Sam imagined Ed laughing. He’d have liked that line.
‘We got Aisha and Sukhi ID’d by their dental records and got hair samples from their brushes,’ she told him. ‘We’ll get a DNA comparison through next week.’
She began stroking his fingers again.
‘Baljit drove the car to Plymouth. He also coughed the murders of Jack and Glen. His motive...’
Sam heard a commotion nearby, voices raised and doors banging.
‘...You’ve guessed it. The photos. And the good news, if there’s any to come out of all this, is that our favourite editor has been suspended pending his court case and reading between the lines, he’ll then be sacked.’
She dipped a new sponge into the water and let the droplets fall onto Ed’s lips.
‘Anyway, the temporary editor is under strict instructions to write a powerful editorial all about the dangers of students and heavy drinking, so that should put the serial killer theory to bed.’
Sam stood, walked to the window, and watched noiseless waves rolling towards high tide.
‘No bail applications,’ she said to the distant water. ‘Even Carver knew she’d never get round the risk of them all running. The mother’s been charged with your attempted murder.’
She shook her head, disbelief etched on her face.
‘All of this because of some skewed view of honour. ’
She sat back down, took hold of his hand.
‘Anyway, I best be off. I’m not even supposed to be here. Long story. I’ll tell you later.’
Sam pushed herself out of the chair and kissed his forehead again.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow if I can.’
Her eyes glassed over.
‘The Spa will have to wait. I can get plenty of carrot juice down my neck and cucumbers on my eyes at home for a loss less cash.’
Sam was reaching for Ed’s hand again when the door burst open and Sue stormed in.
Two flustered nurses were behind her, apologies written all over their faces.
‘Out!’ Sue shouted. ‘Get out! We don’t need you here. You’re not welcome.’
She held the door open and pointed with an outstretched arm and rigid finger.
‘Go on, get out!’ Her voice was a taunting sneer. ‘Go and find someone single you shameless whore.’
Sam dropped her head, stared at the floor and walked into the corridor.
Outside she let the tears come and when they had gone, she stared at the rolling sea and the hypnotic movement of the breaking waves.
Why is it that something that once gave me so much joy, seems to do nothing now but cause so much pain?
The tide edged up the beach, cold and remorseless and as likely to turn early as a world without murder.
Dear Reader,
Sam Parker certainly has a way with her men friends, and not a good way.
Will she be looking for a replacement DS in her next case?
Find out in ‘Angels and Apostles’ the third book featuring DCI Parker.
A gangland war is threatening to break out as a crime boss battles to keep his iron grip on his kingdom.
But watching from the shadows are those who do not forget or forgive the sins of the past.
They have judged and within them the dark tide rises, punishment and vengeance is near.
Only Sam Parker and her team stand between the dark forces.
Thanks,
Tony Hutchinson
Acknowledgments
As ever I am indebted to the team of people around me.
Thanks go to Cheshire Cat Books Head of Publishing Paul Jones and my editor Garry Willey. Without you guys, as always, this book would not be what it is.
As ever, my photographer son Ben and designer Laura Swaddle have come up with a great cover.
And thanks to you, the reader. A book that is not read is just words on a page.
In 2007 I set up the first dedicated helpline for victims of Honour Based Violence and Forced Marriage. In its first month that line took over 100 calls from across the country.
I had tremendous help and support with the set-up from all spectrums of the Asian community, the vast majority of whom are peaceful, law-abiding people who want no part of this practice.
Public awareness of Honour Based Violence and Forced Marriage is much greater now but tragically they haven’t gone away; so-called honour killings are still reported in the press. I whole-heartedly agree that there is no honour in murder, but those who worry about the label miss the point: it is the ‘honour code’ that drives the behaviour.
The law has changed since I retired and I am pleased to see that forcing someone to marry is now a criminal offence.
I was privileged to meet survivors of forced marriages; young people who ran away from their families to live the life they wanted even though that meant leaving everything behind. I shared platforms with some of them at conferences and their stories never failed to bring a lump to my throat. Their bravery is a source of inspiration to us all.
There are many organisations out there offering help and support and I would actively encourage anyone who feels the need to contact them. Please remember, you are not alone.
To Jean and Ken, Tanis and Tania.
Your lifetime of support makes everything possible.
Copyright © Tony Hutchinson 2018
Tony Hutchinson has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1984 to be identified as the author this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover photograph copyright © Ben Hutchinson.
The book is published by Cheshire Cat Books Ltd
Suite 50-58 Low Friar Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5UD.
ISBN 978-1-9164457-2-7
Comply or Die Page 34
