Free Dubious Justice by M A Comley

start delving into their work schedules. I need to know if Victor was at work when he was killed. We’re already assuming that Paul was working somewhere on the side. How do we find out where they were working, if indeed that is the link here?”
    AJ nodded. “I can see where you’re coming from on that, Lorne. Maybe the two firms worked alongside each other occasionally. I’ll ring the men in charge, see what they have to say about things. Not sure they’ll be able to put us on the right track if they were working on the black, however.”
    The room fell silent when Katy returned to the room, looking pale. She dropped her backside onto the nearest desk, and Lorne rushed to her side. “Katy? Whatever is the matter?”
    “I have to go.”
    Lorne glanced sideways and saw a concerned AJ approaching. “Katy?” he asked and wrapped a gentle arm around her shoulders.
    “It’s my Dad. I have to go.”
    Lorne rubbed her partner’s arm. “Oh, no. What’s wrong? Is he ill?”
    “He’s in hospital. Dad’s had a heart attack. I don’t know if I’m going to make it in time,” Katy mumbled as tears slipped from her eyes.
    “Go. What are you still doing here? Do you want to take AJ with you?”
    AJ looked shocked. “Can I? Should I go with you, Katy?”
    Katy shook her head. “No. You stay here. I have to go alone.”
    Before she could say anything else, the incident room door opened and DCI Sean Roberts entered. “Are you still here, Inspector? I thought I told you to get on the road immediately.”
    “I’m just coming to terms with things first, sir.” She catapulted herself off the desk and ran into her office.
    While Katy gathered her things together, Sean called the rest of the team around. “Right, listen up, ladies and gents. DI Foster has an emergency situation she needs to attend to back in Manchester. For the interim, I’m putting Lorne in charge of the case. Actually, we’ll be running the investigation jointly, if that’s agreeable with you, DS Warner?”
    Lorne’s eyes almost popped out of her head. Crap! What do you expect me to do, Sean? Refuse? Nothing like running it by me first and seeing if I’m up to the task before dropping it in my lap like this! “Of course, why wouldn’t I agree?”
    Sean grinned smugly. “That’s what I hoped you would say. AJ, go and check how Katy is, will you?”
    AJ looked as shell-shocked by the unfolding events as Lorne felt. Once AJ was out of earshot, Lorne leaned in to Sean and asked, “It doesn’t sound too good for Katy’s dad. When did it happen?”
    “I got the call while you were out this morning. Her mother didn’t want me to contact Katy until she had more news. She didn’t want Katy driving all the way up there if it was a mild attack. Apparently, this is his second one in as many years.”
    “Damn, Katy never said.” Lorne stared in the direction of Katy’s office. She could hear Katy crying and AJ trying to comfort her.
    “The other one was minor compared to this, I think, Lorne. The quicker she gets on the road, the better.”
    “What about AJ going with her? It’s not good for her to be going all that way on her own. I know I wouldn’t want to do it.”
    Sean contemplated the suggestion for a second or two then shook his head. “To be honest, I just don’t think we can spare him at this time. I know how callous that sounds, but then I suppose that’s the downside of getting involved with someone working on the same team as yourself. I’m sure AJ will understand that the case should, and has to, come first.”
    “Yeah, he’ll understand. I can’t see either of them liking the situation, though. Can we not draft someone in from another team for a few days?”
    “Limited funds, Lorne. You know the mantra as well as I do. That’s the end of the matter as far as I’m concerned. Now, do you think we’ll be able to work together well on this case or not?”
    Lorne grimaced. Like I have a lot of choice! “I’m sure we’ll be