‘Linda Harrison Welch: licensed in pursuance of act of parliament to sell intoxicating liquor on or off the premises’.

Detective Sergeant Vivienne Trubshaw read the sign over the front door of The Bargeman as she waited for a reply to her call to DCI Donald May. She looked at her watch for the umpteenth time in five minutes.

He never used to be late like this. You could set your watch by him! What is the matter with Don?

But Viv knew exactly what the matter was. Why was she even asking herself what was wrong?

The pub had seen better days. When the DS pressed the doorbell, there was no sound. As she lifted the old brass knocker, it came away in her hand. Paint and plaster peeled off the walls. The old sash windows looked rotten. She rem...

Please subscribe to keep reading.