Flames of Hate

Flames Of Hate DI Karen Heath Crime Series jay Nadal Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Chapter 55 Chapter 56 Chapter 57 Chapter 58 Chapter 59 Join my Reader’s Group Current book list Other ways to stay in touch About the Author Published by 282publishing.com Copyright @ Jay Nadal 2023 All rights reserved. Jay Nadal has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author. This book is a work of fiction, names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. 1 Natasha pushed her head back into the headrest and closed her eyes for a few moments as Marcus drove back to their bed-and-breakfast. Her mind drifted back to the romantic evening they had just shared at Lowry Eight, a local dining hotspot known for using local, farm-fresh ingredients. Her thoughtful husband had planned the ideal weekend away for them to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, keeping everything a secret until the last minute. She smiled and opened her eyes before staring ahead into the inky blackness, the road barely lit in the headlights, neither of them in a hurry to get back to the bed-and-breakfast, even though it was one a.m. With her windows down, the lingering heat of the warm summer night still bathed her face. She took a deep breath in and savoured the clean fresh air that filled her lungs. Perhaps it was the mix of the atmosphere, the wine, and being away from home. She felt giddy, but in a good way. The wind whipped through her hair, fanning it over the headrest. Natasha reached across and squeezed her husband’s thigh and smiled at him. Placing one hand on Natasha’s, he squeezed in return, never taking his eyes off the road. Words seemed unnecessary since both were at ease with the silence and the stillness that surrounded them. Natasha wasn’t even sure where they were. The long, dark, winding road seemed to go on forever, and tall hedgerows masked her view of the surrounding landscape. So far, the trip had been perfect. She’d cooed with surprise when they’d first arrived at the isolated farm, almost not believing that Marcus had found such a beautiful place. The dinner was gorgeous and romantic, with Marcus arranging for flowers to be waiting for them at the table. “It would be so lovely to live up here, wouldn’t it?” Marcus laughed. “Give it a month, and you’d be bored. You’d miss your friends too much and your Friday night out with the girls.” Marcus had a point, but she continued to face this internal struggle between enjoying a busy social life and yearning to be surrounded by rolling hills and clean, crisp air. “Yeah, I know you’re right. But it doesn’t stop me from dreaming about it. What a lovely place to grow up. Can you imagine if we moved out here as a family?” she mused. Marcus laughed. “Give us a chance. We’ve only been married a year and now you’re talking about relocating us as a couple to the middle of nowhere.” Natasha suppressed a laugh. Marcus had always been anti-countryside. He loved the big city, the bright lights, the honking taxis, busy buses, and congested platforms on the London Underground. For him to bring her to the middle of nowhere only showed her just how much he loved her. Natasha made a promise to herself that she would make it up to him when they got back to their accommodation. The wine had been free-flowing, the food amazing, and the company… Well, she couldn’t think of anyone else she would rather spend her time with. Though her mum came a close second. “We must grab a bit of their farm produce before heading home. Mum would love some of their cheese,” Natasha commented. “Yes, that sounds like a good idea. They seem to do a good range.” Marcus narrowed his eyes at a glimmer of light in front of him. The light was moving, which confirmed an approaching car from the opposite direction. Marcus gripped the wheel, knowing that it would be a tight squeeze along a single narrow lane. “Look out,” Natasha screamed as she grabbed the handle on her door and thrust her hand out towards the dash to brace herself. Marcus gasped as a bright set of headlights loomed into view and headed straight towards them. “They’re not slowing down!” Natasha screamed. Marcus jammed his foot on the brake and pulled his wheel to the left, forcing his car into the hedgerow as his tyres screeched along the road. The speeding vehicle left the scene in an instant, whizzing past, not stopping, rocking their car in its wake as its rear lights disappeared. “Bloody locals,” Marcus fumed. “They’ve got no consideration for others. Yes, fair enough they know these roads like the back of their hand, but if our car had been any wider, we wouldn’t have been able to avoid a head-on collision.” Natasha threw a hand over