Flirting With Danger

by Jade Winters

  That was one thing she could reassure Elaine about. One hundred percent. She had learnt from her earlier mistake. ‘I swear, if her boyfriend doesn’t give me any info to move forward, I won’t even tell my boss I spoke to him. Fair enough? It’s a win-win situation.’

  Elaine looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘Don’t you dare tell Callie I told you.’

  ‘You mean the Callie that’s never going to speak to me again? I don’t think we’ve got a problem there.’

  ‘All right, I’ll tell you. Only because I think every avenue needs to be looked at.’

  ‘You’re doing the right thing. So who is he? This spotty faced teenager—’

  ‘He isn’t a teenager. He’s old enough to be her dad.’

  Chapter Twenty

  What the hell was in that beer last night?

  Keri stared at her pale reflection in the bathroom mirror. Every movement she made felt like someone kicking her in the head with steel toe-capped boots. Even bending down to look inside her toiletry bag for painkillers caused enough pain to make her want to go back to bed and never get up.

  Gingerly, she grabbed the plastic cup on the side of the sink and filled it with water. Dropping the tablets in her mouth, she tilted her head back slowly and drank a mouthful of water.

  After the amount of alcohol she had consumed last night, Keri deserved to be feeling so rough. Especially if it served as a warning not to do it again, but she knew it wouldn’t stop her. It hadn’t in the past. But right about now she couldn’t care less. She was never drinking again.

  Keri slowly lowered her head and closed her eyes. Immediately the flashbacks started. The table full of empty beer bottles. The laughter. The tears. Helen’s arm around her, soothing her and whispering words of encouragement into her ear. The taxi journey back to Helen’s apartment. Then the fire that emanated from her body to Helen’s as she crushed her mouth with her own. She could still hear the moans. Helen’s tongue blindly searching out her own. Her nakedness. Her softness. Her wetness. Then letting go—completely. Losing herself in an abyss of ecstasy.

  Keri’s pulse hammered at the memory, causing her to push it aside. Travelling down memory lane wasn’t doing her headache any favours.

  Crossing over to the shower she willed for the pain to lessen. She flipped the tap on, letting the hot darting water massage her head.

  By the time she stepped out of the shower, she felt marginally better. What she needed now was a large black coffee. It normally did the trick.

  Keri had just finished applying her make-up when there was a knock on the door.

  ‘Hello?’ she called out from the bathroom.

  ‘It’s only me,’ Elaine called back cheerily. ‘Do you fancy a fry up for breakfast?’

  The thought of grease on a plate made her want to gag. ‘Uh you’re all right. I’ll just have a coffee and cereal today.’

  ‘Okay, see you in a little while.’

  I’m surprised she’s got any guests if she’s feeding them that kind of food every morning.

  Make-up done, Keri headed downstairs. As she approached the kitchen, she heard voices. Elaine’s and Astrid’s.

  This I can do without. Then she remembered the twenty missed calls from her father. Straightening her back as stiff as a rod, she strode into the kitchen and was greeted with a look of surprise that was priceless.

  ‘What the …’

  ‘Oh my God. What are you doing here?’ Keri said in the best surprised tone she could muster.

  Astrid was on her feet. ‘I’m covering Lexi Palmer’s disappearance.’

  ‘So am I.’ If Astrid thought Keri being there was anything but sheer coincidence, she never let on. In fact, her expression didn’t give anything away.

  ‘You two know each other?’ Elaine said.

  ‘Sort of,’ Astrid said quickly.

  Judas. ‘We met a few days ago. We both live in Manchester.’

  ‘Small world,’ Elaine said. ‘Both of you sit down and I’ll bring your breakfast over. Alpen or Sugar puffs for you, Keri?’

  Sugar puffs? ‘Alpen would be great, thanks.’

  When they were seated at the table, though she tried, Keri found it impossible to keep her eyes off Astrid’s lips. It must be the after effects of the alcohol. For some reason it always made her extra horny the morning after.

  ‘So what’s been happening? I only arrived yesterday. I haven’t found my feet yet.’ She thought it best to show some interest in the case. After all that’s why she was meant to be there.

