Secrets of the Dead: A serial killer thriller that will have you hooked (Detective Robyn Carter crime thriller series Book 2)

by Carol Wyer

  Anna was writing her report and didn’t hear Robyn enter. ‘Nice work, PC Shamash. I understand you talked Scott Dawson down from a tree where he intended hanging himself. That took skill.’

  Anna spun to face her superior. ‘When I was at university, I did part-time work for the Samaritans. I’ve spoken to people before that have wanted to end their lives. I thought I stood a good chance with Scott. He’d been up the tree for some time before we arrived, so I figured he wasn’t too keen to do the deed. Then I talked. I’m afraid I made up some lies about my dad to get him to come down. I told him my dad had run off with another man. I worked on the premise he’d feel more comfortable if I empathised with his situation. If he hadn’t believed me, I had time to leap up and free him before he did any real damage to himself. Either way, he’d have been safe.’

  ‘So your dad didn’t run off with a man?’

  ‘Or anyone. He was a policeman in the Met. He’s retired now. He’s on a golfing holiday in Portugal with his golfing chums. He’ll laugh his socks off when I tell him what I said about him.’ She spun back and returned to her paperwork.

  ‘I definitely owe you a spa treat. You’ve got a few days’ leave coming up. Would you like me to arrange it?’

  ‘If it’s all the same to you, I don’t think I fancy a spa break. I’ve gone off the idea. I’m going to Granny Manju’s funeral on Tuesday, and then I’m taking Razzle for a trip to the Peak District Park along with Mitz.’

  ‘Mitz?’

  ‘Can you believe it? He’s lived here all his life and never been walking in the Peaks. It’ll do him good to get some fresh air after all the upset.’ Robyn waited in case Anna wanted to tell her more. When she remained quiet, intent on writing her report, Robyn let it drop. If there was anything going on between her officers, it was none of her business. She had her own report to write and a day out with Amélie to arrange.

  Sixty-Five

  Amélie and Robyn burst free of the locked room, setting free the other members of the team. Amélie’s eyes were shining. ‘That was seriously the best fun I’ve had – being locked in a room and having to work out your escape through puzzles. It was awesome!’ She shouted the last word loudly, throwing her arms open wide in excitement.

  Robyn was glad she had chosen the Puzzle Room Experience as entertainment for the day. They had been introduced to their teammates and given a brief in the meeting room: ‘A crucial witness who could attest for Dr Grimshaw’s innocence and the existence of the terrorist organisation known as “The Ones” has died. It’s now your mission to uncover his secrets, solve the puzzles and save the world. Can you unravel the mystery of his death?’

  The Puzzle Room Experience had required sharp investigative and surveillance skills, quick wits and physical prowess. Amélie fast revealed herself to be a natural leader as she worked through the array of puzzles and clues that would lead to their escape. It had been wonderful to spend time with her, guiding her.

  If Davies were looking down on them, he would be very proud of his daughter, who displayed her father’s ability to work out conundrums, confusing problems and sequences of numbers and letters.

  Amélie, face glowing, pulled on her woollen hat. The sequins on it sparkled like small diamonds. ‘Florence is coming over tomorrow.’

  ‘Ah, you’ve made up.’

  The furry pompom on Amélie’s hat wobbled up and down. ‘It was so stupid. It was all over a boy. Remember the one I told you about who went to the same race meeting as Florence?’

  ‘Andy?’

  Amélie nodded again. ‘Florence really fancied him and thought he liked her too. When she found out he was going to the horse race, she pestered her parents to go along too. She planned to get off with him. That’s why she bought the new leggings and gear. It was to show him she wasn’t a silly little schoolgirl. When she got to the races, she found him and tried flirting with him.’

  ‘And he didn’t fancy her?’

  ‘That’s right.’ She squirmed and the pink flush on her cheeks flushed deeper.

  Robyn smiled. ‘He fancied you.’

  ‘I don’t know why.’

