Kennedy 04 - The Broken Circle Read Free Page B

know, he’s nothing more than a highly respected member of the community.’
    ‘As far as we can prove,’ Max corrected him. ‘You know as well as I do that he’s the biggest crook in Harrington.’
    ‘If he was, he’d be behind bars,’ Meredith snapped. ‘You’ve got nothing on him, nothing at all. Khalil rented a property from him, that’s all. Oh, yes, and his car was captured on CCTV in the area at about the right time. And that’s it. Just because you dislike the bloke—’
    ‘I do, but it’s more than that and you know it, Phil. He’s mixed up in Khalil’s murder. I know he is. And I intend to nail him.’
    ‘That’s where you’re wrong. You’ve already had a written warning. I’ve had enough of you taking the law into your own hands. You’re suspended from duty until further notice.’
    Max opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Suspended? Hell, this was serious.
    ‘Take a holiday,’ Meredith suggested grimly. ‘Do whatever it takes to get McQueen out of your head once and for all.’
    ‘You’re suspending me? Just because I had a five-minute chat with McQueen?’
    ‘I’m suspending you because I’m damned if I’ll have my officers disobeying orders and harassing—’
    ‘Friends of your golfing chum, the Chief Constable.’
    ‘I couldn’t care less if he’s bloody royalty,’ Meredith yelled. ‘I’m not having members of the public harassed by my officers. I won’t stand for it.’
    McQueen was guilty of many things, possibly even murder. Having no hard evidence didn’t make him innocent. But there was no point arguing the case. It was time for a spot of grovelling.
    ‘OK, you’ve made your point. I’ll keep out of his way, but—’
    ‘Damn right, you will, Max. As from now, you’re suspended. If you’d like to hand over—’
    Meredith’s phone rang and he picked it up to bark his name at the unfortunate caller.
    Max was glad of the distraction. Obviously, he was out of practice when it came to grovelling. He’d have to try harder.
    Meredith couldn’t suspend him. What the hell would he do all day? Walk the dogs? Sort out his CD collection? Wash the car? He’d go mad.
    Meredith banged down the phone. ‘Christ, it never bloody rains!’ He glared at Max. ‘A body’s been found in the wood out at Kelton Bridge. Presumably it’s Bradley Johnson.’
    Max, knowing it showed exceptionally bad taste when someone had died, bit back on the silent prayer of thanks. He was the duty Senior Investigating Officer and, although normally Meredith could turn to others, this week he was snookered. Don Cornwall had been rushed into hospital with appendicitis and Jerry was enjoying a well-earned rest in Mauritius.
    ‘A suspicious death,’ Meredith added. ‘Wound to his head.’
    Correction. Someone had been murdered.
    ‘I see,’ Max murmured. ‘In that case, I won’t take up any more of your time. You’ll be busy. Shortage of officers and all that.’ He turned to the door. ‘Actually, this suspension couldn’t have come at a better time. You know I’m staying at Jill’s for a couple of weeks while my boys are in France? Yes, of course you do. The grapevine might take its time getting this far but—’
    ‘You and Jill?’ Meredith cut him off. ‘Again? Bloody hell, Max, when you two were together last time, you treated her like shit and she walked out on you and the force. I’m damned if I’ll have that happening again.’
    Max winced. ‘It won’t.’
    ‘It better hadn’t.’
    ‘Right.’ Max had the door open, not sure if he was suspended or if Meredith wanted him to find Johnson’s killer. ‘I’ll go and book a week in the sun then. Or perhaps I’ll sort out my CD collection.’
    ‘Max, I’m warning you, get bloody funny with me, and I’ll have you back on the beat by lunchtime.’
    ‘You mean …?’ He assumed an expression of innocence, but the relief flooded through him.
    ‘If it were up to me,’ Meredith assured him, voice dangerously