Sudden Death: A Zombie Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

car, alerting the officers that they had been assigned to a call.
    “Seriously? Are we the only car on tonight? ” John said, gripping the steering wheel harder in frustration.
    It was getting towards the end of the shift and they had just parked up in the back yard of the nick, in order to come in and put on the four reports they had between them. They had been so busy from the start that they hadn’t even had chance to grab a bite to eat, and John’s hunger was now making him grumpy.
    “What is it?” he asked Sheena.
    “Er, ‘I’ grade domestic,” she replied, scanning over the text on the screen.
    John’s grip tightened even more. Domestics were grief. You had to do a paper 124D, as well as a computer CRIS report. If there were any kids in the relationship, it meant a MERLIN report as well. On top of all that, the Met’s ‘positive action’ policy for all domestics meant that if there were any offences at all, no matter how slight, someone would have to be nicked. They were going to be off well late now, he realised testily, which probably meant he wouldn’t get much sleep at all before he had to get the kid’s up and to school in the morning.
    “Hang on,” Sheena said. “It’s a third party report. The neighbour’s the informant. He heard screaming from next door.”
    Well, that was one thing at least. Since it hadn’t been either party in the relationship that had called the police, there might not be any allegations. They might be able to square it up, John thought hopefully.
    “John Boy,” someone called across the yard.
    John looked over his shoulder and groaned as he saw two officers walking over towards his car. It was Mark Thomas and Charandeep Choudry, aka Bob, from team three. They were waiting to start their shift and were loitering in the yard. John had no doubt they were coming over to try to wind him up, as they often did.
    “Sorry lads, we’ve got an ‘I’ grade,” he said curtly.
    “You’re a dark horse, John,” Bob commented, ignoring him and shaking his head.
    “Why?” John sighed, preparing himself for the inevitable sarcasm to come.
    “Every time I see you, you’ve always got one of the young, fit, new girls as your operator. How do you manage it?” Bob commented, with a smirk at Mark.
    “Hey, Sheena,” Mark said, bending down to check her out through the car window.
    “Hi, guys,” Sheena responded.
    “So, what’s the going rate to bribe the Skipper doing the postings ?” Bob followed up.
    “I go out with whoever I’m told to,” John responded, desperately trying not to lose his temper at their insinuations.
    It was ironic, he thought, that these two men, who were notorious for preying on new female officers at team drinks, should be implying that he, as a happily married man, was doing things he shouldn’t . He knew that if he bit though, their jibes would only get worse.
    “Does your missus know about all this?” Mark asked.
    “I’d love to stay and chat with you guys, but I’ve got work to do. You should try it some time,” John told them with acidity.
    “Ooo h,” Bob responded, feigning being hurt.
    “Sheena,” Mark said , “what’s it like being out with Mr Tickle hands?”
    “Fuck off,” John said, feeling himself flush with anger, as he drove away.
    Hearing the raucous laughter of the two coppers and knowing that he had given them exactly the response they had been hoping for, only made him angrier with himself.
    “Don’t listen to them,” Sheena said soothingly. “They’re idiots.”
    “Where am I going?” John asked, hitting the button on the dash that activated the blue lights.
    “Shirwell Close. Just head for Mill Hill and I’ll guide you in.”
    The pulsing blue lights reflected off the cars and house windows, as the police car sped out of the yard and through the streets. There was no need for sirens, as there were virtually no other cars on the roads at this quiet time of night.
    “You shouldn’t let those guys bot her