Free Passionate Vengeance by Elizabeth Lapthorne Page B

she could feel just barely out of reach.
    “The certificate of thanks,” she said after some thought, afraid if she pushed it would disappear on her. “It was different from the others. All the other frames were matching, as if he’d bought them in bulk or done them all up prettily at the same time. But the certificate, that was different. A plastic frame. Older than the others, worn and faded.”
    Lucas remained silent, but the air crackled with the weight of his awareness. It snapped like a living thing between them. She knew he hung on her every word but would wait until she had grasped what eluded her, instead of ploughing ahead or interrupting her train of thought.
    “It read—‘With thanks to Doctor Paul Harper for his Continual Support to the Highvale Nursing Home, London’.”
    Pride surged through her and she grinned, pleased she’d managed to recall the detail. Lifting her eyes to Lucas, excitement hummed over her skin. She sat up, eager.
    “There can’t be too many Highvale nursing homes in London, surely?” She felt hopeful.
    “I wouldn’t think so,” Lucas replied slowly. He sat and rubbed a hand through his hair.
    Abby held her breath, waiting expectantly for him to tell her what utter rubbish this was. He kept silent for a brief moment, then a smile spread over his face.
    “It can’t possibly hurt to look. I know this is just a dream of yours. It’s only a possibility that it stems from a real memory, but you spent time in his office. It’s crazy, undoubtedly, but it’s still something we can move on.”
    “It’s not like I expect he’s out there right now, hiding out among the retired folks,” she agreed. “But it’s a connection he has no reason to suspect anyone knows about.”
    Lucas nodded and drew her in for a quick kiss.
    “You’re brilliant, you know that?”
    Excited, they both rushed off the small bed and hastened to get dressed.

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    “Thank you very much,” Abby said before hanging up the phone. She scrawled down the number for the Highvale Nursing Home. It was just past dawn and despite the fact she’d had almost no sleep and by rights she should be exhausted, the thrill of success sent adrenaline through her body.
    “I’ve got it!” she cheered, feeling exultant and beaming at Lucas, who said a hasty “Never mind” and hung up his phone. He whooped, raced towards her and gave her an enormous kiss. Throwing her arms around him, she eagerly returned the embrace, laughing.
    “Did we miss the party?” Tristan interjected.
    Abigail beamed, not upset in the least they’d chosen this moment to return. Kimber’s blonde curls sprung up all around her head, clearly mussed from the few hours’ sleep they’d managed to get. She looked tired but intrigued by the obvious excitement. It was a very different atmosphere to when they’d left earlier.
    “Not yet, mate,” Lucas replied eagerly. “But if you’d slept much longer you might have.”
    “You got a break in the case and didn’t wake me?” Tristan said, clearly unhappy.
    “No, not really,” Abigail insisted. “I woke up from a nightmare, one involving Dr Harper. I knew there was something in it my subconscious was trying to remind me, but it took me a little bit to work out.”
    Abigail glanced from Tristan to Kimber, to Lucas and back to Tristan again as she tried to explain and settle Tristan’s understandably ruffled feathers.
    “He had a certificate of thanks hung up in his office. It was from the Highvale Nursing Home. It’s probably nothing at all, another dead end, but the certificate was in commemoration of ‘continual support’ which he’d given them.”
    “Do you really remember that? Or has the dream twisted something to make it appear like that?” Tristan asked. His tone suggested curiosity, not disbelief.
    “I know a certificate really was on his wall,” Abby replied firmly. “Whether it honestly said Highvale Nursing Home or not I can’t swear to. It’s been