Deadly Lies by Ann Girdharry (read me a book .TXT) 📕

was a pleasure and it was easy to forget she was doing it for a purpose.

Sylvie had bags of something which Maria never had much of – confidence. When she was around Sylvie, some of it wore off on Maria and Maria found herself looking forward to their meetings. She blotted out the fact he always wanted a report and quizzed her endlessly on everything Sylvie told her. Today, he’d told her to get an invite to the house where Sylvie worked.

‘How’s it going with the Glovers?’ Maria asked.

They were in a café on Himlands Heath high street. Sylvie was biting into a pitta bread stuffed with salad.

‘The usual. The kids are great and Alice is demanding. She’s taken the children out for the afternoon, some birthday party, so let’s hope one of them doesn’t come back with bodily injuries they got while their mother was busy knocking back the cocktails.’

Maria got a waft of garlic as her friend laughed. A blob of sauce fell from Sylvie’s food and landed with a plop on her jeans. Sylvie scooped it up with a finger and laughed again. Sylvie always seemed to find a lot in life which was funny.

‘It’s a shame you’re not allowed guests. I’d like to see it,’ Maria said.

‘See what? The house? Of course you can, I never said I couldn’t bring back friends. What gave you that idea?’

‘I imagined they’d want to keep their home private.’

‘I’ve got my own room and bathroom and I get to use the kitchen. After we’ve finished lunch I’ll take you there and you can gawp all you like. I’ll even show you Alice’s knickers – they’re vile.’

An hour later and they were in hysterics after rummaging in Alice’s underwear drawer.

‘Even my granny doesn’t wear giant ones like these,’ Sylvie guffawed.

‘We’d better get out of here before someone catches us,’ Maria said.

‘Hey, chill out. There’s no one around except maybe Jack and he won’t care. He likes me.’

Maria was supposed to be finding out about the Glovers and their routine and the children’s routine. She made mental notes because he’d want to write it all down once she got back.

‘It’s a lovely house,’ Maria said. ‘And so big.’

‘Alice and Jack are rolling in money only don’t think it makes them happy because it doesn’t. They haven’t done it since Lisa was born, can you imagine? And it makes Alice strung out. If you ask me she’s desperate for it.’

‘How’d you know?’

‘I’ve got my means.’

‘Did her husband tell you?’

Sylvie, who usually liked to gossip, wouldn’t say more. Which made it even more intriguing when, half an hour later, Jack Glover walked in on them in the kitchen. Maria noticed how Sylvie quickly crossed her legs to show a lot of thigh under her short skirt. She saw too how Jack’s eyes lingered on Sylvie and then landed on her.

Jack’s gaze had a weird effect on Maria. The lust seemed to ooze out of him, and Maria, who had never once in her life been told she was attractive, had to choke back a nervous giggle. She was glad she’d worn a tight top.

‘Good afternoon, ladies, what have you been up to?’ Jack had a deep sexy voice.

Sylvie had the gift of a silver tongue and she soon had Jack hanging on her every word and drinking her in with those lascivious eyes of his and Maria couldn’t help feeling envious.

22

Grant wanted to interview the Glover’s neighbour, Natalie, and he asked Tom to accompany him. When Tom asked why Natalie was the next priority, Grant grunted.

‘She’s sticking to Jack and Alice like glue, you caught her and Jack intimate in the kitchen, that’s more than enough to put her on the radar. There’s something about her behaviour which is more than being a good neighbour, isn’t there? I want to find out how far it goes.’

Tom enjoyed working alongside the boss. When it was just the two of them, Grant passed on tips and coached Tom how to handle situations. Tom appreciated it and each night he recorded Grant’s ideas. Tom wanted to soak it all up before Grant decided to retire.

Knocking on Natalie’s door, they waited. When he was first recruited to the team, Tom had been in such awe of Grant he’d sometimes found it difficult to function. These days the feeling had faded, and was replaced by respect.

When Natalie answered, she was wearing a dress with a revealing top line and Tom made sure his gaze didn’t dip.

‘Oh, Detective Sergeant,’ Natalie said. ‘I didn’t realise you’d be bringing someone with you.’

‘I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear when I set up the appointment,’ Tom said. ‘You remember Detective Chief Inspector Grant.’

Grant shook Natalie’s hand. ‘Good morning, ma’am. May we come in?’

‘Of course and please tell me there’s good news.’

‘Nothing so far.’

‘Oh God.’

They followed Natalie to a lounge furnished in golden upholstered chairs and giant sofas. There was a gold-themed carpet and pale gold curtains and all the fittings were gold coloured. The room had a pervasive scent of potpourri and two giant glass bowls of what looked like dead petals and flower heads were displayed on the mantelpiece. The overall effect was over the top.

Natalie hitched herself back on a chair, revealing quite a lot of thigh. Did she do it deliberately? Or was it a mistake? Tom couldn’t help feeling she was flirting with him.

‘How can I help you?’

While Grant questioned Natalie about her friendship with the Glovers, Tom listened carefully. The woman was impeccably made-up, with not a sleek dark hair out of place. Her dress looked expensive and she had a polished air about her.

Natalie told them she and her husband, Sanjay, had moved in a few months after Alice and Jack, and she and Alice had quickly become friends. At that time, Alice worked at Hardman Construction and she gave up her job several months later once she had Emily. Natalie worked part-time as an interior designer and she ran her business from home, so