Virtual Justice

by MA Comley

  “That’s what bedrooms are for, isn’t it?” A grumpy Charlie tutted as she passed them.

  “Morning, darling. How are you on this gloriously sunny day?”

  “Do you have to be so damn bright and breezy, Mum? I’m fine. Nothing an extra ten hours kip wouldn’t put right.”

  The rest of the morning was spent marinating meat and throwing together salads. Then Lorne turned her attention to her rum-and-raisin cheesecake, a speciality of hers that everyone gobbled up.

  Katy walked into the kitchen just as Lorne was getting the cheesecake out of the tin and delicately placing it onto the serving dish. “Oh, no! That’ll be another couple of pounds I’ll put on by nightfall. Why can’t you be like other hostesses and serve up something disgusting for a change?”

  Lorne stepped towards Katy and kissed her on the cheek. “There’s just no pleasing some folks. Hey, here’s a novelty—learn to use the word no now and again. I promise not to be offended.”

  Katy’s eyes grew large. “Yeah, right. I doubt whether there’s any truth behind that statement.”

  “I’m due a break. Want a coffee?”

  • • •

  They sat down at the table, sipping their coffee, as Katy went through the information she’d managed to dig up about Paul Cram.

  “Let’s just say that his profile pic creeped me out from the outset. It was all downhill after that. No decent girl would have touched him. I wonder what this Karen found so attractive about him.”

  Lorne shrugged. “It takes all sorts to make a world. Any prior convictions?”

  “Yeah, for drugs and ABH.”

  “Really? So he has form. I’m not sure what to make of the guy. Yes, he’s creepy, but would he have it in him to harm Karen?”

  “Well, I have proof that when they were living together, uniformed police were called to the property on more than one occasion.”

  “Domestic violence?”

  “Yep, but when it came to making a statement against Cram, Karen wouldn’t go through with it.”

  “She was scared of him. It’s funny that Stacy didn’t mention this.”

  Katy sipped at her coffee. “Maybe the sister didn’t know about it.”

  “Maybe. So there’s no photographic evidence on file of him hurting her?”

  Katy shook her head.

  “Maybe he did the cowardly thing, like most abusers, and made sure he hit her on the body where the wounds wouldn’t show up.”

  “Probably. I’ve got a heavy caseload at the moment, but I can see if one of the others on the team can haul him in for questioning if you want?”

  “Or I can get Tony to put pressure on him. I think that would be better.”

  Katy turned her mug in her hands on the table, signifying that she wanted to tell Lorne something but wasn’t quite sure how to put it.

  “Go on. Spit it out.”

  Katy heaved out a large sigh. “Roberts wants to put me forward for DI.”

  “That’s wonderful news, Katy.” Lorne was delighted for Katy, who since joining the Met had been fast-tracked up the system. Some said it was because of her contacts in the force. Before becoming Katy’s partner, Lorne would have agreed with the rumour. But Lorne had seen the same determination in Katy right from the word go that she’d had in the beginning of her own career.

  “Yeah, I have mixed feelings about it, though. I know the amount of shit you went through as DI. Plus, I haven’t really forgiven Roberts for not standing by me over that idiot who complained and got me suspended. That hurt.”

  “I know it did, hon. Believe me. Colleagues and higher ups used to sit there, sharpening their knives, ready to jab me with them at every given opportunity. The trick is to see it coming before it gets embedded and causes harm.”

  “Maybe I could employ Carol on a full-time service.”

  “Did someone mention my name?”

  The three of them looked at each other and laughed at Carol’s timely entrance. Not bad for a psychic to turn up just like that.

  Lorne stood up and hugged the woman, who had become a regular at the rescue centre, more so since Lorne had lost her father. Maybe Carol’s calm aura had helped Lorne get over her father’s death that much quicker.

  “I’m so glad you could come, Carol.”

  The full-figured woman in her late fifties removed her black cape and joined Katy and Lorne at the table. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. How are you both doing?”

