clean when Nicole rang.

‘Just wanted to let you know the school has just gated your son.’

Whenever one of the kids got into trouble, they always became his responsibility.

‘I take it you’re talking about Tim?’ Ben, being the older brother, was usually the more responsible.

‘Who else would it be? He’s only been caught driving the school’s ride-on mower.’

‘Someone left the keys in it?’

‘Apparently, yes. He’s mown down a whole row of daffodils. The ones on the way to the chapel.’

‘Oh dear.’ He tried to keep his tone neutral but Nicole obviously picked up on something because she snapped, ‘It’s not funny, Harry.’

He sobered immediately. ‘No, it’s not. Sorry.’

‘Don’t you dare encourage him.’

‘I won’t!’ he protested. ‘I’m just glad he wasn’t caught dealing cocaine and heroin, that’s all.’

Nicole sighed. ‘You’re right. It could be worse.’

‘I’ll call him in a minute. And I won’t express anything but deep displeasure, I promise.’

‘Thanks, Harry.’ Another sigh. ‘It’ll be pretty awful having Easter without him, but I suppose he’s got to be punished.’

‘Absolutely.’

A small silence fell.

He heard Nicole draw a breath. ‘I’m dreading this afternoon.’

Lorraine’s funeral.

‘I know,’ Harry said gently. ‘Lean on Dave.’

‘And you’ll lean on Jessie.’

‘Yes.’

Another pause.

‘What are you up to?’ Nicole asked. ‘You’re not at work, are you?’

‘Looking online for an Airbnb in Box.’

‘Whatever for?’

When he told her, she sounded horrified. ‘You’re on a death list?’

‘I wouldn’t have told you, except I thought you’d better be aware.’

‘Jesus, Harry.’

‘Hence staying somewhere else.’

‘Why don’t you stay with friends of mine? They run Lorne House, it’s fabulous.’

‘They’ll be booked.’

‘Leave it with me.’ She was brisk. ‘And if they can’t have you, they’ll know someone who can.’

With Nicole on the case of his accommodation, Harry rang Tim.

‘You idiot,’ he said. He tried to sound cross but it came out sounding far too amused.

‘It was too tempting, Dad. The engine was running and nobody, I mean nobody was about and there was this huge stretch of lawn just waiting to be driven down, it was sooooo inviting, I can’t tell you.’

‘And now you’re going to miss Easter with your brother and sister.’

‘I know.’ He sounded glum.

‘Anyone else there with you?’

‘No,’ he said miserably. ‘I’m here all on my own.’

‘For every action,’ Harry said gently, ‘there has to be a consequence. Get it?’

‘Yeah. But it still sucks.’

After they’d hung up, Harry’s phone gave a ting. A message from Nicole.

Lorne House say they can have you as a favour to me. All booked in. Stay safe, Harry x

Harry looked the place up to see it was a large Victorian villa in the village of Box and a stone’s throw not just from Jessie, but his favourite curry house, the Bengal Bear. As he scanned the online brochure he learned it had been converted into a small hotel which, he read, was also available to rent as a whole house.

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