by M A Comley
“I’ll get on it, if you like?”
“Take it in the hallway, Charlie.”
“Will do.”
Charlie left her position, which allowed Katy to get closer to the window. Her gaze was drawn to one roof in particular opposite. She saw something or someone move. Yes, it was a person. She sprinted out of the office and called the lift. The security guy was beside himself, pacing the hallway, as much use as a chocolate teapot left out in the midday sun.
He was mumbling the same words over and over, “I should’ve kept them both safe…it was my responsibility and I screwed up.”
“Don’t be daft. You haven’t screwed up. Just guard the lift, make sure anyone who comes up here shows you the relevant ID. I’ve summoned the pathologist and the Forensics team—do not let anyone else off the lift, except me, of course. Are you armed?”
He took out a truncheon and a pepper spray. “With this.”
“It’ll have to do. Just aim it in the person’s eyes.”
“Don’t worry, I’m aware of where to use it.”
Katy smiled and pressed the ground-floor button. She dashed out of the lift once it had reached its destination and tore through the reception area and past the uniformed officers outside. “Has the desk sergeant been in touch yet?”
The young officer closest to her nodded. “Yes, he told us there’d been another shooting. What do you need us to do, ma’am?”
“Man the doors. Don’t let anyone into the building unless they’re one of our associates, got that?”
“Yes, ma’am. Where are you going?”
“Never you mind. Just do your job and keep people away from the area,” she called over her shoulder.
By now, the traffic was flowing once more. Katy picked a path through the moving vehicles and then darted along the pavement, searching for an entry point into the building she’d highlighted. There it was. She entered the main door and jumped on board the lift which took her to the tenth floor. The bell pinged, and the doors whooshed open. She exited and hunted the corridor for a possible entrance that would lead her up to the roof. Finally, she spotted a door and eased it open. She knew she was taking a risk going it alone. Maybe she’d regret her actions in the future. For now, she would press on. The corridor lit up as soon as she entered. Withdrawing her Taser from her pocket, she ascended the stairs. She pushed against the fire door, and it sprang open. She ran onto the roof and hunkered down. Shielded by a low wall, Katy surged forward. Footsteps sounded on the other side of the wall. She squeezed her eyes shut for a split second. After realising that was a foolish action, she opened them again to find a masked man standing in front of her. She aimed her Taser. He kicked it out of her hand and rammed the butt of his rifle into her chest and then her head.
Everything went black…
Katy woke up and groggily got to her feet. She picked up her Taser and scoured the area. The masked man was long gone. Her legs gave way beneath her. She eased herself onto the wall and dialled Charlie’s number. “I need help.”
“What? Where are you?”
“Are you still in Colin’s office?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Look out the window. The building opposite with ten storeys. I’m on the roof.” Katy waved her arms, hoping that Charlie would be able to see her from where she was standing.
“I’ve got you. Stay there, I’m on my way.”
“No. Send one of the men. You stay there. The killer attacked me, he could still be around here.”
“Shit! Okay, I’ll send someone now. Shall I call an ART to attend?”
“Maybe that would be the wisest option, I should have made the call before. Damn, I was out cold. I’m disorientated, Charlie. I can’t think straight.”
“On it now. Can you stay there? Don’t move, I have you in sight, I’ll keep an eye on you from here.”
“I’ll stay here. Hurry. I feel sick. I’d hate to pass out and choke on my vomit.”
“Ewww…did you have to say that? Let me get back to you. Stay put.”
Katy jabbed at the End Call button and sucked in a couple of deep breaths to settle her queasy stomach. It temporarily helped until the bile rose in her throat again a few seconds later. She scanned the area for a possible outside tap—there wasn’t one. She inhaled a few more breaths, and the sensation dipped again, only to surge once more a few seconds later.
A little while passed then her phone rang. “Charlie, is that you?”
“It is. Help is on its way. Stay put for five minutes. I had to go by the book on this one, boss. I rang DCI Roberts to check what to do.”
“Great. Okay, the damage has been done now. I ain’t moving anytime soon.”
“Sorry if I made the wrong call. I was out of my depth.”
“Don’t apologise, you did what you had to do. I’d rather you do that than screw things up…oh God…” Katy emptied her stomach and kept retching for the next few seconds until she was able to speak again. “I’m okay, it’ll pass. Don’t worry about me.”
“Of course I’m worried. I wish I was there with you.”
“I don’t. This fucker could still be around…”
“No, don’t say that. I can’t see anyone from here. Just stay safe and alert.”
“I’m trying my best.”
“Don’t hang up, keep the line open. Patti is here now. I’ve seen her arrive down below. Wait, yes, the ART are here now as well. They’ll be with you soon.”
“Thanks, Charlie. You’ve done good. I’ll buy you a cream cake…oh God, did I have to mention food?”
“Hang in there. Rid your mind of cream et cetera.”
Katy vomited again. She’d never felt so ill in all her life. Well, maybe throughout her pregnancy, but the morning sickness soon passed after a few months of discomfort. It was the dizziness overpowering her that she found hard to bear.
“Are you okay?” Charlie shouted, concerned.
