Towards Zero (Superintendent Battle 5)

“I’m sure you wouldn’t,” said Audrey.

MacWhirter said:

“I’m not your kind. I thought you’d marry that quiet fellow who’s cared for you so long.”

“Thomas? Dear True Thomas. He’s too true. He’s faithful to the image of a girl he loved years ago. But the person he really cares for is Mary Aldin, though he doesn’t know it yet himself.”

MacWhirter took a step towards her. He spoke sternly.

“Do you mean what you’re saying?”

“Yes…I want to be with you always, never to leave you. If you go I shall never find anybody like you, and I shall go lonely all my days.”

MacWhirter sighed. He took out his wallet and carefully examined its contents.

He murmured:

“A special licence comes expensive. I’ll need to go to the Bank first thing tomorrow.”

“I could lend you some money,” murmured Audrey.

“You’ll do nothing of the kind. If I marry a woman, I pay for the licence. You understand?”

“You needn’t,” said Audrey softly, “look so stern.”

He said gently as he came towards her:

“Last time I had my hands on you, you felt like a bird—struggling to escape. You’ll never escape now….”

She said:

“I shall never want to escape.”

* * *