I hope, in some way, that it gives Laurie Mills some sort of peace.
* * *
Woods was ecstatic at the trial’s verdict when the judge praised myself and my team for the work we put into catching Monica Atkins. One less murderer on the streets now.
‘The press has gone wild for this story, Riley, and we come off looking like the winners.’
Winners. I don’t see any of those in this story, but I let him have his moment of glee. That’s what Woods really cares about: looking good, his reputation intact – reflective glory.
‘We’re lucky Laurie Mills isn’t suing us,’ I said, killing his buzz. ‘Or that she hasn’t gone to the press and bad-mouthed us.’
Woods’ euphoria evaporated fast. ‘Yes, well, I suppose we have you to thank for that, Riley,’ he said, though I could tell it hurt him to say it.
‘That sounds suspiciously like a compliment, sir,’ I remarked dryly.
‘Don’t push it,’ he said.
‘I knew right from the very beginning that Laurie Mills wasn’t our killer. Do you remember, sir? Do you remember me saying and that you kept saying—’
‘Yes, yes, alright, Riley. You were right. I was wrong. There. Happy now?’
I smile. ‘I think so, sir,’ I replied.
As I made to leave, he stopped me, looked me square in the face. ‘Oh, and Dan, that intuition of yours – keep it up, won’t you?’
‘I’ll do my very best, sir,’ I said as I closed the door behind me.
* * *
The media went mad for the Millses’ story. I suppose, looking at it from their point of view it has everything a sensational story needs. Incest, love, betrayal, murder, abuse, religion, psychopaths, passion, jealousy, an explosive trial… and babies – dead babies. There can be nothing more emotive than dead babies. In fact, babies had featured heavily in one way or another throughout this case. Milo and Nancy, Matilda and Davis’s pregnancy scare… perhaps, in some strange way, the cosmos was trying to tell me something.
Later that night, after Monica’s arrest on the plane, I eventually returned home, elated but exhausted. It was still my birthday, but only just. Fi was waiting outside my apartment door. She was holding a balloon with ‘Happy Birthday’ written on it and a bottle of wine. I had no idea how long she must have been there.
‘You remembered!’ I said, genuinely surprised. I don’t recall ever telling her when my birthday was.
‘I’m a journalist,’ she replied. ‘We’re known for our research skills.’
I took the balloon and the wine and invited her in.
‘You got the killer then?’ she said, sitting on the couch.
‘Don’t I always?’ I replied, opening the wine and pouring two glasses. She looked radiant sitting there, her skin glowing and that spicy scent of hers filling the air.
‘You look well, Fi,’ I said, handing her a glass.
‘Not for me,’ Fi replied and I pulled my chin into my neck.
‘That’s not like you, Fiona,’ I remarked, taking a deep gulp of my wine. I remembered then that she’d said she there was something she needed to tell me.
‘Yes, well. I won’t be drinking for the next nine months at least.’
‘Really? Why is that?’ I ask, the penny not having yet dropped. I’ve always been a bit slow on the uptake where women are concerned. Rachel used to laugh at me, said it was ‘endearing’.
‘Because I’m pregnant, Dan,’ she said, looking at me with her deep brown, almond-shaped eyes. ‘And please don’t even ask me, because the answer is yes, it is yours.’
I can’t quite remember what exactly I did in those few seconds after she told me, but when I came to I was sitting down next to her. I think I was holding her hand.
‘You’re going to be a father, Daniel Riley,’ Fi said.
I took another large gulp of my wine and said, ‘Happy birthday to me.’
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Books by Anna-Lou Weatherley
The Couple on Cedar Close
Black Heart
Vengeful Wives
Wicked Wives
Pleasure Island
A Letter from Anna-Lou
Dearest Reader,
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I am so grateful and thankful that you chose The Couple on Cedar Close as an addition to your reading list. I do so hope you’ll enjoy the complex characters I’ve created and the dark twists and turns their lives, and the story, takes. I’ve loved every minute of writing this novel and hope it shows. In this book I have touched upon the subject of emotional and domestic abuse – an important issue close to my heart and one I hope I have done justice to – let me know what you think, and if you fell a little bit in love with Dan Riley like I have!
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Your comments, feedback and reviews mean everything to me, so I’d be thrilled to know what you thought of The Couple on Cedar Close and if it was everything you hoped it might be. So, if you enjoyed The Couple on Cedar Close it would mean a lot to me if you would take the time to leave a review and let me, and other readers know why. I’m always recommending books to friends and family and vice versa, so if it encourages others to read one of my novels and enjoy the ride then I cannot thank you enough. – it makes it all worth it.
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I’m busy beginning my next novel, something slightly different but once again with a chilling, dark and intriguing edge with a cast of complex and flawed characters. I don’t want to give too much away at this stage so you’ll just have to wait and see! I will keep you posted…
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Much love, Anna-Lou xx
Black Heart
A totally gripping serial-killer thriller
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‘There’s a letter on the floor covered with blood next to a heart-shaped box of chocolates. The note says: ‘My beautiful darling, I’m sorry, please forgive me.’
* * *
When the body of a man is found with his wrists slashed in a London hotel room, it appears at first to be a tragic suicide. But Detective Dan Riley suspects there is more to this case than meets the eye and the pathology report confirms his worst fears – the victim was poisoned and suddenly Dan is dealing with a murder inquiry.
* * *
Then he makes a disturbing discovery, uncovering links between the victim and a woman calling herself Goldilocks on an online dating site. Is she seeking revenge or something more?
Still grieving the devastating loss of his girlfriend and unborn child in a car accident two years ago, Dan throws everything he has into the investigation. Yet just as Dan begins to piece together the clues of this complex case, the body of a woman is found in her bed with identical wounds.
