Dead Gorgeous (A Mystery for D.I. Costello) Read Online Free Page A

face buried in Patrick’s shoulder he couldn’t see the sudden tears springing into her eyes. She’d become increasingly apprehensive as the big day of Madeleine’s arrival approached, and surprised at how vulnerable she felt. Something of the depth of her feelings must have communicated itself to Patrick, though, because he sat on the bed and drew her down beside him. “OK, enough of the hearty platitudes; I’ve been jollying you along for a while now, but it’s got through even to my dull wits that it hasn’t worked.” He fixed her with a penetrating stare. “Tell me.”
    Angela picked at the duvet cover. “I’m just being very silly.”
    He grinned. “Quite probably, but tell me anyway.”
    “Well, I know that Maddie and I have got on fine every time we’ve met, but we haven’t ever lived under the same roof and this is the house she grew up in. I can’t rid myself of the feeling that once she’s here she’s going to resent me… resent me…”
    “Yeah?”
    “You know.”
    “Say it, sweetheart.”
    Angel took a breath. “Taking her mum’s place.” The words came out in a rush. “There, I’ve said it. I know you’ll think I’m stupid and you might be right but, anyway, that’s what’s been worrying me. This was her home first, you loved her first and –”
    There was a pause.
    “Come on, you might as well get it all out.”
    Angela shrugged diffidently. “You loved Louise first.”
    Patrick gave a gentle laugh and hugged Angela tight. “You soppy old thing,” he said. “Actually, I didn’t love Louise first. I’d been in love at least twice before I met her.”
    “Yeah, but you didn’t marry those others.”
    “True.” He thought for a moment. “OK, Angie, here’s the deal. I loved Louise, very deeply. When she died I thought the world had ended. I cried, I raged, I got seriously drunk and I shook my fist at God. And you know what?”
    “What?”
    “The crying made me hoarse, the raging exhausted me, the drink caused me to throw up, and I discovered that God doesn’t get uptight when you shake your fist at him.”
    “What’s your point?”
    “I did grieve for Louise, for a long time. But that was sixteen years ago. I’ve moved on and so has Maddie.” Angela looked doubtfully at Patrick. “Honestly, when we were courting and I told her of our plans to marry, she was thrilled to bits.”
    “You’re joking?”
    Angela’s face presented such a picture of puzzlement that he laughed out loud. Finally he said. “Don’t you realize, you set her free?”
    “What!”
    “Yes, you numpty, she was quite concerned about her poor old dad.”
    “Old?”
    “She was only seventeen when we met, remember. She could see me getting old, doddery and more and more lonely. She felt responsible. In spite of her Goth phase, the teenage moods, the tantrums about staying out late and all that, you know, she’s a good kid at heart. She worried about leaving me to go off and live her own life. And then you came along.”
    “Oh.” Angela felt her spirits lift. “I hadn’t thought about it like that; a bit like a knight-ess in shining armour.”
    “Exactly.”
    Angela was silent for some moments. “Thanks, Paddy.”
    “Are you still nervous?”
    “Yes, but in a different way now.”
    “What am I married to?”
    “You’re married to a numpty,” she said, embracing him.
     
    Kirsty Manners smiled with satisfaction as she looked at her computer screen. What she had produced looked businesslike. It would create just the impression she wanted. She glanced at her mobile phone. The text she’d just sent was still visible. Go on, ring, she thought. She wanted to see her plan working.
    It rang. Ian’s face appeared on the screen.
    Kirsty snatched up the phone. “Ian?” Her voice sounded tremulous, near to tears.
    “Kirsty, this is outside of working hours. You know what we agreed.”
    Kirsty made a quick assessment of the depth of irritation in his voice and decided there was only a