by Sally Rigby
‘You’ve got all the evidence, what’s the point in denying it.’ She stared back at Whitney, her eyes empty.
‘You could have shot Scott,’ Brian said.
‘No because I wanted him to suffer for a long time. Prison would’ve destroyed him. It’s what he deserved. Ryan was collateral damage.’
Whitney swallowed hard, forcing herself not to reach over and slap the girl. Collateral damage. Was Ryan’s life worth so little?’
‘How did you persuade Ryan to meet you at the club car park?’
‘That was easy enough, the man was so gullible. I phoned and begged him to meet me because I’d had a fight with Scott and he’d hit me. I told him that I’d taken a taxi to the club but it was locked and I didn’t know who else to call. He was there in a shot. The rest was easy. I got into his car, took out the gun and shot him.’
‘What happened to your clothes? There must have been blood on them.’
‘I’d brought some spare clothes with me and I changed behind the car. I then put them into a carrier bag, along with Ryan’s phone and went home via the river where I dumped everything.’
‘Why did you choose the early hours of Sunday morning?’
‘I knew that Scott had arranged to meet Naomi at the park and was out at the time of the murder. I was hoping they might both have been done for the murder.’
‘How did you know about the meeting?’
‘I subscribe to a mobile phone tracker which I put on his phone. I can track all of his messages, emails and phone calls. It was a foolproof plan, except it’s only updated every thirty minutes and I hadn’t realised that Naomi couldn’t get out to meet him. By then it was too late and Ryan was already dead.’
‘What about Naomi? Were you intending to kill her, too?’
‘No. Once I knew that it was unlikely she’d be charged, I wanted her to know that I was going to financially screw her. I was going to withdraw any funding for the club and insist it was sold.’
The solicitor leant in and whispered in her ear.
‘That’s it. You get nothing more from me.’
‘You’ll be escorted back to your cell, where you’ll remain until your bail hearing, which we’ll be opposing.’
Epilogue
Whitney and George headed to the pub where they’d agreed to meet with the team, and Clifford, to have their celebratory drinks. They were all congregated at the back of the room standing around a tall bar table.
‘Okay, the drinks are on me,’ she said as they approached, interrupting the high spirits.
‘No, let me get them,’ Clifford offered. ‘It’s the least I can do.’
‘That works for me,’ Whitney said. ‘I’ll go with you to help.’
‘Much appreciated,’ he said, flashing a smile.
They left the others and made their way to the bar, skirting around the throng of customers, most of them from the force, as it was their local.
‘I expect you’ll be glad to get back to the high-flying Met and leave the sticks behind.’
I’d hardly call Lenchester the sticks. It’s not in the middle of nowhere.’
‘It’s not London, either.’
‘I’ve enjoyed my time here. You certainly operate a very effective team, and I was impressed with the way you worked. And Dr Cavendish as well. She’s a useful asset.’
‘We couldn’t do it without her. Shame you didn’t get any further with your investigation into the syndicate.’
‘I wouldn’t say that. I’ve now got Scott Marshall working for me, and his input will be invaluable.’
‘When are you going back?’
‘The day after tomorrow. The Northampton Saints are playing the Leicester Tigers tomorrow night. Rugby.’
‘I do know who the rugby teams are around here,’ she said rolling her eyes. ‘Women do support rugby as well, you know.’
‘That wasn’t what I meant. So, you’re a fan?’
‘No,’ she admitted. ‘My dad used to love rugby, but he died over twelve years ago now. Do you play?’ she asked, realising that apart from him being an aristocrat with a photographic memory, or whatever it was George said he had, she knew very little about him.
‘Yes. I sometimes play for a local team, when work doesn’t get in the way. I’m a flanker.’
‘I pity anyone being tackled by you.’
‘I’m not the largest on the team.’
‘Seriously? Bloody hell.’
They ordered the drinks and headed back to the rest of them. Clifford stood with Frank and Doug, laughing, and George and Whitney were a little way away.
‘Have you thought any more about selling your house?’ she asked.
‘No.’
‘Let me guess, you’re compartmentalising it,’ Whitney said.
‘For the moment, yes I am. How are Tiffany and Martin, anything further on that front?’
‘We’re all going out for a meal on Saturday, and he texted me the other day to say that he was going to ask her to accompany him to a concert next week, and was it okay.’
‘It was good of him to ask you in advance. Do you mind them going out together?’
‘I think it’s good for them to get to know each other. Hopefully, he’s going to be around when she has the baby. Two grandparents are better than one. Well, providing …’
‘Guv,’ Frank called over interrupting them. He nodded at Clifford who was standing away from the rest of the team deep in conversation with Chief Superintendent Douglas.
