Crying Shame (Justice Again Book 5)

by M A Comley

  Nicole finally told her, “She knows him. He and her husband had a great friendship. Adama had been here several times to help them with official paperwork which had stumped her husband. He also did a fair bit of DIY around the house for them on occasions as well.”

  “When was the last time she saw him?”

  Katy tapped her foot, doing her best to keep her impatience at bay. We could be onto something here. Come on, I need something to cling on to, if I’m going to solve these cases.

  “Last week. He came to help them move a wardrobe from one bedroom to another for the children. She says he has an incredibly kind heart and even brought his baby daughter along to visit, knowing how much Mrs Kouassi loves children.”

  “So we’ve heard. Okay, will you thank her for the information she has provided? Give her our sincere condolences and tell her we’ll be in touch soon regarding assistance with what she should do next.”

  “I’ll do that now, ma’am.”

  “We’re going to go back to the college now, see what his colleagues have to say.”

  “I’ll return to the station soon. I’ll make a few phone calls there and keep Mrs Kouassi up to date on things.”

  “Thanks for all your help today.” Katy smiled at the constable and then at Mrs Kouassi before she left the house.

  Katy drove back to the college where they questioned a few members of staff who knew Mamadou well. They all said the same, that Mamadou was a really nice bloke and they were horrified this had happened to him. When Katy asked the interviewees if Mamadou had been in any form of trouble with an outsider recently, they were all adamant in their response: no, he wasn’t the type. He always did his absolute best to avoid conflict of any form. Which left Katy perplexed.

  Why kill a man if he’s done nothing wrong? If he always ensures he’s under the radar? Why? It seems nonsensical to me.

  “You’re quiet,” Charlie pointed out on the journey back to the station.

  “I’m trying to fathom things out in my confused mind. Everyone so far has told us the same story, haven’t they? He was well-liked, according to them, he did everything in his power to avoid trouble. If that’s the bloody case, why is he currently at the mortuary being sliced open?” She came to a halt at a red light and slammed the heel of her hand onto the steering wheel. “If this is about the man’s skin colour… well, all I can say is God help those involved because when we find them, and I have every confidence we will, you’re going to need to hold me back, otherwise I’m likely to skin the fuckers alive. Abhorrent, that’s what this is. I don’t think I’ve ever been this worked up about an investigation before.”

  “I can tell. A word of caution, although I feel the same way, maybe we should try and keep a lid on our raw emotions, in case they get in the way and jeopardise the investigation.”

  Katy glanced at her partner. “I know you’re right, but it’s going to be impossible for me to do it, Charlie. Here’s the thing, although I have no idea what it’s like to be on the receiving end of such vile abusive behaviour, I went to school with a black girl, and what she went through, from a really young age to the day we left higher education, is nobody’s business. There were times when things got so bad that I used to go home in tears. Lord knows how it must have affected her.”

  “That’s terrible. I had no idea. How did she cope?”

  The traffic moved off again. “She just did. I did my best to combat a lot of the shit directed at her most days. I was a tough tomboy back in the day, had my fists primed and ready for action more times than I care to remember. If anyone dared to come near me or hurt any of my friends, I wouldn’t think twice about beating the shit out of them. Veronica, my friend, she used to call me her ‘special little fearless warrior’. She was one of the best people I have ever known. I shared my lunch with her on more than one occasion because sometimes her parents were too poor to be able to afford food. When I told Mum, it broke her heart, so she always ensured I went to school with a double portion. Honestly, you couldn’t have met a nicer person. Not once did I see her as being different to me. The only thing that got to me was the fact she used to get a better tan than me in the summer.” Katy laughed, doing her best to lighten the sombre mood.

  Charlie sat there and stared at her with her mouth open.

  “What? It’s true. Ver, as I used to call her, used to turn from brown to black.”

  “I’ve never really thought about that before. Are you still in touch with her now?”

