SHADOW OVER THE FENS a gripping crime thriller full of suspense

by Joy Ellis

  ‘I’m glad to hear about David, and I’m easier today.’ Nikki eased herself up the bed and grimaced. ‘Well, a bit easier. For a flesh wound, it damn well hurts! And you?’

  ‘Extremely inconvenient, especially getting dressed and anything else that requires pulling up your trousers.’ He grinned at her. ‘Other than that, pretty good. The surgeon reckons I should get most of the movement back, as long as I keep up the physio.’

  ‘I bet you and the therapists are on first name terms by now?’

  ‘Yes, there is a certain amount of déjà vu to my visits.’ He smiled and laid the flowers on the bottom of the bed. ‘For you.’

  ‘They’re lovely, Joseph. Are you going to arrange them for me?’

  ‘Probably not. It was difficult enough just carrying them into the lift and pressing the button. I’ll leave it to the nurses.’ He sat in the chair next to her bed and looked at her searchingly. ‘How are you really?’

  Nikki dropped the smile. ‘If you must know, I’m still pretty shaky.’

  ‘Me too.’ He stared down at the floor. ‘I can’t get my head around the fact that she was so ruthless. You know, I really thought . . .’ his voice trailed off into silence.

  ‘That she cared? Well, for what it’s worth, I think she did, until you rejected her, then the woman-scorned bit came into play. Don’t beat yourself up, Joseph, she had me fooled, and I was actively looking for things to distrust. You, sunshine, had no hope.’ She picked up a thin folder from her locker and passed it to him. ‘The super gave me this. It’s for our eyes only. He thought it may help.’

  ‘A dossier on Bryony?’

  ‘Just a précis of what they’ve already compiled.’

  ‘I don’t think I want to see it right now,’ said Joseph, placing it unopened on the locker.

  ‘I’ve read it,’ Nikki shrugged. ‘You should too, when you’re up to it. The main thing to know is that she alone was designated to bring ‘closure’ to the Gordon Peace guinea pigs, and that included Martin. She was no carer, Joseph. She killer the carer, she was the fixer.’

  ‘I thought as much,’ said Joseph with a sigh. ‘When Dave told me about her expertise with drugs and their effects, it all fell into place. It was her organisation that provided the white boxes of medication, wasn’t it?’

  ‘In the guise of caring and generous healthcare professionals, they provided everything for their precious guinea pigs. The big financial payouts, the close follow-up treatment and ongoing medical care, which included their medication.’ Nikki moved uncomfortably. ‘The super reckons that eighteen months ago there must have been a leak, forcing them to wrap up their British operations, but they decided to do it slowly and insidiously so it wouldn’t lead back to the old trials.’

  ‘And who would notice the odd suicide or accidental death, when they were months apart?’

  ‘Exactly. Bryony was sent in to doctor their drugs and send them to their death. And she was doing fine until the organisation wanted everything speeded up and Billy Sweet was seconded to help out.’ She looked at him painfully. ‘You did hear that Sweet was headhunted for his dubious talents by Bryony’s organisation? That they ‘killed him off’ in South America, then gave him a new identity, as Kurt Carson?’

  Joseph nodded, then asked, ‘Did you know immediately that the last killing was Sweet himself?’

  ‘No, I only found out as I drove out to find you. His face was pretty battered, intentionally of course, Bryony didn’t want us to recognise him too quickly. And we didn’t, but Dave had given a photo of Billy to Rory. In it he was holding a weapon of some kind and it showed a badly deformed finger, and Kurt Carson had an identical injury. Rory then used the picture and a computer-generated version of Kurt’s skull, and hey presto. One and the same.’

  ‘If you believe in Karma, one would consider that a fitting end for such an evil man.’ Joseph gave a little shiver. ‘Bryony’s organisation may be powerful but they made a mistake recruiting Billy Sweet. Although I’m sure he was very effective until he finished up in hospital, saw me, and went on that killing spree. One thing though, I’m surprised that Bryony managed to get the better of him so easily.’

