Echoes of Justice (DI Matt Turrell Book 2) Read Free

to go on.
    Pushing aside the list, she drew her granddaughter Zoe’s birthday present forward and got out the wrapping paper. The doll came with several changes of clothing so she wrapped each separately before writing the card. She’d last seen Zoe on her fourth birthday, a year ago, but only for a few minutes, as Pam hadn’t invited her in. She seemed ill at ease and not liking to force the issue, Kathy had left, consoling herself that all three children looked well cared for, in a physical way, at least.
    Today she was determined to enter what had been her son’s house to see her grandchildren. Kathy waited until after school, knowing they would be home, as Pam never took them anywhere.
    As she walked up the path, the small lilac bush, planted by Jack when they had moved in several years ago, brushed against her face. It was now a tree, overgrown like everything around it and in need of cutting back. Pushing it aside, she held onto the twigs for a moment as if they could bring her closer to Jack, could give her courage.
    A small shadow appeared behind the coloured glass when she rang the doorbell, until a taller, darker shadow took its place. The tall shadow stood still. Guessing Pam was hoping she would go away, Kathy rang again, keeping her finger on the bell for just a second or two longer than necessary to let Pam know she was serious.
    The door, secured by a chain, opened a crack and Pam peered out. She seemed frightened, like after Jack died. Maybe she imagined the gang that killed Jack would come for her. Kathy often tried to imagine how horrendous it must have been for her watching, screaming and helpless to do anything.
    After the court cases and sentencing, Kathy hoped Pam would be reassured, but it hadn’t helped. Everyone was suspect, including her. At first, she’d tried to be supportive, given her time, offered to help look after the children, her granddaughters after all, but Pam always seemed apprehensive. She had wondered if she reminded her too much of Jack. Then, when Kathy suggested Pam talk to her doctor, she found herself shut out.
    This had gone on long enough and Kathy had to think of the girls. Okay, they went to school, but she’d heard that Phoebe had dropped her music lessons and Amy the Brownies. She had to get Pam to let her in, see for herself what was going on.
    She’d seen Phoebe one day in the school playground all alone, head down, instead of surrounded by her friends. Kathy tried to talk to her through the railings, but sensed she was holding back, maybe out of loyalty to her mum. If Pam’s state of mind was rubbing off on the children, she had to do something. Would she feel safer now that Jonathan James was dead? Would she have heard?
    ‘Pam, it’s only me,’ she said to the crack in the door. ‘I’ve brought Zoe’s birthday present.’ She held up the parcels in proof.
    The crack widened.
    ‘Can I come in?’
    Kathy waited as the smaller shadow came close and she heard a soft voice.
    ‘Please, Mum.’
    There was a pause before the chain rattled and the door opened. Pam peered out, around and past Kathy before she ushered her in.
    Zoe took Kathy’s hand and led her towards the kitchen. ‘Stay at the edge, Gran. We mustn’t make a mess.’
    Bewildered, she followed Zoe’s example, keeping to the wood at the side of the rug that ran down the hallway to the kitchen. Pam followed, also walking at the edge. Once in the kitchen Pam stood as if unsure of what to do.
    Kathy placed Zoe’s presents on the kitchen table and turned to her. ‘Any chance of a cup of tea, Pam? I’m parched.’
    Pam seemed reluctant but moved towards the kettle. The kitchen was operating-room clean and seemed unused.
    As Pam filled the kettle, Kathy turned to Zoe. ‘Happy birthday, Zoe. So how’s my little pudding then? I swear you’ve grown ten inches since I last saw you.’
    ‘I’m in Miss Turner’s class now.’
    ‘And how do you like school?’
    ‘I like it. And, and I got a star