Virtual Justice (9 page)

“That’s all right, Patti. We’ve been really busy, too. Sean Roberts said it was okay for us to take a look at Karen Meldrew’s laptop.”

“Yes, that’s fine. He did call me. It’s terrible what happened to your old team, isn’t it?” She motioned with her head at the post mortem suite to her left. “The officer involved is my next case.”

“Apparently, it was a new member of the team. I didn’t know him. It’s shocking, all the same. Don’t get me started on the fact that our police aren’t allowed to carry guns.”

“The jury is still out for me on that one, Lorne. But when you hear of cases like this happening, it does make you wonder if it’s about time our officers out there were armed. Come through. Harjet is working on the laptop now. I’ll introduce you.”

They walked up the corridor and Patti opened the door to a small room. Tony and Lorne followed her inside.

“Harjet, this is Lorne Sim—oops—
Warner
and her husband Tony.”

Lorne shook the hand of the young man sitting at the desk. He was making notes on a piece of paper beside an open laptop.

“Ah, the infamous lady herself. I’m very pleased to finally meet you,” Harjet said, smiling.

“I’ll leave you in Harjet’s capable hands.”

“Thanks, Patti. I’ll drop by and see you before we leave.”

“I might be a little busy. I’ll ring you soon, I promise.”

“Take a seat,” Harjet said.

Lorne sat in the only chair available, and Tony perched on the edge of the desk behind her.

“What have you discovered so far?” she asked.

“Lots of things. Was there anything specific you were after?” Harjet replied a little evasively.

“We’re looking at a new angle. We believe that the victim, Karen, was possibly writing a book. Do you have any evidence of that?”

He tapped a key on the laptop, then spun it around to face Lorne. “I believe she was. She hadn’t written much. There’s another file here that contains all her research, which appeared to be ongoing. The final entry on that file was around the date of her death.”

Lorne and Tony glanced at each other. Turning back to Harjet, she asked, “Would it be possible to get copies of what you’ve found? I have DCI Roberts okay. He’s the one in charge of the case.”

“No problem. Patti said to give you all the information you need, as long as the computer doesn’t leave the premises.”

“I completely understand.”

He spun the computer back, attached a cable from the printer to the rear of the computer, and the pages started to churn out.

Above the noise of the printer, Lorne asked, “In the research file, does it give the names of any agencies where she was listed as a client?”

He opened the file on the laptop and studied it. “Just scanning it quickly, I can see around four or five agencies named. You’ll have those soon enough. It’s awful that murderers have turned to these sites to get their kicks. Hard to believe, really, but not unexpected.”

“You’re right. I guess this way they have their victims handed to them on a plate. At the end of the day, we’re talking about desperate people crying out for attention.”

“Really? Is that how you see it, Lorne?” Tony queried with a frown.

Wearing a frown of her own, she turned to look at him. “Don’t you?”

“Maybe years ago, yes. But nowadays, these sites are a godsend to people working long hours and who are unable to have a social life outside of work.”

“How do you know that?” she teased.

“I seem to recall reading an article about it in the paper last month. A large number of these agencies or online sites popping up cater to busy business people who work sixty or seventy hours a week. Looks like they think the only people they’re likely to make a proper connection with is another person with the same work commitments as themselves.”

Lorne nodded thoughtfully. “I suppose, I’ve never really thought about it like that. They’d still have to take time out of their busy work schedules to fit in a possible date though, wouldn’t they?”

“Of course, but they don’t have to go through the arduous task of going around the nightclubs or bars, looking for someone similar. The odds of finding somebody with the same sort of lifestyle as them in a nightclub must be pretty remote.”

Lorne reached out and squeezed his cheek. “My expertise is obviously rubbing off on you, sweetheart. That’s a pretty insightful way of looking at this. Well done.”

Tony’s cheeks changed to crimson, and he shook his head. “Why thank you, Ms. Super PI.”

The printer churned out its last sheet of paper and Harjet stood up to collect the information. He took a folder off one of the shelves and placed the papers inside before handing them to Lorne.

