Echoes of Justice (DI Matt Turrell Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mood. He was thankful that Harold, nicknamed Ops, had maintained the right contacts and was able to let him know so quickly.
    Vinny would have liked to be in the bar, planning how he would avenge Jon, but that wasn’t an option while playing the part of a devoted uncle to the Swift family and their five little monsters. The smallest child tugged at his coat, demanding a story. Suppressing the urge to bat her away, he smiled and lifted her onto his knee. ‘Right, Kylie, what’s it to be?’
    Mrs Swift passed over a picture book and went to chase the three-year-old who was scrambling over passengers’ legs and belongings.
    Vinny promised himself that he would make Ops pay for this hideous journey. Surely the old fool could have thought of another way to get him safely back into England. The Swifts, grateful for the money, accepted him as Uncle Vince with no questions asked. As part of their family group, he should be able to get through customs. Young Kylie had taken to him, so he would carry her. Who would suspect a devoted uncle? In his haste, Vinny had tried to alter his appearance by dyeing his hair a shade lighter, nothing too outlandish, and having a haircut he hated. He’d developed a small goatee beard over the last few months and decided that would help too.
    As he read the picture book for the third time, he reminded himself it wouldn’t be long until they docked. Ops had arranged for someone to meet him outside the docks and the Swifts agreed to drop him off at the designated place. Everything should run smoothly. After all, he was paying Ops enough and he was the best.
    He consoled himself that his role as uncle would soon be over and he would be able to get on with his mission. Once he’d found out who killed Jon, he promised himself they would pay a heavy price.

Chapter 8
    ‘Matt, you’re squashing me.’
    ‘Then move your end to the left.’ Matt sighed as Eppie moved to the right. ‘Your left.’
    He took the weight as Eppie manoeuvred backwards through the doorway to the flat. The folding table wasn’t heavy, just awkward. They struggled into the small living room and leant the table against the bookcase. Eppie sank onto the sofa.
    ‘Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.’
    ‘I told you that.’
    ‘So we invite your parents round and then give them dinner on their laps?’
    ‘Or take them out?’
    ‘Like we don’t want them here.’
    ‘They wouldn’t think that. Besides, Mum understands.’
    ‘That you don’t get on with your dad. So right, we’ll never see them?’
    ‘It’s not like that.’
    ‘Oh grow up, Matt.’
    Eppie jumped up and went into the kitchen, easing past the table and the small Christmas tree she had insisted on putting up. Matt knocked several baubles off every time he walked past, but he hadn’t the heart to say that he never bothered to decorate his flat. She was looking forward to Christmas in England, her first for many years, and Matt couldn’t deny her.
    This hassle was the last thing he wanted at the start of a new case. He liked to sit in his comfy old chair and let the details wash over him. It was where he got his best insights, made those important connections. There would be little chance of that this week, as Eppie had insisted they invite his parents to dinner on Friday and the preparations for that, plus the fact she had started a new job two weeks ago, were sending her into a hive of activity.
    Matt’s past efforts to get on with his dad had ended with each of them losing their tempers. Dad had never forgiven him for following Granddad into the police force, instead of going to university. Since his marriage two months ago, they’d seen his parents on a few occasions, admittedly with other people around. He sighed, knowing he wouldn’t be able to get out of this dinner.
    Eppie plonked a beer down beside him. ‘I’m sorry.’
    Matt pulled her onto his lap, pushing back her brown hair to kiss her. He loved the way her small body melted into his.