Chapters (156)
- A DATE WITH DEATH
- Also by Mark Roberts
- A Date With Death
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- The Past
- 1977
- Day OneWednesday, 1st December 2021CatoptrophobiaFear of mirrors
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- The Past
- 1979
- Day TwoThursday, 2nd December 2021OneirophobiaFear of dreams
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- The Past
- 1980
- Day ThreeFriday, 3rd December 2021MonophobiaFear of being alone
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- The Past
- 1982
- Day FourSaturday, 4th December 2021ThanatophobiaFear of Death
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- About the Author
- An Invitation from the Publisher
Oh my God Geoff what can I say? I am so sorry to hear of the tragic news of your mother’s sudden and awful death. If there is anything at all I can do to help you in this dark hour please do not hesitate to let me know immediately and I will be there for you. I am currently still on the waterfront. That is not so far from the mortuary where you are behind the Royal Hospital. I can come and see you within the next fifteen minutes if you think that would be of any help to you.
Clay looked in her wing mirror, saw Riley get into her car, five metres behind hers, and her cocktail of relief and disappointment escalated.
‘If you’d showed up, you bastard, we’d have had you in custody right now in this very moment,’ she said, speaking her thoughts out loud, comforting herself with the sound of her own voice.
Clay recognised a marksman she didn’t know by name, emerging from the darkness and heading towards her car as she returned to composing her message.
If you don’t want me to come to the mortuary, please say so. Otherwise when and only when you are ready please contact me and we can arrange to meet. Love and condolences Sally xxx ps can you pls let me know your mother’s name so that I can mention her directly as I pray very long and hard for both you and her. pps do you have family and friends around you who you can lean on for support?
Clay pressed send as the marksman walked by the passenger door, giving a single reassuring tap to the roof of her car. She guessed at his meaning.
You’re safe…
And her deepest instinct responded, but don’t bank on it.
Clay called Stone on her iPhone.
‘Karl, call off the red alert.’
‘Are you sure, Eve?’
‘Certain. Tell the arms sergeant I’ll give him the Glock back in the morning.’
‘Any reason?’
‘The general red alert’s off. Mine’s still on. Pass on a message for me. Thank everyone involved in the operation and tell them to go back to their stations.’
She opened Messenger and typed:
Thomas, I’m in my car and safe. He didn’t show. Talk later. Ly xxx
Clay drove in the direction of Sefton Street and watched Riley’s car overtaking her, headlights dazzling as she drove away at speed, putting more distance between them with each passing second.
Clay shifted gears in her head and prepared her next moves – a visit to Moscow Drive and then to return to Trinity Road to question Robin Wren.
As Clay passed the Coburg pub, another message came on to her iPhone. She pulled up to the pavement and opened it.