Bex Wynter Box Set 2

by Elleby Harper

  I don’t know why you didn’t tell me you were pregnant. I’m not sure what you intended. I just know I can’t handle losing a second child. It’s simply too devastating.

  I’m leaving London today. Fausch has sent two other NCA agents to guard the Dresdens until they’re fit to leave New York.

  Please don’t look for me once you return to London.

  Cole

  Chapter 36

  Columbus General Hospital

  Saturday, 28 April

  Dragging the IV stand with her, Bex staggered into the hospital chapel, hoping to find solace.

  She closed the heavy door firmly on sounds of patient gurneys and wheelchairs rattling past and the fretful babble of doctors and nurses doing ward rounds. Inside it was dim, awash with light from a stained glass window. A brighter light highlighted a stylized cross on the facing wall. Several banks of comfortable chairs were arrayed in front of a wooden pulpit. Half a dozen chairs, arranged as though for a group discussion, clustered near the stained glass alcove, which on closer inspection was backlit by LED lights to give the impression of daylight.

  The space was empty. Just like the hollowed space inside her own body, she thought. How was it possible to have been so attached to someone she had never met who had been smaller than a peanut?

  Grimacing, she moved forward a few steps, her IV bag swinging on the pole behind her. Gripping the back of another chair she lowered herself onto the seat in front. The movement sent a jolt of pain through her torso and broken arm and she gritted her teeth to ride it out. Instead the tears came, flowing hot and fast down her cheeks. There was so much to cry for.

  Zane’s unnecessary death. Her lost baby. The end of the fledgling relationship between her and Cole. She felt the losses as one devastation after another. Her heart was so lonely, she could almost feel it shriveling within her chest.

  She bowed her head while the healing tears continued to slide down her cheeks and drip onto fingers holding Cole’s note. The ink blurred with the wetness and she crushed the paper into a ball.

  She had no idea how long she sat before she heard the soft swish of the door opening. Keeping her head averted, she hoped whoever had come in would be on a journey of their own, happy to ignore her presence. Her body tensed, listening to quiet footsteps as worn soles traveled down the aisle, stopping just behind her chair.

  “A nurse told me she’d seen you come in here. I’m sorry if I’m disturbing you. Do you want me to go?”

  Bex started at the sound of Kristian’s voice. Quickly she wiped at her eyes and blew her running nose.

  “Kristian? What are you doing here? I thought Neil said the hospital released you yesterday.”

  “They did. Neil asked me to drive him here to see you. We’ve been sitting in the cafeteria talking to your father. He told us all the developments about…about my father.” He had difficulty spitting out the phrase. “I mean how he came to die. And he also told me you’re going to appeal the judge’s decision to get back the money he awarded to Karen.”

  Fresh tears spurted from the corners of her eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Kristian. If you hadn’t come to New York your mother might still be alive.”

  “Yeah, the money she would’ve got from his death wouldn’t have done her any good. Karen was my mom, but I didn’t have any illusions about her. Once we hit New York, she started spending up big time on drugs in anticipation of the windfall. Her lawyer told me she’d already dug into my trust fund. I told Neil if the appeal doesn’t go your way, I don’t want the money.”

  “That’s very generous of you.”

  He scowled at her as though the compliment pained him. “Mom had a right to his money, but I don’t want it. Hell, I never even knew the man! I told Neil I don’t want it, but he said I should come and tell you myself.”

  His words were rapid and erratic and he was breathing as heavily as if he’d run a marathon. It was obvious that coming to see her had taken every ounce of his resolution. Bex gave him a practiced glance. She had dealt with way too many kids who had no one to lean on growing up, so they learned to count on themselves. It showed her that Kristian had a conscience and a heavy-duty sense of responsibility, no doubt born of living with a dysfunctional parent who needed more care than he received in return. Kids like Kristian either developed trust issues or never stopped looking for validation. She pegged Kristian in the former category.

  He stood with his legs spaced apart, his hands bunched into the pockets of his windcheater, his body trembling as though static electricity was running through it. “I thought you could use the money to continue running the halfway house.”

  At his words, the lump in her throat grew so large she could barely swallow over it to speak.

  “Thank you, Kristian, I will, as long as you keep the trust fund for your future. Your father wanted you to have that.” She cleared her throat. “I’m happy to answer questions if you ever want to know anything about Zane.”

  He jerked his head in acknowledgement. His lean, rangy frame reminded her of some photos she had of Zane in his early twenties. Despite his eyes being the mirror image of Zane’s, the rest of his face was a blend of features from both parents. If Karen had stayed in New York, Bex would have taken the role of Kristian’s step-mother because Zane would have wanted her to be part of his son’s life.

