Suddenly, Alison gripped hold of Maya’s hand tightly. She twisted Maya’s arm in such a way that she was pinned in a hold against the side of Alison’s body. Stunned by the sudden movement and unexpected display of strength, Maya was unable to relinquish the hold on her and she could only watch in horror as Alison raised the gun and shot Aiden Donnelly in the chest.
Within a split second, Alison shoved Maya away from her.
Maya fell to the floor, sickened by the red mist which filled her vision. She felt Donnelly’s blood moisten her skin. She turned towards Alison and her mouth opened in a perfect O.
‘I’m going to be with Louisa.’ Smiling almost apologetically at Maya, Alison shoved the gun into her own mouth. Maya screamed as she squeezed the trigger again. The second deafening bang was accompanied by another cloud of fine red mist which joined the dancing dust motes drifting through the air of the fetid container.
Alison’s body dropped to the floor like a stone. Maya screamed in horror as the container doors burst open.
86
Maya peered through the keyhole before opening the door. It was a futile effort as she couldn’t even see Kym and Chris because of the huge bouquets of flowers he was carrying. Smiling, she removed the safety chains and beckoned them both in.
‘Here,’ Chris sneezed as he handed her his bunch, ‘take them, me eyes are bloody streaming. Kettle on?’
Maya laughed. ‘Obviously, and there’s biscuits. Go on through, make yourself at home as usual.’ He stooped to kiss her on the way past and headed for the kitchen. Chris had been true to his word on the day he had offered his friendship to Maya after Gorman’s post-mortem. There’d hardly been a day since Alison Mitton’s death that he hadn’t been in touch with Maya. He had told her about the journal they had found at Alison’s house. In it, she had kept a detailed record of all the killings. Chris was a good friend and a frequent, welcome guest.
‘It’s good to see you,’ said Kym as she, too, kissed her on the cheek. Maya raised an eyebrow as she admired the flowers.
‘Have you been to Kew Gardens?’
Kym laughed before whispering conspiratorially, ‘Chris bought them but insists they’re off all of us. You know he doesn’t like to confess to being too much of a softy.’ Maya smiled at Kym and led her into the lounge where she sank into the sofa.
‘So, please put me out of my misery. What did top office say?’
Kym sat up seriously. ‘You’ve been given an official warning for not disclosing your relationship with Naylor…’
Maya slumped forwards, her head in her hands and gave a little scream.
‘But…’ Kym was smiling now, ‘they have recognised the mitigating circumstances and also thoroughly commended you for working out and pursuing a link into the chain of sudden deaths that subsequently would have gone undetected.’
Kym sighed. ‘Despite the fact you broke countless rules in the process, they’re happy you’ve completed your probation period and you’re officially stuck with us.’
‘Oh, thank God.’ The relief was palpable, and Maya sank back into the chair.
‘I for one am very, very glad you’re staying. And that you’re in one piece… I can’t imagine…’ Maya was shocked to see Kym’s eyes brim with tears as she choked back the words she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
The moment was broken as Chris bumbled into the room haphazardly carrying brews and biscuits on a tray. He slopped the offerings onto the coffee table before grabbing a biscuit and sinking down next to Maya.
‘So, how’s counselling going then? All that touchy-feely bollocks helping, is it?’
Kym opened her mouth to chastise Chris, but Maya belly laughed. It was so good to see him and be in the presence of his brusque normality. She would rather that than have people tiptoeing around her, scared to say or do the wrong thing.
‘Yeah, it’s helping a lot actually. The counsellor is great.’
‘Good stuff. So, when are you planning to come back to work? I mean the overtime’s handy, but I’m bloody knackered. I’m covering Andy’s shifts as well as yours.’
Maya leant forward eagerly. ‘Has there been any news on Andy?’
Kym tried unsuccessfully to suppress a grin. ‘Yes, actually. He’s been charged with perverting the course of justice amongst other offences. It’s looking highly likely he’ll be serving a custodial sentence. I believe he’s not contesting anything and is pleading guilty.’
Chris opened his mouth to begin his usual foul-mouthed tirade as to what he thought of Andy, but Maya was quick to silence him with a biscuit. It was nothing she’d not heard dozens of times before. She wanted to concentrate on her good news, not have it tainted by thoughts of Andy.
A couple of hours later, as she waved Kym and Chris off, Maya was pleasantly surprised to realise she felt the most relaxed and normal than she had in ages. Things would never be quite the same again. They couldn’t possibly be after what she had witnessed, but she had her job, her family and friends. And with the continued support from her counsellor, she had her sanity.
Maya reached for her phone so she could ring Dominique and let her know the outcome from top office. Mama would be as overjoyed as she was to know that her job was safe. To hear that she could keep the career that meant so much to her. As she glanced at the display, she noticed a missed call and a text from Spence. She smiled to herself. Just the sight of his name gave her a warm, tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach. Her instincts were telling her that everything was going to be okay. Life was good. And it was all ahead of her, ready for living.
THE
