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

something that should never have been allowed to have happened. I’m too numb with grief to be angry, I suppose that will come later. At the moment, I’m too overwhelmed by my loss.”

“We totally understand,” Charlie chipped in, eager to show her support to the injustice of the situation.

“Okay, we’re going to leave you alone now. Are you sure you’ll be all right?” Roberts rose to his feet.

Charlie couldn’t believe how quickly he was leaving but stood also.

“I have a friend coming down from Liverpool to be with me. She should be here by midday.”

“That’s good to hear. Here’s my card, don’t hesitate to call me if you think there’s anything we should know about the investigation. Again, you have my condolences for your loss, and my word that I’ll look into what went wrong on your behalf ASAP.”

She showed them to the front door. Charlie patted the dog on her way out.

“Thank you. Do your best to find the shit before he kills someone else and causes more pain in his wake.”

“You have my word,” Roberts replied.

Outside, Charlie was quiet on the way back to the car. Once they were inside the vehicle, she said, “Do you think that was right, to tell her about the complaints procedure? Shouldn’t you be shielding the officer who screwed up?”

He tutted. “You really have a lot to learn about me, Charlie. I’m a fair man in every respect. If I believe someone has been let down by the very people who have sworn to protect the public, then I will do everything in my power to right that wrong and to make amends.”

“What consequences will the officer face once you find her?”

“She’ll be reprimanded, might even face a suspension for her lack of commitment to the job. What would you do if you were in my shoes?”

Charlie pondered the question, aware of who she was riding with. “Probably the same, truth be told. How does someone screw up like this? It beggars belief, if you ask me. Even a novice would know it was imperative to follow up on a shooting incident.”

“Not only that, this case has been rife in the media, therefore, it should have been treated as a matter of urgency. Wait, talking of media, has Katy held a press conference yet?”

“No. She hasn’t had the time. We’ve been going from one murder scene to the next with very little time in between to organise anything. Mind you, now that we know who the suspect is, do you think it would be a good idea to hold one?”

“I know she was wary of holding one, I’m overruling her, think it’s a must. We need to flush him out. Let’s face it, we don’t have a clue where he is, do we?”

“True enough. Do you want me to arrange one when we return to base?” Charlie asked.

“Do you think you’re up to the task?”

“Of organising one, yes, I can do that.”

“What about chairing it?”

Charlie got the impression he was testing her, again. “Umm…I’m not sure I’m up to performing on the grand stage just yet. I could sit alongside you while you do it, though.”

“Coward. Okay, we’ll compromise, I’ll chair it and you give out the details as you’re more familiar with them. How does that sound to you?”

Charlie turned to face him, her mouth gaping open. Recovering, she replied, “Goodness me. You’re really going to throw me to the lions this early on in my career?”

“My motto is to take the bull by the horns. You need to make adjustments quickly in this game, Charlie.”

“You mean either sink or swim, don’t you?”

“Maybe.” He laughed and patted her on the knee. “Sorry, I got carried away, I shouldn’t have touched you. I’ll be there to back you up. Are you up for it?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Nope.”

Her heart rate escalated at the thought of sitting in front of a swarm of probing journalists. Crap! How the hell am I going to handle this? I’ve been through worse in my life and come out the other end, kind of unscathed-ish. I’ve got this, it’ll be a cinch compared to dealing with the Unicorn and what he put me through in my teens.

Charlie managed to arrange a press conference for later that afternoon. Her nerves jangled throughout the day, but as soon as she entered the designated conference room, an unexplained calmness descended. Maybe the call she’d made to her mother ten minutes before had forced the change.

Lorne had told her how proud she was of her and insisted she go in there determined and full of confidence. If the journalists picked up on any hesitation on her part, they’d pounce and rip her to shreds. Two minutes before the ‘kick off’, DCI Roberts joined her at the table.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like you’re throwing me to a pack of crazed wolves,” she lied.

He chuckled. “I can tell when you’re lying, Charlie.”

“You can? I’m fine. I rang Mum, and she gave me a few pointers which helped me deal with my anxiety.”

“Let’s face it, you’ve been through far worse in the past.”

“That’s what she said. I know you’re continually testing me. I hope I don’t dry up and let you down.”

“You could never let me down. Give me a nudge under the table if one of them asks a question you find too difficult to answer.”

“I will, thank you.”

“Let the show begin.” He turned his attention to the crowd and asked them to settle down. “I’d like to introduce a new detective to you all, DC Charlie Simpkins. Unfortunately, her partner, DI Foster, is taking time off with family issues at present. DC Simpkins has been working alongside me in the interim. She’ll run through why we’ve called this conference today. Be gentle with her.”

Charlie smiled at Sean and cleared her throat. She professionally explained the details of the case, mentioning the four murders known to them and offered up a grainy picture they’d downloaded from the CCTV at Zedex. “This is James Boyd.