Deadly Alibi Read online

  DEADLY ALIBI

  Cut Short – CWA Dagger shortlist, #1 iTunes, #1 Women Sleuths

  Road Closed – #1 Women Sleuths, Top 20 Kindle, Top Read Euro Crime, Top 50 iTunes

  Dead End – #1 Women Sleuths, Top 20 Kindle, Top 20 WH Smith’s, Top 10 Miami Examiner

  Death Bed – #1 Women Sleuths, Top 20 WH Smith’s

  Stop Dead – #1 on Amazon Kindle, People’s Book Prize shortlist

  Fatal Act – Top Five on Amazon Kindle

  DI Geraldine Steel is a Lovereading Great Female Sleuth

  Longlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library

  Two murder victims, a suspect whose alibi appears open to doubt… Geraldine Steel is plunged into a double murder investigation which threatens not only her life, but her career. And then her previously unknown twin Helena turns up, with problems which are about to make Geraldine’s life turn toxic in more ways than one.

  About the author

  Leigh Russell studied at the University of Kent, gaining a Master’s degree in English. A secondary school English teacher, and guest university lecturer in creative writing, she is married, has two daughters, and lives in North West London. Her first novel, shortlisted for the CWA best first novel award, Cut Short, was published in 2009. This was followed by Road Closed in 2010, Dead End in 2011, Death Bed in 2012, Stop Dead in 2013, Fatal Act in 2014, Killer Plan in 2015 and Murder Ring in 2016. Her first title in the series starring DI Peterson, Cold Sacrifice, was also published in 2013 followed by Race to Death in 2014 and Blood Axe in 2015. Leigh was chairman of the CWA judging panel in 2016 for the Debut Dagger.

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR BLOOD AXE

  ‘A great story with some interesting and unexpected twists and turns. It ends with some scenes of high drama and a clever and surprising outcome’ – Fiction Is Stranger Than Fact

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR KILLER PLAN

  ‘Her previous six novels featuring DI Geraldine Steel marked her out as a rare talent, and this seventh underlines it’ – Daily Mail

  ‘I will be looking out for more from this author’ – Nudge

  ‘a fast-paced police procedural and a compelling read’ – Mystery People

  ‘Fans of the series will enjoy reacquainting themselves with Leigh Russell’s work’ – Crime Fiction Lover

  ‘The plot was excellent with plenty of twists and red herrings’– newbooks

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR RACE TO DEATH

  ‘Unmissable’ – Lee Child

  ‘Leigh Russell has become one of the most impressively dependable purveyors of the English police procedural’ – Marcel Berlins, The Times

  ‘As tense openings go, they don’t come much better than this’ – Bookbag

  ‘If you enjoy a well-written mystery with a well-constructed and thought-out plot line then this is the book for you… it is my BOOK OF THE MONTH’ – Crime Book Club

  ‘the story unfolds at a great pace and grips until the end’– Fiction Is Stranger Than Fact

  ‘Leigh Russell weaves a fascinating tale that had me completely foxed. Whilst the mystery is tantalising the characters also fascinate, so clearly are they drawn’ – Mystery People

  Fantastic… I can’t wait to read more’– Book Addict

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR COLD SACRIFICE

  ‘A complex mystery rich in characters, this new series promises some interesting times ahead for Ian Peterson’ – Promoting Crime Fiction

  ‘Russell’s story telling was strong enough to keep me enticed right to the very end’ – Lloyd Paige

  ‘Ian Peterson as a character could potentially be just as good (if not better) than Geraldine Steel’ – Best Crime Books

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR FATAL ACT

  ‘a most intriguing and well executed mystery and… an engrossing read’– Shotsmag

  ‘the best yet from Leigh Russell – she keeps you guessing all the way through and leaves you wanting more’ – Crime Book Club

  ‘another fast-paced and complex mystery – a fabulous read.’– Fiction Is Stranger Than Fact

  ‘a truly great author… enough mystery and drama for the most ardent of mystery fans’ – Bookaholic

