The Man Who Vanished and the Dog Who Waited by Kate High

Author:Kate High [High, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Published: 2023-03-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

‘Why the hell did you say yes?’ Rick ranted.

There had been no time to tell him about the house clearance. Having arrived home first, Rick had taken a call from Jonathan.

‘ No , that’s a simple word. “Sorry, Jonathan, but no.” That’s all you needed to say.’ He was, Clarice realised, furious.

‘It’s never simple,’ she said. ‘There aren’t any other charities that have a gap at the moment. It’s summer, kitten season – everyone’s busy from spring onwards.’

‘And don’t we know that?’ Rick pointed in the direction of the cattery. ‘We have a barn full of cats and kittens. The more we take in, the more food we have to find for them, not to mention home visits and fund-raisers. And how many have you got with foster carers? Fifty cats and eleven dogs, didn’t you say at the last count? It just goes on, and on, and on, and you look knackered.’

Clarice fought the urge to respond in kind; he looked worn out, having gone from one busy case to another, and he often slept badly. She’d felt him tossing and twitching in his sleep last night. When not at home, she knew he ate junk food.

‘I should have mentioned it sooner,’ she conceded.

‘Yes, you should.’ Rick, Clarice realised, was only halfway through his tirade. ‘And when I said on the phone that you needed a quiet day tomorrow, what did you do?’

‘I didn’t tell you.’

‘Not only that, but you tried your diversionary tactics. All that crap about Sandra’s laundry – and you think I’m so dumb that I won’t notice.’

‘Rick,’ Clarice moved her head to indicate where to look, ‘you’re upsetting the dogs.’

He followed her gaze to Jazz and Susie, both sitting upright, necks back, chests out, heads moving from Rick to Clarice as if watching a tennis match. Blue, sitting further back, had a squashed tissue box clamped in her jaw but was peering up at them nervously. In the sudden silence, she took the opportunity to run to Rick and offer her soggy present.

‘Thank you, Blue.’ Rick, glowering at Clarice, knelt to pat the dog, only to be jumped on by the other two.

‘Can I get you a drink?’ Clarice asked.

‘Yes.’ Rick rubbed his hand over his short, bristly hair, anger spent. ‘I’ll have a glass of red wine.’

‘It’s salad tonight,’ Clarice said as she moved towards the kitchen.

‘Did Charles Tidswell come up with another plausible alibi?’ Clarice asked forty-five minutes later. The conversation had been slow and stilted.

‘He appears to have one; his solicitor asked that it’s to be treated with discretion.’

‘What did he say?’ Clarice was intrigued.

‘Apparently, while he was supposed to be at the bedside of his dying father-in-law, supporting his wife, he was with his mistress, who just happens to be his wife’s best friend.’

‘Ah …’

‘It’s being checked. Barbara Graham said they have the girlfriend’s details. She could have been paid to give him an alibi, but …’

‘She doesn’t think so?’

‘He was very cocky, confident in a way that made the interviewing officer feel it’s probably the truth.

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