Time To Play by KA Richardson (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

Grant Cooper case. There wasn’t much to do on that one: the post-mortem had ruled accidental death by drowning. The family already had the body back and were arranging the funeral. He was lucky really as the Coroner’s Office had dealt with pretty much everything and was speedy on providing him with updates. It all just needed finishing off on the system, then the file could be archived.

Ali felt grit in his eyes and tried to remember when he’d last had a good night’s sleep. It felt like it had been ages. He was well overdue some annual leave. With everything going on, it could be the perfect time to head home for some relaxation. The thought of a week of being pampered by his mum was appealing. She loved it when he or Alex went home: the house became filled with smells of baking, and the cups of coffee were endless. He knew if he went home now, the family would all rally round for tea and his mum would cook a huge roast. His mouth salivated at the thought of a full dinner with all the trimmings.

‘Hey, bro,’ greeted Alex suddenly, pulling Ali from his daydream.

‘Hey,’ he replied. ‘Sorry, I was away with the fairies.’

‘No problem. You OK? You look tired?’

‘Not been sleeping great. It’ll ease off. Just been hauled in by the boss. Apparently, there’s a chance my secondment will end shortly as the force are running low on the funds with which to pay me.’

‘You’re kidding? They can’t do that, can they? You signed a two-year contract, right?’

‘Yeah. I’m gunna speak to the Fed later and see what they advise, just in case. You up for a drink tonight?’

‘I can’t, bro, I’m on backs tonight down in Durham. They’re short in the south, so the super asked if I wouldn’t mind working. Another time though. Anyway, that’s kinda what am here for, bro. Would you mind covering my shifts over the weekend? Thought Cass, Izzy and I might nip up and see Mum and co. We’ve not been up in months.’

Ali resisted sighing out loud or pointing out that he hadn’t been home in ages either. ‘No problem. It’s just the two back shifts you mean?’

Alex nodded. ‘Thanks, bro, right I’m gunna head off. Gym now then kip before my shift tonight with any luck. I’ll give Mum a hug from you.’

Ali watched as Alex walked out of the office. His stride was always confident. Ali compared it unfavourably to his own gait. His mum always said he walked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. And he wouldn’t lie; sometimes it felt that way, too.

He reached for the coffee at his side and took a slurp, then grimaced as the lukewarm liquid coated his mouth. Definitely need a caffeine hit today. He stood up, made his way to the kitchen and poured another. The files would still be there in five minutes.

Outskirts of Hetton-le-Hole – 4 November

Elvie felt tears prick her eyes. The woman who had been in her room the day before was screaming at Danny. She cringed as the woman’s palm had hit his face with a loud slap, and now she cowered as the woman turned towards her.

Yolanda Bamba was not a nice lady. She had been in the human trafficking trade for many years, learning her craft and becoming one of the most trusted in the organisation she worked for. Elvie didn’t know, but Yolanda herself had been trafficked in when she was a young girl. From the start, she’d had the forethought and gumption to be nice to the right people and had managed to manipulate her way up the chain of command. Her actions had afforded her luxuries such as the large, detached house and the brand-new BMW that sat on the driveway; and her temper ensured she didn’t lose any of it.

Elvie put her hand up to block Yolanda’s slap and knew instantly that this was a mistake. Danny had already been ordered out of the room, the other driver dragging him by the arm as Yolanda had approached Elvie. The young girl stared into the eyes of the older woman, and knew whatever happened next, it was going to hurt.

She pulled herself tighter into a ball on the bed, hoping that the smaller she was, the less area Yolanda would hurt.

It didn’t work.

Elvie cried out as Yolanda grabbed her hair and pulled her from the bed with a jolt. She felt her knees buckle and collapse slightly, causing the woman’s hold to pull at her hair even harder. Her scalp felt as though it was burning, and she felt tears in her eyes. When the pressure released suddenly, Elvie glanced up, unwittingly giving the woman the perfect opportunity from which to strike. The impact of the fist to her cheek was enough to knock Elvie sideways, sending her crashing side-first into the bedside cabinet. Pain burst into life across her chest and she gasped, trying to inhale, but it felt like she’d been stabbed to her core. The impact had broken at least one of her ribs.

The woman grabbed her hair again and pulled Elvie’s face closer to her own. ‘You lost me big money. I will send you back to house. You will work this debt off by laying on your back. You good enough for driver man then you good enough for other men. Especially those who like to hurt, yes?’

Yolanda hit Elvie again, causing her lip to split and swell instantly. ‘You are dirty bitch. You will learn the hard way.’ She flung Elvie in the direction of the bed and left the room, slamming the door so hard that the whole room shook.

Elvie tried to steady her breathing. The whole of her right-hand side felt like it was on fire, and slowly she pulled herself to