And with that, the trial was over. Before Millar knew what was happening, Tina was being led out of the courtroom through the same door she had entered. There was no time to talk. No time for a hug. Although Millar had known it would probably happen that way, it seemed to take Tina by surprise, and he could hear her cries even after the door closed behind her.
‘I think I’m going to need some more time off, sir,’ Millar said to the Captain as they walked out of the courtroom and into the corridor, trying to avoid the media crush. As they started walking toward the main exit, Millar saw Arden Wall rushing over to him, microphone in hand. He must have shot the reporter quite the look because Arden stopped dead in his tracks and let Millar pass by without asking any questions. He continued, ‘I know I haven’t been there much over the last eight months, but…’
‘No problem, Terry. Take all the time you need. Your job will be waiting when you’re ready,’ the Captain said, offering his hand as they stepped out into the sunlight on the courthouse steps. ‘And make sure you continue with the counselling. I think it’s going to be helpful in the long run.’
Millar shook the Captain’s hand. ‘Thanks, sir. I’ll stay in touch. I think I just need a bit more time to adjust.’
‘Don’t be a stranger, partner’ Penner said, reaching up to hug Millar.
‘I really don’t think things could get much stranger than this,’ Millar replied. He put on his sunglasses and walked down the steps of the courthouse, feeling more alone than he ever had before.
About the Author
Kevin Hopkins grew up in the suburbs of Ottawa after his family moved to Canada from England. The middle child of three boys, he has always enjoyed the creative side of life, from playing music, painting and sculpting to writing.
Kevin now lives in an old farmhouse east of Ottawa with his wife Juanita and their two cats, Lenny and Carl.
‘A Striking Similarity’ is Kevin’s first novel.
A note from the author
If you are from Ottawa, or are familiar with the city, you may have noticed that I took some liberties with landmarks and street locations. If you aren’t familiar with Ottawa, you should come for a visit—it’s a wonderful city, full of year-round activities for the whole family.
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Also by Kevin Hopkins
The Ottawa Detective Series is the first series of novels by Kevin Hopkins
Reserved For Murder
Everyone has a secret.
And some people will go to any length to keep theirs.
When the body of a teenage boy is found hanging from a homemade noose, deep in the woods outside of a First Nations reserve, it casts a dark shadow over the community during their annual harvest powwow. For the Ottawa Detectives, the evidence doesn’t add up. The deeper they delve into their investigation, the more questions they uncover.
Was Jonny Two Bears’ death merely another tragedy in a string of teen suicides? And why does the reserve’s Chief seem more interested in meeting with the media than mourning with the community?
The detectives are determined to find the answers before another child dies, and they’re willing to use every resource they have available. Unfortunately, the mastermind always seems to be one step ahead, and all they can do is try to follow the tracks.
There’s something evil in the woods.
A Striking Similarity Page 20