I Came to Find a Girl Read Online Free

it though.”
    “She lured men with her beauty – is that you?”
    She looks blank. And the camerawork is shaky as Flood gathers up his purchases. “I’ll be in touch.”

    Flood’s hotel suite: the bronze silk curtains are drawn and the lights are dim.
    Flood spreads the newspapers across the king-size. “The show’s a sensation – five stars.” He pores over the arts pages of the broadsheets, and moves on to the tabloids. His face darkens and his eyes are hard.
    There’s a knock, and Flood stares at the door. “Who is it?”
    “Jack, it’s me – Marcus, open up.”
    Flood moves slowly towards the door.
    Marcus Hedley is dressed in crisp jeans and a navy sweatshirt with his usual horn-rimmed glasses. “Jack, thank God,” he says.
    “It’s a little early for a social visit.”
    “I know you don’t sleep.” Marcus Hedley glances round at the luxury suite. “Can we sit down? There’s something I must tell you.”
    “Save your breath, I already know.” Flood nods towards the pile of newspapers lying open on the bed.
    “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have had to find out like that.” Marcus tries to put an arm round him.
    Flood moves back and away. “When did you find out?”
    “I was trying to protect you.”
    “When did you find out?”
    “Jack, please sit, we need to talk this through.”
    “Did you deliberately not tell me?”
    Marcus removes his glasses and rubs at his eyes. “I only ever have your best interests at heart you know that. I was trying to protect you.”
    “You couldn’t risk the star of the show not showing up...”
    “It wasn’t like that.”
    “When did you know?”
    “Late yesterday – it was shortly before the private view. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to spoil your moment; you’ve worked so hard, and I wasn’t sure how you felt about Angie. It’s been a while...”
    “Why didn’t you tell me after the show?”
    “You disappeared. Where did you go?”
    Flood frowns. “When did it happen?”
    “I don’t know exactly. The coroner’s report will look into it but I’m told she was found yesterday but probably died the day before.”
    “On the eve of my show...” Flood looks towards the window. “Is it true what the papers are saying?”
    “It’s too early to tell.”
    “I saw her that day.”
    “Oh?”
    “She was fine – she seemed fine.”
    “I’m so sorry, Jack.”
    Flood moves across the room and retrieves a Bible from the back of the hairdryer drawer.
    “Oh, Jack – don’t do that, not now.”
    “How else do you suggest I get through this?”
    “Come back to London, come and stay with me for a while.”
    Flood sits back down carefully placing the Bible on his lap, dark curls half-cover his face.
    “Let me take you for breakfast.”
    “I can’t eat anything, not now.” Flood opens the Bible to reveal a hollowed-out cavity.
    Marcus stands up. “I’m going to leave now.”
    Flood carefully removes a small plastic wrap from the hollowed-out book.
    Marcus shakes his head. “You’ll be okay?”
    Flood doesn’t reply. And Marcus shakes his head and lets himself out.

    Again, there’s a knock at the door.
    “Is that you, Marcus?” Flood closes the Bible and puts it aside, then redirects the camera ensuring it will encompass the door.
    Outside, stands a petite woman in a pink, tailored skirt-suit with blonde waist-length hair and stilettos.  
    “Can I help you?” he asks.
    “I am Tatiana.”
    “You’ve got the wrong room.” He goes to close the door but the woman reaches out to stop him.
    “This is suite 12?” she says.
    “There must be some mistake.”
    “You book me online, no mistake.”
    “I can’t see a tall Russian blonde with flawless skin.”
    “You booked me. I know – photographic memory.” She taps the side of her head with a perfect pink nail.
    “You’re about five four at a push, yellow hair – I’ll give you that, but you’re orange. Fake tan does nothing for me,