A Murderer's Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

the garden.
    This was where she would spend most of her free time; reading, listening to music or just sitting soaking up the peace and tranquillity. Summertime would see her open the double doors to drink the scents from the various plants and listen to the wildlife. She would hold parties for friends, and know she was lucky to have found such paradise.
    Some had thought her mad to cut herself off from the city and its busy exciting offerings. But with her practice and two afternoons a week at Tadmore, Anne had more than enough emotional turmoil with her work. It was the thought of her special room that enriched her peace of mind – giving her the inner strength she knew she needed, especially in her line of work. Besides it wasn’t too far away from the city and so worth the extra time it took.
    After a shower and quick breakfast, she dressed in comfortable jeans and shirt then settled down in the study to complete some paperwork.
    The room had the same simple theme as the rest of the place.
    She sat at a large wooden desk; bookshelves lined the walls, stuffed full of medical tomes and journals, together with a variety of fiction and things that interested her. She never liked to bring work home but at least doing so gave her a break from the office.
    She typed the week’s notes then printed and filed them ready for the office on Monday.
    Whilst finishing the Armstrong notes, she thought about how sad Peter’s life had been after years of looking after his mother. Harming herself had become a ritual that only professional help could hope to cure. She admired the way he had tried to protect her over the years but even he had admitted defeat – the better for both of them. Perhaps now he could learn to live his life without guilt and find some happiness? She would continue to see both he and his mother until things were on a more even keel. And although she had relinquished responsibility by passing Mrs Armstrong over to Tadmore, she always liked to follow through.
    Too involved, Sam would always tell her.
    She had just put the last file into her briefcase and was thinking about changing for her get-together with Barbara, when the ‘phone rang.
    “ Hello, Anne Blake,” she answered.
    “ Anne, thank goodness you’re there. It’s Jenny,” said the stressed voice on the other end.
    “ Jenny! It’s been ages. How are you? I’ve been meaning to call – it’s my turn to cook, isn’t it?”
    “ Yes, it has been a long time. I…I…I don’t know how to tell you.”
    Jenny stumbled over her words.
    Anne knew something was wrong.
    “ Jen, tell me, what’s the matter?”
    “ Listen, I can’t say over the ‘phone. Can we meet, it’s just that…?” stammered Jenny.
    “ Of course we can. Are you busy this morning? I’m meeting Barbara at eleven fifteen at Alice’s Coffee House. Why don’t you meet me at ten thirty? That way we can talk before she arrives. She’ll like to see you again, anyway. Don’t worry, Jen, nothing can be that bad, can it?”
    “ Thanks, Anne. I really need to talk to someone. Are you sure Barbara won’t mind? It’ll be good to see her again.”
    “ No, of course she won’t mind. And anyway, we’ll have talked things over before she arrives,” Anne reassured her friend.
    “ Great! I’ll meet you later…and thanks, Anne.”
    The line disconnected before she could respond.
    Anne had hoped to spend some time in her garden room before she went out, but now thought she’d better change or she’d be late.
    Before she moved however, she made a call to Tadmore Hospital to enquire about Mrs Armstrong.
    “ Doctor Blake, hello,” answered the nurse on duty.
    “ Yes, I’m just enquiring about Missus Armstrong, has she settled in okay? I’ll able to see her Tuesday afternoon, but I wanted to check on her.”
    “ Well, she hasn’t checked in yet. But that’s not unusual. Our ambulance pick-up service is a little behind at weekends. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Do you