A Killer Strikes by Georgia Rose

Author:Georgia Rose [Rose, Georgia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Psychological Thrillers, domestic suspense, murder mystery, crime scene, Mystery Suspense, Women's Fiction, Mystery thriller, Mystery, mystery series, Mysteries, mystery book, Mystery Stories, fiction for women, thriller suspense, suspense novels
Published: 2022-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

12: Oddballs.

The next morning, I drive to pick Sally up, and have to crawl past the remaining reporters in the cul-de-sac. There are fewer than before, but I feel sure the rest will only have decamped as far as the court. A couple of Sally’s friends are waiting with her, which I’m pleased about, and we agree to travel in my vehicle. The journey is silent, no one in the mood for small talk. Sally sits in the passenger seat staring out of the window, her fingers restless in her lap.

Charlie stands in the dock like a kid dressed up in his dad’s clothes. His collar too big, his tie sombre. Pale, he stares straight ahead. I can see his hands shake. It breaks my heart so I can’t imagine what it does to his mother. The hearing is short and, as pre-warned by Charlie’s solicitor Steve, Charlie is remanded in custody without bail due to the severity of the crime. The decision made, I wrap my arm around Sally’s shoulders and she collapses into me, whimpering in distress when he is led away, the only point at which he looks over at her.

Afterwards, we meet with Steve. I leave it for him to speak to Sally while I move to a discreet distance. I know he’ll be doing all that is necessary to get Charlie out and Sally tells us on the way home he’s already organising for Charlie to be protected in prison as a vulnerable adult on remand and arranging for her to visit him while Steve works on Charlie’s defence.

The village is alive with the news when we arrive back, the gossip grapevines pulsating thick and fast, poisoning minds and tarnishing reputations. There are those in the village who feel vindicated in their previously voiced suspicions, and I can’t bear to go into the shop to see Sharon’s gloating face. I’m sure she’ll be making the most of the fact her Eric is in the clear. I’ll sleep safer in my bed knowing he’s no longer prowling the streets; that’s what she’d said about Charlie and I wonder how many others in the village have the same beliefs and genuinely feel safer today.

Once I drop Sally and her friends off, I travel back into town to visit a supermarket instead of opting for convenience. I do Sally’s shopping at the same time. Her boss has given her compassionate leave for a couple of weeks and I hope, for her sake, the truth will be uncovered by then. In the meantime, the friends and I have swopped numbers so we can keep in touch and make sure we are checking in with her regularly.

The Jacksons’ wider family arrives the next day. I know both sides well, so John’s brother had called me a few days ago to say they wanted to come down. Would I meet them at the property? I could hardly say no, but hope they have no intention of entering the house, as I certainly can’t do that.

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