“Thanks, Harjet. This will be a great help. If you happen to discover anything else that you might think we’ll find interesting, will you give us a call?” She gave him a business card.

“Sure thing. I’ve only really scratched the surface. Haven’t even looked through the hard drive’s history yet. You know, the deleted files. They usually show up some unexpected surprises.”

Lorne nodded and held out her hand. “And don’t forget her e-mails, too. There might be some unpleasant ones of interest lurking in there.”

“Good idea. Nice to meet you both. I better get on.” He shook both their hands and opened the door for Lorne and Tony to leave.

Lorne stopped at the post mortem suite and knocked on the window. Patti waved a bloody hand and motioned that she would give Lorne a call later.

Tony and Lorne left the building and jumped into the car. “Where to now?” Tony asked, putting on his seatbelt.

“Back home to look through this lot,” she replied waving the file at him.

•\ \ \ \ \ •\ \ \ \ \ •

Bella was daydreaming about being wrapped in Morris’s arms when the phone rang. She knew by the caller ID that it was his mobile. She reached for it but didn’t answer it until the fourth ring. Appearing too eager didn’t pay.

“Hello.” She put on her most sultry voice as her heart rate increased. To her ears, her heart sounded like a herd of buffalo had just made their way into her tiny flat.

“Bella, beautiful Bella, what kept you?” his tone was jovial, but she detected an edge to it.

“I was in the kitchen, sorry. How are you?”

“Eager to see you. How about later?”

She was glad her answer appeared to appease him. “Sounds wonderful. What did you have in mind?”

“That’s a tough one to answer.” He laughed, and then added, “How about you come over to my place. I’ll order an Indian takeaway, and then we’ll see where we go from there?”

Thoughts of how her last visit to his flat had ended flooded her mind, and she grinned from ear to ear as she pushed aside the slight contretemps which had marred the middle of the night. “Sounds like just what I need. What time shall I come over?”

“I have a meeting at six. I should be clear around seven. Why don’t you drop over around eight to half past?”

“I will. It’s going to be lovely to see you again.” She tried not to sound too eager, but feared she had failed.

“Until later, my sweet.” His tone turned sensual when he bid her farewell. “Oh, and be sure to wear something sexy for me.”

Her skin prickled with excitement, and after hanging up, she ran into the bedroom to rummage through her clothes for something suitable to wear for their date. Disappointed she’d found nothing appropriate, she left the flat and spent the next couple of hours searching all the clothes shops in the main high street. Finally, she tried on a scarlet dress that clung to her curves beautifully. She flinched when the shop assistant told her how much it would be.
Wow! A week’s wage. But it’s going to be so worth it.
She marched back to the flat and ran a bath. She had three hours left before she saw the man of her dreams once again.

CHAPTER NINE

B
ella decided she would play things cool and delay her arrival until the last minute, so she rang Morris’s doorbell at two minutes to eight thirty. His eyes almost ended up on the floor when he opened the door to find her standing there. He held out a hand to accept hers.

Inside, she buzzed like a humming bee as she placed her hand daintily in his. When he lowered his head to kiss the back of her hand, she thought her legs were going to collapse.
What a wonderfully caring man he is.
He certainly knew how to treat a lady right. She was already very glad she had accepted his invitation.
The evening can only get better.

“Stunning. Beautiful and stunning. Come in, my love.”

Bella walked into the apartment on a fluffy cloud. Morris led her over to the sofa and left the room. Moments later, he returned with a glass of burgundy wine in each hand. They chinked their glasses together. “Here’s to a wonderful evening. I’m delighted to see you again.”

“I wasn’t expecting your call. It’s only been a few days since my last visit.”

“And I’ve had withdrawal symptoms ever since you left. Our meal will be here soon. I took the liberty of ordering a chicken tikka masala for you.”

“Excellent. I don’t like my curries too hot.”

“Tell me, what have you been doing with yourself the last few days?”

You mean other than daydreaming about our time together?
“The usual things. Working, sleeping, and eating. Pretty mundane existence really. How about you?”

He smiled but delayed answering for a few seconds. He hooked an arm around her shoulder and planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’ve been constantly thinking about you, plus another little idea I’ve been working on.”

