Read Twice in a Lifetime (Carina) for Free Online

Campbell was in his bedroom. She was in his bed. His entire adolescence centred around making that happen. Now she was there, but never had there been less chance of actually sleeping with her. The sixteen-year-old version of himself would not have been very happy with that result. The thirty-year-old version was none too pleased either, if truth be told.

Chapter Four
    Liam hesitated before he dialled his lawyer. He could not ignore the temptation to forget about Sam and let justice take its course. He tapped his fingers against the arm rest. He considered his options. There were a few ways this could play out. The easiest and most tempting was for him to do nothing. He would tell Sarah he did his best and she would be none the wiser. Or he could put himself on the line for a man he detested. The choice would be simple if it weren’t for Sarah, and the last remnants of Liam’s conscience. Sam deserved to be punished but he did not deserve to be killed.
    “Hello, Sayid. I have a situation,” Liam said when his lawyer picked up at the other end.
    Liam explained the circumstances in detail. Sayid told Liam he would make some enquiries and phone him back when he knew more.
    Liam went into work and waited for his lawyer to phone. He used the time to research options for Sam and make phone calls. Sayid was the best corporate lawyer money could buy, but he did not have much cause to bone up on criminal law. Liam ran a hand through his hair and swore. It was a bloody mess.
    Sayid did not phone back until after ten.
    “How long does it take to locate one detainee?” Liam asked when he picked up the phone.
    “A while when that detainee is being interviewed,” Sayid said.
    “You mean being interrogated?” Liam asked, although he knew the answer.
    “That is one way to put it. I would suggest the police would say they were helping him divulge pertinent information.”
    “Save it, Sayid. Where is he now?”
    “They are taking him to a police station.”
    “Great. Send me the address. I will meet you there. I need fifteen minutes to speak to him. Make it happen.”
    The police station was inhumanely hot, the only air conditioning being a free-standing fan. The heat served to heighten the intense smell of urine, while the fan played its part by making sure the scent reached everyone’s nostrils undiluted.
    Sayid greeted the police officer, exchanged pleasantries, and offered the man a manila envelope. The officer opened the packet and counted the notes before he nodded and pointed to a corridor. “At the end.”
    Liam walked to the end and looked into the cell. At first he could not see Sam. He was lying in the dark, his back to him. Liam could just make out his form. A presumably once white shirt was lying beside him, covered in what appeared to be dirt and dry vomit.
    “Sam,” Liam said. When he didn’t stir, Liam called his name louder.
    “And the torture begins,” Sam said. He sat up and slowly moved his legs over the side of the rusted bed frame.
    Liam’s breath hitched when he saw him. He could not have been prepared for the change in his once best friend. Liam had seen plenty of addicts before, but he couldn’t remember anyone as ravaged by drugs as the shadow of a man in front of him. Sam was a pathetic sight. He reminded Liam of a mangy dog, beaten and left on the side of the road. His anger became laced with a strange sadness that he could not understand.
    Liam couldn’t be sure how much of Sam’s appearance was down to withdrawals and how much was from years of abusing his body. Sam was the same height as Liam, but weighed at least three stone less. His cheeks were hollow and black circles encased his eyes. His short black hair was matted to his head. His arms were covered in the telltale blue ink of prison tattoos. They were layered, one on top of the other, bleeding into each other, creating the effect of one continuous stain on his limbs. And on his chest, scribbled above his heart, was the name