His Secrets - Episode 1

by Gl Corbin

  Chris said she would.

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  Mrs Jeremies had wanted to pay a large retainer upfront. Normally, Chris would have snatched her hand off, but she still didn't feel one hundred percent comfortable with the case. Joe had said there was nothing to connect the murders. If the police hadn't found anything with all of their resources, how was she expecting to? By refusing the retainer, Chris felt she could still bow out if she made no progress.

  Refusing the retainer from Mrs Jeremies might have given Chris some wiggle room, but it wasn't going to pay the rent. She was going to have to juggle the Jeremies case alongside her other paid work. Tonight's surveillance was a little unusual in that her client was a man. Malcolm Broomhead was convinced his wife was having an affair. Broomhead was handsome; in his early forties. A successful business man, he had transformed his printing business from a one-man band to a national company with a multi- million pound turnover. Chris’s father had undertaken work on behalf of the printing company which is how Broomhead came to contact her on this personal matter. Chris had spent much of their first meeting wondering why any woman would want to cheat on the man sat opposite her; he appeared to have everything most women would look for in a man.

  She had trailed Mrs Broomhead on four separate occasions - each one had proven to be a wild goose chase. There had been a visit to the health club, the beautician, the hairdresser, and a night out with friends (all female). Chris was beginning to think Malcolm Broomhead might be imagining things. He hadn’t struck her as the possessive or jealous type, but then who knew what went on behind closed doors. Chris had reported back on progress (or a lack of it) so far. She had been of the opinion that he had nothing to worry about, and was probably wasting his money. He had been adamant Chris should continue – he remained convinced his wife was being unfaithful. When Chris had asked why he was so sure, he had confessed it was just a feeling.

  Chris had been following Mrs Broomhead's Nexus for twenty minutes. This was the first time Chris had seen the target venture out of the city limits. Her father had taught her to always keep at least one car in between her and the target's car. It was raining again.

  “Dick head!” Chris shouted when the Audi cut her up.

  What was this idiot doing? He had just risked life and limb to overtake her on a blind bend, but had now slowed to a snail's pace. The target's car was getting away from her. The Audi showed no sign of speeding up. If she didn't get passed him, she would lose Mrs Broomhead for sure. Chris checked the road ahead; it was clear. She dropped down a gear, and pulled out to overtake the Audi. No sooner was she level with the Audi than it began to accelerate. Even with her foot to the floor, she was only just keeping pace with it. What was this dick playing at? She glanced to her side, but couldn't see the driver through the tinted windows. A pair of headlights was coming towards her now. She was never going to get passed the Audi in time, so hit the brakes – she would have to pull in behind it again. As soon as she braked, the Audi did the same. He was blocking her – deliberately stopping her from getting back to her side of the road. The headlights ahead were getting closer.

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  Also from GL Corbin:

  His Property (serial)

  Her Master (serial)

  His Decision (short story)

  His Rules (short story in 3 parts)

  His Plaything (short story in 3 parts)

  http://www.GLCorbin.com