It finally came at half past nine.“Are you alone?”“Apart from the blonde cheerleaders.”Elza’s mouth twisted in a sneer.“Very witty; I hope you’re still laughing in an hour’s time. Now, follow my instructions. Put the numbers I gave you into your computer and another message will come up containin...
It was the most comfortable in Docklands, which wasn’t saying much, but Nicky had provided a tray of tea and chocolate biscuits to soften the situation. Not the usual fare for a police sketch session but they were all going to get old someday, or die, and somehow Liam doubted that anything could ...
Northern Irish funerals are rarely cheerful affairs, even when the deceased has suffered illness and death is a longed for end. There are few, if any, happy hymns sung, and bands playing and handclapping are definitely not de rigeur. Rather, such occasions smack of restraint and lengthy silence...
12.30 p.m. “To what do I owe this honour?” As he spoke, John Winter set down the book that he was reading and moved to switch on the percolator, a sequence he’d performed a thousand times before when Craig had arrived at his lab. He was surprised ...
10 a.m. “Any joy at the Belfast house, boss?” Craig stared through his office window at the grey river below. The waves were pointing their edges like fingers, reaching out to touch the hovering gulls. Each wave wore a white glove of surf and they danced as politely as if they were performing...
To what do I owe this honour, you spineless bastard?”“I don’t care what you call me, Joanne. You’re in deep trouble, and there’s no way out but for you to confess.” “Really?” Declan couldn’t believe it; she was being smug, even now. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”“You have no what?” T...
Eleanor Rudd had come from an abusive family where no-one had had the strength to leave but her. The word courage sprang to Craig’s mind but he dismissed it; it wasn’t a lack of courage that had kept Margie Rudd with her abusive husband but something else.In the beginning it was probably love; st...
“Look, it’s twelve-thirty, do you fancy an early lunch? I’ve just spent an hour with the ACC and I need a break.”Liam grinned to himself imagining their exchange. She was a fierce one, right enough, but his money was still on Craig. He said as much.“Craig five, ACC Trainor, nil points.” Craig smi...
She looked nothing like the bouncy little thing Craig had met the day before. Her eyes were swollen from obvious crying and he could smell alcohol on her breath. A lot of alcohol. The scent rose from her like perfume, despite her minty attempts to hide it. She was dressed in a scruffy t-shirt and...
“Candle wax! Why the hell would I do that? It would make it stick out.”John laughed loudly. “Not candle wax, you Muppet. Hair wax. You know, like that stuff Marc puts on his hair to make it stick up.”“Does he? I thought it stuck up like that all by itself.”John thought for a moment and then shrug...
1 p.m. John was in his outer office arranging his newly reinstated cabinets when Craig arrived, and from the prints and paintings leaning against the wall Craig knew what his next task was going to be. He stood in the doorway and considered his best friend for a moment. John looked happy, happier...