‘How’s Grant taking it?’ Diane said.
‘He’s satisfied he can finally nail Treadgold for corruption though the part about McGowan, well, I think it’s been a horrible kick in the gut.’ Ruby helped herself to some of Diane’s grapes. ‘Grant doesn’t want to talk about it.’
‘Uh-oh that’s not a good sign. I guess I should wait to tell Grant my news then,’ Diane said.
Tom had a horrible sinking feeling. Being betrayed by McGowan was the worst. They’d been colleagues, friends even, and Tom had always felt McGowan had his back. Now what? Don’t tell him Diane had decided to quit?
Diane patted his hand. ‘Don’t look so glum. I’ve got a long recuperation ahead of me and I’m not going to leave the police force although… I think it’s time for a change of direction. When I was following up on Zofia Kaminski it reminded me how I’ve always wanted to work with the Sexual Assault Unit. I put it on the back burner except now I feel the time’s right. I’m going to ask for a transfer to SAU.’
Tom tried to take it on the chin. ‘The SAU. Right. They’re pretty neat, so I’ve heard. I’m going to miss you. Wow, it’ll be cosy, just Grant and me.’
‘I’ll still be around. No need to act like I’m going to another planet. Oh, and I heard on the grapevine there are big changes coming up for everyone,’ Diane said. ‘No, no I can’t say more or I’ll be in trouble. Oh gosh.’ She frowned. ‘Sorry, I’m getting a splitting headache.’
Diane refused to be pumped for more information and Ruby ushered Tom out the door. ‘Diane needs to rest. Hey, don’t be upset about her news. Emily and Lisa are safe. Revel in the successes for a while.’
‘And what about the future? We’ve lost McGowan, and Diane wants to leave and it sounds like there’s a shake-up on the horizon. Grant asked you to dinner tomorrow, right?’
‘Yes. You too then?’
‘I thought it was to celebrate the Glover case only what if it isn’t? What if he’s got something more serious to tell us?’
‘Don’t worry about it, if he’s got news I don’t think it will be bad. Sarah Hunter told me she’s invited as well.’
Ruby looked into Tom’s dark eyes and he caught the change in her expression. They’d been friends for a while now. Don’t say Ruby was ready for a new direction too? He didn’t think he could stand losing her.
‘What?’ he asked.
Ruby put her hand to Tom’s cheek. ‘This,’ she said softly. And she brought her lips to Tom’s and gave him a long sensual kiss.
Epilogue
Sometimes Grant felt sorry for his wife, Lily. She wanted him to take early retirement and the two of them go on some goddam cruise. He couldn’t think of anything worse though his daughter had laughingly told him if he ever did go on that sort of vacation, there was likely to be one mammoth Agatha Christie case for him to solve, stuck in the middle of some ocean.
Heading up the Major Incident Team would be a big step up and bring him the most difficult cases in the business. He loved a challenge but was that what he really wanted at his age? Did he have a few more years left to give? Or was it time for retirement and a quieter life. Maybe settle down as a private investigator?
Opening up the letter he’d just written on the matter, Grant checked it again. It was definitely time for a change. He signed the letter with a flourish, and with a small smile, sealed the envelope closed.
THE END
Acknowledgements
A huge thank you to my wonderful beta readers - Greta, Kat, Kate, Kiltie and Shalini.
Also thanks to the publishing team at Bloodhound Books who always do a great job - I appreciate all the professional input and advice.
Special thanks to Mark Romain for checking through the police procedural elements. Mark was a Metropolitan Police officer for thirty years. He spent two stints on homicide, the last one spanning ten years, and worked on a number of high-profile cases.
Avid crime readers can be assured any mistakes in the storyline are entirely my own or included for dramatic effect!
A note from Ann Girdharry
Thank you so much for choosing Deadly Lies!
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Kind regards
Ann Girdharry
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