  “Well, we were just discussing Katy’s proposed promotion.”

  “Really? Oh, how wonderful for you, Katy.”

  “Whoa, hang on a minute. It’s only an idea at this moment in time.”

  They both watched as Carol closed her eyes and rocked back and forth in her chair. “It’s a foregone conclusion, dear. Now, what’s all this about you having a laptop that you need to get into?”

  Lorne laughed. “That’s right. Tony’s been trying to gain access to it for about eight hours.”

  Carol’s face turned sombre. “Yes, it’s imperative that you get it open right away.”

  Lorne cringed. “Why is that, Carol? Is the owner dead?”

  “You know I can’t lie to you, Lorne. Yes, I believe the person you are looking for has been killed.” Her eyes closed again, and the rocking motion increased in tempo. “You’ll find many clues to her killer in that laptop.”

  Lorne and Katy looked at each other open-mouthed before Katy said, “Do you think it’ll actually lead us to the killer?”

  “Undoubtedly,” Carol replied, opening her eyes, which were wet with tears.

  “I think you better take it with you, Katy. Maybe you can get forensics to have a look at it for us,” Lorne said.

  “I’ll certainly do my best. Can you see anything else about the victim, Carol?” Katy asked.

  “I believe she used to spend most of her spare time on the computer. I see a rough-looking man and a distinguished-looking one. Hard to say who they are. Am I on the right lines, Lorne?”

  “To one of them, yes. You’re spot on, as usual. Tony and I visited the boyfriend of the ‘victim,’ if what you say proves to be true. I rang Katy to do a background check on him. I wonder where the distinguished-looking gent fits into the equation?”

  “Do you think the ex-boyfriend has anything to do with her disappearance or potential murder?” Katy asked.

  “I’m not getting anything that really stands out at the moment, dear. No crime scene as such, just a quick overview at present, I’m afraid. I’ll be sure to let you know if something else crops up during the day.” Carol clapped her hands together. “Enough of this. The less intense thinking I do about a case, it seems the more clues come my way. What can I do to help? Oh, by the way, I took the liberty of knocking up some of my notorious punch.” She sank her hand into the carrier bag she’d placed on the floor beside her and pulled out a plastic lemonade bottle, the contents of which couldn’t have been further from lemonade.

  “It looks potent!” Lorne laughed as she relieved Carol of the bottle and placed it on the table in front of her.

  “Up to my usual standards, I’d say.”

  Katy smiled. “Oh, God. The last lot I drank had me walking around like my head and legs belonged to someone else for days. Think I’ll stick to orange juice, just to be on the safe side.”

  “Killjoy. Right, I’ll finish my coffee, and then I must get the rest of the food ready. Jade, Luigi, and the boys will be here soon.”

  Carol patted the back of Lorne’s hand. “She’ll be all right. Give her time.”

  Lorne screwed up her nose. “I hope you’re right, Carol. Between the three of us, I took her to see a psychiatrist yesterday with mixed results.”

  “Some people just take longer to get over a loss of a parent. I know she’ll come good in the end,” Carol reassured Lorne for a second time.

  They finished their coffee, then the kitchen became a hive of activity. The three women stood in a line, their hands sometimes work
ing in synchronisation, as if they worked on a factory line. Within thirty minutes, they had all the food prepared and wrapped up in cling film, ready to go.

  In her excitement about the family gathering, Charlie had cleaned all the kennels and fed all the inmates in record time. Tony had been busy out in the paddock all morning on a secret mission, and he came into the kitchen just as Lorne and the girls finished their preparations.

  “What have you been up to all morning? Keen to avoid lending a hand, as usual?” Charlie ribbed him.

  He winked at her and took her hand. “Come with me, and you’ll find out. That goes for all of you.”

  The five of them walked out towards the paddock, linking hands since Tony had ordered them to keep their eyes closed and not to peek until they arrived near the site.

  “Ta da! Open your eyes.”

  Charlie screamed and ran to the fence surrounding the field.

