Taste of Fury M Comley (big ebook reader TXT) 📖

me intimating that you’re a poor replacement, far from it. We’re all lucky to have you on the team, and I’m even more fortunate to have you by my side as my partner. I never had a single doubt when Roberts ran the idea past me, you know.”

Her partner turned briefly and her face lit up. “What if you hadn’t wanted a Lorne mark two to work with?”

“I seriously believe I would be up shit creek right now. We’re a force to be reckoned with, long may it continue.”

Charlie wagged her finger. “But not if the consequences mean the destruction of your marriage, agreed?”

“Yep. I’d be lost without AJ and Georgie in my life. You’re right on two counts. Firstly, I need to have a serious discussion with AJ about where we go from here, and secondly, I need to definitely delegate more. Rein in my enthusiasm and keep it under control. I never used to be a go-getter, not really. I think when Lorne first laid eyes on me, she despised me; I used to be so far up my own backside. You do know my history, don’t you?”

“Umm… from what I can remember when Mum was cursing you back in the beginning, didn’t you get the job because of who your father knew at the time?”

Katy laughed. “Yep, that about sums it up. I hope I’ve proved my worth by now, Roberts appears to at least be happy with the results the team delivers.”

“You’re an amazing leader. We all love working under you, take my word for that.”

Katy looked in her direction. “Are you saying you guys are giving me marks out of ten?”

Charlie sniggered. “Hardly. Put it this way, if you were performing badly, I believe the knives would be out for you.”

Katy almost choked on the laugh rising in her throat. “Tell it as it is, partner.”

“I just did. Sorry, I shouldn’t have opened my mouth. I meant it as a compliment. The team adore working for you as much as I do. I’ve learnt so much already. I’m still learning daily from how you battle through life and your duties at work. You’re the strongest woman I know.”

“Barring your mother, of course.”

“Okay, yep, with the exception of Mum. Look at it this way, she wouldn’t have handed over the reins if she felt you weren’t up to the undertaking.”

“Thanks for the pep talk, Charlie. I’ll take on board the advice you’ve dished out today.”

“Good. Please remember as well that I’ll always be on your side, Katy.”

Katy smiled and leaned her head back. “We do make a pretty awesome partnership.”

“Long may it continue.”

10

There was a positive sign when they approached the house, a large vehicle was parked on the drive which Katy presumed was mainly for Daniel’s benefit. “Hopefully they’re in.”

“What if Megan is here?”

“We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.”

They exited the car and walked up the path. Katy rang the bell and delved into her pocket to retrieve her warrant card. A grey-haired woman in her sixties opened the door.

“Hello. Can I help?”

Katy held up her ID. “Mrs Carr? I’m DI Katy Foster and this is my partner, DS Charlie Simpkins. Would it be possible to come in and speak to you for a minute or two on an urgent matter?”

“What on earth are you talking about? What urgent matter?”

Katy glanced over her shoulder and then leaned in closer. “It’s concerning your niece, Megan. I don’t suppose she’s here?”

“No. She’s at home. What’s she supposed to have done?”

“Can we come in?” Katy urged a second time.

Mrs Carr motioned for them to join her and led them through the house to the kitchen-diner at the rear where a gentleman was sitting at the table alongside a younger man in a wheelchair.

“We’re just finishing our lunch. Sam, these two ladies are from the police. They’re asking me about Megan.”

“Me Me!” The young man, Katy presumed to be Daniel, shouted.

Katy’s stomach tied itself into knots, the last thing she wanted to do was upset the family.

“What? What do you want with our niece?” Mr Carr demanded. He pushed what was left of his roast dinner aside, leaned back in his chair and wiped his mouth on his paper napkin.

Katy’s gaze settled on Daniel and then she turned her attention to Mrs Carr. “I don’t think I should continue this conversation in front of Daniel.”

“Why? Has something happened to Megan?” Mrs Carr said, fear emanating in her grey eyes.

Daniel wriggled in his chair and shouted, “Me Me!”

“It’s Daniel’s nickname for his sister. He’s fine, he’ll be okay, just tell us what’s going on, you’re scaring us.”

“If you insist,” Katy began only to be cut off by Mr Carr bouncing forward in his chair.

“No, I’m not liking the sound of this. I disagree with my wife, I don’t think Daniel should be subjected to what you’re about to tell us. I’ll take him in the lounge, love. Let you deal with this.”

Mrs Carr shook her head vehemently. “I can’t, not without you, Sam. I can’t deal with any further upset, we’ve had enough to contend with over the years.”

“Please, we’re only here to make enquiries at the moment. There’s no need for either of you to become upset, although I do think it would be best if Daniel left the room.”

Daniel angled his head and glared at Katy. His uncle wiped the dribble tracing a line down his chin. “I think it’s best if we leave.” He then wheeled Daniel out of the room.

“You might as well sit down,” Mrs Carr instructed them. “Please, I don’t want any hassle. My family have been through the wringer over the years.”

Katy and Charlie sat down. Charlie placed her notebook on the table and flipped it open while Katy began, “I can imagine, taking on your niece and nephew at such a young age must have been traumatic for you?”

“We were happy to do it. I’m not saying our lives have been easy ever since, but our house