Prime Justice

by M A Comley

  Lorne shuddered. “What a terrifying thought. Thanks for the info. I’m calling it a day soon.”

  “Part-timer. TTFN.”

  She gathered her jacket and handbag then turned off the light in her office. “I say we call it a day, team. Tomorrow, I want us to concentrate on trying to find out about this green deal that Rogers was keen for his victims to sign up to. Hopefully, that’ll be the way we track him down. Goodnight, all.”

  Lorne was just walking through the reception area when the front door opened and she saw Tony standing there, his hands on the scruff of an angry-looking youth. “Tony? What’s this?”

  “Meet the guy who tried to kill Charlie and Brandon.”

  “You’re crazy, man. I ain’t never tried to kill no one. You ain’t laying that on me,” the youth snarled.

  She took a few steps forward and stopped inches from the youth’s face. “What gives with the attitude? Make a habit of running folks off the road, do you?”

  Before the youth could answer, Tony said, “Joe and I just caught the bugger trying the same trick. He was so intent on causing mischief that he neglected to see us following him. I left Joe at the scene waiting for the recovery vehicle. I’m sure Forensics will corroborate this young man’s involvement in both cases of road rage.”

  “I ain’t involved in nothing. You had no rights snooping on me. That bloke should have pulled over and let me pass. This is his fault, not mine.”

  “And when people refuse to pull over, you batter them with a crowbar, right?” Lorne demanded.

  The youth’s eyes narrowed, and the left side of his lip curled up. “They shouldn’t take up the whole road, selfish fuckers.”

  Lorne shook her head and looked over her shoulder at the desk sergeant. “I think a couple of days in a cell should do the trick. Don’t you, Sergeant?”

  He motioned for a couple of uniformed officers standing next to him to take over from Tony. “Leave him with me, ma’am.”

  Tony handed the youth over and approached the desk. “Want me to give you a statement now, Sergeant?”

  “If you have a spare half an hour, yes.”

  “Great idea. I’ll hang around, Tony. No problem.” Lorne thumbed in the direction of the youth. “Bang him up; don’t make him too comfortable. I’ll chase up Forensics in the morning before we lay any charges. I’ll also arrange a warrant for his home address, see what else he’s been up to.”

  “‘Ere you can’t do that. I’ve done nothin’ wrong,” the youth objected, trying hard to break free from the officer who was holding his arm.

  “Oh, I think you’ll find we can and we will, young man.” She leaned in closer and said quietly, “Mess with my family, and you’ll wish to God you hadn’t, matey.” Lorne turned her head away quickly when she saw his throat move and got the impression he was about to spit in her face. He thought better of his actions when one of the officers slapped a pair of cuffs on his wrists.

  While Tony gave his statement, Lorne waited in the reception area, reading one of the interior design magazines she’d found lying on the table.

  He appeared in the doorway. “Shall we go?” They linked arms.

  “Goodnight, all,” Lorne said as they breezed out of the station. Outside, she hugged her husband. “Who’s a clever boy then?”

  “It was nothing really. He dug his own grave in the end. Every time he got in his car, Joe and I could tell he was full of anger. It was just a matter of time before that rage presented itself fully. I hope the court throws him inside. Boys like that are a menace to society.”

  “Let’s hope we find a bunch of incriminating evidence at his house. That’ll make his sentence longer, anything to oblige on that front. We deserve a treat. Shall we pick up fish and chips on the way home?”

  “Sure, why not? I hope Charlie will feel relieved now. I know she’s been really anxious about going out alone in her car since the accident.”

  “She’ll be fine. Have I told you lately how much I love you, Mr. Warner?”

  “Not enough. Come on, let’s get home.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Three months later

  Lorne walked into the incident room to find Katy sitting at her desk. She ran up to her and hugged her. That had been a daily occurrence for the past week or so since Katy had returned to work. “I still can’t believe you’re back at work. It’s such a pleasure to come in and see you sitting there. Nothing against your better half, of course. How’s he coping?”

