Page 18 of Deadly Cry
‘So how about it, homey?’
The thought of sharing a meal and some light conversation with his old colleague was tempting. Chatting had always been easy between them. They shared similar taste in films, and Lynne’s own music collection was as eclectic as his own. Yet as much as he appreciated her sympathy mission, he didn’t feel that either he or Jasper would be very good company this evening.
‘Thanks for the offer, Lynne, but maybe another time, eh?’
‘No probs, matey. Just give me a shout when you’re up to it. I’ll be waiting for your call.’
‘Cheers, buddy,’ he said, ending the conversation.
As soon as the line went dead, the brief light that had shone into his mind was gone. Her company was something he could have used, but a part of him recoiled at being the guest of honour at anyone’s pity party.
He knew people felt sorry for his lot in life. He didn’t have the same freedom as most guys his age. In the wake of his mother’s death, Jasper was his number one responsibility and would always be his top priority.
Fifteen
Lynne fought the disappointment that rested heavily in her stomach as the phone went dead in her ear. All day she’d been looking forward to spending a couple of hours with her old colleague.
She’d known she was going to miss him when he transferred out of West Mercia. Their easy working relationship had grown into a firm friendship she valued and intended to maintain. Her working day was so much longer without her partner in crime.
She smiled sadly as she remembered their years working together. For a damn good police officer, he didn’t notice some things that were staring him in the face.
Over the years she had watched him wrestle with the decision to leave his old team to move back home to his ailing mother. She’d watched his commitment to his younger brother, for which he wanted no comment or praise.
She had taken him out for a drink on some of his tougher days.
It was only once he’d left that she’d realised she looked forward to going to work more than she looked forward to going home, and that Penn was a big part of that feeling.
She had wanted to see him tonight in the hope that he’d finally start to take notice.
She wanted him to see that she didn’t seek his company out of pity, that she genuinely wanted to spend time with him. She’d wanted him to notice her new hairstyle and the touch of make-up that she rarely applied for work.
But mostly she had wanted him to notice the absence of the engagement ring on her finger. Yes, there was a part of her that wanted to wave her left hand in front of his face, but what if he didn’t feel the same way? Did she want to risk ruining a genuine friendship and lose him altogether? For her that wasn’t an option. If he did feel the same, she would just have to wait for him to wake up to his own emotions in his own time.
But that wouldn’t be tonight, she thought as she saw the light illuminate in the front bedroom.
She started the car, glanced at the pizza boxes on the passenger seat and slowly pulled away from the kerb.
Sixteen
It was after eleven when Kim let herself into her home.
‘Hey, boy,’ she said, reaching down and stroking Barney’s head.
Charlie from down the road had dropped him off around 7 p.m., said his text message, followed by an emoji of a panting dog. There was something surreal about a man in his early seventies discovering emojis.
‘Did you have a good day, buddy?’ she asked as he followed her to the kitchen.
His day had started at 6 a.m. with a run around the park before another soul appeared. Barney had never reacted well to other dogs, and she had never forced the issue. She didn’t play well with others either, and efforts to force her to do so were met with hostility and aggression, just like Barney. He was far more interested in human interaction, and she wouldn’t lose his trust by forcing him to be anything else.
‘Had a good afternoon with Charlie?’
Worryingly, she could swear he nodded.
It was a great arrangement that worked well for everyone. Charlie had lost his own beloved dog a few years earlier and missed the company, but no longer wished for the responsibility of vet visits and illness. What had started as Charlie popping in to let Barney out for a bit had developed into him collecting Barney for an afternoon walk around the block, taking him back to his home and spoiling him for a few hours before bringing him back. It was how she envisaged treating nephews and nieces if she’d had them. Get all the good bits but none of the responsibility. Luckily, Charlie was not against the occasional overnight stay if the need arose.
And she’d considered that tonight, but the thought of returning to an empty house had stopped her from making the call.
‘Oh, come here, you big doofus,’ she said, lowering herself to the floor. The day had been long and hard, and she needed just a few minutes’ break from her own head.
