MIDNIGHT - HarperCollins NZ

JOSEPHINE COX
just like I said. You set a bloke up an’ leave him wi’
nowt.’
‘That’s a lie!’ Libby retaliated. ‘You must have realised
my mother is ill, yet you deliberately took advantage
of her!’
He slowly clapped his hands together. ‘Oh, very
good.’ He grinned widely. ‘So now, what do you think
to my interpretation of events?’
‘I think you’re a liar and a rogue. And if you reckon
for one minute that anyone would believe your story,
you’re a damned fool!’
‘Is that so?’ The smile disappeared from his face.
Leering at her, he hissed softly, ‘Well, that’s my story,
word for word, exactly as it happened, and I’m prepared
to tell it to anyone who wants to know.’ Anger coloured
his voice. ‘Yer ought to be bloody grateful it were me
she latched onto! There are men out there who might
have given you silly pair a good hiding, an’ more. No
doubt they’d ’ave gone through this house an’ took
everything worth a bob or two. An’ I reckon, it’s only
what yer deserve.’
Fearing he might get violent, Libby moved to protect
her mother, ‘I want you out of here – now!’ she said
in a low voice. The thought of him bedding her mother
was sickening.
Turning his trouser pockets inside out, Scott
continued to play the victim. ‘There were at least fifty
quid in these pockets when she picked me up, and
now it’s all gone. So, unless yer want more trouble than
yer can handle, you’d best hand over what I’ve earned,
36