Cruel Justice (DI Lorne Simpkins (Book one)) by Tania Mel; Tirraoro Comley Page B

in search of their fifteen minutes of fame.

    Lunchtime came and went. They sent out for sandwiches while continuing to man the phones. Lorne delved into her bag and pulled out her mobile phone, ringing her sister as she ate her ham sandwich.

    "Hi, Jade, how's things?"

    "Huh, so much for calling me back the next day." Her sister admonished her in a mock hurt tone.

    "God, did I really say that? Sorry, hon. It's been a tad chaotic around here."

    "Yeah I heard how chaotic it's been from Tom, especially in your bedroom."

    "You're kidding, Tom told you abou …?"

    Is nothing sacred in my private life?

    "Every last detail. Especially the bit about…"

    "That's enough. You wait till I see that bloody husband of mine."

    "Ah, come on, sis. Don't drop me in it. Tom will never trust me again."

    "That's what I'm hoping." The phone on her desk rang. "Hang on a minute, hon, I've got a call coming in."

    Lorne reached for her phone just as her sister protested about being interrupted.

    "Boss, I have Doreen Nicholls on the line for you?" Tracy told her.

    "Shit, I forgot to ring her, give me thirty seconds then put her through, will you?"

    "Will do, ma'am."

    "Hi, Jade, sorry but … I've got to go — there's a really important call waiting for me."

    "It's only important if it's to do with work, isn't it, Lorne? Well, family is just as important, you know."

    Lorne said a quiet goodbye and picked up her office phone.

    "Doreen hello, how are you?"

    "Bearing up, dear. Any news for me?" The older woman sounded weary.

    "The response from the appeal has been phenomenal, but it will take us a few days to plough through all the leads. Is Colleen still with you?"

    "She's just popped out for some groceries, I don't keep much in the larder nowadays you see, can't afford to. Oliver came to see us last night."

    "The conference and trip to the mortuary was a daunting experience for him. How's he holding up?"

    Lorne heard the woman's front doorbell chime in the background.

    "Just a minute, dear, that'll be Colleen. She'll have forgotten her key."

    The phone clattered onto the table and Lorne heard Doreen shuffle away from the phone.

    Muffled voices filled the earpiece and Lorne busied herself with some papers.

    The woman's piercing scream sent a chill rushing through her.

    "Doreen…Doreen are you there?" Lorne shouted down the phone.

    She heard a man yelling, then several thuds as if something or someone was being struck, and Doreen's pitiful cries for help. Followed by three more heart-wrenching screams.

    "Pete, get in here, now," Lorne screeched, cupping her hand over the phone.

    Seconds later Pete rushed into the office.

    "What's up?"

    "Get the nearest Panda car over to Doreen's immediately, she's being attacked. Go, do it, now!" Please God, keep her safe until we get there .

Chapter Fifteen

    Lorne felt sick to her stomach. Then there was silence. No more begging. No more tormented screams. Nothing. Realisation hit home — she'd heard Doreen's last pitiful moments on this earth.

    "They're on their way, ETA five minutes, they reckon," Pete said, as he returned to her office.

    Lorne dropped the phone and threw herself into her chair, shaking her head slowly she whispered, "It's too late, Pete. I'm sure she's dead."

    "Shit and you heard the whole damn thing?"

    "Every last fucking torturous detail."

    "Are you okay?"

    "I'll be all right. We better get over there."

    It was obvious that, despite Pete's warning, Lorne had broken all the ground rules and become emotionally involved with Doreen Nicholls. It was something she had never experienced before. She would have to dig deep into her resolve, and quickly. They had a killer to catch. Come on girl, pull yourself together, quick smart.

    "We'll go over there all right, but I'll drive and we go in my car."

    "Yeah whatever, I'm in no mood to argue with you. As long as we get there in one piece, I really couldn't give a shit who drives."

    "I'll bring the car round, see