Planning a Murder: The Reluctant Detective, #4

By T M Goble

In the riveting fourth instalment of the Detective Sergeant Josh Anderson series, "Planning a Murder," Josh's scepticism is put to the test when he interviews a woman who comes forward with information that strains belief about a murder. With a history of wasting police time, her credibility hangs in the balance. Can Josh trust her this time, or is she once again leading them down a fruitless path?

As Josh delves deeper into her claims, a wave of violent crime erupts, and he finds himself inexorably drawn into her web of statements. The individuals involved in these chilling incidents all have criminal records, further muddying the waters of truth and deception.

In "Planning a Murder," Detective Sergeant Josh Anderson is faced with a daunting task—distinguishing between the lies and the truth. As he navigates a complex labyrinth of deceit, he must make critical decisions that could spell the difference between justice and chaos.

Join Josh as he races against time to uncover the secrets hidden within a tangled web of conflicting accounts and criminal histories. "Planning a Murder" is a heart-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end, as Detective Sergeant Josh Anderson confronts the challenge of separating fact from fiction in a high-stakes game where the line between truth and deception blurs, and a shocking murder plot is unveiled.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Creative Peak
• Release date: Feb 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224604258

Book preview

02

Josh Anderson moved around the cold kitchen as the morning sun filled the room. It had been his home for thirty-three years. Spontaneity and enjoyment had hit his retired parents and they were touring a European city for a week. As he used his home only as a place to sleep, he had turned off the house heating.

Wearing his favourite, but well-worn leather jacket, he slumped at the kitchen table with a packet of cornflakes and a bottle of milk as he threw his phone, keys and warrant card onto the surface. The slim wallet with his Police Sergeant authorisation flicked open to reveal a photo of a younger version of him. He was no wiser now although several years older. His life had to change. His shift last night had finished at three in the morning, but he was due on at eleven o’clock. He would be late as he had an important task to complete before going into work.

His mind dived into deep recesses as it always did at this time in the month. The ultimate failure of his career haunted him. She had been threatened and he had been leading the case when she had been murdered. He had failed. Why was he still in the police?

The cornflakes poured into the bowl too many at a time due to his carelessness, but he could not be bothered to put them back. Pouring on the milk his mind brought back the victim as it did every day he picked up his warrant card. The milk hit the top cornflakes and shot from the bowl over his keys, warrant card and phone. He took two mouthfuls and threw the rest in the bin. The objects for his pocket were covered in milk. Should he try to wash them? The phone. No. The keys he streamed under the cold tap. He couldn’t take the risk with his warrant card. As he put the three items in his trouser pocket, he felt the wet seep on to his legs.

Zipping up his jacket and pulling his beanie down on his head he put the unwashed bowl in the sink. His mother would never approve, but he gave a perverse smile as she wasn’t there.

Josh drifted from the house to his car, perhaps the day had come to resign from the police although he had no future career in mind. With his fellow Detective Sergeant Claire attempting to undermine him and an overbearing Chief Inspector, resigning could bring personal benefits such as far less hassle. With no commitments and no dependents he could take a chance with his life. An itinerant life drifting around the world did not appeal. He had money in the bank only because his job dominated his life and he had not been able to spend it.

The first of the month had become significant. He diverted from his usual route to the police station. He parked on double yellow lines as usual and entered the florist.

The middle-aged woman smiled, ‘I prepared the seasonal flowers that will last a long time.’

‘Thank you, they look beautiful.’

‘You never say who they are for?’

‘No, I do not. Your skills are excellent, good morning.’ Josh smiled and paid the bill, leaving without another word.

He drove to the Blackford cemetery and parked next to a sign which stated, No Parking. Taking the bouquet from the boot he unwrapped the cellophane and dumped it in a nearby bin. Deep in thought about the past case he approached the grave. The black marble gravestone stood out among the grey that dominated the cemetery. It had a simple inscription, Taken Before Her Time. He could not think of better words when he had commissioned it.

He placed the bouquet at the bottom of the headstone and tidied away a few weeds. He spoke to the gravestone as he did every month. ‘They were all convicted and will not see the light of day for many years.’

As he did at the beginning of each month, he stood, bowed his head and walked away. The monthly cycle would repeat endlessly.

‘Young man.’ He sniggered a slight smile as he had not been called that for many years. Turning, he faced an elderly woman dressed head to foot in black leaning heavily on a walking stick.

