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Back The Family Next Door Save as PDF
Chapters (117)
  1. Also by
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Epigraph
  5. PROLOGUE
  6. 1
  7. 2
  8. 3
  9. 4
  10. 5
  11. 6
  12. 7
  13. 8
  14. 9
  15. 10
  16. 11
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  18. 13
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  30. 25
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  32. 27
  33. 28
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  110. 105
  111. 106
  112. 107
  113. 108
  114. 109
  115. 110
  116. Teaser chapter
  117. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DCI Sampson turned to address the assembled officers. He didn’t beat about the bush. The rigors of the case had been too much for Mac and he was retiring with immediate effect.

A collective gasp spread out across the room. Wildeve and Sheridan exchanged a glance. Sampson had made it sound as if their boss had made the decision himself but everyone in the room knew Mac’s demotion had left him no choice but to leave.

Then it was down to business.

Sampson was meticulous and organized. He allocated every officer a job and a ticket. He wrote each ticket number in his book so he remembered who was supposed to be doing what. He barked orders. He demanded that his best officers go over each of the murders again, starting with Natalie Tiernan, the first victim. He was tough and thorough and switched-on.

The team began to drift away. All except Wildeve, who was still awaiting instruction.

“What do you need me to do, guv?”

“Wildeve Stanton, isn’t it?” said Sampson.

She was aware of French lingering near the door and turned away from him. “Yes, guv.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss. We all are. I didn’t know your husband, but I understand he was an excellent officer.”

“Thank you.”

“Clearly, this is an extremely distressing time for you. Why don’t you take a few weeks off? You need a chance to process what’s happened. Come back when you’re ready.”

“That’s kind of you. I appreciate it. But I’d rather be at work.”

DCI Sampson blew out a long, slow breath. “Look, I’m not quite sure how to put this and it’s understandable, of course, but there have been some concerns about your ability to focus fully on the job.”

Her stomach plunged. Adam whispered in her ear. Keep your cool. “They’re unfounded, guv. I’m entirely focused. I don’t want to be at home. I know you need officers on the ground and I want to help find Adam’s killer.”

“It’s not a question of choice.”

His words took a moment to sink in before the penny dropped. He was ordering her to go home. Heat suffused her face and she glanced at French, who smirked before slipping through the door.

“It was Bernie French, wasn’t it? Who raised these ‘concerns.’ With all due respect, he’s lying, guv. We had a difference of opinion, that’s all. Did he tell you he turned up for work late this morning? That he was driving, still hungover, reeking of alcohol? No, I bet he didn’t.” The words tumbled from her, the injustice oiling her tongue and her temper. “He’s lazy, sir. And indiscreet. He jumps to conclusions. Doesn’t pull his weight.”

DCI Sampson patted her arm.