After Ariel: It started as a game Read Online Free PDF Page B

rang. I was tempted to ignore it, but David gestured to my bag and took a sip of tea, watching me steadily over the rim of his mug. Sighing with frustration, I up-ended my vast shoulder bag, a repository for many superfluous things, onto the kitchen table. I can’t go back to work right now, I just can’t. I caught my mobile before it skittered off the flat surface and onto the floor.
    ‘Hi Ros!’ The relief in my voice must have been evident.
    ‘You sound very pleased to hear from me!’
    ‘Yes, I thought I might be called out on a job.’
    ‘I’m glad it’s me then,’ she countered with a smile in her voice, ‘and how are you and that luscious David?’
    I glanced at David and then down at the bag by his feet. ‘He’s still luscious and fine and so am I.’
     I was about to pull out a chair and sit down when he glanced at his watch and then looked at me with a, ‘Make this quick, I need to talk to you,’ expression.
    ‘How are you both?’ I couldn’t just bundle my friend off the phone before she had time to tell me what she wanted.
    ‘We’re okay, but that’s what I need to talk to you about, but I don’t want to intrude on your free time...’
    Guilt flushed through me. My job constantly prevented me from keeping up with family and friends. ‘What’s wrong? Is everything all right? Is it Pam? Or the cows?’
    ‘Don’t worry, nothing’s wrong with Pam or the cows, Susan. Is there any chance of you getting down here in the near future?’
    Bearing in mind David’s obvious travel plans, my first instinct was to say ‘No, I’m sorry,’ but something in her voice alerted me to trouble. Suppressing a sigh, I replied as brightly as possible. ‘Actually, I’m not on call until tomorrow arvo so I can be with you for morning tea, unless something drastic happens.’ The relief in her voice made me glad I had stifled my longing for a half day home.
    David stepped to the sink to rinse his mug, glancing significantly at me as he towelled it dry. I refused to be hurried.
    ‘How can I thank you? Will David come too?’
    I swung around to face the wall. ‘No, David can’t come, I’m afraid. I didn’t have anything planned beyond some gardening, so I can get there about ten. Will that do?’
    Amid a flurry of ‘Thank yous,’ Ros said goodbye.
    I closed my mobile and turned to face David. A waft of his aftershave engulfed me as he stepped close and wrapped his arms around me, crushing my nose into his sweater. He held me tightly and rested his cheek on my hair. We stood like that for some minutes before he put me away from him and gazed down into my face. ‘You surely didn’t think I was actually leavin g you? Not a chance!’
    Tears welled in my eyes, but I put on my “I’m just fine” woman-face. Not noticing anything untoward, David continued. ‘Well, as I said, I’m seconded to Toowoomba, me and Peter Moffatt. He’s picking me up at midnight because we start early tomorrow.’
    ‘Peter Moffatt? From Covert Ops? David, just what are you getting into here? Are you going undercover?’ Fear flashed through me.
    ‘ Just secondment, Susan, nothing more. It’s all organised.’ He ran his hand through his hair in a familiar gesture that showed he was excited, damn him. He wouldn’t say – wasn’t allowed to tell even me – but like a police wife, not to mention, a police officer, I know when my husband is keeping something from me.
    ‘Just how long do you think you’re going to be up there?’ I’d bet he was putting himself in danger and he didn’t seem to give a damn for his safety. For all I knew, he could be infiltrating anything from animal abusers to drug dealers. “Furious” didn’t begin to describe how I felt.
    He frowned. ‘Probably a week or so.’
    ‘What squad are you seconded to?’
    ‘Filling in at Major Crime.’
    I stroked his arm to soften my stance, but fear crept through me. ‘Filling in, eh? Pull the other leg that whistles. How are you getting wherever it