(1992) Prophecy by Peter James

Author:Peter James [James, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Mystery
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2010-11-03T13:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The rain had stopped some time during the afternoon, and the streets were slicked and shiny beneath the dusk sky. It was five to seven. Frannie waited outside the Museum in her mackintosh. The rush-hour traffic had thinned down now, but the fumes still hung heavily over Great Russell Street. There was a sharp toot, and Oliver roared up in his Renault.

As she climbed in the car he apologized for being late, saying he had been stuck in a meeting, then greeted her with a long kiss that left her breathless and flushed. ‘You look gorgeous,’ he said.

‘You don’t look too bad yourself.’ She liked his soft blue shirt and striped tie that was predominantly orange. She kissed his knuckles, then they stared into each other’s eyes as the engine ran busily on. He was looking relaxed and some of the anxiety wrinkles that had stressed his face over the weekend had gone, making his features even clearer and stronger.

‘I missed you,’ he said.

‘Missed you too.’ She was aware they were in full view of anyone coming out of the Museum but she did not care.

‘Edward go off to school OK?’

‘Yes, he seemed very happy.’ He raised a finger. ‘I had to make one solemn promise. That’d you’d be at Meston on Saturday afternoon when he comes home for the weekend.’ He angled his head and smiled. ‘Would that be a possibility?’

Her sadness about Meredith and her concern about Phoebe’s words were forgotten for a moment. She slid her arms around him, intoxicated by the sheer warmth he was exuding towards her and by her own response to it. ‘I think it could be arranged,’ she said softly.

‘How are the stings?’

‘Hurting a little but they’re a lot better today.’

Oliver eased out into the traffic. Frannie leaned back in her seat and asked, ‘Edward’s allowed home every weekend?’

‘From lunchtime Saturdays.’

‘Did you miss him today?’

‘As I took Monday and Tuesday off work, I had to knuckle down today; didn’t have too much time to think about him.’

‘What did you do at work today?’

‘I’ve been analysing and discussing motor-accident statistics.’

From the speed and aggression of his driving, Frannie concluded that the statistics must have left him unmoved. ‘What was that for?’

‘The bank’s involved in reinsurance for some of the motor-car insurers. We have to make decisions based on statistics.’ He was quiet for a moment as he changed lanes, aware of the direction of her thoughts. ‘So, how was the funeral?’

‘Grim. Her husband’s being very brave. I think he’s going to feel the shock later.’

‘You got back last night?’

‘Yes. I had some good news at work today. I’m going to work on a new exhibition, which I’m really pleased about.’

‘Great! Well done!’

‘Just a bit of luck, I think. And I had a rather interesting coincidence involving your family,’ she said hesitantly.

‘Oh yes?’

She told him about the brass tiger, but did not mention the cut she had got from it.

‘The fourteenth Marquess. William Halkin,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘He was involved with the East India Company, I think.

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