  ‘Not much really. I interviewed her parents yesterday.’

  ‘I read it. I couldn’t believe it. Do you really think her dad’s got something to do with it?’

  Astrid looked down at her empty mug, tilting it back and forth. ‘Who knows? But there’s something going on. I just can’t put my finger on it.’

  Aware that Elaine was watching their every move, Keri knew she had to up her game and look more involved. A reporter who had a genuine interest in the case would be a little more enthusiastic then she was.

  ‘Shit. Looks like I’m going to have to do a lot of research to get up to speed.’ She leant forward. ‘What are the police like? Are they giving out any information?’

  ‘Not yet. There hasn’t even been a press conference. I think they’re waiting for the Palmers to make their move.’

  ‘If your report is anything to go by, it won’t be happening any time soon.’

  ‘We’ll see.’

  ‘I might go to her school today. Talk to her teachers, see if they can shed any light on her disappearance.’

  ‘According to her father, they said everything was hunky dory.’

  ‘If it’s all the same, I like to get my story from the source’s mouth. Not someone who could or could not have an ulterior motive.’

  ‘Good luck.’ Astrid glanced down at her watch before she pushed her plate away. ‘Listen, can we talk later? I’ve got to be somewhere.’

  ‘This early? Must be important.’ She felt a twinge of jealousy that Astrid couldn’t wait to run off to meet her new woman. ‘Hey, of course. We’ve got loads of catching up to do if I remember correctly,’ she said cryptically.

  When Astrid didn’t respond, she shrugged her shoulders. There was no harm in laying the ground work. Even if nothing happened between them again, Keri had to make her believe she still had feelings for her. It was the only way to gain her trust.

  ‘Um … yeah. Whatever. Thanks for brekkie, Elaine.’ Astrid looked down at Keri. ‘You’ve got to try Laney’s fry up, it’s the best.’

  ‘I agree. I had one yesterday,’ Keri said putting on her best smile.

  ‘Best be off then. See ya.’

  ‘Yeah, have a good day.’

  Moments later the front door slammed shut. The room was quiet except for the sound of the kettle boiling. At least it gave Keri time to reflect on Astrid. The change in her behaviour was mammoth. Gone was the sex hungry vixen she had met that night in the bar. Only to be replaced with a love sick puppy. She had thought better of Astrid than to get blindsided by someone she barely knew. Oh well, such is life.

  ‘Here you go. Coffee and Alpen.’

  ‘Great.’ Keri gratefully took the coffee and drank a mouthful. The painkillers had worked wonders for her headache. It had been reduced to a slight thud now and again.

  ‘Just what I need. So what are you up to today?’ Keri wanted Elaine out of the house. If she was going to go through Astrid’s files, she was going to need at least a couple of hours.

  ‘I was going to go to Booth’s in Windermere. I need to get the week’s shopping. But I think it can wait.’

  ‘Oh, that’s a shame,’ Keri said feigning disappointment as she spooned some Alpen into her mouth and chewed slowly. Her stomach rejoiced at something semi-healthy.

  Ever eager to please, Elaine quickly said, ‘Why, did you want something?’

  Fractionally, Keri hesitated, and then she said, ‘Yeah, I thought I’d get in a few bottles of wine
and beer. I didn’t realise this place wasn’t near a proper supermarket.’

  With her hangover receding, her earlier promise to never drink again quickly evaporated.

  ‘Yeah it’s a pain not having one nearer but it’s not a problem. I can still go today. Write down what you need and leave it on the counter for me.’

  Keri leant over and gave Elaine’s hand a squeeze. ‘You’re such an angel. Thank you.’

  If she was going to get Astrid to loosen her tongue, she was going to need a little help. Alcohol would do just the job. Lots of it.

  ‘What’s the likelihood of you two knowing each other? Some coincidence,’ Elaine said.

  ‘Yep. My thoughts exactly.’

  And there’s going to be a lot more if I’ve got anything to do with it.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Callie was expecting to see Astrid. But not that early in the morning. She turned up, at just gone eight, looking bright and breezy. Not a care in the world. Hair loosely pulled back in a ponytail. No jacket. Just jeans, boots and a rumpled black shirt.

