Free Hunted by Heather Atkinson Page B

unfit would drop dead of a heart attack.”
    They both turned to Bruiser when he released an amused chuckle.
    “What do you think about what he said about the Marshes?” Battler asked Ryan.
    “I don’t know. They’re a nice family and they’ve been good to us, but you never know, do you? I might pay them a little visit, see if I can gauge them.”
    “I’ll do some digging too,” said Battler. “You seem to be enjoying this, you should come in on the business with us.”
    “I must admit I am finding the chase interesting,” replied Ryan. “And it would be very satisfying to get to the bottom of these disappearances before the police.”
    “They’ll always be the enemy to you, won’t they?”
    “A leopard can’t change his spots,” said Ryan.
    The bespectacled receptionist had the list ready and waiting for them, which she handed over along with another playful smile and her phone number to Battler.
    Ryan left him to chat her up, Bruiser standing off to one side looking bored, and returned home. He was disappointed to find Rachel had gone out. She’d left him a note saying she had an appointment at the hairdressers. He didn’t know why she was constantly fine tuning herself when she was absolute perfection. He had hoped to get some quality time with her upstairs while the kids were at school.
    Instead he wandered into the kitchen and filled the kettle, turning over in his mind what he’d learnt from Gerard Kerrell. Knowing he wouldn’t get any rest until he’d spoken to Chris he replaced the kettle and went back outside to his Range Rover, already figuring out what he was going to say.
    Fortunately he had the perfect excuse to visit. The Marsh’s farm was a vast estate, the main house a beautiful Georgian building painted bright white, making it stand out against the surrounding fields.
    As he climbed out of his car Ryan could see his own home across the expanse of fields, just waiting for them to move in. Police were still searching for more bodies and had brought in a range of fancy equipment to check underground. He sighed regretfully and turned to walk up to the house, the door of which opened before he got there.
    “Hello Ryan, to what do I owe this pleasure?” smiled Chris, a tall, gangly man with short dark blond hair. His manner was pleasant and relaxed, Ryan found him an easy man to get along with. “Come to check on your animals?”
    “I wanted to make sure they’re not making a nuisance of themselves,” he replied.
    “I’ll take you round to the stables so you can visit them.”
    Ryan had no wish to go around petting animals, even if they did belong to him. He’d never been one for furry, fuzzy things, he didn’t like the mess they made or the way they smelled. It was Rachel and the kids who were into all that, especially Leah. Her pony was happily grazing in a lush paddock with the Marsh’s three horses.
    Chris made a clicking noise at the back of this throat. “Sophia, someone’s come to visit you.”
    The glossy pony briefly looked up. Ryan prayed she wouldn’t approach because he did not like horses. Fortunately she found him to be of as little interest as he found her and returned to her grazing.
    Chris led him to the goats and chickens. Ryan marvelled at how he was able to tell which were theirs and which belonged to the Marsh farm. They all looked the same to him. Maybe he couldn’t and he was just pretending.
    “I can’t tell you how much this means to us, you taking them all in,” said Ryan as they walked back to the house.
    “That’s what neighbours are for.”
    “I’m afraid we may need to trespass on your hospitality for a bit longer.”
    “So I heard and it’s no problem. Do you want to come in for a coffee? Angela would love to see you.”
    “Yes thank you.” Ryan was pleased, his plan was working.
    “Angela, visitor,” Chris called through to the kitchen as he removed his wellies, Ryan likewise removing his shoes and leaving them at the front