Shameful Justice
Page 1
SHAMEFUL
JUSTICE
M A COMLEY
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author M A Comley
Published by Jeamel Publishing limited
Copyright © 2018 M A Comley
Digital Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the site and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
OTHER BOOKS BY M A COMLEY
Blind Justice (Novella)
Cruel Justice (Book #1)
Mortal Justice (Novella)
Impeding Justice (Book #2)
Final Justice (Book #3)
Foul Justice (Book #4)
Guaranteed Justice (Book #5)
Ultimate Justice (Book #6)
Virtual Justice (Book #7)
Hostile Justice (Book #8)
Tortured Justice (Book #9)
Rough Justice (Book #10)
Dubious Justice (Book #11)
Calculated Justice (Book #12)
Twisted Justice (Book #13)
Justice at Christmas (Short Story)
Prime Justice (Book #14)
Heroic Justice (Book #15)
Shameful Justice (Book #16)
Immoral Justice (Book #17)
Unfair Justice (a 10,000 word short story)
Irrational Justice (a 10,000 word short story)
Seeking Justice (a 15,000 word novella)
Clever Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)
Tragic Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)
Sinful Deception (co-written by Linda S Prather)
Forever Watching You (DI Miranda Carr thriller)
Wrong Place (DI Sally Parker thriller #1)
No Hiding Place (DI Sally Parker thriller #2)
Cold Case (DI Sally Parker thriller#3)
Deadly Encounter (DI Sally Parker thriller #4)
Lost Innocence (DI Sally Parker thriller #5)
Web of Deceit (DI Sally Parker Novella with Tara Lyons)
The Missing Children (DI Kayli Bright #1)
Killer On The Run (DI Kayli Bright #2)
Hidden Agenda (DI Kayli Bright #3)
Murderous Betrayal (Kayli Bright #4)
Dying Breath (Kayli Bright #5)
The Caller (co-written with Tara Lyons)
Evil In Disguise – a novel based on True events
Deadly Act (Hero series novella)
Torn Apart (Hero series #1)
End Result (Hero series #2)
In Plain Sight (Hero Series #3)
Double Jeopardy (Hero Series #4)
Sole Intention (Intention series #1)
Grave Intention (Intention series #2)
Devious Intention (Intention #3)
Merry Widow (A Lorne Simpkins short story)
It’s A Dog’s Life (A Lorne Simpkins short story)
A Time To Heal (A Sweet Romance)
A Time For Change (A Sweet Romance)
High Spirits
The Temptation series (Romantic Suspense/New Adult Novellas)
Past Temptation
Lost Temptation
Keep in touch with the author at
http://melcomley.blogspot.com
On Facebook
On Twitter @melcom1
Subscribe to newsletter
Follow me on BookBub
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you as always to my rock, Jean, who keeps me supplied with endless cups of coffee while I punish my keyboard. I’d be lost without you in my life.
I’d also like to thank my dear friend Linda Prather for her words of wisdom and for keeping me sane the past seven years.
Special thanks as always go to my talented editor, Stefanie Spangler Buswell and to Karri Klawiter for her superb cover design expertise.
My heartfelt thanks go to my wonderful proofreader Joseph for spotting all the lingering nits.
And finally, to all the wonderful Bloggers and Facebook groups for their never-ending support of my work.
Miss you, Mary…
TABLE OF CONTENT
Cover
Titles Page
Copyright
Other Books by the Author
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Note To the Reader
PROLOGUE
“I wish I could take time off to attend a Christmas party with friends,” Helen complained, placing the final book from the trolley on the shelf.
Emma smiled at her friend and workmate. Even though Helen’s words sounded harsh, Emma knew she was only joking. “It’s once in a blue moon. Jack’s colleagues are breaking up from work today, unlike us. That’s what office workers do—have lots of time off at this time of year.” Emma shrugged. “I suppose that’s a major downside to us working in a public library.” She dug her friend in the ribs as they pushed the trolley back to the reception desk in the old, cold library. “Just think how lucky we are not to be working behind a counter in a shop. At least we get to have Boxing Day off.”
“I suppose. I just wish Christmas Day always landed on a Sunday. Then we’d get an extra day off every year like we had last year,” Helen moaned, her mouth turning down at the sides.
“You really are on a downer, aren’t you? Anything you want to share?”
Helen shook her head and sat down behind the counter. “Don’t go treating me like one of your helpless homeless people you care about. I’m allowed to have a little self-pity at this time of year after losing my dad in June.”
Emma rubbed her friend’s arm. “I’m sorry. I totally forgot that this will be your first Christmas without him. I know how close you two were. Is your mum going to be spending Christmas with you?”
“No, she said she’s too depressed and doesn’t want to spoil it for us. We’ll pop round there during the day.”
