Silence (DS Addison Scott Series #1)

By Sara Dalton

Anna Willis witnesses her mother’s death and may be the only person who saw the killer's face...

Detective Chief Inspector Robert Ashworth is the first on the case with his rookie partner Detective Sergeant Addison Scott. Robert makes it clear that he isn't happy with his new partner, but can Addison prove herself worthy?

As Addison tries to put the pieces of the puzzle together, she starts to realise that the case is closer to home than she thought. As more victims are found, it becomes clear that a copycat killer is on the loose and that Addison has a choice to make.

Does she want to visit the dark past that she has fought so hard to forget or let a killer walk free?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sara Dalton
• Release date: Aug 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463530979

Sara Dalton

Sara Dalton was born in London, Leytonstone. She moved to Essex at a young age and grew up there. At school, Sara had a big interest in Performing Arts and she loved to perform on stage. She took Performing Arts as a GCSE and then carried on studying the subject at College, which she achieved a National Diploma Award. Her first ever show, she played Sandy in Grease. She moved to Portsmouth shortly after, to carry the study on at Portsmouth University.Sara started a family and decided to take a break from any studying to bring up her daughter. As a hobby, Sara was writing books, but she never decided to publish any. It was only a hobby. Once her daughter started school, Sara decided to go back to university to finish of her Performing Arts course at Anglia Ruskin, Cambridge. Again, certain health issues held her back from finishing the course. But, she received a certificate of higher education for the hard work she had put into the course.She returned to writing as a hobby, with plans to publish in the future which she achieved. Her debut novel was Evan Wood followed by her recent novel SILENCE which is part of the DS Addison Scott series. Her next working title is HANGMAN.Sara grew up reading books, her favourite as a child was The Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. She now loves a crime thriller, which has inspired her to write crime books. Her favourite crime authors are, Lynda La Plante, Karin Slaughter and Linda Fairstein. There are many more for that list, but those are the top three. They inspired Sara to write crime, which she is enjoying. HANGMAN is her second novel in the DS Addison Scott Series, which is due out 2021

Book preview

Prologue

2016

The rain tapped constantly against the window, and the sudden noise of what turned to hail, echoed throughout the bedroom. She heard the wind attacking the trees in the garden, and the sound of roaring that made her feel as if she were in danger. It was nights like these that she found it hard to sleep. A double flash lit up her room, and she squeezed her eyes shut. The crashing outside her window made her feel as if she were in danger. Her blanket was warm, yet she still shivered. The lamplight started flickering until she couldn’t stand it, so she switched it off. Luckily, the dimly lit fish tank was enough to ward off her fear of the dark.

Fifteen-year-old, Anna Willis, turned in her bed away from the window, she let out a sigh and rolled onto her back, looking up at the ceiling. She knew the storm would soon drive her brother into the comfort of her room. She started counting in her head, counting the seconds until he would pop his head through the door. She watched her fish dart back and forth in the tank. They were restless, too.

There was a soft knock on her door, slowly opening. A small figure appeared with his Teddy in his hand, quivering. Anna sat up in her bed as she watched her four-year-old brother, Jake, shuffled towards her.

Anna, can I get into your bed please? His soft little voice squeaked.

Of course, Anna smiled, trying to reassure her little brother. She moved the duvet over to one side, enough for him to slide in next to her.

The small boy slid close beside his older sister, surrounding him with the duvet tightly. She felt his body relax in the warmth of her bed. He lay facing Anna as they both listened to the storm. A flash lit up the whole room, only for a second. After a few moments of silence, there was a crash of thunder, and that was when Anna realised the hail had stopped. It was now quiet. Anna felt him trembling beside her from the thunder; she started stroking his hair, telling him everything would be fine.

Jake, it will be all over soon, Anna whispered into his ear. He closed his eyes to the sound of her soothing voice, trying to drown out the noise from outside. He held his Teddy tight as Anna carried on stroking the top of his hair and humming a soft tune. It wasn’t long until he was sleeping peacefully.

