Vengeance Street: An utterly gripping crime thriller by Louise Sharland

Author:Louise Sharland [Sharland, Louise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books - crime, thrillers & mysteries
Published: 2024-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

I head back to the office feeling more uncertain than ever. I’m just finishing some case notes when I get a text from Jodie:

Can you pick me up after school?

I leave work a bit early, ignoring Simon’s questioning looks, and manage to find a spot on a lay-by opposite the girls’ grammar school. My eyes scan the pedestrian footbridge, looking for a pair of black Converse, a source of endless conflict with her head teacher, coming across the bridge. Finally, I see that familiar gait, and feel an almost overpowering surge of gratitude and love. By the time Jodie reaches the car I am feigning an interest in my mobile phone. All I really want to do is hug her tightly.

She glances over shyly. ‘You okay?’

‘All good,’ I reply, trying my best to sound casual. ‘Fancy some sushi?’

‘Yes please!’

I feel an irrational sense of victory then force myself to acknowledge that this is not a competition. Our daughter is not a prize to be haggled over, someone whose affections can be bought through fast food outings. Alex, Jodie, and I will continually have to navigate our lives together: boundaries, respect, kindness, and who she lives with… but that can all come later. For now, all I want is to revel in her presence.

We go for sushi, talk about school, her friends, and her first proper Duke of Edinburgh Award camping expedition this weekend. Then, I gently lead the conversation towards Paradise Church.

‘So, I was sort of thinking of getting involved myself.’

‘With the church?’ says Jodie, through a mouthful of tekka maki.

‘I happened to meet Ingrid, and we got talking about the street pastor work she does. She asked me to shadow at one of the Go Outs tomorrow night.’

‘You with the Street Pastors?’ Jodie’s eyes are wide with disbelief, though interestingly she doesn’t seem angry, only hugely curious.

‘Ingrid said they could do with someone who has experience of working within the criminal justice system.’ I lean forward so the couple in the booth next to us doesn’t hear. ‘And let me be completely clear. This is in no way a religious conversion.’ Jodie risks a smile. ‘It’s really just an opportunity to help out.’

‘Do you mean that?’ Jodie is serious now, with a hint confrontation. ‘It’s not just an excuse to keep an eye on me?’

‘Unless you plan on being off your face on Union Street this Friday night, I doubt very much our paths will cross.’

Her smile is wider now, and genuine. ‘Cool.’

‘Cool?’

‘If you want to help out at the church, I think it’s cool.’ She gives me a goofy grin. ‘Can I have some of your Korean fried chicken?’ she asks, her chopsticks coming my way.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.