by M A Comley
True to his word, Sean arrived at the house an hour later with Katy.
“Hey, you two! What the hell is going on?”
Sean smiled and winked at her. “Get your shoes and your coat. I’d like you and Tony to join us.”
Perplexed, she asked, “Where? Why?”
Katy tutted. “Just get your coat and stop asking bloody questions for once in your life.”
Suitably reprimanded she raced around getting ready, a buzz of excitement beginning to build inside. “Tony, get a move on,” she called upstairs five minutes later. “Will you be okay, Dad?”
Her father was sitting at the kitchen table, petting Henry beside him. He gave her a weary smile and waved a hand in front of him. “You go, I’ll be fine here with the boy.”
Lorne saw Sean and her father exchange knowing winks. Hmm…what the dickens is going on? Dad obviously knows something.
Lorne and Tony sat in the back of Sean’s Lexus, while Katy rode up front with him. They drove through the country lanes in virtual silence until they pulled up outside a familiar mansion house.
“I’m confused. What are we doing here, Sean?”
“You’ll see.”
He got out of the car and the rest of them followed him up to the front door. A man in a smart black suit opened the door. The man appeared to be as confused as Lorne to see them all standing on his doorstep.
“Mind if we come in?” Sean demanded, rather than asked.
“What’s the meaning of this? Who are you?”
Sean introduced himself and Katy, then he turned to Lorne and Tony and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Warner have been helping us with a case—they’re private investigators.”
The man’s face drained of all colour and he stepped back. Lorne expected the group to be let in, but the man reached behind the door and pulled out a shotgun.
“There’s no need for that, Mr. Wallace. All we want to do is come in for a little chat.”
“Fuck off. Get off my property.” He snarled, showing his true colours.
Lorne was still at a loss as to why they were there. However, Sean’s next words dropped a bombshell.
“Come on, Wallace, the game is up. You’ve been implicated in this case up to your scrawny neck. Stop being an idiot and put the gun down.”
Wallace was having none of it. He cocked the gun and took aim. “You’re fucking crazy. I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about.”
“Is that so?” Sean said. “Then why the gun? Looks like a sign of guilt to me. There’s a team of armed officers on their way here right now. Let’s talk about this calmly…”
Before he could continue, they heard a loud noise and broken pieces of porcelain dropped on the step in front of them, Wallace tumbled to the ground. Sean managed to grab the barrel of the gun before it hit the floor and they all breathed a sigh of relief. In the doorway stood a trembling Mai Lin, her hands on either side of her face, huge tears dripping onto her cheeks.
Lorne rushed to comfort her and guided her through to the lounge, where Natasha was sitting with Timmy the dog. Natasha jumped out of her seat when they walked in.
“Lorne? What in God’s name is going on here?”
“Natasha, I’m as much in the dark as you are. I’m sure all will be revealed in a moment or two.” Lorne looked over her shoulder to see Tony and Sean dragging Jason Wallace into the room.
“Jason!” Natasha rushed to her husband’s side. She ran her hand over his handsome face and screeched, “What have you done to him?”
“He raped me,” Mai Lin’s quiet voice said from the corner.
Natasha stood up and her mouth fell open. Her gaze searched those of the group standing in front of her. She shook her head. “No, not Jason. He…he wouldn’t.”
Lorne stepped forward and gently guided Natasha over to the sofa. Natasha stared at her as she sat down. Lorne joined her on the sofa and held Natasha’s hand in her lap and nodded. “Natasha, I’m sure that’s not all Jason has done. Am I right, Sean?”
He nodded his head slowly. “I believe we have you to thank for highlighting this awful situation, Mrs. Wallace.”
“I don’t understand. Please, tell me what my husband has been up to.”
Lorne ran through what had happened since Natasha had put them on the trail of the agency. Halfway through the story, Natasha held up a hand to stop Lorne. She looked over at Mai Lin and invited the young woman to sit down beside her. Mai Lin hesitantly did as her employer instructed. Natasha gripped the young woman’s hand as fresh tears ran down both of their faces.
