by Scott Hunter
‘But they had a twenty-four hour guard–’
‘They did. But Chan apparently exchanged places with a nurse. The nurse is … currently being treated, but–’
‘She’s not going to make it.’
‘It doesn’t look good, no,’ Higginson admitted. ‘Strangled, I believe. A belt.’
Moran could find no words.
‘Sussex are on the case, of course, but by now…’
‘She could be anywhere.’
‘Exactly.’ Higginson stood up. ‘It may not fall to us, Brendan, but I thought it might help if you gave Sussex a buzz, as you’ve personally encountered the suspect.’
‘Of course. I’ll call them now. Does … does DI Pepper know about this?’
‘You’re my first port of call, Brendan. I’ll leave it to you to brief the others.’
Moran nodded. Charlie was going to love this. ‘I’ll make sure they’re informed directly, sir.’
‘Good man. Well, keep me posted. And, ah yes, Brendan, I wondered–?’
‘Sir?’
‘This… sabbatical? I don’t like to ask, but it might be prudent to–’
‘–Hold fire for the time being, sir? Of course. Probably a bad idea, in any case.’
The Chief Superintendent nodded briskly. ‘Good to know you’re still on board, Brendan. Hate to think we might lose you.’
Higginson sat his cap on his head, and with a curt nod he left Moran to his thoughts.
The noise of traffic filtered in through his half-open window. The hiss of air brakes, the hooting of impatient taxi drivers, the roar of motorcycle engines. The world was turning as usual, people going about their normal activities, secure in the knowledge that tomorrow would follow the same pattern, and the day after that. But there were monsters out there, too. And it was Moran’s job to catch them, so that ordinary lives could continue in their usual, predictable patterns.
But where did they come from, these monsters? Who created them? Moran rose and went to the window, looked out on the scurrying pedestrians, the cyclists, trucks and cabs. Those same people, ordinary men and women, members of the public he was employed to protect; they all had the potential to create monsters, given the right circumstances.
Moran sighed. And so do we all, if we’re honest.
He returned to his desk. Better call Sussex, as Higginson had suggested.
Before he could pick up the phone, it rang.
Moran paused, sent up a silent prayer, reached for the handset.
Here we go again…
The DCI Brendan Moran Series – have you read them all?
Black December
DCI Brendan Moran, world-weary veteran of 1970s Ireland, is recuperating from a near fatal car crash when a murder is reported at Charnford Abbey.
The abbot and his monks are strangely uncooperative, but when a visitor from the Vatican arrives and an ancient relic goes missing the truth behind Charnford's pact of silence threatens to expose not only the abbey's haunted secrets but also the spirits of Moran's own troubled past . . .
Black December is an atmospheric crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the stunning climax. This is the first in the DCI Brendan Moran crime series, one of the new breed of top UK Detectives.
‘…gripping, with a really intriguing plot.’
Creatures of Dust
An undercover detective goes missing and the body of a young man is found mutilated in a shop doorway. Is there a connection? Returning to work after a short convalescence, DCI Brendan Moran's suspicions are aroused when a senior officer insists on freezing Moran out and handling the investigation himself.
A second murder convinces Moran that a serial killer is on the loose but with only a few days to prove his point the disgruntled DCI can't afford to waste time. As temperatures hit the high twenties, tempers fray, and the investigation founders Moran finds himself coming back to the same question again and again: can he still trust his own judgement, or is he leading his team up a blind alley?
‘…non-stop action and convoluted twists. Another brilliant read in the Brendan Moran series…’
Death Walks Behind You
DCI Brendan Moran's last minute break in the West Country proves anything but restful as he becomes embroiled in the mysterious disappearance of an American tourist. Does the village harbour some dark and dreadful secret? The brooding presence of the old manor house and the dysfunctional de Courcy family may hold the answer but Moran soon finds that the residents of Cernham have a rather unorthodox approach to the problem of dealing with outsiders...
‘…a pleasure to read – gripped from start to finish…’
The Irish Detective - digital box set
The first omnibus edition of the popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. Contents includes the first, second and third in series, plus an exclusive CWA shortlisted short story 'Safe As Houses'...
Silent As The Dead
A call from an old friend whose wife has vanished from their home in Co.Kerry prompts DCI Brendan Moran to return to his Irish roots. The Gardai have drawn a blank; can Moran succeed where they have failed?
Moran's investigation leads him to a loner known locally as the Islander, who reveals that the woman's disappearance is connected to a diehard paramilitary with plans to hit a high profile target in the UK.
Time is running out. Can Moran enlist the Islander's help, or does he have to face his deadliest foe alone?
‘Superb storyline with plenty of twists and turns…’
Gone Too Soon
Moran is called to a burial in a local cemetery. But this is no ordinary interment; the body of a young woman, Michelle LaCroix, a rising star in the music world, is still warm, the grave unmarked. A recording reveals the reason for her suicide. Or does it?
Why would a young, successful singer take her own life? To unlock the answer, Moran must steer a course through his darkest investigation yet, as the clues lead to one shocking discovery after another…
‘…endlessly twisty – an explosive finish…’
The Enemy Inside
DCI Brendan Moran's morning is interrupted when a suicidal ex-soldier threatens to jump from a multi-storey car park ...
Moran soon regrets getting involved when an unexpected visitor turns up on his doorstep to confront him with what appears to be damning evidence of past misconduct.
Can the Irish Detective clear his name, or must he come clean and face the consequences? One thing seems certain: by the time the night is over, his reputation may not be the only casualty…
‘…a cracking, fast-paced thriller.’
The Irish Detective 2 digital box set
The second omnibus edition of the popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series by CWA shortlisted author, Scott Hunter. Contents includes the fourth, fifth and sixth in series, plus an exclusive short story 'Inside Job'…
A Crime For All Seasons (short stories) - FREE via website
From the midwinter snowdrifts of an ancient Roman villa to a summer stakeout at an exclusive art gallery, join DCI Brendan Moran and his team for the first volume of criminally cunning short stories in which the world-weary yet engaging Irish detective reaffirms that there is indeed a crime for all seasons…
‘…great characters, plot lines and dialogue. More please!’
For more information, visit:
http://www.scott-hunter.net/books
Glossary
SECTU
South East Counter Terrorism Unit
RBH
Royal Berkshire Hospital
IR
Incident Room
IDR
Inner Distribution Road
PACE
Police and Criminal Evidence Act (1984). An Act of Parliament which instituted a legislative framework for the powers of police officers in England and Wales to combat crime, and provided codes of practice for the exercise of those powers
NPASS
National Police Air Support Service
RIPA (‘Rippe
r’)
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (regulates the powers of public bodies to carry out surveillance and investigation)
POI
Person of interest
