I've Been Watching You: a stunning crime thriller from The North East Police Series by K.A. Richardson Page A

hoping is that a lumpectomy will suffice. Do you know what that is?’
    At her nod, he continued, ‘From the scan last week it doesn’t appear to have spread to the lymph nodes and as you know it’s roughly three centimetres in diameter. The surgery will take out the lump and a margin of flesh from around the lump. This will then be sent to the pathology lab for testing which will ascertain whether the margin is clear of cancer cells. We’ll then know what stage we are dealing with and can prepare your treatment plan. We caught this early thanks to your diligence with your breast checks. I’m hopeful for the outcome here.’
    Aoife coughed a little, it was what she had expected after she had spent time researching, but it still scared the hell out of her.
    ‘Will I have to stay in hospital long?’
    ‘You should be out the day after surgery all being well. After the surgery though, you will need to take it easy for a few weeks, no lifting whatsoever using your left arm, so that means no housework, no driving, nothing that could constitute work, OK?’
    Aoife nodded again, glancing at Ben to see if she had any questions.
    Ben shook her head, her hand now holding her aunts tightly.
    Forcing a smile, her aunt added, ‘Well I guess it’s time to see the nurse for the pre-op.’
     
    6 th June, 1605 hours – CSI Department, Sunderland City Centre Depot
    ‘Jacob? It’s Ben from Sunderland depot,’ Ben held the phone to her ear, chewing her bottom lip. She didn’t know how this would look, being scheduled for an attachment was no light thing, but it was important she was at the hospital with Grace when Aoife came out of surgery.
    ‘Hi, how are you?’ His voice sounded gruff, and if she was honest with herself, a little sexy.
    ‘I’m OK. Listen I know I’m due at HQ in the morning at 9 a.m. which is fine, but my aunt has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and has her surgery tomorrow afternoon, and I’ve got my little girl to pick up from school and have to get to the hospital. It’ll mean that I have to leave early but I completely understand if you feel you need to cancel my attachment and reschedule, or cancel completely if you see this as a –’
    ‘Whoa, slow down,’ interrupted Jacob. Ben could almost hear him smile down the phone, fully aware she had been babbling.
    ‘It’s fine, Ben. I’m not a monster you know. If you need to get away you get away, end of. Are you sure you can still come in prior to picking the bairn up from school? If your aunt needs you beforehand then we can reschedule for next week. It’s entirely up to you.’
    ‘No I should be OK, Jacob, thank you. I just need to get away mid-afternoon. The day after should be OK too; I’ve arranged for one of the other mums to pick Grace up from school and keep her until I finish work. We’ll go get my aunt after that, providing she’s fine to be released.’
    ‘OK, if you’re sure, Ben. Don’t worry if plans change. We can work around them. Sounds like you’re having a bit of a tough time at the moment.’
    Ben sighed down the phone, ‘Like you wouldn’t believe. Thanks again, Jacob, I’ll see you in the morning.’
     
    7 th June, 0115 hours – Whitworth residence, Sunderland
    John felt his eyes blur as he stared at the screen. He hadn’t been surprised to realise there were sites dedicated to appeasing the morbid curiosity surrounding death and murder. There were in fact, dedicated sites showing the brutality of the bodies before the police had arrived and cordoned them all off, restricting views. It really was fascinating stuff.
    He just couldn’t see his way to going to bed yet. He felt a need to learn more, to perfect whichever was the most effective method for the next time. He had barely slept since killing Ann Caffrey, and tonight was not going to be any different.
    His son was still staying at Carolyn’s house, leaving him free to be on the internet all day if he wanted. Killing played on his mind, he found