“I will be soon. Are they on their way in?”
“They’re on the roof. I can see them approaching you now. Shout out to them, Katy.”
“Here, I’m over here,” Katy called out.
Four armed policemen dashed towards her.
One dropped to his knee, avoiding the vomit. “Are you all right?”
She pointed at the pile of sick beside him. “Sorry about that, I couldn’t keep it down. I think I’m all right. My legs are wobbly, so standing is out of the question.”
“We’ll help you. What about the assailant?”
“I don’t know. He knocked me out. When I regained consciousness he was gone—at least I think he’s gone.”
“Stay there. We’ll do a quick recce of the area and then get you to safety.”
“I appreciate it.”
One officer remained by her side while the three others set off in different directions. They returned moments later.
“There’s no one here,” one of the men said, and the other two agreed.
The officer who had narrowly avoided what she’d had for lunch placed a hand on her elbow and helped her to her feet. She wavered slightly, and her vision blurred.
“I feel bloody drunk—no, it’s far worse than that.”
“We’ll get you some medical attention soon, I believe an ambulance has been called.”
“No, I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. I’ll be fine after a sit-down.”
“I doubt it. You seem concussed. You’re going to need to go to the hospital.”
“Damn, not what I want to hear.”
“Tough, it’s a necessity. We can’t have an inspector on duty, vomiting while she questions possible witnesses, now can we?”
“I’d laugh at that if I had it in me. Don’t make me chuckle, please.”
He snorted. “I’ll try not to. Jed, take the other side, let’s get this young lady back downstairs.”
“Young lady? You old charmer. Hey, I’m a married woman, you know?”
“He’s a lucky man. What am I saying? I’m a married
man, so we’re quits, right?”
Katy attempted a smile, and it came out more of a grimace.
The four men, two in front and one on either side of her, accompanied her down the flight of stairs and into the lift.
“Shit! Not an ideal travelling mode when your guts are doing dozens of somersaults.”
“I know. Try not to think about it and breathe,” the officer in charge said.
The lift hit the bottom, and the men swiftly left the cavity and transported her outside.
“Thank you, I’ll be fine now. My partner is here, she’ll take care of me.”
The four men nodded and hopped into their vehicle.
“My knights in shining armour are now departing,” Katy mumbled.
“You look rough. Hospital with you, and no arguments.”
“What a waste, calling for an ambulance. I’m all right, honestly!” Katy turned to look over her shoulder and swiftly lost her balance.
Charlie rushed to hold her upright and prevent her from bashing into a nearby wall. “Never kid a kidder, as Mum has been known to say. Don’t fight me on this one, boss.”
A young female paramedic came to their assistance. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.” Katy beamed, eager to brush off her dizzy spells.
“Hmm…you don’t look fine. Let’s get you in the back of the ambulance and run a few tests.”
Katy sighed and puffed out her cheeks. “If you insist. I’m not one to argue with authority.”
“Bullshit,” Charlie said on a cough, earning her a dig in the ribs.
The paramedic helped Katy into the back of the ambulance.
“Should I call AJ?” Charlie asked.
“No. Definitely not. I swear I’ll be fine in a little while. Jesus, you need to leave me and get on with the case, Charlie. Someone needs to tell Colin’s next of kin before they hear about it through the media. Send Stephen and Patrick, tell them to be compassionate.”
“Should I need to tell them that?”
“Whatever. Just do it.”
Charlie raced off, and Katy let out a long breath.
“You can stop the pretence now,” the paramedic whispered in her ear. “How do you really feel?”
“Like my head, and my legs come to that, belong to someone else. I’m disorientated and don’t know what to do for the best. Sit down, stand up, lean against something to support me.”
“That’s all natural. You definitely have concussion. We’re going to take you in. Who’s AJ?”
“My husband,” she replied quietly. “Please, I don’t want to worry him, it’s an important day for him and his business. What’s your name?”
“Angie. I understand, but surely he’d want to know if you’ve been injured.”
“He would, but he’s a worrywart. Leave things as they are for now. I promise to ring him after a doctor has given me the once-over.”
Charlie reappeared at the back of the ambulance. “That’s sorted. I’ve told the guys I’ll be coming with you.”
“No, Charlie, I don’t want a fuss. You stay here.”
Charlie shook her head. “Sorry, boss, this is one order that I refuse to comply with.”
Angie laughed. “I love a bit of insubordination. She’s right, someone should be with you. Do you want to follow us in your car?”
Charlie held out her hand for Katy’s keys. “Good idea. Are you setting off now?”
“We are. The sooner the doctor assesses her the better.”
“I now know what someone being bullied feels like,” Katy grumbled.
Charlie and Angie laughed.
“As if,” Charlie replied.
Within ten minutes, the ambulance pulled up outside the Accident and Emergency department, and Charlie joined Katy again once she’d parked the car. Katy was wheeled through to triage on a stretcher. Luckily, there were only a few minor injuries to contend with before it was her turn to be seen by the doctor.
A good-looking male doctor in his early thirties examined her under Charlie’s watchful gaze at Katy’s request.
He carried out a series of tests on her which covered her speech, memory, balance, hearing and vision. Thankfully, Katy passed all the tests with ease.
