If I Were Me – Crime – Novel
Published by Diamond Crime October 2022. Charlie’s a cop who’s injured rescuing a boy from a burning car. Her rehab is plagued with the confusion of lost time and malicious allegations of serious offences. There’s something happening deep inside her – something sinister. She mounts her own investigation which will take her to hidden depths.
Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE
It’s dark by the time a detective has taken my dealer and I’m back in the car with Lavender.
“Charlie, never seen you wearing a skirt.”
“Trousers were ripped fighting with that dealer.”
“Assault on police or criminal damage?”
“Not bothered. Grazed knee. Part of it.”
Lavender glides us out onto Walworth Road. “There are good detectives,” I say. “I know them both.”
“Don’t tell me. You had to do their job for them.”
The evening traffic is heavy. “Not really. More their attitude – lording it.”
“Remember, Charlie, if something’s more than ten minutes old, we’re no longer friggin’ interested. We trample the scene, kick doors in, pick our arses, contaminate evidence and upset witnesses. Then, when the teccos arrive, we all fuck off. They ain’t lording it, they’re friggin’ jealous.”
Such eloquence.
Lavender stops by a coffee shop. I take the hint and, on returning with two lattes, a call comes in. “Mike-Three, Mike-Three. Camberwell New Road, junction Vassal Road, serious RTC. Petrol tanker overturned. Mike-Three.”
Tanker overturned? Shit. “Received by Mike-Three.”
We open our doors, place our steaming coffees on the road, and we’re off, doors slamming, blue lights flashing, sirens wailing, we’re a minute away. Other units are answering up. Fire Brigade on way. Ambulance on way.
As we approach, I hear a poomph and a broiling fireball rolls up into the London sky.