Page 33 of The Truth Will Out (DI Sam Cobbs #18)

T wo weeks later, the sky over Cumbria was brighter and calmer, although the storm raging inside Sam refused to pass. She’d had a lot to consider recently.

Knowing that another two serial killers were now on remand, awaiting trial, should have improved her mood.

It hadn’t, far from it. The media attention was doing little to put the case to bed either.

She was constantly being bombarded by calls from journalists, both local and national, which were taking up too much of her time and wearing on her sanity.

Her relationship with Bob had changed, despite her initial welcome back speech once he’d returned to work. He’d noticed her attitude towards him had altered, and he had been busy bending her ear about it at every available opportunity for the past two weeks.

Things weren’t faring better at home between her and Rhys either.

He was quieter. In truth, they both were.

He’d decided it would be a good idea to move into the spare room, giving her the space she needed to come to terms with how she felt.

He was still sleeping with the lights on, a clear indication of how deeply he’d been affected by his abduction.

She wanted to be there for him, but the shutters remained firmly closed .

Today she had booked a day off from work. Rhys had suggested he take time off so they could spend the day together, but she’d told him that she’d prefer some time alone.

She had a lot to figure out, such as what she intended to do with the next stage of her life.

She had brought her fancy notebook with her to a place close to her heart: Coniston Water.

She had found a secluded spot, away from the crowds, and settled on a log overlooking the famous lake, with Tilly by her side, her chin resting on Sam’s feet.

There, pen in hand, Sam wrote her letter of resignation.

She rewrote it several times until she was finally happy with the outcome. She didn’t have it in her anymore to chase serial killers or to put her family and those she loved through the torture and torment caused by her chosen career.

Something had changed in her during this particular investigation—a nagging voice in her head telling her to reassess the decisions she’d made in life and to alter things for the better. She needed to put herself first, for a change, at the risk of upsetting those around her.

The last couple of years had proven that life was too short, and if she didn’t enjoy it, she’d grow old and have regrets.

She glanced down at her dog; she wasn’t Sonny, but she was bonding with the sweet pup now.

She had rescued Tilly from a life on the streets, and in return, little Tilly had given her so much more.

For a start, the incentive to live her dreams. To say sod it to everything and do what was right for her and her four-legged companion.

She tore off the resignation letter and popped it into an envelope which she addressed to DCI Armstrong.

Now she had one more letter she needed to write—to Rhys.

As far as she was concerned, once the trust had been broken between them, she couldn’t see a way back.

Although she admitted that he wasn’t to blame for anything that had happened at Pendle House, the fact remains that he had neglected to tell her about that part of his past, and that was what really hurt her the most. He had led her to believe that there were no skeletons in his closet, which had turned out to be a major lie.

How could she ever trust him again? It was like living with Chris all over again.

The lies and deceit didn’t belong in a relationship.

Crystal was going to be livid to hear the news that the wedding was off, but c’est la vie. Hopefully, in time, her sister would be able to forgive her and understand her reasons for calling it off.

She didn’t care if Rhys understood or not, as harsh as that sounded. People needed to show their partners respect in all aspects of their life. Trust and loyalty in Sam’s eyes were everything in a marriage, and without that…

Tears dripped onto the sheet of paper as she said her final farewell to Rhys. She had booked a cottage in Pooley Bridge for a few days. That would give him time to pack up his things and move out.

Doreen was going to be flabbergasted by her decision. Sam hoped that, in time, her elderly neighbour would understand.

She ended the note with a kiss, more out of habit than anything else, and put it in the envelope. Then, after a much-needed hug from Tilly, she got back on the road and drove to Rhys’s office. Coward that she was, she handed the letter to Brenda.

Confused, Brenda took it and asked if Sam was all right.

“I will be. It was nice knowing you.”

She left the office and returned to the car. This time she headed towards the station, where she dropped the letter off at reception, then drove home. She packed a small suitcase, gathered all of Tilly’s bits together and drove to the cottage.

The owner welcomed her and showed her around the property. Katherine left her to enjoy her stay. Sam rested her head against the door, wondering whether she had in fact, done the right thing.

“No regrets, girl. You’ve got this. It’s time for you to get on with your life. Just you, the open road and your little dog, Tilly, by your side.”

THE END