Read Online Minds That Hate by Bill Kitson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Bill Kitson
Tags: UK
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genial mood today. Surprising when you think what’s going on.’
‘He’s not got long to go to his pension, that’s probably got a lot to do with it. How was your weekend? Did you get high with the galloping major?’
‘That man’s got far too much energy.’ Clara saw Nash’s raised eyebrows and blushed. ‘That’s not what I meant. He had me dashing up and down mountains all day Saturday and yesterday. I’ve come to work for a rest. How was your weekend?’
‘Nothing special, except I found out I don’t have amnesia.’ Nash explained about the practical joke.
‘Good for her,’ Clara approved. ‘It’s time somebody took you down a peg or two.’
‘For that you can make the coffee.’ Nash scowled.
When Clara returned, Nash handed her some paperwork. ‘These are the notes I made after I’d seen Vickers.’
Clara’s coffee had gone cold by the time she finished reading. ‘Your doubts about Vickers are stronger than ever.’
‘Yes. Either he’s bluffing or there’s something wrong about the whole case. One thing’s certain. He doesn’t care what happens. Nothing’s going to stop him coming back to Helmsdale.’
‘Are you visiting him again?’
‘I said I’d pick him up on Friday.’
‘Then we’d better start planning.’
They were interrupted by the phone. Nash answered, and after a few seconds he began to smile. ‘I thought you were going to be longer. What do you want to do? That’s fine. I need all the help I can get. No, she’s not much help. All she does is sit here, making snide remarks about my love life and being generally insubordinate. And her coffee’s lousy. Give me chance to clear it with HR. Call me later today.’
‘Pearce?’ Clara guessed, as Nash replaced the receiver.
‘Yes, the second leg of his holiday was cancelled. Something to do with an airline strike. He wants to come back to work.’
‘And the crack about me being insubordinate? What did Viv say about that?’
‘He said, “Nothing’s changed then”.’
Appleyard was in his study. After a few minutes’ thought, he picked up his pen and started to write. He set down a few sentences, paused and read them aloud.
He gathered his thoughts and began scribbling again. Eventually he put his pen down and read through the speech, altering a word here, a phrase there.
Appleyard would need to show it to Rathmell before the residents’ meeting on Friday. He made a note to print off a press release. No point in making the speech if nobody read or heard it.
He picked up the phone to call Rathmell. He felt a glow of pride: he was about to announce a new political philosophy. ‘Where do you want to meet?’ he asked eagerly.
Rathmell frowned. ‘I’m a bit pushed for time. Better make it in Helm Woods. If you drive along the road by the river, you’ll come to a picnic area opposite the bridge over the Helm. Take the path through the woods. After about a mile it crosses the path for Kirk Bolton. Turn right and you’ll see a clearing. I’ll be waiting for you there, seven o’clock tonight.’
Rathmell finished the call and dialled another number. ‘Are you free this evening? I’ve to meet the councillor at 7 p.m. in the clearing. I’ll get rid of him as quickly as I can. I’ll see you straight after. I’ll bring a rug so we can be comfortable. I’m getting a bit tired of the confines of the car, even the Merc.’ Rathmell cast a swift glance round before continuing, ‘She’s talking about a two- week trip to America, which means I’ll have this place to myself.’
Chapter nine
Netherdale Gazette was not blessed with limitless resources or the backing of a large conglomerate. The paper was owned by the Pollard family. They took an active part in the running of the daily. The founder had been involved until he was into his eighties. His two sons divided their responsibilities: the elder brother ran the newspaper whilst his sibling managed the other family enterprises. When they
‘He’s not got long to go to his pension, that’s probably got a lot to do with it. How was your weekend? Did you get high with the galloping major?’
‘That man’s got far too much energy.’ Clara saw Nash’s raised eyebrows and blushed. ‘That’s not what I meant. He had me dashing up and down mountains all day Saturday and yesterday. I’ve come to work for a rest. How was your weekend?’
‘Nothing special, except I found out I don’t have amnesia.’ Nash explained about the practical joke.
‘Good for her,’ Clara approved. ‘It’s time somebody took you down a peg or two.’
‘For that you can make the coffee.’ Nash scowled.
When Clara returned, Nash handed her some paperwork. ‘These are the notes I made after I’d seen Vickers.’
Clara’s coffee had gone cold by the time she finished reading. ‘Your doubts about Vickers are stronger than ever.’
‘Yes. Either he’s bluffing or there’s something wrong about the whole case. One thing’s certain. He doesn’t care what happens. Nothing’s going to stop him coming back to Helmsdale.’
‘Are you visiting him again?’
‘I said I’d pick him up on Friday.’
‘Then we’d better start planning.’
They were interrupted by the phone. Nash answered, and after a few seconds he began to smile. ‘I thought you were going to be longer. What do you want to do? That’s fine. I need all the help I can get. No, she’s not much help. All she does is sit here, making snide remarks about my love life and being generally insubordinate. And her coffee’s lousy. Give me chance to clear it with HR. Call me later today.’
‘Pearce?’ Clara guessed, as Nash replaced the receiver.
‘Yes, the second leg of his holiday was cancelled. Something to do with an airline strike. He wants to come back to work.’
‘And the crack about me being insubordinate? What did Viv say about that?’
‘He said, “Nothing’s changed then”.’
Appleyard was in his study. After a few minutes’ thought, he picked up his pen and started to write. He set down a few sentences, paused and read them aloud.
He gathered his thoughts and began scribbling again. Eventually he put his pen down and read through the speech, altering a word here, a phrase there.
Appleyard would need to show it to Rathmell before the residents’ meeting on Friday. He made a note to print off a press release. No point in making the speech if nobody read or heard it.
He picked up the phone to call Rathmell. He felt a glow of pride: he was about to announce a new political philosophy. ‘Where do you want to meet?’ he asked eagerly.
Rathmell frowned. ‘I’m a bit pushed for time. Better make it in Helm Woods. If you drive along the road by the river, you’ll come to a picnic area opposite the bridge over the Helm. Take the path through the woods. After about a mile it crosses the path for Kirk Bolton. Turn right and you’ll see a clearing. I’ll be waiting for you there, seven o’clock tonight.’
Rathmell finished the call and dialled another number. ‘Are you free this evening? I’ve to meet the councillor at 7 p.m. in the clearing. I’ll get rid of him as quickly as I can. I’ll see you straight after. I’ll bring a rug so we can be comfortable. I’m getting a bit tired of the confines of the car, even the Merc.’ Rathmell cast a swift glance round before continuing, ‘She’s talking about a two- week trip to America, which means I’ll have this place to myself.’
Chapter nine
Netherdale Gazette was not blessed with limitless resources or the backing of a large conglomerate. The paper was owned by the Pollard family. They took an active part in the running of the daily. The founder had been involved until he was into his eighties. His two sons divided their responsibilities: the elder brother ran the newspaper whilst his sibling managed the other family enterprises. When they
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