  ‘Simple. She did what she did best. She drugged him. That was something else Dave informed me of on my trip to Cloud Fen. Rory picked up on tell-tale signs and later found that Sweet had been immobilized before his throat was cut.’

  ‘Dear Lord, and to think that I . . .’ Joseph shook his head, then swiftly changed the subject. ‘And Bryony’s organisation? Do we have any leads?’

  ‘We’re out of our depth there. With the Kowalskis’ statements the super knew that we were on to something, but guess what? He’s been ordered not to pursue it.’

  Joseph gritted his teeth, ‘And the shadows close ranks and block us out.’

  Nikki nodded, and for a moment they sat in silence with their own thoughts. ‘So when did it dawn on you that you were being spun a yarn?’ she finally asked.

  Joseph gently massaged his injured hand. ‘Several things didn’t ring true, but the main one was when she told me that Martin was going abroad. It took a second or two, but I remembered all you’d told me about him, about his love for the marsh, how fond he was of his sister, and his precious Knot Cottage. He wouldn’t have upped and buggered off, just for the sake of some medical care.’

  ‘You’re right. Linda Kowalski told me that they were all promised a big final settlement, then their care would be down to their respective GPs, but in truth, the organisation could never have risked it. Their death sentences had already been signed.’

  ‘And the executioner dispatched,’ Joseph added painfully. ‘But let’s forget all that for a moment.’ He turned to her and she allowed those dark, earnest eyes to bore into hers. ‘There is still one question I have to ask.’

  Nikki had known this moment would come, but said nothing.

  ‘Did you really mean that you didn’t value your life? I’ve played those last few moments over and over, and I’m still not sure why you did what you did.’

  Nikki stared down at the pale green counterpane. What could she tell him? The truth was that there was no way she could have risked his life again. Not for a second time. She had to stop Bryony somehow, and her method may have been a tad gung-ho, but that was Nikki Galena for you. ‘I guess I saw the red mist, that’s all. I thought if I could distract her, you might finally get your finger out and actually do something!’

  ‘Right. I see,’ Joseph pulled a face. ‘Okay, so you’re not going to tell me.’

  ‘Not yet. Maybe I’m not sure of the answer myself.’ She smiled at him, ‘Now my turn for a question. When you shot Bryony . . . ?’

  ‘Did I mean to kill her?’ He shook his head. ‘No, she was right about that. I couldn’t have done it. That would have made me no better than Billy Sweet.’

  ‘I’m glad, Joseph. Because for Martin’s sake, I want her to stand trial.’

  Joseph drew in a breath. ‘Don’t get your hopes up. If her dark and shadowy employers are as powerful as I believe, she’ll never she get near a courtroom.’

  Before Nikki could answer, the door opened and two women stood beaming at them.

  ‘Elizabeth! Janna! Come in.’ Nikki patted her bed for Janna to sit, and Joseph stood up and gave Elizabeth his chair.

  ‘To cheer you up,’ said Elizabeth brightly, and placed a large, colourful plant on her locker.

  Nikki stared at it. It had a mass of dark green heart-shaped leaves and huge waxy red flowers, each with a thick, fleshy cream spike rising from them. ‘My! That’s, uh, exotic! Thank you.’

  ‘Latin name, Anthurium Andreanum,’ said Elizabeth knowledgably.

  ‘Common name, Willy Lily!’ laughed Janna.

  It was agony to laugh, but suddenly Nikki felt great. She could afford to laugh again. The nightmare was over.

  ‘And this is to cheer you up, Sergeant.’ Janna handed Joseph a fob with two keys hanging from it. ‘We have no problem at all with your suggestion, and
Martin would most certainly have approved.’

  Nikki threw an enquiring glance at Joseph.

  ‘I’m renting Knot Cottage.’ He looked at her earnestly.

  ‘Really?’ Nikki’s mouth dropped.

  ‘Are you quite sure that you won’t be haunted by everything that happened there? Janna asked.

  ‘I’m absolutely certain,’ Joseph nodded determinedly. ‘I know what happened was terrible, but in a funny kind of way it finally gave me closure from Billy Sweet.’ He turned to Nikki, ‘From the moment I set foot in Martin’s home I knew it was a very special and well-loved place. And of course I’d be closer to you, if you don’t mind having a new neighbour?’

