The Surrogate Read Online Free PDF

we’ve got to catch this bastard and get that baby, but we’ve got to step up.You’re going to need a bit of help.’

    ‘How d’you mean, sir?’

    ‘Different perspective, that kind of thing. Psychological input. Profile.’

    ‘I thought you didn’t go for that sort of thing.’

    ‘I don’t. Not personally. But the Detective Super’s been on the phone from Chelmsford. Thinks it would be helpful. Sanctioned the money too. So there we are. Another weapon in the arsenal and all that.’

    ‘Who did you have in mind?’ A shiver ran through Phil, as if he had just plugged his fingers into a wall socket. He had an idea of what Fenwick was about to say next. Hoped he was wrong.

    ‘Someone with a bit of specialist knowledge, Phil. And I know you’ve worked with her before.’

    Her. Phil knew exactly who he was talking about. His chest tightened again, but this wasn’t a panic attack. Not exactly.

    ‘Marina Esposito,’ said Fenwick. ‘Remember her?’

    Of course Phil remembered her.

    ‘I know it all ended rather unfortunately last time—’ Fenwick didn’t get to finish his sentence.

    Phil gave a bitter laugh. ‘Bit of an understatement.’

    ‘Yes,’ said Fenwick, undaunted. ‘But by all accounts a cracking forensic psychologist, don’t you think? Or at least as far as they go. And, you know, what happened aside, she got us a result.’

    ‘She did,’ said Phil. ‘She was good.’ And an even better lover , he thought.

    He felt his chest tightening again at his own words, tried to ignore it. He sighed. He remembered the case well. How could he not?

    Gemma Hardy was in her mid-twenties, a dentist’s receptionist who lived in a shared flat in the Dutch Quarter. She had friends and a regular boyfriend. Life was good for Gemma Hardy, she was happy. But that was all about to change. Because Gemma had also attracted a stalker.

    At first it was just texts, then letters. Love letters, dark and twisted, the writer telling her that she was the only girl, his true love.That he would kill anyone who got in their way.That he would kill her rather than let her go with someone else.

    Scared, she contacted the police. Phil was handed the case. He and his team went through Gemma’s life intimately. They found no one, nothing that could possibly point to the perpetrator. They arranged for her flat to be watched. Saw no one apart from her friends and boyfriend. They were getting nowhere, she was still terrified. Then someone suggested bringing in a psychologist.

    Marina Esposito, a lecturer in psychology at nearby Essex University, was called in to consult. She specialised in deviant sexuality. The case was tailor-made for her. Along with Phil she examined every aspect of Gemma’s life, and they found their stalker: Martin Fletcher. Her flatmate’s boyfriend. He was arrested and confessed.

    And that should have been the end of it. But it wasn’t. Not for Marina.

    ‘I doubt she’d do it, to tell you the truth, sir.’

    ‘I thought a bit of persuading, perhaps.’ Fenwick sounded surprised.

    Phil couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘Persuading? Last time she worked with us she nearly died. Severed all links.You sure you want her?’

    ‘Super mentioned her personally. Good a place as any to start with. And if ever a case was right up her alley it’s this one.’ Fenwick’s voice changed gear then, moved from politician to friend, counsellor. Phil didn’t trust him when he did that. ‘Leave it to me, Phil. I’ll talk to her, see what I can do.’

    Phil closed his eyes. Marina was there. He shook his head. Marina was always there. He sighed. Fenwick was right. Whatever else had happened, she was the best. And he needed the best on this case. ‘Well, good luck with that.’

    ‘Thank you.’ Phil couldn’t tell if Fenwick was being sarcastic or not.

    There was a silence on the other end of the line. Then: ‘Are you sure you can handle this, Phil?’

    Phil was jolted back. ‘Don’t