It was obvious to the group that Natasha Wallace had nothing to do with her husband’s secret business. She was clearly appalled by what she was hearing. When Lorne continued, implicating Roger North in the business, as well, Natasha exclaimed, “My God! I can’t believe it.”
Jason Wallace stirred in the armchair near the door. Before anyone could stop her, Natasha sprinted across the room and slapped her husband around the face and head, sobbing and shouting with every blow she made, until, finally exhausted, she sank to her knees on the carpet beside him. “How could you?”
Jason Wallace numbly stared down at her and said nothing. What could he say? He was led away by two officers.
Mai Lin was taken into protective custody with the other girls. The authorities were already in the process of sorting out the necessary paperwork to send them back home to their native countries.
Lorne asked Natasha if she wanted to call a relative to be with her. Natasha thanked her for her kindness and then left the room to pack a bag so that she could go and stay with her sister.
Sean and Katy dropped Lorne and Tony back home. During the journey, Sean told them that Tara Small had finally come forward with a list of all the people involved in the trafficking ring. Wallace was the first one to be arrested. They had organised simultaneous raids on ten other properties. At least the organisers of this operation would be behind bars for years and unable to ship any more girls in to the country.
Getting out of the car, their mood was a buoyant one. “I have to hand it to Mai Lin, it took courage to whack Wallace over the head with a Ming vase like that,” Lorne said.
The group laughed behind her as she pushed open the back door to the house. Before stepping in through the door, she paused with her hand on the handle and stared.
Tony ran into the back of her. “Get a move on, girl, I’m gasping for a cuppa.”
“Tony!” she cried out and fell against the door.
Her husband pushed past her and into the kitchen, where he found Lorne’s father draped across the kitchen table. He rushed to her father’s aid, but it was too late.
“No!” Lorne cried out from the doorway before her legs gave way beneath her.
Katy fell down beside her and gathered Lorne in her arms. She rocked Lorne back and forth and smoothed a hand over her hair. “I’m so sorry, Lorne.”
Lorne watched as Tony and Sean sat her father up and checked his wrist and neck for a pulse, but Lorne knew it would be a pointless exercise—they wouldn’t find one.
Her eyes rose to the ceiling. Pete, come and collect him for me. Make sure he’s reunited with Mum soon.
Then she slowly made her way into the lounge, picked up the phone to ring her sister. She knew Jade would take the news badly and pushed her own emotions aside to cope with her sister’s grief.
“Jade, it’s me. Are you sitting down?”
“What? What is it? Just tell me, is it Charlie, has she had a relapse?”
Lorne collapsed into the sofa feeling numb. “It’s you and me girl.”
“What do you…” Jade’s voice trailed off. Lorne heard her sister expel a breath as she sat down heavily. “It’s dad, isn’t it?”
“He’s gone, love.”
A NOTE TO THE READER
Thank you for reading Ultimate Justice; I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it.
If you liked it, please consider posting a short review as it’s wonderful to
get feedback from readers.
TORN APART
The adventures of Lorne Simpkins may be over, but check out the new HERO series by M.A. Comley. The first book Torn Apart is available here: Amazon US | Amazon UK and you can sign up to the New Release Mailing list here.
CRUEL JUSTICE (Justice #1)
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.
Amazon US | Amazon UK
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.
Amazon US | Amazon UK
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 an 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.
Amazon US | Amazon UK
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.
But innocent people are dying on her patch, and someone must catch the killers. Lorne can’t allow this Foul Justice to prevail.
Amazon US | Amazon UK
GUARANTEED JUSTICE (Justice #5)
Retired DCI Lorne Simpkins thought she knew what she wanted when she started an animal rescue centre with her husband Tony. Although saving and retraining exploited dogs is fulfilling, Lorne can’t help but feel that something vital is missing from her life. Linda Carter is brutally raped and left for dead in an alley. By some miracle, she survives, but now she lives each day terrified by the perpetrator’s final threatening words—that her sister, Fiona, will be his next victim.
