Blood Ties: Obsession, secrets, desire and murder (A Jack Le Claire Mystery)
Page 31
Ana was confused. Why on earth were they here? “Have you heard that they’ve caught Scott’s killer?”
“Yes.” He looked at Ben. “From that display, I assume you’re Ana’s boyfriend, or you better be. Come with me, son.” He backed out the door, followed by a puzzled Ben. “Sarah has something to say to you, Ana. It may take a while, so call us when you’re finished.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Le Claire parked his car in the covered space outside his wife’s house. Her delighted father had bought it for Sasha when she’d left London – and her husband – behind. It had turned chillier, and he could hear the waves crashing against the seawall. Only the best locations for his father-in-law.
Sasha opened the door before he could ring the bell. “You got my text, then? Come on in.”
He’d sent her a message in the early hours saying he’d be back in the island in the morning. She replied that he should come and see her. They needed to talk. He’d smiled at the dreaded words. He couldn’t wait to speak with her, to make her understand.
He followed her through to the open-plan kitchen and watched as she poured him coffee. His mouth was dry and his throat tight. He swallowed. “Sasha, let me explain.”
She held up a hand and shushed him. “Jack, you’re a bloody fool. You wouldn’t recognise a predatory female if she bit you on the bum. And that’s what bloody Penny Powers is. That cow knew it was me when she answered your phone. Well, I’ve been thinking, and I’m not giving her the satisfaction.”
Hope fluttered. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that I’m sick of us dancing around each other. We’re either together or not.” She paused, and he held his breath. “And I’m for us being together, Jack. I want you to move in here. Don’t say a word – we can move later if you hate living in a house my dad gave me. I don’t care. I just want us back to normal. I want to wake up with you in the morning and sleep with you at night. I even want to feel peeved when you miss dinner because you’re on a case. I want our life back.”
The fierceness left her. She looked away. “Well, what do you think?”
He held her to him, raining butterfly kisses over her hair, her face. “I think I’ll go and pack my stuff straightaway and then come back here and live with my wife.”
He knew he had to be completely honest with her. “However, we might be facing a rocky time. I’ve heard from Lewis. Chapman is claiming innocence, police brutality and coercion. All aimed at me.”
Sasha grabbed his hands, held them tight. “That’s ridiculous, Jack, and no one will believe that maniac. But we can weather whatever he throws at us.”
He kissed her, long and slow. “I better go get my stuff. I’ll be staying here tonight.”
“I’ll come with you and help.” She made to pull away, but he held her tight.
He smiled. “I’m sure you will, Sasha, but first let me see if I fit my new bed.” He pulled her after him as he moved toward the stairs. “You better come with me. The testing might take a while.”
The End
About the Author
Kelly Clayton lives in Jersey with her husband and several cats. An avid storyteller, Kelly has been writing for over twenty years but was driven to finish her first novel, Blood In The Sand, for a dear friend. Once finished Kelly realised she couldn’t stop and several more novels are in production.
If you have enjoyed Blood Ties, please leave a review on Amazon. Kelly would be immensely grateful for your taking the time to do so.
Please also visit www.kellyclaytonbooks.com for updates on Kelly’s books and for posts on starting, writing and finishing your own novel.
Books by Kelly Clayton
The Jack Le Claire Mystery series
Blood In The Sand (2015)
Blood Ties (2016)
Acknowledgements
“Write with the door closed, re-write with the door open.”
Stephen King
I would like to thank the many people who have helped me with this novel and been so incredibly supportive.
Jennifer Quinlan (Jenny Q of Historical Editorial) is my first set of “eyes” and her keen sense of story development keeps me firmly on track and opens up new possibilities. Jenny is also a fabulous copy-editor and always goes the extra mile in everything she does.
Thank you to Christine Wasilewski, Murray and Anna Norton and Paul and Gosia Watson for suggesting the surnames for three of my characters. Very much appreciated.
To Claire, Ann, Elaine, Pam and Suzie – my amazing beta readers. Thank you for taking the time to read, to comment and to help me shape and improve Blood Ties.
Heartfelt thanks to Simon Crowcroft for casting his eye over the “almost” finished book, and for providing such valuable feedback.
Much gratitude to Wendy Leedham for helping with my research at such short notice, and to Andy Daghorn for Misty’s name.
Many thanks also to Chief Officer Mike Bowron and Karl Chapman of the States of Jersey Police who helped me with my usual list of what I am sure are quite stupid questions! Any mistakes are mine and mine alone.
I am hugely grateful to Kit Foster Design for yet again designing my amazing cover and Dean Fetzer of GunBoss Books for beautiful, stress-free formatting and layouts.
Many thanks to the wonderful readers of my first book, Blood In The Sand, whose feedback encouraged me write more about Jack Le Claire.
Finally, to my husband Grant, who is my number one fan and supporter. I simply could not do this without your understanding and patience. I love you.
Copyright © 2016 by Kelly Clayton
First printed in this edition 2016
Published by Stanfred Publishing 2016
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
ISBN:
Book design: Dean Fetzer, www.gunboss.com
Cover design: Kit Foster Design, www.kitfosterdesign.com