Blood Line Read Online Free PDF Page A

began.
    ‘She was. To me she still is, but I don’t know how long the Social Services will help me, keeping on a carer like Rose. Still, I’m sure you are not here to be privy to our problems.’
    His puppy-dog eyes were like a spaniel’s as he asked, ‘Do you have any news of Alan?’
    ‘No, I’m afraid not, but I interviewed Tina today.’
    Mr Rawlins nodded and sipped his sherry again.
    ‘Your wife wasn’t too keen on her.’
    ‘Did she tell you that? Well, that surprises me. Kathleen never says a bad word about anyone. She only came here a couple of times. Kathleen’s problems started a while ago, and in the early stages, before she was diagnosed, we didn’t understand her mood changes. She could sometimes say things totally out of character, and she and Tina didn’t hit it off.’
    ‘She remembered that Tina was a hairdresser.’
    ‘Ah yes. That’s sometimes so hard to understand—how she can suddenly recall mundane things and then forget the important ones.’
    ‘She didn’t like her—did you?’
    ‘To be honest, I had hoped Alan could do better, but he seemed to dote on her, so who was I to say anything? Often, the less said the better, and I sort of hoped that in time he would see for himself.’
    ‘See what?’
    ‘She’s a bit of a pushy girl and I know he helped finance her salon, but then when he said they planned to marry I suppose I just accepted it. He is such a shy boy, and I thought that having her with him might give him a bit of a confidence boost.’
    ‘Did it?’
    ‘I don’t know. He was always very busy and saved every penny as they were buying a house together. I helped him buy this old Mercedes and he was doing it up to sell. We’d done a couple of other cars, and he’d always made a profit and split the proceeds with me. He’s as honest as …’ His voice started to crack. ‘I’m sorry, I just can’t seem to accept the fact that he’s disappeared. It just doesn’t make any sense.’
    ‘Tell me, did he have another, secret girlfriend?’
    ‘No, not that I know of, but then he wouldn’t have told me. Well, I don’t think he would have because deep down he knew that we were not too keen on Tina.’
    ‘Take me through the last time you saw him.’
    Mr Rawlins took a deep breath. He explained how they had sat with Kathleen and then come into the lounge to discuss what they should do about future care.
    ‘He said he was worried about finances, and I said I wouldn’t allow her to be taken into a home, that I’d cope somehow. With Rose here it’s not that bad. The only thing is, she leaves at six when I get home, so it means I am sort of trapped here every evening—not that I mind, but it’s hard not to be able to even go out for the odd pint, and then weekends I have her.’
    He sipped his sherry.
    ‘I said to Alan that if the worst came to the worst, I would sell this house. I own it outright, no mortgage or anything, and it’s worth quite a lot of money. I’d be prepared to sell and scale down, maybe rent a place where I could look after Kathleen. This has five bedrooms and …’ His voice trailed off.
    ‘Did he ask you for money?’
    ‘Alan? Good God no, he earns a good wage, and I know if I ever needed help he wouldn’t hesitate.’
    ‘Are you aware if he had any enemies?’
    ‘Not that I know of. He’s not the type to make anyone go against him; he is, whether it’s a good sign or a bad one, very much like me. I have always hated confrontations and he is the same. He’d walk away from a fight.’
    ‘Did he and Tina fight?’
    ‘That I couldn’t tell you. We only ever went to the flat theonce when they were moving in. Well, I did, Kathleen never saw it. It seemed very modern, but the rent wasn’t too high.’
    ‘Did you ever hear him say he had argued with anyone?’
    ‘No. I’ve never known him to get on the wrong side of anyone, not that he can’t take care of himself.’
    ‘How do you mean?’
    ‘Well, that was where he met Tina—at