  “He loved your mom once, so if you want to bury her near him…”

  “Nah! I already told Neil, she wouldn’t want to be in the ground. I’m going to scatter her ashes so she’s free to keep roaming.” He paused, his feet shuffling. He gave her a shrewd look. “You really loved my father, didn’t you? I mean, that’s why you married him, not just for his money?”

  “Money?” Bex frowned. “Your dad worked for the police force. That’s not a career known to make you rich. I’d trade all the money from his life insurance just to have him back for one day so he could see you grown into a fine young man.”

  Kristian scuffed his shoe against a chair leg. Bex could see both pleasure and pain pumping through him in the ebb and flow of color in his face.

  “How do you think you’ll get on with Neil?”

  He gave a half shrug. “Okay I guess. He’s dope for an old guy. At least staying with him won’t suck as much as state care.”

  Bex realized that in Kristian’s mind he had traded one parent to be looked after for another. As great as Neil was, his age would make it difficult for him to care fully for the teen. Bex’s heart constricted at Kristian’s philosophical attitude about the price he had to pay to stay out of the system and still have a place to call home. What would happen to him if Neil died before Kristian became an adult?

  On impulse, she blurted, “Kristian, I know we’re almost strangers, but I’d like to get to know you better. If your mom had stayed in New York we would’ve gotten to know each other through your father.”

  The red flush betrayed his confusion. “Why would you want to do that?”

  “Because I think you’re a pretty cool customer. You kept a level head when it counted.”

  The flush deepened at her praise. “Nah, you were the one who held your shit together.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short. You were willing to sacrifice yourself to save everyone else in the hospital. Let’s just say, we all ran that show together.”

  A knot appeared in his jaw as he raised his eyes to hers. “Would you take me to my father’s grave one day?”

  His words broke her heart.

  “Yes of course. Maybe you could help Neil and me plant the Zane Wynter rose seeds I brought back with me?”

  He gave a choked laugh. It was obvious her words had startled him. “There’s a rose named after him?”

  “There is now. Roses are hardy and live a long time. It’s a good way to remember your dad with something living, don’t you think?”

  The tension faded from his eyes, replaced by a yearning look. “Neil will like that.” Then his brow creased. “I thought he said you lived in Engl
and.”

  “I do. But right now, I’m here in New York.”

  When she stood up they were eye to eye, but she thought he still had some growing to do. Despite losing Cole’s baby, despite never having conceived with Zane, she knew she craved a family bond with Kristian. And in the process she would keep a big part of Zane alive in her life.

  “Can you help me back to my room?”

  She let Cole’s note tumble to the floor. When Kristian bent to pick it up for her, she stopped him.

  “It’s not important,” she said.

  She slung her good arm around his shoulders while he gripped her IV pole. Together they supported each other as they shuffled out of the chapel.

  THE END

  Enjoy this book? You could make a big difference!

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  Want more from Elleby Harper?

  Detective Bex Wynter Files

  Driven to Death

  She came to London to escape a painful past, but her first case opens old wounds and could end her career.

  American detective Bex Wynter needs a fresh start following her husband’s tragic death. After winning a coveted position as head of the new Youth Crimes Team, she discovers not everyone welcomes an American to the London Met. But when the news of a woman attempting to save her child’s killer ignites a media frenzy, Bex’s painful memories bleed in as the high profile case presents more questions than answers…

  Pressure builds from the media, the killer’s aristocratic father and Bex’s tragic past to discredit her and destroy the investigation. But Bex will fight to bring justice to the dead, even if it spells the end of her career.

  Can she piece together the clues without falling apart?

  Driven to Death is a thriller with an ending that will have you gasping. If you like realistic police procedurals, intriguing characters, and emotional plot twists that leave you breathless, then you’ll love Elleby Harper’s suspenseful crime novel!

  Available from Amazon

  Stolen Daughters

  A brazen daylight kidnapping…

  When a busload of schoolgirls vanishes, the case gets personal when it’s discovered two of the girls are DS Eli Morgan’s daughters. Will this case tip Morgan over the edge?

  A detective haunted by her past…

  A teen in trouble with the police that only DCI Bex Wynter believes is innocent.

  No time left…

  These cases collide when Bex stumbles over two dead bodies and into danger. Can she stay alive long enough to save Morgan’s stolen daughters before time runs out?

  Stolen Daughters is British crime with an American twist! If you like realistic crime fiction packed with suspense and filled with richly diverse characters, then you’ll love this page-turning mystery that will keep you glued till the end.

