Don't Turn Around: A dark, thrilling, page-turner of a crime novel (Detective Jennifer Knight Crime Thriller Series Book 1)

by Caroline Mitchell

  Jennifer nodded quietly. Her arms ached to hold her nephew. He had been placed in danger that day, and Amy would not have taken the news well. But now was not the time for recriminations. All she wanted to do was to move on with her life and find some acceptance from the world.

  Will found her hand and entwined his fingers between hers. ‘I’m afraid the priest didn't make it. Heart attack.’

  Jennifer already knew. She vaguely remembered him praying over her from a place of peace. ‘He’s in a good place, wherever he is,’ she said, shifting in the bed. Her body felt as if it had been drained of energy. A nurse walked into the room, smiling at the sight of her recovering patient. ‘We can remove your drip now. Can I get you a cup of tea? A slice of toast perhaps?’

  ‘No thanks,’ Jennifer said, holding out her arm as the nurse gently removed the needle.

  Will leaned forward. ‘It’s not like you to turn down food. Why don’t you have something to eat?’

  Jennifer touched Will’s face, and he tenderly placed his hand over hers. ‘I’m fine. Go home and get some sleep. And Will, thank you.’

  He leaned in and kissed her forehead. Jennifer closed her eyes as she blocked out the physical world. She needed to rest, heal and decipher all that had occurred in the last few days.

  Jennifer stretched her stiff limbs and covered her yawn with the back of her hand. Her pulse quickened as she opened her eyes to see a familiar face enter the room.

  ‘Ethan? What are you doing here?’

  ‘I would’ve come earlier but Will’s been standing guard for the last few days.’

  Jennifer pushed herself up into sitting position, groaning as her bruises reminded her of their presence. The thought of being alone with Ethan made her uneasy, although she was yet to understand why.

  Ethan dragged his chair over to the side of the bed. It was the first time she had seen him in casual dress. Even in chinos and a sweater, he was immaculately groomed.

  ‘Are you OK to talk for a few minutes?’

  Jennifer nodded and Ethan got up and closed the door. He turned to see her eyeing him suspiciously. ‘Don’t look so worried, I’m not going to hurt you.’

  Jennifer prickled with impatience. What was so important that he had to come see her in the hospital? ‘Just cut to the chase Ethan, what do you want?’

  ‘It’s tricky. I can’t disclose everything until you come on board.’

  ‘I’m with Will now so you’re wasting your time,’ Jennifer winced as she blurted the words, wishing that for once she would engage her brain before her mouth.

  ‘What I’m offering has nothing to do with ...’ Ethan cleared his throat, ‘... personal feelings. I’m here to discuss to my unit. I want you to work for me.’

  Jennifer raised an eyebrow. ‘Work for you? Sorry but I’ve no plans on leaving the police.’

  Ethan sighed. ‘You wouldn’t have to. I manage a specialist unit within the police investigating preternatural events. I’ve been watching you Jennifer. We need people with your abilities.’

  Jennifer rubbed her eyes, then blinked. She wasn’t hallucinating as Ethan was still there. The radiator beside her bed pumped out heat and she felt her armpits dampen under the smooth material of her pyjamas. Such detail wasn’t normally afforded to her in dreams, so perhaps concussion was to blame. She took a sip of water as she digested Ethan’s words, reluctant to commit herself further. ‘You’re not making any sense.’

  Ethan leaned forward as he slid his warrant card from the back pocket of his black chinos.

  Jennifer’s mouth dropped as she read the rank. ‘How the hell did you become a DI at your age?’

  Ethan’s eyes lit up as he spoke about his vocation. ‘I earned it. And you can too if you’re willing to join my team. I’m talking about working with your powers instead of against them, and I’m not going to be sending you to occupational health because you have a different way of thinking’.

  ‘Are you sure? Because I’m half expecting the men in white coats to come knocking any minute now.’

  A hint of a smile crossed Ethan’s lips as he picked up his briefcase and pushed open the double buttons. ‘I don’t normally recruit from hospital beds, but time is of the essence. In the last couple of decades, paranormal events have been occurring at an overwhelming rate. The government have done all they can to suppress it in the media, but it’s come to the point where it’s getting out of control. We need people with a link to the other side.’

  ‘One foot in this world and one foot in the other. It’s hindered me all my life.’

  ‘It doesn’t need to. You joined the job to make a difference didn’t you? Take a look at these.’ He opened the briefcase and spread thin cardboard folders across the bed. They were all stamped confidential. Jennifer gasped as she flicked through the paperwork. These were no ordinary crimes. Witness evidence from beyond the grave, doppelgangers, shape shifters, possessions, there were so many to choose from, and Jennifer wanted to investigate them all. Reluctantly she allowed Ethan to reclaim the paperwork and slide it back in the suitcase.

  ‘It’s restricted and I’m going against protocol showing it to you. But I figure if you go to the papers I can pull the crazy card.’

  ‘Oh, thanks for the vote of confidence,’ Jennifer said.

  Ethan leaned forward, his face a picture of sincerity. ‘This is serious. This type of work, it has to be your life. You can’t just walk away from it. It can also be dangerous. But the extra responsibility is reflected in your pay scale.’

  ‘Where are you based?’ Jennifer said, the pay scale the least of her concerns.

  ‘Our main office is in London but we have branches in historic towns dotted throughout the UK. That’s where the activity is most prevalent. We’re opening a small branch in Haven. Think about it Jennifer, this job is made for you.’