  ‘Morning,’ Astrid said as she strode into the office and dropped onto a seat opposite Callie.

  ‘All right,’ Callie said attempting to be nonchalant.

  Although she had been staring into space before Astrid arrived, she busied herself with a pile of meaningless papers in front of her.

  ‘Can we talk?’ Astrid asked.

  Callie kept her gaze on the papers. She managed to sound disinterested, even though her heart was racing. ‘I’m listening.’

  Callie heard an impatient intake of breath. She looked up, worried Astrid might leave in a huff if she remained standoffish. As much as she wanted to fight her, when she looked into those eyes it became near impossible. She placed her hands flat on the papers. Her whole attention now focused on Astrid.

  A loose lock of hair fell over Astrid’s face. Callie watched as her slender hand slowly rose and swept it back into place. Astrid hesitated and ran her tongue over her lips.

  ‘Look, regardless of what you think of me, if I had written that article I would stand by it,’ Astrid said evenly. ‘I’m not a coward. I don’t hide behind lies.’

  Callie had no doubt she was telling the truth. She’d had a lengthy conversation with Elaine earlier that morning and as a trusted friend, if Elaine believed in Astrid’s credibility she would give her the benefit of the doubt.

  ‘Okay, so you didn’t write the story. Doesn’t change things though, does it? If people weren’t suspicious before, they’re sure gonna be now.’

  The corner of Astrid’s mouth lifted slightly. ‘Not when Lexi shows up unharmed. Maybe this will serve as a lesson for people not to judge so easily.’

  ‘Or believe in the lies the media spin to attract readers.’

  ‘That as well,’ she answered with a smile, before leaning towards Callie.

  Astrid looked at her with such intensity, Callie felt entranced. Under her spell.

  Attempting to regain control of her senses, Callie reached behind her, grabbed her rucksack and checked inside.

  ‘You going on a tour?’

  Callie shook her head. ‘Not today. I thought I’d hike up Steel Fell. It was one of Lexi’s favourite walks. It’s a long shot, but …’

  ‘Want some company?’ Astrid looked hopeful.

  ‘Haven’t you got leads to chase down, stories to make up, sorry, write?’

  If she was offended, it didn’t show.

  ‘I’ve got something in the pipeline but it can wait until later.’

  Callie half stood and leant over the table to look at Astrid’s footwear. ‘I don’t think you’re going to get very far in those.’

  Astrid followed her gaze. ‘You kidding? These tough old boots. It’ll take more than rocky terrain to get the better of these.’

  ‘If you say so,’ Callie said unconvinced. Astrid wouldn’t be the first person to think she didn’t need proper boots to hike in. Countless people had turned up for tours wearing sandals and on the odd occasion high heeled boots. ‘But if you’re coming with me you’ll have to change them. What size are you?’

  ‘Whatever you say, bossy pants,’ she said with humour. ‘Seven.’

  Callie searched the rack opposite her desk. Finding Astrid’s size, she handed them to her along with a jacket.

  ‘Cheers,’ Astrid said, slipping out of her boots and exchanging them for the walking shoes.

  Checking she had everything she needed, Callie walked to the door and held it open, gesturing for Astrid to leave first.

  They walked to the jeep in silence and climbed in, simultaneously pulling their seat belts on. A few minutes into the journey, Astrid spoke first.

  ‘I hope the article didn’t cause a rift between you and Roxy.’

  ‘It would take a lot more than a misunderstanding to put a dent in our friendship,’ Callie replied.

  ‘I’m glad to hear it.’

  Callie took a sideward glance and it was plain to see that Astrid was being genuine. She sank further back into her seat, feeling relaxed.

  ‘So, Elaine told me, you and Lexi were close.’

  ‘You could say that,’ Callie said guardedly. She had been waiting for Astrid to bring up Lexi. It was a subject that couldn’t be avoided. The story had gained further traction overnight after Astrid’s article. The media was sure there was more to Lexi’s disappearance than a teenager lost on a hiking trail. By the top news coverage, it seemed they had sensed blood.

