Discarded M. Hunter (the snowy day read aloud TXT) 📖

could smell the stale stench of tobacco on his breath. And then she felt the rough edges of his tongue as he ran it across her cheek.

Chapter Seventeen Now

Weymouth, Dorset

The waiter has barely left our drinks on the bright tablecloth before I’m reaching for the chilled glass of Chenin Blanc and knocking it back in one. I’m not usually one for downing wine, but I need something to settle the relentless activity in my head. Maddie watches with something resembling admiration at my sudden enthusiasm.

‘That’s the spirit,’ she comments, signalling to the waiter to bring another over.

‘Sorry,’ I say, breathlessly, suddenly remembering we’re in one of Weymouth’s more salubrious restaurants, and any of the other well-dressed patrons could report my excessive drinking via social media. Casually allowing my eyes to wander around the room, I’m relieved that nobody appears to have noticed, nor is anyone pointing a phone in our direction.

‘Don’t apologise,’ Maddie coos. ‘If I’d known you wanted to hit it hard I’d have ordered a bottle for the table and a room for the night.’

I reach for the glass filled with water and take a long drink to wash down the sharp aftertaste of the wine, which is definitely made for sipping.

‘You look exhausted,’ Maddie continues. ‘Is everything okay with you? It feels like forever since we had a proper girly catch-up. You okay?’

To be honest, I don’t know where to begin. Maddie is my agent and one of my closer confidantes, but I’ve never been able to overcome the fact that as an agent she is in my employ. Is it fair to burden her with the fact that I am waiting to hear whether my sister’s remains have been discovered? I’ve been deliberately resisting the urge to think about the prospect and have spent all day keeping my mind preoccupied with missing Jo-Jo and the book signing, but now that I’ve finally stopped and am attempting to relax, all I can see is the suitcase, and the sympathetic look offered by the forensic pathologist. Jack said he would follow up with Dr Chang and her team this morning, but I haven’t heard from him. I’m hoping no news is good news, and trying not to worry that Jack just doesn’t know how to break the news to me.

Maddie raises her eyebrows expectantly, still awaiting my response.

‘I’m fine,’ I lie, lowering my arm when I realise I’m chewing on the cuff of my blouse; it’s been a nervous habit for as long as I can remember, but Maddie is aware of it too.

The waiter collects my empty glass and replaces it with an identical but full version. I leave it where it is, already feeling lightheaded after the last glass.

‘Are you going to tell me the real reason you were late this morning?’ Maddie asks, opening her menu and scanning the lunch options. ‘I’m not cross if it was because you hooked up with that Rick last night – if anything I’d rather that be the truth – but just let me know next time.’

I can’t recall many catch-ups with Maddie that haven’t included invasive questions about my love life (or lack of it), so it isn’t a surprise that this is where her imagination has gone.

‘Why don’t you let me stick with making stuff up,’ I tease. ‘If you want to know the truth…’ I lean closer and raise my menu to block out potential eavesdropping, ‘I was asked to attend Portland police station at the request of a couple whose daughter has gone missing.’

Maddie’s eyes widen, and I can’t tell if it’s concern at Jo-Jo’s safety or because subconsciously she’s already seeing the prospect for a new story.

‘Do you know them then?’ she asks, also leaning closer to the menu.

I shake my head. ‘Never met them before, but I think they were hoping I could use my unwanted fame to help promote a police-instigated media campaign. Their daughter’s only nine, and was last seen around three yesterday afternoon.’

Maddie’s expression softens to that of any parent who wouldn’t wish such a circumstance on even their greatest enemy. ‘And the police think she’s been abducted, rather than just run away?’

‘I guess so,’ I say, shrugging. ‘I didn’t get to ask many questions, as the investigation is being headed up by Zoe Cavendish.’

Maddie sits back, curling her top lip over the bottom one, and nodding sagely. I’ve told her all about Cavendish’s obtuse reaction to my involvement in the Aurélie Lebrun investigation. She took an instant dislike to me when Aurélie’s father insisted I be included in any investigative decisions, and my offers of olive branches were thrown back in my face time and again. Her implying she’d slept with Jack to spite me was the final straw.

‘I want to help the Nevilles in any way I can,’ I say now, ‘but Cavendish won’t want me anywhere near them, and I’m not going to beg her. Hopefully they can find Jo-Jo and put this behind them swiftly.’

‘You said she was nine?’

I nod, lowering my menu and taking another sip of water.

‘Like your Anna then.’

‘Yeah, I suppose there are similarities, but given the twenty-one-year gap since Anna was snatched, I’d be surprised if the same perpetrator was involved.’

Maddie frowns. ‘Why? Isn’t it possible that the person who snatched Anna all those years ago has been away – prison, abroad, or whatever – and has now returned?’

I smirk. ‘What, like some cheesy, straight-to-video Hollywood flop? Besides, I’m now convinced that Anna was taken by someone with links to the paedophile network Jack is investigating.’

She doesn’t miss a beat. ‘And has he made any progress in finding out what happened to Anna?’

I picture the suitcase again but shake my head. ‘Not yet.’

The waiter returns and we place our orders. Despite Maddie reminding me that I can choose whatever I want to eat, and that company expenses will foot the bill, I still opt for the least expensive starter and main I can find. I’m the same whenever