Aftershock

Thirty-four

‘Wasn’t that an interesting drive home?’ Bob asked, with a slightly mischievous look on his face.

‘Interesting?’ Aileen exclaimed, unbuttoning her shirt as she spoke. ‘It had so many twists and turns I’m still dizzy. Mind you, the view across the bay from the far side was worth the effort. It’s left me parched, though. Do we have any beer in the fridge?’

‘Always, love,’ he replied, ‘always. You go and have a swim and I’ll fetch us some.’

She was in the pool when he returned from the kitchen, with two bottles of Coronita, uncapped. ‘Hey,’ he laughed, as he lowered himself on to its edge, ‘what’s this with you and swimming in the buff?’

‘I like to,’ she called back. ‘Always have. It’s okay. None of the houses around us can see into the garden.’

‘That’s true.’ He pointed upwards. ‘But there’s all sorts of traffic in the air around here, light aircraft and helicopters. I wouldn’t put it past some of our sleazier tabloids to try for some candid-camera shots of the First Minister, off duty. I’ve had experience of the paparazzi; I don’t want to see you embarrassed.’

She winked at him as she pulled herself out of the water and sat by his side. ‘Who says I’d be embarrassed?’ she teased. ‘I’m proud of my body.’

‘I’m proud of your body too,’ he replied, ‘but I don’t want to share it with a few million readers.’

‘Don’t worry. It’s all yours.’ She prised one of the beers from his hand and took a long slug from the neck. ‘Jeez, I needed that. It’s been a long day already, and there’s still some to go.’

He bumped her, shoulder to shoulder. ‘Then maybe we should have a siesta to get ready for the rest of it.’

He felt her wet arm slide under his shirt and up his back. ‘That, my boy, is not a bad idea, not a bad idea at all. . as long as it involves a couple of hours’ sleep.’

‘Yes, that too.’

She swung herself round and sprang lithely to her feet. Bob was in the act of following her when his mobile sounded in his breast pocket. He flipped it open. ‘Yes?’

‘Bob, it’s Amanda. Can you speak?’

‘Yes,’ he replied, gazing at Aileen’s slim back as she ran indoors, ‘we’re back home.’

‘Fine. The answer to your question is yes. That gentleman was issued with a side-arm by the protection squad, and with a supply of ammunition. He’s been schooled on the Metropolitan Police firing range.’

‘Did you find out anything about the weapon?’

‘Nine-millimetre Beretta Storm, seventeen-shot capacity.’

‘A proper gun, then.’

‘Oh, yes. It will do the job. Exactly what job do you think it might have done?’

‘Someone put a bullet in the back of his son’s girlfriend’s head a couple of weeks ago.’

‘Good heavens! Is he a possibility?’

‘Only in my book so far. There are other people above him on the list.’

‘Have someone send me a detailed image of the bullet taken from the woman. . assuming you found it. These pistols are all test-fired before issue.’

‘Will do. Right now. Thanks, Amanda.’

‘No problem. I find myself hoping that we get a match. I know people who do not want to see Mr Colledge become a member of Her Majesty’s Government. As a matter of fact, I’m one of them. There’s been talk that after the next election he might become my boss. I wouldn’t like that.’