‘What the hell’s that all about?’ she muttered.
‘Maybe they’d arranged to meet for a drink,’ George said.
‘Here? Now? No way. This is a celebration and Seb knows my views on Dickhead. He wouldn’t invite him.’
‘It certainly doesn’t appear like they’re celebrating. The body language, the expressions on their faces … it’s something serious.’
‘You’re right. Douglas doesn’t even have a drink in his hand.’
She tried not to stare but her eyes were drawn to the pair of them. Finally after a few minutes, Douglas marched off.
She hurried over to Clifford, who was staring at his phone.
‘Seb, what’s going on? What did Douglas want?’
He glanced up; his face set hard. ‘I’ve got to get back to London, now.’
‘Why?’
‘The shit’s hit the fan. I’ll be lucky to get out of it unscathed.’
The End
Would you like to know more about Sebastian Clifford? He returns in his own series, in the book Web of Lies when, alongside DC Bird from Market Harborough police force, he investigates a high-profile death that had been recorded as a suicide.
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Read more about Cavendish & Walker
DEADLY GAMES - Cavendish & Walker Book 1
A killer is playing cat and mouse……. and winning.
DCI Whitney Walker wants to save her career. Forensic psychologist, Dr Georgina Cavendish, wants to avenge the death of her student.
Sparks fly when real world policing meets academic theory, and it’s not a pretty sight.
When two more bodies are discovered, Walker and Cavendish form an uneasy alliance. But are they in time to save the next victim?
Deadly Games is the first book in the Cavendish and Walker crime fiction series. If you like serial killer thrillers and psychological intrigue, then you’ll love Sally Rigby’s page-turning book.
Pick up Deadly Games today to read Cavendish & Walker’s first case.
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FATAL JUSTICE - Cavendish & Walker Book 2
A vigilante’s on the loose, dishing out their kind of justice...
A string of mutilated bodies sees Detective Chief Inspector Whitney Walker back in action. But when she discovers the victims
have all been grooming young girls, she fears a vigilante is on the loose. And while she understands the motive, no one is above the law.
Once again, she turns to forensic psychologist, Dr Georgina Cavendish, to unravel the cryptic clues. But will they be able to save the next victim from a gruesome death?
Fatal Justice is the second book in the Cavendish & Walker crime fiction series. If you like your mysteries dark, and with a twist, pick up a copy of Sally Rigby’s book today.
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DEATH TRACK - Cavendish & Walker Book 3
Catch the train if you dare…
After a teenage boy is found dead on a Lenchester train, Detective Chief Inspector Whitney Walker believes they’re being targeted by the notorious Carriage Killer, who chooses a local rail network, commits four murders, and moves on.
Against her wishes, Walker’s boss brings in officers from another force to help the investigation and prevent more deaths, but she’s forced to defend her team against this outside interference.
Forensic psychologist, Dr Georgina Cavendish, is by her side in an attempt to bring to an end this killing spree. But how can they get into the mind of a killer who has already killed twelve times in two years without leaving a single clue behind?
For fans of Rachel Abbott, L J Ross and Angela Marsons, Death Track is the third in the Cavendish & Walker series. A gripping serial killer thriller that will have you hooked.
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LETHAL SECRET - Cavendish & Walker Book 4
Someone has a secret. A secret worth killing for....
When a series of suicides, linked to the Wellness Spirit Centre, turn out to be murder, it brings together DCI Whitney Walker and forensic psychologist Dr Georgina Cavendish for another investigation. But as they delve deeper, they come across a tangle of secrets and the very real risk that the killer will strike again.
As the clock ticks down, the only way forward is to infiltrate the centre. But the outcome is disastrous, in more ways than one.
For fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and M A Comley, Lethal Secret is the fourth book in the Cavendish & Walker crime fiction series.
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LAST BREATH - Cavendish & Walker Book 5
Has the Lenchester Strangler returned?
When a murderer leaves a familiar pink scarf as his calling card, Detective Chief Inspector Whitney Walker is forced to dig into a cold case, not sure if she's looking for a killer or a copycat.
With a growing pile of bodies, and no clues, she turns to forensic psychologist, Dr Georgina Cavendish, despite their relationship being at an all-time low.
Can they overcome the bad blood between them to solve the unsolvable?
For fans of Rachel Abbott, Angela Marsons and M A Comley, Last Breath is the fifth book in the Cavendish & Walker crime fiction series.