  “Oh, Tony. That’s fantastic,” Lorne said as she stared at the agility obstacle course he had created out of wooden fence posts and spare barrels that had been lying around since they’d moved in nearly two years ago.

  “I’m going to get Rusty, to see what he thinks of it.” Charlie ran to the kennels and reappeared with the spaniel running along beside her, excitedly wagging his tail.

  Lorne looked down and chuckled at the way Henry seemed totally uninterested about the whole event. As long as he had his ball to play with, he was content as he was ever going to be. The group watched Charlie and Rusty enthusiastically work their way around the course. Rusty was having a whale of a time, barking with delight while Charlie’s voice shrilled frustrated orders when he took his own wayward route around the circuit.

  “This way, Rusty. Not that way!”

  “Make sure he gets plenty of water after his exertions, Charlie.”

  “Yes, Mum,” her daughter called back, obviously exasperated that Lorne should think of saying such a thing.

  “We’ll be inside finishing off the preparations. Dinner in thirty minutes or so. If you can tear yourself away, that is.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  Lorne hooked her arm through Tony’s on the journey back across the yard and into the house. “That was thoughtful of you.”

  “It was nothing, really. The whole thing took me more time in the planning process than actually constructing it. Should keep her occupied for a while.”

  “I just hope she doesn’t get too distracted with it and neglect her duties around here.”

  “You worry too much, Mrs. Warner.”

  Lorne could hear Carol and Katy nattering away behind about whether or not Katy should consider going for promotion. Carol urging to do so left Lorne wondering if Katy would take the psychic’s word over hers.

  They laughed and filled their faces with food for the rest of the day. Carol’s notoriously potent punch complemented the food perfectly. Even Jade showed signs of enjoying herself on the odd occasion that Lorne managed to sneak a look in her direction. She had decided to give her sister some space at the barbecue, to let her contemplate that life was still worth living, in spite of their father’s sudden death. She had her sons, Gino and Marco, to think about, after all. Luigi also appeared more relaxed because of Jade’s less-fraught demeanour. Jade, Luigi, and the boys left fairly early—around nine—leaving the rest of them to clear up before collapsing into their beds. Shortly before Jade and her family had left, Carol actually passed out on the couch after consuming excessive amounts of her own punch.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Bella Croft leapt around the bedroom as though her feet were on fire as she dressed for her secret rendezvous. She really hadn’t expected him to call. To hear his wonderful voice again only hours after they’d parted had sent her in a dizzying spin. He wanted to see her, to take her out to an expensive restaurant. Who knew how the evening would end?

  Twenty minutes later, she left the house and drove to the exclusive restaurant she’d often dreamed about eating at. She felt like pinching herself half a dozen times or so to ensure this was really happening to her. She sucked down a few gulps of the night air and then took the plunge and entered the restaurant. He was waiting at the table, watching her walk towards him with a glint in his eye.

  “Good evening, beautiful lady.” He stood in front of her, placed his hands on her arms, and pecked her on each cheek.

  She had no idea how she prevented her legs from buckling beneath her. He held the chair out for her, and she lowered herself into it. He sat down opposite and gathered both of her hands in his. “It’s been hellish not being able to see you, my love.”

  Really? It’s only been a day. Her heart pounded an excited tune against her ribs. “I know. I feel the same way.”

  He smiled a genuine smile and raised her hands to his lips. One by one, he kissed every knuckle to every finger. She thought she was about to orgasm with the eroticism of his gentle touch. A shiver of anticipation flew up her spinal column. Instinctively, she knew that this night wouldn’t end the way they usually did—with her tucked up in bed alone. No, she had a feeling that night was going to be one of those nights women dreamed of discovering for a lifetime.

  “Are you all right? You look a little flushed.”

  Damn, she couldn’t even blame her heated cheeks on the effect of the wine since the waiter hadn’t served them any yet. “It’s very warm in here.”

  He nodded. “Let’s see what we can do about that.” He clicked his fingers, and a sommelier instantly appeared. “A bottle of Châteauneuf du Pape, if you will?”

