He Must Live To Tell

By Mark Edwards

He ends up in a medcare facility in Boston, unconcious. It was no hit-and-run accident, as Nurse Paige was previously told. Someone wants him murdered, dearly. He finally opens up his eyes, much to her delight but he remembers nothing, not even his own identity. After hours of jogging his memory he spits out this weird name – Sophie. But how much time does Nurse Paige have to figure out who is Sophie, when there's a ruthless killer on the loose, determined to finish his job?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Edwards
• Release date: May 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386269755

Mark Edwards

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people. He has sold 4 million books since his first novel, The Magpies, was published in 2013, and has topped the bestseller lists numerous times. His other novels include Follow You Home, The Retreat, In Her Shadow, Because She Loves Me, The Hollows and Here to Stay. He has also co-authored six books with Louise Voss. Originally from Hastings in East Sussex, Mark now lives in Wolverhampton with his wife, their children and two cats. Mark loves hearing from readers and can be contacted through his website, www.markedwardsauthor.com, or you can find him on Facebook (@markedwardsauthor), Twitter (@mredwards) and Instagram (@markedwardsauthor).

Book preview

PROLOGUE

A  FEW  HOURS  LATER

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He looked at the trickle of raindrops, staining the large glass windows of his posh Boston office. It was as if the universe shared the gloom he felt deep down.  He glided his Luger over the prints of the stills that had been developed from the hotel room footages, captured by Terabyte, the crooked nosed spy his corporate partner, Bill, hired.

He squeezed both eyes, hoping the teardrop would hold up. A grown man mustn't cry.  The images were crappy but it's her alright, he said in his mind. Nobody knew the curves on Sophie or even the mole on the right side of her bum as much as Elvie, or at least that was what he thought.

Who is he, Elvie kept wondering while pointing the nozzle of his weapon at the shadow in the image. Well, that was all he could see from the printed low-resolution stills of the footages from the hotel room.  Whoever he was, he was clad in full back, which made him one with the silhouette of the room, unlike Sophie who was like the day she was born.  It was Sophie alright.  Her complexion was much lighter. It must be the way she brightened at each and every thrusting assault he made on her body.  She pushed her golden hair behind her and stared into the camera as if she knew she was been filmed.  She gave such a mesmerizing smile, but to another bloke. Angry Elvie was, about the way she betrayed him but he still found her body as beautiful as ever. Who is he? If I could only see his silly face, smiling behind the shadows that conceal him greatly.

Elvie pulled the trigger, blowing the fuzzy photograph into pieces, separating the woman he loved from Mr. Who?

How could you, Sophie?  How could you?

His office door then opened up.

What's happening in here, man?  It was Bill. I heard the explosions.

I loved her, Bill.  She told me she was at her mom.

Relax, man. It happens to the best of us.

You wouldn't believe how much I cared for her.  Bill, I don't think you have any idea how much I paid to get that iCLK 2-seater custom built at the factory, just for her – even the emerald red on the damn car is custom made! he slammed, banging his desk, making Bill jolt with caution.

Elvie, I wasn't feeling her, man.  Life goes on and you've got a lovely new secretary.

She's going to pay dearly for screwing my head up.

Bill walked over after pushing the office door closed. Look, pal, I think I might know someone who could arrange things nicely for you, he whispered, after leaning towards Elvie.

LATER THAT NIGHT 8:21pm

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A dilapidated club, somewhere in Southern Boston.

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So, this is where you hang out...live?

Stop by sometimes, that's all. He pulled the hoody off, revealing his buzz cut low hair.  They could hear the groans and creaks of the night creatures nearby.  The whirs and grunts of the night wind reminded them how better it was to conduct the transaction inside.

Shall we? he asked while looking at the crooked door of the abandoned night club.

They both stepped inside after feeling comfortable they were the only ones in the hut.

Cigar?

Thanks.

He popped his cigaret lighter out; he flicked the orange flame on, illuminating their cold faces.

He kicked the door closed, sending its rusty inches into an uproar of squeaks. 

Come on, you afraid of the silly owl? he giggled, noticing the way his guest covered his face when the large eyed bird with rustic wings flew outside.

Shall we get to business?

Heard she really broke your heart.

Bill told me you are the best, he said after handing Virus a printed transcript of a  chat that Terabyte had hacked from Sophie's email. They plan on doing it again, in the next four days, the boat festival.

Virus scanned through the contents of the email.Hmmn, he smirked, raising a brow. Sophie's quite a hottie; couldn't blame the guy for falling for her.

That's going to cost you a couple hundred bucks more to make it happen there, you know.  That's a different state we're talking about here.

The money's here. He pulled a parcel from the bosom of his leather coat. Make sure she doesn't escape this.

That's why they call me Virus. Wherever I make a stop the victim gets wiped out. 

Hear that?

It's quite windy; you must hear the rattle of leaves, bro.

Sure about that?

He used his revolver to move the rusty curtains of the hut. His left eyebrow shot up; his face hardened.

What's it? Elvie asked nervously, trying to contain the shiver of his hands.

We've got company.  He reached for his silencer.

Thought you said we were the only ones here.

"It's only a couple in heat who figured they would use an abandoned