Damned by Logic Read Online Free PDF Page A

there were so many passengers milling around. Well, no matter; he had to get home anyway.
    On the way to the station, he questioned how soon he could expect to see her again, how long before he could tell Eileen he would be away for a day or two. Since work frequently meant he was away from home, she would have no reason to be surprised.
    Did I once promise to honour and obey and to love no other, he wondered bitterly?
    Irene Owen came through from the small room, shut the door behind her, and frowning, came up to the bench.
    â€˜What luck?’ Keene asked.
    â€˜Not as much as a sparkle.’
    â€˜X-ray?’
    â€˜Clear.’
    He swore.
    â€˜There’s nothing in the luggage?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜Then you’ve been given a bum deal.’
    â€˜Carry on and remind me I’ve got a mortgage I can’t afford and the house is on negative value.’
    â€˜No need to take it out on me. I just do what I’m told.’
    Further conversation ceased when Melanie, having dressed and made herself as presentable as she could in the circumstances, came up to the bench. She faced Ratner, her anger and resentment obvious. She slurred her words. ‘That was humiliating.’
    â€˜If we have cause to strip-search a disembarking passenger, we are legally entitled to do so.’
    â€˜And she wanted a thrill.’ She pointed at the female officer.
    â€˜You have no right to make so obnoxious and unwarranted an accusation,’ Officer Owen retorted with as much dignity as she could muster in the circumstances.
    â€˜After what she did to me, I was being bloody polite.’
    â€˜You are free to leave.’
    She set the suitcases on the trolley, slung the handbag over her shoulder, and left. As she crossed the remaining ground of the forecourt, she was relieved to see that all the ship’s passengers had since left and there was no sign of a lovesick Ansell waiting around for her. It would have been further humiliation to have to describe to him the reason for her delay.
    No other passenger ship was expected for two days. The driver of the one remaining taxi prepared to accept her fare, swore when she crossed to a waiting luxury saloon car.
    A man got out of the saloon, took the two suitcases from her.
    â€˜Well?’ Noyes asked as she got into the back of the car.
    â€˜No problems,’ she answered.

FOUR
    B racken Lane belied its name; not one frond of bracken grew in any of the small front and much larger back gardens; in fact the lane was a suburban road. The houses on both sides had been built in the early twentieth century for those with moderate to fairly good incomes. In estate jargon, they offered quality living.
    It was here that a taxi deposited Ansell after his two weeks away. He climbed out of the car, paid the taxi driver, carried his suitcases to the front door, unlocked it and stepped into the hall.
    Almost immediately, Eileen came out of the sitting room. ‘You’re late.’
    â€˜There was some sort of foul-up over tugs, so we didn’t land when we were meant to.’ He went forward to kiss her; she offered her cheek.
    â€˜I’ve tried to keep the meal warm.’
    â€˜How are you, sweet?’
    â€˜The same.’
    Discontented. ‘Have there been any problems?’
    â€˜Jane lost her baby three days ago.’
    â€˜Oh, what bad luck!’ he said with genuine feeling.
    â€˜It was her own fault. I told her, she shouldn’t keep rushing around looking after Jim.’
    Ansell nodded in agreement, then escaped and went up to their bedroom, put the suitcase down on his bed, opened it. He brought out Georgie, slightly crumpled, and put him down by the case. Melanie had said she couldn’t give him an address or telephone number until she decided where to stay, but she’d ring him as soon as possible. It seemed likely she would have a mobile, so why hadn’t she given him the number of that as she’d told him her