by M A Comley
“But won’t the person responsible be getting away?”
Hero smiled at the woman. “We’ll get him. Don’t worry about that.”
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds before Hero asked, “Is there anything we should know? I suppose I mean, do you know of anyone who would deliberately set out to kill either Chris or Paul?”
“Are you saying they were intentionally targeted by the killer?” Fiona asked, her eyes widening.
“That, we don’t know yet. I just thought I’d ask if Chris had mentioned if he was annoyed or fallen out with anyone recently.”
Fiona’s brow furrowed, and she drifted off for a few moments before her attention returned to Hero. “Nothing that comes to mind, sorry. Maybe Lyn will be able to answer that question for you.”
“We’ll ask when we get there. Are you sure you’re going to be okay? Maybe we can ring someone to come and sit with you?”
Without hesitation, Fiona nodded solemnly. “I’ll have to be, and no, I’d rather be alone at this time. Will you need me to identify the bod… Chris?”
“In a day or two, although I’ve already formally identified him.” Hero walked towards the door. “We better make a move—we want to get to Lyn’s before she sees anything on the news.”
Shaw hadn’t spoken during the visit, and Hero couldn’t wait to ask why once they were seated in the car. “Are you all right, Julie?”
“Sorry, I suppose I’m still in shock. Not relishing the thought of going to see Lyn.”
“Neither am I, given her condition, but I’d prefer if the news came from us. Want to stay in the car when we get there? I’d rather you come inside with me, however, I’m willing to let you sit this one out. Makes no odds to me.”
“I’d like to be there, if only to support Lyn once you tell her. I’m warning you that I might break down if I see her cry.”
“You have my permission to do just that, Julie. This is going to be hard on all of us.”
The mid-terraced house was on a tree-lined street in Whalley Range. The windows of the house needed stripping back and serious repainting, but apart from that, it looked a solid enough 1930s house.
Julie looked up at the house from the pavement. “They were waiting until after the baby came before starting the renovations they intended to carry out on the place. Doubt that’s going to happen now.”
Hero saw movement at the window, and a young, heavily pregnant woman pulled back the net curtain and waved at Julie before she dropped the curtain and rushed to open the front door.
“Hey, Julie. I haven’t seen you… well, since your mum passed away a few years ago. How are you?”
The two women embraced on the doorstep.
“I’m well, still trying to come to terms with losing Mum. I’ll get there, though. When’s the baby due?”
“Another four weeks. I can’t wait. Not getting much sleep at the moment and fed up of not being able to put my shoes on properly. Whoever invented childbirth needs bloody castrating. Did I say that? Silly me. What can I do for you? And who the devil is this handsome young man?”
Hero could feel the colour rising in his cheeks. He stretched out his hand. “DI Hero Nelson, and yes, my mother had a sense of humour, before you ask.”
Lyn laughed. “I should say so.” She winked and added, “But everyone loves a hero, right?”
Not sure you’ll be thinking that after I’ve said what I have to say. “Is it all right if we come in?”
“Sure, here to see Paul, are you? He should be home in the next half an hour or so. Come through to the kitchen. I’ll pop the kettle on.”
They followed the jovial woman up the long hallway to the kitchen.
Hero watched as Lyn filled the kettle and flicked the switch. He cleared his throat. “The thing is, Lyn, I’m afraid we have some bad news for you. Take a seat.” He pulled out a chair for her at the kitchen table, which had already been laid for the evening meal.
“Why the serious face? Oh no, don’t tell me Paul has been involved in an accident at work?”
Hero inhaled and exhaled deeply. “Worse than that, I’m afraid. Paul was killed in the line of duty today.”
Julie pulled out the chair next to Lyn and held one of the woman’s hands tightly. “I’m so sorry, Lyn.”
“He can’t be dead.” Lyn shook her head in disbelief and chewed on her bottom lip. “We have everything to look forward to—the birth of our little girl, renovating this hovel—and now you’re telling me that he’s never going to walk through that front door again? I can’t believe it.”
“It’s the hardest news I’ve ever had to share with anyone. I’m so sorry, Lyn,” Hero said.
“How? How was Paul killed?”
“He was shot at close range and died instantly at the scene.”
Lyn’s disbelief slipped away and was replaced by anger. “Shot?” she shouted. “How the hell does that happen on the streets of the UK? Why aren’t you lot getting all these weapon-carrying hoodlums off the street? And how are these weapons still for sale? How many more lives have to be snatched? How many more families have to suffer the pain and grief of losing someone they love?”
Understanding her concerns, Hero shrugged wearily. “There was a gun amnesty only last month. We’re doing all we can to combat the illegal arms trade. We’re at a loss to know the ins and outs of why the guys got involved in this, but we will get to the bottom of it—I promise you.”
“Guys? You said ‘guys’. Don’t tell me that Chris was involved in this, too?”
Julie nodded. “We’ve just come from sharing the same news with Fiona. They were both shot during a car chase, we believe.”
Finally, Lyn’s tears spilled onto her cheeks, as her grief pushed aside her anger. “My God, when are the police going to bloody take up arms in this country? Is it right to expect them to watch over weapon-filled streets, risking their lives? I don’t think so. How can our men be expected to combat the gangs on the streets of today? How?”