The sisters decide to adopt a guard dog and contact the rescue centre. During a home check to see if the girls and their flat are suited for a German Shepherd, Lorne witnesses Linda’s horrendous injuries. The young woman knows the identity of her rapist—wealthy, playboy Graham Gibson—however, the police haven’t made an arrest. The shocking story turns into a life-altering moment for Lorne. She decides to become a Private Investigator, and urges the girls to let her take up their case. Little does she know that more victims will come forward to accuse Gibson of rape.
Lorne is determined to see this vicious criminal behind bars, but is anyone ever guaranteed justice?
Amazon US | Amazon UK
TORN APART
Everyone understands about the no-go districts—areas of the city so overrun with gang violence even the police stay away. In this book, the first in a new series, DI Hero Nelson sets out to combat the issue.
When Saskia Hartley and her nine-year-old son are run down outside a restaurant, DI Nelson knows it is no ordinary hit-and-run incident. He's looking at a homicide case…and the evidence points to the brutal Krull Gang. When two prostitutes are murdered, but little interest is given to the women on the Krull's payroll, Nelson connects the dots.
DI Nelson has to decide whether he's dealing with a turf war or something far more sinister.
Amazon US | Amazon UK
It’s A Dog’s Life
This is a 12,000 word novelette that takes place between Cruel Justice and Impeding Justice and is based on actual events.
It may not be homicide, but to DI Lorne Simpkins it’s still murder.
When a reporter friend of DI Lorne Simpkins gives her a tip about a story involving ex-racing greyhounds, Lorne is sceptical.
But after delving into it, she’s horrified to discover the grisly fate of racing dogs that are no longer useful to their owners—and she’s determined to bring the cruel and uncaring owners to justice…
“Animal welfare is so close to my heart, the real-life plight of these former racing dogs moved me to tears. I’m delighted to donate all profits of the book to PUPS, The Protection of Unwanted Puppies Society.”
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Merry Widow
This is a 5000 word short story to accompany the best-selling Justice series.
It’s just an ordinary day in the life of D I Lorne Simpkins until she gets a phone call from a woman whose husband has died in unusual circumstances.
Lorne takes up the case with disastrous results for both her and her partner DS Pete Childs.
Amazon US | Amazon UK
A Time To Heal (a romance novella)
Family Liaison Officer, Chloe Fullerton is helping hero pilot, Captain Steve Ewing, recuperate from injury after he landed his stricken plane, avoiding a major disaster.
Chloe’s sworn off love ever since she lost the love of her life. But the spark between her and Steve makes her feel she may yet love again. There’s turbulence ahead though—Steve’s ex-wife is determined to wreck his and Chloe’s blossoming relationship.
Novella approx 33,000 words.
Amazon US | Amazon UK
A Time For Change (a romance novella)
Based on a true story.
Danielle Pires’s life is going well. She has a boyfriend who wants to marry her and is building a reputation as a talented and hard-working interior designer. Keen to expand her portfolio, Danielle is delighted by a request to breathe life back into the Victorian Mansion that handsome Scott Jordache is renovating.
Her parents, meanwhile, have organised a surprise Caribbean cruise to give her a much-needed break.
Danielle sets sail only to discover Scott aboard the same ship, but mysteriously travelling under a pseudonym. Intrigued, she feels torn between mistrust and being drawn in by his charm.
Should she let herself fall for Scott or return to the security of the man she left at home?
33,000 words.
Amazon UK | Amazon UK
A Twist in the Tale
Six short stories with a twist at the end.
Amazon US | Amazon UK
High Spirits
This is a true account of a paranormal experience I encountered when I moved into my first house in France.
The cover is a true picture relating to the story.
This story is 5000 words.
Amazon US | Amazon UK
ULTIMATE JUSTICE
M A Comley
Published by M A Comley
Copyright © 2013 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 visit your preferred ebook 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.