Ultimate Dilemma (Justice Again Book 2) by M Comley (poetry books to read .txt) 📗

to see the success they had achieved thanks to his lectures.”

“Those must have been wonderful and satisfying endorsements for him to receive.”

“Yes. So why would anyone want to rid a man like that of his precious livelihood, let alone his life? None of this makes sense.” She covered her face, and her shoulders moved up and down rhythmically as her sobbing filled the room.

Katy cringed and glanced over at Charlie who was shifting uncomfortably on the spot.

“I’m sorry to put you through this at such a sad time. I really appreciate what you’re telling us. Can I get you anything?”

“A tissue,” she mumbled, wiping her nose on the sleeve of her colourful jumper.

Charlie raised a finger, indicating she would see to it, and returned with a couple of sheets of kitchen roll.

“Thank you,” Adele said, after blowing her nose. “Oh God, what a sad week this has turned out to be.”

“In what way?” Katy asked.

“Only a few days ago, my husband was a pallbearer at one of his oldest friend’s funerals, and now this…”

Katy stared at Charlie and then back at Adele. “What was the name of his friend?”

“Bruce, um, let me think. Yes, Bruce Crawford. I had a prior engagement so I couldn’t attend the funeral.”

Katy’s heart tempo increased significantly, forcing her to take a seat.

“Oh my, we’re aware of Bruce’s death. We’re also in the process of investigating his murder.”

“No!”

6

“What the…? Did you know Bruce?” Katy’s mouth dried up. She didn’t know how she got the words out with the lack of saliva present.

“Not really. Dale was friends with him before I came along. That’s why I didn’t feel up to attending the funeral. Murdered, you say? How is that possible? Both of them gone within a few days?”

“I don’t know but I intend to find out. We’re going to have to make a move now, if you’re sure you’re going to be okay?”

She sniffled and wiped her nose on a second piece of kitchen towel. “Yes, I have Trina and the other children to help me pull through this. Will you keep me informed?”

“Of course. I really do hate leaving you like this, but we have a killer to catch.”

“Go, please, don’t worry about me.” She rose from the sofa and showed them to the front door. “Who do you think is doing this and why?” Her eyes shone through the tears.

“At this stage I have no idea. We’ll go back to the station now and put our heads together with our team, see what we can come up with. Hopefully, we’ll catch the person soon, we have to.”

“I have faith in you, you seem a very capable officer.”

“I like to think so. Take care, and again, you have my sincere condolences.”

“Thank you.” She closed the door gently behind them.

Katy dug Charlie with her elbow. “Come on, we need to get on the phone and call the team back. Are you all right to pull some overtime tonight?”

“Sure. I’ll ring Brandon after I’ve contacted the rest of the team.”

“Good. You do that from the car while I ring Roberts, he’ll need to sanction the overtime. I can’t see him objecting to it in the circumstances. Then I’ll have to call home and break the news to AJ. Bugger, our lives are all work at the moment and no play. Not sure I’m liking this much. Will we ever get used to it?”

“I doubt it. I look at it this way, as long as I’m busy and the time passes quickly, then I’m fine with it.”

“That’s logical, Charlie, well said.”

“Shall I leave my car here? I can pick it up later.”

Katy thought it was a strange statement but accepted Charlie’s decision, thinking she might have wanted to unburden some puzzling thoughts on the way back to the station. “If that’s what you want?”

Charlie got in Katy’s car, and Katy remained outside to speak to Roberts. “Hi, it’s Katy, sir, sorry to disturb you.”

“You’re disturbing my microwave meal for one. This had better be good, Inspector.”

“Oops, anything nice?”

“Inspector…say what you have to say and leave me to get on with it.”

His tone held a warning that he wasn’t in the mood for a discussion on his choice of meals. Neither was she, truth be told.

“A quick summary for you then: I need you to authorise overtime for this evening, sir. Charlie and I have just left the home of a second victim in our murder enquiry.”

“What? Are you telling me you’re dealing with two murders now?”

“That’s what I said, yes, sir.”

“Jesus, and you think they’re connected, how?”

“After speaking to the second victim’s wife, she dropped the bombshell that both men knew each other and her husband was actually a pallbearer at Bruce Crawford’s funeral the other day.”

“Whoa! Seriously? What’s running through your mind, Katy?” he asked, finally climbing down off his high horse.

“I’m not sure. I have an inkling but I need proof or at least some evidence to back my suspicions up. At present, all that is lacking.”

“Go on, what are you thinking?”

“Forgive me. I’d rather not say at this point. I’m not that keen of having egg plastered over my face.”

“What if I ordered you to tell me, would you?”

Katy blew out a breath. “You could try.”

“DI Foster, I’m ordering you to share your suspicions on this extremely perplexing investigation.”

“In that case, sir, you leave me no option than to say, I think the daughter has something to do with this.”

“How sure are you?”

“At least ninety percent at this stage.”

“That’s not good enough, not to act upon. If you need to bring her in for questioning, I would caution you to do so with care.”

“I’m aware of the pros and cons of working on instinct. I was privy to it whilst serving with my previous partner, if you remember. Maybe some of her shenanigans have finally rubbed off on me.”

He sniggered. “Let’s hope you don’t pick up on too many of her traits, like how she used to speak and deal with me.”

“No, sir. I’ll