Past Life Read Online Free PDF Page A

sighed.
    “ The Air Commodore will be pleased.” Adams said. “At least we'll be ready to roll as soon as the scientists are.”
    The dispersal data would come in useful, even if this hadn't been an actual test.
    Frankie quickly said her goodbyes, then she and Will headed back to Edinburgh. Will offered to drive and Frankie accepted his offer. Neither spoke very much on the return journey; they were each lost in their own thoughts, so Frankie turned the radio on to cover their silence. As they got closer to Edinburgh they hit the very rain that they had just been seeding.
    “ Where does your friend live?” Will asked as they approached the outskirts of the city.
    “ What?”
    “ You said you were going to see a friend about my case. If he's an expert, I'd like to be there too.”
    “ I really don't think that's a good idea.”
    “ Why not?”
    Frankie tried to think of a good reason that would deter him, but she came up empty.
    “ It's... complicated.”
    “ Then explain it.”
    “ Oh, Will,” she shook her head. “There are things I still haven't told you. Things I can't tell you about. Things I can't tell anyone about.”
    “ And he's part of something you can't talk about?”
    “ You could say that.”
    “ I have security clearance now, Frankie.”
    “ Minimal clearance,” she corrected.
    “ And I signed the Official Secrets Act.”
    “ It's not my employers I'm worried about.”
    “ Then what? What could be so bad that you can't tell me about it? I'm not going to betray you or your secrets, Frankie. Hell, even if I wanted to, who would believe me?”
    Frankie could tell from his tone that he wasn't going to give up and she finally relented.
    “ Fine, you can come. Just keep a low profile and don't ask any questions.”
    “ I think I can manage that.”
    “ Then head to the new Quartermile development in the Old Town.”
    Once there, they parked underground and made their way up to street level. Frankie checked her text messages for the address and they looked for his building number, getting steadily wetter in the rain. Frankie wished that she'd thought to bring an umbrella. It took a while but they found his building and Dante buzzed them in.
    “ What floor?” Will asked as they entered the lift.
    “ Nine,” Frankie answered, checking her reflection in the mirrored walls. The rain didn't seem to have done too much damage to her appearance.
    “ Penthouse,” Will noted but made no further comment on the apartment. “So what is this guy, a witch? Or is it a wizard?”
    “ There are no wizards, but he's neither.”
    “ So he's just...?”
    “ He's someone who has some experience of the paranormal, that's all you need to know.” Frankie was still slightly resentful that Will was here at all, and couldn't keep the sharp tone out of her voice. They got out of the lift but before they could knock, the door opened.
    “ Frankie!” Dante leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Will noticed the physical contact, something Frankie usually avoided, but he didn't comment on it.
    “ Always a pleasure. And I see you brought dinner,” Dante looked over Will.
    Frankie elbowed him in the ribs and introduced them to each other, though she introduced Dante as Dan.
    “ Well, come on in,” Dante opened the door wide. “Welcome to my humble abode.”
    “ It's beautiful,” Frankie said, looking around. The walls were floor to ceiling glass, though she was pleased to note that they all had fitted blinds that could be lowered. The floors were wood and Dante had kept the furniture modern, with clean lines to match the apartment.
    “ Thank you. I think it still needs more art but I'm gradually getting there. Can I get either of you a drink?” Dante asked.
    They both refused so Dante gestured for them to sit on the leather sofas.
    “ Well, I can certainly see why she's been hiding you, Will,” Dante said, clearly flirting with Will.
    “ Don't even go there,” Frankie said, clearly unimpressed. “He