Taste of Fury by M Comley (dark academia books to read txt) 📗

raced as she thought about another high-profile case that had angered her. “And don’t get me started on that US diplomat who fled the country after running over and killing that young man. I feel for his parents; on top of the grief they’re experiencing, they’re having to travel the globe to seek justice for their son. Diplomatic immunity sucks, big time. That woman shouldn’t have been behind the wheel of that car in the first place. I hope she rots in hell.”

“Maybe Biden will step up to the plate and force her to take the punishment, there’s no way Trump would have had the guts to speak out against the woman. ”

“Yeah, I hear you. So glad the US people finally decided to vote him out. Anyway, enough of putting the world to rights, I’m thinking we should take a drive out to see this Ethan Romero.”

Charlie raised an eyebrow. “At this time of night?”

“Why not? If he’s the only survivor of the four, I think it’s imperative that he should be warned of a likely imminent danger, don’t you?” Katy switched off her computer and stood. She slipped on her jacket and headed for the door.

Turning off her own monitor, Charlie joined her. “You’ve got a point. Let’s hope he’s at home. Should we try calling him instead?”

“Nope. It’s all or nothing right now, I don’t think we should take the risk.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

Ethan Romero seemed pissed off to see them standing on his doorstep. He refused to let them into the house, going as far as to bar the way with his muscular arms. A female appeared and peered over his shoulder. “Who are they?”

“It’s the police, Donna. Let me handle this, go back inside.”

Katy picked up on the fact that he was warning the woman to go inside rather than asking her politely to leave. “Is something wrong, Mr Romero?”

“No. Should there be?”

“Not really. Anyway, if you wouldn’t mind answering a few questions, we’ll leave you in peace to enjoy the rest of your Saturday night.”

“What sort of questions? I know nothing about anything that should involve the police.”

Katy smiled. “Is that right? Let me cast your mind back to the accident you were involved in all those years ago. Can you remember?”

His eyes narrowed and Katy noted him chewing on the inside of his mouth. Is he nervous, or angry at being confronted about his past misgivings?

“What about it? It was a long time ago. An incident I’ve done my very best to forget about over the years. I did my time as punishment for my sins.”

“You did. You served what? Two years in total. Not much of a sentence considering the outcome of the accident, I’m sure you’ll agree.”

“The sentencing was out of my hands. We had a great barrister who believed in us. What more can I say?”

“Let’s move on from that travesty and debacle of a sentence to the present day. Tell me, are you still in contact with your fellow joy riders?”

He glared at her for a moment or two and then shook his head. “No. We stopped speaking to each other in prison.”

“You did? May I ask why?”

“Believe it or not, we were all riddled with guilt. It wasn’t our intention to kill that couple and destroy their family unit.”

“I see. If you were torn up with guilt, why did you bother hiring a top brief?”

“Wouldn’t you in the same situation? You’re not making any sense asking such a dumb question.”

“Sorry if you believe it was a dumb question, I’m simply searching for the facts.”

“Why? Why raise the incident again now, after almost nineteen years? And yes, I’m still counting the years off on my calendar.”

“Glad to see the accident has impacted your life in some minor way.”

“How dare you! What’s the meaning of this visit? Either you tell me in the next five seconds or I’ll shut the door on you.”

“Touchy, aren’t you, Mr Romero, may I ask why? Has someone been in touch with you to put you on edge?”

“What twaddle are you on about? I haven’t got a clue what you’re going on about.”

“And you’re sure you haven’t seen your fellow joy riders in the last few days or weeks?”

“Stop calling them that, they have names, use them.”

“All right, I will. Brian Timms, now going under the name of Bobby Simmonds, Jason Davis and, last of all, Nikodem Nowak. Have you been in touch with them lately? Please answer me truthfully, it’s very important.”

“Tell me why.”

“I asked a question first. Please have the decency to answer me.”

“It’s late. Unless you’re here to arrest me, I suggest you leave me alone.”

“By the way you’re avoiding my question, am I to take it you have been in touch with some or all of these men?”

“No. Now go!” He cast an anxious glance over Katy’s shoulder and closed the door.

“Damn. I should have been prepared for that and shoved my foot in the gap.”

They turned to walk back to the cars. Charlie sighed and suggested, “It’s late. Why don’t we call it a night? At least we know he’s safe, for now. I didn’t like the man, did you?”

“I didn’t like his attitude, that’s for sure. Maybe I should have tried harder to have warned him.”

“Possibly. In your defence, he was being quite offhand with you.”

“Hmm… we’ll see what tomorrow brings. I’m only going to put in half a day, though. Do you want to join me? Will Brandon be okay with you giving up your entire weekend to be at work?”

“It won’t be all the weekend, not if we finish at lunchtime, although that remains to be seen, knowing our luck lately.”

Katy sniggered. “Yikes, how true that is. Okay, I’ll see you at around nine in the morning. Thanks for going the extra mile to be by my side today, Charlie. It’s truly appreciated.”

“I know it is. I couldn’t let you do all this alone now, could I?”

“You’re the most conscientious partner I’ve ever had, apart from your