by Dawson, H A
‘You’ve never forgiven me for what I did.’
‘I have. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.’
‘Don’t lie Luke, and don’t take me for a fool. You’re here for Ava.’
‘Sarah, don’t be like this. I thought I loved you, I really did. I . . . I was wrong.’
‘It’s funny how you wanted me when I was a successful lawyer. Now that I have bags under my eyes and I’m tied to a baby, I don’t match up.’
She flung aside the towel. It fell to the floor.
‘I thought you were different. I expected it from John, but not you.’
‘John?’
She shuffled away, flustered.
‘Who’s John?’
‘I . . .’ she turned around, her face guilt ridden. ‘. . . no one.’
‘You’ve been seeing him?’
She looked away.
‘I don’t believe this. You’re upset I’m ending this because you’ve no one lined up. You callous bitch!’
‘That’s not how it is. I love you.’
‘Don’t treat me like a fool. You don’t love me. You never did. It’s convenient having me around, and that’s it. I’m a stable influence. Good old Luke Adams. He’s always reliable. You think I’m a joke . . . wouldn’t even take me to your fancy works do.’
Her lip quivered. ‘No, that’s not true. John hadn’t been invited. He wanted to go.’
‘And then he dumped you.’
She slumped to a chair and put her head in her hands.
‘You deserve it. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to realise what you’re like. You think I’ve not seen the way you look at me when we’re with your fancy friends. You’re ashamed. I don’t need that. I don’t need you.’
‘Luke . . .’
‘Don’t.’
He strode to the cot, reached in to touch Ava Rose on her cheek and steadied his breaths. No matter what had happened with Sarah, he would always make sure she never suffered. She would get the best of everything. ‘I’ll be over on Saturday to sort out arrangements for Ava. Make sure you’re in.’
‘Don’t leave like this.’
He ignored her pathetic plea and headed out the door.
There was a spring in his step, the lights were switched on and the alarm turned off. He removed his jacket, shaking free the droplets of water, and hung it on the peg. It was surprisingly quiet without Imogen, and since it was almost ten o’clock, he decided she must still be ill.
Having filled the kettle with water, he reached into the cupboard for his mug. Imogen’s shiny clean one was beside his grimy one. Feeling a little disappointed that he couldn’t share his news he picked his mug up, poured in a little coffee and milk powder from the respective jars, and returned to his desk.
There were no messages on the landline. He switched on his computer, and whilst it whirred into action, he poured the water in the coffee. Moments later, absorbing the stimulating vapours, the doorbell tinkled.
He peered through the office door. It was Imogen. He leapt to his feet and headed into the reception area to greet her. She backed away, her expression anxious and sorrowful.
‘I didn’t think you were coming in,’ he said. ‘Feeling better?’
She frowned and looked to the window. ‘Not really.’
He followed her gaze. Mark was outside, standing next to the door. ‘What’s going on?’
Imogen reached into her pocket and handed him an envelope. ‘I’m sorry Luke.’
Then she was gone, hurrying outside. He followed her to the doorway, and watched as Mark grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Just before they stepped out of view, she turned her head. Her face was crumpled, her distress evident.
Forlorn, Luke shut the door, and back in his office, he slumped onto his swivel chair. The envelope rested in his hand. Reluctantly he opened it and pulled out two pieces of paper. The first was a letter of resignation. The second was Imogen’s insistence that she should not be contacted, explaining she had made the decision to leave of her own free will.
‘It’s for the best,’ she had said.
Luke struggled to agree, and all the joy he had felt was gone in an instant.
* * *
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H A Dawson - Catalogue
Girl on a Train
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.
One Big Lie
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
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
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, I
mogen 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
This is an individual 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 Everyday Luke Adams - Book 1.
A psychological suspense, with a taste of social activity! Watch your friends closely, can you guarantee they won't take exception to a seemingly casual remark? It may instigate a barrel full of woes if they feel you insulted them intentionally. Stacy has always assumed she knows her friends and they are trustworthy. Inadvertently and unknowingly she stirs up someone's sensitivities, at her peril.
H A Dawson integrates a thriller into an ordinary incident, but warnings like this should never go unheeded.
Guilt Trap Everyday Luke Adams - Book 2.
A psychological suspense with some community spirit. Life has a habit of nipping you from behind with unexpected, unwanted surprises when you're at your most vulnerable, even if you're brimming with pride. Maddie has had a troubled childhood with her widowed father who was excessive with his demands and discipline, this led her to vent her frustrations on others with some embarrassing results. Those involved may not hesitate to exert their revenge in an inopportune fashion. Maddie's a calamity and the more she pools her resources, the worse matters turn nasty.
H A Dawson creates a thriller from an insignificant event, depicting how people attempt to destroy the lives of others whether justified or not.
I am Honor Amelia Dawson, thank you for taking a peek at my book, I hope you enjoy this story. Certain pages contain hyperlinks to my titles and personal web pages. My main working activities are writing and blogging both of which can be, and often are highly addictive.
I enjoy playing tennis all year round, swimming, growing my own fruit and vegetables. My animals include Standard Poodles, cats, and chickens. I keep North European honey bees which help the pollination of my fruit trees and food crops. I do not use any detrimental chemicals in my garden, consequently it has become an haven for wildlife, including a wide variety of insects encouraged by seasonal flowering plants. The hedgerows shelter hedgehog houses that help hibernation and reinstate injured or rescued hedgehogs.
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