Death's Cold Hand by J.E. Mayhew (good romance books to read txt) 📕

considering other options. I mean, how much money is going through that charity? Travis’ death might indeed turn out to be an act of mindless violence, but doesn’t it feel like more to you?”

“We could get a warrant to look at the books, sir,” Kinnear said, with a grin. “Set Ian Ollerthwaite on the trail…”

Blake shuddered. DC Ian Ollerthwaite specialised in forensic accounting. The man was narcolepsy in human form and the moment he opened his mouth, Blake felt overwhelmed by drowsiness. But with his pedantic attention to detail and gift for numbers, Ollerthwaite was perfectly suited to the role. “Great,” Blake said, rubbing his face. “Can I leave that with you to organise, Andrew?”

“Leave it with me, sir. I haven’t caught up with Ian’s latest acquisitions from the Chester Model Railway Mart,” Kinnear said. “It’ll be a blast.”

“He’s taking one for the team, there, boss,” Kath said.

“Do it tomorrow, Andrew,” Blake said, sipping the last of his tea. “No need to pop by his house and discuss it over his layout…”

“You’re all heart, sir,” Kinnear said, grimacing. “Isn’t that tea cold?”

Blake looked into the mug as if the temperature of the drink hadn’t occurred to him. “I suppose it was,” he said, smacking his lips. “No waste with me. Right. Get off home you two. Hopefully tomorrow, we’ll get some more intel on Bobby Price and bring him in. A lad like that can’t stay hidden for long, surely.”

Cryer lingered at the door as Kinnear left, then she muttered something to him, waved and returned to Blake’s desk. “You not going home, sir?”

“Yeah, in a minute, Kath. Just a lot on my mind, right now.”

“Is it Laura, sir?” Kath said, tentatively. “Only I heard a whisper today…”

“Yeah, she’s back, apparently. It’s all over the office, I suppose.”

“Just gossip, sir, you know. So it’s true then? Have you spoken to her?”

“I haven’t Kath, no,” Blake sighed. “The gospel according to Boredom McClague is that she came back and went straight to Kyle Quinlan, who was out for her blood last I heard. I don’t know what she’s up to. To top it off, Cavanagh is watching Quinlan and knew about her weeks ago. He’s threatened me with the Super if I go anywhere near her.”

Kath paused a second. “Can I speak candidly, sir?” she said.

“You don’t normally ask for permission, Kath,” Blake said with a tired smile. “Fire away, you generally talk sense, anyway.”

“I don’t know Laura Vexley as well as you, sir, but you know she had quite a chequered past. She was a criminal and was happy to associate with lawless and violent men for many years of her life. In my experience, sir, a leopard can’t change her spots…”

“You’re mixing spots and chequers there, Kath,” Blake said, pinching the bridge of his nose. A killer headache was on the horizon, he could just feel it. “You think I should forget her and move on?”

“I dunno, sir. Not for me to say. But whatever life she’s chosen for herself, you don’t want to be part of it. Y-you’re better than that. Smarter too.”

The words were out of his mouth before he knew it. “But I love her Kath. She showed me how to move on. She brought me to life again after my mum disappeared…”

“I’m sorry, sir, I’ve over-stepped the mark,” Kath said, blushing.

“No, Kath. Thanks. Really, I needed to talk to someone. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should start over. After all, that’s what Laura’s done…”

Kath looked pained. “She hasn’t, sir. She’s reverted to type. I’m sorry, sir. Look, I’m going home, and you should too. Things always look better after a good night’s sleep.”

“Good night, Kath,” Blake said, “and don’t worry. I know what I’m going to do…”

“Sir?” Kath said, a concerned frown puckering her brow.

“Get some kip. Tomorrow’s another day.”

*****

Detective Constable Andrew Kinnear had a head full of thoughts as he drove home that night. It had been his husband Chris’ idea to adopt initially. Kinnear had agreed but part of him wondered if he’d done that just to please Chris. The more he thought about it, the more he realised that he’d been quite happy with their life together. He didn’t feel like there was a huge void that needed to be filled by a child. They both had busy jobs.

Chris was a teacher and brought a lot of work home with him after the school day. There were parents’ evenings and meetings that meant he wasn’t always home. Kinnear’s own job was a nightmare for anyone who needed routine hours and flexibility. Although he didn’t need to, Kinnear was constantly apologising to Chris for meals burnt while waiting in the oven, missed anniversaries, cancelled parties and generally getting in late most nights. How would a child fit in with that?

Kath’s comments about having a teenaged daughter had filled Kinnear with panic. She’d only been teasing him but it had really hit home. He didn’t want to be an absentee father. His own childhood had been happy, idyllic even and he wanted that for any child of his own. Maybe now just wasn’t the time to do it.

Chapter 18

Blake had taken something of a detour, on his way home, one that he suspected he would regret later. He had also come home to what looked like a dirty protest all over the kitchen by Charlie and Serafina. It looked like they’d been chasing around the house, too, judging by the broken vase, and torn curtains. Why they’d done that was beyond Blake. Ian Youde had left a note to say he’d called in to feed them and taken Charlie for a walk and Serafina had the cat flap to get in and out. Maybe the quiet house freaked them out. Blake glared at the cat who glared back. Maybe it was the antibiotics upsetting her and she, in turn, was upsetting Charlie.

“Or maybe you’ve got it in for me,” Blake said to Serafina. After cleaning up, Blake dragged himself upstairs to bed.

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