Before the Storm by Alex Gray

Before the Storm by Alex Gray

Author:Alex Gray [Gray, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Published: 2021-03-24T16:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The watcher in the van pulled the hood further across a shadowed face.

The schoolteacher’s car was back first as usual and it would only take a matter of minutes once she’d parked to whack her over the head and drag her into that garage. One gloved hand began to pull open the door then, as a second car came around the corner, clicked it shut again.

It was a red Ford that turned into the Lorimers’ drive and, not waiting to see the occupant of the vehicle (a friend by the looks of it as no delivery driver would park right behind the schoolteacher’s car), the watcher accelerated away from the pavement and drove out of the avenue, muttering curses that were mercifully unheard by any living soul.

‘Daniel, what a lovely surprise!’

Maggie turned from the garage and flicked her key fob, letting the door shut behind her. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon. Come on in and I’ll put the kettle on.’

Daniel followed the dark-haired woman into the house and waited until she had turned on the Christmas tree lights before he spoke.

‘Your husband sent me here,’ he told her. ‘He gave me navigation coordinates but until I drew up, I didn’t realise this is where he was sending me.’

Maggie chuckled. ‘Perhaps he wanted to surprise you,’ she suggested. ‘Or maybe he was being ultra-cautious? Who knows what goes on in that mind of his sometimes,’ she said. ‘Here, let me take your coat, Daniel. Sit over there and I’ll put the fire on. Tea or coffee?’

Daniel watched as she bustled about the long room that was divided into living room and kitchen. It was obvious that she was pleased to see him, however unexpected, and he felt a familiar sense of home as the gas fire was ignited and he warmed his hands by its blue flames. Women like Maggie Lorimer were the same the world over: glad to show hospitality to strangers and ready to feed them with whatever resources they had. She reminded him of Aunt Hannah back in the township, the youngest sister of his late father, who was known for her kindness and loved nothing more than cooking up a huge pot of squash to feed the menfolk in her family plus anyone who was in need of a hot meal.

He had scarcely put the coffee cup to his lips when he heard the front door opening and Lorimer’s voice calling.

Daniel rose to his feet as the detective superintendent entered the room.

‘Hi, Daniel, glad you could make it,’ Lorimer told him. ‘We’ll have a cup of something together upstairs. Is that all right with you, Mags?’ he called.

‘Suits me,’ his wife replied. ‘Gives me time to fix something nice for dinner.’

Daniel followed the tall detective up a flight of stairs that turned onto a landing then found himself ushered into a large room that overlooked the front garden. Outside he could see twinkling fairy lights shining from the adjoining properties until Lorimer switched on the overhead light and pulled a cord, drawing dark velvet curtains across the windows.



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