That Killer Image by Claire Ladds

Author:Claire Ladds
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781913128227
Publisher: Claire Ladds Books

TWENTY

How many more things were there to turf upside down? If Fran had even an inkling of where the car keys had vanished to, it might actually help her to go and look for this mysterious house that Vicky clearly didn’t want her to know about. But there would be no harm in putting some feelers out as well. Maybe it was time she started using people like they used her.

She flicked through the contacts in her phone and breathed hard at the name that sat there, the circular photo of her ex above it. His was one of the few contacts that she’d saved in her phone and not left languishing in the address book in the desk. And it was still there. What did that tell her? She rolled her eyes at what she was about to do.

‘I think you lost all right to worry about self-respect quite a long time ago where he’s concerned. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.’

She let the phone ring. However much she tried to prepare for the sound of the voice the other end, it still made her insides flip.

‘Hello? Fran? Is that you?’

‘Hi José. Can you do me a favour?’

‘Ah. “Hi José. How are you doing? How have you been in the two and a half years since we last spoke?” Is that what you meant?’

‘I think you’ll find you’re the one who decided that the blonde stick insect with the estate car made it easier for you to screw in. Easier than getting caught in other people’s houses while you were waiting for prospective buyers.’

‘We both know why, though, Fran. And that was seven years ago. And – and you never had any proof that my house buyers weren’t precisely that. And I told you at the time, I never cheated on you while we were together. What are you having a go at me for, anyway? Haven’t you got someone else to moan at yet?’

‘It’s nice to hear your voice, José.’

His voice fell into the soft, sing-song lilt that she missed. ‘You, too, sweetie pie. What can I do you for, seeing as you asked so nicely? Have you written that book yet?’

‘No, I haven’t.’ She stuck out her tongue at the phone. ‘There’s a house I want some info on. I was hoping that you could give me the lowdown on it.’

‘The lowdown? Have you been watching too many police dramas on the telly?’ His voice melted into the soft laugh that could make her insides burn, if only she didn’t know what a total commitment-phobe he was.

‘I’m not looking for just the superficial rubbish you give to your customers.’

‘Clients.’

‘Whatever they are. I’m after something a bit more in-depth.’

She sensed a wary edge to his tone. ‘Is this for something to do with work? It’s not going to tangle me up in a lawsuit for giving away privileged information, is it?’

‘Since when have you begun caring about things like that?’

‘Since I became the father of twins.’

‘I didn’t know.’ The news sank like marble in Fran’s stomach.

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