Time to Die

Dr Carter clasped his fingers together and leaned over his desk. ‘Mr Bishop was fit and well when he left us. People with mental health issues are often subject to discrimination. I’d hate for him to be treated in a way that would result in him spending the remainder of his days in an institution. The most important thing for him is to keep his life normal.’

‘The problem is that he’s been giving readings, and certain recipients have died. I believe he’s responsible for their murders.’

‘Well, DC Knight, I wouldn’t tell you how to do your job no more than I would accept you telling me how to do mine. I’m afraid I’m going to leave the investigation in your hands. If you do arrest Bert I would be very grateful if you could make me aware.’ Dr Carter slid a packet from his breast pocket and pulled out a thick cigar.

Je

‘You know as much as I do when it comes to Mr Bowes. But I will ask you one thing. If Bert has relapsed, he may be confused and disorientated. He might have no recollection of his treatment, or indeed may be living in a completely different time. Mr Bowes may be his link to the past. If he turns up and Mr Bowes antagonises him …’ Dr Carter shook his head. ‘Let’s just say it’s important Bert’s returned to our care so we can offer him the help he needs.’

Je

Dr Carter stood and extended his hand. ‘And I appreciate the opportunity to pay back an overdue debt. If it weren’t for your mother, my daughter wouldn’t be alive today.’

Je

‘Ah.’ The doctor wagged his finger in the air. ‘I didn’t say that. I have no doubt he is capable of violence while in a delusional state. When in this state, with the validation of others, he could prove to be very dangerous indeed.’

Chapter Thirty-Seven

It should have felt strange, sharing her bed with a man after being on her own for so long. Je

‘Where do you think you’re going?’ Will murmured, his muscles rippling as he stretched.

‘Shower, then I’m going to make you breakfast. Is that to your satisfaction, Mr Dunston?’

‘Come back to bed first. I’ve got something for you,’ Will said sleepily.

‘Not until I’ve brushed my teeth,’ Je

‘My mum’s been asking about you,’ he murmured, brushing aside her hair as he kissed her collarbone.

Je

Will paused long enough for her to slide free from his grasp. ‘No, I don’t suppose it is. Wouldn’t you like to meet her?’

Je

Je

Her thoughts returned to Alan Price, Felicity Baron, and Emily Clarke. Alan’s death seemed to involve minimal effort, and Felicity’s death involved tinkering with her car. However, no effort was made to pass Emily Clarke’s death off as an unfortunate accident. It was violent and brutal, and that’s what worried her most. The Raven was gaining in confidence, each kill more daring than the one before. He was building up to something, his escape from the law strengthening his resolve. Her thoughts drifted to a serial rapist she had investigated in her old station. He started off small, speaking to random women to ask them the time, then moving on to handbag snatches down lonely paths. Once he had gotten away with that, he escalated to snatching the bag and giving the victim a push as he did so. The pushes became more violent and turned into punches. Yet he remained elusive to the police, varying his routes, changing his appearance, but all the while growing in confidence until he carried out first one rape, then two. It would have ended in murder had she not brought him to justice. To Je

She turned off the tap and squeezed the excess water from her hair. Blotting her face against a towel, she tried to envisage what was coming next. Was it possible to escalate from murder? If he was willing to kill in a house with a child, just what was he capable of? But there was still a chink of humanity present, as he had locked the bedroom door to stop the boy witnessing the horror. Phone records had shown Emily’s telephone was cut off the day before for non-payment. What if the killer hadn’t known that? What if he’d dialled for help before he left? Perhaps he seen the state of the place and thought the boy was better off without her. There was no doubt in her mind that Emily had been involved in The Reborners group. Was the Raven picking them off because they didn’t deserve a second chance? Did he think the same about her?

Je