by H A Dawson
‘I know that, but you were too much for her. I think underneath her strong façade was a weak person with lots of insecurities. She solved her problems the easy way, for example by taking the money from the charity. It must have been easier than getting a loan.’
‘Loans are not that hard to get.’
‘No, but we don’t know her circumstances. She might have a poor credit rating.’
‘She had a mortgage, a house. It couldn’t have been all that bad.’
‘The house might not have been hers, or it could have been sold by the bank, as a repossession. We don’t have the facts.’ Her gaze settled on mine. ‘Given what we’ve learned, it’s hard to know what was true and what wasn’t.’
‘You’re not wrong there! I know it’s not healthy, but I’ve been going over everything she said and did. I was even wondering if her friend, Holly, who she’d said had died of meningitis was genuine, especially given that up until a couple of years ago she raised money for cancer.’
‘I’ve wondered the same. I hate to say it, but I suspect it was made up.’
‘Then she’s a very good actress.’
Lesley nodded. ‘People who lie a lot are. They become well practised at fooling people, and, I suspect, it becomes a game, a drug even. Believing they’re leading two separate lives might even be good for the adrenaline. It certainly puts them in an advantageous position, and increases their sense of worth.’
It was terrible considering a friend I valued in such negative terms, but within our discussions were facts that I was going to have to deal with. As difficult as it was, the loss of my friendship with Alice was one of my life’s uncomfortable experiences. I must learn from it and move on.
‘One day she will get caught,’ Lesley said.
I stilled, pondering her comment, and concluded almost instantly that I didn’t want her to be caught. Despite how she had treated me, I still felt the same about her as I had done a week earlier. I wanted her to avoid a prison sentence.
However, the more I considered it, the more I realised there was one difference. I also wanted her to stop stealing from the charity, and sensed if I didn’t do anything about it, she would get away with her fraudulent behaviour for years to come. She would also spin more lies and hurt more people, and that was not something I wanted to continue.
I knew what I had to do, and taking a deep breath, turned to Lesley and told her I needed her help.
She regarded me with interest.
‘I’m going to the police,’ I said. ‘I know I’ll be charged, but this can’t go on. She has to be stopped.’
‘Is it about the way she’s treated you? Because if it is-’
‘No, it’s not that at all.’
She shot me a disbelieving glance.
‘Okay, so it may have played a small part, but it’s more about doing what’s right. Unless she’s stopped, this is going to go on and on. Many people will be hurt, and I can’t allow that.’ I paused, studying her thoughtful expression. ‘Will you come with me?’
‘Of course, but shouldn’t you allow yourself a bit of time to consider this first? They’re not going to go easy on you just because you’ve come forward.’
‘I know. But I have to do it. If I give myself time to think I’m likely to back out.’
Lesley nodded, and with my heart hammering my chest, I grabbed my phone and keys, and followed her from my flat. We didn’t speak a word all the way to the station. I couldn’t; my voice was trapped and I feared if I broke it from its paralysis, I would turn and run.
Lesley parked the car in the small car park, turned off the engine, and turned to face me. ‘Last chance to back out?’
I shook my head, exited the car, and aware of her comforting presence at my rear and backing my efforts, I progressed to the entrance. Waiting for the arrival of the police officer at the desk, my last thoughts were for Alice. I was sorry for what I was doing to her and wished her well. I even formed numerous excuses in my head as I visualised her pain. But none of it mattered. Alice had left me to continue with the life she had chosen. She had made her path, and so must I.
I couldn’t be the kind and caring person any longer, not if it meant breaking the law and doing what was morally wrong. I had to look out for myself, and stared at the police officer returning to the desk, and confident I was making the right decision, started my speech.
H A Dawson- Catalogue
Girl on a Train ASIN:B00BAT5MCQ
Luke Adams investigates Book 1. Client:- Megan Armstrong
Megan is a tolerant woman, from this vindictive mental abuse she has reached the limits of her endurance. Now she makes good her bid for freedom. She is determined to have a new life on her own terms, despite the consequences. The arrival at the destination she has chosen for her new beginning has an unnerving resonance within her psyche. The effects are physical, her stressed mental state and the hallucinations are smothering her resolve. What can she do, there is neither recognition of the vague faces, nor any recollection of the violence that ensues.
Editorial Comments
A detective novel with neat twists and turns, well paced, satisfying page turner. psychological suspense and thriller themes based on a male/female team with an unconventional attitude. There is a good rapport between the male detective and his younger female assistant, contributing to some entertaining banter, offsetting their clients emotion and peril. The storyline emphasises female emotions and attitudes that may occur under duress, but not to the exclusion those of the male protagonists. Statistically there are no two identical people alive with identical psychological profiles.
The Lie ASIN: B00C74E3FU
Luke Adams Investigates book 2. Client :- Leanne Stark
Decades have past since Leanne's grandmother inherited a vast house after a fatal shooting. These events have remained a tight secret, never broached nor discussed. Leanne grows up believing her mother is dead, that is, until her grandmother dies. She is confounded by the protracted deception, and a gnawing sense of betrayal. The consequences of her grandmother's actions span generations; the locals struggle with the emerging truth; greed, death, and revenge linger. Desperate for consolation Leanne sets herself a quest to uncover this mysterious past. For professional backup, she engages the successful team of Luke Adams and Imogen Morrison.
Silent Screams ASIN: B00MEDRMWA
Luke Adams Investigates book 3. Client :- Brittany Handley
Brittany lives on edge, her life is shortening at a terrifying pace she urgently needs a kidney transplant. Michelle her mother is due for release from prison, but why has she avoided any contact with Brittany. The pressure's mounting, close to it's limits, amidst some very suspicious behaviour from hospital staff. Is there some unscrupulous scheming in these hospital corridors?
Naive Retribution ASIN: B00UIQVL54
Luke Adams investigates book 4. ; Client :- Jade Horton
Jade's experiences amounted to nothing when a new torment crashed into her comfortable life. Someone knew her intimately, but she hadn't any clues to this person's identity. It seemed impossible for a stranger to gather such extensive knowledge of her life history, it was the threat of a stalker that reinforced her anxieties.
Jade's past has been turbulent, she suffers from a form of amnesia, she wishes her memory would unlock and solve all the issues that have accumulated through the years. She's petrified of every situation she can not control, and now her existence is in the "path of a stampeding herd of elephants"
Jade had attended school with Luke Adams, now she seeks his help, Imogen Morrison proves herself to be indispensable in a case that puts pressure on everyone connected with Jade. People may resort to extreme measures to gain attention even "torture" no one could have predicted the impact.
"The more you contrive to conceal, the greater the possibility it will be revealed"
More about my novels
H A Dawson-Catalogue
Dark Places ASIN: B00EJF47QA
This is an individu
al novel, separate from any of my series
A heart wrenching mystery recounting the married life of Catherine, an isolated woman from the early 20th century, burdened by an indifferent husband, child deaths, accusations, a disbelieving family, with the only moral support stemming from her modern thinking sister. Eventually she crumbles, someone has to accept the consequences, there are always those in denial.
100 years later Michaela moves into Catherine's house, she is related and the stories and rumours have a bearing on her behaviour. She is a determined woman but is rattled by the locals comments and their speculation.
The entire situation convinces Michaela of Catherine's innocence, absorbing her in unearthing facts of Catherine's demise. Her investigation and delving for evidence disturbs certain people who have secrets of their own.
Back Road ASIN: B00V2O47MK Book 1 of a series of novellas with psychological themes.
H A Dawson
Thank you for taking a peek at my books. I hope you have enjoyed this story. Certain pages contain hyperlinks to my titles and my personal web pages.
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