Dead in the Water Read online

  Contents

  Cover

  Inhalt

  About the Book

  The Authors

  Dead in the Water

  Copyright

  PROLOGUE

  1. After the Prom

  2. The Bridge

  PART ONE — A Questionable Death

  3. School Run

  4. The New Head

  5. School Troubles

  6. Fatherly Advice

  7. Flying Solo

  8. Relationships

  9. A Walk by the River

  10. A Surprise

  11. Tea on the Goose

  12. Drugs, Death and Cherringham

  13. All is Forgiven

  PART TWO — One Last Case

  14. The Team at Work

  15. Revelations

  16. Truth and Lies

  17. Food for Thought

  18. Chips with that?

  19. Dinner for Two

  20. A Late Night

  21. A Noise in the Night

  22. Stay Out of What?

  23. A Crack in the Wall

  24. A Surprising Discovery

  25. Making Connections

  26. Down with the Kids

  PART THREE — Secrets Revealed

  27. Sunday School

  28. A Sweep of the Lockers

  29. The Birdwatcher

  30. Half Truths

  31. Wrong Place, Wrong Time

  32. Day Trip

  33. The Gloucester Connection

  34. A Special Driveway

  35. The Farm

  36. Meet the Boss

  37. A Call from the Blue

  38. Back to School

  39. Closing the Deal

  40. Waiting for the Boss

  41. Deal or No Deal

  42. Back to the River

  43. Dinner at the Pig

  About the Book

  On the night of the school prom, a young teacher is found dead in the Thames in a drug-related accident. It seems – at first – to be another sign that Cherringham High is spiralling out of control. The new head however is convinced that the teacher’s death is suspicious and quietly calls in Sarah Edwards.

  With her one-time detective partner, Jack Brennan, back in America, Sarah is at first reluctant to take on the case. But when she does get involved, it soon becomes clear that the tragic accident might really be a case of murder – and even Sarah herself could be in danger …

  The Authors

  Matthew Costello (US-based) is the author of a number of successful novels, including Vacation (2011), Home (2014) and Beneath Still Waters (1989), which was adapted by Lionsgate as a major motion picture. He has written for The Disney Channel, BBC, SyFy and has also designed dozens of bestselling games including the critically acclaimed The 7th Guest, Doom 3, Rage and Pirates of the Caribbean.

  Neil Richards has worked as a producer and writer in TV and film, creating scripts for BBC, Disney, and Channel 4, and earning numerous Bafta nominations along the way. He’s also written script and story for over 20 video games including The Da Vinci Code and Starship Titanic, co-written with Douglas Adams, and consults around the world on digital storytelling.

  His writing partnership with NYC-based Matt Costello goes back to the late 90’s and the two have written many hours of TV together. Cherringham is their first crime fiction as co-writers.

  Matthew Costello

  Neil Richards

  Dead in the Water

  A Cherringham Mystery

  BASTEI ENTERTAINMENT

  Digital original edition

  Bastei Entertainment is an imprint of Bastei Lübbe AG

  Copyright © 2016 by Bastei Lübbe AG, Schanzenstraße 6-20, 51063 Cologne, Germany

  Written by Matthew Costello and Neil Richards

  Edited by Eleanor Abraham

  Project editor: Kathrin Kummer

  Cover illustration © shutterstock: jason2009 | Maksim Shmeljov | suns07butterfly | allou

  Cover design: Jeannine Schmelzer

  eBook production: Urban SatzKonzept, Düsseldorf

  ISBN 978-3-7325-1854-8

  www.bastei-entertainment.com

  PROLOGUE

  1. After the Prom

  “That your lot, Maddie?” said Billy Leeper, sliding two pints of lager across the bar, shouting to be heard over the music and noisy crowd.

  Maddie looked down at the tray of drinks she’d just ordered.

  A big round – and now she realised she’d forgotten to order her own drink.

  “Sorry, Billy – one more glass of white wine, please. Any old thing will do – long as it’s nice and cold!”

  She watched the barkeeper disappear down to the other end of the bar, then looked around.

  The Ploughman’s was as packed as she’d ever seen it.

  Cherringham’s favourite local pub – not as posh as the Angel farther up on the High Street, but still the go-to place for any village event.

  And tonight, there was more than just the usual Friday night crowd.

  A mob of her fellow teachers had come down after the prom for a well-deserved pint, and some of the now-departing pupils were happy to drink with them.

  She recognised a few of the boys and girls in their smart suits and gowns, knocking back drinks as if they did it every weekend.

  Well, she thought, they probably do.

  “Here you go,” said Billy, adding a glass of white wine to the tray. “On the tab?”

  “Thanks, Billy.”

  She picked up the tray and turned to go.

  “They’re all eighteen, I’m assuming?” said Billy, nodding towards the students dotted around the pub.

  “Oh, I’m sure they are,” said Maddie, not at all sure, but moving off quickly towards the tables at the rear of the pub.

