The Body Falls by Andrea Carter

Author:Andrea Carter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
Published: 2020-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

WE LEFT THE office, Molloy and I, intending to walk down together. But Jude Burns was waiting for me when we came out, standing on the opposite side of the street under one of those huge golfing umbrellas of his. He looked apologetic as he crossed to meet us.

“Sorry, I saw you go in with …” He nodded at Molloy, clearly unsure of his name. “I didn’t want to disturb you, so I thought I’d lie in wait.” He smiled sheepishly, an expression that seemed ill-suited to a biker of his dimensions. “Can I have a quick word?”

Behind the smile he looked worried. “Sure,” I said, glancing at Molloy. “I have to get to this meeting, though, so I haven’t got long.”

Molloy headed off, phone to his ear again, and I turned the key again to go back into the office. Jude shook the umbrella out and folded it, leaning it neatly against the door jamb.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

He followed me into the reception area. “Not really.” He paused. “I wondered what Lissa had told you.”

I gave him a narrow look. “You know I can’t tell you. You’re an accountant, so you know about confidentiality. It’s up to her to tell you if she wants to.”

He looked down, one hand on the reception desk as if he needed it to balance him. “Ah, I know. Just thought it was worth a shot. I’m worried about her. I think there’s more to this break-up with Chris than she’s letting on.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked carefully.

He looked troubled. “She’s scared. There’s something making her nervous, jumpy. She’s always been a little fragile, Lissa.” He looked away as if immersed in his own thoughts. “Sue’s a different kettle of fish. Took off to London on her own when she was still a teenager, not a bother on her.”

“They seem close, though.”

He met my gaze again and nodded. “They are, though Sue’s younger by a few years. The confidence of the second kid.” He smiled briefly, then said simply, “I don’t know what to do.”

I stood beside him and we both turned in, elbows on the reception desk, like an altar. I had the feeling that there was something he wasn’t telling me either.

“Have you tried to talk to her?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I hoped she’d tell me herself without my pushing.”

“And why do you think it is that she hasn’t confided fully in you?”

He turned to me with a guilty smile. “Because I tend to be a bit over-protective where my girls are concerned.”

“So, she might be afraid of how you’ll react?”

“Possibly.” He frowned and corrected himself. “Probably. I’ve always felt they only have me to take care of them and so …” He shrugged helplessly.

I hesitated, choosing my words with care. Lissa may not be willing to tell the guards, but I knew how relieved I’d be if I wasn’t the only person who knew that her life had been threatened. I wanted her to confide in her father.

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