Pride's Harvest Read Online Free PDF Page B

hitting a tree stump as he took his eyes off the winding track. “I’ve missed you, too. I didn’t realize how big a queen-sized bed is till you’re in it alone.”
    â€œJust as well we didn’t get a king-sized one. You haven’t invited anyone home to fill up the space, have you?”
    â€œJust three girls from the Rape Advisory Squad. How are the kids making out? You’d better keep an eye on Tom. He could hurt himself falling off horses.”
    â€œDon’t be so protective. They’re all right. Claire’s fallen in love with Tas.”
    â€œShe’s only fourteen, for God’s sake! Tell her to get that out of her head!”
    â€œYou tell her. You’ll be more diplomatic and sympathetic than I would. Relax, darling. She’s going to fall in and out of love ten times a year from now till she’s twenty-one. I know I did.”
    â€œI never did ask you. How old were you when you lost your virginity?”
    â€œIt’s none of your business. And don’t you ever ask Claire a question like that. That’s my business.” They were out on the tarmac of the main road now, running smoothly; she leaned back against the door of the car and looked at him. “How’s the investigation going?”
    â€œWe haven’t really started yet, but it’s already beginning to look murky.” He noticed in the driving mirror that another car was behind them, but he gave it only a cursory look. A semitrailer hurtled towards them, front ablaze with rows of small lights, so that it looked like the entrance to a travelling strip show. It went by with a roar, the wind of its passing rocking the Commodore. “Bastard!”
    â€œHow long do you think you’ll be out here?”
    â€œYour guess is as good as mine. A coupla days, maybe more. Depends on what Russ and I dig up.”
    â€œWhat’s Russ doing this evening?”
    â€œI don’t know. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s investigating Narelle.”
    â€œ Who’s Narelle?”
    â€œShe owns the pub where we’re staying. A very attractive widow.”
    â€œDoes she have a queen-sized bed?”
    â€œI wouldn’t be surprised. I’ll ask her.”
    â€œNever mind. I’ll ask Russ.”
    â€œMind your own business. This where we turn in?”
    They drove up another long track, this one straight and lined on either side by what looked, in the darkness, like poplars. He pulled up in front of another large one-storeyed house, but this one more modern than the main Sundown homestead. The lights were on in the house and the Land-Rover had been taken round to a garage at the back. Off to one side the wire netting surrounding a tennis court looked like a huge wall of spider’s web. Malone wound down the car window and listened to the silence.
    â€œIt’s so peaceful,” said Lisa.
    He said nothing, thinking of Sagawa lying dead in the silence.
    But Lisa could shut out the world from herself and him. “Every time I’m away from you for even a night, I realize how much I love you. It’s not so bad when I’m home in our own bed, I can feel you there beside me even when you’re not. I’ve even had an orgasm in my sleep.”
    â€œSorry I wasn’t there.”
    â€œBut in a strange bed, it’s so empty . . .” The Commodore had bucket seats; detectives were not encouraged to embrace each other, even those of the opposite sex. But the Malones managed to reach for each other and their kiss was as passionate as if they were back in Randwick in their own bed. At last she drew away from him, taking his hands off her. “That’s enough. I don’t want to have to call up one of your girls from the Rape Advisory Squad. Will you be out tomorrow night?”
    â€œI’ll try. I’d like some time with the kids. Keep an eye on Claire and Tas.”
    â€œYou want to leave your Smith and Wesson with