Page 38 of The Heart’s Choice (Cotton Cops Mysteries #1)

P eter Leigh showed no reaction when the jury foreman read the verdict. He was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to be hanged.

Bea made it clear she didn’t want to be informed when the sentence was carried out. As far as she was concerned, the sorry affair was over. Peter’s death wouldn’t bring Malcolm Pickering back to life, nor James Odlum for that matter.

She was pleased when her father broke all ties with Hardman, Burgesse, and Hilton after Roger recommended his own solicitors in Bolton.

They never heard from her aunt and uncle again.

Lucinda claimed to hate the cats that patrolled Belmont Grange. When kittens were born, she shipped them off to Sandiford Manor. Bea got used to having them underfoot and was only too happy to give them a good home.

Ventilation improved working conditions at Broadclough Mill. Roger invested in new machinery designed to weave calico, and was thus able to call some of his workforce back to work.

* * *

Marcus Halliwell’s chest swelled as his superintendent pinned the medal for exemplary service to his uniform. He basked in the glow of handshakes and backslapping from fellow policemen who all seemed genuinely pleased he’d been promoted.

Later, having accepted a few too many congratulatory pints of ale at The Nag’s Head , he filled his lungs and set off home, determined Inspector Halliwell wouldn’t fail to solve his latest case—a gruesome murder at the Hippodrome Music Hall.