Whispers of Guilt (DCI James Craig Book 4) by John Carson

Author:John Carson [Carson, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-09-04T00:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

Annie was standing leaning against her car, a cigarette in her mouth, when Craig pulled in beside her. He’d never been to this nursing home before. He raised his eyebrows when he saw the cigarette.

‘What?’ she said, taking it out. ‘It’s not as if I was going to smoke it. It’s not smoking unless it’s lit.’

‘It’s the temptation. It’s in your mouth, and I bet your hand is on your lighter in your pocket.’

She took her hand out of her pocket. ‘See, that’s where you’re wrong, copper. And you can’t prove otherwise.’

He grinned at her and walked across and kissed her.

‘My-my. We are getting bolder, aren’t we? But I’m not complaining. Do it again,’ Annie said.

‘Sorry, but I like to leave the ladies wanting a little bit more.’

‘That doesn’t say much for your reputation,’ Annie said, grinning.

‘Dammit. That backfired on me. Now, let’s get inside before it goes down a road I don’t want it to go down.’

She took his arm as they walked across the car park. They had clocked off being colleagues. Now they were friends. Then she noticed somebody sitting in a car further along.

‘There’s Jackson,’ she said.

Craig looked around. ‘Am I supposed to know who that is?’

‘Of course not, but let me introduce you to him.’ She walked over to the hatchback and rapped on the window. The man in the driver’s seat spun his head round and almost screamed. Instead, he rolled the window down.

‘Jesus, Annie, I think I shat myself. If you were hoping to see that, mission accomplished.’

Annie laughed. ‘Jackson Clover, this is my friend DCI Jimmy Craig. Jimmy, this is Garfield’s brother.’

Craig shook the hand the man offered. ‘Although I don’t know who Garfield is.’

Annie grinned. ‘Oh yeah, I forgot, you haven’t met Garfield yet. He’s the male attendant who helps to look after Uncle Bill.’

‘Huge guy. Ginger-heided. Daft as a brush. You can’t miss him. Bit of a radge at times. Just don’t tell him I told you that,’ Jackson said.

‘Lips are sealed,’ Annie said, mimicking drawing a zip along her lips and throwing the key away.

‘Still having trouble with the smoking?’ Jackson asked her.

‘How did you know?’

‘Standing outside your car with an unlit ciggie in your mouth told me the whole story.’

‘See?’ Craig said. ‘Other people know what you’re like.’

‘Oh, away with you both. Just for that, I’m going to go home tonight and light one up,’ Annie said.

Inside, the home smelled like Craig imagined all nursing homes smelled: disinfectant.

A big ginger-haired man smiled when he saw them coming. ‘Annie! To what do we owe this surprise visit?’

‘It’s my birthday.’

‘Well, many happy returns and all that.’ The man gave her a hug. ‘And who is this fine young man you have in tow?’

‘This is DCI James Craig. My boyfriend,’ Annie said without hesitation. ‘Garfield Clover.’

‘Pleased to meet you, DCI Craig.’

‘Likewise.’

‘Has this little scallywag told you all about me then?’

‘No, she hasn’t,’ Craig said. He looked at the man, built like a brick shithouse with hands like shovels; he looked like he weighed twice what Craig weighed.

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