Page 54 - double revenge 3.

PERIVALE APARTMENT

TH
THURSDAY APRIL 16 1998

There was nothing in the fridge. I should have walked down to the local supermarket that Gabriela
had discovered or I could have driven to my usual Sainsbury’s, one of Barker’s men had returned
the car and posted the keys through the letter box but even though I had not eaten all day, I
couldn’t face cooking. Barker’s revelation about Anne’s new status had caused a dark cloud to
engulf me.

For some time I had wondered whether Anne’s car really had caught fire accidentally as the report
had stated. The persistent thought was that it might have been an attack aimed at me but now that
I had learnt Anne was involved in an investigation, a deliberate attack against her was quite
possible. Frank Furlong did not make mistakes; nevertheless, I resolved to pay him a visit.

I also needed to see Fred Callaway. He and Anne had worked very closely and although they both
understood very well the need for security at all times he might have overhead or witnessed
something that might help.

Anne and I had never kept any alcohol in the apartment other than wine and although the pangs of
hunger were not yet beginning to gnaw, I looked around the kitchen to see if there was any wine
left over from the weekend and then remembered, Gabriela and I had finished it off.

The doorbell rang and in the hallway, like an answer to a prayer, stood Gabriela. She had a small
wheeled suitcase, a recognisable Chinese takeaway bag and a plastic shopping bag containing food
and a bottle of red plonk.

We hugged long and hard and exchanged a surprisingly passionate kiss, surprising, for a chap who a
few hours ago had received the politest but most positive brush- off.

Gabriela busied herself opening the take away cartons. ‘Two plates please’ and she handed me the
wine bottle.

I waited until we were sat with our meal and asked, ‘What happened to catching up with your
URNG colleagues?’

‘Long delays at the airport and I really needed to stock up my wardrobe.’ She nodded towards the
suitcase. ‘I have no further plans as yet but I was hoping you would be kind and let me stay one
more night?’

‘Of course.’ Gabriela must have sensed my embarrassment.