Cold Pressed Read Online Free Page A

Isn’t that your phone?"
    Beatrice registered the sound and pulled off her gloves to
reach into her pocket. Her heart sank as she saw her Chief Inspector’s name on
the screen.
    "Oh God, it's Hamilton."
    Matthew rolled his eyes and walked on. Beatrice answered the
call.
    "Good morning, sir. What can I do for you?"
    “ Where are you, Stubbs? ”
    "In Devon, sir. In a forest."
    “ Damn and hell blast. ”
    Beatrice followed in Matthew’s wake, pressing the phone to
her ear while she waited for Hamilton to continue. Distant muttering and
computer noises were all she could make out. Hamilton's voice returned.
    “ No, it's not going to work. Stubbs, you there? ”
    "Yes sir?"
    “ Listen here, apologies for the short notice etcetera,
but how soon could you get on a plane to Greece? ”
    Matthew held the gate open for her as they left the woodland
for a sunny field. A few sheep glanced in their direction and went back to
cropping grass.
    "Greece? Monday, I suppose. I'm back in London Sunday
night, so could be ready to travel first thing Monday morning."
    " Hmm. Bit more urgent than that. Suspicious demise
of an octogenarian on a cruise ship. Any chance you could get back tonight? Fly
tomorrow? I would consider this a personal favour ."
    Beatrice squeezed her eyelids together. "That's rather
difficult, sir."
    " No doubt it is. But I need a trusted pair of hands.
Nothing complex, only take you forty-eight hours or so. Should be able to compensate
with time in lieu. And after all, two days on a Greek island in an advisory
role is hardly six months in Siberia ."
    The cottage came into view as they descended the slope,
smoke weaving from the chimney. She'd have to forego dinner tonight and Sunday
lunch with Matthew's daughters and the always entertaining little Luke. But if
she accepted the job, she could take three extra days next week to make up for
it. What with next weekend, that made five full days of crosswords, forest
walks, pub lunches and circular arguments about her future.
    "Very well, sir. I'll catch a train back this
afternoon. Could someone book me a flight for first thing tomorrow? And if you
email the case details now, I’ll study them on the journey back."
    " Tip top. Will do. All info to be sent soonest. Good
show, Stubbs. Appreciate it ." He rang off.
    Matthew's head appeared to revolve as slowly as an owl's.
    "You're going back to London." His intonation was
as flat and hard as his eyes.
    "I have no choice. Hamilton wants me to go to Greece
for forty-eight hours. But I'll get time off in lieu, so I could be back by
Wednesday. I'll cook dinners for us, we can spend time with the girls, teach
Luke some new songs, visit the garden centre... oh Matthew, please don't be
difficult. It's work, surely you can see that?"
    He strode ahead, leaving Beatrice to hurry after him. She
caught up as they reached the gate to the cottage and they trudged up the path
in silence. Matthew unlocked the front door and sat on the bench to remove his
boots. Beatrice stood in the doorway, determined to make him see the rationale
behind her decision.
    "Look, I know it's disappointing, but if I give a
little now, I gain a lot more next week."
    "Indeed. One must defer one's gratification. And it's
not like I have any say in the matter, after all. Come on, pack your things and
let's see if we can make the 12.23. What's happening in Greece?"
    "No idea. Hamilton, cryptic as ever, said something
about a suspicious death on a cruise ship."
    "How awfully Agatha Christie!" Matthew’s voice had
a forced jollity, and as his head was bent to lace his shoes, she couldn't
judge his expression. But she knew how precious their time together was to both
of them.
    "I am sorry, Matthew. I hate spoiling your
weekend."
    "It's not spoilt. I shall merely postpone my plans for
a week. Now would you get your skates on? It'll take us a good half hour to get
to the station."
    She pecked him on the cheek and kicked off her wellingtons,
her curiosity already piqued