  “All hugs gratefully received. Actually, AJ has surprised me. He loves being at home with his daughter. Truthfully, I think she’s a bit of a daddy’s girl already. She’s all smiles when he’s around and seems to cry continuously when I’m in the same room.”

  “Aww… I’m sure you’re exaggerating about the last bit.”

  “I’m bloody not. Anyway, why are you looking like you’ve won a couple of mill on the lottery?”

  “Didn’t you see the news last night? I was going to ring you, but it was after ten and thought you’d be tucked up in bed.”

  “You’d be right about that. Can’t get past nine thirty at the moment. Come on, tell me?”

  “I need to chase a few people up first thing, but the article last night mentioned that a man had been rescued after he walked into the raging sea.”

  Katy’s brow furrowed. “What? You think he was trying to commit suicide?”

  “That’s what the news reporter said. This is the interesting part, though: the man’s name is George Rogers.”

  “What? Hang on—isn’t he the guy you thought was using three different names?”

  Lorne raised her thumb. “You’ve got it in one. What are the chances of that happening? We thought we’d seen the last of him when he flew to America. I’m dying to know what went wrong and how he got past immigration upon his return.”

  “Another flaw in the system, it wouldn’t be the first time. So, why aren’t you rushing to go and pick him up?” Katy asked, looking confused.

  “Because he’s locked up in a mental health hospital. He won’t be leaving there anytime soon.”

  “Wow! Doesn’t that present a problem in itself? How can we arrest him for the murders? Surely he’ll just plead insanity?”

  “Hmm… you have a point. We’ll just have to be cagey. Let’s do what we’ve got to do around here and then head over there. About eleven okay with you?”

  “Maybe you should get the chief’s advice on this one first, Lorne. I’d hate for us to cock it up.”

  Lorne nodded. “Maybe you’re right. Hey, at least we’ve had some good news about that other thorn in our side yesterday. I’m glad Claire Knight is now facing a twenty-year stretch. I bet that came as a shock to her.”

  “Don’t go celebrating too early. She’s bound to appeal the decision.”

  “I have no doubt about that. It makes me all warm and fuzzy knowing that she’ll be locked up behind bars and all the wealthy widowers will be safe for a few years, at least.”

  They both laughed.

  “Going to ring the chief now, see what he suggests.” Lorne continued into her own office and plonked down in the chair behind her littered desk. She dialled Sean’s direct line. “It’s me. I don’t suppose you saw the news last night?”

  “Hi, regarding what?”

  Lorne retold the story she’d just told her partner and waited for the news to sink in. “Well? I’m dying to hear what you think we should do with Rogers.”

  “I’m not sure what to think when you give me that kind of news first thing. What do you want me to say?”

  Lorne let out an exasperated breath. “Well, Katy and I seem to think we need to tread carefully, given where he’s residing at present. We need to pin all the murders on him, bearing in mind we still haven’t discovered Amanda Oughton’s body yet. I thought I would go in there and nicely ask if he remembers anything. Odds are that he won’t. I could do with some guidance from you on this one, Sean.”

  “Damn, well, as you say, go in th
ere gently. Have a word with his doctor before you see him, see how bad he is first. That would be the route I’d take.”

  “Okay, Katy and I are going to visit the hospital this morning. Good job we’re between cases right now. Love opening up a cold case when the chance arises.”

  “Tread carefully.”

  Lorne ended the call with Roberts then placed one to Springfield Mental Hospital to get the all-clear to talk with George Rogers. Then she went in search of Katy, who was at her desk. “Partner, we need to make a trip to the hospital.” Lorne groaned. “Let’s get it out of the way so I can get back to my bloody paperwork.”

  “Sure thing, boss.” Katy grabbed her jacket.

  Lorne filled Katy in on the details as they drove to the hospital, which was on the outskirts of the city. Dr. Caldwell greeted them in the reception area when they arrived. He showed them into his office and invited them to sit down.

  “Here’s what we know about this man so far. When I asked why he was trying to commit suicide, he said that he’d had enough of this screwed-up world and wanted to be rid of it.”

  “That’s interesting. Did he say anything else, Doctor?” Lorne asked, sitting forward in her seat.

  “I asked what had led him to even contemplate ending his life. He said that he had put all his eggs in one basket, given everything up, for a get-rich-quick scheme that had failed.”

  Lorne turned to face Katy. “The wind turbines.”

  Katy nodded.

  “That’s right. He mentioned something about green energy. I must tell you that he currently has a fairly miserable outlook on life.”

  “I suspect the only thing he’s miserable about, Doctor, is because he’s lost thousands of pounds that he stole from others and has nothing to show for it. We’ve been chasing this man for the last four or five months. To our knowledge, he’s killed about ten people.”

  The doctor’s mouth dropped open. “He what? He simply doesn’t look the type.”

  “He’s probably revelling in the sympathy he’s receiving right now.”

  “In my expert opinion, I can neither deny nor accept that claim, Inspector.”

  “So, where do we go from here? Are there some tests you perform to see the extent of a person’s insanity, or are you open to them pulling the wool over your eyes in order to keep a roof over their heads and out of prison?”

  “There’s no need to talk to me like that, Inspector. I’m doing all I can to help you with your enquiries.”

  “Forgive me, Doctor. It’s just frustrating knowing that this man can get away with the murders he’s committed whilst hiding behind a possible insanity plea.”

  “I can assure you there will be extensive tests conducted into his mental stability. We rarely let the patients ‘pull the wool over our eyes’ as you so eloquently put it. Have you met this man before?”

  “Yes, a couple of times.”

  “Then the first thing we need to identify is if he recognises you at all.”

  “I see. Okay, can we see him now?”

  “I don’t see why not. A note of caution if I may before we go: please be gentle with your questions. If I detect any form of anger or sarcasm in your tone, you will be asked to leave immediately. Am I making myself clear?” Caldwell said sternly.

  Lorne nodded and issued a tight smile. “Perfectly clear.”

  He led Lorne and Katy through the bright reception area and down a long corridor with numerous numbered doors, each with the name of the residing patient marked in a Perspex holder on the wall. “Here we are. Remember what I said now,” the doctor warned, raising a pointed finger.

  Lorne and Katy nodded and followed him into the room. George Rogers was lying on his high hospital bed, his eyes closed, wearing headphones and smiling as his foot tapped to the music he was listening to. Hmm… doesn’t seem suicidal to me, but what do I know?

  The doctor laid a hand on George’s forearm. George immediately opened his eyes and stared directly at Lorne.

  She smiled. “Hello, John.”

  The man immediately snatched off his headphones, leapt off the bed, and attempted to reach the door, but Katy tripped him up as he passed her.

  “Now wait just a minute. You can’t handle my patient like that,” the doctor said.

  “This man has no right taking up a bed at your hospital, Doctor. He’s a wanted criminal who has implicated himself by trying to escape.”

  Rogers glanced up from where Katy had dumped him on the floor, resignation evident in his eyes. Lorne pulled him to his feet while Katy slapped the cuffs on him and read the man his rights. Astounded, Dr. Caldwell looked on as Lorne and Katy escorted Rogers out of the hospital and placed him in the back of the car. Lorne high-fived Katy then punched the air with her clenched fist. “We got the bastard. Easier than expected, eh?”

  “Good job, Lorne. The ace team are back together again.”

  “I’ll second that. It’s good to have you back alongside me, partner.”

  EPILOGUE

  Over the coming weeks, Lorne and her team took it in turns to go out to Green Gables and search the surrounding fields. A few days before John Davey was due up in court, Lorne and Katy discovered Amanda Oughton’s body hidden in the undergrowth in several sacks. It was both a relief and a shock to finally put an end to the search.

  Lorne dressed in her grey pin-striped suit on the morning of her court appearance. She spoke professionally and was proud that the defence solicitor hadn’t been able to tie her in knots during her time on the stand.

