Free Lights Out by W.J. Stopforth Page A

John. I have to do a report for RSG in London by end of day,
so I’ll send you a copy once it’s complete.” Ryan said.
    “Thanks Ryan, I’d be interested to read it”.
    Ryan stood up and made his way back down the corridor and to his own
cluttered and busy desk. As he arrived, his next visitor was already waiting
for him.
    “Hey buddy” Rob was sitting in Ryan’s office chair pushing it around
in a circle.
    “Just thought I’d check in and see how you are?”
    “I’m good. I’ve just had John asking me the exact same question.”
Ryan perched himself on the edge of his own desk. Ignoring Ryan, Rob continued
his own line of questioning.
    “So tell me lover-boy, how’s it going with the lovely Lily?” Rob
teased.
    “You know I don’t kiss and tell.” Ryan replied. “Suffice to say,
she’s a biscuit.” He gave Rob a
wink and a broad smile.
    “C’mon man, don’t leave me in the dark.” Rob said pouting. “I need to
know.”
    Ryan laughed, “don’t you have some stocks to trade or something?”
Ryan checked his watch.
    “I’ll leave you to your sordid thoughts whilst I go for a run.”
    Ryan stood up from the desk and lent down to grab his sports bag next
to Rob’s feet, as he stood up he pulled on the back of the chair that Rob was
sitting in and gave it a hard shove. Leaving Rob spinning in the chair.
    ‘I’ll have to prime you with a drink, if I’m going to get any gossip
out of you.” Rob responded with a laugh. ‘I don’t give up that easily.’ He
leaned back with his arms across his chest as the chair slowed to a stop.
    “Well, you are persistent, I’ll give you that”, Ryan said gripping
his sports bag and giving Rob one last smile as he headed off down the
corridor.
    It was 12.30pm. The hottest time of the day for running, but the only
chance that Ryan had would have that day. The air felt humid, which made it
hard for it to reach Ryan’s lungs. He breathed in again, sucking the sticky air
through his nose and expanding his chest. It was sweltering, around, 32
degrees. There was no breeze, just the wet heavy atmosphere making the sky
appear lower than normal. Ryan breathed in one last time, stretched his arms
above his head and slowly stepped into a gentle jog.
    Increasing his pace Ryan tried to focus his mind elsewhere. His feet
were pounding hard on the pavement; his breathing was loud and heavy. He could
immediately feel the heat on the back of his neck, reminding him that he had no
sun protection.
    Ryan always ran on the same road. Hidden away half way up the
mountainside it was a running and walking path. It spanned a total of eight
kilometers weaving and snaking around the mountain. Trees hung over sections of
the path offering some shade, but the majority of the run was open to the
elements. Along the road there were just two exit paths forking off down the
left side of the mountain, offering those less fit or willing to take an early
exit.
    When Ryan ran this path in the mornings he would often see old
Chinese men and women doing their early morning exercise. Stretching their
bodies as best they could trying to remember old Tai Chi moves that they could
no longer do effectively.
    Running always made Ryan feel relaxed. He was in his own world here.
The running path was close enough to the City to still feel the hustle and
bustle. Overlooking the high-rises and the skyline, but far enough up the side
of the mountain to block out the drilling, shouting, honking and chattering. It
allowed him to lose himself for a short while. Today there was no view. The
clouds hung low and sat like hats on top of all the high-rise buildings. Ryan
just focused on the path and his breathing.
    Lost in his own reverie, Ryan jumped when Detective Lam unexpectedly
paced herself next to him.
    “Hey, sorry if I startled you”, Sarah said, slightly breathless.
    Ryan looked at Detective Lam. He was surprised to see her running
here, and impressed that she could keep pace with him.
    “Hi, no