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

“You mean he’s a main suspect, DC Simpkins? Any relation to former DI Lorne Simpkins by any chance?” one of the older journalists asked.

Charlie smiled at him and did her best to battle the heat rising in her cheeks. “I am. She’s my mother and she taught me well.”

The journalist nodded.

Roberts jumped in. “We’re trying to find James Boyd and we’re calling on the public to lend us a hand. Do you know him? Have you seen Boyd in the last forty-eight hours? Has he just moved to your area? Anything and everything you can tell us about this man will help at this stage.”

“Why do you suspect his involvement in the investigation?” a female journalist asked.

Roberts took over again. “Primarily because he was a former employee at Zedex.”

“So he’s been bumping off his ex-colleagues? Do you know why?”

“His motive is unknown at present. We believe it’s possibly to do with a recent promotion at Zedex. He has since left the firm and started up his own business in the same vein. We’re eager to speak with him, if only to eliminate him from our enquiries.”

“Really? To only eliminate him, not to haul him in and interrogate him about the murders?” one of the younger male journalists asked with all the eagerness of a ten-week-old puppy.

“No, our initial contact would be to have a chat with Mr Boyd, so, I repeat, if anyone either knows where he’s staying at the moment, or if they’ve seen him walking in their neighbourhood, I’d like you to call the number on the bottom of your screen.” Roberts ended the conference. Luckily, the journalists didn’t feel the need to prolong Charlie’s angst, either that or they were keen to get back to work and write up their pieces for the next day’s newspapers.

“How do you feel now that’s out of the way?” Roberts asked as they made their way back upstairs.

“Relieved. It actually went better than expected.”

“I’d like to add that you’re a natural in front of the camera. I know a certain person who is going to be exceptionally proud of your capabilities when she sees it.”

Charlie glanced at him shyly. “I know it was your intention to throw me in at the deep end, maybe that’s the way everyone should learn.”

“I’ve always believed it to be the only way to learn. I’m not one for mollycoddling people, especially those with exceptional abilities to start with.”

She placed a hand on her chest. “Moi?”

“Of course. I have every faith in you, Charlie, and I foresee you sitting behind my desk one day and going one step better than your mother.” He shrugged. “Maybe even higher up the ladder than that. You’ve got your head screwed on and you were brought up by one of the best police officers ever to have worked for the Met. Those kinds of credentials have to count for something, right?”

“I hope I don’t let you down. I never dreamed of being a copper, not from a young age. I suppose I was too rebellious until…well, you know what. After that, my outlook on life dramatically altered. Don’t forget I had two generations of Met coppers at home. Granddad loved his time on the force and always regaled me with accounts on some of the major investigations he had under his belt.” She fell quiet. Although she thought about her grandfather often, she didn’t openly speak about him.

Roberts smiled. “Sam was an excellent copper. You come from the best stock around, Charlie, remember that when you’re sitting at your desk doubting your ability during an investigation. I believe in you as a person, otherwise I wouldn’t have invited you to join the team. Promise me one thing.”

Charlie paused midway up the stairs. “What’s that, sir?”

“You’ll seek my help if ever you need it. If you don’t, and your mother finds out that I haven’t noticed you’re struggling, she’ll chop my testicles off and feed them to those damn dogs of hers.”

Charlie laughed. “You’re probably right.”

“Okay, let’s see what the team has to offer. Hopefully the phones will start ringing around mid-afternoon once the conference goes out. We’d better prepare ourselves for a late one. I wonder how Katy is getting on at the hospital.”

“I thought about calling her but the last thing I want to do is cause her more anxiety.”

“Yep, it’s a tough one. Let’s see what today brings, and maybe I’ll be able to call her later with the good news that we’ve captured Boyd.”

“Maybe. Do you think that’s likely, sir?”

“You never know your luck.”

They entered the incident room, and Graham immediately motioned for them to join him.

“I’ve been searching the ANPRs for the stolen cars and stumbled across this one, sir.”

Charlie and Sean leaned in to the screen to get a closer look at the driver.

“I think that’s him,” Charlie confirmed. She opened the file she’d taken to the conference with her and held up the image they had of Boyd.

All three of them agreed.

“This is good news,” Roberts insisted.

“Yeah, all we have to do now is find the car,” Charlie replied, sensing they had a major task on their hands.

“Another thought struck me while you were both at the conference,” Graham said.

“Go on,” Roberts urged.

“What about the other two, the only two colleagues left at Zedex? Do you think we should keep them under surveillance or some form of protection?”

Charlie nodded. “It has to be done. He could strike at any moment. Do we know if the two men are still at work?”

“Do you want me to call them?” Karen volunteered.

Roberts spun around to look at her. “Yes, do it.”

Karen picked up the phone and dialled the number. She spoke to someone who answered and nodded. “Okay, we’ll get back to you soon.” She ended the call and told them, “Yes, they’re both there. Totally shaken up by what’s happened to Andrea today. Unsure what to do, whether they should stay at work or go home.”

“Understandable, any suggestions?” Roberts