Anna’s eyes began feeling heavy, so she closed them. It was hard for her to hold them open any longer. The last thing she saw was her fish, swimming around in the tank and the dim light that started to fade slowly.

Another crash of thunder woke Anna. She glanced to her bedside clock and rolled her eyes when she noticed it was only ten minutes ago since Jake joined her in her bed. She sat up in her bed, looked around her room, expecting to see something she didn’t want to see. But there was nothing out of the ordinary. She heard a high pitch screech coming from the kitchen. At first, she thought it was her mother but when she heard it again, this time it was louder. She moved the duvet slowly, taking a step out of her bed. She didn’t want to wake her baby brother, so she tiptoed out of her bedroom, closing the door carefully behind her.

Anna made her way down the hallway as she slowly approached the staircase, she noticed her mother’s bedroom door was open. Another flash of lightning lit the bedroom, and Anna saw it was empty. Her mother always went to bed early, so Anna wondered why she wasn’t there. Another crash of thunder made Anna jump, even though she was expecting it. She waited for a moment to see if Jake had woken up from the thunder, but he didn’t.

She took a step on the first stair, and it made a creaking noise as she slowly went down, one by one. She covered her ears from the loud screeching noise that came from the kitchen again. Anna’s heartbeat started quickening at the thought of an intruder in the house, it was playing on her mind. She started to come closer to the kitchen and noticed there was a light on. Anna crept to the kitchen door, which was slightly open, and her bare feet felt cold against the wooden flooring.

She peeked through the gap but couldn’t see anything. Having a good look around the kitchen, she noticed the knife block. It was missing a knife; her Mum always organised the kitchen before going to bed. She suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder, and everything had to be perfect. Anna’s heart started to thump in her chest, she knew someone was there and it wasn’t her mother. Pushing the door open further and having a closer look, she saw her. Her mother was lying on top of the kitchen counter.

Anna’s hands covered her mouth before she could make a noise, she wanted to run over to her, but she didn’t know who else was there. She shook uncontrollably and tried to remain silent while tears ran down her face.

She kept as still as possible, beside the door, building up the courage to go back upstairs without making any more noise. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she couldn’t control them from shaking. She took a small step backward, without taking her eyes off her mother, followed by another step. Suddenly, Anna knocked on the cabinet with the back of her foot. She made a hiccup noise and ran as fast as she could up the stairs. Running down the hallway and back into her bedroom, she closed the door behind her. Anna rushed over to wake up her brother.

Jake, Jake. Wake up, she shook him awake.

He opened his eyes glimpsing up at his sister, noticing the tears in her eyes. He sat up in a panic; she had one hand on his arm, holding onto him tightly.

What’s going on? Jake asked. Fear started to overcome him.

Someone’s in the house, Anna whispered. The pair both fell silent over the sound of footsteps near the bedroom door. Jake gripped a hold of Anna’s hand tightly, as she dragged him towards her wardrobe, closing the door silently behind them.

Then they waited.

Anna held Jake tightly against her. The bedroom door squeaked open slowly and they listened to the footsteps that entered the bedroom. Anna moved forward, taking a small peek through the wardrobe door. A flash of lightning lit the bedroom, and then she saw the intruder who was standing by the window.

Now moving towards the wardrobe, Anna shifted back, holding her brother tightly in her arms. She swallowed hard, waiting for the wardrobe doors to swing open. She moved her hands up to her brother’s eyes, covering them. He didn’t make any noises or movements. He was frightened; Anna felt his body stiffen.

The moment came, and the doors opened, revealing a figure towering over the children in the wardrobe. Anna’s screams echoed through the room and slowly throughout the house.

Chapter One

2016

The sun was not even up, and someone was already dead. It was Addison Scott’s first day in the Criminal Investigation Division with the Sawbridgeworth Police Department. She hoped she wouldn’t be on tea and coffee duty, like before, when she was a uniformed officer. She earned her position as a Detective. With a pink reusable coffee cup and mobile phone in one hand, she searched for her keys from the back pocket of her jeans with her other, while stepping towards her car. Addison struggled to put the keys into the slot of the car door lock in her Nineties Ford Escort; they slipped out of her freezing cold fingers and into a puddle. She closed her eyes while taking in a sharp breath before picking them up.