“Beneath that gruff exterior, you have a heart of gold, my dear friend.” Emma kissed Helen’s cheek lightly.
Helen scrubbed her face as it turned crimson with embarrassment. “I better stop wallowing and let you get off. Say hello to Jack for me and have a good time. Are you working down at the shelter tonight?”
Emma removed her coat from the stand and slipped it on. “Yes, I’ll be there at seven, dishing out the dinners, as usual. I feel so sorry for the homeless people in our area. The numbers seem to be increasing each week, especially at this time of year. If I was granted one wish, it would be that there was peace on earth and every single person had a roof over their head that they could call home, even if it was only for the Christmas holidays.”
Helen shook her head. “I don’t want to appear rude, but y
ou’re living in a dream world if you ever believe that’s going to happen, sweetie.”
“I know. No harm in hoping, though, right? See you tomorrow. Sorry again for leaving you short-handed this afternoon. I hope you’re not too busy.”
“I’m sure we’ll be quiet. Hopefully, people will be too occupied buying last-minute gifts in town to bother pestering me for a book on the Ayatollah Khomeini for some project or other at college.”
Laughing, Emma waved at her friend then left the library by the main entrance. She crossed the car park and slid behind the steering wheel of her car. It was an anxious journey to her home. She had less than thirty minutes to get home and throw on her party outfit. She had chosen a subtle outfit, though nothing too fancy, as it was still the middle of the day, but she knew Jack was expecting her to make an effort for a change. Emma had always been the type of girl to prefer roaming around in jeans rather than skirts and high heels.
Ten minutes later, she pulled up outside her parents’ house, where she still lived, and opened the garage door. After parking the car, she rushed through the internal door and flew up the stairs to the bathroom. She jumped in the shower, aware that the clock was ticking, and dried herself on the way into her bedroom. She glanced down at her mobile lying on the bed and saw there was a text from Jack.
Sorry, Em, traffic is bad. I’ll be with you as soon as I can!
She let out a sigh, relieved that she would be able to slow down and at least catch her breath a little for the next few minutes.
After drying her hair, she studied the outfit she had laid out on the bed and doubted for the umpteenth time if she had made the right choice. Sighing, she shook her head and walked over to the wardrobe. Instead of the dress she had chosen the night before, she decided to go with a smart pair of trousers and the Christmas jumper with Rudolph and his red nose on the front. “I hope Jack is okay with my change of outfit.”
She gasped when she heard the doorbell ring. Emma swiftly pulled on her grey trousers and slipped on a T-shirt. Carrying her thick winter jumper, she raced down the stairs to open the front door.
“Just a minute,” she called out. At the bottom of the stairs, with the front door only a few feet away, she placed the jumper over her head and opened the door at the same time, but the jumper got caught on one of her earrings. She laughed. “Oh no, so sorry, Jack. I’m rushing to get ready. Come in and make yourself comfy.” Emma turned away from the door and started up the short hallway, but before she could get very far, she felt a sting in her back that took her breath away.
Her legs unable to hold her upright, she stumbled to the ground. With the jumper still over her face, she began to panic, unsure what was going on and whom she had let into her house. Her head felt woozy, and she had no idea what had caused her knees to buckle or what had struck her in the back. A shadow fell over her. She felt disorientated and had no control over her arms or her legs. The jumper obscuring her view was yanked down. She gasped. “You!”
The man didn’t reply. Instead, he punched her in the face. Her head swam again. In the distance, she heard what sounded like a sucking noise, or was it? The next thing she felt was something being placed over her mouth. Panic set in. What are you doing to me? Why?
Thankfully, her fear subsided as she slipped into unconsciousness…
CHAPTER ONE
DI Lorne Warner felt a sudden sense of pride as she waved her daughter off. Charlie was entering her final week of assessments on her course. This time next week, fingers crossed, she would be a serving police officer in the Metropolitan Police Force of London, just like her mum.
Tony snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he whispered, “She’ll be a tough copper, just like you.”
Lorne swivelled in his arms and kissed him. “Do you think? I can’t help but worry about her, after all she’s been through over the years.”
“You worry too much. She’s resilient and determined. The stubborn streak that she inherited from you will help her overcome many obstacles which threaten to stand in her way.”
Lorne wriggled out of his grasp and punched him on the arm. “I am not stubborn. I dispute that tag.”
Tony shrugged, his handsome face breaking into a grin. “Whatever.”
“You’re impossible. Haven’t you got somewhere to be?”
“Yep, I’m supposed to be meeting Joseph. We’ve got a client to see first thing.”
“Another missing persons case?”
He nodded. “Maybe. We’ll know more when we start probing the family for answers. I better shoot off. Have a good day.” He kissed her long and hard on the lips.
“You too. Ring me during the day if you have the time. Let me know if you’ll be home for dinner this evening.”
