Ultimate Dilemma (Justice Again Book 2) by M Comley (best books under 200 pages txt) 📕

to shreds after we shared the news with them about the wedding but they didn’t resort to that. I don’t mind telling you, had they done something as special as that behind my back, I’m not sure I would’ve reacted with the same forgiveness. Therefore, I take my hat off to them and I’m thankful they’re so chilled about life in general.”

“Good to hear. It always makes a difference to have parents who are willing to support you, no matter what you get up to.”

“You have that in Lorne. I can’t say the same about your father because I’ve only met him once, maybe twice over the years. Your mum was married to Tony when I became her partner, or maybe it was just after. Yes, I think that was it, but they were together all the same. They have to be the strongest couple I’ve ever met.”

“I hate to say this, but I’ve often wished that Tony was my real dad. Is that an awful thing to say?”

“Any reason why?”

“He’s wonderful. A great support to Mum. I can never remember them ever having a cross word with each other. He worships her, always has done. Hey, a bit like AJ and you. You guys are solid, aren’t you?”

“I like to think so. Wait, I don’t think I told you, AJ and I have been discussing starting up a new business. Correction, not me per se, he’ll be doing it when Georgie is at school full-time.”

“That’s amazing. What would the business entail?”

“Organising entertainment for children’s parties.”

“Sounds interesting. Will you run it together?”

“No way, I have enough on my plate as it is. No, it was his idea. Saying that, I’ll support him every step of the way. I’ll probably get roped in somewhere along the line, no doubt.”

“How cool. How did he come up with the idea?”

“Haven’t got the foggiest. He just announced it one day and did the research needed. We still have to source a way of funding it. Grr… he hinted earlier that he had some news. I wonder what that’s all about. Never mind, I’ll find out soon enough, when we eventually get home. Let’s hope that’s sooner rather than later, because I’m shattered already. What about you?”

“Ditto. Wishing you and AJ well on your forthcoming project. If you don’t mind me saying, can’t he get his parents to back him?”

“Neither of us want to resort to that. He’s not had the best relationship with his parents since he signed up with the Met.”

“That’s such a shame. Have you run the idea past them? Maybe this would be a good time to mend a few broken bridges. What do you think?”

“Possibly. Let’s see what he has to say first, and if that sounds negative, I’ll urge him to have a word with his folks.”

The incident room was dead quiet when they walked in.

“Everything all right, guys? I expected more activity than this to be honest with you.”

Karen glanced up from her computer and smiled. Her eyes were half-closed and red raw. “We’ve dug and dug, boss, and come up with bugger all. We just don’t know where to turn next.”

“Okay, I suggest we all call it a day and start over tomorrow. I just told Charlie in the car I’m exhausted. We’re not going to do ourselves any favours sticking around here if the information is going to be increasingly hard to find. You all look dead on your feet anyway.”

“Cheers for that, boss. Are you sure? We could stumble across a clue at any minute,” Graham said.

“Yeah, and we could get hit by an out-of-season snowstorm. I think we should call it a day and gather our thoughts in the morning. I’ll leave you with this snippet before we go. We visited Nadia and told her Dale Peters had been murdered. She appeared to be shocked by the news. I’m putting this out there, I still have wavering doubts about her.”

“Did she give you an alibi as to her whereabouts this evening?” Patrick asked.

“She did. She left work at around six. I roughly calculated how long it would have taken for her to have driven out to the murder scene. I have to admit the timing was tight, but in my eyes, still doable.”

“Are you telling us that we should be concentrating our efforts on her, boss?” Karen asked, tapping her pen against her face.

Katy hitched up a shoulder. “Unless anything else comes our way in the meantime. At present, we’ve got nothing to back up my claims except a gut feeling that refuses to take a hike. It’s annoying the frigging hell out of me, if you must know. I’ve never had such a strong sense about someone before, and I have no idea why or where it’s coming from. I hope to God I’m wrong, but until we find any evidence stating otherwise, then I’m stuck with it.”

“Gut instinct isn’t essentially a bad thing,” Graham replied, his brow wrinkled into a deep frown.

“I know. It’s just not the way I work. You know how much it used to get to me when Lorne used to spout about it. Come on, switch the equipment off and go home, again.”

She didn’t have to repeat herself. The team leapt out of the chairs, switched off their computers and rushed out of the door.

She laughed at Charlie. “Do you think it was something I said?”

“Possibly. All right if I follow them? I’ll cadge a lift from Graham to pick up my car.”

“Go for it, I’ll be right behind you. I just want to make a few notes on the board while they’re fresh in my mind.”

Charlie wagged a finger. “Don’t be too long. Maybe I should stay with you, make sure you go home at a reasonable hour.”

“Honestly, there’s no need for you to be concerned. You go. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Goodnight. Stick to your word, please.”

“I will. Drive safely.”

7

She hid, shielded by the door to the room in the cellar. She’d crept