The Lies Within
Page 32
It was a moment before Grace recovered herself. She scrambled to put the items back into the bag, push it back behind the dresser, move the chair back into place.
“We were just looking for Lucky,” Grace said. Her voice sounded small, alien. “Shall we take her downstairs?”
Grace scooped up the dog and followed Meggy and a silent Lydia downstairs. Ged was in the hallway when they reached the bottom. She stroked Lydia’s arm. “You okay? You look tired.”
Lydia turned away. “I’m fine.”
“It’s been a long day,” Grace said. “For all of us.”
Chloe was stood beside the fireplace. “There you are. I’ve got an announcement to make.” She waited until they were all in the room. “I’m eight weeks pregnant!”
Grace stared at her aghast. Phil hugged Chloe, shook Matt’s hand. Ged was holding Meggy by the waist, swinging her around. Grace stood there. Watching them all. The moment was surreal, almost as if it was happening to someone else. Finally, Grace blinked. “That’s wonderful news,” she heard herself say to Chloe. “Wonderful.”
“Thanks. I’ve known for almost four weeks. It’s been awful not saying anything. But I wanted to wait until today to tell everyone. When we could put all of this behind us and look forward to something. Together.”
“More babysitting duties,” Ged winked at Grace.
Grace battled to keep her nerves at bay. She dare not look at Lydia who was stood beside her, mute. “This calls for a drink,” she said.
As soon as she reached the kitchen, Grace closed the door and rested against it. Thoughts swirled around her head. Her daughter had taken a life. Killers went to prison.
The room started to spin. She grabbed the back of a chair. Gulped slow breaths, in and out.
Phil’s face flashed up in her mind. For the first time since his heart attack, she’d seen fresh colour in his face, a renewed vigour in his step this evening. The joy of his family reunited. The bright eyes and smiles around her.
How could she go to the police now, subject her family to more heartache, just when they were putting the nightmare of the last twelve months behind them?
And what about Lydia? She could only begin to imagine the pain, the panic. All that blood. A scene that would haunt her for the rest of her life. Perhaps that was penance enough.
Faye had murdered Jo. Their beautiful Jo.
Grace bent down, retrieved a tray from the cupboard and began loading it with glasses. Slowly, the kernel of an idea began to form in her mind. Tomorrow they’d clear out Jo’s room, burn some of her stuff, the clothes that Grace couldn’t bear to recycle, in the garden. Jo loved flames, it would be their last tribute to her. The plastic bag would be lost, and everything in it turned to ash.
The door snapped open. Ged’s face was full of smiles. “You’re taking your time, Grace. Are you sure you haven’t forgotten where the glasses are kept?”
The tray of drinks rattled as Grace followed Ged back into the front room and handed them out. Almost immediately, Phil held up his glass, was just about to speak when Grace stepped forward. “Darling, if I may?” she said. Phil stepped back as Grace looked around at the room. “I can’t tell you what these last months have been like. Well, I’m sure you know. This nightmare began when Jo was taken from us. She’ll never be forgotten. Never be replaced. But I’m hoping that now, together, we can now move forward. Taking the memory of Jo with us. You’re my family. I love you all and I’ll do anything to protect you.” She glanced at Lydia as her tearful eyes raised to meet hers. “I’ll be damned if anyone tries to hurt my family again. What’s happened has happened. There’s nothing we can do to change it. And so, now, with this wonderful news of a little one joining us, I’d like to propose a toast… To new beginnings.”
They all raised their glasses. “To new beginnings!”
Acknowledgements
I find writing novel acknowledgements incredibly difficult. Many people are involved in writing a book and I’m always worried I’ll miss somebody out. So, if I don’t mention your name here, know that I AM heartily grateful for your support. I just have a very poor memory!
My thanks go to the people of Market Harborough for their assistance with location ideas for this novel, most particularly Mike Nichols and Louise Tester. Your knowledge (both historical and present) was extremely useful.
Dennis Hines gave me great insight into prison life and a fabulous tour of the real thing which was invaluable and much appreciated.
I’m grateful to the all the staff of Criminal Court Number 6 at Leicester Crown Court, including the judge, court clerk, barristers and ushers who allowed me to sit in on their hearings and who answered my constant questions. It was fascinating to find out how the court system worked and, as usual, any deviations from reality or errors in the book are purely my own.
