Water's Edge

by G R Jordan

  “Do you think Sara was meeting to tell her she was going to expose her?”

  “We’ll never know for sure, Hope, but it seems she was either too close or was actually going to reveal Marie Smith to the world. And then of course, Smith realises that Sara has her own lover who knows everything and she sets Macaulay after the young woman telling him he’s about to be exposed for using a prostitute. And then she also gets herself a cover story.”

  “But that ends in a suicide. She caused one hell of a mess. When I interviewed her, I felt like she was going to come on to me to get what she wanted. Manipulative and cold.”

  “Yes,” agreed Macleod, “but also with a physical attraction that she wielded with it. Anyway drink up, we need to go visit somewhere.”

  Macleod watched Hope look at him quizzically before she rose from her chair. In his usual fashion, he indicated she should walk in front, something taught to him from his youth. She seemed a little embarrassed every time he did but she acquiesced. His wife had done the same but then she had been raised to accept this too. Surely it was a good thing, a man showing manners to a woman. Macleod never understood why the action brought complaints when women complained men walked all over them. Mystery of the age, he thought.

  Insisting on driving, Macleod took the car out of Stornoway before routing down the single track road to the car park they had raced to only two days before. There was still a small police presence but the area had been combed over. Having parked up, Macleod pointed to the far side of the moorland and to the housing for the life ring. He saw an uneasiness in Hope.

  “Come on,” said Macleod, “we need to do this. Trust me, I’m an old fart at this.”

  She looked at him and he saw her eyes water slightly before she nodded. As if it had been her idea, she opened the car door emphatically and began to walk towards their target, not waiting for Macleod. With a mix of long strides and out right running, he caught up as she went through the gates to the field.

  As the moorland beneath their feet brought up small pools of water causing a splash on occasion when an unwise step was made, it seemed that the place was also starting to seep into Hope. Her shoulders tightened and her gait became less confident. Walking up to the life ring housing, Macleod saw a new ring in place.

  “You saved my life by getting this,” Macleod said, touching the ring with his hand. It seemed to be a moment to take, and he prayed that she understood he was taking a moment to honour her. “Thank you.”

  He watched her eyes scan to the sea beyond, to the edge of the small cliff where he had gone over with Marie Smith. Her shoulders started to shake and she began to weep. He stepped towards her and she leant into him accepting his embrace. But she was tall and the action was cumbersome. As she cried, he started himself, realising how close he had been to meeting his maker. When she started to raise her head again, he saw red eyes, slightly lighter in shade than the hair in the pony tail behind them.

  “I always take a moment to pray at times like this. Do you mind? I’m just going over to the edge.”

  Hope nodded but turned away and Macleod walked over to the edge. Head bowed and eyes closed he waited on his maker. Take care of her. Be with the young girl too, Get her through as it will help Hope. And bring out the dark to the light. Despite the pain, let us see the evil we cause.

  Macleod opened his eyes and looked at the sea which splashed against the cliff edge below. There had always been something soothing about the sea although he doubted Hope would see it that way. Four dead, three since they had got here, all in the water.

  “Does it help? Does prayer help?”

  Macleod turned round to Hope as she stepped up beside him. Her face was inquisitive, wondering.

  “Yes it does. Or rather He does. Although, it’s been a rough ride since I was here all those years ago. Although I prayed I wasn’t really talking to Him.”

  “People do that. But you’re the first I’ve heard admit they did it to God.” She laughed.

  A little forced, Macleod thought.

  “It’s been good to work with you, sir. They said you were a morbid stickler but you’re not that tight. Maybe someone will have a car accident and we can work together again.”

  Macleod laughed, forcing it himself, but touched Hope’s shoulder as she went to turn away.

  “It’s been my pleasure. You’ve been a real help, especially with my own difficulties. I doubt I would have gotten that gentle side from the boys in the team. Thank you.”

  He looked at her and he could tell she was feeling awkward but he didn’t care. As he ran his eyes up and down her, his mind was thinking through if it would work. They would say he was just an older man taking on a good looking younger woman. They would make all the jokes. They would probably question his moral stance, question if he was standing by his dogmatic faith. But they worked well together. She was fitter and saw things from different angles. He had the experience to help her develop, the wisdom to round her into one heck of a detective. And yes, if he was honest, he liked the idea of having a good looking woman working beside him. He was a man after all.