  ‘another corker of a book from Leigh Russell… Russell’s talent for writing top-quality crime fiction just keeps on growing…’ – Euro Crime

  ‘the plot is strong and the writing just flows with style and panache.’– Goodreads

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR STOP DEAD

  ‘All the things a mystery should be, intriguing, enthralling, tense and utterly absorbing’ – Best Crime Books

  ‘Stop Dead is taut and compelling, stylishly written with a deeply human voice’ – Peter James

  ‘A definite must read for crime thriller fans everywhere – 5 stars’– Newbooks Magazine

  ‘For lovers of crime fiction this is a brilliant, not to be missed, novel’– Fiction Is Stranger Than Fact

  ‘Geraldine Steel sticks out as a believable copper and Stop Dead flows easily’ – Electric Lullaby

  ‘a well-written, a well-researched, and a well-constructed whodunnit. Highly recommended’ – Mystery People

  ‘a whodunnit of the highest order. The tightly written plot kept me guessing all the way’ – Crimesquad

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR DEATH BED

  ‘Earlier books have marked her out as one of the most able practitioners in the current field’ – Barry Forshaw, Crime Time

  ‘Death Bed is a marvellous entry in this highly acclaimed series’ – Promoting Crime Fiction

  ‘An innovative and refreshing take on the psychological thriller’ – Books Plus Food

  ‘Russell’s strength as a writer is her ability to portray believable characters’ – Crimesquad

  ‘A well-written, well-plotted crime novel with fantastic pace and lots of intrigue’ – Bookersatz

  ‘Truly a great crime thriller’ – Nayu’s Reading Corner

  ‘Death Bed is her most exciting and well-written to date. And, as the others are superb, that is really saying something! 5*’ – Euro Crime

  ‘The story itself was as usual a good one, and the descriptive gruesomeness of some scenes was brilliant’ – Best Crime Books

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR DEAD END

  ‘All the ingredients combine to make a tense, clever police whodunnit’– Marcel Berlins, The Times

  ‘I could not put this book down’ – Newbooks Magazine

  ‘A brilliant talent in the thriller field’ – Jeffery Deaver

  ‘An encounter that will take readers into the darkest recesses of the human psyche’ – Crime Time

  ‘Well written and chock full of surprises, this hard-hitting, edge-of-the seat instalment is yet another treat… Geraldine Steel looks set to become a household name. Highly recommended’ – Euro Crime

  ‘Good, old-fashioned, heart-hammering police thriller… a no-frills delivery of pure excitement’ – SAGA Magazine

  ‘the critical acclaim heaped on Russell thus far in her literary career is well deserved’ – Bookgeeks

  ‘a macabre read, full of enthralling characters and gruesome details which kept me glued from first page to last’ – Crimesquad

  ‘Dead End was selected as a Best Fiction Book of 2012’ – Miami Examiner

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR ROAD CLOSED

  ‘A well-written, soundly plotted, psychologically acute story’– Marcel Berlins, The Times

  ‘Well-written and absorbing right from the get-go… with an exhilarating climax that you don’t see coming’ – Euro Crime

  ‘Leigh Russell does a good job of keeping
her readers guessing. She also uses a deft hand developing her characters, especially the low-lifes… a good read’ – San Francisco Book Review

  ‘perfect character building… cleverly written… can’t wait for the next one’ – Best Books to Read

  ‘Road Closed is a gripping, fast-paced read, pulling you in from the very first tense page and keeping you captivated right to the end with its refreshingly compelling and original narrative’ – New York Journal of Books

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR CUT SHORT

  ‘Cut Short is a stylish, top-of-the-line crime tale, a seamless blending of psychological sophistication and gritty police procedure. And you’re just plain going to love DI Geraldine Steel’ – Jeffery Deaver

  ‘Russell paints a careful and intriguing portrait of a small British community while developing a compassionate and complex heroine who’s sure to win fans’ – Publishers Weekly

