Blood Rush (Lilly Valentine) Read Online Free

knife attacks on the bordering estates of Clayhill and Hightown.
    ‘It’s open warfare up there,’ the chief muttered.
    Jack grunted in response.
    ‘The latest victim is a fifteen-year-old girl. Beaten, kicked, left for dead,’ said the chief super. ‘She’s still unconscious.’
    ‘Witnesses?’
    ‘That’s why I’m calling you, Jack. These kids won’t talk to the police.’
    ‘I hate to break it to you, sir, but I’m job myself.’
    ‘Yes, but you have a way of gaining their trust, Jack.’
    Jack wasn’t convinced. ‘These gangbangers are different to the kids I worked with in Child Protection. Another breed altogether.’
    The chief super’s voice became firmer. ‘I’m getting a lot of heat about our success rate and the press are all over it.’
    Jack sighed. This issue had been boiling for months but the top brass only got involved when the press and the politicians got themselves involved. Same old, same old.
    ‘I’ll come in later, sir, look at the file.’
    ‘No time for that Jack. My secretary will text you the details and you can get cracking.’
    Jack was about to explain that he really needed to read all the information but the chief super was in no mood for discussion.
    ‘I’m putting you in charge of this investigation, Jack. Don’t let me down.’
    Then he hung up.
     
     
    Penny Van Huysan greeted Lilly with a kiss on both cheeks. ‘Hello, stranger.’
    She smelled of Jo Malone cologne and lip balm. In the unfamiliar world of Manor Park with its talk of horseboxes and second homes in Tuscany, Penny was a much appreciated ally.
    Not that Penny didn’t belong to this world, she did. Her teeth gleamed and her hair shone. The understated handbag slung over her shoulder cost several thousand pounds. But she was kind and funny and real.
    ‘How’s business?’ She linked arms with Lilly as they strolled from the car park to the quad where the pupils poured out in a river of green blazers.
    Lilly groaned. ‘I had another secretary walk out on me.’
    ‘You’re worse than Henry,’ Penny laughed, ‘and he’s a complete bastard to work for.’
    ‘It gets worse,’ said Lilly. ‘I made a client sit at the computer and ordered her to log on.’
    ‘Why on earth would you do that?’
    ‘I thought the agency had sent her,’ said Lilly, still mortified by the misunderstanding. ‘It turned out she was after legal advice for her foster daughter.’
    ‘You need some help,’ said Penny.
    ‘No shit, Sherlock.’
    Penny delved into the bag worth more than the GDP of most developing nations, and withdrew a leather-bound notebook. A slender silver pen was attached. If it had been Lilly’s, the pen would have been lost within days, replaced by a chewed pencil.
    ‘I met Carol at Pilates.’ Penny scribbled down a number. ‘A total godsend.’
    ‘I need someone who can type, not bend me into impossible positions.’
    Penny rolled her eyes. ‘Carol is fantastic. Our paperwork has never been in such great shape.’
    Lilly frowned as she imagined neat rows of taxi receipts and hotel bills from Henry Van Huysan’s endless business trips to the Far East.
    ‘For goodness sake, Lilly, why do you assume the worst in every situation?’ asked Penny.
    ‘I do not.’
    Penny turned to her friend and pursed her lips.
    ‘Okay, okay,’ said Lilly. ‘I accept I am not naturally an optimist.’
    ‘Cassandra was cheerier than you, believe me.’
    Lilly couldn’t help but laugh.
    ‘And I’m not even going to mention Jack,’ said Penny.
    ‘Then don’t.’
    As they waited for their children, Lilly counted in her head. One. Two. Three.
    ‘All I will say is that he’s a good man,’ said Penny.
    Lilly held up three fingers.
    ‘And he’s the father of your child.’
    Lilly exhaled slowly. Penny was right. Jack was a good man.
    ‘You two should be together,’ said Penny.
    ‘It’s not that simple,’ Lilly replied.
    Penny waved at her son who, unlike Sam, was always one of the first day boys to