Dan is on the trail of a twisted individual who is much closer than he realises. Can he overcome his own demons and stop the killer before it’s too late?
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An all-consuming and totally unputdownable read that will have you holding your breath to the very last page. Perfect for fans of Rachel Abbott, Robert Bryndza and Karin Slaughter.
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Previously published as Last Cry.
Pleasure Island
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Secrets. Scandal. Betrayal. In Paradise, pleasure comes at a dangerously high price…
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Three couples each receive an exclusive invitation to the fantasy holiday destination of a lifetime…
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The host: Martin McKenzie, global billionaire and media mogul. Charismatic, powerful and always gets what he wants.
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The location: A breathtakingly beautiful undiscovered island, nestled in the Aegean Sea. Private, secluded and not quite as it seems.
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The details: Seven days of pure hedonism, five-star luxury tailored to every desire, also includes… secrets, lies, and infidelity.
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As the guests begin to enjoy everything the luxury island has to offer, cracks begin to surface between the three couples. But that is not all. Someone is watching them. When they discover the truth – it will be explosive in more ways than they can ever imagine.
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A jaw-dropping, absorbing and spectacular blockbuster of a novel. THE beach read of the summer you won’t want to be without.
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What people are saying about Pleasure Island:
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‘Pleasure Island was simply stunning and has left me with a huge book hangover that will take a considerable amount of time to cure. It has an incredible pace packed full of twists and turns, manipulation and surprises…This is THE Summer read of 2015 go and buy it now.’ Shaz's Book Blog
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‘Easily one of the best books I have read this year…a fast paced, engaging read, by an exceptionally talented author. Pleasure Island is a spectacular and intriguing story that is perfect summer reading.’ Rachel’s Random Reads
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‘This is a fast-paced, action packed read that held my attention the whole way through. Fans of Tasmina Perry and Rebecca Chance will love this book, it is full of drama, revenge, twists and turns’ Rea’s Book Reviews
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Wicked Wives
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Three powerful women. One irresistible man. A whole world of trouble.
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Tom Black is a man who makes husbands jealous. An entrepreneur, gambler and serial womanizer, his good looks and charm leave a trail of broken hearts behind him wherever he goes. Now Tom is after the big time – opening a glittering, multi-million dollar casino. But his past, and the women in his life, are about to catch up with him…
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Ellie Scott is the only girl that Tom has ever loved, but whose dreams he shattered when she was just a teenager. Now married to billionaire Vinnie Scott, she has everything money can buy… but the mention of Tom’s name is enough to bring memories flooding back.
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Fame-seeking gold digger Loretta Fiorentino is the woman who stole Tom away from Ellie all those years ago. Having inherited millions from her dead husband, now she wants Tom Black back – for the society wedding of the year.
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Glamorous Victoria Mayfield has made a small fortune from her books, but that can’t bring her the baby that she and her husband long for. Desperate for a child, she decides to take a lover…
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What people are saying about Wicked Wives:
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‘If you're a die-hard fan of Jackie Collins and Rebecca Chance, then Anna-Lou Weatherley's books will be up your street. I loved it so much, I wish it would be made into a film.’ 5/5 I Heart Chick Lit
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‘racy, scandalous and really good fun… So good, it’s wicked! ’ Novelicious.com
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‘…filled with drama, betrayal, fabulous characters and bucket loads of glamour, this enjoyable story is the ideal escapist read and a must for all fans of Rebecca Chance and Tasmina Perry.’ HandwrittenGirl.com
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Vengeful Wives
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Money can’t buy you love…
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Discovered at the tender age of sixteen, Imogen Lennard once had the world at her feet as one of the world’s top fashion models. Now married to Sebastian Forbes – a billionaire as controlling as he is wealthy – she has everything money can buy, but longs for what it can’t – her first love.
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When Sebastian publicly humiliates her, she decides that it is for the last time. Enlisting the help of her best friends – Calvary, the glamorous fashion editor, and Yasmin, the feisty ex-party girl – she masterminds a daring plan to turn the tables on their men once and for all.
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On the surface they have it all; beauty, wealth and status. But, united in their destructive marriages, the three women join forces and risk it all for the ultimate revenge... and the chance of finally finding their own happy ever after.
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What people are saying about Vengeful Wives:
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‘Think Desperate Housewives in Chelsea and you’ll be on the right page with this delicious drama, where trophy wives turn the tables on their other halves.’ Glamour Magazine
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‘Funny, sexy and 100% beach-read fabulous. ’ Cosmopolitan
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'A fun, romp of a read, the perfect poolside companion' Grazia
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‘The author weaves a sensational tale of life, love, loss and friendship. The type of friendship where you would do anything at all to help your friends, no matter what!
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Acknowledgements
With special thanks to my wonderful editor and mentor, Claire Bord and all the amazing people at Bookouture who have helped bring this book to life and to the inimitable Kim Nash. Thanks to my fabulous agent, Madeleine Milburn and to Hayley Steed and all at the MM agency, my inspirational friend Kelly (and the girls) and to my beautiful sister and mummy – my life support – and my boys, Louie and Felix. And to my best boy ever, David. The summer of 2018 changed my life forever. I will never forget it. The gods put us together and I love you more than all the words I could ever write in a lifetime.
Published by Bookouture in 2019
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An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.
Carmelite House
50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
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www.bookouture.com
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Copyright © Anna-Lou Weatherley, 2019
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Anna-Lou Weatherley has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
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eBook ISBN: 978-1-78681-498-2
The Couple on Cedar Close Page 31