Read Unknown for Free Online Page B

that was more than likely from the hints that Vasco had let slip.
    Supposing he was a criminal gone to ground here, safe from British law? There were plenty who had left England and vanished without trace. If so, of what crime was he guilty, and how safe was she here alone with him, miles from any form of help?
    Until now she had had no doubts about his integrity. He spoke her language and he had carried her up from the sea in strong, dependable arms which had lulled her into a feeling of security. She had had confidence in him. But now she was uneasy and wished Vasco hadn’t come with his plausible insinuations, or at least not until the morning. Daylight always made night-time fears lose some of their credibility. And it was as well to be forewarned that there could be danger.
    Her body was tense as she listened for him to come back to the patio. What greater danger could there be than the terrifying experience she had lived through last night? After that, surely there was no need for her to be afraid. All the same, she held her breath as a soft tread announced his approach.
    He came and stood behind her, so close she could feel the warmth of his body against her, and when she would have turned to face him he prevented it with firm hands clamped on her shoulders. When he spoke his face was against her hair and his voice was gentle.
    ‘Sparrow, I’m afraid it’s bad news.’ He paused a second, trying to ease the shock that was to come. The yacht you were on didn’t make it through the storm. Wreckage has been identified, and there were no survivors. I can’t tell you how sorry I am.’
    Minella tried to speak, but instead she slipped from his grasp and began a long journey through darkness as she collapsed on the floor.
     

CHAPTER THREE
    A strong wind was blowing and the sound of the sea was roaring in her ears. She was cold; so cold. She really ought to have worn her sheepskin coat, because it was always like this when an east wind swept along the coast and set the small craft bobbing in the marina. Silly to be walking along Brighton seafront in only a T-shirt and jeans on a day like this. Silly.
    Minella tossed on the bed and her teeth were chattering. Someone switched off the ceiling fan and brought another blanket, wrapping it firmly round her. She didn’t know where she was. One minute it seemed she Was at home in England and the next she was on an island, and both places were -deserted except for herself. Where had everyone gone? She called out for her brother Greg.
    ‘It’s all right, Sparrow,’ a calm, consoling voice soothed her, and a hand stroked the hair away from her damp forehead. ‘You’ll soon feel better, little one.’
    She looked up at him and his eyes were full of concern. He sponged her face and neck and hands, his touch so gentle she felt happy and loved.
    ‘Hold me, Greg,’ she whispered.
    Her brother was ten years her senior and even when she was a child he had looked after her. She loved him dearly. Their father had died very suddenly of a coronary when she was still a baby and she couldn’t remember him, so Greg had become the man of the family, almost a father figure to the small girl, although he was so young. She had grown up knowing he was the one she could turn to no matter what the problem. Greg was always there when she needed him, and she needed him now.
    ‘Please hold me, Greg,’ she insisted again.
    Strong arms gathered her up and she was cradled against a broad chest that was warm and familiar. Her cheek lay on a linen shirt and the hand supporting her head pressed her closer. She heard him murmur something, but the words were lost because his mouth was against her hair and she was too drowsy to tell him she couldn’t hear. There was some sort of hammering going on, loud, rhythmic thudding in her ear, and only when it continued incessantly did she realise it was his heart. Why should Greg’s heart beat so fast? Perhaps he’d come running to find her. She stretched up