Shot of Silence (Justice Again Book 3) by M Comley (best contemporary novels txt) 📗

“Fine. She was genuinely pleased. She told me to send you her love and a reminder that you and AJ have an open invitation to visit.”

“That’s kind of her. She’s never far from my mind, you know. You can’t work with someone over ten years and stop thinking about them just because they leave. Maybe the three of us will take her up on that invitation soon. I’m sure Georgie would be in her element surrounded by the dogs. She’s always asking if she can have one.”

“What a sweetheart. You should get her one. I think growing up with animals is a good foundation for kids, as long as they treat them with respect, that is.”

Katy puffed out her cheeks. “Impossible, especially now AJ has started his business. There are not enough hours in the day to consider taking on an extra burden at this time.”

“Such a shame. I get that. I’ve always had dogs in my life yet now, I go home and it’s just Brandon and me. Something seems to be missing.”

“Can you not get another rescue?”

“It wouldn’t be fair. Not on the dog to be left at home all day. Dogs are sociable animals. It really pisses me off when people work full-time and complain if their dogs leave them a package at home on the living room carpet. Mum had a friend once, her husband died of cancer, the dog was really his; she was jealous of it, in fact. She was out of the house ten hours a day and hit the dog when she got home and found she’d weed and pooed in the kitchen. She handed the rough collie over to Mum, said she couldn’t cope with it any more. Mum got the dog checked over by a vet—she came to us with cystitis. The heartless bitch hadn’t even taken her to the vets. Mum struck her off her friends’ list after that.”

“How sad. What happened to the dog?”

“We found her a loving home with a retired couple. Not long after, we learned she’d died of pyometra because the previous owners hadn’t been responsible enough to spay her. She was such a beautiful dog, died way too young, she was only nine.”

“Oh God, I’m filling up here. Why are people so irresponsible? Did they breed from her?”

“Not as far as I can remember. Some people just…” The lift pinged, and the doors sprang open. “Saved by the bell. Don’t get me started on negligent owners not doing the best for their animals.”

“Ha, we’re supposed to be a nation of animal lovers, and yet some of the tales we hear about how animals, dogs in particular, are treated could curl your toes. Makes you ashamed to be British at times.”

“Yep, just glad places like Mum runs exist. She’d never see a dog on the streets. Back to business.”

Katy smiled. “We do get riled up about things. What a pair we are.”

“Shows how much we care and the compassion we have running through our veins.”

“True enough.”

They approached the security guard and showed him their IDs.

“Hello, ladies. I was informed about your imminent arrival. Come this way. I’ll show you through to Mr Markham’s office. He’s been expecting you. Such a dreadful thing, losing Grace. She was a wonderful lady. Always had a kind word to say about everyone.”

“Hopefully we’ll get to the bottom of why it happened, soon.”

“I hope you do. We hear of so many cases not being solved these days…not that I’m blaming you guys. I’m sure you do your best with the funds you have in place.”

“Departmental cuts are the bane of our lives, that’s for sure. We’re extremely proud of our arrest record all the same, if that’s any reassurance.”

“Congratulations. Here we are, ladies. Can I get you a drink? I’m sure Mr Markham won’t mind me asking.”

“Coffee, white with one sugar. Thanks, that’s very kind of you.”

“I’ll fetch them in. Go through.”

Mr Markham was on the phone. Seated behind his large walnut executive desk, he gestured for them to take a seat and held up two fingers, signifying how long he was likely to be before he could give them his full attention.

The security guard returned and handed Katy and Charlie a paper cup each. “There you are, ladies. Enjoy,” he whispered and backed out of the room.

Mr Markham swivelled in his chair and turned to view the London skyline visible through the sizeable picture window and laughed before he ended the call and faced them again. “Sorry about that. I haven’t spoken to my chum in a few months. Not an ideal time for a catch-up chat, but some people can never take the hint. I suppose you’re here about Grace?”

“That’s correct. We needed to shoot off to break the news to her husband before we spoke to anyone here. We’re going to need to interview all of her colleagues. Do you have many people working here?”

“A couple of hundred. How did Toby take the news? No, that was probably the dumbest question I’ve ever asked in my life.”

“Yeah, not good. He was about to tell the kids when we left. Ouch, a couple of hundred, you say?”

“Yes, however, I was teasing a little, it’s just my way. The people who worked closely with Grace you can count on one hand, I suppose.”

“That’s a relief. Would it be possible to have a word with them?”

“Of course. Will it take long?”

“I’m not sure. I suppose it depends on what information they can offer us. Let’s start with you, shall we?” Katy replied brusquely. The man’s attitude sucked in her eyes. Here he was, laughing while, as they spoke, his colleague was probably being cut open at the mortuary by Patti.

“Go on then, what do you want to know?”

“Did Grace ever come into contact with the general public in her role?”

“No. Well, what I mean by that is no, not face to face, only over the phone, occasionally. We tend to deal with the big corporate firms here, very rarely