The Taken Girls: An absolutely gripping crime thriller full of mystery and suspense

‘The phone.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s an old model, about to be superseded.’

‘It does the job.’

Her mind flashed back to previous times she’d held the mobile with Don’s voice in her ear. She looked at the bed but remained resolute.

‘It did the job.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I want a new model too.’

‘You’ll transfer the number?’

‘No.’

‘What do you mean, No?’

‘New job, new phone, new number.’

Ed wasn’t sure where the new model would come from but she was determined that her relationship with Don was at an end.

‘Eddie!’ Irritation had turned to exasperation.

Ed had no second thoughts.

‘Goodbye, Don.’

There was a pause. The tone of his voice changed. ‘I’m sorry.’

Ed knew this was not contrition for the way he had behaved but perhaps it was genuine sorrow that he was losing her. Maybe his new model was falling short of the old. She smiled at the unvoiced compliment but he was too late. Her mind was made up.

‘I’m sorry too.’ Ed was sorry for many things. It had been a mistake to start the affair in the first place but she needed a man in her life and in that sense it had been good while it lasted. Would smart hotels always remind her of that? Something cool … She closed her eyes to block her view of the room.

‘Can’t we …?’

‘No.’

‘Eddie …?’

‘You’ve got to go.’

‘You’ve got to go? What’s the rush?’

‘No, Don, you’ve got to go. It’s over.’

‘No chance …?’

With her decision made and the message delivered, Ed was rapidly losing interest in the conversation.

‘None.’

‘So that’s it?’

‘That’s it, Don.’

She was about to end the call but before she could speak he became decisive.

‘Okay, but don’t forget—’

‘Forget what?’

‘The phone’s mine.’

‘What do you want to do – recycle it?’

As if on cue Ed’s work mobile rang.

‘Work calls. Goodbye, Don.’

She thumbed off the personal phone, tossed it across the room and reached for her work mobile. It could only be someone from the Canterbury force. Stay cool, play it by the book.

‘DS Ogborne.’

‘Hi, Ed. It’s Brian … DI Saunders. I’m in the hotel bar and thought you might like to join me for a nightcap.’

Something cool … not again. She hadn’t come to Canterbury to jump straight into bed with another colleague. Ed hadn’t given much thought to DI Saunders but her first impression had been of a good cop and a family man. There was every sign that they would have been able to work well together. It was unfortunate that her arrival had resulted in him being pushed out to Maidstone. Surely he wasn’t hitting on her already? If so, she’d have to let him down gently. He wasn’t her type. Even if she’d been up for it there was no way she’d have been tempted.

‘Give me five minutes.’

15 (#ulink_57fa6b07-5cc0-589e-89b6-a1b0480001c0)

Four and a half minutes later Ed walked into the hotel bar. DI Saunders was at a corner table, his glass already empty. Seeing her approach he started to his feet.

‘What’ll you have?’ he asked.

The barman was already coming to the table.

‘You’re empty. I’ll get them. What’s yours?’

‘Single malt, Bowmore. Thanks.’ Saunders sank back into his chair.

Ed turned to the barman. ‘Good evening, Gino. A double Bowmore, and a vodka tonic for me, please. Charge it to my room.’

‘Certainly, Ms Ogborne.’