In respect of her age and comment he bowed his head, ‘Good morning, ma’am.’

Her blue eyes pierced him. ‘You come every month on the first day and lay a bouquet.’

Josh focused on the person he estimated to be in her eighties, ‘You are observant.’

‘I come to pay my respect to Arthur.’

‘Your husband? He must have been a good guy.’

A smile crinkled her lips, ‘Good enough for a man.’ She pointed at the grave, ‘She was murdered. Did you know?

Josh nodded.

‘It must be terrible to lose someone to violence.’

He would not be drawn. Offering his arm, ‘May I take you to your car.’

She gave a knowing smile, ‘I live in the Tudor cottage near the entrance.’

After he escorted the old woman to her house, Josh returned to his car, slumped into the driver’s seat and thumped the dashboard. His frustrations at his own inability to decide what he wanted to do with his life were building. He had to make a change, even if it was a wrong one. His life could not continue in the same manner. Grimacing, he sat up straight in the driver’s seat and drove to the police station to clock on.

03

‘Why are you here at the police station, Erin?’

That voice reverberates through my soul, but I must complete this text message. If I do not send it, my mother will worry. I don’t wish to talk to him under these circumstances. For months, I yearned to meet him and it didn’t matter how, either by accident or planned, but when speaking to him became crucial, nothing happened.

‘Why are you here?’ In that short, simple repeated question, he had aggression. I pressed the button to send the text to my mother. It was hard to look up, so I concentrated on my phone.

‘Nothing associated with you, Jonathan.’ The wallpaper picture on my phone had been taken at the seaside as I recovered. The doctor had recommended a holiday. The resort was tired. As it was early spring, it hadn’t had its annual coat of paint. I was at my lowest point. The sea looked inviting.

Life has improved, but this picture reminds me of the temptation of the sea. Moving my gaze, the creases on his trousers caught my attention. Little had changed about him since the divorce. The clothes were immaculate. One difference, he’d never worn trainers during our marriage. Pristine, they showed the expensive designer label. But why change his footwear? His new wife must have a greater influence over him.

I jumped from the sudden movement. Picking up the cup of tea Constable Collins had brought while I waited for the detective, he dropped on to the seat. The drink had cooled because of my concentration on texting my mother. Jonathan held the tea as he sat next to me. A smile came to my lips, as handsome as ever, which is why I’d married him. There was no smile in return so my grave expression returned. I hoped the detective would make an appearance, but my poor luck with timing continued. A brief thought crossed my mind. Recently, the timing had been perfect, so I shouldn’t complain about the detective not appearing.

Jonathan would persist.

‘I’m waiting for a detective.’

‘Why?’ The aggression stayed in his voice.

‘The police have asked me not to discuss my involvement with them,’ I lied.

The deflated look pleased me. His blue eyes sparkled with thought, but he couldn’t ask further questions, but knew I had lied. He could always tell, but I will remain silent as he can’t make a scene.

‘Is it about Lisa?’

‘I don’t know a Lisa. Is that why you are here?’

Again, he screwed his face believing I lied. ‘Lisa worked for me.’

‘There are many Lisas in the world.’ But one would be forever imprinted on my mind.

‘Lisa was my manager at the Rabbit and Ferret.’

Choosing not to engage in a conspiratorial whisper. ‘Since you divorced me and wanted me out of your life, I have paid no attention to your activities. I didn’t know that you were the owner of the Rabbit and Ferret.’ I let my words sink in, ‘I didn’t know that you still had that Lisa working for you. I presume she was the same one as at the club.’

‘Yes, at the Aces Club.’

The conversation seemed strange as Lisa had been a key part of the divorce, although we never mentioned her.

‘Why would I be here about Lisa?’

‘Unfortunately, she was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Thursday, outside the pub.’

A nervous shiver ran through my body, but he hadn’t noticed, although I shook violently.

I couldn’t persist in looking at him. He had discarded me, so why return to haunt me as he could have smiled and walked past or ignored me. I’d have preferred that. He hasn’t moved and is sitting quietly so I can almost hear him sigh each time he breathes.

‘Are you okay? Have you recovered?’

How would he know? Why does he want me to answer? He’ll know that I won’t tell him the truth.

‘Much better, thanks, Jonathan.’ Why I thanked him, I do not understand, but it’s the usual expression.

‘You look so different.’ Is he judging me? ‘You look good. Short hair suits you.’

‘It was a big decision to cut off my long flowing blonde hair.’