Bella pushed away from him. “I’m intrigued. Tell me more?”

He pulled her against his chest again and rubbed his hand up and down her bare arms. “All in good time. We’ll eat first, and then I’ll share what I have in mind for us. You’ll be thrilled, I’m sure.”

Thoughts of Morris whisking her away to a lovely romantic retreat in the country or a desert island filled her mind. The thought of spending endless hours in his arms sent constant thrills rushing through her veins. She’d certainly struck gold when this man had invited her out. She sensed her life was about to change drastically—and for the better. No more humdrum nights sitting in front of the TV, watching mindless soaps. Maybe he was going to ask her to set up home with him. She could give up her job at the supermarket and be one of those kept women she often heard about, who did nothing all day but lunch with friends and shop at exclusive boutiques.

“What are you thinking?” He placed a finger under her chin, making her look him in the eye.

“Nothing.”

“Who’s telling me porkies?”

“Okay, if you insist. I was thinking that I’ve never been happier than I am right now, with you. You make me complete. I feel like a real woman when I’m with you. Is that foolish?”

He bent to brush her lips with his. “Not at all.” He let out a long satisfied sigh. “Would you believe me if I said I felt the same way about you? It was destiny that brought us together. With you by my side, I feel as though I can conquer the world, the universe, and beyond.”

She smiled broadly, and her heart rate shot up.
Could he be this sincere after only a few dates? Should I allow myself to fall so heavily for him after such a short time?
“That’s beautiful. You have such a wonderful way with words.”

“I mean every word of it. Together, we will reach new heights, push boundaries that no other couple has dared to push before. We will be indestructible—in this life and the next. You are my soul mate. The person who makes me what I am. The person who drives these desires in me. The desire to rule other people’s lives.”

Frowning, Bella leaned against his chest. She had no idea what he was talking about, but she feared looking a fool. So rather than asking, she remained quiet for the next twenty minutes. His ramblings became borderline obsessive, unless she had misunderstood what he’d said. Not once during that twenty minutes did he stop and speak directly to her. He seemed to have forgotten that she was in the room with him. Now and again, he gave her a painful squeeze. However, she winced without telling him that he’d hurt her. When he paused for breath, she pulled away from him to sit on the edge of the sofa. He looked at her as though she were a total stranger. Then a spark of recognition lit his eyes.

“I need to go to the toilet,” she said nervously.

The doorbell rang, and she let out a relieved sigh when he smiled and got up to answer the door. He paid the delivery boy and took the paper bag from him. As Bella passed by on her way to the toilet, he closed the door and dropped the latch.

She stayed in the bathroom longer than necessary, reliving his ramblings and wondering if she was doing the right thing by staying in the flat. The strange personality trait he’d just revealed caused concern and urged her to take flight. But there was something mesmerising about being in this man’s company. She wanted to truly understand him inside and out.
But at what cost?

She returned to the living room, where he had the meal already dished up on plates. He smiled and handed her a napkin and cutlery as well as a plate bulging with curry and rice. “Come, we’ll eat out on the balcony,” he said, leading the way. His tone and the smile plastered on his face almost made Bella forget that the past half an hour had occurred. They put their plates down on the table in the cool night air and settled in the chairs opposite each other.

“So what have you been up to since we last met,” he asked.

Bella merely looked at him in confusion.
That’s the second time you’ve asked me that.
Luckily, he was too busy tucking into his meal to notice her gaping at him. “Oh, this and that,” she replied cautiously. The need to take flight showed its head again. She didn’t know whether to claim she’d suddenly become ill and go home or to stay and see how the evening panned out. Deciding on the latter, she tried to strike up a conversation that would put both of them at ease. “Tell me where else you have travelled, apart from Africa. Have you ever been to Russia? I find it fascinating and would love to visit.”

He paused, a forkful of rice near his lips, and set it back down on the plate. His hand reached over to connect with hers. “That’s unbelievable. I, too, have a fascination with Russia. I’ve never been. Maybe we can make that our first holiday destination together. What do you say?”