  ‘an excellent debut’ – Crime Time

  ‘It’s an easy read with the strength of the story at its core… If you want to be swept along with the story above all else, Cut Short is certainly a novel for you’ – Crimeficreader

  ‘Simply awesome! This debut novel by Leigh Russell will take your breath away’ – Euro Crime

  ‘an excellent book…Truly a great start for new mystery author Leigh Russell’ – New York Journal of Books

  Cut Short is a book I had to read in one sitting… excellent new series’– Murder by Type

  ‘a sure-fire hit – a taut, slick, easy-to-read thriller’ – Watford Observer

  ‘fine police procedural, with a convincing if disconcerting feel of contemporary Britain’ – The Compulsive Reader

  ‘Cut Short featured in one of Euro Crime’s reviewers’ Top Reads for 2009’ – Euro Crime

  ‘Cut Short is not a comfortable read, but it is a compelling and important one. Highly recommended’ – Mystery Women

  ‘gritty and totally addictive debut novel’ – New York Journal of Books

  CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR MURDER RING

  ‘A great murder mystery in its own right and highly recommended’– Fiction Is Stranger Than Fact

  ‘Smoothly professional fare from the always-consistent Russell’ – Crime Time

  To Michael, Joanna, Phillipa and Phil

  Acknowledgements

  I would like to thank Dr Leonard Russell for his expert medical advice, and all contacts in the Metropolitan Police for their invaluable assistance.

  I would also like to thank the inimitable Annette Crossland for her loyal support.

  Producing a book is a team effort. I am fortunate to have the guidance of a brilliant editor, Keshini Naidoo, and I am very grateful to Ion Mills and Claire Watts, along with all the dedicated team at No Exit Press, who transform my words into books.

  My final thanks go to Michael, who is always with me.

  Glossary of acronyms

  DCI – Detective Chief Inspector (senior officer on case)

  DI – Detective Inspector

  DS – Detective Sergeant

  SOCO – scene of crime officer (collects forensic evidence at scene)

  PM – Post Mortem or Autopsy (examination of dead body to establish case of death)

  CCTV – Closed Circuit Television (security cameras)

  VIIDO – Visual Images, Identification and Detections Office

  Prologue

  The chain was on the door. This wasn’t the first time she had locked him out. Cursing under his breath, he rang the bell. Summer had arrived but it was growing dark and had just begun to rain. He shivered, waiting impatiently for her to let him in.

  He rang the bell again. His anger mounted until he thought his head would burst from the pressure. He banged on the door. It quivered beneath his furious onslaught, but remained shut.

  ‘Open up, will you? I can’t get in. You know bloody well the chain’s on the door!’

  A few moments passed before he heard her voice. ‘Who is it? What do you want?’

  ‘Who the hell do you think it is at this time of night? It’s me, of course!’

  His hair was dripping and his shoulders were damp by the time he heard the faint scraping of the chain sliding across. He would probably end up with a cold, thanks to her crazy paranoia.

  Slowly the door swung open. She stood motionless, staring at his chest, refusing to meet his gaze. Her face was pale and she looked scared. He tried to swallow his annoyance, reminding himself that she couldn’t help it.

  ‘I didn’t know who it was,’ she muttered.

  ‘Who else would it be at this time of night?’ he repeated.

  Seeing the fear in her eyes, his anger dissolved into pity. She was pathetic.

  ‘I wasn’t sure if it was you.’

  ‘Who else would it be?’ he replied, speaking more gently.

  As he leaned down to kiss her, she turned and moved away. Closing his eyes to savour the scent of her shampoo, he wasn’t sure if she even noticed the touch of his lips on her hair. He wanted to stroke the soft glossy curls, but she was already out of reach. Watching her narrow hunched shoulders as she walked away, he wanted to yell at her to stand up straight and stop being so feeble.

  Struggling to swallow his returning rage, he felt himself shaking. Almost against his will, he felt his hands tighten into fists. He took a deep breath, holding the air in his lungs for as long as he could. He had to calm down so he could deal with the situation rationally.