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FINAL VERDICT - Cavendish & Walker Book 6
The judge has spoken……everyone must die.
When a killer starts murdering lawyers in a prestigious law firm, and every lead takes them to a dead end, DCI Whitney Walker finds herself grappling for a motive.
What links these deaths, and why use a lethal injection?
Alongside forensic psychologist, Dr Georgina Cavendish, they close in on the killer, while all the time trying to not let their personal lives get in the way of the investigation.
For fans of Rachel Abbott, Mark Dawson and M A Comley, Final Verdict is the sixth in the Cavendish & Walker series. A fast paced murder mystery which will keep you guessing.
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RITUAL DEMISE - Cavendish & Walker Book 7
Someone is watching…. No one is safe
The once tranquil woods in a picturesque part of Lenchester have become the bloody stage to a series of ritualistic murders. With no suspects, Detective Chief Inspector Whitney Walker is once again forced to call on the services of forensic psychologist Dr Georgina Cavendish.
But this murderer isn't like any they've faced before. The murders are highly elaborate, but different in their own way and, with the clock ticking, they need to get inside the killer's head before it's too late.
For fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and L J Ross. Ritual Demise is the seventh book in the Cavendish & Walker crime fiction series.
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MORTAL REMAINS - Cavendish & Walker Book 8
Someone’s playing with fire…. There’s no escape.
A serial arsonist is on the loose and as the death toll continues to mount DCI Whitney Walker calls on forensic psychologist Dr Georgina Cavendish for help.
But Lenchester isn't the only thing burning. There are monumental changes taking place within the police force and there's a chance Whitney might lose the job she loves. She has to find the killer before that happens. Before any more lives are lost.
Mortal Remains is the eighth book in the acclaimed Cavendish & Walker series. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and L J Ross.
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SILENT GRAVES - Cavendish & Walker Book 9
Nothing remains buried forever…
When the bodies of two teenage girls are discovered on a building site, DCI Whitney Walker knows she's on the hunt for a killer. The problem is the murders happened in 1980 and this is her first case with the new team. What makes it even tougher is that with budgetary restrictions in place, she only has two weeks to solve it.
Once again, she enlists the help of forensic psychologist Dr Georgina Cavendish, but as she digs deeper into the past, she uncovers hidden truths that reverberate through the decades and into the present.
Silent Graves is the ninth book in the acclaimed Cavendish & Walker series. Perfect for fans of L J Ross, J M Dalgleish and Rachel Abbott.
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KILL SHOT - Cavendish & Walker Book 10
The game is over.....there’s nowhere to hide.
When Lenchester’s most famous sportsman is shot dead, DCI Whitney Walker and her team are thrown into the world of snooker.
She calls on forensic psychologist Dr Georgina Cavendish to assist, but the investigation takes them in a direction which has far-reaching, international ramifications.
Much to Whitney’s annoyance, an officer from one of the Met’s special squads is sent to assist.
But as everyone knows…three’s a crowd.
Kill Shot is the tenth book in the acclaimed Cavendish & Walker series. Perfect for fans of Simon McCleave, J M Dalgleish, J R Ellis and Faith Martin.
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Read more about Sebastian Clifford
WEB OF LIES: A Midlands Crime Thriller (Detective Sebastian Clifford - Book 1)
A trail of secrets. A dangerous discovery. A deadly turn.
Police officer Sebastian Clifford never planned on becoming a private investigator. But when a scandal leads to the disbandment of his London based special squad, he finds himself out of a job. That is, until his cousin calls on him to investigate her husband’s high-profile death, and prove that it wasn’t a suicide.
Clifford’s reluctant to get involved, but the more he digs, the more evidence he finds. With his ability to remember everything he's ever seen, he's the perfect person to untangle the layers of deceit.
He meets Detective Constable Bird, an underutilised detective at Market Harborough’s police force, who refuses to give him access to the records he’s requested unless he allows her to help with the investigation. Clifford isn't thrilled. The last time he worked as part of a team it ended his career.
But with time running out, Clifford is out of options. Together they must wade through the web of lies in the hope that they’ll find the truth before it kills them.
Web of Lies is the first in the new Detective Sebastian Clifford series. Perfect for readers of Joy Ellis, Robert Galbraith and Mark Dawson.
Acknowledgments
As always, first and foremost I’d like to thank my writing friends, Amanda Ashby and Christin
a Phillips, who have been with me every step of the way.
Thanks, to Emma Mitchell, whose edits are incredibly insightful and help me produce the best book I can. Thanks, also, to Kate Noble for her brilliant proofreading and patience as the same errors appear time and time again.
