Uxbridge Road

Puddles splashed angrily against the car as Madelyn pressed down on the accelerator. Rain was pelting the windshield of her smart, black Mini and the wipers were barely able to wipe the window clear before the fat raindrops splattered all over them again. Madelyn didn't care, though. She knew Uxbridge Road only too well, and she pressed the pedal down even further, urging the needle on the odometer to push 80 mph, 90 mph.

Her mobile vibrated and Beethoven's 5th Symphony played ominously. "Mother," she muttered, and she reached for her phone as her foot let off the accelerator. She rolled her eyes and put the phone up to her ear. "Mum, I'm just around the bend, for God's sake. I told you I would be to dinner by half six, and it's only a quarter past six!"

"Darling," her mother whispered, her voice trembling. "There's been a terrible..." Her voice trailed off and Madelyn could hear muffled sobs. Her mother was always so composed, and it worried Madelyn to hear her crying now.

"Mum, what is it?" Madelyn asked. "Has Dad had a heart attack?" Her father's health had been declining rapidly, and he had been to the doctor a handful of times in the past few years for mini-heart attacks. He had even been forced to retire from his long-time position as commissioner of the City of London Police. Just that day had been his official last day on the force; Madelyn was driving to her parents' in Hillingdon to have a celebratory dinner and retirement party.

When her mother didn't answer right away, Madelyn felt her chest tighten and her pulse quicken. "Mum," she said forcefully, "what's wrong? I need you to tell me."

Every second that passed only made Madelyn's worries grow, until finally her mother sniffed. "Lyn, Dad's had a terrible accident," she stuttered. "The coroner says..." She broke off again and started sobbing audibly this time.

"The coroner?" Madelyn repeated. "Mum, tell me what's happened now."

Her mother took several deep breaths and finally said, "Lyn, your father's been murdered."