“Will do. Take care.”
Lorne stood on the doorstep, watching Tony approach his vehicle. Once his car left the drive, she walked towards the kennels. Cindy Rayner, the new kennel manager, was already knee-deep in dog shit.
“Ah, the perks of running a kennel,” Lorne joked.
Cindy, a pretty brunette who was twenty-one and a very conscientious worker for her age, smiled at Lorne. “I don’t mind. I’d much rather work with animals than some humans I’ve had to deal with over the years.”
Lorne laughed. “I used to feel the same when I started up the kennels. However, the draw of banging up evil criminals soon got the better of me. Is there anything you need before I head off?”
“I don’t think so. I have a food delivery coming today. I have enough to feed them this morning, but if the delivery guy is a no-show, I’ll be struggling.”
“You’ve got my number. Let me know if there’s a problem, and I’ll drop by the supermarket on the way home and pick up a sack of food to tide us over. You have a couple coming by this afternoon to take Basher for a walk, right?”
“Yeah, they seem a really caring couple. I’ve already carried out the home check on them, and providing they haven’t changed their minds since last week, I can’t see a problem. I can tell he senses something is going on. He’s an adorable little rascal. How anyone could kick him out on the streets is beyond me. Just look at that face.”
Lorne bent down and stuck her fingers through the cage to stroke the wire-haired terrier with the cheeky face. “You’re right. He seems different, brighter in himself. Maybe he realises his days are numbered here. I wish that could be said for the rest of them. I hate this time of year. We get a large number of older dogs coming in because their owners have promised the kids a new puppy for Christmas, and then after the New Year, we get another influx of the puppies, which people bought and have got bored of. Why do people do that? It’s as if they’ve never heard the saying ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’. People have no idea how demanding a new puppy can be. They expect them to come fully trained and house-trained, and when the pups start leaving smelly packages around the house, they’re quick to throw in the towel. Ugh… don’t get me started. It really riles me up.”
Cindy smiled. “I hear you, Lorne. The only losers are the dogs, and it’s heartbreaking.”
Lorne gave the dog a final pat on the head. “Good luck, little man. Knock ’em dead when they come to visit you.” The dog licked her hand, bringing unexpected tears to Lorne’s eyes. She stood up. “Gosh, I better go before I start blubbering. I’ve left Sheba in the house, if you can let her out at the usual time. Don’t forget to stop for a break now and again too.” She wagged her finger. “I know exactly how much tea and milk has been used. Don’t forget I’m a shit-hot detective.”
Cindy laughed. “Caught out again. I’m sorry. The time just flies by around here. I’d rather be out there in the paddock, exercising the dogs, than stuck indoors, sipping tea.”
Lorne placed a hand on the young woman’s cheek. “You’re an absolute treasure, Cindy. But please, take regular breaks, especially as the weather is getting colder.”
Cindy pulled her jumper aside at the nec
k to reveal her vest. “They do nothing whatsoever for my image, but thermals really are a kennel manager’s best friend.”
Lorne laughed. “You’re a scream. I’m glad you walked into our lives. We must have a chat about Christmas soon. I don’t expect you to work all the time over the holidays. Tony, Charlie and I will hopefully be getting some time off and should be able to manage this place between us to give you a break.”
“Nonsense. As long as I have one day off, I wouldn’t dream of imposing on you all at this time of year. You guys will need your time off too to recharge your batteries.”
“We’ll work something out. I don’t want to fall out with you about this, and I definitely don’t want to go down as an unreasonable boss. So if we can meet somewhere in the middle, I’d feel a lot happier. Deal?” Lorne held out her hand for Cindy to shake.
“I’m never going to win an argument with you, am I?”
Lorne pointed at her and winked. “You’re learning. Have a good day. Hope the meeting with Basher’s future adoptive parents goes well.”
“So do I. See you later. I hope your day isn’t a stressful one.”
~ ~ ~
Lorne arrived at work just before the clock on the wall in the incident room struck nine. No sooner had she stepped into her office than her phone rang. “DI Warner. How can I help?”
“Morning, Lorne. In my office in two minutes, if you will?”
Lorne cringed at DCI Roberts’s abrupt tone. She wracked her brain, trying to think if she’d overstepped the boundaries in any procedures lately, but nothing came to mind. “I’ll be there.”
DCI Roberts ended the call without saying another word. Lorne eyed the paperwork on her desk and shrugged. “I guess this lot will have to wait.”
She walked through the incident room and stopped at Katy’s desk. “I’ve been summoned by Roberts, and he sounded pretty narked. We haven’t got much on at the moment. Can you ensure everyone is up to date on their paperwork, just in case his summons is concerning another case?”
“I sure will. Good luck. I hope he’s gentle with you.”