Hider/Seeker Read Online Free Page A

her.’
    â€˜She say that?’
    â€˜And more. The man’s brutal, Harry.’
    â€˜She told you more than she told me.’
    â€˜Why do you need to know all these facts? She’s scared of him and she wants out. You’d be her knight in shining armour.’
    â€˜But why should she run away? He’s the one who should be banged up.’
    Parker nodded. ‘When she came a few days later to my office to get your number, I had no hesitation giving it to her, honestly Harry. You saw the state she was in?’
    He had. But taking a son away from a father forever still didn’t feel right.
    Harry’s face was setting into a blank stare as he pondered his final answer to Parker.
    â€˜She’s promised she’s going to be more careful,’ said Parker. ‘No more drivers; no one will find out about you.’
    â€˜Eddie, I get the picture.’
    â€˜What if you don’t help and something happens to her? How would you feel then?’
    Harry looked up at his friend, but remained silent. Conflicting instincts were always troublesome.
    â€˜Is something else bothering you?’
    â€˜Taking the boy away.’
    â€˜This is about you and your father, isn’t it?’ said Parker. ‘Your dad was straight as a die. Someone we all looked up to. He really took care of you after your mum passed away. Everyone liked him, me included. But Nick Linehan is nothing like your dad. The man is the devil incarnate and only thinks about himself.’
    Harry remained deep in thought again, allowing Parker to continue.
    â€˜When you ran off to South America, I used to drive over to see your father.’
    â€˜He never said.’
    â€˜We chatted a great deal about you. He kept asking me whether the force would ever take you back.’
    â€˜What did you tell him?’
    â€˜I couldn’t tell him the truth, could I? He only ever wanted you to be a good copper like him. Your dad always looked out for you, Harry, his whole life. Never stopped wanting the best for you.’
    â€˜Still disappointed him, all the same.’
    â€˜That’s what sons do to dads.’
    A smile crept across Harry’s face. ‘Do you remember when he took the two of us camping in Spain? We drove him nuts because we always buggered off before lunch to avoid his cooking.’
    â€˜I remember you pulling your pants down over that viper’s nest.’
    â€˜I was desperate to go. I didn’t know it was there.’
    â€˜Can still see the bites on your bum,’ laughed Parker.
    â€˜It was bloody painful.’
    â€˜Your dad could have had a coronary, running nearly two miles in the midday sun with you on his back.’
    â€˜Probably saved my life.’
    Parker made a serpent movement with his arm, his fingers becoming a snapping jaw.
    â€˜Stop it. I still have a phobia about them.’
    â€˜See a shrink.’
    â€˜I did.’
    â€˜What did he say?’
    â€˜Advised me to stay away from snakes.’
    The arm came down and Parker turned serious again. ‘So you’ll help Angela?’
    â€˜I suppose,’ he huffed. ‘I can’t let her down.’
    â€˜No you can’t. You know that.’
    Harry stood up to leave.
    Parker got to his feet and said, ‘I’ll call her straight away to let her know the good news and then the two of you can sort things out between you.’ He walked Harry to the door and shook his hand. ‘Bethany will be pleased to know you haven’t drunk yourself to death over all these years.’
    â€˜How is she?’ asked Harry.
    â€˜Why don’t you come around one night for a meal and see for yourself?’
    Harry shook his head.
    â€˜Why not? She’s always wondering what happened to you.’
    â€˜I’ve got to go.’
    â€˜Take some advice.’
    â€˜Huh, from you?’
    â€˜Don’t make things complicated with Angela and the boy. Promise? Just do the job. When