  Amélie pulled a strand of dark hair away from her face. Robyn saw what Andy had fallen for. She was turning into a beauty, the perfect combination of Brigitte’s French glamour and Davies’s confidence. ‘I do. He has great taste.’

  ‘I don’t fancy him though. It was thanks to you that Florence and I are friends again. I did what you suggested – I kept an eye on Florence and noticed she was giving me sly glances during lessons. She still wouldn’t talk to me when I asked her outright, so I spoke to Andy. He explained what had happened. He said Florence was nice, but acted too young for him, and he liked me. I explained that I wasn’t going to go out with anyone yet. It’s not that I’m not pleased he likes me. I’m just not ready for all that stuff. I want to do well at school and be like Dad. I’d love to work in intelligence and be an undercover agent or similar. I wouldn’t mind being in the police force, either.’

  The girl was growing up and fast, and with that attitude had a bright future ahead of her. Robyn was proud to know her.

  ‘I’m glad it’s worked out between you and Florence. Friends are really important. Many of life’s problems can be solved if you treat them like a puzzle. You just have to gather the pieces and eventually, through jiggling them about, you’ll work out the answer.’

  ‘I’ll have to remember that when I’m next struggling with my homework,’ said Amélie, taking Robyn’s arm in her own. ‘Or, I’ll just Skype you for help.’

  Robyn ran the last mile at full pelt on the treadmill. Her heart felt like it would explode, yet the buzz she was getting from the endorphins far outweighed the effort and strain. Her training had taken a back seat, and now she needed to refocus her energies. She had replenished her kitchen cupboards and fridge, and even cooked a wholesome stir-fry the night before. Her sleep had been dreamless, and when she awoke, she was ready to get back to a normal routine.

  She slowed the treadmill little by little until it came to a complete stop. Then, dripping with sweat, she completed the stretch routine she followed after every running session. She would soon be back on top form.

  As she rose to leave the gym, a figure dressed in a leather jacket and jeans appeared at the door and waved. It was Tricia. She beetled over, a smile on her face.

  ‘Hi. I thought I’d find you here. I’ve left the boys decorating the tree, so Lord knows what state it’ll be in when I get back. This may seem weird, especially as we hardly know each other. Would you like to spend Christmas Day with me? The twins are going to their dad’s this year and I’ll be alone. I thought we could wolf down a ready-made meal, or some pasta, and quaff some quality champagne and then watch some light-hearted films, or we could even play a board game. I thought we could just get to know each other a little better. It’s got to be better than both of us sitting on our own, brooding over the past. That’s what I normally do if I’m alone. This year, I thought I’d break the routine. What do you think?’ She twisted the ends of her cream scarf and waited with an air of expectation.

  Robyn wiped the sweat from her face. Christmases were a lonely time. She couldn’t impose on Ross and Jeanette, and she didn’t fancy another year of feeling sorry for herself. It had been two years, and she knew what Davies would want her to do. He would have hated to see her hiding away. The corners of her mouth lifted. ‘I agree. It’s time to start anew for both of us. Thank you. I’d love to. Sounds like a great Christmas.’

  Letter from Carol

  I hope you have enjoyed reading Secrets of the Dead. I enjoyed writing this book so much, especially as it is set so close to where I live.

  The idea came to me some time ago while on my back in a sauna. It was unbearably hot in there, and as I counted the wooden slats above me, I wondered if it would be possible to murder someone in a sauna. After much research I learned that it was, and the kernel of an idea formed in my twisted mind.

  My character
s tend to be damaged, and Dan Williams is no exception. Many years ago, I had a stalker like Dan. I initially felt sorry for him, just as Harriet does with Dan, and engaged in conversation with him on our ‘chance’ meetings, but soon wished I hadn’t. He followed me to work, to my house, lay in wait for me when I was shopping or at the gym, and scared me witless. If I hadn’t managed to get him to see sense, it could have ended quite badly. I wonder if he might not have become a Dan.

