“And you didn’t think to mention that until now?”
“I had no idea Martyn had left the estate.”
“Did you know he could ride the quad bike?”
“I’d seen him. The other lads told me how much he enjoyed not having to walk everywhere.”
“We’re ready to pass Martyn on to our colleagues, Mr Jackson. They will determine the charges they believe are appropriate.”
“Will a jury ever convict Martyn of murder, guv?” asked Alex as they left Bourne Hill police station to return to their cars.
“Ralph Tucker and Serena Campbell both told me people misjudged Martyn. If he’s slow-witted, how did he work out how to react after the violent outburst that ended with his mother’s murder? Martyn can’t claim he did that while the balance of his mind was disturbed, can he? He removed the photos and burned them, showered, and changed clothes, then cleaned the murder weapon. Martyn was clever enough to use the fleece to cover the missing shirt and stash the bloodied clothes. No, he’s got a lot to answer for.”
Monday, 27th August 2018
Gus had just sat at his desk when the phone rang.
“Freeman? It’s Kenneth Truelove here. DS Mercer notified me of the extraordinary matters you uncovered while solving the Reeves murder. You never cease to amaze me. I’ve set the wheels in motion to investigate the historical exploitation of underage girls by Street, Francis, and others. The enquiry will also look into the possible murder of Maureen Glendenning. I’m holding the first session of Operation Oakleaf at noon.”
“A catchy title, sir,” said Gus.
“Did you have a better idea?”
“I toyed with Figleaf considering the majority of those photos, sir, but you’re much better at this sort of thing than I am.”
“You can’t rest on your laurels, Freeman. Don’t be late for our meeting.”
You have just finished reading ‘Strange Beginnings,’
the thirteenth book in the series featuring ‘The Freeman Files’.
The fourteenth book in the series ‘Dead Reckoning’ will follow.
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About The Author
Ted Tayler is the international best-selling author of The Phoenix series:
“The core message in my Phoenix novels is that justice is failing today. The Phoenix believes criminals should pay for their crimes; the current system fails to deliver the correct punishment. His fellow Olympus agents help redress the balance.”
December 2019 saw the launch of his latest venture, The Freeman Files:
“With Gus Freeman and his cold case investigations, there will be bursts of frantic action, of course, but they will intersperse with romance, humour and country life. Life is all about balance. Good and evil, love and loss, laughter and tears.”
“I think of myself as a storyteller; with each successive book, I hope I get better at it. I’ve heard that the reader feels as if we’re across the table from one another, and I’m chatting with them. There are more stories left to tell.”
Ted Tayler lives in West Wiltshire, England, where many of his stories are based. Born in 1945, Ted’s been married to Lynne since 1971. They have three children and four grandchildren.
Acknowledgements
The love and support of my family; without them, this would have been impossible.
The Phoenix Club
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Thanks again for reading. Until the next time.
The Final Straw
An only child, unloved and unwanted by his parents, Colin Bailey, is a bitter, emotionally damaged young man. He’s hell-bent on exacting revenge on anyone who has stopped him becoming the person he believes was his destiny. What sets Colin apart is his intellect and meticulous planning. Detective Phil Hounsell pursues his man relentlessly while trying to avoid the small town in which he works sliding further and further into the grip of two rival gangs.
A devastating event in Colin’s life provides the final straw that herald’s a bloodbath. Can Phil prevent it from happening, or will he, too, be a victim? This tale of revenge spans two decades, yet the police are chasing shadows; it builds in pace and tension to a thrilling climax against the backdrop of a quiet West Country town.
Unfinished Business
The sequel to the award-winning ‘The Final Straw’ sees Colin Bailey return to the UK after a decade abroad. With a new name and a new face, he still has scores to settle. His meticulous planning takes him ingeniously across Scotland and the North of England, ticking names off his list with the police completely baffled.
DCI Phil Hounsell pitted his wits against Colin before, and so he is sent to Durham, where he teams up with super intelligent young DS Zara Wheeler; together, they track their man to Manchester and then eventually south to Bath. The final scenes take place on the Roman city streets; Phil Hounsell’s family is threatened. In a dramatic conclusion reminiscent of Holmes and Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls, the two men struggle above the historic Pulteney Weir's foaming waters.
A Sting In The Tale
A collection of twelve short stories, each with an unexpected twist at the end. Love stories, ghost stories, and tales of revenge sprinkled with a touch of humour.
There is something for everyone, young or old, from the elderly bookshop owner with an unusual talent
