Dead and Gone Read Online Free

detest the wicked and heartless deception the woman had carried out.
    The lurid speculation about the missing woman and her possible motives, which seemed to be centred about her rumoured infatuation with a fellow employee who had also vanished, did little to lessen Naomi’s revulsion with the whole topic. As a less involved observer, she noticed that the topic caused her father much more distress than either her mother or grandfather, who seemed almost to salivate over each titbit of salacious gossip.
     
    Dean couldn’t remember ever having looked forward to returning to England before. When their overseas tour of duty was announced, most of his colleagues had been dismayed or at best non-committal at the prospect. Few of them were as happy to be leaving the country as Dean was, although right at the last moment, when he was all but ready to go, his meetingwith Naomi had changed his view somewhat. It was refreshing to have something to look forward to when he returned home after six long months.
    As he travelled from York to Helmsdale, Dean examined the photo of the girl on his phone, reminding himself, as he had often done during his spell abroad, of how attractive Naomi was.
    His first act on reaching the flat would be to call her. He resisted the temptation to do it from the train, where others could listen in. Dean had little experience with girls and was desperately keen not to get it wrong.
    Having stowed his kit in the flat, Dean was indecisive, unsure of the reception he would get. He opted to visit Good Buys supermarket first and stock up on supplies. By the time he returned and put the shopping away it was teatime, and he thought it would be unwise to risk disturbing Naomi when she might be dining. Instead he made something to eat, and by the time he’d finished his dinner, felt it was too late to call her that evening. He would phone the following day.
    It was late morning before Dean plucked up enough courage to make the call. Naomi sounded happy enough to hear from him, but said she would be returning to university in a couple of days so it wouldn’t be possible to go out with him before then.
    He was beginning to wonder if this was a polite brush-off, until she added, ‘I have to come into Helmsdale tomorrow to do some shopping. I could call round at your flat at lunchtime if you’re about, and then we might be able to sort out something for when I’m at uni. As long as you don’t mind travelling to York to visit me, that is?’
    ‘I’d go much further than York for the chance of seeing you.’ Dean was aghast at his own temerity, but Naomi seemed cheered by the statement.
    ‘Oh good; until tomorrow, then.’
    When Dean opened the door to let her into the flat, his first thought was to take his phone back to the shop and complain about the camera. The photo he had been admiring for so long completely failed to do justice to Naomi’s looks. He reachedforward to shake hands, but Naomi ignored the gesture, choosing instead to kiss him, lightly. Dean returned the kiss, surprised and delighted, before ushering her into the lounge.
    She went automatically to the armchair she had used on her previous visit, and sat waiting as Dean went to make coffee. As she looked round the room, remembering the familiar objects, she heard the letterbox click and looked down the hallway. There were two envelopes on the mat. ‘Postman’s been,’ she called through, ‘shall I get it for you?’
    ‘Yes, please.’
    She walked over and picked up the mail. Without thinking, she glanced at the envelope, realizing that she didn’t even known Dean’s surname. She stood, rooted to the spot as she read the details. It couldn’t be. Surely not. He couldn’t be a relative, could he? Not of that person. It had to be an unpleasant coincidence.
    Naomi walked back into the lounge just as Dean entered with the mugs. She held out the envelopes, her hands shaking. Two red spots of anger stained her cheeks, matching the flame in her