Next of Kin

By Ruby Binns-Cagney

Four estranged friends come together when one of them is seriously injured in a car crash. In the events leading up to a funeral, secrets are revealed; with far-reaching consequences for the group.
On the day of the funeral, one friend's life will be changed forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BinnsCagneyPublishing Co
• Release date: Dec 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005147754

Ruby Binns-Cagney

Keep in touch - sign up for new releases and save on publication day:http://books2read.com/author/ruby-binns-cagney/subscribe/1/41373/Ruby Binns-Cagney is a successful independently published Author who writes women's fiction (chick-lit) and American-based crime thrillers.Ruby's 'Detective Macaulay' crime series has a following on Twitter https://www.twitter.com/detmacaulay (@DetMacaulay)Ruby has a website and blog - read more details of her publishing services.Through her publishing company - BinnsCagneyPublishing Co - Ruby empowers others to become self-published Authors, and her Team also mentor new Authors.Free Marketing Help Signup:http://eepurl.com/3IsJPAdd her to your Google+ Circles https://plus.google.com/+RubyBinnsCagney/postsPlease visit her website:http://author-tales-of-self-publishing-books.blogspot.co.uk

Book preview

Next of Kin

Ruby Binns-Cagney

© Copyright Cover Design BinnsCagneyDesignCo 2023

© Copyright Ruby Binns-Cagney 2023

© All Rights Reserved 2023

No parts of this book may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. This publication is protected under all applicable international, federal, state and local laws. This is a work of fiction. Names, places and events are of the Author’s imagination. All events and characters in this book are completely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people is entirely coincidental.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FURTHER READING

CHAPTER ONE

KAREN repeatedly scrolled through the news article but couldn’t believe the news. In fact, when her bacon sandwich fell out of her hands and then onto the chipped plate before her; she didn’t even lick the grease from her fingers before grabbing her iPhone. Stabbing out the numbers frantically, she stumbled to her feet and then walked towards the kitchen window. Gregg’s car was not there. So, it really was true? Her call went to voicemail on the first ring. Gregg usually answered whenever she’d called him.

***

DEBRA’s mouth fell open as she stared at her iPhone and read the news article, then started to dial. While she listened to the dial-tone and struggled to form a sentence in her mind. Her eyes darted back and forth as she rose from the couch, reached for her sandals, and then jammed her swollen feet into them. Her car keys were in her and hand and she was walking towards the front door before she was aware of what she was doing. Listening to the dial tone, she leant on the door frame and waited impatiently. Voicemail, for the third time. This time Debra left a terse message through gritted teeth.

Call me back. Urgently, Gregg. Debra grabbed her purse and then locked her front door. As the cold air hit her in the face, she spotted Mr. Jenkins across the street.

Morning Mr. Jenkins. Debra faked a smile, eager to be on her way and out of the clutches of the lonely old man. Every time Debra stepped outside, he always seemed to appear from thin air in time to witness her in all her glory. While he’d never acted out or abruptly approached her, Debra felt something was not right with him, and didn’t want to find out exactly what that was.

Good morning, but have you forgotten something? Jenkins pointed wildly at Debra’s stocky legs. Debra looked down her short wide frame and noted that her stained nightshirt only just skimmed her knees.

Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. Debra hurriedly headed back indoors to hunt for day-old jeans; and then fished a t-shirt out of the hamper in the utility room. A good inhale of its armpits and it passed the sniff test.

***

MARC was in Hong Kong when he saw the news article but left his office immediately; and was now on his way to the airport in his rental car. He simultaneously checked his iPhone on the dashboard and weaved between lanes of light traffic. He realised that if he missed his flight, he’d miss the opportunity to finally right a wrong which was too much of a price to pay. He simply couldn’t ignore the opportunity.

Not after all this time.

Carpe diem, chum, he muttered to himself, slid into the parking garage, and stowed the car keys in the visor as instructed. His wheeled suitcase was surprisingly light as he tugged it towards the business lounge. One last pat down of his jacket pockets and a final glance at his passport, then he was ready.

At check-in the process was quick, however, his flight was on time, which meant no chance of a pre-flight drink to steady his nerves. It could wait until he’d boarded the aircraft. The clerk scanned his passport and then confirmed his flight details.

First time in London, Sir? The clerk’s steady repetitive tap