The Alex King Series, A BATEMAN [good books for high schoolers .TXT] 📗

“Hold that thought,” Amanda said. “I just need the loo.”

She picked up her bag and walked out the door they had entered, and Caroline could hear a door open and then lock. The kettle flicked off and Caroline debated whether to make the coffee, but she did not want to appear over familiar.

When Amanda came back in, she seemed a little more relaxed. She made the coffee, offered milk and sugar and cradled her mug with both hands. She looked at Caroline and smiled. “Well, this is civilised. I should have baked a cake.”

Caroline smiled, but it was difficult to make it to appear genuine. Inside she was not only seething at Amanda’s attitude, her general demeanour, but reeling that she had almost been caught. Her nerves were almost shot, her heart pounding in her chest. She needed to carry on with the act. Brass it out, as King would often say.

“I know this probably seems strange,” Caroline said, looking thoughtfully into her cup. “But I wanted to know what happened at the cottage,” she paused, looking at her. Already, she knew she would not get the truth, she could see the glee in the woman’s eyes, like she revelled at the possibility of having power over her. Caroline added, “I’m not angry at you.”

Amanda smiled, she did not speak for a moment, but it seemed like a whole minute to Caroline. “I didn’t know he had a girlfriend,” she said eventually. “These things happen.”

Caroline nodded. She hoped not too forlornly. “It’s over,” she said. “I just wanted to hear it from you.”

Amanda shrugged. “Well, that’s that then,” she said. “So, what are your plans?”

Caroline shook her head. “I can’t think about that until we get further with the investigation.”

“And King is off the case now?” Amanda asked. “Sorry, I shouldn’t ask about him.”

Caroline smiled. “Yes, his career is finished, I should imagine. The Home Secretary seemed to make his point.”

“He’s no detective, Hugo is right to have insisted.”

“Hugo?” Caroline smiled. “Quite friendly with Sir Hugo Hollandrake, are we?” she asked amiably.

“He requested I work the case,” she said a touch self-assuredly. “He gets what he wants. He’s probably the most influential politician in Britain today. I expect he’ll be prime minister before long.”

Not if I can help it, thought Caroline. Instead she nodded attentively and sipped some of her coffee. It was cheap instant. She looked around a little awkwardly, like she was thinking of something to say. Instead, she was studying her surroundings. That was what she took from her visit – Amanda had little in the way of possessions, and what she did own was inexpensive. Caroline wasn’t sure how much a senior pathologist working for the Home Office would earn, but she suspected it was up there with GP’s and surgeons. She looked back at Amanda and smiled. “I sometimes wish I’d taken a different route, gone into medicine.”

Amanda laughed. “Well, it’s never too late,” she said. “Even at your age.”

Caroline smiled again. “No, well there’s a thought,” she said. “I just need the loo.”              She put down her cup and got up. She’d kept her phone in her pocket and as she locked the door behind her, she typed out a quick text and attached the pictures of Amanda’s letters. She pressed send and watched as the blue line slowly worked its way across the screen. The message was delivered, and as always, she deleted the message, leaving her history clean. She looked at the mirror and studied her face. She was looking stressed. She tried a smile, brightening her expression. When she relaxed, she barely recognised her reflection. She needed some time out. A holiday, something to recharge. Perhaps King was right about that yacht?

Caroline walked back into the kitchen, but Amanda was not there. She stepped through the doorway from the lounge. “Feeling better?”

“There’s nothing wrong with me, just needed the loo,” Caroline said.

“How long are you going to keep this up?”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard,” Amanda said. “You came here to search for something. What are you looking for?”

“You’re mistaken,” Caroline paused. “Look, I’m leaving…” she picked up her bag and went to walk past Amanda, but she stepped into her way. “Fine,” Caroline said and turned around to use the other door, but froze when she saw the man blocking her path. She turned back and stared at Amanda. “What’s this?”

Amanda smiled. “I saw you coming out of here,” she said. “You broke in. You searched my flat. Find anything helpful?”

Caroline nodded. She’d been busted and there was nothing she could say that would change that. “Okay,” she said calmly. “You’re welcome, obliged even, to make a complaint,” she paused. “I’ll explain the procedure.”

“No. I’m not exactly going by procedures these days.”

Caroline’s expression hardened. “No, we know that.”

“You know nothing!” she spat at her.

Caroline turned back to the man in the doorway. “Get out of my way,” she said calmly, but firmly. The man didn’t budge. “Now!”

The man lunged forwards, but Caroline blocked his arm away as he made to grab her and brought her knee up into his groin. He expelled air and gasped, his knees buckled. Amanda lunged from behind, grabbing Caroline around the neck. Caroline smashed her elbow into the woman’s face and she squealed as she reeled backwards. The man was recovering and this time he squared off in a fighting stance. Caroline got her guard up and parried across the room, putting the table behind her, putting a barrier between herself and Amanda. She kicked the table and it slid backwards into Amanda as she was getting up. She let out another squeal as it clipped her head and she fell back down.

“Nice moves,” the voice said from behind her.

Caroline turned and saw another man in the doorway to