Deadly Formula by Ted Tayler

Author:Ted Tayler [Tayler, Ted]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-24T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

Alex drove back to the Old Police Station. Gus was quiet on the return trip.

“Luke Sherman and Lydia are back, guv,” said Alex as he reversed into his parking space.

“I wonder what Ms Hill told them. By the way, I want you to use those crutches for the rest of the day, young man,” said Gus. “While I remember it, that was an interesting reply to Tony Brown’s question about your status. What did ‘single at present’ mean?”

“Just that, guv,” said Alex, “I’m still seeing Lydia, and we’re taking it one day at a time.”

“I can’t argue with the logic, Alex. I found Tess was the only person in our relationship who knew what stage it had reached. I lingered in a state of confusion, deciding when to ask if we should get engaged; and then after the engagement when to broach the subject of setting a date for the wedding. Tess said if she’d left it to me, we would never have got married. I thought she had left it to me, but all the time it appeared that she was orchestrating matters.”

“I’ll bear that in mind, guv. I told you I’d tell you when things altered enough for us to let London Road get involved. We’re still in the clear, I hope. Of course, based on what you’ve just said, Lydia might have a different view.”

“I wonder how she gets on with Luke?” said Gus, “you might have competition.”

Alex pondered that as the lift rose silently to the first floor.

“Welcome back,” cried Lydia. She was heading for the restroom with empty cups.

“How did your interview go with Alison Hill, Luke?” asked Gus.

“Interesting,” Luke replied, “I asked her about her relationship with Ian McGuire. He was almost ten years her senior. They began seeing one another when she was eighteen, back in ’96.”

“A seven-year relationship? I hadn’t realised that. Was it always volatile?”

“Lydia can profile her better than me, guv. McGuire had married Dierdre when they were both young, and just out of Cambridge University. They lived and worked in Southampton. Dierdre had enough after three years and took their daughter, Izzie, with her when she left him. Alison Hill suggested McGuire was unfaithful.”

“Alison wasn’t the reason the marriage ended?” asked Gus.

“Alison wasn’t on the scene then, she lived in Salisbury and was underage for some of that period, anyway.”

Gus raised an eyebrow.

Lydia returned to the main office and overheard Luke’s last comment.

“I reckon Ian McGuire was a randy goat, guv. He couldn’t stop himself. He liked young brunettes, not too tall, and with curves. Alison was his type when they first got together, that’s for sure. As to why Alison Hill put up with him for so long? She loved him.”

“I asked Luke whether the relationship was volatile right from the start. What impression did you get?”

“Alison is fragile, guv, the needy sort. McGuire could have carried on chasing younger women throughout their seven years together. He might have mellowed. Either way, Alison’s an insecure soul who would always suspect McGuire of seeing someone new.

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