‘Fuck’s sake.’ While everyone else was staring in stunned wonder at the long list of deaths Ben Cameron had admitted to, Taffy couldn’t contain himself. ‘Bastard!’
Gus moved on. This was a list of 22 victims between 2008 and the present with dates of death and method of death – not including his Bradford victims. His victims prior to his spree in Bradford were evenly spread by gender as Cameron seemed not to have a preference for either male or female victims nor which method of killing he preferred. This was probably what allowed him to remain undetected for so long. ‘These deaths again will be investigated and corroborated by Police Scotland. They took place all over Scotland and were never attributed to a single killer. Cameron called this his ‘experimental phase’, before settling on strangling as his favourite MO. Some of these victims were dumped and never found. He admitted to weighing some down and dumping them in various lochs – all of which will be trawled now. This last one, before we move on to Bradford victims, is his brother John. He dumped him in Lanark Loch supposedly – and used his ID on occasion as the fancy took.’
Gus looked round the room. ‘This list is probably not conclusive, and Professor Carlton will continue to work with Cameron to ensure we get a comprehensive list. So, all that’s left for the team to do is to get all the paperwork up to date and put this horrendous investigation to bed. Psychological counselling will be made available for anyone who needs it – and I suggest you all take advantage of that service. But, before you all go, I have an announcement to make.’
Exhaling, he looked round at each of the people he’d grown to love over the years they’d worked together. He’d already discussed this with both Alice and Nancy and outlined his reasons, but he hadn’t wanted to disappear without trace. That wasn’t his style. ‘I’m taking an extended leave and Alice will be acting DI until Nancy gets a more permanent replacement.’
Compo frowned and then jumped to his feet. ‘You’re leaving? For good?’
Feeling like he was disappointing a child, Gus shrugged. ‘I’m sorry Comps. I need … I need space. I need to get away from Bradford. I need to … be near my son.’
His voice trailed off and he looked hopelessly round the room. Then Compo wrapped his arms round him and mumbled, ‘You’ll be back, boss. I know you will.’
Acknowledgements
As always I am blessed by the support that my amazing family gives me. They are tirelessly patient, endlessly encouraging and continuously present for me, so my first shout out goes to them. However, many others have supported me in the writing of Unbound Ties in this difficult Covid 19 time.
I have been lucky to have benefitted from the tireless advice that Toria Forsyth-Moser brings to my first draft. She challenges me to better my writing and I think she knows my characters nearly as well as I do. Huge thanks to my editor, Emma Mitchell, from Creating Perfection. She has been professional and efficient, and I am so glad she gets my Bradford setting and characters. CherieFox.com did an amazing job with the cover and I love my new Gus figure in the background.
As ever any mistakes are my own and some artistic license has been used also.
I dedicated this book to everyone who has been struggling over the past few months and that comes from the heart. So many of us have been affected by this pandemic and it couldn’t go unmentioned.
Thanks, also to my ARC group, who are so supportive they often have me in tears –sometimes of joy, sometimes of laughter, but always of happiness. You are brilliant.
Last of all, but definitely not least, a heartfelt thanks to all you readers and bloggers who have got behind Gus and the gang and who have so generously left reviews, tweeted, shared and liked posts about Gus and Co. You are amazing… truly amazing!
If you liked Unbound Ties, I’d love it if you could leave a review. Reviews are an author’s lifeblood and I read every one (even the bad ones).
Here’s till next time
Best Wishes
Liz Mistry
If you want to connect with Liz, you can do so on:
Twitter: @LizMistryAuthor
Facebook: LizMistryBooks
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2xhdOgG
Website : https://www.lizmistry.com/
More Liz Mistry Books
D.I. Gus McGuire Book 1: Unquiet Souls
When those you love betray you, who can you trust?
When a young girl goes missing, Gus fears that her family’s secrets may have come back to hurt her.
What is the link between her abduction and a murdered drug addict?
Meanwhile a murdered sex worker is found leading to the shocking discovery of Eastern European children locked in her attic.
Who is the ringleader who calls himself 'The Matchmaker'?
What at first appears to be a simple murder soon turns into an international manhunt for the members of a twisted child trafficking ring.
Can McGuire identify The Matchmaker before it’s too late?
DI Gus McGuire, newly returned to work, suffers with his own emotional problems yet he must pick his way through the web of deceit and uncover the truth in time before anyone else suffers.
Available on Kindle Unlimited or buy here: mybook.to/UnquietSoulsLizMistry
D.I. Gus McGuire Book 2: Uncoiled Lies
Secrets from the grave can come back to haunt you …
DI Gus McGuire and the team are back and have their work cut out.
Murdered prostitutes and a turf war between local gangsters takes the investigation into