  “I’m going to ask to have you assigned with me on the next case, Hope. You deserve that, as long as you don’t see it as a punishment.”

  She smirked. “It’ll be a pleasure, sir.”

  “If you don’t mind I want to take just a few minutes on my own to say goodbye to someone I should have said a proper goodbye to a long time ago.”

  “Of course,” said Hope and gave a brief smile before turning away. He heard her walk away, the awkward footsteps across the rocks. But then the sound ceased and he felt he was being watched. Turning around he saw Hope looking at him. Maybe she had been weighing him up as he had done her.

  “If you need me, just say,” said Hope. “They say these things are hard, so I’m just over the hill if you need me.”

  “Thank you.” Looking at her, he thought her more beautiful than ever before. It was funny how words and actions changed the physical appearance.

  “Your wife, you never said her name. Not once did you call her by name. What was it?”

  Macleod turned to look out to sea before turning back. “I always felt I had lost her name when it happened, because it seemed wrong to call her by it after what had happened. But now I think I can again because maybe there’s a little stirring.”

  “I don’t understand, sir.”

  “Her name was Hope, McGrath.”

  THE END

  About the Author

  GR Jordan is a self-published author who finally decided at forty that in order to have an enjoyable lifestyle, his creative beast within would have to be unleashed. His books mirror that conflict in life where acts of decency contend with self-promotion, goodness stares in horror at evil and kindness blind-side us when we at our worst. Corrupting our world with his parade of wondrous and horrific characters, he highlights everyday tensions with fresh eyes whilst taking his methodical, intelligent mainstays on a roller-coaster ride of dilemmas, all the while suffering the banter of their provocative sidekicks.

  A graduate of Loughborough University where he masqueraded as a chemical engineer but ultimately played American football, Gary had worked at changing the shape of cereal flakes and pulled a pallet truck for a living. Watching vegetables freeze at -40’C was another career highlight and he was also one of the Scottish Highlands “blind” air traffic controllers. These days he has graduated to answering a telephone to people in trouble before telephoning other people to sort it out.

  Having flirted with most places in the UK, he is now based in the Isle of Lewis in Scotland where his free time is spent between raising a young family with his wife, writing, figuring out how to work a loom and caring for a small flock of chickens. Luckily his writing is influenced by his varied work and life experience as the chickens have not been the poetical inspiration he had hoped for!

  You can connect with me on:

  https://grjordan.com

  https://twitter.com/carpe
tless

  https://facebook.com/carpetlessleprechaun

  Subscribe to my newsletter:

  https://mailchi.mp/bf149bd0218b/crescendo

  Also by G R Jordan

  G R Jordan writes across multiple genres including dark and action adventure fantasy, feel good fantasy, mystery thriller and horror fantasy. Below are a selection of his work grouped together in their genres, starting with the popular Austerley & Kirkgordon action adventure fantasy. Whilst all books are available across online stores, signed copies are available at his personal shop.

  Ship of Doom: An Austerley & Kirkgordon Adventure #4

  https://grjordan.com/product/ship-of-doom

  A deadly power source on a submerged island. Dark and desperate parties fight to reach an ancient site. And Kirkgordon needs to save a ship full of zombies.

  Still coming to terms with the effects of their last encounter with elder god Dagon, Kirkgordon and Austerley sport new limbs and weapons as they try to subdue a zombie mutiny in a desperate bid to prevent an off-worldly power coming into the hands of a strange Doctor. If you love high adventure, ancient strange locations and a bag full of vampires, zombies and mercenaries then Book 4 of the A&K series will rock your world!

  Thousands of miles of ocean. One tiny island the destination. Can they stop the cornucopia of evil that’s along for the ride?

  It’s just not fair when you can’t shoot the zombies!

  Dagon’s Revenge (Austerley & Kirkgordon Book 3)

  https://grjordan.com/product/dagons-revenge

  A shattered hero races to save his wife. A rescue team falling apart. Can Kirkgordon stand in the face of Dagon’s return?

