Hush Little Baby (DC Beth Chamberlain)
Page 30
Dale Yates had pleaded guilty to the abduction and false imprisonment of Lily, and GBH relating to his attack on Spike and Beth. The legal system being what it was, he’d spent the past five weeks in prison while doctors assessed his mental stability and a case file on the abduction and assault were put together, along with his previous murder charges. Yesterday afternoon, she’d watched from the public gallery as he was finally sentenced for his crimes. The judge called him a bitterly dangerous man. Yates didn’t flinch when the judge gave him life, with a minimum term of thirty-two years. He’d spent most of his days in prison, after all. Was more used to penal routine than the freedom the outside world offered. Perhaps he preferred it. What terrified her, what set off a fresh round of fireworks in her chest, was the look of contempt Yates gave her when he was led out of the courtroom. In his warped mind, he still considered her at fault, representative of a system that had let him down.
The smell of eggs and bacon filled the air, growing stronger as Beth walked up her driveway and pushed open the front door. Myrtle met her in the hallway, slinking around her ankles. Beth slipped off her jacket, dropped the bag she was carrying and scooped the cat up in her arms, nuzzling her head with her nose.
The sound of Nick’s voice, singing along to an old Elton John track induced an inadvertent smile. It was their day off. She’d have preferred to go out for breakfast, but he liked to cook. He spent more time in the kitchen than she did these days.
‘Hey!’ Nick looked up from the eggs he was stirring in the pan, grinned and planted a kiss on her cheek. The love of a good man. A hearty breakfast awaiting her. In many respects, she was lucky. If she could only resolve her feud with Eden…
‘Did you see them?’
She squirmed at his words. The fact that he knew she was slipping out to glimpse her niece, that he was attuned to her desperation, only made matters worse. She nodded, unspeaking.
He placed the spoon down and enveloped her in a hug. The embrace was long, hard and comforting. ‘Eden’ll come around.’
‘When?’
‘When she’s ready. She can’t do without you.’
The eggs and bacon were delicious, slipping down with ease, helped along with a mug of strong coffee. The food worked its magic and suddenly she felt energised. She glanced at the window. It was a clear January day, barely a cloud in the sky. ‘I was thinking of taking a walk over the fields to Cransley Village,’ she said.
‘Sounds like a plan.’
The letterbox clattered. Beth left Nick to collect the morning post while she cleared the plates. She was loading the dishwasher when he sauntered back in, reading a letter.
‘Everything alright?’
‘It’s from the National Crime Agency. They’ve opened more positions. Invited me to an interview.’
After Freeman’s cautionary chat, Nick had offered to be the one to move jobs and thrown himself into searching for other positions. In many ways it made sense; he’d served six years in homicide, she less than twelve months. It was awful watching him try to get excited about the idea when she knew this wasn’t a route he’d take by choice. They’d laughed off a few jokes at work and the rumour that they were romantically involved soon fizzled out. Though it was only a matter of time before someone spotted them again. And, with Andrea Leary continuing in her role as the chief’s staff officer, another rumour could jeopardise both their positions.
Problem was, there had been a shortage of job vacancies for detective sergeants with Nick’s level of experience. Which made this news even sweeter.
She forced a smile. ‘That’s amazing. When is it?’
‘Week after next.’
‘I’m pleased for you.’
‘Are you?’
‘Of course!’ She nudged his arm and made to place her plate in the dishwasher. While she couldn’t imagine working the homicide team without him by her side, at least it would put an end to all the creeping around behind colleague’s backs. A small mercy.
Nick refolded the letter. ‘I hate being pressured to move.’
Beth shut the dishwasher and engulfed him in a hug. ‘Come on. You said yourself, you were looking for a new challenge. I think you should go to the interview, find out more about the job.’
He paused. ‘We could always think about making things a bit more permanent.’
Beth released her hold and stepped back. ‘Are you saying what I think you’re saying?’
‘We’d take it slow. Perhaps look for a place together, when I get settled. Give people a chance to get used to the idea. What do you say?’
‘Well, it’s not the most romantic proposal I’ve received!’
He laughed. ‘Oh, you’ve had others.’
‘Now, that’d be telling.’ She chuckled and kissed him, long and hard on the lips.
‘Mm. If you put it like that, I might have to think about this interview.’ He tossed the letter on the side, snaked his arms around her waist.
‘Hey, watch it, wise guy,’ she said, wriggling out of his grip. ‘We’ve got a long walk in front of us.’
Acknowledgements
This has been one of the most labour-intensive novels I’ve written in terms of research. Thankfully, I’ve had lots of help!
First, I do hope local readers will forgive me for the liberties I have taken with the Kingsthorpe area. I have rearranged Boughton Green Road, purely in the interests of the story, however many of the other areas mentioned still exist today.
I’d like to thank Linda Ainscough, Senior Forensic Reporting Scientist on Anthropology, Archaeology and Ecology for giving up her valuable time and providing fascinating information about the effects on bodies buried in concrete. Also, to Professor Philip Lumb who gave great advice on pathology. As always, any inconsistencies or errors in the story are purely my own.
I’m incredibly grateful to DC Jamie Edwards for his insight into the workings of prison hospitals, and also to retired DC Garry Liburd for his continued assistance with the role of the family liaison officer.
Also, to Victoria White for providing birthing details relating to twins, and to Kate Galley for information about hairdressing and Mallen streaks.
Gratitude goes to David and Dennie Tanner who provided great background on farming methods (and a lovely evening over a bottle of wine – I still owe you that dinner!), and to Danny and Steve who assisted with details on the local homeless community. Also, to Alison Root for the lovely tour around her canal boat.
To my husband, David, and daughter, Ella, who help relentlessly at every stage in the writing process. On this novel particularly – to David for assisting with my experiment to bury a pig’s shoulder in concrete, despite the consequences(!), and to Ella for graciously donating the joint of meat she was planning to cook for Sunday dinner!
Massive thanks go to Rhea Kurien and all the team at Aria Fiction who’ve been amazing to work with on all the books in this series.
I’m very fortunate to be part of a wonderful online book community and always feel incredibly grateful for their authorial support, in particular Rebecca Bradley and Ian Patrick. Brilliant book clubs too including Anne Cater and all at Book Connectors; Shell Baker and Llainy Swanson at Crime Book Club; Tracy Fenton, Helen Boyce and all the team at The Book Club (TBC), David Gilchrist at UK Crime Book Club and Wendy Clarke and the gang at The Fiction Café Book Club. Also, the amazing reviewers and book bloggers, far too many to mention individually, who work tirelessly to spread the word about new books. I’m truly honoured to be part of such a lovely world.
So many friends have listened to early storylines, helped with cover art, proof read, talked through characters and generally offered a shoulder to lean on, most notably David and Lynne Anderson, Colin Williams, Emma Thompson, Stephanie Daniels, Martin Sargeant, and Philip and Abi Bouch.
Finally, to my gorgeous Labradors, Bollo and Digity. For without them, I wouldn’t be wandering over the fields every day, churning up ideas for more murder and mayhem and would have to get a real job.
About the Author
JANE ISAAC lives with her detective husband and daughter in rural Northamptonshire, UK where she can often be found trudging over the fields with her dogs. Her debut, An Unfamiliar Murder, was nominated in the Best Mystery category in the eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards 2013. The follow up, The Truth Will Out, was selected as the ‘Thriller of the Month’ by E-Thriller.com in April 2014.
Jane is the author of eight novels. Her latest series is based in Northamptonshire and features Family Liaison Officer, DC Beth Chamberlain.
Jane loves to hear from readers. Contact her via her website at www.janeisaac.co.uk, or join her book club to hear about upcoming titles, take part in competitions, be in with a chance to win giveaways, and receive book recommendations.
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