Free Dead Heat by Nick Oldham Page B

looked at Leanne. She was growing up very quickly now, blossoming out of childhood into a beautiful young woman. As ever, Henry’s ticker jarred a little at the thought of his little babykins and at how much he had missed her development over the years because of his misguided dedication to being a cop. His other, eldest, daughter, Jenny, was now in her late teens and he had seen virtually nothing of her growth, other than remembering being surprised and stunned from time to time at her progress.
    Not good. Even if he did get back to work, in future the job would come well down on the list from now on. First and foremost was his family.
    Leanne was dressed for her new hobby. Tight jodhpurs, riding boots and a sleeveless fleecy top, finished off with a short riding crop, thin leather gloves and a hard hat. She was now into riding horses each Sunday morning. Since Henry’s suspension from duty he had been able, and willingly volunteered, to take her to the riding school and pick her up. It was one of those fatherly type of duties he had never been able to carry out. It had always been Kate who had taken the girls to Brownies or to swimming lessons, or to birthday parties. Henry was trying to make up for lost time . . . and whereas most other parents he met whinged and bleated about the dreary tasks, he found he loved every minute of it, could not get enough.
    â€˜So what were you thinking about?’ Leanne asked as they went out to the car.
    â€˜Going back to work,’ he admitted. ‘If it ever happens.’
    â€˜Oh,’ she said, knowing how delicate a subject it all was. She knew he was nowhere near going back yet; that the date for the discipline hearing had not been set and that the court proceedings surrounding it all had not even been listed. ‘Anyway,’ she said, changing the subject with the subtlety of a sledge hammer, ‘I hope I get to ride Silver today.’ She sighed longingly. ‘He’s a wonderful horse . . . so responsive . . . I’ve heard he might be up for sale.’ She looked slyly at her father, who was reversing the car out of the drive.
    â€˜Not a chance,’ he said without even glancing at her, keeping his chin firmly on his right shoulder as he manoeuvred into the road.
    â€˜I didn’t mean we should buy him,’ Leanne lied.
    Henry rammed the car into first. ‘Yeah, right.’
    â€˜But if we did, I’d look after him, Dad, honest.’
    It was Henry’s turn to sigh. It was a short, irritated sigh, accompanied by the word, ‘Nope.’
    Leanne folded her arms and stared directly forward, jaw rotating crossly.
    â€˜Maybe I’ll get you a hamster,’ Henry offered.
    The jaw ceased its rotation.
    â€˜How about a pet rat?’
    â€˜Dad – shut it,’ she told him, but a smile flickered on her lovely lips and suddenly her cross mood changed. ‘I hope Kelly’s there and Charlotte . . . if they are, can we go for a McDonald’s after?’
    â€˜We’ll have to see.’
    â€˜Oh good,’ she beamed and clapped her hands at the thought.
    It was about four miles to the riding stables, which were situated in the countryside in the Marton area of Blackpool. As Henry slowed down at the stables, Leanne leapt out of the car almost before it had stopped because she had spotted Kelly already. Henry drew to a halt on the rough area of hard ground they called the car park and chuckled to himself as he watched Leanne run off. She was totally happy. Doing well at school. Brilliant at home and great company to be with. Kate had told Henry that both girls were more content than they had ever been for years. Henry knew that implicit in that remark was that their happiness was directly related to his regular presence at home.
    A big Mercedes coupé pulled in alongside Henry’s Mondeo. It was driven by the mother of Charlotte, one of the girls mentioned by Leanne, whom she had met through