Time to Play (North East Police) Page 27

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  Acknowledgments

  Bloodhound Books make getting published an absolute pleasure – the whole team from Betsy and Fred to my lovely editor Claire, and the fab designer are just brilliant. I couldn’t do this without you.

  This book is based around the dive team – and a massive thank you goes to Steve Howe who is a police diver, a sergeant, and has been instrumental in helping me get this novel into shape. My unending questions about where to submerge a body, and would this reservoir be deep enough to hide the body etc, were answered rapidly without him even batting an eye lid. The dive team headquarters and the equipment room were fab in helping me paint a picture to use in my mind.

  I couldn’t write this novel without thinking of those trafficked into the country illegally and the things they have to go through – it was part of my research but as it progressed I came to understand more and more about how much these folk go through and how very hard it is for them. If I could have one wish come from this book, it would be to raise awareness – human trafficking is real, it’s dangerous and it’s close to home.

  To all my crime scene investigator friends who are always there with answers when I need them – you’re fabulous. Thank you. As always the lovely Inspector Caz has been on hand for my police related questions and as always she’s been fab.

  My whole family are so supportive - without them writing just wouldn’t be possible. The support and patience they provide is unwavering and constant. They all make me so proud every single day.

  My close friends are my rocks – constant support through good and bad, and not being too shy to tell me when I’m doing something I shouldn’t be! You know who you are – but to mention a few names (by no means all) Claire, Angela, Dionne, Rachel, Vicky, Eileen, Michelle and Char. Keep shining like the stars you are.

  Finally, I’d like to thank YOU, the reader. Writing really wouldn’t be as pleasurable without each and every one of you, whether I know you or not, you make my dreams a reality. It makes me very proud to admit I’m a member of THE Book Club, UK Crime Book Club, Crime Book Club and Crime Fiction Addict on Facebook – these clubs make speaking to readers simple and I thoroughly enjoy the interaction, banter, and suggestions for books to read, characters and plots to write. I look forward to meeting more of you at the various events planned in the near future.

  Glossary of terms

  Brown Sugar – Heroin

  CSI – Crime Scene Investigator

  CSM – Crime Scene Manager

  DCI – Detective Chief Inspector

  DI – Detective Inspector

  DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid

  Fed – federation (police union)

  Gov – governor (used by lower ranks to address higher ranks)

  HOLMES – UK database for logging major crime

  HQ – Headquarters

  ID – identification

  LV – force terminology used by the force to describe themselves (i.e LV refers to North East Police)

  MIT – Major Incident Team

  NCA – National Crime Agency

  PADI – Professional Association of Diving Instructors

  PNC – police national computer

  PM – Post Mortem

  POLSA – police search advisor

  QT – quiet (you’re not allowed to say quiet or it jinxes the day!)

  RIB – Rigid Inflatable Boat

  RVP – Rendezvous Point

  SOCARD – database for logging crime scene information

  Super – superintendent