  The jury took only twenty-four hours to come to a unanimous decision to find John Davey guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison, while his wife, Ruth Davey, was sentenced to ten years for her part in the crime. Lorne felt sorry for the woman, but it was a lesson to anyone reading about the crime, how important it was to inform the police if they were aware of any wrongdoings their partner had committed. No matter how much she loved her husband, robbing others of their place on this earth was a sin that would never go unpunished.

  After the case had ended, Lorne decided to treat all her team to a pub lunch and even invited AJ and Georgina along to share in the celebration. She smiled at the adulation both AJ and Katy shared when playing with and talking to their daughter. Lorne actually felt a pang of jealousy, having missed out on Charlie’s early years.

  Charlie and Brandon were back to their normal happy, confident selves now that the youth who had plagued their lives for months was also behind bars for storing counterfeit goods at his home and causing grievous bodily harm to Brandon. A reckless driving charge had also put an end to him owning a driving licence.

  It had been a trying year for Lorne in one form or another, but knowing that her family was safe and that Katy was back working alongside her once again certainly boded well for the future, whatever that may hold.

  THE END

  Thank you for reading PRIME JUSTICE; I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this novel as much as I loved writing it.

  If you liked it, please consider posting a short review as genuine feedback is what makes all the lonely hours writers spend producing their work worthwhile.

  OTHER BOOKS BY M A COMLEY YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ

  CRUEL JUSTICE (Justice #1)

  #1 Best-selling novel in two categories, Police procedurals and Women sleuths in both US and UK and Amazon top 20 novel.

  The headless body of a wealthy widow is discovered decomposing in Chelling Forest. Then a second victim is found. Detective Inspector Lorne Simpkins and her partner, DS Pete Childs are assigned the case.

  Before they can discover the identity of the killer they must make a connection between the two victims. After a third murder, Lorne receives a grisly surprise. Clearly, a vicious serial killer is on a rampage... and Lorne has become the killer’s fixation.

  Lorne can’t allow her failing marriage or her new boss—a man with whom she shares a sensuous secret—keep her from focusing on her job. She must catch the macabre murderer, or risk becoming the
next victim.

  MORTAL JUSTICE (Novella)

  What would you do if you saw a stranger’s life in danger?

  DI Lorne Simpkins and her partner, DS Pete Childs investigate a violent attack. Lorne becomes increasingly concerned when her star witness, Donna Moran, goes missing. She knew Donna was petrified, but has Donna just gone into hiding, or has she been taken by the offenders?

  IMPEDING JUSTICE (Justice #2)

  For eight long years, Detective Inspector Lorne Simpkins has tracked the vicious criminal known as The Unicorn. But the killer has frustrated MI6 at every turn and remained successful at Impeding Justice.

  When Lorne is targeted in a trap that results in the death of her partner, the tragedy shakes her confidence to the core. Before she has time to recoup, her teenage daughter is kidnapped. More than Lorne’s professional reputation rests on her bringing The Unicorn to justice.

  FINAL JUSTICE (Justice #3)

  A ruthless killer returns—and former DI Lorne Simpkins is forced to revisit her ugly past.

  After suffering a breakdown and quitting the force, Lorne Simpkins finds herself embroiled in a MI6 covert operation to hunt down her old enemy, a sadistic and merciless criminal whose ambition is to become the world’s richest man.

  Lorne tracks the madman through France, attempting to thwart his plans and bring her long-time nemesis to Final Justice.

  FOUL JUSTICE (Justice #4)

  Detective Inspector Lorne Simpkins is back on the force. Before she can get comfortable with her new partner, newly-promoted DS Katy Foster, the two are assigned a tragic murder case that looks like a robbery gone wrong. However, when another wealthy footballer’s family meets the same deadly fate within twenty-four hours, it is clear the crimes involve something far more sinister.

  Keeping her focus on unravelling the complex case isn’t easy for Lorne when she learns news that throws her personal life into a spin—her fiancé, M16 agent Tony Warner, is involved in a dangerous covert operation in Afghanistan.