  ‘So close that she would have told you about her boyfriend?’

  Callie’s ears pricked. ‘Who have you been talking to?’

  ‘No one. I just assumed someone her age would have a boyfriend. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.’

  A tug-o-war started in Callie’s mind. Should she tell her the truth? Callie knew Astrid was a powerful ally who could keep the story in the public eye. But it was the trust issue she had a problem with. Even if she did believe Astrid’s boss had been responsible for the damning article in her paper, what was to stop it from happening again? But then again what was to stop any paper printing what lies they wanted. She knew it wasn’t only Astrid’s publication that had suspicions about the parents. Maybe it’s time I start loosening the reins a bit and see where this goes.

  ‘No, you’re right. She does have a boyfriend. But it was on and off.’

  ‘Have the police interviewed him?’

  ‘I don’t know. I’m not even sure if they know about him.’

  ‘Why haven’t you told them? Surely he’s the first person they should have spoken to.’

  ‘Before the suspicious parents you mean?’

  Callie slowed the car and indicated as they neared a concealed entrance. Turning into a small empty gravel carpark she brought the car to a standstill and switched the engine off. Twisting slightly, she faced Astrid and quickly regretted her words seeing the hurt expression on her face. It was a blow below the belt and she knew it.

  ‘Sorry, that was a cheap shot. And in answer to your question, Lexi’s parents don’t know about him. And as we all thought she went missing when hiking I didn’t think it was relevant.’

  ‘That’s madness, anything could have happened to her? I assume it’s someone older?’

  ‘No. It’s worse than that. The person she’s seeing isn’t just older. He’s a teacher.’

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Jesus Christ, and here I was thinking I’d dropped into a town with the family values of the 1950s. A teacher! Elaine conveniently left out that part. The plot thickens.

  ‘A teacher, huh? So you don’t think he might have something to do with her disappearance?’

  ‘Luke? No way. He teaches geography for Pete’s sake.’

  Astrid couldn’t help but giggle at Callie’s naivety. ‘And that makes him incapable of committing a crime. Like women don’t abuse children. And middle class men don’t beat their wives and—’

  ‘Okay, okay. I get what you’re saying. But Luke’s hardly going to
get involved with disposing of his girlfriend.’

  ‘Maybe she was blackmailing him. Threatening to go to the police.’ It felt good to be discussing the case with Callie. The fact that she revealed more than Elaine had, told her she was beginning to trust her. She was finally letting down her guard.

  ‘She’s sixteen. The only thing he’s done wrong is get involved with a pupil from another school.’

  ‘Still it won’t be good for his reputation if it comes out in public.’

  ‘True, but sorry,’ Callie shook her head, ‘I can’t see Luke being involved.’

  ‘Why are you so convinced?’

  ‘I have my reasons.’

  ‘Which you aren’t going to share with me?’

  ‘They’re personal.’

  Astrid followed suit when Callie pushed open her door and stepped out. Moving around to Callie’s side of the vehicle, Astrid said, ‘So Lexi’s turned out to be a bit of a dark horse. What about you?’

  She quirked a brow. ‘What about me?’

  ‘Are you seeing anyone unsuitable?’

  ‘Hardly. Anyway why would my love life be of interest to you?’

  ‘Because I like you.’

  Astrid just managed to catch a peek of Callie’s cheeks flush before she turned and opened the back door to retrieve her rucksack.

  ‘We’d better make a move while the weather’s still good.’

  ‘Lead the way, boss,’ Astrid said still smiling at Callie who wouldn’t meet her eyes.

  ‘Let me know if it gets too much for you.’

  ‘I’m sure I’ll be fine. How hard can a walk be?’

  Callie looked at her knowingly, but remained silent.

  The trek started out simple enough, along narrow winding lanes skirted by stone cottages. Eventually they reached a wooden gate leading to a dale. As they passed through, Astrid looked up to see the imposing fell directly ahead of them.

  ‘Is that where we’re going?’ Astrid asked, suddenly frozen to the spot.

  ‘Yes, why? Do you want to turn back?’

  Astrid was sure she saw Callie smirk.

  ‘No, no. I just wondered that’s all.’