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Chapters (70)
  1. Cover
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  3. Map of Rutland
  4. Map of Oakham
  5. 1
  6. 2
  7. 3
  8. 4
  9. 5
  10. 6
  11. 7
  12. 8
  13. 9
  14. 10
  15. 11
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  35. 31
  36. 32
  37. 33
  38. 34
  39. 35
  40. 36
  41. 37
  42. 38
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  44. 40
  45. 41
  46. 42
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  50. 46
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  60. 56
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  64. 60
  65. 61
  66. 62
  67. 63
  68. On Borrowed Time
  69. Acknowledgments
  70. Adam Croft

‘It’s too risky. For the sake of a few extra minutes, we can’t take risks like that.’

‘This is his deadline, Dex. His countdown. This was his plan all along.’

‘Please. Stop. Listen, it’s not just the driver licensing database Smallwood was on. He’s got a gun licence, too. He owns hunting rifles. Firearms are coming over from Leicester. Just wait. It’s too dangerous.’

She tensed at his words, knowing and understanding the risks, but at the same time unable to let go. Howard Smallwood’s actions had consumed her for two weeks. He’d made her sicker than she’d ever been. He’d ruined her marriage, almost ended her career.

Caroline looked ahead and saw the footbridge on the other side of the main road, rising up over the train line and back down onto the Cold Overton Road on the other side of the tracks.

‘Dex, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you there.’

56

Howard Smallwood lived in a quiet street off the Braunston Road — not that any streets in Oakham were particularly lively at this time on a Sunday night.

Caroline put her hand in her pocket and pulled out his business card again, looking at the number to make sure she’d got it right. She had. Number six. Third house up on the right.

As she approached, she wondered if she should wait for her colleagues, but she knew time was of the essence. There was no sign of any police cars — nor of Dexter. She looked at her watch. There was no way he’d be here for a little while yet.

The fact the light was on meant Smallwood was likely still at home. She could wait here — should wait here — and keep an eye on the house until backup arrived. But at the same time she felt the unavoidable urge to go inside.

She wasn’t even on the case anymore. She didn’t have to wait for backup. She didn’t have to follow the procedure.

But it wasn’t just about procedure. It was about the truth. It was about justice. Smallwood had brought her to her knees. The case had consumed her for two weeks — two weeks when her health, her marriage and her job were at their most fragile, and he’d almost finished her. There was no way in hell she was going to let some plod from Leicester with a helmet wade in and take the glory. She had to face Smallwood herself, look him in the eye and meet her adversary. After he’d come so close to defeating her, that was a moment she would relish.

Caroline walked up the short driveway of number six, stopping on the doorstep for a moment to catch her breath, then she tried the door handle. It was unlocked.