Covet Read Free Page A

longer keep hold of them as they slipped away into the shadows.
    Makedde’s carry-on bag was at her feet, her boarding pass in hand. She had her warm turtleneck pulled up to her chin and the trench coat wrapped tightly around her. She could still feel the chill of the icy wind that buffeted Catherine’s memorial. She was vaguely aware that some of the passers-by in the airport terminal were looking at her. Her father and Ann were also looking, their faces etched with concern rather than curiosity.
    ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,’ she said, wondering if any of them would really buy her false confidence, herself included.
    Standing tall in her heeled boots, Mak’s gaze was level with her father’s deep blue eyes. Les Vanderwall was still handsome in his early sixties,even though the past two years seemed to have aged him ten. At present he suffered from an uncharacteristic pallor thanks to a serious peptic ulcer that had recently taken a turn for the worse, unsurprisingly perhaps, considering his daughter’s involvement in the upcoming murder trial. It had been an unfortunate two years for both of them. None of it was her fault, of course, but Mak felt somehow responsible. Losing Jane would have been more than enough. But then there was all this.
    That worried look. Dammit, Dad, don’t look at me like that.
    ‘You will do fine, Mak. In fact, you’ll do better than fine. You are one of the strongest young women I know.’
    It was Ann Morgan who spoke. The clinical psychologist wore a brave smile and her admirable armour of calm was contagious. She was petite and rounded, with short, stylish auburn hair and warm brown eyes—a deceptively gentle exterior housing a sharp intellect and strong spirit. One of her hands rested comfortingly on Les’s arm as he stood tense and silent. The relationship between Les and Ann had blossomed in the past several months. He had regained most of the weight he’d dropped after Mak’s mother, Jane, lost her battle with cancer. The occasional smile had even returned to his face, despite the considerable challenges of late.
    Thank God he is no longer alone in that big house, his wife dead, his world empty. Thank God Ann has brought some life back to his private world …
    ‘Thanks,’ Makedde replied. You’re pretty strong yourself , she thought.
    ‘Just think of the weight your testimony adds to the prosecution’s case. He’ll be locked away forever.’
    With every ounce of her being, Mak hoped that was true.
    ‘And then you can get on with your life, Mak. You’ll have that PhD under your belt and all this behind you in no time.’ Ann stepped forward to squeeze Mak’s hand gently. Mak gave her a quick, heartfelt hug in return.
    ‘That would be nice,’ Mak replied. Her thesis was not on track. Her life was nowhere near on track either. With any luck this trip truly would put that regrettable chapter of her life to rest, and she could finally move on.
    Oh Dad. She turned to embrace her father. His face was so pale.
    The retired detective inspector was stoic as usual, one of that old school of strong, silent men. His pallor worried her, as did his tense look. He had to take it easy. Mak hated it when his brow was furrowed like that. She couldn’t help but notice it was always herself who caused it. Theresa, her younger sister, never once made that brow furrow. And it sure wasn’t Theresa who had given him that damned ulcer…Theresa with the benign hubby and the happy bouncing baby girl. Theresa who had never done anything wrong, or risky, in her whole life. Sometimes Mak wondered if they were even related.
    It’s okay, Dad. Just a little longer and this nightmare will be over.
    Her father had wanted desperately to go to Sydney with her, had fought every step of the way to come along, but Dr Olenski would not allow him to travel. If he had followed all of Dr Olenski’s advice a year ago, he might have been practically cured on a course of antibiotics already. But no. This