The Hard Way Duncan Brockwell Copyright © 2021 Duncan Brockwell The right of Duncan Brockwell to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by him in accordance to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published in 2021 by Bloodhound Books. Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publisher or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. www.bloodhoundbooks.com Print ISBN 978-1-913942-44-1 Contents Love crime, thriller and mystery books? Also by Duncan Brockwell Monday, June 11th Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Day 1 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Day 2 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Day 3 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Day 4 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Day 6 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Day 7 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Chapter 55 Chapter 56 Day 8 Chapter 57 Chapter 58 Chapter 59 Chapter 60 Chapter 61 Chapter 62 Chapter 63 Chapter 64 Chapter 65 Chapter 66 Chapter 67 Chapter 68 Chapter 69 Chapter 70 Chapter 71 Chapter 72 Chapter 73 Chapter 74 Chapter 75 Day 9 Chapter 76 A note from the publisher Love crime, thriller and mystery books? You will also enjoy: Love crime, thriller and mystery books? Sign up today to be the first to hear about new releases and exclusive offers, including free and discounted ebooks! Why not like us or follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest news from your favourite authors? Also by Duncan Brockwell Mr Invisible The Met Murder Mysteries by DC Brockwell No Way Out Bird of Prey Bad Blood Monday, June 11th 1 Colin Fisher rose from his seat. “Great show, everyone, as always.” His co-star, the delightful Brandy Reid rose from her chair opposite him. It was midnight, and the Fright Night show was being broadcast at their sister building in Croydon. “I don’t know about you, Bran, but I need a shower. Kurt, I’m going to my dressing room, okay? You’ll be here for a while, right?” Kurt Austin, the producer, used his microphone to confirm he was staying for a while. “Absolutely! Editing doesn’t happen by itself.” Meeting the blonde bombshell he’d chosen as a co-star at the door, Colin opened it for her. She was delightful, a real charmer with a great personality, great sense of humour. If he weren’t gay, and married to Henry Curtis, the station’s owner, Brandy would be right up there as his choice of wife. “After you, my lovely.” “That really was a cracking show, wasn’t it?” Brandy, in a short denim skirt and low-cut white top, walked with him along the corridor to the dressing rooms. She wasn’t a big enough name to have her own, so she used the generic dressing room on the right, while Colin used his own on the left. “I guess this is good night.” Sensing that something was bothering her, Colin asked, “You know you can tell me anything, don’t you? I’m here to listen, as your manager, your friend. If something’s wrong, you would tell me?” She could hide behind her smiles and laughter all she liked, he’d worked with her long enough to know when something was wrong. Even her face gave her away. “I’m fine, Col, really. My boyfriend’s being a jerk, but other than that, I’m perfect.” She opened her dressing room door. “Well, night.” Something was definitely up. Brandy always kissed him goodnight; she’d not once gone without at least a hug. “Night, Bran. We’ll talk more about this tomorrow.” By the time he finished his sentence, she’d shut the door. “Rude!” Entering his own room, he closed the door behind him, undressed, putting his clothes on an armchair, before walking through to his luxury bathroom. Henry had spared no expense renovating the factory outlet into a radio station. Colin loved his life now, which was a far cry from his former life. Meeting Henry had changed him for the better. Henry was the sole reason why Colin and his older brother, Richard, were on speaking terms, not that he could blame Richard for disowning him. Colin had done some vile things to his family over the years. Naked, he stepped under the shower, bending to turn the taps, as the jets probed his back. Having a shower at the end of his late shift was the icing on the cake. It was so different to his old life, living on the streets, doing anything he could to get hold of some heroin. All his life, he’d lived under his brother’s vast shadow. Richard was the brightest, the best, the first and only to go to university. Hell, he was the first to marry, the first to buy a house, have kids, the works. Colin had always looked up to Richard in so many ways, but he knew from a young age he was different. Knowing he was gay was the hardest part of growing up. Colin had straight, very straight friends at school, who were forever talking about girls, about their bodies, the usual. Colin couldn’t comment back with any conviction, because the girls at school didn’t make him feel anything. It was unfortunate that one or two of the boys did. Growing up pretending to be something he wasn’t took its toll on his mental health. When Colin was old enough to leave home, to leave the pressure his parents exerted on him to follow Richard’s example, he moved in with a couple of friends. He still considered those days his best, until he found cocaine. His housemates introduced him to coke, which he fell in love with. It made him feel invincible. Coke helped him explore his sexuality. Colin went to his first gay bar high on the white powder, and had his first sexual