  Kirkgordon takes his team beyond our world in this third instalment in the Austerley & Kirkgordon urban fantasy series. If you like danger and desire, punchy dialogue and cataclysmic nightmares then you’ll love G R Jordan’s bunch of discombobulated heroes.

  Sometimes, there are no good choices!

  The Darkness at Dillingham: An Austerley & Kirkgordon Adventure #2

  https://grjordan.com/product/the-darkness-at-dillingham

  An exhibitionist witch. An English seaside town literally descending to hell. And the only hope is a broken partnership that doesn’t want to heal!

  “The Darkness at Dillingham” is the second instalment in the A&K urban fantasy series. If you like breakneck action, sexy villains and cutting dialogue, then you’ll love this misfit set of heroes. Can the team bind together long enough to rescue a cursed town? Get the book one reader called “A real roller coaster of spookiness with some sexy bits thrown in”.

  Dillingham, the nightlife’s straight from hell!

  Crescendo!: An Austerley & Kirkgordon Adventure #1

  https://grjordan.com/product/crescendo

  A shape-shifting dragon. A cult bringing forth a nightmare. Two broken men, separated by hatred, must bind together to save the world.

  Bitter-sweet partners, Austerley and Kirkgordon, take on the darkness to prevent a displaced people ending the world. If you like bizarre creatures, fast paced action and cataclysmic nightmares, you’ll love G R Jordan’s first novel. Get the book readers have called ” a fast paced gothic thriller with lots of humour” and “refreshingly modern take on Lovecraftian themes.”

  Can the Elder darkness be stopped? It’s the blasphemous fanfare for the end of the world!

  Scarlett O’Meara: Beastmaster: The Supernatural and Elder Threat Assessment Agency Book 1 (SETAA)

  https://grjordan.com/product/scarlett-omeara-beastmaster

  Cursed with a talent she never knew. Bestowed a gift everyone wants. Scarlett must embrace her mother’s legacy to stop a lecherous shadow preparing a demon’s army.

  “Scarlett O’Meara” is the first story in the urban fantasy maelstrom that is the SETAA series from the pen of G R Jordan. Featuring Calandra, the Ice Maiden from the well loved Austerley & Kirkgordon series, this tale introduces a buxom, feisty lass from the Welsh valleys to the strange powers that threaten to destroy our world. If you love plucky heroines, fantastic creatures and wild supernatural action, then you’ll love these tales from Britain’s most secret agency.

  A relic bestowed great power on Scarlett. A demon removed that gift. Can she summon the true fire inside and save the world?

  Only with her back to the wall, will this girl shine!

  Austerley & Kirgordon Adventures Box Set: Books 1-3 and Origin stories 1-3 (Austerley& Kirkgordon)

  https://grjordan.com/product/ak-box-set

  A retired bodyguard looking for a little fun before it’s too late. An obsessive Professor, seeking the darkest things of life. And an Elder god seeking to rule the world, if they can’t stop him.

  Join Austerley and Kirkgordon on the rollercoaster ride that is their first three adventures. Comprising 3 full novels as well as three accompanying origin novellettes, this collection will introduce you to a polarised duo that are the world’s best hope. Joining them for the adventure are a myriad of strange characters, bizarre anmals, evil humans and the UK’s finest agents from its most secret department.

  As one reviewer put it, “If you like Lovecraft, Poe, or Conan Doyle you will like this book. If you like tv show like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural, Being Human, or X-Files you will like this book.”

  So take a chance on a molotov cocktail of a duo and see how to save the world on the wild side.

  Surface Tensions (Island Adventures Book 1)

  https://grjordan.com/product/surface-tensions

  Mermaids sighted near a Scottish island. A town exploding in anger and distrust. And Donald’s got to get the sexiest fish in town, back in the water.

  “Surface Tensions” is the first story in a series of Island adventures from the pen of G R Jordan. If you love comic moments, cosy adventures and light fantasy action, then you’ll love these tales with a twist.

  Get the book that amazon readers said, “perfectly captures life in the Scottish Hebrides” and that explores “human nature at its best and worst”.

  Something’s stirring the water!