  Nikki felt a warmth suffuse through her. So there would be smoke rising from the chimney, and the lights would burn in the evening again, and like before, they would have been lit by someone she cared for. ‘No objections at all. When are you planning on moving in?’

  ‘As soon as my new landlords here have replaced the sitting-room carpet. It’s in a shocking state!’

  Nikki placed a hand tentatively over the large dressing around her waist. ‘Eh, sorry about that.’

  ‘Oh, don’t feel too bad,’ said Joseph. ‘Professor Wilkinson took great delight in telling me that there are actually three different blood groups splattered between the hearth and the front door. Something of a record in his book.’

  Janna groaned theatrically. ‘I was warned about police humour.’ She stood up and smiled across at Elizabeth. ‘And we should go. Let Nikki rest.’

  ‘Yes, we only came to say thank you. Without you both; Martin’s murder would never have come to light. His death would have always been thought of as a callous drug-fuelled act of madness. His memory would have been tainted for ever.’ Her voice caught, and Janna continued for her.

  ‘But now we can grieve properly. And so can the friends and families of Paul Cousins, Amelia Reed and the other poor souls who died.’

  Joseph nodded, then smiled to lighten the mood. ‘Yes, it’s lucky that there are still few tenacious old bulldogs left on the force.’ He tilted his head towards Nikki, ‘Or should I have said, stubborn, fool-hardy, pig-headed, persistent, obstinate . . .’

  ‘Let’s stick with tenacious, shall we, Sergeant? Or do you actually have a hankering to go back to traffic for the next ten years or so?’

  * * *

  After the two women had left, Joseph sat back down and grinned wickedly at Nikki.

  ‘So, there is just one thing left. One mystery that has yet to be solved.’

  Nikki looked at him suspiciously. ‘And that is?’

  Joseph leaned closer. ‘Dr Helen Latimer. Martin’s GP at Cloud Fen? You said that when the case was over you’d dish the dirt regarding your mysterious feud.’

  A knowing smile spread over Nikki’s face. ‘I’m sorry, Joseph, you must be mistaken. I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.’

  Section of article in The Times, 14 August

  GREENBOROUGH POISONER DIES

  The body of Bryony Barton, the woman accused of engineering the ‘suicide’ deaths of more than ten people in the last eighteen months, was found yesterday. The manner of her death remains a mystery, as she was in the process of being transported to court. On arrival she was found dead on the floor of the police transportation vehicle. The Fenland Constabulary are asking for information regarding one of the escorting officers who has since disappeared.

  Full story on pages 4 and 5

  THE END

  AVAILABLE NOW

  DI Nikki Galena Book 1

  CRIME ON THE FENS

  https://www.amazon.co.uk/CRIME-gripping-detective-thriller-suspense-ebook/dp/B01H98SG5G/

  https://www.amazon.com/CRIME-gripping-detective-thriller-suspense-ebook/dp/B01H98SG5G/

  A NEW CRIME THRILLER WITH A COMPELLING DETECTIVE WHO WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO AVENGE HER DAUGHTER

  Character List

  Detective Inspector Nikki Galena

  Nikki is a brave, honest and dedicated police officer who started at the bottom and clawed her way up through the ranks. Although once a loner, hardened by personal tragedy and some of the terrible cases that she has dealt with, the formation of a new, close-knit team has given her drive and enthusiasm.

  She is based in the Lincolnshire Fens and her ‘patch’ includes miles of agricultural farmland, massive stretches of dangerous marshes and Greenborough, a big market town with as many criminals as some urban areas. Nikki is divorced, with one daughter.

  Detective Sergeant Joseph Easter

  Joseph had a middle-class upbringing, good education, went to university then left to join the military. He keeps this fact a secret from his colleagues as he became bitterly disillusioned after an operation went wrong and innocent people died.

