Tony Hill Quotes

“I failed her. And she's out of my life. I don't even know where she's living. What she's doing to get through the days. And I miss her. Every single day, I miss her.”
― Val McDermid, Cross and Burn

“I don't like fighting,' he said. 'It makes me hurt inside. Like I'm a kid again. In the cupboard, in the dark. If the grown-ups are fighting, it must be my fault. That's why I don't do rows.' He blinked hard, to keep the tears at bay. She was the only person in the world who could make him feel so exposed. It din't always feel like a good thing. 'Carol, I'm going home tomorrow. I can't manage without you. Not in any sense. So can we stop this no? I can't do it.”
― Val McDermid, Beneath the Bleeding

“It's only hunting you that keeps me from being you.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“I was just finishing up my drink then I was off to get the night bus.' Carol grinned. 'Your sophistication never ceases to amaze me. What's wrong with a taxi?' 'You get a better class of nutter on the night bus. I blend in perfectly”
― Val McDermid, The Torment of Others

“You've always been handy with a knife, Mother”
― Val McDermid, The Retribution

“Around five-eight, slim, good shoulders, narrow hips, legs and trunk in proportion, short dark hair, side parting, dark eyes, probably blue, shadows under the eyes, fair skin, average nose, wide mouth, lower lip fuller than upper.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“We all make mistakes, Carol. Sometimes they're more expensive than others. But I don't deserve to lose you,' he said, spreading his hands in appeal.”
― Val McDermid, Cross and Burn

“You take the lead. He'll open up more easily to a copper than a mumbo jumbo man”
― Val McDermid, The Wire in the Blood

“He looked so vulnerable and fallible, his shoulders slumped, his head down, that Carol's impulses overrode the decision she'd taken only minutes before to play it cool. She stepped forward and pulled Tony into a tight hug. 'If anyone can do it, you can,' she whispered against his chin like a cat marking its territory.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“No. It's no the same. The interviewers want you to say what they want to hear. I want to hear what you have to say.”
― Val McDermid, Beneath the Bleeding

“Look at you. Finally, you look upset. Is that what's bothering you now?' She stepped close to him and pushed him hard in the chest, making him stumble backwards. 'The fact that you didn't predict this? Didn't work it out? That you're not as smart as you thought you were? the great Tony Hill fucked up and now my brother's dead?' She pushed him again and he had to twist away to avoid falling down the stairs.”
― Val McDermid, The Retribution

“I know that. I do watch Spooks.' Carol was surprised. 'You do? I don't.' 'You should. They do.”
― Val McDermid, Beneath the Bleeding

“The bodies of two murdered women have been found this week. For the record, I didn't kill either of them.”
― Val McDermid, Cross and Burn

“He spread his hands in a self-deprecating gesture. 'Well, I'm not a cop. And I'm not a woman.' She couldn't resist. 'I had noticed.”
― Val McDermid, The Torment of Others

“Why are you only coming home just after three? Do you want a drink? I'm wide awake now.'
He could be so like a small child, she thought. Out of nowhere, all eagerness and curiosity.”
― Val McDermid, The Retribution

“I told her you were probably here'. 'Thanks,' Tony said. 'Did I mention she thinks her brother's murder is my fault?”
― Val McDermid, The Retribution

“Tony got up from his desk and crouched down beside her. She was instantly aware of the smell of him, a mixture of shampoo and his own fain, animal scent.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“He knew he could devastate her and drive her from him with a handful of well-chosen sentences. And part of him wanted to do just that. Part of him wanted to banish her and her presumptions from his life. He'd travel further and faster and lighter without her. Then an appalling thought battled through his anger. You sound just like Vanessa.”
― Val McDermid, Fever of the Bone

“I'm telling you the truth, Carol. Even though it's actually none of your business.'
She half turned, found a smile from somewhere and said, 'You're quite right. It is none of my business. Till tomorrow Tony.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing