‘We all know that his defence team will no doubt shop around until they find a psychiatrist who will say what they want to hear at the taxpayers’ cost.’
Back at the CID office, Charley applauded her team.
‘Well, that was a hell of an enquiry, every theory we have put together on the case was spot on. Every exhibit we sent to Forensic produced evidence, which we have in abundance to secure a conviction and put Peters behind bars for a very long time. There is no doubt he is a danger to the public. All we can physically do now is put the evidence before the courts and trust in the judicial system to do the public justice. Will the Divisional Commander be happy to hear the news? I guess I should go up and update him.’
When the rest of the team saw what Annie was doing, they joined in the applause that she was giving Charley. In the next few minutes, everyone with whom she had worked with on the case was standing applauding her actions and abilities. Charley found herself blinking away the tears, and turned a brilliant shade of red. She was embarrassed but she deserved the accolade. The detectives were showing their respect and gratitude to her in the only way they knew how.
‘How did you take it?’ Winnie asked, early the next morning, handing a strong black coffee to the hungover SIO.
‘How do you think I took it?’ she said.
‘You cried like a baby.’
‘I cried like a baby, but not till I got home. We’ve still a hell of a lot of work to do to pull the file against Peters together speedily. There’s no time to rest on our laurels.’
‘I don’t suppose you went on to stand the first round at the pub last night?’
Charley nodded her head, ‘And the second…’
‘Not as daft as they’re cabbage-looking those detectives,’ said Winnie, knowingly.
Charley clutched her throbbing head in her hands when she laughed. ‘You’re right there.’
When Winnie had left her in silence, Detective Charley Mann looked at the plaque on the wall to the right of her. The supreme test for the detective. She had once again proved herself to be equal to the challenge, whatever that may be. She also knew that it wouldn’t be too long before she was put to the test yet again.
Acknowledgements
Our special thanks to Michael Bhaskar, Kit Nevile and everyone at Canelo for their hard work and commitment to making this Detective Charley Mann novel the best it can be.
To our literary agent David H. Headley at DHH Literary Agency, who ‘found us’ and continues to support us, believes in us as writers, and is as passionate about our storytelling as we are about writing him stories.
To David’s PA Emily Glenister – always at the end of the phone with a cheery voice, and the boss’s ear!
To Jo Gledhill for her detailed work on the copyedit.
Thanks also to Judith Kay, and Pamela McNulty whose contribution to Persecution we are very grateful for.
We couldn’t have done it without you!
About the Author
RC Bridgestock is the name that husband and wife co-authors Robert (Bob) and Carol Bridgestock write under. Between them they have nearly 50 years of police experience, offering an authentic edge to their stories. The writing duo created the character DI Jack Dylan, a down-to-earth detective, written with warmth and humour.
Bob was a highly commended career detective of 30 years, retiring at the rank of Detective Superintendent. He was also a trained hostage negotiator dealing with suicide interventions, kidnap, terrorism and extortion. As a police civilian supervisor Carol also received a Chief Constable’s commendation for outstanding work.
Also by R.C. Bridgestock
Poetic Justice
DI Jack Dylan Crime Thrillers
Deadly Focus
Consequences
White Lilies
Snow Kills
Reprobates
Killer Smile
DI Charley Mann Crime Thrillers
Payback
Condemned
Persecution
First published in the United Kingdom in 2021 by Canelo
Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
31 Helen Road
Oxford OX2 0DF
United Kingdom
Copyright © R.C. Bridgestock, 2021
The moral right of R.C. Bridgestock to be identified as the creator of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Ebook ISBN 9781800325012
Print ISBN 9781800325029
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events 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.
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