  Stolen Daughters is British crime with an American twist! This is the second book to feature American Bex Wynter at the London Met with the Youth Crimes Team. While each book in the series can be read as a stand alone, the story will be enhanced if read in sequence. That way the development of relationships between the characters can be understood and better appreciated.

  Available from Amazon

  Courting Death

  When a son confesses to killing both parents, only his therapist knows his darkest secrets…

  Two murder victims. One confession. An open and shut case…right?

  Hot shot lawyer Isla Standing believes the truth belongs in court, even if that means risking her career.

  After overturning a police conviction and shattering a family man’s reputation, Harley Carroll’s case becomes an emotionally charged investigation full of unexpected twists for the Youth Crimes Team. DCI Bex Wynter must follow a long-dead trail of evidence, secrets and hidden agendas to solve this murder mystery.

  But truth comes with a price and who will pay?

  In a story that mixes legal suspense with realistic police procedure, Courting Death is a character-driven crime mystery that will keep you glued till the end.

  Courting Death is British crime with an American twist! This is the third book to feature American Bex Wynter at the London Met with the Youth Crimes Team. While each book in the series can be read as a stand alone, the story will be enhanced if read in sequence. That way the development of relationships between the characters can be understood and better appreciated.

  Available from Amazon

  Death for Sale

  Are some crimes beyond forgiveness?

  When DCI Bex Wynter answers a call meant for her boss, she’s swept up in the hunt for a serial killer. The trouble is, it’s not her case. But with a little girl’s life at risk, she just can’t let it go.

  With little information and even less evidence, can she convince DCI Cole Mackinley this really is a spate of grisly serial killings, not simply a child's nightmare? Or is Bex's intuition leading her on a wild goose chase?

  Then it becomes clear someone doesn’t want this case solved. With the threat of violence comes a tough decision: track down a ruthless killer or endanger someone close to her.

  Death for Sale is British crime with an American twist! If you like realistic crime fiction packed with suspense and filled with richly diverse characters, then you’ll love this page-turning mystery that will keep you glued till the end.

  Available from Kindle Unlimited Amazon

  Blood Lines

  When murder runs in the blood…

  A police officer is forced to question whether blood and loyalty are stronger than truth and justice in this riveting and emotionally charged crime mystery.

  Bex Wynter thought she could run away from her husband’s death by saving the lives of young teens. But can she save a teenaged prisoner from his father, one of London’s most vicious crime kings? A key witness against his own family, when he becomes a victim, Bex is pulled into a world of deceit and betrayal.

  To save his life, Bex must team up with newcomer to the Youth Crimes Team, DS Remy Knight. But Remy’s keeping secrets and she isn’t the only one. Secrets that could blow their entire investigation to pieces.

  The closer Bex comes to the truth, the less she can trust those she counts on. Is she about to find out that blood and loyalty are stronger than truth and justice?

  The most epic Detective Bex Wynter novel yet, Blood Lines is both a gripping mystery and the riveting next installment of Bex Wynter’s new life in London. If you like realistic crime fiction packed with heart-pumping suspense and emotional plot twists that leave you breathless, this page-turner will keep you glued till the end!

  Available from Amazon Kindle Unlimited

  Killing Time

  An unsolved crime. A desperate cop. A relentless killer.

  Seeking justice for her dead husband brings Detective Bex Wynter back to New York to face enemies both old and new. Driven to risk everything for the truth, a shocking connection begins to emerge and she must face the question: who wants her dead?

  In a case that hits too close to home, the reappearance of an old enemy means she must confront her most dangerous opponent. W
hen Bex’s past crashes into the present, she finds herself locked in a bloody showdown. In the killer’s terrifying game there is only one rule – it’s killing time.

  How deep is Bex willing to dig to uncover the truth? Or is this one adversary she’ll never have the chance to bring to justice?

  If you like realistic crime fiction packed with suspense and filled with richly diverse characters, then you’ll love this page-turning mystery that will keep you glued till the end.

  Available from Amazon Kindle Unlimited

  Victorian Ghost Mystery

  The Undertaker’s Daughter

  London 1888. Miss Virginia Grimm is used to dead bodies. As an apprentice undertaker, they serve as her bread and butter. But when she prepares the murdered Earl of Elderbury for burial, she discovers his rampaging ghost threatens not only her own ambitions but all of London’s safety.

  With her career and lives at stake she is forced into an alliance with a rogue ghost hunter. But Sinclair has his own secrets and an agenda that Virginia isn’t going to like one little bit.

  Together they embark on a frantic chase to track down a murderous ghost and discover the Earl’s killer in order to save London from grave danger. But can Virginia trust Sinclair or will he betray her?