  “Sadly not. After we left school, her parents went back to Africa, I believe. Last I heard she’d had an arranged marriage and was pregnant within a month or so. Shame really, she had a bright future ahead of her. She could have made a true difference in this world, had her parents given her the time and support. Maybe she’ll be able to do it one day in her future.” Sudden tears misted her eyes. “I miss her. I never saw her as an inconvenience. In fact, I would go as far to say I adored her. Her bright and wonderful cheery smile, her indomitable spirit in the face of adversity, she was a special young lady all right. Far superior personality than some of the other twats I went to school with.”

  “She sounds wonderful. I would have loved to have met her.”

  Katy sighed. “You two would have got on well together, I have no doubts about it. So, what I’m trying to say is, I have every intention of giving this investigation my all, in her name. Because of what the ignorant children at school put her through back then. It’s ignorance nine tenths of the time, that’s my take on racism. Also, people never have the guts to go on the verbal attack alone, it’s the mob mentality that repulses me. They’d run a mile if a black person approached them in the street and they were alone, you mark my words on that one. The human race, at least some members of it, disgust the hell out of me at times.”

  “I totally agree with you. Most of them seem like cowards from what I can tell. Most of the human race has a lot to answer for. What do you think will happen to Mrs Kouassi and her children?”

  “I haven’t got the faintest idea. I suppose it depends on what her immigration status is.”

  “I wondered if that might be the case.”

  “I wish her well and will do my best to ensure her life is not fraught with bureaucracy.”

  A few moments later, Katy parked the car in her allotted place outside the station, and together they walked through the main entrance to find Mick talking to a woman. They were both laughing. Katy recognised the laugh, so did Charlie.

  “Mum? What are you doing here?” Charlie glanced around her, embarrassed.

  “Darling. There you are. Mick and I were just going over old times,” Lorne said. She swept forward and gathered Charlie in her arms.

  Charlie pulled back. “Not here, Mum, I’m on duty.”

  “Get you. A mother should be allowed to show how much she loves and misses her daughter whenever and wherever she likes. Isn’t that right, Katy?” Lorne sprang forward and hugged Katy.

  Katy tried to disguise the cringe running through her. “Lovely to see you, Lorne. Do you want to come upstairs for a quick coffee?”

  Katy sensed Charlie glaring at her out of her peripheral vision.

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Lorne beamed. “Only if you’re sure I won’t be in your way.”

  “You won’t, not if you don’t stay long,” Katy replied. “We’ve got two vile cases on the go at the moment.”

  “I’m intrigued. Tell me all about them, maybe I can lend a hand while I’m here.”

  Charlie’s head jutted forward. “You’re retired, Mum. Anyway, why are you here?”

  “I’ll tell you over coffee. After my long drive I’m in dire need of a caffeine fix. Saying that, is it the same rancid stuff I had to put up with in my time here?”

  They all laughed.

  “Afraid so. Come on.” Katy linked arms with Lorne and punched in the security code.

  “You need to change that now that I’ve seen it.” Lorne cackled.

  Charlie lagged behin
d them as they took the stairs. Lorne wittered on like an excited schoolgirl reminiscing about her first date.

  “Look who we have here, if it’s not Lorne Simpkins Warner.” Standing at the top of the stairs was DCI Roberts.

  They reached the top step. Lorne offered up her cheek which Sean dutifully kissed. “How wonderful to see you, Sean. Still putting on excess pounds around the middle, I see.”

  “Same old Lorne, always telling it how it is. I’ll have you know that I’ve lost more than a stone recently.”

  “You have? Lost your wallet, have you?” Lorne teased, a twinkle in her eye.

  Katy stood back and marvelled at the way Lorne slipped back into her old routine of winding up the chief. She’d missed her.

  “Get this woman out of my sight, that’s an order, Katy.” Sean pretended to be insulted. “Seriously, it’s good to see you again. We’ve missed you around here, umm… let me clarify, I’m not saying Katy and Charlie don’t do a sterling job, of course… okay, I’ll shut up now. How long are you here for? Is Tony with you?”

