Shot Clock
Page 22
‘I’m so glad you caught him and sent him to jail. You’re the best policeman in the world.’
Jack’s heart was melting. He wanted to hold his daughter, not talk to a laptop. Denise was right. He could easily afford to fly to London and spend time with Skye. He had a month or two holidays due. She was growing up without him. Sometimes he felt like he was watching her on some kind of reality TV show. He’d go home next holiday. As long as he kept his head down, stayed away from the old manor, he’d be all right. His own crime would stay buried, just like the man he’d killed.
‘How would you like me to come and visit you later this year?’
‘Yes please!’ Skye jumped up and down on the spot like a lunatic, squealing and clapping.
Sarah’s face hovered in the middle of the screen. ‘What are you tellin’ dat child?’ The Jamaican accent strong as ever, loaded with reproach. ‘Don’t you be makin’ no promises you got no intention of keepin’. I know you, Jack Lisbon.’
‘I’m already looking at flights online as we speak, Sarah. I’ll book my trip tonight.’
The credit card took a hit, but it was worth it. He scheduled the trip to coincide with Skye’s birthday. Batista might veto the choice of dates, but Jack doubted it. After paying for the flight he checked out available accommodation. No way Sarah would have him in the flat in Peckham, so he booked a bed and breakfast within walking distance. He took the Goldilocks options: not too flash, not too shabby, just right.
He pointed the remote at the set, turned to an all-music station. A stroke of luck. Clips of late 1970-s punk. X-ray Spex. Jack thought Skye would grow up to look a bit like the lassie from the band. Somehow the music wasn’t hitting the spot. He turned it off, jumped into bed and started scrolling through garbage on his phone. He stuck buds in his ears and pressed the YouTube icon. Margaret Proctor had recommended something from the classical genre. What was it again?
Vivaldi. Four Seasons. Summer.
Why had he never listened to this before? Effing stupendous!
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About the Author
BLAIR DENHOLM is an Australian fiction writer and translator who has lived and worked in New York, Moscow, Munich, Abu Dhabi and Australia. He once voted in a foreign election despite having no eligibility to do so, was almost lost at sea on a Russian fishing boat, and was detained by machine-gun toting soldiers in the Middle East.
When not writing novels, he works as a Russian language specialist for an international conservation organisation.
He currently resides in the wilds of Tasmania with his partner, Sandra, and two crazy canines Max and Bruno.
You can connect with me on:
https://blairdenholm.com
https://twitter.com/blairdenholm
https://www.facebook.com/blairdenholm
Also by Blair Denholm
The first novel in the Fighting Detective series is available exclusively on Amazon. If you enjoyed Shot Clock, you’ll definitely want to grab yourself a copy of Kill Shot today.
Kill Shot
A body found in the mangroves, mutilated beyond recognition. What at first appears to be a crocodile attack is soon established as a shocking murder.
Can ex-boxer Detective Sergeant Jack Lisbon solve the mystery before the sleepy town of Yorkville goes into total meltdown?
Join DS Lisbon and his partner Detective Claudia Taylor on a heart-thumping ride through the steamy tropics of Northern Australia as they hunt for a killer out of control.