“To be honest, I’m with you on that every step of the way. However, we have no idea if indeed this is gang related or not yet. Either way, we’ve lost two experienced officers today. I’m not a hundred percent sure if the result would have been different if Paul and Chris had been armed like our American counterparts. They’re trying to roll out Tasers to a lot of the coppers now, but I still don’t think that’s going far enough. All this dealing with what-ifs doesn’t help you going forward, and that’s what upsets me more.”
“Thank you. My God, how am I going to break this awful news to Paul’s elderly mother? She’s recovering from having major surgery for breast cancer right now. This could set her back or even destroy her. She doted on him—he was her life.”
“Oh no, I forgot about that,” Julie said, bowing her head.
“That’s regrettable—the whole damn situation is regrettable, and one that should never have happened. Would you like us to ring someone to come and be with you?” Hero’s eyes dropped to Lyn’s bulging tummy.
She smoothed her hands over her belly and shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine. If you have nothing else to tell me about the incident, I’d like you to leave now. I’m not one to share my grief openly with strangers. No offence, Julie.”
Julie nodded. “We understand. Ring me if you need anything; either Rob or myself will come round as soon as possible to help.”
“That’s very kind of you. I guess the little one and I will have to get used to dealing with things on our own from now on.” She struggled to get to her feet and showed them to the front door.
Julie rubbed Lyn’s arm as she passed her, and Hero gave the woman a strained smile. “Again, we’re sorry to be the bearers of such bad news.”
“Goodbye, Inspector. It was good to finally meet you, even under these circumstances.” Lyn closed the door softly behind them.
Hero had only made it halfway up the garden path when he heard Lyn screaming and shouting the word why over and over.
Julie nodded.
They both jumped into the car and Julie’s head sank onto her chest as Hero started the engine. He wanted to reach out and offer words of comfort, but they had never really had what he would call a close working relationship. Instead, he headed back to the station. “I’ll drop you back to your car, and we’ll call it a day.”
Though Hero was tempted to call in at his local for a pint to drown his sorrows, he didn’t. Five years ago, the Red Bull would have been his first port of call after a trying day at work. Nowadays, all he wanted to do was go home and be immersed in the love of his family. They meant the absolute world to him. Tears moistened his eyes as he pulled into his road. He would be lost without them. He shook his head, remembering his sad life before Fay and the kids had come along. Hero parked his car in the drive, wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his jacket, and jumped out of the car. Nine-year-old Louie appeared at the front door within seconds. Sammy the Rottweiler sat on the doorstep next to Louie.
“Mum, Dad’s home.”
Hero whisked the happy child up into his arms and hugged him. “Hello there, cheeky chappy. Are you pleased to see me?”
“Of course. How many criminals did you arrest today, Dad?” Louie asked, eagerly searching Hero’s eyes.
He placed his son back on the ground and ruffled Sammy’s head. “None today, son. Hopefully, I’ll put that right tomorrow. How was school?”
Easing himself back into family life was just the tonic he needed to combat the awful images he’d dealt with at the crime scene. The four-year-old twins, Zara and Zoe, were in the lounge, playing with their numerous dolls on the floor. They barely noticed him as he rushed into the kitchen, where Fay was preparing their evening meal.
“Hello, Hero. You’re earlier for a change.” She frowned.
He smiled tightly and marched across the room. He said nothing as he hugged her. At first, she was apprehensive, but after a few seconds, she melted into his arms. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered against her ear.
Fay pulled away from him slightly. “You’re worrying me. What’s wrong? Has something happened at work?”
He silenced her with a long kiss.
Fay slapped his arm and pulled away again. “Tiny people around, in case you’re thinking of getting amorous.”
“I’m not. I just wanted to show you how much you and the kids mean to me.”
“What’s this about, love?”
He kissed her again, released her, then began to lay the table for dinner. In a hushed voice, so the children couldn’t hear, he said, “We lost two guys at work today. Horrendous injuries. They were shot by an assailant.”
“Oh no, how dreadful. Were they married?”
“One was married, expecting his first kid, and the other was engaged. I had to break the news to their kinsfolk today. The thing is, Chris was also a member of my TA team.”
“Oh, Hero, I’m so sorry. Have you caught the suspect?”
“Nope, we’ve got people out there looking for him now, but all we have is that he was driving a blue Laguna. It’s going to be near impossible to find him with just that snippet of information to go on.”
“You’ll do it, I’m sure, especially as the victims are coppers.”
Hero stopped laying the table to look at her. “I can’t believe you said that.”
Fay placed a hand over her chest. “I didn’t mean anything damning by that. I just meant that I know you’ll be working harder to find the culprit, that’s all.”
“I know what you meant, and I think you’re being a bit unfair, Fay. My team and I always give a hundred percent to a case, no matter who the victims are, wealthy or poor, copper or civilian.”
Fay walked across the room and rubbed his back. “I didn’t mean anything by that, I promise. It was a stupid observation that I should have kept to myself. Friends?”
