They stood as close to the cliff edge as they dared and opened the box together.
They looked out across the valley below and a carpet of cloud covered their view. The sun shone above them and glinted off the glass of the cable car descending beneath them. It disappeared and then the clouds parted, revealing blue sky to the north. They turned to one another and held the box between them, tipping it slightly, then more and more, until the contents caught the wind and floated away.
They held the box tightly and moved closer together. Helen turned to him and closed the box gently. She put her hand up to his face and wiped away his tears.
Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank two people in particular whose input was invaluable for me in inspiring this book. Firstly, Andrew Fleming for his incredible knowledge and vast experience. Secondly, to Vickie Long for her expertise and for sharing her fascinating background with me, despite being crazy busy.
I’d also like to thank Samantha Clynchard for her unfailing encouragement and support, especially over a small beer. I want to pay special honour to the military community, of which I was proudly part for sixteen years. It remains a unique inspiration for me and I value your continued friendship and approval.
Thanks to the whole Canelo team, especially my editors Louise and Siân, who push me to do my best. Also my agent Peter Buckman for his faith and tenacity. To my husband Mike for his tireless commitment to what I do, and my amazing children, Tilly and Freddie for making me so proud.
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About the Author
Rachel Lynch grew up in Cumbria and the lakes and fells are never far away from her. London pulled her away to teach History and marry an Army Officer, whom she followed around the globe for thirteen years. A change of career after children led to personal training and sports therapy, but writing was always the overwhelming force driving the future. The human capacity for compassion as well as its descent into the brutal and murky world of crime are fundamental to her work.
Also by Rachel Lynch
The Rift
Detective Kelly Porter
Dark Game
Deep Fear
Dead End
Bitter Edge
Bold Lies
Blood Rites
Little Doubt
Lost Cause
First published in the United Kingdom in 2021 by Canelo
Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
31 Helen Road
Oxford OX2 0DF
United Kingdom
Copyright © Rachel Lynch, 2021
The moral right of Rachel Lynch to be identified as the creator of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Ebook ISBN 9781800321052
Print ISBN 9781800324053
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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