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

I’ll be careful.” Charlie turned back to survey the area.

“Hi, Patti, it’s me, and no, I’m not going to start pestering you. You need to get back here.”

“What? We’ve only just got back to base. Why? Did we miss something?”

“There’s been another murder. Grace’s boss has been shot.”

“What the fuck? Okay, I’ll gather the team and be there within twenty to thirty minutes.” Patti hung up before Katy could say anything else.

“She’s on her way.”

“All I can see is a lot of windows as possible vantage points from which to take the shot,” Charlie said as Katy joined her.

“Don’t forget the roofs as well. Any one of those could have been used. I get the feeling the killer has been within spitting distance of us all along, waiting to pounce again, to seize another opportunity, but why?”

“Two executives from the same firm, there has to be more to it.” Charlie shook her head.

“Yeah, we need to get the team out here. Start asking probing questions, shake a few trees if we have to.”

“I’ll get on it, if you like?”

“Take it in the hallway, Charlie.”

“Will do.”

Charlie left her position, which allowed Katy to get closer to the window. Her gaze was drawn to one roof in particular opposite. She saw something or someone move. Yes, it was a person. She sprinted out of the office and called the lift. The security guy was beside himself, pacing the hallway, as much use as a chocolate teapot left out in the midday sun.

He was mumbling the same words over and over, “I should’ve kept them both safe…it was my responsibility and I screwed up.”

“Don’t be daft. You haven’t screwed up. Just guard the lift, make sure anyone who comes up here shows you the relevant ID. I’ve summoned the pathologist and the Forensics team—do not let anyone else off the lift, except me, of course. Are you armed?”

He took out a truncheon and a pepper spray. “With this.”

“It’ll have to do. Just aim it in the person’s eyes.”

“Don’t worry, I’m aware of where to use it.”

Katy smiled and pressed the ground-floor button. She dashed out of the lift once it had reached its destination and tore through the reception area and past the uniformed officers outside. “Has the desk sergeant been in touch yet?”

The young officer closest to her nodded. “Yes, he told us there’d been another shooting. What do you need us to do, ma’am?”

“Man the doors. Don’t let anyone into the building unless they’re one of our associates, got that?”

“Yes, ma’am. Where are you going?”

“Never you mind. Just do your job and keep people away from the area,” she called over her shoulder.

By now, the traffic was flowing once more. Katy picked a path through the moving vehicles and then darted along the pavement, searching for an entry point into the building she’d highlighted. There it was. She entered the main door and jumped on board the lift which took her to the tenth floor. The bell pinged, and the doors whooshed open. She exited and hunted the corridor for a possible entrance that would lead her up to the roof. Finally, she spotted a door and eased it open. She knew she was taking a risk going it alone. Maybe she’d regret her actions in the future. For now, she would press on. The corridor lit up as soon as she entered. Withdrawing her Taser from her pocket, she ascended the stairs. She pushed against the fire door, and it sprang open. She ran onto the roof and hunkered down. Shielded by a low wall, Katy surged forward. Footsteps sounded on the other side of the wall. She squeezed her eyes shut for a split second. After realising that was a foolish action, she opened them again to find a masked man standing in front of her. She aimed her Taser. He kicked it out of her hand and rammed the butt of his rifle into her chest and then her head.

Everything went black…

Katy woke up and groggily got to her feet. She picked up her Taser and scoured the area. The masked man was long gone. Her legs gave way beneath her. She eased herself onto the wall and dialled Charlie’s number. “I need help.”

“What? Where are you?”

“Are you still in Colin’s office?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Look out the window. The building opposite with ten storeys. I’m on the roof.” Katy waved her arms, hoping that Charlie would be able to see her from where she was standing.

“I’ve got you. Stay there, I’m on my way.”

“No. Send one of the men. You stay there. The killer attacked me, he could still be around here.”

“Shit! Okay, I’ll send someone now. Shall I call an ART to attend?”

“Maybe that would be the wisest option, I should have made the call before. Damn, I was out cold. I’m disorientated, Charlie. I can’t think straight.”

“On it now. Can you stay there? Don’t move, I have you in sight, I’ll keep an eye on you from here.”

“I’ll stay here. Hurry. I feel sick. I’d hate to pass out and choke on my vomit.”

“Ewww…did you have to say that? Let me get back to you. Stay put.”

Katy jabbed at the End Call button and sucked in a couple of deep breaths to settle her queasy stomach. It temporarily helped until the bile rose in her throat again a few seconds later. She scanned the area for a possible outside tap—there wasn’t one. She inhaled a few more breaths, and the sensation dipped again, only to surge once more a few seconds later.

A little while passed then her phone rang. “Charlie, is that you?”

“It is. Help is on its way. Stay put for five minutes. I had to go by the book on this one, boss. I rang DCI Roberts to check what to do.”

“Great. Okay, the damage has been done now. I ain’t moving anytime soon.”

“Sorry if I made the wrong call. I was out of my depth.”

“Don’t apologise, you did what you had to do. I’d rather