  On the way, she passed a crowded table by the dartboard and spotted a few of the lower sixth-formers, standing with pints and bottles in their hands.

  Now, this lot definitely weren’t eighteen.

  Should she say something?

  She could see Callum Brady in the group. And Liam Norris and Jake Pawson.

  The Usual Suspects, as they were known up at the school.

  In T-shirts and jeans, looking aggressive even just standing there and drinking.

  And liable to cause trouble if she told Billy they were underage.

  They certainly did plenty of that at school.

  Sooner they were gone… the better.

  Jake caught her eye – and the whole group stopped talking and turned to look at her.

  The look – a challenge.

  As if to say: go on then; just try to get us thrown out.

  If you got the balls.

  She turned away and carried on walking with her tray of drinks to the back of the pub.

  Dammit, she thought, what kind of coward am I?

  But when she got to the back room of the pub, she put the encounter with the dartboard crowd to the back of her mind.

  In the time she’d been gone, her group had grown even bigger.

  Someone had shoved three tables together.

  Now there must be nearly twenty – teachers and students both – all laughing, joking, telling stories.

  All glad the year was over: summer, university, the future… beckoning.

  She lowered the tray onto the nearest table and everybody cheered and grabbed their drinks.

  She picked up her white wine and waved to Tim sitting at the middle of the table, talking to one of his star English pupils – or at least, listening to his tipsy rambling.

  He gave her a long-suffering smile and mouthed “sorry”.

  The boy had taken her seat. She smiled back and mouthed back – “no problem”.

  “Here
you go, Maddie,” came a voice from the end of the table.

  She turned around – it was Josh Owen.

  A teacher the kids definitely adored.

  A free seat next to him.

  Should she?

  With a quick glance at Tim, she skirted a group of locals, hemmed in by students, and threaded her way round to the other end of the large table.

  “I could say I saved it for you, but that would be lying,” said Josh.

  “Well, you certainly know how to flatter a girl. So, how did you like your first Cherringham prom?”

  “Good fun, hmm?” said Josh. “I had some great students in that year – sorry to see them go. Nice kids.”

  “If only they were all nice.”

  “Goes with the territory.”

  Maddie took a sip of her wine.

  “You talk to the new head?”

  “Not tonight,” said Josh quietly. “Not the right time.”

  “But you are applying for the deputy job?”

  “You bet. There’s a lot needs changing – and from what I’ve heard so far, I like her plans.”

  “I just hope I’m part of them,” said Maddie.

  “You will be – if I’ve got anything to do with it.”

  She laughed.

  “Hark at you, deputy head, sir, hiring and firing already.”

  “You bet. Mind how you behave, Ms. Brookes.”

  “Always…” she said, laughing.

  She liked teasing Josh, playing with him. He had a sparkle, as if he really enjoyed life.

  Unlike…

  She couldn’t help but look down the table at Tim, still involved in a long, deep conversation.

  Her boyfriend.

  How she hated that word. God, she was nearly thirty.

  Maybe I should start calling him my partner? But do I even want that?

  Fiancé?

  Though not official yet…

  Someone brought another tray of drinks over and everyone starting grabbing their refreshed pints and glasses.

  As she stared – Tim looked over at her.

  He smiled.

  She smiled back.

  And had a thought… what if Tim wasn’t here?

  ***

  Then the seat next to Tim – empty.

  With a nod from Tim, she sailed away from Josh.

  “There you are!” Tim said. “I was just saying that I want to do some real camping trips this summer! Get some good long walks in. Proper treks – you know?”

  She nodded.

  She noticed Tim looking at her.

  “How does that sound to you?”

  A smile. “Yes. Shake off the school year. Sounds great…”

  Tim smiled at that, then turned back to the group.

  Out of the corner of her eye she was aware of Josh getting up from the other end of the table.

  He looked – for a moment – confused.

  She watched him head into the front bar and thought…

  Strange…

  But then she too got lost in the excited talk of summer plans, the precious time away from kids and school…

  ***

  Maddie smiled at the group of girls who now had her penned in a corner, chattering about exams and grades, and how totally awesome it would be if they got their first choice of uni.

  She could see Josh over by a corner table. He seemed to be slugging a beer – how many was that? she wondered – as he scanned the room.

  And though she was looking in his direction, he didn’t give any sign that he’d noticed her.

  He just kept scanning the packed pub.

  Looking for… what?

  Or maybe seeing what?

  Tim came over from the bar. Putting an arm around her shoulder, he eased her away from the group of girls.

  “God, thanks Tim – if I hear one more exam story…”

  But Tim looked concerned. “Something up with Josh?” he said, nodding across the room. Maddie turned and looked at Josh.

  “I don’t know.”

  “He’s been standing like that for ages.”

  “I hadn’t really noticed,” said Maddie.

  “Think he’s had too much? Let me go check on him.”

  She saw Tim walk over. Put a hand on Josh’s shoulder, who nodded in acknowledgment.

