The Narrator

THE NARRATOR AN ABSOLUTELY ADDICTIVE AND UNPUTDOWNABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER K.L. SLATER BOOKS BY K.L. SLATER The Narrator The Girlfriend Missing The Widow The Evidence The Marriage The Girl She Wanted Little Whispers Single The Silent Ones Finding Grace Closer The Secret The Visitor The Mistake Liar Blink Safe With Me 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 Chapter 60 Chapter 61 Chapter 62 Chapter 63 Chapter 64 Chapter 65 The Marriage Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Hear More from K.L. Slater Books by K.L. Slater A Letter from K.L. Slater The Girlfriend Missing The Widow The Evidence The Girl She Wanted Little Whispers Single The Silent Ones Finding Grace Closer The Secret The Visitor The Mistake Liar Blink Safe With Me Acknowledgements * To my daughter, Francesca Kim, who was still a ‘Miss’ when I wrote this book! ONE TEN MONTHS EARLIER She waits at the agreed pickup point, her stomach roiling in anticipation of the evening that lies ahead. The latest instalment in the bestselling Tower series is widely tipped to take the coveted Smoking Gun Award for the Crime Fiction Book of the Year. Tonight will be the culmination of years of hard work. The ultimate pay-off when she will finally receive the accolade she deserves. The books have won so many awards over the years and yet none of them have really meant anything to her until now. This is the biggie, the one that every author wants to win and the prize she has been waiting for. When she hears those long-anticipated words from the celebrity presenter: ‘… and the Smoking Gun Award’s Crime Fiction Book of the Year is… Deathly Betrayal by Phillipa Roberts!’, she will gather her courage to rush up to the stage and speak to the publishing world and more importantly – via livestream – to the millions of readers who have universally adored and loyally supported the books. For now, though, she scans the quiet street waiting for her lift to the venue, self-consciously patting her fresh blow-dry and batting the false eyelashes the make-up artist carefully applied just a couple of hours before. She’s splashed out on a glitzy cocktail dress and expensive designer heels so she will look as perfect as possible when her big moment arrives on stage and the press cameras start flashing. She can do it. She has promised herself that tonight, she will finally own her success. A culmination of everything she has worked for. At last, movement catches her eye and a sleek, black limousine cruises smoothly down the empty street. It slows and stops in front of her, the pristine bodywork and polished alloy wheels glinting in the early evening light. She opens the passenger door and peers inside. Her face drops. ‘Oh, it’s you!’ ‘Surprise! I offered to do the honours… I’m glad you’re pleased,’ the familiar voice says drily, as she climbs in and gets comfy on the soft, cream leather upholstery. ‘I thought we could chat on the way to the event.’ She doesn’t reply. The last thing she wants before this evening is to justify her decision all over again. Once she’s secured her seatbelt, the car starts to move again. ‘Open the glove compartment,’ the driver says. ‘There’s a surprise in there for you.’ She leans forward and pops it open to find a mini bottle of pink champagne and a glass. ‘It’s a special night. Go ahead and pour yourself a drink.’ She doesn’t really feel like drinking while travelling, but she does feel more nervous than expected at the thought of speaking on stage later. She could do with a booster. The foil has already been removed on the perfectly chilled bottle and, as it is a very special evening, she throws caution to the wind. She unscrews the plastic cork and pours out the fizz. It is a nice thought, but it doesn’t change anything. ‘If you think you’re going to convince me to carry on writing, then you can just think again.’ She takes a sip, and the bubbles dance across her tongue. ‘I’ve written the last title in the Tower series and nothing you can say will change my mind. I’m sorry, but the party’s over.’ There’s a tense silence filled with desperation and denial. ‘But what are the readers going to say? This is no way to repay their loyalty over the years.’ The limousine swerves slightly, and a tiny amount of liquid spills into her lap. She grabs a tissue from her handbag. ‘I’m sorry, but it’s been ten long years, and now it’s time for me to move on.’ She gives her firm reply as she dabs her dress. She has every right not to write another word and that is what she’s decided to do. Tonight she will share it with the world. ‘The readers will understand, they’ll soon find a new favourite crime series.’ After a bigger gulp of champagne, she looks out of the window, trying to ignore the wave of tension rolling in from the driving seat. ‘Which way are we going?’ Her voice is tight with tension. ‘We don’t want to be late.’ ‘Relax. I’ve planned a bit longer route that takes us around the edge of town. Less traffic, more time to talk.’ She can feel a headache coming on.