CXVI The Beginning of the End (Book 1): A Gripping Murder Mystery and Suspense Thriller (CXVI BOOK 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

possible.”
    “What about sparks from the car fire?”
    There was another pause.
    “Yes, that’s a possibility too, because the burns
were recent.”
    “How recent?”
    “Probably within two hours prior to his death.”
    “They’re too close together to have been from a
taser or stun gun.”
    “Yes, they are. I’d already discounted that.”
    “Okay, thank you,” Higgson said, putting the phone
down.
    Two minutes later he was disturbed by a call from
the team inspecting the burnt-out car. He listened carefully, making notes as
he did so; then he replaced the receiver.
     
    Thursday 29 th March.
     
    It was only days since Jonathan
Plant had left and already Pauline was feeling unsettled. Before leaving he’d
told her he was flying to Peru, and would probably be away for a couple of
months; he’d promised to telephone as often as he could, but said not to expect
any contact for the next couple of weeks. Although he’d divulged more
information than ever before about his intended destination, and was promising
to keep in touch, she was still convinced he worked for the Secret Intelligence
Service. Furthermore, she doubted he’d be staying in Peru, and thought this was
most probably a stopover, before travelling on - none of which had done
anything to assist with her contentedness, and as each day passed her anxiety
intensified.
    In an effort to take her mind off things, she’d
spent the day out hacking on Huntford, a ten-year-old, 17 hands, jet black
thoroughbred gelding, who could not be described as anything other than possessing
presence. He was her favourite horse, whom she enjoyed taking out to explore the
beautiful Yorkshire Dales countryside with her. Together with her three loyal
chocolate Labradors, Isambard, Kingdom and Brunel, obediently tagging along,
she’d become well-known around the area, where the locals referred to her as
the friendly lady from the large farmhouse.
    After returning home and bedding the animals down
for the night, she’d eaten and, hoping for a relaxing evening, settled in front
of the log fire with a bottle of wine. Unfortunately, her mind had other ideas
and instead of relaxing she become increasingly tense. In an effort to combat
this she opened a second bottle. You’ll regret this in the morning, she thought,
sipping from the glass.
    Around 10.30 p.m. she was awoken by the telephone
ringing; she’d fallen asleep on the sofa. She got up to answer the call, her
heart thumping. Oh my head .
    “Hi, Pauline, it’s Tracey.”
    “Hi. W… What time is it?”
    “Half ten, I haven’t got you up have I?”
    “Err… no, I’d fallen asleep in the lounge, too much
wine.”
    “I thought you sounded slightly off key.”
    She cleared her throat. “Is everything alright?”
    “Yes, I’m fine.” There was a pause.
    “Have you forgotten? I said I’d ring this week so
you can tell me all about who you’re dating.”
    “Oh yes, of course you did. Just bear with me a
second while get some water from the fridge.” She headed to the kitchen, taking
the phone with her. “That’s better,” she said, sipping the iced drink and sitting
at the breakfast bar. “Right, I’ve met this guy called Jonathan, he’s tall,
handsome, very fit and he speaks seven languages. . .”
    “He sounds interesting.”
    “He reminds me so much of Gerrard; in fact he looks
similar, he’s ultra-confident, cool, calm, has a very dry sense of humour, and
is totally unflappable. He was on the same table as me at a charity function in
Harrogate. We got chatting and one thing led to another. That was eight months
ago.”
    “I like the sound of this. And have you. . .”
    “Yes, and before you ask, he’s wonderful.”
    “I’m becoming jealous.”
    “Ah… Well, before you get carried away, there’s a
problem. . .”
    “Let me guess; he’s married.”
    “No, he’s not. The problem is that he’s away for
months on end; he spends all his time travelling the world.”
    “Pauline, are you sure