  “Questions, questions, you were always full of them. Wanting to know the ins and outs of a duck’s anus more times than I care to remember.”

  He tipped his head back and laughed. “It goes with the territory. I’d love to catch up properly, if you can spare the time?”

  “I’m not sure, it depends if I piss Charlie off or not. I’ll get back to you, same number?”

  “Yep. Let me know. Gotta dash, I have a meeting with the Super.” He smiled and flew past them.

  “Have fun. Don’t bother sending him my regards,” Lorne called after him.

  Charlie had already gone on ahead into the incident room. Katy could tell she was put out about her mum showing up the way she had, unannounced and barging in on her turf.

  Katy tapped Lorne on the arm. “Come on, you, let’s get you sorted out with a drink.”

  They pushed open the door to gasps from the other members of the team. Lorne did the rounds, saying hello to her old work colleagues, while Katy stopped by the vending machine. With Lorne distracted, she beckoned Charlie over to join her. “Are you all right?”

  “Would you be if your mother showed up at your place of work?”

  “Whoa! What’s with the aggressive tone? She’s Lorne, not my mother who has never set foot in the station before. Why are you so put out about this, Charlie?”

  She exhaled a breath and turned to see her mother working the room, with authority, just like old times. She was Lorne Warner, she would never change. Whether Charlie liked it or not. “May I remind you we’re trying to solve two important, heinous crimes?”

  “No, there’s no need for you to do that, Charlie, I’m well aware of the daunting task ahead of us. Aren’t you curious? About why she’s here.”

  “No, not in the slightest. Katy, I have my own life to lead now. People don’t treat me the same when Mum’s around. I love the bones of her but out of work hours. I feel suffocated with her here. Does that make me a bad person?”

  Katy lowered her voice to reply, “Of course it doesn’t. My advice would be to fix a smile in place, whether you feel like smiling or not, it will act as a barrier. If she sees how upset you are it’s only going to make her cluck even more.”

  “You have a valid point. Okay, how’s this?” Charlie widened her lips, and a beautiful smile lit up her gorgeous face.

  “Perfect. You’re learning kid… and no, that was not meant to come across as being condescending either.”

  “I didn’t take it as such. Mind if I get on, leave Mum to you?”

  “Go for it. I’ll shut her away in the office with me.” Katy put another coin in the machine and walked towards the office with two cups. “Lorne, let these fine people get on, will you? Join me in what used to be your office, you should know the way.”

  “I’ll be there in a jiffy.”

  Katy caught Charlie giving her a knowing look and rolled her eyes. Once inside the office, she set the two cups on the desk and settled into her chair. Lorne hadn’t appeared after five minutes so she called out her name, “Lorne Warner, get your arse in here, now!”

  Within seconds, Lorne appeared in the doorway, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “You’re a hard taskmaster, Katy Foster.” She threw herself into the chair and sipped her coffee. “Ah, it’s like nectar from the gods. Isn’t Charlie joining us?”

  “No. She has an important fact-finding mission to do for me. You can catch up later. She seems surprised to see you. Didn’t you tell her you were coming?”

  “No. That was the whole idea, to surprise her. I think I might have ticked her off.” Lorne shrugged. “She’ll come around. How has she been lately?”

  “What do you mean by lately? When was the last time you spoke with her?”

  “At the weekend, and yes, before you say it, she told me she’d broken up with Brandon. That’s the reason I’m here, to lend her my support.”

  “But if she didn’t ask you to come, is it any wonder she’s pissed off with you? She’s an adult, Lorne, she can stand on her own two feet.”

  “I have no doubts she’s capable of doing that, Katy, what are you insinuating? That I’m an overbearing mother?”

  “No. Hey, wait a second here, I’m not insinuating anything of the sort, so back off.”

  “Sorry. I’m here because I care, not to interfere or take over. If you think that then you don’t know me as well as you think you do, matey.”

