by OMJ Ryan
‘Speaking of his family, what will happen to his son?’
‘Social Services say Jodie’s sister has flown in from Australia. She’s applying for official custody as we speak. He can grow up in a normal family, far away from Manchester and the crimes of his father.’
‘Sounds like the best place for him.’ Carter’s glass was now empty. ‘Top up?’ he asked, stepping out from the booth.
‘No. I’m good with this for now, thanks, but I could murder some crisps.’
‘What flavour?’
‘Surprise me,’ said Phillips with a grin.
Carter returned a few minutes later with a fresh pint and a couple of packets of crisps. ‘Hardly the greatest selection, so I’ve got ready salted or cheese and onion.’
Phillips expertly opened both bags so they lay flat on the table. ‘Let’s share,’ she said, popping a couple in her mouth.
Just then, her phone beeped. She checked it and smiled.
‘Everything ok?’
‘Yeah it is, actually. I’ve set up a Facebook group for my old school friends. It’s a fundraiser to organise a memorial bench for Mr Yates. He always loved Chorlton Water Park. Used to spend hours and hours fishing there. So we’re going to see if we can get the council to let us put in a bench for him, down near the water.’
‘Sounds lovely. And if anyone can get the council on board, it’s the well-respected DCI Phillips of the Major Crimes Unit, right?’
Phillips smiled as she picked up a couple of finger-fulls of crisps. ‘Something like that.’
Silence descended for a moment, until Phillips broke it. ‘And how is Mein Fuhrer? Cheered up, yet?’
Carter giggled. ‘Fox?’
Phillips nodded as she chewed.
‘She’s cockahoop, actually.’
‘Well, that’s a first.’
‘Rumour has it she’s up for the Queen’s Medal in the New Year’s Honours list for her part in the investigation.’
Phillips closed her eyes and shook her head. ‘What the fuck for? She didn’t do anything. Well, apart from dish out bollockings, that is.’
‘You know Fox,’ said Carter. ‘No one steals the credit quite like she does.’
‘That medal should be going to the two officers that stopped Anderson when he had Sims in his van. If it wasn’t for them, we’d have been looking at six murders. PC Hastings is lying in intensive care because of Anderson. He’s lucky to be alive. So is Sims, for that matter. As it is, it looks like he’ll walk with a limp for the rest of his life.’
Carter raised his hands in defence. ‘Hey. Don’t shoot the messenger. But don’t worry, I’ve already put both officers forward for gallantry medals. Along with you.’
Phillips recoiled. ‘Me? What did I do?’
‘Er, let me think. You identified the killer, who he would copycat next, and his next victim. Not to mention putting your own life at risk to save Sims and Hastings. Need I go on?’
Phillips blushed, and drained her glass in an attempt to hide her the smile on her face.
‘I do have some bad news though, Jane,’ said Carter in a sombre voice, as he stared at his pint glass on the table.
‘Oh God. Am I gonna need another drink?’
Carter’s eyes locked on Phillips’s. ‘Possibly. You see, thanks to your efforts, Fox now thinks the sun shines out of my arse. So, I’m afraid it looks like you’re gonna be stuck with me for a wee bit longer.’
Phillips put her hand to her chest and let out a huge sigh of relief. ‘Jesus, you had me going there for a minute, Harry.’
Carter chuckled. ‘Sorry. Couldn’t resist.’
Phillips laughed too. ‘Well, I’ll drink to that,’ she said, raising her empty glass in a mock toast. ‘Mine’s a large one!’
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Acknowledgments
I recently saw a post on a Facebook group page, asking if anyone bothers to read the acknowledgements, and if readers really care about them. Well, if you’ve got this far, then I think it’s fair to say, you probably do. I do too, because publishing a novel is incredibly challenging and takes an enormous number of people to get it ready for expectant readers.
Living your life with gratitude is guaranteed to make you feel happy, plus I was raised to always say thank you, and I’m not about to stop now. So here goes.
As ever, my wife Kim is my rock, my best friend and my soul mate who never falters in her support of me living my dream as a fulltime writer.
My gorgeous boy Vaughan. I wake up laughing and go to bed smiling because of you.
Carole Lawford, ex-CPS Prosecutor; once again your guidance on British Law was invaluable in navigating this complex story.
Jo Robertson, the person I trust to read my manuscripts before anyone else.
My coaches, Donna Elliot and Cheryl Lee, from ‘Now Is Your Time’ and Fabio at ‘Fabio Mazzieri Coaching’. Your guidance, support and direction are revolutionising the way I live and work. And a special note of thanks to Dr Erin Fall Haskell, for helping me realise the true power and value of storytelling.
My publishing team of Brian, Jan, Garret and Claire, and my editor, Laurel. Thank you for your inspiration, belief, and incredible attention to detail.
And a special thank you to all the front-line workers who have battled on during the Covid-19 pandemic to keep our world turning and as safe as possible over the last twelve months. You’re all superheroes in my eyes.
And finally, thank you to my readers for reading Deadly Obsession. If you could spend a moment to write an honest review, no matter how short, I would be extremely grateful. They really do help readers discover my books.
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Also by OMJ Ryan
DEADLY SECRETS
(A crime thriller introducing DCI Jane Phillips)
DEADLY SILENCE
(Book 1 in the DCI Jane Phillips series)
DEADLY WATERS
(Book 2 in the DCI Jane Phillips series)
DEADLY VENGEANCE
(Book 3 in the DCI Jane Phillips series)
DEADLY BETRAYAL
(Book 4 in the DCI Jane Phillips series)
Published by Inkubator Books
www.inkubatorbooks.com
Copyright © 2021 by OMJ Ryan
DEADLY OBSESSION is a work of fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
