The Finest Line Read Online Free Page A

menu for a while. James was more attentive.
    There was another delay at the
nurses’ station where she was asked to sign some papers. A
clipboard was placed in her lap and she was about to test its
prowess as a Frisbee when James took hold of it.
    “Would you like me to fill those
out Miss Kavanagh?”
    She nodded sulkily. Her mood was
rapidly descending and she stared at the lifts across from her. The
doors of one remained open beckoning to her. Her wheelchair was
facing it and she pondered if it was possible to get inside without
being noticed.
    She glanced up at James whose
back was towards her and a smile crept across her face. Mairead
casually got up and quietly walked the few steps until she was
inside.
    The doors were closing when she
saw James turn around. She got a glimpse of his angry face as he
failed to reach her. It was hardly an act of revenge but she felt
immensely satisfied. She planned to go no further than the front
doors and allow him to catch up. His annoyance would be spectacular
and she could hardly wait to see his face.
    When the doors opened again she
was startled by the amount of people. Those that weren’t sitting
down, looking sick or injured, were rushing about. Everything was
unfamiliar and her need to escape was becoming desperate. She
looked about hoping to see an exit.
    She had barely moved when part
of the crowd began to surround her. As first she thought her
imagination had got out of hand until the bombardment of questions
began. Microphones were shoved into her face.
    “Miss Kavanagh is it true that
you were on the balcony from which Joshua Mason fell.”
    “What was your relationship with
Joshua Mason?”
    “Why did the police want to
question you?”
    Mairead stood trembling under
the assault of the media. She couldn’t see past them and had no
idea where the exit was. Her heartbeat and breathing had
accelerated and the fog was swirling through her head.
    Her legs were about to give out
when she was suddenly caught firmly around her waist and pressed
into a hard body. The smell of his cologne was enough to recognise
James. The media backed off a little as he half walked, half
carried her out of their reach.
    She was content to bury her face
into his chest and not look at him until he had put her in the
backseat of a car. Even then she was reluctant, but he turned her
chin towards him.
    His fury was evident. “Don’t you
ever do that again, do you understand?”
    She nodded timidly.
    He said nothing more and Mairead
curled up in her seat, grinning to herself. He still scared the
crap out of her but in no one else’s presence did she feel so safe
and cared for.

CHAPTER THREE

    Mairead lay stretched out on a
comfortable sofa surveying her hotel room. It was spacious and
quiet, with its own kitchenette and two bedrooms coming off the
lounge. There was a door leading out to a small balcony which
overlooked the busy city street below. It was a relief to know her
father still cared enough to provide her with decent
accommodation.
    James had remained quiet even
through a long ride in the lift to the twelfth floor. The young
cheerful porter would have been a welcome companion but James
dismissed his services, opting to carry the bags himself.
    He came out of a bedroom and
went straight to the bar fridge where he began to remove the small
bottles of alcohol.
    Mairead sat up. “This is my
room. Go and raid your own fridge.”
    James ignored her and dumped
them into a plastic bag. He took it out of the room and returned
locking the door behind him.
    “You can go to your own room now
James.” Mairead dismissed him. “I’ll send for you if you’re
needed.”
    He smirked, “My apologies Miss
Kavanagh, but your father has requested that I stay close by you at
all times. Hence I have acquired a room with two bedrooms.”
    Mairead’s mouth fell open and
her anger erupted. “This is not acceptable. I am not a child and I
do not need a babysitter.”
    James went to speak but Mairead
jumped