Deadly Intent
Page 28
She left A&E, glad both Tammy and Wendy looked like they would fully recover, but she was just sorry they hadn’t been able to save Ashley Burrows. She glanced at her watch. Kate Squires would be telling Ashley’s parents they’d made an arrest now. It wouldn’t bring their daughter back, but it might give them some closure.
That night, the team visited The Red Herring Pub.
DI Tyler was in an exceptionally good mood and had even put his hand in his pocket to buy the first round. DCI Brookbank had also graced them with his presence and had thanked every officer individually, praising them for their hard work.
Mackinnon looked down at the plate of chicken wings he’d just demolished. “Do you know, I think I could eat the same again.”
“Well, you could order some more. We are celebrating,” Charlotte said. “Two successful cases closed in a week. Not bad.”
“Pretty good, but don’t forget we still have to do all the paperwork,” Collins said glumly.
Mackinnon pulled a face. He didn’t know one officer who enjoyed the paperwork side of the job.
Collins pushed his plate of unfinished chicken wings in front of Mackinnon. “Fill your boots. I’m stuffed.”
As Mackinnon dug in, he noticed DCI Brookbank scratching his shoulder as Tyler filled him in on the bedbugs Brendan Maynard had let loose in Pine Avenue. “We’ve got pest control in,” Tyler said. “They’ve warned people in the area to be alert, but other than that it’s just a case of wait-and-see. The most important thing is tackling the problem early, isn’t that right, Jack?”
Mackinnon nodded. “Yes, and we should all be alert too. Just in case we picked up any little hitchhikers.”
There was a collective “yuk” from the officers around the table, and Brookbank, not so subtly, moved his chair a little further away from DI Tyler.
Mackinnon picked up his pint of bitter and took a sip as his mobile buzzed in his pocket. He got up and went outside. The smell of rain was still in the air and the heavy grey clouds lingered, but the breeze was much cooler than the past few days. The thunderstorm had broken through the humidity and heat.
He had a text message from Chloe, asking him if everything went okay today. He’d forgotten to call her back after hanging up abruptly earlier.
He replied:
Everything is fine. Just having a quick drink in The Red Herring to celebrate the end of the case. How is your evening going?
He hoped things had gone well with Sarah, but she could be unpredictable.
Having a lovely time xx.
That was a relief. He wasn’t sure how long the truce would last, but for now, it seemed peaceful times were on the horizon.
He headed back inside the pub just as Charlotte was walking to the bar.
“Need another drink, Jack?” she asked.
He still had more than half a pint left. “No, but I’ll get these. You’ve already bought a round.”
They crossed over to the bar together, and Mackinnon pulled out his wallet, thinking Charlotte seemed preoccupied. Not surprising really. They’d all read extracts from Brendan Maynard’s journal before going to the pub.
Although it made uncomfortable reading, it certainly made their life a lot easier. He’d written down all his thoughts and deeds. It was a sad tale. There was no doubt Brendan was deluded. He believed he would be world famous one day for his scientific discoveries.
In his journal, he’d included the sorry tale of how Ashley had died because her bites got infected, and how he’d entrapped both Ashley and Tammy using the forum. The only thing that wasn’t recorded in detail was why he targeted Wendy Willson. Though he had included plenty of entries ranting about her and the other GPs he’d come into contact with at the surgery. All in all, the journal made a sad and depressing story.
The sections on Brendan Maynard’s mother were especially harrowing. Before she died, Penny Crumb had a difficult relationship with her son. They only had Brendan’s side of the story, but Penny appeared to enjoy tormenting him. They had no evidence of physical abuse, but Penny’s continual taunts had triggered something in Brendan.
She’d died from blunt force trauma to the left temple. The pathologist had given his initial judgement, though not his full report yet, but they didn’t need to wait for the postmortem. Brendan had written up the incident in his journal.
He’d planted bedbugs in her house, hoping she’d call him to help, so he could save the day, and for once, gain his mother’s approval. But she hadn’t called him for help, instead going to a rival pest control company.
That had been the final straw for Brendan. Furiously angry, he’d argued with his mother and pushed her down the stairs. It was the impact to her head that killed her, but the pathologist suspected she’d suffered other injuries from the fall, including a cracked rib and a broken wrist.
Charlotte recited the drinks order to the barman, and Mackinnon paid just as Kate Squires walked into the pub.
He waved her over. “Kate! We’re just getting the drinks in. What are you having?”
Kate asked for a G&T and stood at the bar beside them as Mackinnon placed the order.
“It’s been a tough day,” she said after taking a sip of her gin.
“How did the Burrowses take the news?” Charlotte asked.
“Okay, I guess. They’re glad someone’s been caught, but that doesn’t heal their grief unfortunately. It’s going to take them a long time to get through this.”
Tonight was for celebrating a job well done, though it was always bittersweet in these kinds of cases. The outcome was never perfect.
They carried the drinks back over to the tables where the rest of the officers were laughing and joking.
Tyler was sitting beside Janice, looking like he was on top of the world.
Charlotte nudged Mackinnon. “Looks like someone’s been forgiven for the food poisoning incident.”
Mackinnon was happy for them, but Brookbank didn’t look too pleased his new assistant was dating one of his officers. Mackinnon slid into the empty seat beside DI Tyler, putting the tray of drinks on the table.
Then he handed Tyler his pint and Janice a glass of red wine. “You two look like you’re back on friendly terms again.”
Tyler beamed. “We are.”
Janice nodded. “Yes, although it might be a while before I let him cook for me again!”
DC Webb, who was sitting next to Janice, said, “Ouch! That put you in your place, sir.”
“I deserve it,” Tyler said with a sheepish grin.
“Anyway, let’s put all that behind us and make a toast.” DI Tyler held up his pint. “Here’s to hard work bringing another good result. Well done, everyone.”
A note from D. S. Butler
Thank you for reading Deadly Intent. I hope you enjoyed it!
If you would like to be one of the first to find out when my next book is available, you can sign up for my new release email at www.dsbutlerbooks.com/newsletter
If you have the time to leave a review, I would be very grateful.
For readers who like to read series books in order here is the order of the Deadly Series so far: 1) Deadly Obsession 2)Deadly Motive 3)Deadly Revenge 4)Deadly Justice 5)Deadly Ritual 6)Deadly Payback 7) Deadly Game 8)Deadly Intent
I also write a series of books set in the East End under the name Dani Oakley. Please turn the page to find out more or take a look at the book page on my website.
www.dsbutlerbooks.com
Also by D S Butler
Deadly Obsession
Deadly Motive
Deadly Revenge
Deadly Justice
Deadly Ritual
Deadly Payback
Deadly Game
Lost Child
Her Missing Daughter
Bring Them Home
Where Secrets Lie
If you would like to be informed when the next book is released, sign up for the newsletter:
http://www.dsbutlerbooks.com/newsletter/
Writt
en as Dani Oakley
East End Trouble
East End Diamond
East End Retribution
Acknowledgments
To Nanci, my editor, thanks for always managing to squeeze me in when I finally finish my books!
I would also like to thank my readers on Facebook & Twitter for their messages of support and encouragement. Thanks to Jacqueline for her careful reading of the series and helping to find the annoying typos.
My thanks, too, to all the people who read the story and gave helpful suggestions, especially my mum, and to Chris, who, as always, supported me despite the odds.
And last but not least, my thanks to you for reading this book. I hope you enjoyed it.