Want You Dead (49 page)
Authors: Peter James
Tags: #Fiction, #Mystery & Detective, #Police Procedural, #Thrillers, #Crime, #General, #Suspense
‘Officer!’ Laurent screamed in terror. ‘Officer, officer, officer!’
The Irishman suddenly stuck a cigarette in his mouth, and flicked the wheel of a plastic lighter, then lit the cigarette from the flame.
Laurent jumped back into the darkness of his cell at the sight of it. The Irishman dragged on his cigarette again.
‘Put that out! For God’s sake, put it out!’
‘Relax! Tut, tut, I’m surprised at an experienced pyromaniac like you, Bryce, all surrounded by petrol, being scared of a cigarette. Don’t you know your basics, Bryce? Everyone who’s ever tried knows that a cigarette doesn’t burn hot enough to ignite petrol.’ He took another drag.
‘But, you shitty little woman-abuser,’ he went on, ‘a lighted cigarette with a tiny strip of magnesium in the middle will – just as soon as the flame hits the magnesium. Which in this case will be in about five seconds.’
Then he pushed the half-smoked cigarette through the grille.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This novel came out of a phone call eighteen months ago from Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp, now Divisional Commander of Brighton and Hove. He told me about a case that he was sure I would be interested in, and which, he felt, might inspire a story. He was right on both counts, and I owe an incalculable debt to him for setting me off on the journey that was to become
Want You Dead.
Former Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Gaylor has, as ever, given me the most enormous help, not just in so many areas of research for this novel, but in the plotting and editorial processes. I also need to single out Chief Inspector Jason Tingley, who gave me many introductions to those people and organizations involved in the White Ribbon campaign in Sussex against domestic abuse.
There are so many other officers and support staff of Sussex Police, who give me such constant and enthusiastic help and advice, to whom I am immensely grateful. Starting with the very recently retired Chief Constable, Martin Richards, QPM. The Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne. Former Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett. Detective Superintendent Paul Furnell. Detective Chief Inspector Nick May. Inspector Andy Kille. Inspector Steve Grace. Sgt Jonathan Hartley. PC Andrew Dunkling. Sgt Phil Taylor and Ray Packham of the High Tech Crime Unit. PC Tony Omotoso. Colin Voice.
I owe huge thanks to Alan Setterington, former Deputy Governor of Lewes Prison, pyrotechnic expert Mike Sansom, and to many people in the Sussex Fire and Rescue Services: Matt Wainwright, who not only opened the doors to Worthing fire station for me, but who also taught me so much about close magic. Very especially Tony McCord, Borough Commander of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and his wife Jan McCord. Both have been immeasurably helpful to me. Tony Gurr, Chief Fire Investigator. Mark Hobbs. Julie Gilbert-King. Sharon Milner. Roy Barraclough, Group Station Manager, Worthing fire station. Watch Commander Darren Wickens.
And to many of those involved in the struggle against domestic abuse. Lindsay Jordan, team manager of the Southdown Housing Association. Sarah Findlay, Head of Housing Strategy, Lewes District Council, who gave me the information on the Sanctuary Scheme. Tracy O’Rourke Burr. Suzy Ridgwell. Penny Butler. Fin Castle. Kate Dale, Naomi Bos and Carys Jenkins of Rise. Tricia Bernal, who was prepared to so openly and candidly talk to me about the tragic death of her daughter, Clare, at the hands of her stalker ex-boyfriend. Former Chief Magistrate of Brighton and Hove, Juliet Smith. Psychologist Zoe Lodrick, who incredibly generously gave me many hours of her time helping me on key chapters.
Pathologists Mark Howard, Ben Swift and Nigel Kirkham. Forensic Podiatrist Haydn Kelly. Julie Frith of Mishon Mackay. Graham Rand of Rand & Co. Nick Fitzherbert. Nick Bonner.
As ever, my boundless gratitude to tireless Chris Webb of MacService for coaxing my Mac back to life on the many occasions it appeared to have died during the writing of this book.
Very big and special thanks to Helen Shenston and Anna-Lisa Hancock. And to Sue Ansell, who has read and helped me so much, editorially, with every single book I have written; very many thanks also to Martin and Jane Diplock, and Nicola Mitchell.
A huge debt of gratitude also to my agent and wonderful friend Carole Blake. And to Tony Mulliken, Sophie Ransom and Becky Short of Midas PR. To list everyone at Pan Macmillan would be impossible, but thank you Geoff Duffield, Anna Bond, Sara Lloyd, my wonderful and lovely publishing director, Wayne Brookes, and my incredibly patient editor, Susan Opie. And of course my great US team: Andy Martin, my editor Marc Resnick, my publicists Hector DeJean and Paul Hochman of Minotaur, Elena Stokes and Tanya Farrell of Wunderkind and all the rest at Team James USA!
An extremely special thanks to my brilliant PA, Linda Buckley, who has worked with me, tirelessly, on endless drafts and revisions and corrections on this manuscript, and is always bright and cheerful.
Phoebe, Oscar and Coco, as ever have been the model of all patience – above and beyond all duty for dogs! For waiting around the foot of my desk for the slightest hint that I’m going to take a break and walk them before they go wonderfully crazy with excitement – and for reminding me that sometimes there is a life beyond my keyboard and screen . . .
Fond memories of my friend Jim Herbert, who was so supportive to me and sadly died during the time I was writing this book.
Thank you, my readers. Your emails, tweets, Facebook and blog posts give me such constant encouragement!
Peter James
Sussex, England
www.peterjames.com
www.facebook.com/peterjames.roygrace
www.twitter.com/peterjamesuk
By Peter James
DEAD LETTER DROP
ATOM BOMB ANGEL
BILLIONAIRE
POSSESSION
DREAMER
SWEET HEART
TWILIGHT
PROPHECY
ALCHEMIST
HOST
THE TRUTH
DENIAL
FAITH
PERFECT PEOPLE
Children’s Novel
GETTING WIRED!
Novella
THE PERFECT MURDER
Short Stories Collection
SHORT SHOCKERS VOLUME ONE
SHORT SHOCKERS VOLUME TWO
The Roy Grace Series
DEAD SIMPLE
LOOKING GOOD DEAD
NOT DEAD ENOUGH
DEAD MAN’S FOOTSTEPS
DEAD TOMORROW
DEAD LIKE YOU
DEAD MAN’S GRIP
NOT DEAD YET
DEAD MAN’S TIME
WANT YOU DEAD
About the Author
Peter James was educated at Charterhouse, then at film school. He lived in North America for a number of years, working as a screenwriter and film producer before returning to England. His novels, including the
Sunday Times
number one bestselling Roy Grace series, have been translated into thirty-six languages, with worldwide sales of fourteen million copies. Three of his earlier novels have been filmed. His smash hit play
The Perfect Murder
has been touring the UK to rave reviews and the stage adaptation of his first Roy Grace novel,
Dead Simple
, will start on nationwide tour in January 2015. James has also produced numerous films, including
The Merchant of Venice
, starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and Joseph Fiennes. He divides his time between his homes in Notting Hill, London, and near Brighton in Sussex.
Visit his website at www.peterjames.com Or follow him on Twitter @peterjamesuk Or Facebook facebook.com/peterjames.roygrace
First published 2014 by Macmillan
This electronic edition published 2014 by Macmillan
an imprint of Pan Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
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www.panmacmillan.com
ISBN 978-0-230-76061-5
Copyright © Really Scary Books/Peter James 2014
The right of Peter James to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Roy Grace
®
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