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

name of a possible suspect. He had a motive for each of the crimes, and yes, they’re related, that much is certain.”

“Do tell, don’t keep me in suspenders.” Patti smiled.

“Rather than repeat myself, can I wait until Charlie gets here? She’s getting the team to run a potential car and plate for the killer.”

“Rightio! It all sounds promising.”

Charlie joined them. “All actioned. Let’s hope we get something from it. Are you going to tell me what the victim’s other half said?”

“From speaking with her, I have no doubt in my mind who our prime suspect is.”

“Who?” Patti and Charlie said in unison.

“The woman’s estranged husband, James Boyd. We’ll need to corroborate which car he drives.”

“I doubt if he would use his own car, it’ll probably be stolen,” Charlie suggested.

“Okay, good point. If true, that will hamper our investigation further still. Get this, he works for Zedex, still does as far as she knows. We need to check into it. She mentioned about Grace getting promoted which I thought was odd.”

“Whoa! Seriously, was he overlooked for the promotion?”

“Possibly. Camilla is his soon-to-be ex-wife. They were waiting for the divorce to come through before they could get hitched. She and the victim, Rufus Wright, visited James a few weeks ago. I’m thinking either the promotion or the visit from his ex to do with the divorce, was the trigger that initiated the murders.”

Patti nodded slowly. “Sounds like a plausible assumption to me. Does he own a gun?”

“The wife didn’t seem to think so, but hey, with the right contacts and money to burn in his pocket, guns are easily sought on the black market, right? The guys back at the station are following up on that front now.”

“That’s true,” Charlie agreed. “What about Camilla? She won’t be safe here, will she?”

“No, my sentiments exactly. I’ve told her to pack a bag. We’ll take her back to the station and hand her over to the witness protection guys. I’ve already sounded them out and arranged possible accommodation for her.”

“I bet she’s devastated. Any clues on what his character was like during their marriage?” Charlie asked.

“He was a controller. She had to make up an excuse about going on a course at work just so she could go out with her friends.”

“At least her friends stuck by her. So many don’t in similar circumstances,” Patti replied.

“True enough. Anyway, that’s where she met Rufus, on this said night out.”

“Okay, and one thing led to another and she ended up leaving hubby, yes?” Charlie asked.

“Yep, spot on. She moved in here with him, despite Rufus being a bit of a lad with the lasses. She told me he changed instantly once they hooked up. She was the one he’d been searching for, apparently.”

“How romantic.” Patti pretended to stick her fingers down her throat.

Katy slapped her arm. “Stop mocking, these things happen, to those who believe.”

“Yeah, I’m glad I’m not one of them. Sad that he’s dead all the same. I shouldn’t mock. My mistake, sorry, ladies.”

Katy smiled and rubbed her arm. “You’re forgiven. Okay, we’re going to leave you to it, Patti, and see if Camilla is ready to make a move.”

Katy and Charlie entered the house.

There was no sign of Camilla downstairs, so Katy called out to her. “Camilla, how are things going up there?”

The house remained quiet.

Katy opened the front door and spoke to the officer on guard. “Has the lady of the house come out at all?”

“No, I haven’t moved from this spot.”

Katy and Charlie charged up the stairs. They split up at the top, searching each of the rooms off the large landing.

“Charlie, in here.”

Lying in the bath of steaming hot water was a fully clothed Camilla. Her wrists were cut to ribbons, and there was an old-fashioned-type wet razor on the floor beside the bath.

“Ring for an ambulance, Charlie. Oh shit! Not on my watch, please.”

Charlie exited the room and made the urgent call. She rejoined Katy and shared the news. “They’re going to be at least ten minutes.”

Katy’s head was swimming. “I can’t do this. You’re going to have to take over, Charlie. I’ve checked her pulse, there’s a faint one. We need to get her out of the bath.”

“I’m off now, ladies. I’ll be in touch soon,” Patti shouted from downstairs.

“No, Patti. Up here in the bathroom, you’ve got to help us.”

Patti’s footsteps bounded up the stairs, and she instantly swooped in and brushed Katy and Charlie aside. “Let me get to her. Have you rung for an ambulance?”

“Yes. There’s a faint pulse. Do your best for her, Patti.”

“Goes without saying. Help me get her out of the bath.”

The three of them struggled to lift the woman. Katy’s strength wasn’t up to much. She was relying on Charlie and Patti to do most of the heavy lifting. They placed her on the floor, and Patti set up about removing Camilla’s clothes while Charlie tied a couple of small towels around her wrists to stop the bleeding.

“Go into the bedroom, get me her nightie or pyjamas and a dressing gown. Once she’s undressed, we’re going to need to dry her, have those on standby. While she has a pulse, I can’t perform CPR on her, it’s more than I dare do. I’ll monitor her in the meantime until the paramedics arrive,” Patti said.

“Is it worth trying to bring her round?” Katy asked, her knees shaking, hampering her ability to stand upright.

“Katy, go and sit down before you sodding well fall down,” Patti ordered.

Charlie returned with Camilla’s PJs and placed them on the toilet seat and then proceeded to help Patti disrobe the woman.

Katy watched on from the doorway. “We can’t let her die. Do something, Patti.”

Patti lifted her head and glared at her. “Are you still here? I’m doing my best, give me a break. I’m used to dealing with stiffs, not live patients, remember.”

“That’s my concern.” Katy grinned in an effort to ease the tension.

Patti shook her head and then breathed out a huge sigh. “I can hear