She didn’t like her car, but it got her places. She couldn’t wait for the department to issue her with an unmarked vehicle. Addison could smell the musky storm air that still lingered, and the ground was still soaking wet from the downpour. She could see her breath in the cold air as she let out a sigh, she placed her coffee container on top of the car along with her mobile phone and tried to rub her hands warm.

Addison bent down for her set of keys. Her wet flaxen ponytail whipped her in the face as she regained them from the rain puddle. She tried unlocking her old banger which she named Ethel, only to be interrupted by the dancing of her mobile phone across the roof of her car. She cursed as she answered the call, her keychain falling into the same puddle a second time.

Oh no, I wasn’t talking to you, sir,

She ignored the keys.

I’m listening sir, it was her Detective Chief Superintendent Brian Dowell, but she preferred calling him Chief or mainly sir.

Could you say that again? Addison shuffled around, pulling a notebook from the other back pocket of her jeans. She listened, as his clipped tone gave her the information she needed. Number seven, Cannons Drive. She repeated, yes sir, I’ll be there as soon as possible. She hung up. She bent down picking up her keys and finally yanked her car door open. She swiped her hot container and shoved her notebook back into her pocket before bending down to fit into the driver’s seat.

This car better not stall on me again. She thought.

Addison placed her coffee into the cup holder below her cassette radio and pushed the keys into the ignition. It took a couple of turns to get it started, but eventually, it did. She sat back putting her seat belt on, also taking a quick swig of her coffee, milky with two sugars. Addison took one quick look around and then pulled out from the side road, outside her tiny flat. She thought about the location she was headed; it was close by.

As she arrived at the scene, Addison saw police cars and news reporter vans everywhere. She parked as close as she could and trudged the rest of the way to the crime scene. Blue and white fluttering tape spanned the perimeter of a detached home. The crime scene unit had set up base in the front garden, with figures dressed in white Tyvek suits scurrying around like ants on a disturbed mound. She glanced down the road where people lingered to see what was happening, neighbours coming out of their homes. Addison saw the news reporters trying to interview each officer who comes out of the house, waiting for a story.

Scott, over here. Called the voice of her new boss from across the drive.

Name and badge number please. A uniformed officer requested while clicking the back of an ink pen as Addison approached.

Peter, it’s me. Addy.

Well, well look at you. Made Detective already. Now, don’t you forget about us poor sobs still out here on the street?

I wouldn’t dream of it.

Uh huh, Peter grunted with a smile while lifting the tape.

She headed towards her boss, DCS Brian Dowell where she could see him talking to someone. A man, roughly in his mid-thirties she guessed, was standing beside him. Addison raised her eyebrows to the mysterious man; he was good looking with short, brown, shaggy hair and his focused green eyes. One thing caught her attention, his height. With his blue button-down dress shirt bunching at the sides in a desperate attempt to cling to his six-foot-three frame.

He’s very good-looking. She thought.

Addison Scott, this is Detective Chief Inspector Robert Ashworth. He introduced the pair. Addison put her hand out for him to shake. Robert Ashworth inspected Addison as a teacher about to admonish a child. His eyes narrowing into slits. He heard Brian Dowell clear his throat and Robert shook her hand quickly.

Why don’t you run and get us some coffee; the real police will handle this. Robert dismissed her with his hand.

I’m not here for coffee duty sir, I’m here to help solve a case. She responded. She crossed her arms when he finally looked at her.

She’ll learn a lot from you, Robert, Brian said turning back to Addison. She stared at Robert who turned away, back towards the house. She watched him as he put on a Tyvek suit and latex gloves.

