A Question of Identity (39 page)

Authors: Susan Hill

BOOK: A Question of Identity

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‘So what you’re saying is, having Harry Fletcher behind bars is all down to you? We didn’t play any part in getting this result at all?’

‘Oh, come on, Superintendent, we’d never say that, now, would we? Just that you acted on information received. From us. But if there are any medals going, you get them. I’d say that was more than fair. Cheers, then. Nice working with you, Superintendent.’

Simon was incandescent, about to put in a call to the Chief, to make an official complaint, to write an official letter to . . .

But he didn’t. He wouldn’t.

He went downstairs to take the press conference.

The day petered out, as days after a successful op always did. Everyone had the usual sense of anticlimax and back to routine after the jubilation, no one felt like going to the pub at the end of the shift.

Simon drove home. He would shower, change, drink a Laphroaig, make an omelette and a salad. Go on with reading
The Heart of Midlothian
, lying on the sofa.

It was cathedral bell-ringing practice. He would open the big window to let the changes in. Another whisky. Early bed.

There were a couple of dull-looking letters and a magazine in his letter box. And a white envelope with ‘By Hand’ written, top left, and ‘Simon’.

Dearest Simon

This has been a difficult week, I’m in pieces, not certain how to process what’s happened. I knew Kenneth hadn’t much longer to live but his actual death has been a devastating shock.

I know – I hope – you will understand that I’m not sure where I am or what I feel otherwise. So I cannot and must not see you, or talk to you – anything. Please don’t try and get in touch. I don’t know how long it will take, when I will feel I can see you. Or even if I ever will. I don’t know who I am just now.

Please, understand all this and forgive, dear Simon.

Rachel

He stood with the letter in his hand, in the light of one lamp, as the bells began to ring.

Acknowledgements

I am greatly indebted to Brian Hook for his detailed information and guidance on a number of specialist police subjects and also for his inventiveness and ingenuity in advising me on several scenarios.

Barrister Anthony Lenaghan has again been most helpful in giving me the benefit of his professional expertise in legal matters and trial procedure and I am also grateful to him for allowing me to take over his Yorkshire terrier, Wookie, for a role in this book.

Barbara Machin has helped me to unravel several plot-knots and come up with some clever suggestions about criminal psychology and behaviour and Dr Jill Barling has helped by talking through medical details and practice with me on many occasions.

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Epub ISBN: 9781448138715

Version 1.0

www.randomhouse.co.uk

Published by Chatto & Windus 2012

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Susan Hill has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs

and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work

First published in Great Britain in 2012 by

Chatto & Windus

Random House, 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road,

London SW1V 2SA

www.vintage-books.co.uk