  He has a quiet way and a calm, reasonable attitude, and he is completely unaware that he a very attractive man. After a dramatic first case with Nikki Galena, he is asked to join her team permanently, and he looks forward to a new life in Greenborough. He is divorced with one daughter Tamsin, a girl who hated the thought of her father being a soldier and killing people, and who lives with her mother in the States. Joseph is desperate to win back her affections and hopes that one day she will see just how much he has changed.

  DC Caitlin ‘Cat’ Cullen

  Age 27, Cat is tough and shrewd and the most streetwise copper on the team. Since joining Nikki’s team she had redeemed a failing career and is becoming an excellent detective. Cat is a chameleon and works brilliantly undercover. Nikki recognises her skills and knows that she can trust her. One of Cat’s strengths is that once she gets her teeth into a problem she never gives up. Another is her keen interest in technology. She is fiercely loyal to her team and works closely with her older working partner, Dave.

  DC Dave Harris

  Dave is good old cop and a proud man who chose to hide serious family problems in order to cope alone. Nikki found out about his background, and does her best to help and protect him. He repays her by committing wholeheartedly to her team and brings with him a wealth of local knowledge and old-style intuitive policing.

  Superintendent Rick Bainbridge.

  Rick is an officer who has earned his reputation of being fair, and is generally respected by both lower and higher ranks. He likes Nikki and is the only man at the station who knows about some of her darker secrets. He has been out on a limb for her many times and his trust in her has always paid dividends. Now Rick is approaching retirement, but he is not having an easy ride.

  Glossary of English Slang for US readers

  A & E: Accident and emergency department in a hospital

  Aggro: Violent behaviour, aggression

  A Level: exams taken between 16 and 18

  Barm: bread roll

  Barney: argument

  Beaker: glass or cup for holding liquids

  Benefits: social security

  Bent: corrupt

  Bin: wastebasket (noun), or throw in rubbish (verb)

  Bloke: guy

  Blow: cocaine

  Bob: money

  Burger bar: hamburger fast-food restaurant

  Buy-to-let: Buying a house/apartment to rent it out for profit

  Charity Shop: thrift store

  Carrier bag: plastic bag from supermarket

  Care Home: an institution where old people are cared for

  Car park: parking lot

  Chat-up: flirt, trying to pick up someone with witty banter or compliments

  Chemist: pharmacy

  Chinwag: conversation

  CID: Criminal Investigation Department

  Civvy Street: civilian life (as opposed to army)

  Clock: punch

  Cock up: mess up, make a mistake

  Common: an area of park land/ or lower class

  Comprehensive School (Comp.): High school

  Cop hold of: grab

  Copper: police officer

  Coverall: coveralls, or boiler suit

 
CPS: Crown Prosecution Service, decide whether police cases go forward

  Childminder: someone who looks after children for money

  Council: local government

  Deck: one of the landings on a floor of a tower block

  Deck: hit (verb)

  Desperate Dan: very strong comic book character

  DI: detective inspector

  Do a runner: disappear

  Do one: go away

  Doc Martens: Heavy boots with an air-cushioned sole

  DS: detective sergeant

  ED: accident and emergency department of hospital

  Early dart: to leave work early

  Eggy soldiers: strips of toast with a boiled egg

  Estate: public/social housing estate (similar to housing projects)

  Estate agent: realtor (US)

  Fag: cigarette

  FMO: Force medical officer

  Geordie: from Newcastle

  Garden Centre: a business where plants and gardening equipment are sold

  GP: general practitioner, a doctor based in the community

  Graft: hard work

  Hancock: Tony Hancock, English comedian popular in 1950s

  Hard nut: tough person

  HOLMES: UK police computer system used during investigation of major incidents

  Home: care home for elderly or sick people

  Inne: isn’t he

  Into care: a child taken away from their family by the social services

  Lad: young man

  Lass: young woman

  Lift: elevator

  Lord Lucan: famous aristocrat who allegedly killed his children’s nanny and disappeared in 1974. Has never been found.

  Lorry: a truck

  MOD: ministry of defence

  Mobile phone: cell phone

  MP: Member of Parliament, politician representing an area

  Naff: lame, not good