He’s an arrogant bastard, Addison nodded the direction Robert went. Brian laughed as Addison’s eyes followed Robert head back into the house. He is a good Detective though, one of the best. Brian defended.

What happened? Addison said leaning sideways to look through the doorway of the house. Brian nodded his head for her to follow him. He was tall but not as tall as Robert, he had brown hair with a touch of grey on the sides. Addison estimated in his late forties maybe early fifties. She had known him from when she was training as he was one of her examiners, he gave her a recommendation and she ended up on his force. She watched him smooth out his tie and tucking it into his suit jacket.

You’ll need these before you enter. One of the forensics team said. He handed over two white Tyvek suits and a box of latex gloves. Once we’ve finished examining the crime scene, I want you to interview the first officer on scene. Brian said as they both got into the white coveralls.

Yes sir, Addison nodded.

Addison was already taking notes of the crime scene on her notepad. They made their way to the kitchen first, number cards marking anything thought to be of evidentiary value. Addison glanced at the kitchen counter. Her eyes widened; the body of a woman was laying there. Her arm dangling down the side with dried blood around her hand from where it had previously dripped.

Holy shit, she thought.

The knife was plunged into the heart of the woman’s chest, a few centimetres deep and fatal. The body was propped in an awkward fashion as if it were ornately placed, planned to be the centre of attraction in a landscape of blood. Addison grimaced at the smell and thought of death. A man with a Nikon camera flash sparking with each shot, he was being guided by what Addison assumed was the coroner. He pointed to certain bits of the body for the young camera man to take some close ups, especially of the knife.

That is Dr.Charlie Richards; we will speak to him in a few moments. This is Wendy Willis, forty-two-year-old divorcee, and mother of two. A single stab wound to the chest and… Brian started.

Where are the children? Were they here? Addison interrupted, earning a scornful eye.

They were both taken to Morburn hospital, they didn’t say a word when we first arrived, they still haven’t now. Social services will be with them until they have contacted a next of kin. Brian cleared his throat. After we are done here, I would like you to talk to the children. The daughter had wounds on her wrists, slashed but not deep.

Addison chewed on the end of her pen and pulled at her sleeves. She pressed her lips into a thin line as she jotted down the information. Her eyebrows furrowed as she started to write quicker, her jaw tightening the quicker she wrote.

How could someone do this to a mother and her children? She thought. She scrunched up her face when she looked at the body. Her heart pounded in her chest as she saw the dead woman upon the counter. She hoped Brian hadn’t noticed her discomfort.

What are their names? Addison asked.

Anna and Jake Willis,

Addison noticed a tall attractive woman entering the kitchen. She was dressed in a plastic white Tyvek suit with latex gloves on like the rest of them. She swiftly walked in their direction.

This is Detective Sergeant Addison Scott, Robert’s new partner, she is our newest Detective graduate. Brian quickly introduced them. The woman put her hand out to Addison which she took, shaking hands.

Congratulations and welcome on the team, I’m Forensics team leader Nora Williams, Nora said and turned her attention back to Brian. So, from what the evidence shows are that, Wendy possibly knew her attacker. There is no sign of forced entry nor any open windows, or possibly someone who pushed their way inside. Nora said. There doesn’t seem to be a scuffle, so Wendy wasn’t expecting it. She was facing her attacker when he stabbed her, fatal blow to her chest. But Charlie will explain more. Nora waved her hand for them to follow her.

"I believe that one

Reviews for Silence (DS Addison Scott Series #1)

[Valley Dezern · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I actually really liked the story line. It was gripping with plenty of plot twists. However, the many typos, misspellings and grammatical errors were very distracting and irritating.

[u m · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I stopped reading after two pages because of at least two grammatical errors. I am no native English speaker, so obviously these errors might have been found if someone had read the book before publishing it.

[Kristin Lambert · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

How could Scribd even offer this "book" on their site? Obviously the author does NOT speak English or have access to a basic grammar check program. The description of the author is hysterical.

[Teresa W · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Very poorly written, I'm afraid. Couldn't get very far into it at all.