Lethal Game, page 35
‘What?’ he said.
‘Sound familiar?’
‘You’re saying I’m like that?’
‘Yes. And it got her killed. I can’t be losing someone else I care about.’
‘Don’t worry about me.’
‘That’s exactly what she used to say. And I’m not worried, I just need you to stick around long enough for me to pass my inspector’s exam. There could be a vacancy soon!’
Lucy tried to hold it together but the laughter broke through. It did for Joel too. The empty expanse of carpet, stone and high ceiling was an excellent conductor, and their laughter filled every inch of it.
THE END
Acknowledgements
So many people, processes and things are involved in the creation of a book by the time it stands proudly on a shelf, or displays as a thumbnail on your e-reader, or, looking slightly battered and not a little shocked, is propped up on a cobbled-together-table amongst pre-loved teddies in the bright sunshine of a Sunday morning boot fair (depending on where you buy your books). So many people, so much effort, so many hours and so, so many cups of tea that I feel bad making a sweeping statement such as massive thanks to my publisher now that it is finally finished. The truth however, is there are too many to name so a sweeping statement it must be. Here goes: Thank you to all at Team Avon. Thank you for continuing this dream of mine, for rolling me in glitter and for sharing my enthusiasm for the humble story.
I would like to reserve an individual mention for Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks, Senior Commissioning Editor at Avon for taking a chance on me (and for going easy on me with the structural edit of Lethal Game!), and for Cara Chimirri at Avon, who took up the editorial reigns when no one else would (I made that last bit up) and became the most important person in my world for at least five months as, between us, we did all we could to make Lethal Game as perfect as possible.
My wife also deserves acknowledgement. Creating stories was my obsession long before we met, but she still has to live with those restless nights where I constantly click a bedside light on and back off again to hurriedly scribble notes and ideas, or the irregular naked dashes from the shower to the bedroom when inspiration has struck and must be recorded, or, when she’s waiting for me because we’re watching something together and gets my constant assurances of just finishing this bit. Never does she complain.
She does remove the bulb, wrap a towel and start the programme whether I am ready or not, but I adore her for it.
The last thank you is the most important of all as it is for the readers. None of this is possible without you. I love this job; Monday has become my favourite day of the week and long may that continue. But it doesn’t without you. Thank you for buying and reading the books, for supporting me with your words of feedback, for the tags, mentions and direct messages on social media, via email and meetings in person – I only hope I manage to reply to each and every method as this is something I find almost as enjoyable as the creation of the stories in the first place.
Almost.
Keep Reading …
Loved Lethal Game? Why not go back to the first book in Charlie Gallagher’s gripping crime series.
A stranger. A promise. A deadly game …
Click here to find out more.
About the Author
Charlie Gallagher was a serving UK police officer for thirteen years. During that time, he had many roles, starting as a frontline response officer, then a member of a specialist tactical team and later as a detective investigating the more serious offences. His books are a series of thrillers and, rather unsurprisingly, policing is central to the stories. He lives with his family on the south coast of Kent.
Also by Charlie Gallagher
The Friend
About the Publisher
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CHARLIE GALLAGHER, Lethal Game