  Robyn is one of my favourite characters, and has taken to chastising me in my head when I don’t write a good scene for her. I have something very gripping planned for her in the next book. So please join DI Robyn Carter again on her next case.

  Can I ask one favour? If you have loved this book, would you please write a review for me? It doesn’t have to be very long, but it would mean a lot to me. Thank you so much.

  If you’d like to keep up-to-date with all my latest releases, just sign up at the following link. Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

  Carol’s Email Sign Up

  Thanks

  Carol

  @carolewyer

  AuthorCarolEWyer

  www.carolewyer.co.uk

  Acknowledgments

  Behind every author is a fantastic team, and I am no exception. This book couldn’t have been written without the assistance, advice and hand-holding from eagle-eyed Lydia Vassar-Smith, Natalie Butlin, Lauren Finger and Seán Costello, or produced without all the incredible, dedicated people at Bookouture. I am, as always, completely indebted to them.

  I am also hugely grateful to all of the reviewers, bloggers and readers who read my books. Thank you. You keep me motivated when I reach a dry patch of writing and you get me through it with your generous praise.

  Emma Mitchell deserves a special thank you for her words of wisdom and for checking through my script when my brain and eyes had given up!

  Finally, my thanks to everyone who has written to me or posted reviews to say how much they enjoyed the first book in this series, Little Girl Lost. I hope you enjoy Secrets of the Dead as much.

  Also by Carol Wyer

  Little Girl Lost

  Take a Chance on Me

  Life Swap

  Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines

  Surfing in Stilettos

  Just Add Spice

  Grumpy Old Menopause

  How Not to Murder Your Grumpy

  Grumpies On Board

  Love Hurts

  Little Girl Lost

  Her breath rose and fell in fearful gasps but it was too late. She could already see what she dreaded most. The back seat was empty.

  Available now!

  Her little girl was gone.

  Abigail lives the perfect life with her doting husband and adorable baby Izzy. But someone knows a secret about Abigail and they want the truth to be told.

  When Izzy is snatched from a carpark, it becomes a case for Detective Robyn Carter. Someone has been sending threatening messages to Abigail from an anonymous number. What is Abigail hiding?

  Robyn’s instincts tell her there’s a connection between Izzy’s abduction and two murders she is investigating. But the last time she acted on impulse her fiancé was killed. To break this case and earn her place back on the force, she must learn to trust herself again – and fast. Robyn is on the hunt for a ruthless serial killer. And unless she gets to the twisted individual in time a little girl will die …

  Gripping, fast-paced and nail-bitingly tense, this serial killer thriller will chill you to the bone. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Karin Slaughter.

  Out now!

  What everyone is saying about Little Girl Lost:

  'What a page turner! Wow. My head was spinning from the first page to the last. I was so gripped by the introduction to the characters and then just pulled right into the meat of the thriller until the very last page! Five Stars!' Jersey Girl Forever

  'The suspense was fantastic ... the drive to keep turning pages was overpowering ... really well written I want more!' The Belgian Reviewer

  'This book totally gripped me from start to finish. It is a very cleverly crafted thriller which leaves no loose ends. Five stars!' Sincerely Book Angels

  'I was gripped from the first page it was really good. I couldn't put it down, I was engaged right through to the end of the book. A solid 5 out of 5.' Bonnie's Book Talk

  'If I didn’t have to do to things like work, Little Girl Lost would have been a one-sitting read. As it was, it was still a one-day read before work, at lunch, and finishing it up late last night. It was that suspenseful.' Unrepetant Bibliovores

  'Wow! What a book! I started reading it and couldn't stop – kept turning the pages and finished it in one sitting ... I am absolutely blown away!' For the Love of Books

  Available now!

  Published by Bookouture

  An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.

  23 Sussex Road, Ickenham, UB10 8PN

  United Kingdom

  www.bookouture.com

  Copyright © Carol Wyer, 2017

  Carol Wyer has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1-78681-158-5