She had thought the sequence of events had originated with Ellen tumbling into the online grooming club run by Zustaller. Then, maybe it was Mark bumping into Hettie in the bar, or his sister in the cafe. He had a remarkable knack for finding women accidentally. All preposterous encounters, but none of them more so than Bill and Henderson betting on the same dogs long before either Mark or Bill had heard of the Deliverer.
Julianna released her fingers and pushed her chair back from the table. ‘Your chance encounter in the bookies set off a string of events, Bill. But, if Mark hadn't gone to Haydocks, I wouldn’t have met him. So, I'd like to think he's okay about it now that everything is out in the open.’
He caught sight of the ring. ‘You're engaged!’ he exclaimed. ‘Let me see.’
She held out the hand and he nearly touched her finger with his; one of them was crooked, another was tattooed. ‘Marrying you, is he?’
‘Yes.’ She couldn’t believe it some days. ‘I didn't think I could ever marry again.’
‘It's good, marriage. If you get it right. Me and Deidre had it for a time, that thing, love, whatever people like to call it. Hang on to it. Don't let anything else get in its way.’
Bill's little advice was wise, if sad, coming from him.
‘How did you meet my son?’ he asked, rising to his feet.
‘Not by chance. Somebody set us up.’
‘Ooh.’ He grinned. ‘You should invite that person to the wedding.’
‘I am. He's hosting the reception at his house.’
‘Excellent.’ Bill's smiley face crumpled. ‘I'll not be there.’
‘We'll send you some pictures. Okay?’
He beamed. A powerful smile. She recognised its nature. Warming. Welcoming. Bill, the likeable rogue, had a recruit to his side. ‘Don't go yet, will you?’ she said softly.
‘I've got a few months left before they'll let me out.’
She nodded, leant across the table and pecked his cheek. ‘Good luck, Bill.’
‘You too.’
She swung her arms as she walked along the corridors of the prison. On the way out, she collected her brick of a handbag at the security desk and hooked it over her shoulder. She planned on replacing it. It was too heavy.
Acknowledgements
With gratitude to those who helped in the conception of this series. The writing of any book greatly depends on many contributors, their patience and advice. This book began life many years ago and wouldn’t have been possible without my editor, cover designer, beta readers and the support of publishing professionals with their knowledge and experience.
A special thank you to my parents for encouraging my writing endeavours over the last ten years as I carved a new path as a published author.
To my readers; thank you for your loyalty. Please consider posting a review if you are able.
~ * ~
Rae Shaw is a pen name for the author Rachel Walkley.
rachelwalkley.com
Rachel is based in the North West of England. She read her first grown-up detective novel at the age of eleven, which proved to be a catalyst for filling many shelves with crime books including police procedurals and historical mysteries. They grow in number whenever she visits a bookshop.
As well as crime, Rachel likes to unplug from the real world and writes mysteries that have a touch of magic woven into family secrets.
Julianna Baptiste Series
Book Two
Second Chances
Rae Shaw
Her mother’s mistake was leaving. Her mistake is staying.
Working for a charity, Julianna Baptiste locates missing women. With little to show for her efforts, she contemplates quitting. Then her boss, Jackson Haynes, asks her to find out why Hannah, his new secretary, is hiding bruises.
Still traumatised by her own abduction, Julianna desperately wants to prove her worth as an independent detective. Can she uncover what’s going on behind the front door of Hannah Harper's suburban London house?
What Julianna discovers is more than she ever anticipated. And when a women's refuge goes up in flames, Julianna is faced with a dilemma; does she break the charity's rules and carry on investigating, or give up and let fate run its course?
STAY OR LEAVE?
Coming in Summer 2021
Find out more about Julianna Baptiste at raeshawauthor.com
