“That’s true enough. What do you want us to do?”
“The usual checks. He’s self-employed, see what state his business was in. Check if he worked from home or if he had another base. His finances. Any possible loans, take that route into consideration as well.”
“Enough for us to be getting on with,” Charlie replied. She spun her chair around to face her desk and pounded her keyboard. Katy smiled and left the team to it while she got back to her own paperwork in the office.
Oh, the unambiguous joy of being a detective inspector in the Met.
3
You need to do it, and quickly! Time’s a-wasting. You’ve begun your journey now. Don’t neglect your duties.
You have debts to repay. Revenge to seek.
They did it. They ruined your life. It’s time to right so many wrongs. You’ve waited long enough. Don’t hold back or take the coward’s way out. Don’t you dare!
They need to be punished and you’re the only person to do it. To avenge their heinous crimes against your loved ones. Go forth and do your stuff.
Megan woke from the nap she’d been having. Her exertions from the previous evening had taken their toll on her body. She wasn’t built for this kind of trauma. The desire driving her ambitions had a lot to answer for. It was just gone four in the afternoon, and she was expected at her aunt’s house at five. She’d better get a move on, she hated being late.
She showered, dried her long blonde hair and tied it back in a ponytail. It was the only way her brother would recognise her. Tears surfaced and threatened to spill as the memories of their fragile childhood replayed in her mind. She adored her brother, always had done. Spending as much time with him as possible put her life back into perspective. She was going through all this bother for his benefit, not just hers.
Megan left her flat, traipsed down the stairs and jumped in her car. She drove the mile or so to her aunt and uncle’s home. It was far more practical for Daniel to live there, rather than with her. Between them, a long time ago, they had decided it was for the best.
She used the key to let herself in and called out, “Hello, anybody home?”
“It’s Megan, Daniel, she’s here,” her aunt shouted excitedly from the lounge.
“I’m coming. Are you ready for me, Daniel?”
She heard her brother’s usual grunting which intensified the second he laid eyes on her. He reached out a gnarled hand, his head tilting in its usual position against the headrest of his chair.
Her heart swelled, it was always the same. Amazed that he recognised her in spite of his disabilities. She rushed forward and hugged him, willing herself not to shed a tear. She hated showing any kind of emotion in front of him; he always picked up on when she was upset.
“Me, Me,” he shouted. Sadly, he had a limited vocabulary.
She smiled and stroked his face. “Hello my precious, Daniel. How are you today?”
“Me, Me.”
She undid the zip of her bag and extracted a present she’d bought for him. Holding the small gift in front of his face, she tore off the wrapping paper and presented him with the Corgi sports car—it was yellow, his favourite colour. A smile touched his lips. It was a fleeting gesture, and with a tissue, she wiped up the dribble that escaped from his mouth.
“He loves your little gifts, Megan. Come, we’ll go through to the kitchen, your uncle is due home soon. I’ve made a chicken casserole, is that okay for you?”
“Sounds wholesome and divine. You’re such a good cook, Auntie Gail, I’m grateful for any meal you lay on for when I come to visit. How has Daniel been this week?”
“You’re always welcome at our table. Look at you, you’re too skinny, my girl. It’s my mission in life to put some excess pounds on those bones of yours. Therefore, we have chocolate gateau for afters.”
Megan groaned at the thought of feeding her brother and the mess they’d need to clear up afterwards. But Daniel loved chocolate, so the mess would be worth it. “I bet Daniel can’t wait. Did you deliberately avoid my question?”
“No, sorry. My mind is all over the place today. I’ve had to up his trips to the physio this week, he’s been a little stiffer than normal.”
“Do you need me to stop over and help out with his care? You know I will, you only have to ask.”
“I know, but you have your own life to lead. We’re stuck in a routine, we’re coping. Every now and again, his muscles either spasm or seize up. He’ll be fine soon, don’t worry. As long as he’s still got a smile on his face every time you walk into the room, that’s all that matters, isn’t it?”
“I feel so guilty, leaving his care to you and Uncle Sam.”
“We’ve been over this a number of times. We love you both as our own, yes, some days are harder than others, I’m not disputing that, love.” Her aunt sighed and then smiled. “It’s challenging and rewarding at the same time. We know he loves us, and appreciates everything we do for him. He’s a treasure we refuse to give up on. We remember back in the day, when the pair of you used to come and visit us when you were kids.”
Megan walked over and hugged her aunt. She drew back and wiped both of their tears. “I can’t thank you enough for putting your life on hold for us both. We love you and Uncle Sam so much.”
“I made a promise to your mother long before she died that we would look after you both should anything happen.”
“I know you did. But at the time, none of us could have known how bad Daniel was going to be, he
