Book Bundle (Beyond Evil, Lost Souls, Fallen Idols) by Neil White Page A

on a cabinet, although Sheldon kept his focus on her as he stood in front of the desk, his hands clasped in front of him, and waited for Dixon to notice he was there.
    When she did look up, Sheldon said, ‘You wanted to see me, ma’am.’
    Chief Inspector Dixon pointed to the chair in front of the desk. ‘Sit down, Sheldon, please.’ Her voice sounded tired, and as he got a better look at her, he saw dark rings under her eyes and broken veins just starting to flush across her cheeks.
    Sheldon did as he was asked, his legs tightly together, his hands on his knees.
    Dixon leaned forward, her arms folded on the desk, and stared at Sheldon. ‘We know now that the body found last night is Billy Privett.’
    Sheldon didn’t respond, except for a small stretch of his neck, his collar too tight.
    ‘How do you feel about that?’ Dixon said.
    Sheldon gave a small cough before he spoke. ‘I don’t know, ma’am, if I’m honest. I feel for Alice’s family, because the secret of her murder may go to the grave with Billy Privett, but at the same time I feel like there is something fateful about it – that if it had to be anyone, I’m glad it was him.’
    The Chief nodded and then twirled a pen slowly in her hand. ‘I want you to handle the investigation, Sheldon. I know that FMIT want it, but I’m fighting for you to keep it. The answers will come from local people, and you were very close to Alice’s case. You know all about Billy Privett.’
    Sheldon licked his lips. He tasted sweat. ‘That’s why I should have it. I know about Billy, and the victim is where murder cases should start.’
    ‘But you need to be careful, Sheldon.’
    A pause, and then, ‘What do you mean?’ His fingers gripped his knees tighter.
    Dixon stared at Sheldon. ‘I’m taking a risk for you, and giving you the opportunity to redeem yourself, and to prove that this station is worth keeping open. You’re a good officer, I know that, but I don’t want a repeat of what happened when Billy Privett was a suspect.’
    ‘I don’t understand.’
    Dixon put her pen down and put her hands together. ‘You
do
understand, and don’t make me force you from the team. Alice’s case made you ill, you know that. It was taken from you because you didn’t get anywhere. And I know what has been going on, with you and Billy Privett.’
    Sheldon looked down. He rubbed his left hand with the fingers of his right.
    ‘Billy complained, Sheldon.’
    Sheldon looked up. ‘About what?’
    ‘About you. You were harassing him, watching him all the time, parking on his street, following him when he went out.’
    ‘I didn’t do anything wrong, ma’am.’
    ‘Don’t take me for a fool. I know that you were doing this on your days off, just sitting in your car, watching Billy’s house. The case had stopped being yours by then.’
    Sheldon brushed some lint from his knee. The room had got warmer. ‘I was just trying to find answers,’ he said eventually.
    ‘And did you?’
    He shook his head. ‘No, I didn’t.’
    The Chief smiled, although it looked forced. ‘So show everyone that I’m right. I’m fighting for you, but I’ll be watching. If I see that you are going the same way, I’ll stop everything. Keep me up to date.’
    ‘I thought FMIT were coming over today, ma’am.’
    ‘I’ve stalled them,’ she said. ‘So can you do it?’
    Sheldon took a deep breath. ‘I can.’
    Dixon nodded her approval. ‘Don’t forget to keep me updated,’ she said, and then pointed towards the door. The meeting was over.
    Sheldon didn’t say anything as he left, and once he got outside, he leant back against the wall and closed his eyes.
    He stayed like that for a few seconds, listening to the chatter filtering down from the Incident Room, and then pushed away from the wall. He ran his fingers around his collar. It felt damp from perspiration.
    It was time to take control.

Chapter Fifteen
    Charlie looked out of his window. The kids in black had gone, as had