The Darkness and the Deep Read Online Free PDF Page A

how would she play it? As she went through to the kitchen, her mind was buzzing.
    Ashley Randall sat on the end of the super king-size bed in the sumptuous master bedroom of the Elder’s Executive Homes showhouse, fastening her lacy white bra. In the en suite bathroom, Ritchie Elder was carefully combing his hair in front of the mirror with its star’s dressing room-style lighting.
    ‘I do apologise that the water isn’t connected for a shower,’ he called over his shoulder. ‘It just might give rise to questions if I insisted. There was a bit of chat as it was because I had the house furnished so early.’
    ‘Lewis will probably be still at his mother’s anyway. If he’s back I can just say I didn’t stop for a shower at the shed because I was so keen to get back to him.’
    ‘He’ll believe you?’
    ‘He always believes what I tell him. It’s the thing I like best about him.’
    Elder came out of the bathroom. ‘Are you sure? He’s not a fool.’
    ‘No, he’s not a fool. He’s just supremely complacent – thinks the world was arranged for his benefit and can’t imagine that anything could possibly happen which would interfere with his image of the way things should be.’
    She stood up to put on her cream silk blouse. He came across to her and put his arms round her from behind, undoing the buttons she had been fastening and nuzzling her neck. She smiled, but disengaged herself. ‘ No , Ritchie!’ she scolded with mock severity. ‘We’re pushing our luck already.’ She refastened her shirt, stepped neatly into the trousers of her suit and did them up too.
    Elder sighed. ‘If you insist. When can I hope to see you again?’
    ‘Well – can’t rely on another call-out soon, can we?’ She looked about her at the luxurious room, the soft lights, the deep-pile carpet, the faux fur throw on the acreage of the bed. ‘And what are we going to do when the sales start for the estate? It must be very soon now. Going anywhere public’s too risky, with us both being so well-known round here, and I’m definitely past the age of making out in the back of a car. Even if it is a top-of-the-range Mitsubishi!’
    ‘Mmm. I’ll have to work something out. Actually . . .’
    They went to opposite sides of the bed to straighten the covers and the throw and plump up the pillows and cushions. After a second he went on, ‘Look, I wonder if we need to find some time to talk things through? I’ve been thinking, lately – we might not want to go on for ever like this.’
    Ashley’s heart gave a thump of excitement. Yes! But she was too clever to sound anything but cool. ‘I don’t know, Ritchie. We’re brilliant together, but there’s an awful lot to consider – Lewis, Joanna . . .’
    ‘More top-level discussions, then? As soon as possible?’
    He came round to take her in his arms again and this time she melted into his embrace.
    Rob Anderson slid in behind the bar in the Anchor and with a wink at the man waiting to be served on the other side of the counter, came silently up behind his wife Katy, who was filling a glass from the optic of whisky in the corner, and pinched her charmingly rounded rear.
    She jumped and gave a squeal of protest. ‘Rob Anderson, look what you’ve made me do! This was supposed to be a single and now it’s a double, thanks to you, you daft eejit!’ She looked with affectionate exasperation at her grinning husband and took her revenge by reaching up from her diminutive height to pull the full black beard he had sported since his days in the Navy.
    ‘No loss what a friend gets, eh, Doddie? The extra’s on the house.’ He took the glass from her and slid it across to the appreciative customer.
    ‘You weren’t out long,’ she said, pulling the pint of Special to go with it.
    ‘No – just a wee fella who’d bought himself a boat and didn’t know his anchor from his engine. His wife was giving him laldie when I left and if you ask me he’ll be lucky to get a shottie