Into The Fire

4-2

NATHAN WAS WORKING on falling asleep when his phone rang. The noise was an unwelcome intrusion, and he did his best to ignore it, hoping that whoever was calling would give up when he didn’t answer.

Unfortunately his caller was persistent, they stayed on the line and let it ring and ring. Finally, when he could stand it no longer, Nathan snaked a hand out from under the duvet to grab the phone. Without leaving the nest he had created for himself he brought it to his ear.

“Whoever this is,” he said irritably, “you’d better have a really good reason for this call. I’ve just got to bed and I’m bloody knackered.” If he thought that would get rid of his caller, he was mistaken.

“Sorry, Nate, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Nathan recognised his caller’s voice and felt his annoyance lessen a little, though not a lot. If the caller had been Stephen Burke or his sister, his annoyance would have disappeared completely, neither of them was likely to call him so early without a good reason; the same could not be said for Louisa Orchard, who was apt to call simply to check up on him, without thinking about the time.

“I hadn’t actually managed to get to sleep,” Nathan said, stifling a yawn. “Is this a social call or has something happened?” He hoped it was the former because that would allow him to remain in bed.

“I wish I could say it was a social call,” Louisa said, a note of regret in her voice. “I received an email I think you need to take a look at, it concerns the vandalism at the Larsson Studio.”

“What sort of email?” Nathan asked. He allowed a yawn to escape him as he threw back the duvet, sure he was not going to enjoy the luxury of sleep any time soon.

“You’re going to want to see it,” Louisa answered unhelpfully. “I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

Nathan groaned unhappily as he ended the call. Once on his feet he made for the bathroom to splash some water on his face and liven himself up, he then returned to the bedroom to get dressed before heading downstairs.

**