  Her eyes widened at his choice. She’d heard a lot about the wine but never thought she would ever be sampling it—not on her abysmal wage, anyway.

  “Never tried it before?” Glistening amusement swam in his eyes.

  “No, never. I don’t tend to drink much…” Then she added as an afterthought, not wanting to sound too pathetic, “Not during the week.”

  “Ah, I see. You’re a very wise young woman. I can tell that.”

  “Thank you. Do you come here often?” She immediately regretted her use of the words.

  He hitched up a shoulder. “I’ve been here once or twice over the years. Top notch food. Never had a bad meal here.”

  She could believe that. Bella took in her surroundings. The peaceful ambience was seductive. “It’s a beautiful place. I’ve passed it many times on the way to work. Never dreamed I would be sitting at a table, waiting to be served.”

  “Prepare to be dazzled by my stimulating conversation and the restaurant’s wonderful food.” He smiled broadly.

  Bella noticed how relaxed he appeared and how much more handsome he looked than he had during their first meeting. Butterflies took flight and circled her tummy, and she wondered if she would be able to digest any food she ordered.

  He talked nonstop during the meal, mostly reminiscing his vast life experiences. He told her about going on safari in Africa, when the Land Rover he was travelling in broke down right in the middle of the reserve. He ended up spending two terrifying hours in the vicinity of a pride of hungry lions. Her admiration for him grew with every word.

  “So, what do you like to do in your spare time? Let me rephrase that. If money were no object, where in the world would you like to visit?”

  Bella pushed her broccoli spear around the plate and thought for a moment or two before answering. “I suppose I would love to go on a cruise down the Nile.”

  His nose wrinkled. “Really? It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. I went once. The whole boat came down with food poisoning, including the crew. We spent the entire trip tucked up in bed. I’d never visit Egypt again.”

  A stab of jealousy caught her out, and she enquired sharply, “We? You went with someone? A female friend?”

  His eyes sparkled mischievously, and she bit down hard on her tongue for showing that she had a jealous streak running through her veins.

  “Of course. A female friend accompanied me. What’s the point in going to all these wonderful plac
es and seeing their beauty alone?”

  “Oh,” was all she could think of in response to his slight putdown.

  He reached across the table, removed the knife and fork from her hands, and entwined his fingers with hers. “Maybe we’ll travel together one day. Would you like that?”

  Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. Recovering, she nodded and smiled. “I’d love that. But I insist on paying my way.” Crap, what did I have to go and say that for? I’ll never be able to live up to his lifestyle.

  He leaned forward and kissed her fingertips. “I’m sure we can come to some arrangement. I think I’m falling for you, Bella.”

  She shook her head in disbelief. No one had ever “fallen” for her before. She’d been on several first dates, but when she baulked at her dates’ advances, they had ditched her there and then. This man hadn’t even tried to get past first base, but he was already telling her that he was falling for her.

  He chuckled at her inability to speak. “Well, say something?”

  “What can I say, except that I feel the same way, as incredible as that seems.”

  “Life is incredible. It sneaks up on you and delivers unexpected pleasures when you least expect it. It’s up to us, as individuals, to pounce on those opportunities before they dissipate into thin air and are lost forever. How’s your meal?”

  He’d just blown her away with his statement, and his ending it in such a blasé fashion confused her for a second. “Oh, sorry. Yes, it’s truly wonderful.”

  Morris released her hands and returned to his dinner. “Good. This is the first of many we will enjoy together. You have my word on that.” He raised his glass and chinked it against hers.

  • • •

  When she was about to get in her car and drive home, he held her in his arms and begged her to go home with him. She found it impossible to say no and was intrigued to find out how their relationship would progress. He insisted on driving, so she left her car in the restaurant’s car park and let him drive the ten minutes to his flat.

  He led her by the hand and guided her through the lounge, to the magnificent view of the Thames, which reflected the moon’s magically bright glow. “This is why I bought this place.”