Free Disorder (Sam Keddie thriller series Book 1) by Paddy Magrane Page A

over the final moments of their relationship, looking for signs that she had caused the kind of damage that might have tipped Charles over the edge. Sometimes – when she was alone, late, in the office – she wondered whether she should have given him another chance. But when she felt strong, she knew that she couldn’t possibly have acted in any other way. She had not been responsible for pushing a man like Charles – a thick-skinned Cabinet Minister who’d dealt with any number of crises, both personal and work-related – to take his own life. Something else had.
       To explain this to Eleanor, she knew that it was important to establish why she’d ended the relationship. It would be painful for both of them, but give Eleanor an idea of her father’s mental state at the time.
       Charles, the man she’d fallen so spectacularly for, had suddenly changed. Jane could pinpoint exactly when that change had occurred, but had no idea what had caused it. In true politician’s style, Charles had kept that particular card very close to his chest. All she knew was that something poisonous had insinuated itself into Charles’s mind, and his easy, intimate way with her disappeared overnight. Without some guarantee that things would return to how they’d been – and Charles had given none – she knew she could not stay with him.
       The lift doors opened on to a vast reception area. Four storeys above her was the glass roof. To her right was a white wall hung with a huge abstract painting.
       As she moved towards the doors that opened on to the car park, her progress was halted by one of the girls on the front desk, who called out to her.
       ‘Miss Vyner, there’s a gentleman here to see you.’
       Jane had been so deep in thought that she hadn’t noticed the man leaning against the long bank of polished walnut that fronted the reception. He was 40ish, with balding hair shaved close to his scalp and a pot belly hanging over the waistband of his jeans.
       ‘Tony McNess,’ he said, thrusting out a hand. He then said two more words that froze her blood – the name of a British tabloid newspaper.
       ‘Can I have a word?’
       She had to think fast. ‘You should talk to our press office.’
       ‘It’s not about your firm,’ he said. His voice then dropped to a hiss. ‘It’s about you – and Charles Scott.’
       Jane shot a glance at the receptionists. They appeared not to have heard. She smiled weakly. ‘I’m not quite sure what you’re referring to. Whatever it is, I cannot talk now. I urge you to make an appointment.’
       She knew she sounded like a lousy liar, but this was all happening too fast. First Eleanor Scott, now this. She couldn’t think straight. She began moving towards the entrance. McNess quickly caught up.
       ‘We both know you were sleeping with Scott, Miss Vyner,’ he said. ‘Now we can either get your side of the story, or go ahead and print what we know.’
       Jane stopped in her tracks just before the entrance. ‘I would urge you to be very careful what you print,’ she bluffed. ‘Future Systems is a very big company, with a formidable legal resource. You do not want to get on the wrong side of us.’
       McNess smiled. ‘Like I said, Miss Vyner. This is nothing to do with Future Systems. This is about you.’
       Afraid that whatever she said would get her deeper into the shit she was already wading through, Jane walked through the doors, desperate to get away from this viper. She was soon running, sprinting to her car so she could shut him – and the rest of this nightmare – out of her life, even if for just one moment.
       McNess was running after her, obviously not ready to give up yet. As she approached her car, she unlocked the doors with her fob, and was then in, starting the engine. McNess was suddenly in front of the vehicle, arms outstretched in a vain attempt to halt her. Fuck him, she thought, as she put the car in gear and