To Silence Them (DI Sam Cobbs Book 2), page 1
TO SILENCE THEM
DI SAM COBBS #2
M A COMLEY
A very special thank you to the wonderful Clive Rowlandson, my special Facebook friend, who has allowed me to use his stunning photos of the Lake District as covers for this series.
I look forward to watching your future adventures, walking on the Fells with Alpha.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks as always go to @studioenp for their superb cover design expertise.
My heartfelt thanks go to my wonderful editor Emmy, my proofreaders Joseph, Barbara and Jacqueline for spotting all the lingering nits.
Thank you also to my amazing ARC group who help to keep me sane during this process.
Thank you to my good friends, Alex and Claire, for allowing me to use your names in this series.
To Mary, gone, but never forgotten. I hope you found the peace you were searching for my dear friend.
ALSO BY M A COMLEY
Blind Justice (Novella)
Cruel Justice (Book #1)
Mortal Justice (Novella)
Impeding Justice (Book #2)
Final Justice (Book #3)
Foul Justice (Book #4)
Guaranteed Justice (Book #5)
Ultimate Justice (Book #6)
Virtual Justice (Book #7)
Hostile Justice (Book #8)
Tortured Justice (Book #9)
Rough Justice (Book #10)
Dubious Justice (Book #11)
Calculated Justice (Book #12)
Twisted Justice (Book #13)
Justice at Christmas (Short Story)
Justice at Christmas 2 (novella)
Justice at Christmas 3 (novella)
Prime Justice (Book #14)
Heroic Justice (Book #15)
Shameful Justice (Book #16)
Immoral Justice (Book #17)
Toxic Justice (Book #18)
Overdue Justice (Book #19)
Unfair Justice (a 10,000 word short story)
Irrational Justice (a 10,000 word short story)
Seeking Justice (a 15,000 word novella)
Caring For Justice (a 24,000 word novella)
Savage Justice (a 17,000 word novella Featuring THE UNICORN)
Gone In Seconds (Justice Again series #1)
Ultimate Dilemma (Justice Again series #2)
Shot of Silence (Justice Again #3)
Taste of Fury (Justice Again #4)
Crying Shame (Justice Again #5)
To Die For (DI Sam Cobbs #1) Coming Dec 2021
Clever Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)
Tragic Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)
Sinful Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)
Forever Watching You (DI Miranda Carr thriller)
Wrong Place (DI Sally Parker thriller #1)
No Hiding Place (DI Sally Parker thriller #2)
Cold Case (DI Sally Parker thriller#3)
Deadly Encounter (DI Sally Parker thriller #4)
Lost Innocence (DI Sally Parker thriller #5)
Goodbye, My Precious Child (DI Sally Parker #6)
The Missing Wife (DI Sally Parker #7) Out Feb 2022)
Web of Deceit (DI Sally Parker Novella with Tara Lyons)
The Missing Children (DI Kayli Bright #1)
Killer On The Run (DI Kayli Bright #2)
Hidden Agenda (DI Kayli Bright #3)
Murderous Betrayal (Kayli Bright #4)
Dying Breath (Kayli Bright #5)
Taken (Kayli Bright #6 coming March 2020)
The Hostage Takers (DI Kayli Bright Novella)
No Right to Kill (DI Sara Ramsey #1)
Killer Blow (DI Sara Ramsey #2)
The Dead Can’t Speak (DI Sara Ramsey #3)
Deluded (DI Sara Ramsey #4)
The Murder Pact (DI Sara Ramsey #5)
Twisted Revenge (DI Sara Ramsey #6)
The Lies She Told (DI Sara Ramsey #7)
For The Love Of… (DI Sara Ramsey #8)
Run For Your Life (DI Sara Ramsey #9)
Cold Mercy (DI Sara Ramsey #10)
Sign of Evil (DI Sara Ramsey #11)
Indefensible (DI Sara Ramsey #12)
Locked Away (DI Sara Ramsey #13)
I Can See You (DI Sara Ramsey #14)
The Kill List (DI Sara Ramsey #15) coming March 2022
I Know The Truth (A psychological thriller)
She’s Gone (A psychological thriller )
The Caller (co-written with Tara Lyons)
Evil In Disguise – a novel based on True events
Deadly Act (Hero series novella)
Torn Apart (Hero series #1)
End Result (Hero series #2)
In Plain Sight (Hero Series #3)
Double Jeopardy (Hero Series #4)
Criminal Actions (Hero Series #5)
Regrets Mean Nothing (Hero #6)
Prowlers (Hero #7)
Sole Intention (Intention series #1)
Grave Intention (Intention series #2)
Devious Intention (Intention #3)
Merry Widow (A Lorne Simpkins short story)
It’s A Dog’s Life (A Lorne Simpkins short story)
Cozy Mystery Series
Murder at the Wedding
Murder at the Hotel
Murder by the Sea
Death on the Coast
Death By Association
A Time To Heal (A Sweet Romance)
A Time For Change (A Sweet Romance)
High Spirits
The Temptation series (Romantic Suspense/New Adult Novellas)
Past Temptation
Lost Temptation
CONTENTS
Prologue
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
Epilogue
Keep in touch with M A COMLEY
PROLOGUE
Fiona was on edge, as usual. Currently, she was sitting inside her car, alongside her husband, Rory, on the way to Buttermere for a rare day out. The sun had made a sporadic winter’s day appearance at the end of February, and Rory had announced his intentions first thing, ordering her to get herself and their baby, Summer, ready within thirty minutes because he wanted to get on the road early.
