TICK TOCK RUN (Romantic Mystery Suspense) Read Free

my temple, wanting to erase this bizarre conversation from my brain.  “This is all very odd.” I paused to give a little laugh.  How eerie to end up in the same bar as this guy.  I glanced around and muttered, “I wish someone would let me in on the joke.” 
    A hot, fevered stare tightened his eyes.  “I don’t see the joke.  My brother sent me a strange text, and then he wound up dead... only hours later.”
    Hours later?   His words caused my breath to catch in my throat.  “Sorry.  That came out wrong.  It’s just, the word ‘slag’ was also in my message.  And to be honest, the only reason I’m asking you about it, instead of partying with my friends, is because I found the whole thing to be quite... creepy, after my car got keyed.”  I pointed at his mobile.  “I mean, that couldn’t possibly have anything to do with—” I broke off, aware that my question would sound like that of a crazy person.
    He ground his jaw.  “Did you know my brother?”
    I shook my head.  The name Daryl didn’t strike me as familiar.  Laura’s earlier comments jumped into my mind.  “Does that message mention anything about a countdown timer?  Could he have been warning you about a computer virus doing the rounds?  You know, something that kicks in after a time limit?”
    “A time limit?  You’re not making sense.  Are you drunk?  Breathe in a second and let this lady pass, will you?”  He slid his hand gingerly around my waist and pulled me close, jamming the Dictaphone between our chests.  The lady passed and Lee backed away.  Then he stared down at my fake reporter badge.  He harrumphed, then clamped his lips together.  They almost disappeared.  “You’re a reporter?  That recorder had better not be switched on.”
    I covered my badge.  “No.  It’s a ploy.  My friend’s attempt at getting us free drinks.”
    His lips twisted to one side. 
    “I swear.”
    He leaned backwards as though I were breathing out germs.  “We have our wires crossed.  My brother wouldn’t act in such a way over a computer virus, and his car’s about the only thing that is fine.  The only time limit round here is your editor’s deadline.  Now, I’d better get back to my friends.”
    “No.  It’s...  Wait.  Act how?” I asked, realising I’d lost his interest.  He downed the last of his drink while I thought about things.  No timer.  Perhaps he was right.  It wasn’t the same.  How cruel of me to question this poor, grieving guy on a drink-fuelled whim. 
    He waved his empty bottle at a friend.  On moving away, he said, “Alarmed, paranoid, jittery.  How’s that for your headline?” 

 
    CHAPTER 2
     
    T he doorbell chimed through my house.  I closed my vampire novel, jumped to my feet and headed down the hall in my dressing gown.  I opened the front door to Laura.  “Hi.  Come in.  How did the rest of the night go?” 
    “Totally embarrassing.”  Laura rubbed her bloodshot eyes.  “I couldn’t believe it when I got your text.  I needed you to rescue me from the sleazy stripper, not desert me.”
    “I really am sorry.  After I came home to change my dress, the taxis were all booked up and I couldn’t get back into town.”
    A few seconds later, Emma staggered through the front door.  I didn’t need to ask if they’d stayed out late, their puffy eyes were answer enough. 
    Emma flopped onto the sofa in my dining room.  “You’d have loved it last night, Chelsea.  It was wild.  My head’s banging this morning though.”
    “Give me a minute.”  I dashed upstairs to wash and dress, then returned feeling refreshed.
    Emma yawned before speaking.  “Jayne took loads of photos.  I told her to email them to you this morning.  Print them out and we’ll head to town for a bite to eat.  I’m starving.” 
    “Sounds great.”  I handed the Dictaphone back to Emma, then booted up the computer and logged into my emails while my friends sighed and groaned