Lost Souls by Jenny O'Brien (android e book reader txt) 📕

‘Five,’ she repeated, not quite believing that she’d heard him correctly.

‘That’s right. Five heads. And the one funny thing about all this is the pen,’ he continued as if she hadn’t interrupted.

‘The pen?’ she whispered, her mind still thinking about all those heads.

‘Yes. The pen that led me to think that it might be her in the first place. It was a gift for Prince’s father when he retired from St Gildas. It even had his initials engraved on the rim of the cap. Miss Jane’s great-nephew has confirmed that her pen, from her days as Latin teacher, was among the few items forwarded on to him when the apartment was cleared. A lucky break.’

‘Very lucky.’

‘Oh, by the way, I have a gift for you.’ Owen put his hand in his pocket, withdrawing a small blue bottle with a matching bow tied around its neck, the word d’Orage etched across in gold lettering. He nudged it across the desk. ‘Don’t get any ideas. I bought it for Kate but it’s a scent I find I cannot like.’

‘Ah, our little hero. Take a seat, Darin. This won’t take long.’

Gaby settled in the chair opposite DCI Sherlock, her hands neatly folded on her lap, her attention wandering between Sherlock’s bent head and CS Murdock Winters’ composed smile. It was like trying to read a lump of cheese for all the clues they were giving her as to the reason for her summons. She’d missed the interview and had very nearly missed a whole lot more but at least the newspapers had been kind.

‘Right then. The super and I don’t know what to do with you, Darin. What have you got to say about that, hmm?’

Gaby decided the best option was to maintain a dignified silence. After all, it had worked the last time.

He carried on after a moment. ‘As you are aware, we would have chosen a new DI on Tuesday if it hadn’t been for that little stunt you pulled.’

So they hadn’t appointed Bill Davis in her absence. At least that was something.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Basically you have a proven track record and the way your team have been moping about since Tuesday, you’d think that someone in the office had died. So, if you want the appointment to be formalised, we’ve both decided that there’s only one question we need you to answer.’

Gaby didn’t know what to say. She didn’t even know if she wanted the additional pressure and she certainly couldn’t begin to second-guess what question they felt they had to ask or indeed what her reply should be.

‘Sir?’

‘In hindsight, Detective, faced with the same situation that you were in on Tuesday, what would your actions be?’

She let the air seep up her chest and out through her mouth in a silent sigh. That was easy because she wasn’t about to start lying for the sake of a job she wasn’t sure she wanted.

‘My actions wouldn’t change, sir. I’d do exactly the same thing again.’

Epilogue

Ronan

Monday 10 August, 5 p.m. Llandudno

Having a mother who was a lawyer had its advantages – who better to entrust your child to? With no friends or relatives on the scene, Ellie had been heading for emergency fostering by the social services until Ronan’s mum had stepped forward with a calm smile and the generous offer of accommodation until Anita was back on her feet.

Ronan set the table for supper, the smell of lasagne bubbling gently in the oven making his stomach rumble in anticipation. Having a mum who was also an excellent cook was something he’d used to think about long into the night when the sound of pattering hooves outside his cave disturbed his sleep and heightened his anxiety. Common sense told him it was only the Llandudno goats going for a stroll but in the damp, dark, isolated cave common sense didn’t have a look-in.

He smiled at the shouts coming from the playroom, his facial muscles getting used to shifting in an almost forgotten direction. Caleb was giving Ellie and Heather a run for their money on whichever computer game they were playing. Ronan’s smile broadened at his brother even thinking he had a chance of winning against them. He’d soon learn.

Picking up his rucksack, he headed into the lounge. There was still two weeks until he joined upper sixth at St Michaels. He had a plan finally, which started with sitting his A levels. He didn’t know where his plan would take him but that was one of the things he’d learnt over the last few months. He could and would adapt to whatever life chose to fling at him next. Living on the Great Orme, he’d felt his life was over. Now he knew that it was only just beginning.

Gripped by Lost Souls? Don’t miss Silent Cry, another unputdownable novel from Jenny O’Brien. Available now!

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Prologue

Izzy

Five years ago

‘Be careful. It’s the first time you’ve been out with her by yourself.’

‘Give over nagging, Izzy. We’ll be fine, won’t we, gorgeous?’ Charlie said, bending on his haunches and gently running his finger down his daughter’s plump cheek, her dark blue eyes staring back at him. ‘We’re going to let your mammy have some rest while we go to the shops. It’s time we got better acquainted. I can tell you all about football and which team to support.’

‘You will not. Don’t listen, Alys. There’s only one football team worth supporting and it’s not his,’ Izzy teased, feeling redundant now that Charlie had stolen her attention.

This would be the first time she’d be apart from her since the birth and already she could feel the bonds of motherhood straining at the thought of Alys being out of her sight, even if it was only for half an hour. It had only taken a week for her world to shrink to the boundary walls of the house. But she’d