“Don’t get too carried away,” the doctor warned. “I need you to have a CT scan, we’re organising that now.”
“But everything else is fine. I’m feeling better with every passing minute,” Katy complained, feeling like a fraud as her results had proved there was no significant impact.
The doctor raised an eyebrow. “Are you? No BS, Inspector.”
“I’m not, I swear. The urge to vomit has dissipated, and I’m thinking far more clearly than I was after I regained consciousness. I don’t want to put you to too much trouble.”
“You’re not. It’s a necessity to see what’s going on in that head of yours. If the whack was hard enough to knock you out then you’re going to have to accept how important it is to find out what’s happening in there.”
“Come on, boss, what harm can it do? I’d want to know,” Charlie said, quick to jump in.
“Okay, stop badgering me, the pair of you. I’m telling you I’m fine, though. You’re the ones intent on wasting funds, not me.”
“It’s not a waste of funds. There’s a limit to what we can do without science getting involved. I’ll get it organised and be back in a moment. Stay there, don’t move, and yes, that’s an order.”
He left her bedside, and Katy crossed her arms in defiance.
“Have I told you how much I detest hospitals?”
“Yeah, Mum was the same. She’s had her fair share of scares over the years.”
“I remember most of them well. How’s her stomach now after the crazed mare stabbed her?”
“It’s healed up nicely. She gets a niggle from the wound now and again but basically she’s made of strong stuff, but you know that, right?”
Katy grinned. “We’re from the same mould, love. I can’t help feeling frustrated. That bastard has got away again. Two murders in one day, and he came and went like a bloody ghost or something. Was he there all along? Lying in wait?”
“Don’t start blaming yourself, Katy. We couldn’t have known where the shots that took Grace out came from. Had we known they’d come from the roof of the building opposite we would have checked it out, wouldn’t we?”
“I know. That sort of thing doesn’t filter down the line for a few days, not until the Forensic team have run their tests and analysed things thoroughly. You wait, when I get my hands on the bastard who did this to me, you’re going to have to restrain me.”
Charlie sniggered. “I figured that might be the case. I’ll take that on board, because we will find him. Okay, don’t have a go at me here, but the question has to be asked: why didn’t he kill you? Why did he choose to knock you out cold and leave you on that roof, when he could have either killed you or even abducted you? That part doesn’t make sense to me.”
Katy frowned as she contemplated Charlie’s observations. “I don’t have the answers to that. The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. I suppose I should be grateful to him or her, we haven’t established the killer’s gender yet.”
“True enough.”
The doctor rejoined them. “The porter will take you down for your scan now.”
“Can Charlie come with me?”
He nodded and smiled warmly. “Of course. Partners in all you do, right?” He winked.
Charlie’s mouth dropped open.
Katy burst out laughing. “Professionally speaking, yes.”
“Ah, sorry. My mistake,” the doctor replied, his cheeks turning crimson.
Luckily, the porter arrived to spare him any further embarrassment. He pushed Katy through the narrow corridors and deposited her at the X-ray department where she went straight through to have the scan. Charlie remained outside in the waiting room. The whole thing was over in a matter of minutes, and the porter returned to take her back to A&E.
; It was another half an hour or so before she received the results.
The doctor entered the cubicle and smiled. “Maybe a mild concussion. No lasting damage done, and yes, you’re free to go.”
“That’s wonderful news. I feel so much better than I did an hour ago. See, I told you I didn’t want to make a fuss. Would you guys listen to me? No.”
Charlie shook her head, leaned towards the doctor and said, “See what I have to put up with? She’s always right, or thinks she is.”
The three of them laughed.
“It was nice meeting you, ladies. Hopefully we won’t have the pleasure of meeting again anytime soon.”
“We’ll take care of each other from now on, I promise,” Katy replied. She placed her legs on the floor and prepared to wobble. Instead, she remained steady on her feet. Another blessing in disguise. “Come on, partner, we have a killer to catch.”
“Whoa! Who said anything about you being fit to return to work?” The doctor tutted and shook his head. “My advice would be to take the rest of the day off and see how you feel in the morning.”
Katy began to object, but his raised hand cut her off. “Okay, you win. I’ll go home and put my feet up.”
“Very wise.” He smiled and left the cubicle.
“Like I’m going to listen to him.”
“Do I have to report back to DCI Roberts?” Charlie warned.
Katy scowled. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I might if you push me into a corner.”
“Ha, so much for loyalty. I sense a call to your mother in the near future.”
“Okay, joking aside. You should take the rest of the day off, it’s only a couple of hours before the end of our shift.”
“Not when we have the likes of this fucker on the loose, Charlie. I’ll be fine. End of. You drive, just in case.”
“I can see it would be pointless arguing the toss with you. Where are we going?”
“Back to Zedex. I need to have a chat with Patti, make sure we’re both on the same page with this one. She needs to get us the results ASAP before he strikes again.”
“You think he will?”
“Yep. Don’t you?”
Charlie inserted the key into the ignition and shrugged. “I’m not so sure. It’s looking more and more like someone who had a grudge with the firm.”