Body Guard (Detective Inspector Carol Ashton Mystery Book 6) by McNab Claire

Author:McNab, Claire [McNab, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781594935800
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2018-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Madeline answered the phone after the fifth ring. “Carol. I was hoping you’d call.” Her tone was neutral.

“I’m flying to Brisbane later today. There are several appearances before we return to Sydney.”

“Yes, I know. Our Queensland network is taping for my special on Marla.”

Carol had rehearsed what she’d say, but found herself apologizing instead. “Madeline, I’m so sorry. I just walked out on you yesterday. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Madeline said ruefully, “My timing’s always been so good before.”

“It wasn’t your timing. I just wasn’t expecting…”

“Come on, Carol.” Her tone was chiding. “You know I’ve never been indifferent to you.”

Keeping her voice light, Carol said, “Did you intend it to be reciprocal?”

“Reciprocal?”

“The love. You said you wanted me to love you.”

“You can take that for granted.”

“I don’t take anything for granted.”

After a pause, Madeline said, “Carol, I’ve loved you for a long time. There just didn’t seem any point in telling you so.”

Madeline’s candor killed the flippant remark Carol was about to make. She felt a confusion of feelings—caution, surprise, excitement. The silence stretched. At last Madeline said, “You’re speechless, Carol? Surely not.”

“I’ll call you from Brisbane. Okay?”

“Please.”

Carol put down the receiver and stood with her hand on it for a long time. She was tempted to call back, but what could she say that Madeline wanted to hear?

She started as the phone rang under her hand. It was Mark Bourke.

“What can I do for you, Mark?”

Bourke chuckled. “It’s what I can do for you, Carol. You asked me to find out who might have used a little political pressure to have you appointed to guard everyone’s favorite feminist.”

“And?”

“And the fascinating thing is that I can’t find out. Usually some little cog in the political machine will talk, but this time even my powers of persuasion have been stretched.”

Carol smiled at his indignation. “It probably wouldn’t make any difference if I knew, Mark, so don’t worry about it.”

“One name did turn up a couple of times, though I wouldn’t give it too much weight.”

“Who?”

“Richard Novell. He’s a backbencher in the government and doesn’t have a high profile.”

Puzzled, Carol said, “I’ve heard the name, but I’ve never met him. I don’t even know what he looks like, so why would he be interested in whether or not I was Strickland’s bodyguard?”

“I can’t imagine he would, since he’s an old-fashioned right-wing conservative.” He gave a vexed grunt. “Sorry I haven’t come up with anything worthwhile.”

“Mark, do me a favor. Keep plugging away. You might get something yet.”

“Okay, Carol. And look after yourself.”

After she broke the connection the warmth in his voice lingered, leaving her with an unexpected need for the familiar: the ordinary routine of her day; the blank beige walls of her office; the camaraderie of her peers. And for a time when her sexual identity had been entirely separate from her professional life.

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