Read Out of the Night for Free Online Page A

waitress returned with my orange juice. Jac frowned at it and invited me to share a carafe of white wine with her. How could I refuse?
    ‘Did my secretary say anything about what I wanted?’ she asked, getting down to business.
    ‘Not really. It was just a brief conversation. She said you would like to meet me to discuss security in your business premises.’
    Jac nodded. ‘That’s right. I own an art gallery in town. It’s not exactly a salubrious area and I’m concerned about security. I would like you to check the place over and give me your advice, and an estimate of costs for an upgrade.’
    Fair enough. I was a little surprised that she hadn’t gone straight to one of the big security companies, or approached the issue in collaboration with her insurer, but cost might be an issue. Perhaps she couldn’t afford a Rolls-Royce solution.
    ‘I take it you’re in the area designated for regeneration?’ I said.
    ‘Yes, that’s right.’ She smiled and added, ‘You’re probably thinking it’s likely to be an uphill challenge, which it is, of course, but Middlesbrough needs businesses like mine. We hope to make a difference.’
    My turn to nod. I couldn’t disagree with any of that. I felt like wishing her luck.
    ‘So how did you hear about me? I don’t advertise my services.’
    ‘I know Lydia. We’re old friends.’
    Ah! My artist ex-girlfriend. At least, I assumed she was ex. We certainly hadn’t seen each other for a long while.
    Jac added, ‘Lydia says you’re a good man. A conventional attitude towards art, but reliable and good at what you do.’
    I arched my eyebrows. ‘Lydia said all that? What a cheek!’
    ‘Oh, I wouldn’t worry about it,’ Jac said. ‘I’m a traditionalist myself when it comes to art. I like to see paint on canvas, and canvas on a wall. Lydia is different, isn’t she?’
    I grinned. I was beginning to like Jac Picknett.
    ‘She calls it Performance Art.’
    ‘Yes, I know she does. That’s what it is.’
    Whatever the official term for it, Lydia didn’t need security alarms. The challenge lay in persuading anybody to stop and watch.
    ‘Are we going to be able to do business together, do you think?’ Jac asked, giving me an arch smile.
    ‘Oh, yes,’ I assured her. ‘I’m sure we are.’
     
    Contrary to my expectations in advance, we had a pleasant lunch. Making it even better, Jac declined my offer to pay. We discussed her security requirements and arranged for me to pay her a visit at the gallery in a few days’ time. Then we parted with a handshake and a chuckle, having got on very well together.
    My good mood changed abruptly when I arrived back at Risky Point to find someone had smashed the front door open. Inside, the place was a mess. Furniture overturned, cupboards emptied, broken crockery and glass all over theplace. Whoever had done it had gone through the entire house like a hurricane.
    My mood swung from shock to anger, and then rage. Bastards! I wasn’t in any doubt who was responsible. They had come back. I should have anticipated it.
    I wondered if Jimmy had seen or heard anything. He should have done. Middle of the day? He couldn’t have missed them.
    Then I began to worry. I left the house and raced over to Jimmy’s place.
    The front door to his cottage must have been open. They hadn’t had to smash their way through that. I went inside and saw they had saved their energy for the work ahead of them. Jimmy’s place was as big a mess as mine.
    Jimmy himself was on the floor in the living room. For a dreadful moment I thought the worst. Then he moved. He raised an arm. I rushed over to him.
    ‘I’m all right,’ he whispered.
    ‘Sure you are.’
    But he wasn’t. His face was a mess and he wasn’t moving much. He’d taken a pummelling.
    ‘The same people?’ I asked.
    ‘The same.’
    I took out my mobile and called for an emergency ambulance. Fifteen minutes, they said. I told them to try to make it faster than that.
    Then I questioned