Virtual Justice by MA Comley Page A

around since they’d moved in nearly two years ago.
    “I’m going to get Rusty, to see what he thinks of it.” Charlie ran to the kennels and reappeared with the spaniel running along beside her, excitedly wagging his tail.
    Lorne looked down and chuckled at the way Henry seemed totally uninterested about the whole event. As long as he had his ball to play with, he was content as he was ever going to be. The group watched Charlie and Rusty enthusiastically work their way around the course. Rusty was having a whale of a time, barking with delight while Charlie’s voice shrilled frustrated orders when he took his own wayward route around the circuit.
    “This way, Rusty. Not that way!”
    “Make sure he gets plenty of water after his exertions, Charlie.”
    “Yes, Mum,” her daughter called back, obviously exasperated that Lorne should think of saying such a thing.
    “We’ll be inside finishing off the preparations. Dinner in thirty minutes or so. If you can tear yourself away, that is.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    Lorne hooked her arm through Tony’s on the journey back across the yard and into the house. “That was thoughtful of you.”
    “It was nothing, really. The whole thing took me more time in the planning process than actually constructing it. Should keep her occupied for a while.”
    “I just hope she doesn’t get too distracted with it and neglect her duties around here.”
    “You worry too much, Mrs. Warner.”
    Lorne could hear Carol and Katy nattering away behind about whether or not Katy should consider going for promotion. Carol urging to do so left Lorne wondering if Katy would take the psychic’s word over hers.
    They laughed and filled their faces with food for the rest of the day. Carol’s notoriously potent punch complemented the food perfectly. Even Jade showed signs of enjoying herself on the odd occasion that Lorne managed to sneak a look in her direction. She had decided to give her sister some space at the barbecue, to let her contemplate that life was still worth living, in spite of their father’s sudden death. She had her sons, Gino and Marco, to think about, after all. Luigi also appeared more relaxed because of Jade’s less-fraught demeanour. Jade, Luigi, and the boys left fairly early—around nine—leaving the rest of them to clear up before collapsing into their beds. Shortly before Jade and her family had left, Carol actually passed out on the couch after consuming excessive amounts of her own punch.

CHAPTER SIX
    B ella Croft leapt around the bedroom as though her feet were on fire as she dressed for her secret rendezvous. She really hadn’t expected him to call. To hear his wonderful voice again only hours after they’d parted had sent her in a dizzying spin. He wanted to see her, to take her out to an expensive restaurant. Who knew how the evening would end?
    Twenty minutes later, she left the house and drove to the exclusive restaurant she’d often dreamed about eating at. She felt like pinching herself half a dozen times or so to ensure this was really happening to her. She sucked down a few gulps of the night air and then took the plunge and entered the restaurant. He was waiting at the table, watching her walk towards him with a glint in his eye.
    “Good evening, beautiful lady.” He stood in front of her, placed his hands on her arms, and pecked her on each cheek.
    She had no idea how she prevented her legs from buckling beneath her. He held the chair out for her, and she lowered herself into it. He sat down opposite and gathered both of her hands in his. “It’s been hellish not being able to see you, my love.”
    Really? It’s only been a day. Her heart pounded an excited tune against her ribs. “I know. I feel the same way.”
    He smiled a genuine smile and raised her hands to his lips. One by one, he kissed every knuckle to every finger. She thought she was about to orgasm with the eroticism of his gentle touch. A shiver of anticipation flew up her