The Dead Husband by Gillian Jackson

Author:Gillian Jackson [Jackson, Gillian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books - crime, thrillers & mysteries
Published: 2024-01-24T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-FOUR

TUESDAY 6TH DECEMBER

‘What the hell’s going on?’ An angry-looking Amy stood on her sister’s doorstep. She’d been dozing when Callum rang – when he insisted she went straight to Beth’s yet would give no details as to why and refused to answer her questions. On the journey Amy’s anger turned to concern and now she was confronting her husband on her sister’s doorstep without a clue as to why she was there.

‘Is Beth okay and why wouldn’t you tell me what this is about on the phone?’ She pushed her way into the house. ‘Where is she?’

‘Calm down, Amy. I’ve put her to bed, she’s had a shock. Come into the kitchen and I’ll explain.’ Grasping her arm, Callum dragged her through to the kitchen, steering her to a chair.

‘What’s that awful smell?’ Amy was feeling uncomfortable, she needed to know what was happening. ‘Are you going to tell me or shall I go up and ask Beth?’

‘It’s not easy, Amy and you’d better prepare yourself for a shock.’

Amy pressed her lips together and frowned. How many more shocks can I take? Her eyes fixed on Callum, willing him to hurry with an explanation.

‘Beth told Dave she was leaving him this morning and, as you might guess, he was angry. He attacked Beth and in self-defence she hit him with a lamp which had fallen on the floor. Beth didn’t know what to do – shock must have set in and she didn’t help him at all. By the time I called her after work and managed to get here, it was too late – Dave was only just alive but died soon after I arrived.’ Callum paused and looked at Amy for her reaction.

‘No! It can’t be true! Why the hell didn’t she call the police? If it was self-defence she’d have been in the clear. Are you saying she waited all day before she did anything?’

‘Yes. Since breakfast-time, at least. Perhaps she passed out herself, I don’t know, but it’s happened, and we have Dave’s body in the lounge.’ Cal ran his fingers through his hair. Amy noticed fine lines around his eyes and mouth, lines she’d not seen before. Stress.

‘Are you sure he’s dead?’

‘Of course I’m bloody sure – you can smell it, can’t you? That awful metallic smell of blood?’

‘Let me see.’ Amy stood and dashed into the lounge.

‘Don’t. It’s an awful sight!’ Callum reached for her but she pulled away. A few steps and Amy was confronted with a vision which would give her nightmares for weeks to come. Gasping, she covered her mouth and nose with her hand.

‘You have to call the police!’ Amy almost ran back into the kitchen.

‘No!’ Beth appeared at the bottom of the stairs – dishevelled with a tear-stained face. ‘Please, Amy, no! I killed him and I’ll go to prison.’

‘It was self-defence – he attacked you!’

‘But I let him die. I sat and watched when I should have helped him…’ Beth stepped into her sister’s arms and cried like a baby, with Amy holding her and making shushing sounds as if to a child.

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