Death in July by Michael Joseph

shrug. He didn't think Benjamin would be too thrilled at the truth. 'You did say to do whatever was needed.'
    'Why didn't you tell me what you were doing?'
    'Because I do things my own way, Benjamin,' sighed Sam. 'By myself. It's the way I get results.'
    Benjamin narrowed his eyes at Sam.
    'What about tonight? Did you get a result?'
    Sam shook his head.
    'He got away.'
    Benjamin looked crestfallen. Sam smiled at him.
    'But I did get his number plate.'

Chapter 10
     
    Sam gave Richie a call the next morning and got a name and address for the licence plate holder. A Mrs Geraldine McGoldrick, living just thirty miles up the coast in a small town called Grisstoke. Sam peered out his office window. A clear blue sky. A good day for a trip out.
    He bumped onto Moira on his way out the flat.
    'How's the crime-busting going, Sam?'
    Sam thought back to last night's events and how close he had been to making progress.
    'So-so,' he replied. 'I'm off out on a lead this morning.'
    'Oh, yeah? Anything exciting?'
    Sam shook his head.
    'Er, no. Dull as dishwater. I'm making some enquiries, that's all.'
    'Any danger involved?'
    Sam frowned at this sudden interest.
    'No, Moira. It's just surveillance. Anyway, how's your new employee doing?'
    'You can ask her yourself,' smiled Moira. 'Here she comes.'
    Alice came out of the shop with a watering can in her hand and a pre-occupied look on her face. To the amusement of Sam and Moira, she walked past them both without a word and began watering the flowers outside the shop.
    'Morning, Alice,' said Sam cheerfully. 'Are you alright?'
    Alice looked at him and gave him a weak smile.
    'Sorry, Sam. I didn't notice you there. Miles away.'
    Moira gave Sam a nudge in the ribs.
    'The poor girl's having a hard time,' she told him. 'She could do with something to take her mind off things for a few hours. A nice drive in the company of a proper gentleman, for instance.'
    Alice gave her aunt a confused look. Sam shook his head at her.
    'No way, Moira. I'm not taking-'
    'Ah, come on, Sam. You said yourself your trip was going to be dull.'
    Sam sighed.
     
    ***
     
    They were only halfway to Grisstoke, and Sam was already regretting letting Moira persuade him to take her niece along. Alice hadn't spoken two words since they set off.
    'What's on your mind, Alice?'
    No answer. He looked across at his passenger. She was staring straight out front, wearing a pair of sunglasses, a white tee-shirt and faded jean shorts. Sam himself had on a light cotton shirt and long shorts. Summer attire was a must today. The air was muggy and humid, the brilliant sunshine dazzling everything in its path. Sam pulled the visor down on his windscreen.
    'Alice?'
    With the sunglasses on, Sam wasn't sure if Alice was napping, distracted or just plain ignoring him. Then she removed the glasses and wiped tears from beneath her eye. She placed the glasses back on her nose.
    'I'm not much company today, am I?' she sniffed.
    'Well, if you want to talk about it...'
    Alice clearly did want to talk about it, and once she opened up there was no stopping her. She told Sam how her husband had cheated on her a year ago. Hurt and betrayed, she kicked him out and filed for divorce. Now the decree nisi was almost through, and she was looking to a new future, he was pestering her to take him back. Pleading for forgiveness. Insisting his fling had been a big mistake. Hence her impromptu appearance in Newgate. She had tired of the drunken phone calls and late-night appearances at her front door. His pleas were getting increasingly desperate and aggressive. He was scaring her. So much so, she filled an overnight bag, jumped on a train and headed somewhere he wouldn't find her. One hundred miles away, to a seaside town at the other end of the country.
    Only, somehow, he had tracked her down.
    'He sent me a text message last night,' she explained to Sam. 'He's given up ringing because I don't answer the phone to him any more.'
    'And?'
    'He knows I'm in