  Katy held her hands up. “Sorry, I read the situation all wrong.”

  “Yep, you have. Enough about that, what about the two heinous cases you’re dealing with, want to run them past me?”

  Katy sniggered. “You’re as incorrigible as you ever were.”

  “Glad I haven’t changed in your eyes, at least.”

  “Give Charlie a chance. She’s been put through the mill with her private life recently.”

  “I know. Not that she’s told me that much about what’s been going on. Carol has filled me in, but that’s between you and me.”

  “Good old Carol, always looking after those she loves.”

  “Yep, she’s a treasure. About the cases?”

  “You’re like a gorilla, guarding a truckload of ripe bananas.”

  They both laughed. “Better than being a dog with a solitary bone, I suppose. Spill.”

  They spent the next fifteen minutes discussing the case. Lorne appeared shocked by the revelations. “I know this is London and it’s more diverse than it has ever been, but I’ve never personally had to deal with a case of racism before. I know the statistics are all there for everyone to see. Damn even the word sticks in my damn throat.”

  “Yeah, it’s not going to be easy. We have some clever killers on our hands. Patti seems to believe it’s a group carrying out the attacks, although we haven’t got much proof that’s remotely accurate as yet.”

  Lorne’s brow furrowed. “On top of that you’ve got the disappearance of the first victim’s wife and child to consider. Christ, I don’t envy you this one, hon.”

  “Thanks, not what I wanted to hear. I was hoping you’d shed some wise insight about what we should do next.”

  “Sorry. I’m lost, out of my depth. Is there a connection with the men? I’d definitely be delving into that, for now.”

  “We’re doing that. Not come up with anything other than they knew each other and they’re from the same country. Do you think that’s enough of a connection to warrant them both winding up dead, within a few days of each other?”

  “Who knows with these types of cases? Were they illegal immigrants? Did they come here on a work visa? Were they trafficked? Maybe they haven’t paid the money they owe to the trafficker who might have brought a family member to our shores? There are lots of avenues to consider. I fear unearthing the answers is going to be a difficult task.”

  “You’re not wrong. Our priority needs to be finding the woman and child, but where the fuck do we start?”

  Lorne stared b
ack at her for what seemed like an age, shrugged and then aimed a clenched fist at her leg. “I don’t know, I wish I could give you some sort of guidance. The fact is, I’m rusty as hell, love.”

  “Hey, don’t beat yourself up about it, literally. Cases of this magnitude come along once in a blue moon, thankfully. You know as well as I do the crims will probably mess up sooner or later.”

  “Ain’t that the truth? So, putting that aside for a moment, can you give me the lowdown on how Charlie is really doing?”

  Katy inclined her head. “Really doing? As in you think she tells you she’s doing great and you have doubts and the opposite is true?”

  “Yes and no. You know what my bloomin’ mind is like, constantly on the go. Searching for things that possibly aren’t there. Except for the case of Brandon and Charlie, I always thought they were as solid as a piece of granite. How wrong could I be?”

  “It’s not a case of you being wrong or right. Charlie has matured into a confident and intelligent young woman. Maybe she’s recently taken a step back and considered the bigger picture. Contemplated if the quiet life was for her. He’s a very timid lad from what I remember of him, isn’t he?”

  Lorne sighed and pushed a stray hair back behind her right ear. Katy noticed the few strands of grey showing as she secured the lock. “He always has been quiet, but then, so was Charlie. Are you telling me that she’s altered dramatically since I left for Norfolk?”

  Katy wagged a finger. “Don’t go putting words into my mouth. I’ve told you what I think, she’s guilty of growing in confidence, that’s all. You know what some men are like, they can’t stand it when their wives or girlfriends change and they don’t.”

  “Hmm… okay, I can understand that. I’m delighted she’s fit in well around here.”

  Katy nodded. “So am I, however, I never thought there would be any real doubt about that, she’s your daughter, after all.”

  They both laughed. Lorne stopped long before Katy did.