The Dead Lie Down (Adam Lennox Thrillers: Book One) Read Online Free PDF

challenge in Adam's voice was unmistakable
but he was beginning to lose patience.
    Now John looked up with an expression that reflected the weight of the world on
his shoulders and pleaded for help that he couldn't accept. "I can't."
    Brad broke in, standing between them and facing John. "And you don't have to. It
wouldn't help anyway."
    Adam's exasperation got the better of him. He met Brad's eyes but spoke to John,
quietly and evenly. "John. You can't run from this whatever it is. If you won't
play straight and face the consequences then I repeat, I can't help you."
    John's face struggled with indecision and then he appeared to finally settle his
mind. He stood up.
    "Then there is nothing more to say."
    In that instant Adam made the decision.
    "Fine."
    He took one long look at John, trying to read his face, and then finally strode
out of the room slamming the door, which by good fortune was solidly built and
stayed on its hinges after all.
    Waiting for the lift to come and for his blood pressure to drop he discovered
Bel at his side.
    "John said to tell you to remember the dorm." She caught his sleeve. "Adam, what
did he mean? What's going on?"
    Adam continued to watch the lift floor indicator. "To tell you the truth Bel, I
don't know, and you know something? I'm not sure I care."
    He took a deep breath and turned to her as the lift arrived. "I'll be in
touch."
    And with that he left the building.

Chapter 5
    Gerry was on the phone dealing with a client when Adam arrived in the office.
Converted from an old laundrette it provided office space for Gerry, Adam and
their secretary/mother figure Clare, with enough room left over for some client
hospitality. There was even a small (emphasis on the small) studio where, push
come to shove, they could handle some simple photo shoots.
    The decor, smart and simple, attempted to be fashionable if you didn't look too
closely. It was rather like a film set, which was as authentic as possible until
you went behind the facade. If you sniffed carefully you could still smell damp
laundry. As a business their only way was up.
    Clare
was at her desk, diet milk shake half empty, 'in lieu of lunch you understand'.
She was retired from a civilian job with the police. No-one had ever managed to
uncover exactly what she did with the police, but as she was a very amply
proportioned lady and she made the coffee, nobody pushed it. It wasn't worth the
risk in Adam's view. You never know what you might get in your mug. Behind her
the wall was covered with certificates for rifle shooting and dog-training. When
Adam had enquired at the original interview about her hobbies he had been amused
by the combination until she revealed that the rifles were high velocity
marksman and the dogs were Dobermans and Alsatians. He sat up and took notice.
This was not a lady to be messed with.
    Clare looked up over the rim of her reading glasses. "What was JB's problem
then?" Clare had a habit of calling everyone by initials. Probably an equality
thing but it made for some interesting faux pas and turned some conversations
into guessing games.
    Adam made a face. "I don't know. For some reason he wouldn't tell me the real
cause."
    "That sounds like JB." She hesitated. "Bump into Bel by any chance?"
    "Yes."
    "How are things between you two."
    Adam stopped flipping through the pile of mail he was holding and looked
up. "Still awkward. She still hates me you know.
She's never forgiven me for taking away her best friend."
    "Are you sure of that?"
    "Sure I'm sure. She gave me the cold shoulder as soon as I started going out
with Fran. We'd been good friends up until then."
    "And after Fran died?"
    "I
suppose things eased up a tad. There still seems to be a common bond in Fran's
memory, as if our contact is somehow keeping her alive in some way, but every
time we meet it's painful." Adam Lennox, psychoanalyst extraordinaire. He
recounted to Clare the conversation in Bel's office.
    "Ouch."