Urge to Kill (1) Read Online Free

innocent, and his loyalty paid off a year later when Granddad was cleared. When he returned to work, he seemed to have lost his pride in the force and died just four months later—but not before he knew Matt had decided to follow in his footsteps.
    Sam and Fluff’s voices brought him back to the present as they spoke in unison.
    ‘On the left, overlooking the River Avon, we have the magnificent Warwick Castle. The first fortification here was built by Ethel…?’ They both laughed at the usual sticking point.
    Matt joined them, used to their teasing about what used to be his running commentary when they first got together as a team. ‘Ethelfleda,’ he supplied, not for the first time.
    ‘Sister of Edward the elder.’ Fluff and Sam added in a chorus, making Matt laugh.

CHAPTER 5
    A lthough Lisa had only just begun her massage, Clive felt as if they had been enclosed in the room for hours. Every sense was straining, waiting for the discovery of his work. He knew he needed to relax, to occupy his mind. He turned his thoughts to Ben and smiled.
    One evening Clive had arrived home to find his pristine living room had suffered a pink explosion. Baby items, ranging from a carry cot to nappy bags, clothing, bottles, and several other items he couldn’t even recognise filled the room. His space, the very centre of his universe, had been violated so that he hardly recognised it.
    ‘Oh, Clive, please say you don’t mind,’ Mother greeted him. ‘I told Margaret that we would love to have dear little Emily for the evening.’
    Clive stood in the doorway and took a deep breath, aware that he couldn’t show the fury that was boiling up inside him at this invasion. He allowed the breath to escape slowly through his mouth before managing a shaky reply. ‘But I know nothing about taking care of an infant, Mother.’
    Mother had anticipated this.
    ‘You do not need to worry, Clive. Mrs Sinclair is going to stay on for the evening, just until Mummy and Daddy come back from the theatre.’
    He squirmed as Mother placed her forefinger playfully on Emily’s nose. The baby gurgled back and Clive’s fingers itched to place his hands around that tiny neck as they had once itched to encircle Lizzie’s. It would be so easy to squeeze the marauder’s life away.
    Blazing with fury, he searched for a way out. ‘Sorry, but I have to return to the office tonight,’ he said, trying hard to keep his voice calm.
    Mother looked up at him as if she couldn’t believe that he could pass on this opportunity to hold and play with his precious niece. Clive felt the need to elaborate. ‘We have a problem with one of our major clients. Therefore, you can have her all to yourself, Mother.’
    ‘Please, Clive, you do know better. She has a name. Haven’t you, my little darling?’ mother corrected, giving Emily a loving look. In return, Emily waved her little arms with renewed vigour, as if she was thoroughly enjoying his discomfort.
    Clive accepted the rebuke with a quick ‘Sorry,’ before turning to escape from the room. Trying to make sense of the murderous thoughts whirling around his head, he stood in the hallway for a moment, before picking up his briefcase from the hall table and stumbling out to take a gulp of the clean air.
    As he left his home to the ravages of Emily that night, he felt bewildered and angry. Why hadn’t he seen this coming? How could she invade and take over the very centre of his space? Having Mother there was different since he had the control. However, it was too much for this thing to demand that all circulate around her like planets around a sun, there in his pale, understated living room with all her filthy baggage.
    With no escape route planned, Clive headed on automatic pilot to the office. As he slid the silver BMW into its appointed place, he was surprised to find the office lights were on. Guessing it must be the cleaning staff, he hoped they had finished in his office.
    Crossing beyond the tasteful