by Michael Wood
Chapter Eighty
Penny Doyle was alone in Matilda’s hospital room. It was lit only by a small lamp attached to the wall, and the various screens Matilda was hooked up to.
Penny held her daughter’s hand in both of hers. She looked at her with tear-filled eyes. It was a good thing Matilda was unconscious because Penny had no idea what words to use to tell her everything that had happened today. It still didn’t seem real. Frank was gone. How was that possible?
‘Matilda, I’m so sorry.’ She sniffled. ‘I’ve been a terrible mother to you. I’ve been so scared of losing you that I thought if there was this barrier between us, then I wouldn’t be hurt so much if … well, if you were injured like this. I was being selfish. But I get it now. Why you do what you do. I understand. People like this Jake character, well, they’re everywhere, aren’t they? You turn on the news and someone’s been beaten to death for the sake of a mobile phone, or a child’s been killed by their father to spite the mother when they split up. There are bad people everywhere, and we need people like you to stop them. You’re one of the good guys. I always knew you were, but I selfishly wanted you to be safe.
‘I love you so much, Matilda. I always have. I need you to wake up. Please, Matilda, for me, for your dad, wake up.’
She looked at the monitors. She had no idea what any of them meant, or what the flashing green numbers and the red lines were saying. It was alien to her.
Penny looked back at her daughter, glaring at her, willing her to wake up.
Nothing happened.
Nothing happened.
Nothing happened.
Epilogue
Tuesday, April 23rd 2019
Dear Friend,
* * *
Thank you for your letters. I’ve been researching you and looking into your background. At first I was sceptical, but now I believe you’re in a prime position to help me, and I’m the perfect man to help you.
You need to prepare yourself, mentally, for the journey ahead, as it’s going to be a long one. We have a great deal to plan. Matilda is an interesting adversary and one we must keep an eye on. My brother came incredibly close to killing her, but he fell at the final hurdle. However, he achieved greatness in his task and that is something we must emulate.
Matilda has a long road of recovery, and we can allow her that. I’ve been keeping an eye on the news and seen the way her ‘ordeal’ has been documented so candidly. Let’s give her some breathing space. Let’s give her time to relax, recuperate and recover from her injuries.
I will send you a visiting order so you can come and see me, and we can talk about our plans. Time has passed since you last had any dealings with Matilda and as you only met her briefly, I’m guessing she won’t recognise you at all, even when you’re right in front of her.
You can be my eyes and ears on the outside, and I have plenty of contacts I can manipulate. Time is on our side. If we rush, we will make a mistake. Let Matilda relax, return to work, rebuild her team and start to enjoy life again. That’s when we will strike.
Remember, Deuteronomy 32:35 – ‘Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’
* * *
Yours,
* * *
Steve Harrison
THE END
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Acknowledgments
This book was written and produced during the first lockdown of 2020 and I would like to say a huge thank you to the entire team at One More Chapter and HarperCollins who were working from home yet still managed to put a whole book together. Not just mine, but the whole output from HarperCollins. Their efforts during this strange and frightening time were nothing short of amazing and their professionalism never wavered. Particular mentions to Charlotte Ledger, Hannah Todd, Bethan Morgan and Rebecca Millar. Thank you for taking care of me and Matilda.
I’d also like to thank my agent, Jamie Cowen, and the team at Ampersand for their ongoing work in my writing career.
Now, for the technical people who helped to bring this book together:
Philip Lumb: eminent pathologist, who, despite being incredibly busy, always finds time to furnish me with fascinating and gruesome information. A wave here for Carolyn and Elizabeth, too.
Simon Browes: an incredibly busy man who had a shocking 2020 and is doing Herculean work within the NHS to make sure we’re all vaccinated against Covid-19.
Andy Barrett: for his insight into all things crime scene related.
Neil Lancaster and Mr Tidd: for their information regarding police procedure.
I thank you all and any errors within this book are entirely mine for the purpose of fiction and nothing to do with the professionalism of the experts.
I’d like to say a big thank you to Nutwells who gave me a great deal of information regarding what equipment was needed during mass crime scenes.
A special thank you to the people of Twitter who allowed me to use their Twitter names in this book. The characters who are screaming out for help or fearing for their lives are real people.
To the readers, reviewers and the bloggers, so many thank yous to you all.
Finally, there are some people who would turn me into one of my victims if I didn’t mention them: my mum (thanks for the cakes), Christopher Human (thanks for the random chats), Kevin the Beagle (thanks for the photos), Big Squishy Max (thanks for being big and squishy), Jonas Alexander (thanks for the moustaches, and we are definitely seeing Scream at the cinema), Chris Simmons (thanks for the books).
Thank you for reading…
We hope you enjoyed Time is Running Out!
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Don’t miss the next gripping instalment in the DCI Matilda Darke Thrillers!
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Happy reading!
About the Author
Michael Wood is a freelance journalist and proofreader living in Sheffield. As a journalist he has covered many crime stories throughout Sheffield, gaining first-hand knowledge of police procedure. He also reviews books for CrimeSquad, a website dedicated to crime fiction. Time is Running Out is his seventh novel.
Also by Michael Wood
DCI Matilda Darke Thriller Series
For Reasons Unknown
Outside Looking In
A Room Full of Killers
The Hangman’s Hold
The Murder House
Stolen Children
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The Fallen (short story)
/> Victim of Innocence (short story)
About the Publisher
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