Hero shook his head. “I could never fall out with you. It hurts that you should think that about me, though.”
“I’m sorry. Let’s call it a bout of temporary foot-in-mouth syndrome. Dinner won’t be long. Can you get the kids washed for me?”
He finished setting the table and drifted into the lounge. “Who’s hungry?”
Three sets of hands rose in the air, accompanied by shouts of “Me, me, me!”
“Well, you know what to do.”
Louie stood at the front of the line, followed by Zara and then Zoe, while Hero joined them at the rear.
“Right, left, right, left,” Hero shouted as Louie led his sisters up the stairs to the bathroom. Sammy followed them, barking as they marched into the bathroom. Louie put the plug in the sink and ran the water. Hero tested the temperature before he allowed the twins to dip their hands in the sink. He dried all their hands and faces, and without saying a word, the three children formed a line again and marched back down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Hero pulled out each of the chairs, and one by one the kids hopped onto them. Then he stood beside Fay and handed her the plates as she dished up the dinner. The delicious smell of steak and kidney made him realise he’d missed lunch. His tummy rumbled loudly. “Looks and smells scrummy, doesn’t it, kids?”
Once they were all seated, he turned to his wife and smiled. “Thank you for taking care of our family so well, love.”
Fay’s nose wrinkled, and she tutted. “Don’t be daft. You don’t have to thank me. Although it is wonderful to feel appreciated. I know many mothers and wives who complain that they’re always being taken for granted.”
“What do you say, kids? Mum’s a pretty awesome lady, eh? For putting up with us lot, I mean.”
Three heads bobbed up and down as the kids hungrily tucked into their food.
“I guess that’s your answer.” Hero laughed.
The evening meal ended half an hour later, when all the plates were clean. The kids settled back in the lounge in front of the TV while Hero helped Fay clear up in the kitchen.
“I want to apologise,” Fay said shyly.
“For what? There’s no need if you’re talking about what you said earlier. It’s forgotten.”
“Good. Any thoughts about what you want to do regarding the Easter holidays?”
“Crap, when is it?”
“Mid-April, I believe. I thought we could book a caravan down in Cornwall.”
“I think it’ll probably be too late for that, love. Everywhere would have been booked up months ago.”
“I’m open to suggestions. Haven’t you got the week off?”
Hero winced. The cases had overwhelmed him lately, and he’d neglected to book the time off as Fay had suggested back in February.
Fay shook her head. “You’re bloody hopeless. I knew I should have reminded you to book the time off. What are we going to do now?”
“I’ll check the holiday rota in the morning when I get into work.”
“Put a reminder on that damn phone of yours.”
“Do I have to? I hate using that damn thing,” Hero complained.
“If you want to spend time with me and the kids, then yes, you have to do it. What about inviting Cara? The kids would love their aunt coming on holiday with us.”
He wagged his finger at her. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You just want her there as a built-in babysitter.”
Fay’s face flushed. “I never thought anything of the sort. Good idea, though, yes?”
“We’ll see. I’ll give her a call tomorrow before I book the time off. It’ll be good for all of us to get away together. She’s been doing well with her new team in the fraud squad, so I’m hearing on the grapevine.”
“That’s a relief after all the hassle she had with her instructor at training college.”
“That’s all in the past now. Thankfully, her spirit was strong enough to ove
rcome all that crap. Damn, I almost forgot—I need to spend half an hour ringing around the boys in the TA, if that’s all right with you?”
Fay kissed his cheek. “Of course. I’ll leave you to it and go and sort out the kids’ lunches for tomorrow.”
He smiled and watched her walk out of the room, then picked up his mobile, sighed heavily, and rang his commanding officer. “Hello, Sergeant Milton. It’s Hero Nelson.”
“You’re ringing late, Nelson. Anything wrong?”
“You could say that, sir. I have some bad news concerning Chris Portman—he was killed in the line of duty today.”
“What? Goodness me. Killed? What happened?”
“Both he and his colleague were gunned down on the outskirts of Manchester. I’m just going to ring the rest of the team now.”
“Horrendous. Have you apprehended the bastard?” Milton asked.
“Not yet, sir, but you have my word that we will.”
“That’s good to hear. Thanks for informing me. I’ll organise a gathering at the weekend. Are you up for that, Hero?”
“Of course. See you Saturday morning, Sergeant.”
Hero ended the call then rang the rest of his TA colleagues. Everyone agreed to attend the TA on Saturday, whether they had plans or not. Not for the first time, Hero felt proud to be part of a caring and understanding team.
CHAPTER TWO
After a restless night, Hero drove into the station at eight in the morning. In spite of reassuring Fay that he was all right, every time he tried to close his eyes, he saw either Paul’s or Chris’s bloody image before him. Eventually, rather than disturb Fay any more, he spent the night with Sammy on the couch.
“Morning, all,” he addressed his team brightly, covering up his true feelings. “I want to hit the ground running this morning. Lance, I want you to search the database, see what crimes were reported yesterday afternoon before the incident took place with Wilmot and Portman. The suspect was in a rush for a reason. Let’s find out what that was.”
The portly detective sergeant put aside his large doughnut. “Yes, boss.”