February and Marvik is on the quest in SILENT RUNNING to find why an innocent man was convicted of murder
Read the extract featuring Rune in SILENT RUNNING
As Marvik lay on his bunk he listened to the sounds of the night, acutely aware of anything that sounded suspicious, fully prepared in case he needed to act. He slept with the kind of half-waking sleep that could be shaken off in an instant and replaced by action if required. But none was. The cawing seagulls announced the dawn and he rose to find a grey light slowly filling the sky to the east. He changed and went for a run. His head was clear, his muscles screaming for more exercise, his eyes alert to his surroundings, his ears attuned for any danger. He took a circuitous route. He would have liked to have run along the river’s edge into the flat marshy countryside but he chose the road, his eyes scanning the parked cars. Surely the police wouldn’t be stupid enough to be sitting in their car, and they weren’t. If those guys in the pub had been cops then they would have known he’d come by boat and could up anchor and leave at any time. He noted the cameras over the marina and along the road. The police wouldn’t have to physically watch him, they could be sitting behind a console in a nice warm operations room.
By the time he returned to the boat the morning was bright and breezy with a wind from the north- east that brought an edge of sharpness about with it. He watched two swans head further up the river towards the small historic town of Arundel before he made for the marina showers. After breakfast he took a stroll around the pontoons. It was a little after nine thirty but he’d already seen a slender, balding man about early-fifties arrive with a Border Collie. The cover was off the old classic yacht and the dog was lying on the pontoon in front of it. Good. It was easy to strike up a conversation with a person who had a dog but even if Ross hadn’t had a pet the yacht would have been a good enough topic. Marvik halted in front of the boat and bent down to ruffle the dog’s fur. It hauled itself up like an old man and sniffed around Marvik’s leg, thumping its tail.
‘You’ve made a friend,’ a voice hailed him and Marvik looked up to see a man’s head poking out of the cabin. The rest of him followed. He climbed up into the cockpit wiping his hands on an oily rag. ‘But then he’s everyone’s friend.’
‘What’s his name?’
‘Rune. It’s a letter from an ancient Germanic alphabet. I looked it up. It’s related to the Roman alphabet. It’s a mark or letter of mysterious or magical significance, a secret.’
Very apt, thought Marvik, wondering what secret Blackerman harboured that had kept him in prison for so many years.
‘But there’s nothing mystical about that old boy,’ the man continued, nodding at his dog who once again flopped down beside Marvik’s feet.
Marvik smiled. He didn’t know for certain this was Duncan Ross but he’d bet on it.
‘You staying in the marina?’ the man asked.
‘Came in yesterday.’
‘From?’
‘The Isle of Wight,’ Marvik lied.
‘Lovely place. Sailed there many times. Not on this. On the boat I had before. This was meant to be my retirement project but I’ve had more time on my hands lately than I anticipated.’
‘You’ve been made redundant.’ Perhaps he’d got it wrong, or Crowder had, and this wasn’t Ross.
‘No. My wife left me.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that.’
‘Why should you be? I’m not. Hazard of the job.’ Marvik looked blankly at him, hoping he’d elaborate. He did. ‘I’m a police officer.’
So it was Duncan Ross.
"A tense, terrifying thrill ride that twists and turns with dizzying speed, combined with a likable, smart, tough, but all too human hero, make this a cracking-good new series—action fans need Marvik on their radar." Booklist (USA)
Join Marvik in his quest to find the truth in SILENT RUNNING. Available in paperback and as an ebook, on Amazon Kindle and on Kobo.
Also published as an unabridged audio book narrated by Peter Noble.
Available on sale and for loan in UK, USA and Commonwealth Libraries.
Where to buy
Pauline Rowson's books USA
Pauline Rowson's books UK
From your local bookshop
Also available as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle, Kobo and for loan from UK, USA, Irish and Commonwealth libraries
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