Shot of Silence (Justice Again Book 3) by M Comley (the unexpected everything .txt) 📕

accomplished much faster and we’ll be able to get home sooner.”

That’s not what Charlie was thinking, but if that’s what he wanted to believe, who was she to argue with him? “Yes, sir.”

“You’re aware of the victims’ addresses, I take it?”

“Yes, Patti has them.”

“Nip back and get them, and then we can proceed.”

Charlie trotted back to Patti and collected the information then returned to the car. She tore a sheet of paper from her notebook and handed it to Roberts. “Abbot’s address, sir.”

“Thanks. I’ll tell the victim’s family the state of play and then head home. Good luck tomorrow with your exam.”

Charlie was stunned at his blasé approach and the lack of emotion evident in his expression, which ticked her off for some reason. Her own stomach was tied in knots at the thought of telling the victim’s family what had occurred; however, she was more worried about his attitude when he reached his destination. “Thank you, sir. Are you sure you’re…?”

“What? Up to this? I’m sure. It won’t be easy, but it’s got to be done. Goodnight.” He jumped into his vehicle, started the engine, and the gravel scattered in every direction as he drove out of the car park.

“Are you all right, Charlie?” Patti asked, coming up behind her.

“Yeah, just gobsmacked. Ignore me. Give me working alongside Katy any goddamn day of the week.”

“Any news on that front? Not wishing to hold you up, but I’m eager to know how her daughter is faring.”

“Katy’s back at work tomorrow. Georgie appears to have turned the corner, for now.”

“What a relief. I hope the little one makes a full recovery, it’s a vile disease to recover from.”

“I know. I believe my granddad caught it not long before his death. It weakened him terribly.”

“Does anyone else know that?”

Charlie dipped her head. “No, I didn’t deem it necessary for them to know. Maybe Katy knew and just forgot, I don’t know.”

“You poor thing. Do you need a hug?”

Charlie smiled and raised a hand. “Nope. I have work today. Personal emotions need to be set aside for now.”

“You’re an amazing young woman, no wonder you have the proudest mother walking this earth.”

“Get away with you. See you soon—not too soon, though, I hope.” Charlie hopped behind the steering wheel, waved at Patti and entered the details in the satnav before she left the car park. She arrived at the Thompsons’ house around five minutes later, meaning the Wheatsheaf must have been his local. She inhaled and exhaled a few deep breaths and left the car.

The exterior of the house was lit up with numerous strands of Christmas lights, and there was a five-foot plastic snowman in the centre of the front lawn. It brought home to her what this time of year meant: it was supposed to be about bringing joy and peace on earth, and here she was, about to tell the victim’s family he’d been rushed to hospital after being shot. Life can be shitty as hell some days!

She rang the bell.

A dark-haired woman with a welcoming face greeted her. “Hello, can I help?” She glanced past Charlie as if she was expecting someone else.

“Mrs Thompson?”

Her expression changed to one of concern. “I am. Jo Thompson, and you are?”

Charlie presented her ID. “DC Simpkins. Would it be okay if we went inside?”

“Oh no. This is about Ben, isn’t it? I’ve been expecting him home for the last half an hour, he’s never late. I tried calling his mobile, but it was off. Please, tell me he’s okay.”

“Inside, if possible, Jo. May I call you Jo?”

“Yes, yes, come in. Of course you can. Come through to the lounge.” She raced to stand by the mantelpiece and placed her elbow on it for support. “What’s wrong?”

Charlie chose to stand while she delivered the news. “I’m sorry to have to inform you that your husband was injured tonight as he left the pub. He’s on his way to the hospital now.”

“What? Has someone attacked him? I don’t understand.”

“No, it was a shooting.”

“No!” she screamed.

“Please, won’t you take a seat? Can I get you a glass of water? Is there someone I can call to be with you?”

“Yes, my mother. I need her here with me. Oh God, is he badly hurt?”

“First things first. Do you have your mother’s number?”

She snatched her phone off the coffee table and punched in a number then handed it to Charlie. “Her name is Sue.”

“Hi, Jo, I was just thinking about ringing you, everything all right?”

“Hello, Sue. I’m DC Simpkins, I’m here at Jo’s house. She’s asked me to call you to see if you would come and join us.”

“What? You’re not making any sense. Police? Why are you there? Has she done something wrong?”

“Just listen, Mum,” Jo shouted, annoyed.

“All right. I’m listening. I’m not coming until you tell me what’s going on.”

Charlie sighed. “Your son-in-law was involved in an incident tonight. He’s on his way to the hospital to receive treatment. Jo wondered if you wouldn’t mind coming to be with her.”

“Why didn’t you say that in the first place? Oh my…I’ll be there in five minutes. Where the hell did I put my car keys? Oh God, poor Ben. I’m coming, sweetheart. Mummy is on her way.”

Jo shook her head and grabbed the phone out of Charlie’s hand. “Maybe I should have called her later. She’ll be faffing around now.”

“Sorry. Do you want to take a seat until she gets here? I’ll accompany you to the hospital.”

“How bad is he? He was with his work colleague, Steve. Was he hurt in the attack?”

Charlie chewed her lip and shook her head. “Sorry, Steve was shot also, but he didn’t survive.”

“Oh God, poor Valerie. No, I can’t believe this is happening. Why them? Has this got something to do with the other shootings? Stupid question, of course it has. Wait a minute, didn’t I see you on the TV earlier, asking for the public’s help?”

“You did. We’re aware of who the killer is, we’re in the process of trying