Love Lies Bleeding

Love Lies Bleeding by Geraldine Evans Page B

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Authors: Geraldine Evans
Tags: UK
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up, he thought he'd never bring himself to wear. But memories fade, even black memories.
    Tonight, more than anything, he felt the best thing he could do for the investigation was to relax and let his brain and thought processes mellow during a long-booked and long-looked-forward-to evening with Abra.
    ‘We'll sit down tomorrow morning and digest what we've learned so far and then decide on our priorities.’
    After they had said good-night and Rafferty had popped into the Incident Room to check on anything else that had come in, he followed Llewellyn out to the car park. Gradually, he became aware of what a beautiful evening it was. The sky was a deep, vibrant blue where it wasn't already washed with the yellow, pink and orange of a fabulous sunset.
    He smiled as he pulled out his car keys. The weather was certainly an improvement on the lashing rain that had heralded Raymond Raine's murder and Felicity's confession.
    In spite of the increasing questions about the case and his early but anticipated loss of Felicity Raine's confession, he felt surprisingly upbeat. Not, of course, that his happiness had anything at all to do with the case — how could it when they now faced the long haul of a murder investigation rather than the easier confession-and-guilty-as-charged route?
    But for tonight at least, he mused as he climbed in the car, he intended to enjoy himself. It might be the last chance he had for some time.
    He was taking Abra out for a late meal, a special meal. He had booked a table for two for nine o'clock in the romantically softly lit courtyard area of one of the town's most upmarket restaurants, hoping to encourage Abra to finally forgive him for his less than chivalric showing in June.
    He was looking forward to it. And since even the weather had decided to come out on his side, he felt he had reason to be optimistic. A balmy night, soft lights, sweet music, wine and an excellent meal would, he was convinced, encourage Abra to accept that to err is human, but to forgive is divine. It wasn't as if he had meant to be obtuse and hurtful. His hopes were high that tonight would see them back to how they had been but a few months earlier, and he was determined to spare no expense on the evening.
    That was why the call on his mobile just before he inserted the key in the ignition came as such a blow.

Chapter Seven
    Rafferty felt a curious reluctance to answer the demanding ringtone. He always turned his mobile off prior to interviews and had only just turned it back on.
    He felt an even greater reluctance when he pulled the phone from his pocket and saw that it was Abra calling. Why was she calling now? he wondered. He had told her he would be home in good time for their restaurant date and he would be. He'd promised her that morning as he'd given her a quick goodbye kiss.
    It was only just after half-eight now, so he was in plenty of time. His uneasiness increased and he found himself wishing he hadn't turned the damn thing back on because some sixth sense told him he wouldn't like what she had to say.
    Squashing down his uneasy thoughts, he forced out a cheerful greeting. ‘Hello, my little Abracadabra. I hope you're looking forward to this evening as much as I am. It's going to be magical, I know it. Promise me you'll dress up in that houri's outfit that Dafyd told me you threatened to wear to his wedding.’
    Rafferty still couldn't understand how he had failed to spot Abra at Llewellyn's wedding or the reception afterwards. He could only put it down to the fact that, without a partner and painfully conscious of the fact, he had made sure the night was clouded by an anaesthetizing alcoholic haze.
    To his dismay, Abra's reply confirmed his fear that he wouldn't like what she had to say.
    ‘Oh God, Joe. You're making me feel guilty now. Sorry, love, but you'll have to cancel the restaurant booking. I can't come. I've been trying to reach you for the last hour to tell you, but all I got each time was your

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