Cambridge Blue - Alison Bruce [132]
‘What are we celebrating?’ he asked, then before she could reply he continued. ‘Tell me that in a minute. First, though, I am really sorry I gave you a hard time over the inheritance. I know it’s not your fault, and in normal circumstances it would be much appreciated.’
‘Gary, I understand, though I doubt most of the rest of the western world would . . . It shouldn’t be considered a crime to hate the thought of inheriting money. Just do your best.’
‘I will.’ He smiled. ‘You make it sound like a spelling test.’
‘It’s probably not quite that bad.’
‘So what are we celebrating?’
‘End of the case.’
They clinked glasses. ‘End of the case,’ he repeated.
‘And you weren’t fired. I was very proud. After working with him, did you sort out why you don’t like Kincaide?’
‘Oh, he’s just sexist, racist, big-headed, narrow-minded, spiteful and arrogant, but beyond that . . . a really good bloke.’
‘Mel?’
‘Who knows? We’ll see.’
‘And Bryn O’Brien?’
‘Gut feeling? I guess I think he’s OK. Why?’
‘He’s standing outside your house right now.’
They both watched the big man in the distance for a second. ‘Do you want to meet him?’ Goodhew asked.
His grandmother smiled. ‘Yes, actually, I’d love to.’
AUTHOR’S NOTE
One of the pleasures of completing a book is looking back at the list of people who have helped in some way, many of whom I have only met through the book itself. Among the people I will always associate with Cambridge Blue are DI Neil Constable, Kimberly Jackson, Laura Watson, Christine Bartram and Barry Crowther, Paul Johnston, Mark Billingham, Simon Kernick, Imogen Olsen and Peter Lavery, and Lisa Williams and Laura Clift at Cherry Bomb Rock Photography.
I would also like to make a special point of acknowledging Richard Reynolds and Roger Ellory, who have both been generous with their time and expertise. Thank you to Sarah and Graham Fraser at Graham Fraser Productions for their support and help in producing ‘Emma’s Theme’, the trailer for Cambridge Blue.
Thank you to Krystyna Green and all the staff at Constable & Robinson. I may be biased, but this book looks fantastic.
Finally, I’ve seen lots of authors thank their agents and I now have first-hand experience of what a special role an agent plays and how much they deserve appreciation. Thank you, Broo.
A.B.
THE SOUNDTRACK FOR
CAMBRIDGE BLUE
When I write a book, I find there are songs that ‘keep me company’ at various points. By the time I finish I have a playlist that belongs to that book alone. Maybe the concept of a book having a soundtrack seems a little odd, but that’s how it works for me.
Back to Black – Amy Winehouse
Better than Nothing – Restless
Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Dreaming – Blondie
Lovers’ Lane – Jacen Bruce
Miserlou – Dick Dale
School Days – Chuck Berry
Summer of ’69 – Bowling for Soup
Tonight, Tonight – The Mello-Kings
Torn – Natalie Imbruglia
Tornado – The Jiants
Wild Saxophone – The Stray Cats
For more information please visit www.alisonbruce.com
Table of Contents
Prologue
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Nine
Thirty
Thirty-One
Thirty-Two
Thirty-Three
Thirty-Four
Thirty-Five
Thirty-Six
Thirty-Seven
Thirty-Eight
Thirty-Nine
Forty
Forty-One
Forty-Two
Forty-Three
Forty-Four
Forty-Five
Forty-Six
Forty-Seven
Forty-Eight
Forty-Nine
Fifty
Fifty-One
Fifty-Two
Fifty-Three
Fifty-Four
Table of Contents
Prologue
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Nine
Thirty
Thirty-One
Thirty-Two
Thirty-Three
Thirty-Four
Thirty-Five
Thirty-Six
Thirty-Seven
Thirty-Eight
Thirty-Nine
Forty
Forty-One
Forty-Two