She had raced around, collecting all the necessary items needed for a day trip out with a six-month-old baby, all under his watchful gaze and frequent sighing. He had made a point of following her from room to room, the way he had since their wedding day five years before. No matter what she said or did to appease him, he was always there, menacingly watching, within a few feet of her when he was at home.
“What brought this on today?” Fiona dared to ask.
“Does there have to be a reason for us to go out?” came his clipped response, silencing her.
Fiona rested her head back against the headrest and decided not to bother further. That’s how it had been since the first day, their wedding day. He’d refused to let her move into his house before the marriage certificate had been signed. After the family get-together, he’d carried her over the threshold and whispered in her ear, “You’re mine at last, to do with as I see fit.”
She had been so loved-up at the time, she had misread the meaning in his words. That was her first mistake. He had raped her that day and every day after that until she’d announced her pregnancy. After that, he’d left her alone to enjoy her pregnancy without mistreating her in the bedroom.
Fiona had pleaded with the midwife to enforce upon Rory the need to give her time to heal after the baby was born—in other words, not to have sex for at least six weeks. Rory had smiled and nodded his understanding, but as soon as the midwife had left, he’d pounced on Fiona, swiping her across the face. He’d then roughly grabbed her around the throat and backed her up against the wall.
“You ever try that kind of trick again and you’ll be sorry, you hear me?”
“What trick?” she’d choked out.
“Don’t treat me like an idiot. I’ll give you two weeks’ recovery time.”
Tears had emerged and trickled down her cheeks.
“Oh dear, have I made you cry?” he’d taunted.
Unable to swipe the tears away, furious that she’d displayed such weakness, she’d sniffled then whispered, “I’m sorry. I love you, Rory. Can’t we start over? Live a normal life without—”
He’d tilted his head and sneered. “A normal life? What, like you being in my bed, like a normal, loving wife? Instead of me taking what is rightfully mine? Is that what you mean?”
She’d nodded.
He’d thrust his head towards her, his nose touching hers. “That’ll be the day.”
She was so caught up in her reverie that she neglected to hear what her husband was saying. He jabbed her in the leg.
“Did you hear me?”
“Sorry, I was too caught up, admiring the beautiful views. It’s been ages since we went out exploring. I’m looking forward to today. Summer will revel in the fresh air as well.”
“Shut up!”
“Sorry.”
“You should be. What have I told you about only speaking when I give you permission?”
“I know, but… I thought today might be differ ent.”
“You mean you were hoping it would be different.” He let out a menacing laugh that sent a chill rushing through her veins.
She gulped and remained silent, aware that what he’d said had been rhetorical.
The rest of the journey consisted of him glancing her way now and again and prodding her in the leg if she dared to peer out of the side window, instead of directly ahead of her.
“Almost there now. We’ll have an hour’s walk and then, if you’re good, there’s a café I think we should go to for some lunch.”
“Sounds wonderful. Thank you for looking after us so well, I’m truly grateful.” She was well versed in how to respond to his generous suggestions when they came. If she failed, she was also aware of what the consequences would be. Often, she would lie awake for hours, staring into the darkness of their bedroom, dreaming up ways of escaping her living nightmare. A nightmare she and her daughter were stuck in like quicksand. Could she allow her daughter, as she got older, to be subjected to such an horrendous lifestyle? Would Rory still treat her so harshly when their child was in her teens?
He had recently been talking about them having another child. She didn’t have the courage to tell him she wasn’t ready, either emotionally or physically, to even consider having a second child yet. What was the point? Going against his suggestions would only make matters worse for all of them. She loved her time alone with Summer when he was out at work. Even then, most days he surprised her during the day, to check up on her, making sure she was always busy, either keeping the house clean or tied to the kitchen, preparing and cooking an edible meal. Everything had to be freshly prepared with the best ingredients she could buy on the pittance he placed into her bank account on the first of every month.
She had only ever run out of money once. Never again, not after the thrashing she had received. Now, if there was any money left over, she hid it in a pot under her bed, her ‘emergency escape fund’ she called it. God help her if he ever found it. It hadn’t really amounted to much, fifty pounds at the most so far, but it was fifty pounds towards her freedom. One day, soon, she hoped, it would help her and Summer to escape. The one thing preventing her, apart from the lack of funds already in place, was the knowledge he would hunt her down. Rory had threatened it often enough, to keep her on her toes, as if he knew what was going on inside her head.
