Prey Silence by Sally Spedding

Author:Sally Spedding [Spedding, Sally]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lume Books
Published: 2018-06-28T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

The day had turned into an even colder night and, under a clear starry sky with its ascending moon, a frost already glazed the Suzuki’s curves. Natalie watched the massive Right Move truck grind to a halt outside Hibou, and four men of assorted ages leap down from its cab to release the rear ramp. They seemed fed up, in a hurry, letting the first few items of furniture fall to the ground before hefting them to the front door. A rattan bucket chair, then two velvet bean bags. Things she’d never dream of buying but which no doubt had come from a spacious, comfortable home. Part of Tom’s life she’d never shared. Maybe never would. Why the hell had she told him about the knife? The twine? That weird call? Couldn’t she keep anything to herself?

‘Sod it,’ said the tallest man, then, throwing her a furtive glance, ‘This the Turdle-Twits’ place?’

‘Wardle-Smiths, if you don’t mind. And please be careful with their stuff. They’ll go ape if they see what’s going on.’

Four burly guys to one, she thought, waiting for the inevitable tongue-lashing.

‘We’ll need the final payment tonight,’ the same man muttered instead. ‘So no vanishing acts. Got it?’

Why not? she thought, thinking only of her own predicament. That caller hadn’t specified when she’d be questioned. Could be next week or within the hour. But could she risk it? Was it better to be here or out on the open road? Then she thought of her League boss, Paul Ormonde. He never gave out his home number to anyone, but might just be in his office. She had to tell him she was being stitched up. That this was serious.

‘Yes?’

It wasn’t him, but a woman she’d not heard before. Someone in a hurry.

‘Natalie Musset here. Grade 2 investigator. Limoges . . .’

‘Is it crucial? We’ve got trouble over in Sarlat. Need to clear the line.’

Charming.

She heard Liliane Bonneau call out in surprise from inside the fermette where her son’s oil lamp was now casting everything in a flickering light from its flame. She’d felt bad enough about leaving her on her own for that half hour while she’d checked out the cemetery again.

‘I’m being accused of mutilating a dog, and of murder. OK?’ The words seemed to come from someone else.

‘Can someone call you back later? I can’t promise when.’

‘Tell Paul, please. Here’s my mobile number.’

‘I expect he’s got it.’

‘Well, here it is again.’ She relayed the numbers as a cream leather three piece suite was humped into the room behind her and hit the earth floor in a succession of thuds.

‘Like I said, I can’t promise anything.’

‘Nor can I.’ She ended the call in silent fury. She’d risked her life more than once for the League, and what did she get when she needed them? Zilch.

Damn it . . .

Suddenly, headlights appeared over the top of the track and Natalie sprinted to the side of the fermette out of their beam, just in case whoever it was might see her.

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