Almost an ordinary conversation between two friends so a little smile came to me. The hair length would be a surprise for him, as he hasn’t seen me since I decided to change my appearance. A few weeks ago, the deep-seated agony had gone so I began the attempt to build a new life but I would not join a conversation about the changes, so I didn’t reply.

04

Jonathan didn’t glance back at Erin as he left the police station, as she would be staring at the floor. Apart from one brief look, she had focused on the floor plastic tiles. The haunting was still with her.

He waved to his wife waiting in his blue BMW.

Dithering whether to return and persuade Erin to talk, he shook his head, although her presence had made his stomach knot. Suddenly coming across her in the police station had been a chance encounter which he regretted happening. With the death of Lisa, his confidence had failed, but he had not admitted it to anyone including his wife. A driver might panic on a main road after hitting a woman, but not on a slow speed service road. If not an accident, someone intended killing the manager of his pub.

As he hesitated outside the police station, his wife stepped from the car and waved. A noise behind him caused him to turn. Erin had exited the main doors. The smile always reminded him of the Mona Lisa and their honeymoon in Paris. ‘Sorry, I didn’t speak to you, Jonathan, as my mind is distracted with the police. When my involvement with them is over, I will visit the Rabbit and Ferret to meet you.’

A shiver ran down his spine, but he forced a smile. ‘Eh, yes. That would be good.’ Before he could question her, she returned to the police station. Strange! Why wouldn’t she speak a few minutes earlier?

‘Are you coming, Jonathan? I’ve been waiting ages.’ His wife called and waved to him.

‘Yes, Kayla and I’ll explain why I’ve been so long.’ He hurried to her. Although contrasting to Erin, he loved her dearly and she was one of the most attractive women he had ever met. Erin was tall and slim. Kayla was shorter, with a full figure, but in terms of beauty, his new wife had the edge.

A difference between his two wives struck him as Kayla climbed into the driver’s seat. Erin would always have expected him to drive. During those few short steps across the car park, coupled with seeing his wife, he relaxed. The traumatic time was over and he would spend the rest of the day with her, but his smile left him as the arguments between them had intensified over the past week.

‘Sorry, you’ve had to wait, darling.’ He kissed her as they pulled away.

‘Don’t talk to me for a minute as it’s tight in this car park and I do not want to hit a police car.’

Jonathan laughed. ‘Not too close to that one.’

‘Shut up! You silly man!’ Bursting out laughing, ‘You’ll get me arrested! I would have to say; sorry constable that I hit your car, but my husband had his hand on my thigh.’

Kayla giggled as she drove from the car park.

They had quietened as they reached the Rabbit and Ferret. The busy pub, in the town centre, had only a few parking spaces. Jonathan was relieved to reach an empty one without Kayla having to drive along the service road.

Catching Kayla’s hand, they crossed the car park to a side door of the pub. The outside door was not locked so he entered. A set of steps led down to the cellar under the main bar. Producing his keys, he unlocked a door on his right and stepped aside to allow Kayla to go first up the narrow staircase which led directly into their flat above the pub.

As they entered, she kissed him on the cheek, ‘Do you need to work for the rest of the day?’

‘No.’ He gave another uncharacteristic shiver as his stress levels would rise if he were absent from the main bar. ‘Shall we settle and consider an early lunch?’ The pub needed him, but he was tired and mentally exhausted as they had given him a hard time at the police station.

‘That sounds good.’ She gave a radiant smile.

‘We can pick up a bottle of wine for lunch and when we are ready to eat, I’ll ring the kitchen. There are two chefs on today, so they will prepare whatever you request.’

‘Brilliant, darling. Give me five minutes to change into comfortable clothes, then tell me about the police station interview.’

Kayla always wore blue, her favourite colour, but managed to appear fresh, original and was stunning in whatever she chose.

‘Did you have a good aerobics class this morning?’

‘Yes, although it was the same as usual.’

‘While you change, I’ll fetch the wine in readiness.’

He nipped to the main bar area, which was packed with people coming in for a brunch or early lunch. The joy of leaving the police station to meet Kayla had evaporated as he returned to the pub and saw the staff. To have their supervisor and friend killed outside the door had a big impact on them.

The death of Lisa wouldn’t leave his thoughts. Shaking his head, it would be lunch and an afternoon with Kayla and he forced himself to lighten his step as he returned upstairs to the flat.

Kayla settled into an armchair. ‘It’s