“We’re here. You get Summer, you can carry her while I take the rucksack.”
“Okay.” She knew the rucksack would be virtually empty: a few pieces of fruit, some formula for Summer, that’s all. She was definitely getting the raw end of the deal. Summer was a healthy sixteen pounds now, which always seemed more like twenty when she was carrying her for more than ten minutes.
Rory parked up. “Get Summer ready, don’t hang around either. I want to make the most of the fine weather.”
Fiona glanced off into the distance, at the thick clouds shrouding the fells off to the right. She took Summer out of her car seat that was strapped into the back seat and placed her in the baby sling Fiona had only purchased the week before, after Rory had received a tip from a grateful customer of his.
They met up at the boot, and after Rory checked the straps were secure on the sling, they set off from the car up the steep incline. There were dozens of other climbers ahead of them and a few even returning to their cars. All of them spoke, saying a cheery hello as they passed. Rory, as usual, chose to ignore them, but Fiona always said hello with a happy smile. Much to Rory’s annoyance. Yet, with so many people around, he knew better than to go on the attack and give her a good hiding.
They climbed and climbed; this was the first real bout of exercise Fiona had embarked upon since Summer’s birth. She paused to rest for a few seconds. Rory tugged her arm, forcing her to plough on, to push through the discomfort, which she eventually did. After thirty minutes, the end was in sight, the small peak they were aiming to conquer. She glanced over to the right, thankful Rory hadn’t chosen the other route as the vast hill disappeared into the clouds. No, this one was quite enough for someone trying to regain their fitness. The couple ahead of them paused to take the obligatory ‘conquering the fell’ photo and then headed towards them to make their descent.
Rory peered over Fiona’s shoulder and then placed her and Summer on the edge of the peak, his arm wrapped around her waist, and he took a selfie on his mobile. “Smile for the camera, this could be the last picture we get of us together.”
She frowned and turned to look at him and then nervously stared down at the huge drop behind them. “What are you saying?”
“Hush now.” He squeezed her waist and angled her against him. “All will be revealed soon enough. Make a fuss and I’ll kill you here and now.”
“What?”
“What did I tell you?” He pinched her waist.
She yelped and stared down at the drop behind her again, as if mesmerised by the descent and the angles jutting out of the landscape. Fear continued to mount every second she was forced to remain in that treacherous position.
“Hey, come on, you’re holding up the queue,” a man shouted a few feet from them.
Relief swept through her when Rory’s grip diminished and he tugged her behind him on their descent along the track, his words circulating through her mind as she trudged back down the hill and into the Skye Farm café, where he’d promised to buy them lunch.
Rory ordered for her, as usual. Their sandwiches arrived, a whole mini baguette filled with chicken, bacon and mayonnaise. It was delicious but far too big for Fiona to eat all in one go. She pushed her half-eaten lunch to the middle of the table.
He looked at the plate, then back up at her, and through clenched teeth, he ordered, “Eat it.”
She put her flattened hand over her stomach. “I can’t, I’m full.”
He threw a serviette at her. “Wrap it up. You can have it for your tea later.”
“Oh, okay.” She wrapped the rest of her baguette in the napkin and handed it to him to put in the rucksack.
“Can’t take you anywhere. Show you some kindness and you throw it back in my face every single fucking time,” he said, seething.
She knew better than to retaliate, instead, she made a fuss of the gurgling Summer and sipped at her coffee. Straining an ear, she picked up on the conversation taking place behind her on the next table; it was regarding one of her favourite actors, Tom Cruise.
“Did you hear that?” she whispered forgetting the rule: not to speak unless he gave her permission.
“What? I don’t listen to idle chitchat. Drink your coffee and we’ll head off.”
She sipped at her drink but still had one ear on the debate going on at the next table. “Excuse me,” she took a punt and butted in, not daring to look in Rory’s direction. “Did you say Tom was spotted around here lately?”
“That’s right, love,” a man in his fifties with a salt-and-pepper-coloured beard replied. “He was seen jumping out of a helicopter over the lake. Apparently, they were filming Mission Impossible Seven in the UK at different locations back in September. Nice chap, by all accounts. Friendly with the locals, didn’t think twice about having his photo taken with them, not like some Hollywood actors. He does his own stunts, too, from what I’ve heard, not bad for a man around my age.”
The rest of the table all laughed.
“Oh my, I think I would have died if he’d approached me, I’m one of his biggest fans.”
“Have you finished?” Rory snapped.
“No, I’ve still got half my drink left,” Fiona replied.
His face darkened. She stood her ground and sipped at her drink under his scowl, while still continuing her conversation with the man on the next table.
Rory’s chair scraped on the flagstone floor, and he rose to his feet. “I’ll be outside, don’t be long.”
“I take it your old man isn’t a Cruise fan then,” the bearded man said.
“No, you could say that. I’d better go, he gets a little moody if I keep him waiting too long. Nice chatting with you.”