  Jennifer took a deep breath before replying. ‘I can’t believe this is real. I’ve so many questions.’

  ‘There’s plenty of time for that later. I’m under a lot of pressure to set this unit up and return to base. I know I’m rushing you, but are you on board?’ Ethan held out his hand, waiting for her to shake it.

  Jennifer stared into space, deep in thought. Of course she was on board. But the desperation in Ethan’s eyes gave her a bargaining tool, and she wasn’t going alone.

  ‘Would I be working alone or partnered up?’

  ‘Partnered.’

  ‘In that case I’ll join you, but under one condition.’ She wriggled her toes under the starchy blankets as she tried to hide her excitement.

  ‘Name it,’ Ethan said, biting down on his smile.

  Jennifer wondered if he was as keen with all his new recruits.

  ‘I want you to take Will on as my partner.’

  Ethan threw Jennifer an incredulous look. ‘You’re kidding. Have you not listened to what I’ve just said? We need people with abilities, not officers who are friendly with their fists.’

  ‘He has abilities. If it wasn’t for him I’d be dead now.’

  ‘Well you’ve a lot more faith in him than I have. The best I can offer is a six month trial for Will, and that’s only if he acts professionally. If he picks a fight, there are no second chances.’

  A wide grin spread across Jennifer’s face as a tingle of excitement spread through her being. ‘In that case we have a deal.’ She held out her hand and Ethan grasped it.

  His handshake was light and airy compared to Will’s firm grip. Jennifer found herself praying she could persuade Will to come on board.

  ‘Good. I’ll get the paperwork over to you when you’re discharged. I want you to start right away,’ Ethan said.

  ‘Won’t I have to give notice?’

  Ethan pushed his chair back against the wall. ‘Your colleagues will be told you’re seconded to another team. But this is highly confidential. We have to keep a tight ship to prevent the media getting a hold of our remit.’

  ‘Did I breathe a word when you asked me about my experiences?�
�

  ‘To be fair, no you didn’t. You passed all my tests with flying colours.’

  Jennifer blushed. It was unlikely their kiss at the party was part of his test.

  Ethan coughed and rose to leave. ‘We have lots to discuss when you’re back on your feet. Now get some rest. You’re going to need it.’

  Ethan left the door ajar as he exited the room, and Jennifer settled back into bed to the tune of the hustle and bustle of the nurses in the hall.

  Unable to stop the grin widening on her face, she thought of the implications as her meeting hit home. What would her mother have to say about this if she was alive? And what happened to lead her to this? Jennifer allowed herself the luxury of rest before she planned the rest of her future.

  As much as she tried, Jennifer was unable to recover the full memory of what took place in the boathouse. Instead she seen her mother’s face, warm and approving, telling her all was well. The worse of the experience had been lost, but she knew Frank Foster lived on somewhere in the ether. Not as the cold blooded murderer, but the little boy who had lost so much faith in the world. His death experience filtered his childhood innocence from the depths of his soul to join the woman that waited on the edges of his periphery. ‘Gloria,’ Jennifer whispered. She recognised the name because somehow she had been shown his life. Jennifer smiled at the vision of the woman gently taking the little boy’s hand. Perhaps now he could start again.

  Her mother’s face came into view, delivering a gentle smile. But it could not hide the sadness in her eyes. Jennifer blinked. The slant of the shadows creeping into the room told her time had passed. Had she been dreaming?

  She closed her eyes, trying to hold onto the fading image of her mother. Joshua had been right. They did look alike. It was comforting to know they were both protecting him. But she would have to be strong for what lay ahead. Charlie, Joan, and now Father Kelly. Each of them had given up their lives. She slid her legs from between the sheets and tip toed on bare feet to the window, grateful for the cool tiled floor. They must have placed me in the private wing, she thought, peering through the blinds at the busy car park outside. A flock of sharp eyed crows clung side by side to the telephone wire; a black beaded necklace sending early warning of what lay ahead. A murder of crows, Jennifer thought, the name given to the flock of birds that carried such ominous presence. Her newly found strengths would shine like a beacon for the souls intertwined with the darkness. In a place like Haven, entrenched in history and myth, it was only a matter of time before they found her. But next time would be different. She was not going to hide away second guessing their every move. Next time she would be ready.

  The nurse returned to her room. ‘You’re looking brighter,’ she said, ‘can I get you anything?’

  ‘Yes, please,’ Jennifer said, giving her a warm smile. ‘I’ll have that cup of tea now.’

  Letter from Caroline

  Dear Reader

  I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for choosing to read Don’t Turn Around. I hope I have been able to take you on the first of many journeys with D.C. Jennifer Knight, where anything can happen and nothing is as it seems.

  If you did enjoy it, I would be truly grateful if you would write a review, send me a tweet or join me on Facebook to help spread the word of the new detective in town. I love to hear from my readers and you can find my many social media links on my website below.

  I’ve really enjoyed fusing my personal experiences of the paranormal and police to create this series and I hope I’ve been able to take you out of your everyday lives for a few hours as you have turned the pages. I know from personal experience there is a lot more to this world than we realise. I look forward to sharing these insights in my forthcoming novels and hope to see you again soon.

  If you’d like to keep up-to-date with all my latest releases, just sign up here:

  Caroline Mitchell new releases email

  Thank you so much for your support – until next time,

  Caroline

  #DontTurnAround

  Stay in touch…

  @caroline_writes

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