  But then she saw Josh shake his head.

  Tim gave another quick pat to Josh’s shoulder and walked back.

  “Something wrong?” she said.

  “Guess he’s just had a lot to drink.”

  “Odd… the way he’s looking at everyone.”

  “I’ll keep my eye on him,” Tim said. “He didn’t drive here at least… I’m sure he’s fine.”

  She nodded and followed Tim as he re-joined the main group of teachers.

  ***

  Maddie checked her watch.

  Nearly eleven. She’d been drinking water for the last hour. Ready to go. She looked around the group – Tim and the others all still deep in conversation.

  She couldn’t see Josh.

  Maybe he’s left already, she thought.

  But then…

  She spotted him, in the main bar, having a discussion with Billy.

  Which looked more like… an argument.

  Billy, shaking his head. Josh looking, well, even more wobbly; weaving as he banged a hand on the bar.

  Like someone who wanted one more drink.

  And was being denied.

  Then he turned away from the bar, without a drink.

  And he seemed to be looking at the packed pub as if he didn’t know how he got here, what was going on.

  She thought: could go over, have a word.

  But then Josh – though still looking unsteady – walked straight towards her, as if finally seeing her.

  He swayed slightly. Holding on to the table edges he passed, anchoring his drunken walk.

  Until he planted himself like a tree swaying in a storm, right in front of Maddie.

  “Tim, Maddie,” he said. “Been brillian–”

  The last word of his sentence trailed off; Josh’s eyes also slipping away, off to the distance.

  “Josh – are you–?”

  But Tim jumped in.

  “Josh. Heading home? Good idea mate. Quite a night, eh?”

  Maddie looked at Josh’s eyes. Glazed. Drunk. Or was something else going on too?

  It was good that he was heading home.

  “I’m… okay. All the noise in here. Can’t even think. But sure… um, anyway…” He looked at his watch. Stared at it like he had never seen it before. “Time to leave you two to yourselves. Gotta… get some air… some–”

  The words trailed away.

  He smiled at Maddie.

  A sad, confused half-grin.

  Maddie – thinking someone really should walk him home – saw Josh smile one more time, then sail to the door and out.

  He doesn’t have far to go, she thought. He’ll be okay.

  She couldn’t just leave Tim and the others.

  Can’t be the first time he’s had one too many.

  At least that’s what she told herself.

  2. The Bridge

  “Want to come in for a bit?” Tim said to Maddie as she dropped him off. “Nightcap?”

  Maddie forced a smile.

  “Been quite a night. Think bed sounds about right…”

  Soon as she said that, she felt, well that could be read the wrong way.

  But Tim nodded, accepting the gentle turndown.

  “Home safe,” he said, leaning in for a quick kiss on her cheek.

  She kept the smile on.

  “You bet,” she said. “Night.”

  And when Tim shut the car door and headed into his cottage as she pulled away slowly.

  But – she was not going home.

  ***

  Maddie drove as slowly as she could up Cherringham High Street, peering into every dark shop doorway, every little alleyway.

  Searching for Josh Owen.

>   He’d looked in a bad way, something wrong.

  Maddie – always the worrier.

  She’d driven by his house. Lights on. Curtains open. But no Josh.

  And when she called his number – no answer.

  And now, it was past midnight and the streets were empty.

  If he was out here – surely she’d see him.

  She passed small groups of leftover students from the prom, huddled together on street benches or sitting on the stone steps of the village hall.

  Laughing. Hugging.

  Kissing.

  Puffs of smoke escaping as well.

  She took a turn at the end of the High Street, heading down a quiet street one way, then at another corner, looping around.

  The night was still warm, but there was the beginning of a summer mist coming up to the village from the river.

  The street lamps hazy. Sounds deadened.

  Soon she passed The Ploughman’s again, looking dark, closed already.

  Billy was good at that. Getting everyone on their way home, and leaving the bulk of the cleaning up to the next day.

  This… she thought… is pointless.

  Going round in circles.

  Maybe over nothing.

  At least – that’s what she told herself.

  She drove slowly past Cherringham’s tiny police station.

  Lights on there – but she quickly pushed away any idea of telling them about Josh.

  After all – what would she say?

  Then, with her head swivelling left and right – one last time – she told herself…

  A tap at her window.

  She jumped – the sound so unexpected.

  It was one of the students from the pub – Jake Pawson.

  Troubled kid, the other teachers said. Some of them said “just trouble”.

  Maddie pressed the window button and it slid down.

  Over Jake’s shoulder she could see his mate Callum Brady, slumped against a wall.

  Jake leaned in; the smell of alcohol strong.

  “Miss – hi!” Then, with a nasty leer: “You lost?”

  “I’m… I’m okay. Just – um, you okay, Jake?”

  “Always. I’m always… good.”

  She nodded, ready to raise the window.

  “You out here… looking for someone?” he said, every other word slurred, his face leering. “Someone special?”

  She started to shake her head.