I was very lucky to have Clare Read, psychologist and dear friend, kindly look over the profile for my antagonist in this novel and provide much needed feedback. I’ll always be grateful for your input and reassurance, Clare.
I’d also like to thank all the detectives and retired detectives who’ve helped with procedural research, most notably Ian Patrick and Rebecca Bradley who are not only fabulous beta readers, but great writers themselves, and wonderful friends.
I spent a memorable day with fellow writer, Elaine Aldred, researching areas in Nottingham and looking at the university parklands. Thanks so much to Elaine for such a wonderful day and for introducing me to Bromley House Library – a truly magical place.
Gratitude goes to Tom Chalmers, Lauren Parsons, Lucy Chamberlain, Allison Zink and Robert Harries at Legend Press for continuing to have faith in my work and believing in the DI Jackman series.
One of the loveliest things about the world of publishing is the support you receive from other authors who become firm friends. I’d like to thank all my fellow writers, especially those who keep me sane – you know who you are!
Since I started my writing journey I have also received wonderful support from book clubs including Anne Cater and all at Book Connectors; Shell Baker and Llainy Swanson at Crime Book Club; Tracy Fenton, Helen Boyce, Sumaira Wilson and Teresa Nikolic at The Book Club (TBC); David Gilchrist at UK Crime Book Club; and Lizzie Hayes at Mystery People. I’m hugely grateful to you all.
Also, to the wonderful book bloggers, without whom the word about new books would never get out. I’d need another book to mention you all individually here, but I’m in awe of your relentless reading and reviewing. You make the book world such a lovely place to be a part of.
I am blessed with support from family and friends who have helped and supported me along the way including David and Lynne Anderson, Derek and Sarah Archer, Colin Williams, Emma Thompson, Stephanie Daniels, Philip Bouch and far too many more to mention – you know who you are.
And, as always, David and Ella, my nearest and dearest, who live with my characters daily and make it possible for me to write. I really appreciate you guys.
ALSO BY JANE ISAAC IN THE DI WILL JACKMAN SERIES
BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
The first DI Will Jackman crime thriller
288pp • 978-1-9103946-1-8 •
Following an argument with her British boyfriend, Chinese student Min Li is abducted whilst walking the dark streets of picturesque Stratford-upon-Avon alone.
Trapped in a dark pit, Min is at the mercy of her captor. Detective Inspector Will Jackman is tasked with solving the case and in his search for answers discovers that the truth is buried deeper than he ever expected.
But, as another student vanishes and Min grows ever weaker, time is running out. Can Jackman track down the kidnapper, before it’s too late?
‘Jane Isaac writes with real confidence and attention to detail.’
Mari Hannah
‘Tense and cop-savvy.’
Phil Rickman
‘Sharp writing and extremely authentic – a very engaging read.’
Mel Sherratt, author of the DS Allie S
henton series
‘…dark, sinister and page turning. You won’t be able to put it down.’
Rebecca Bradley, author of Shallow Waters
‘A dark, tense and pacy thriller with satisfying twists… will leave you wanting more.’
SJI Holliday, author of Black Wood
‘An involving and clever plot… In a crowded field, Jane Isaac writes like a seasoned professional.’
Mick Herron, CWA Goldsboro Gold Dagger Award winner
BENEATH THE ASHES
The second DI Will Jackman crime thriller
304pp • 978-1-7850794-7-4 •
The floor felt hard beneath her face. Nancy opened her eyes. Blinked several times. A pain seared through her head. She could feel fluid. No. She was lying in fluid.
When a body is discovered in a burnt-out barn in the Warwickshire countryside, DI Will Jackman is called to investigate.
Nancy Faraday wakes up on the kitchen floor. The house has been broken into and her boyfriend is missing. As the case unravels, DI Jackman realises that nothing is quite as it appears and everyone, it seems, has a secret.
Can he discover the truth behind the body in the fire, and track down the killer before Nancy becomes the next victim?
‘Carefully executed police procedural, that hits all the targets.’
Angela Clarke, author of Follow Me
‘I thought I’d never read a book that came close to the realities of crime and policing. Then I read this.’
Ian Patrick, writer and former DS with the Metropolitan Police
‘A smart, intelligent and tightly woven police procedural with real depth of human emotion at its heart.’
Rebecca Bradley, author of Shallow Waters
‘A tense police procedural with a fantastic plot and intense characters.’ Lisa Cutts, author of the DC Nina Foster series and Mercy Killing
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