  In spite of his good intentions, it wasn’t long before the row began. Recognising the signs, he was powerless to stop it developing.

  ‘What the fuck do you think you were doing? Just who do you think you are, treating me like that?’

  Boxed in, there was no escape from the blows that rained down in a sudden frenzy.

  ‘Don’t you ever do that again! Ever! You do that again and I’ll kill you!’

  They had played out this scene so many times before. Recovering from the violent outburst, and the subsequent fit of self-reproach, they would revert to a kind of normality.

  Until the next time.

  One day it would go too far.

  1

  Waking with a start, she was just in time to see they were leaving Oakwood station. She swore under her breath because she had missed her stop. Feeling sweaty and slightly sick, she glanced around. In an old-style Piccadilly line underground train, there was no easy way to move away from the only other passenger in her carriage. With one more stop before they reached the end of the line, it wasn’t worth the effort of yanking open the external doors between carriages. Instead, she sat perfectly still, trying to ignore him.

  Every time her eyes flicked over to him, he was staring at her. She was drunk enough to want to leap to her feet and shout at him, ‘What the fuck are you staring at, you fucking weirdo?’, sober enough to resist the temptation. For all she knew, he might react violently. He had a mop of greasy dreadlocks, and his mouth hung slack beneath his wildly staring eyes. It was impossible to tell if his pupils were dilated, but there was definitely something demented about his expression.

  Unnerved, she pulled her hood up and kept her eyes on the filthy floor of the carriage. Without looking at him, she was aware of his presence, every muscle tensed to resist if he approached her. She wanted to close her eyes and drift off to sleep again, but she didn’t dare relax her vigilance. In a few minutes they would reach the end of the line. She willed the train to move quickly, hoping there would be other people around when they arrived.

  To her dismay, the train juddered to a halt before they reached the station. Every second she sat opposite the stranger seemed to stretch out as though time had become elastic. The air in the carriage felt so stuffy, she thought she would throw up. Sick and frightened, she struggled not to burst into tears. She was too old for this. It wasn’t as if she had eve
n enjoyed the evening. After ten years of London clubbing, she was disillusioned with her pursuit of meaningless fun. There must be more to life than frenetic dancing, shagging strangers, and throwing up in gutters.

  And now this.

  The stranger stirred. ‘We’re not moving,’ he said.

  She froze. Out of the corner of her eye she could see him leering at her.

  ‘Don’t be upset,’ he went on, his words slurring into each other. ‘There’s nothing to be upset about. Now we get to spend more time together.’

  A thrill of terror ran down her spine. This was it. He was going to attack her. She wondered if her rape alarm would deter him. It was deafening, but with no one else around to hear it, the shrill sound would be pointless. As she glanced around for the emergency cord, the train jolted and moved again.

  She fished in her bag for her Oyster card and clutched it, so she would be able to leave the station as quickly as possible. If she was fast enough, she would be out in the street before he could follow her. She checked her hood was up and sat on the edge of her seat. As the train drew into the station, she leapt up and dashed to the door.

  Without looking back, she could sense the other passenger was close behind her as the train left. She smelt his stale breath when he spoke.

  ‘You in a hurry?’ he asked softly.

  She didn’t turn round. It was best not to answer. He might think she hadn’t heard him.

  ‘I asked you a question, bitch.’

  A hand gripped her upper arm so suddenly it made her yelp. Biting her lower lip, she spun round, lashing out in terror. As she yanked her arm out of his grasp, her elbow hit the side of his chest. Struggling to cling on to her, he lost his footing. She staggered back and reached out, leaning one hand on the cold wall of the tunnel. Before she had recovered her balance he fell, arms flailing, eyes glaring wildly as he disappeared over the edge of the platform onto the rails below. There was a sharp crack followed by a dull thud and a faint wheezing.

  With a shudder, she craned her neck and peered over onto the rails where the man lay, twitching and moaning. He appeared to be having a seizure of some sort. Drawing back, she hurried towards the exit, forcing herself not to break into a run.