‘He was building up to it. It’s all in the transcripts of the interview,’ Amy replied, ready to fill in the gaps. ‘He mentioned Sally-Ann more than once, saying that we’d have to ask Lillian where she was buried. Then later, he said he wanted to come clean, saying the police had got things wrong.’
‘But he died before he could explain,’ Paddy said, raising his glass and knocking back a mouthful of fizz. News like this warranted a stronger drink. ‘I can’t believe it.’ He rested his half empty glass on the table. His face clouded over as another thought entered his mind. ‘When we met . . . you spilling your drink on me in this very pub. That was more than a coincidence, wasn’t it?’
‘Try to understand,’ Elaine said, lowering her voice as a woman passed by, rattling her car keys from her bag before leaving through the front door. ‘After Amy was adopted, I told myself she was better off without me, but she never left my thoughts. I found Damien on Facebook. He was very open about his identity. He didn’t care who knew he was a Grimes.’
‘You friended him?’ Amy asked. This was news to her.
Elaine nodded. ‘I said I was his cousin and gave details of the family I’d stayed with. He told me you were adopted by the police officer who handled Lillian’s case. It wasn’t difficult to track you down after that.’
‘How did he find me?’
‘Lillian hired a private detective to track Robert Winter down. She wanted to send him hate mail but she got a lot more than she bargained for when the detective showed her pictures of you.’
Amy’s stomach lurched. If her biological brother was so free with the truth then it was only a matter of time before it became public knowledge and her job was further compromised. She turned her attention back to Elaine, who was unaware of her inner turmoil.
‘And me?’ Paddy said, squeezing Elaine’s hand.
‘At first . . .’ Elaine confessed, ‘at first I got to know you because you worked with Amy. I never meant to fall in love.’
Paddy exhaled a long, tired sigh. ‘So what now?’
‘I’m ready to come back, if you’ll let me.’
Paddy nodded, deep in thought. ‘We’ve got lots to talk about.’
Amy smiled. It was just like Paddy, displaying steady acceptance in the face of the chaos around him. She rose from the table. ‘In that case, my work here is done. Hey, Paddy, you do realise this makes you almost my brother-in-law.’
He smiled, looking happy at the prospect. ‘Suits me just fine.’
EPILOGUE
As she sat at the table, Lillian gripped the pen in her hand. It was time for another roll of the dice. Her solicitor had informed her that police were reopening her case. Her youngest daughter held no value to her anymore, but . . . she could not end things like this, with her thinking she had the upper hand. It was time to bring that girl back to her roots. She smiled, just as she had when she started the ball rolling after Robert Winter’s death.
Dear Adam,
I imagine my correspondence will come as a surprise. I have been following your newspaper reports with interest. I feel that we’re going to get along.
Did you know we were almost related, you and I? It’s a shame your engagement to Amy failed. It would have been nice to have a journalist in the family. Then again, perhaps when you know who she really is, you’ll count your parting as a blessing.
I have arranged for you to visit me tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll find it useful, and I’m prepared to tell all. There’s just something I need you to do for me first.
Yours always,
Lillian Grimes
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to the fantastic team of professionals at Thomas & Mercer, particularly editors Jack Butler, Sophie Missing and Laura Deacon, who have done an amazing job in making this book the very best it could be. A special thanks to the cover designer Tom Sanderson, who has done a magnificent job on my cover, the only person capable of rendering me speechless as it was revealed.
To Madeleine Milburn, Hayley Steed and the rest of the literary agency team. I feel hugely fortunate to have them guiding my writing career.
To the fantastic band of authors whom I am very fortunate to know, in particular Mel Sherratt, Teresa Driscoll and Angela Marsons. It’s true what they say: crime authors are the nicest people you could meet.
To my ex-colleagues in the police, you are still very much in my thoughts. Also, to the book reviewers, bloggers, readers and book clubs who have championed my books from the beginning. I am hugely grateful, as always, for your support.
Last but not least, to my family and friends. Thank you for believing in me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A former police detective, Caroline Mitchell now writes full-time.
She has worked in CID and specialised in roles dealing with vulnerable victims – high-risk victims of domestic abuse and serious sexual offences. The mental strength shown by the victims of these crimes is a constant source of inspiration to her, and Mitchell combines their tenacity with her knowledge of police procedure to create tense psychological thrillers.
Originally from Ireland, she now lives in a pretty village on the coast of Essex with her husband and three children.
You can find out more about her at www.caroline-writes.com, or follow her on Twitter (@caroline_writes) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/CMitchellAuthor).
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