Last To Know: A London Crime Thriller (Detective Chief Inspector Arla Baker Series Book 12)

The heartstoppping 12th book in the gripping Arla Baker Series...

A woman lies brutally strangled to death outside Albert Bridge in London...strange numbers are tattoed on her arms. The woman had connections to politicians, and as Arla soon discovers, the woman knew secrets that the establishment would kill to protect.

Now they also have Arla in their sights...

CHAPTER 1

Albert Bridge wore a garland of shimmering yellow as it spanned the river. Tide was high, and the waters of the Thames rustled restively in the dark below. Michelle walked towards the lights, her head bent against the wind, glad she had the hoodie over her head. Battersea Park was a dark and ominous presence to her right, the huge expanse now silent and menacing in the night. Trees leaned over the fence, their leaves almost brushing her body, as if they were whispering fingers, trying to touch her. This was a quiet stretch of the road, and Michelle had used it before as a shortcut to get to the bridge. Once across the bridge, she could walk to her flat in Chelsea. It was busier there, with more cafes and pubs.
Michelle had met up with Shalini, a long-lost friend, for a drink. Despite Shalini’s requests, she had resisted the temptation to have one for the road. She was feeling tipsy after three glasses of white wine, and she had to get back home.
The pub was close to the tube stop, and Michelle had walked the one mile distance from her flat overlooking the river. Now, she wished she had taken a cab back home. The wind picked up, dragging stray leaves on the pavement. It was mid-September, and the early signs of fall had arrived, even in the city. An iron greyness was seeping into the blue summer skies like an omen of the coming winter.
Michelle’s ears picked up the sound for the second time. Footsteps, hurrying behind her. She had ignored it at first. It was common to find rushing pedestrians at all hours in south London. Being paranoid helped no one, and besides, she wasn’t far from the bridge now. She could see people and traffic on it, although they were few at this time of the night.
The footsteps behind her increased in pace, and a stab of fear sliced through Michelle’s guts. The houses to her left were mostly dark, with a few lights on some upper floor windows. Apart from her and the person behind, she couldn’t see anyone. The steps advanced rapidly, and she swallowed, her mouth opening to let out a little gasp of panic. She clutched the strap of her handbag, and half turned.
She saw the tall black shape of a man, dressed in dark jacket and trousers. She couldn’t make out his face. The streetlights were behind him, framing him in obscurity. And yet, something about him seemed familiar. The man stepped closer, and curiosity kept Michelle from running away.
“Hi,” the man said. She could see his features now, half-lit in the distant yellow light. Her lips parted in surprise.
“What are you doing here?”
She couldn’t make out the expression on his face. Only his lips moved. He murmured something inaudible, then his jaws set tight. Michelle frowned and moved closer.
“What did you say?”
He raised a hand to his face and coughed. “I wanted to see you.”
“Why didn’t you call?”
He shrugged. Then he squared his shoulders and looked around. The road was devoid of pedestrians. They were under the shadow of a giant tree leaning over the fence.
“Well?” Michelle insisted.
He seemed to whisper something in reply, and again she couldn’t make it out.
“I can barely hear you.”
“I said can I walk you home?”
Michelle was still mystified as to why he was here, but she nodded. “Ok.”
The man fell in step beside her as they walked towards the bridge. He remained silent, and she looked up at him. Shadow and light played on his face, as if playing hide and seek with her. She wondered what was on his mind. The wind streaked across from the river again, a damp and cold blast. Michelle shivered and raised the lapels of her coat.
As they got closer to the bridge, the buildings on the left faded to obscure office blocks shrouded in blackness. There was one pub, but it was shutting down. The last light went off as Michelle and her companion walked past. The street was suddenly completely devoid of light and humanity, save the dull glow of distant lights on Albert Bridge.
Michelle turned to the man, then gasped in surprise. She couldn’t see him anymore. Before she could turn, she felt a hand close around her throat, and another clamp around her mouth. She was slammed against the man’s chest, then carried towards the park. She tried to scream, but the sound was muffled by his hand, which smelt of petrol and stale sweat.
There was an opening in the fence, and the man dragged her through it. He flung her on the grass, then sat astride her midriff. A stinging blow to the head rocked her vision. Then she felt his hands close around her neck. She fought with him, but he was too strong. The last thing Michelle saw was the dim outline of his face, bearing down upon her.