Black & Blue: Where it all began…… (D.S Hunter Kerr) by Michael Fowler Read Free Book Online

missing him completely.
    However, it connected with Emma’s right eye. The force sent her reeling and she issued another shriek before smacking into the metal railings.
    A roar of anger exploded inside Hunter’s head and he retaliated with a succession of quick, yet accurate punches. Within twenty seconds his adversary was in a crumpled heap.
    “I’ve had enough,” the man yelled.
    Hunter stood above him, staring into his bloodied face. An uncontrollable shake overtook his limbs and he felt his stomach empty. He suddenly became conscious of noises around him. He could make out police sirens in the distance coming ever closer. It was a welcoming sound. He snatched out his cuffs, spun the raider onto his front and clicked the metal bracelets around his wrists. Then putting all his weight onto the middle of the man’s back he glanced over to Emma. She was sat propped against the railings with her knees pulled towards her. Her right eye was swollen and her lips bloodied.
    Using the back of her hand she dabbed at her mouth. She pulled it away and stared at the blood, then she diverted her eyes and met Hunter’s gaze. “Remind me never to go out with you again. You give a girl far too much excitement in one night.”
    Her serious look quickly gave way to a smile.
    Within seconds they broke into a relieved laugh together.
     
    * * * * *
     
    When they entered his name into the Police National Computer Hunter and Emma’s battling burglar was well known. Mathew David Smith had previous for burglary and theft and was currently on bail for shoplifting. Given this latest offence he would be going nowhere other than to prison on remand.
    Hunter had to smile when he presented Smith to the Custody Sergeant – a seasoned officer who suffered no nonsense – and outlined the circumstances of the arrest. The Sergeant glanced at Hunter and Emma, and making note of their injuries – neither of them told the Sergeant that Emma’s swollen cheek was down to Hunter - responded with, “Assault on police officers and he’s still alive.” Shaking his head and still displaying a dead-pan look he finished, “I don’t know - this job’s going soft.”
    Hunter and Emma watched a sorrowful looking Smith being led away to the cells and then they went up to the CID office to liaise with the Night Detective.
     
    The on-duty Night Detective was DC Harry Hemsworth. When they entered the CID office he was at his desk hammering away on a typewriter.
    He glanced up upon Hunter and Emma’s arrival and stopped typing.
    Hunter immediately remembered him.
    He said, “You two have been busy haven’t you?” He pointed to his personal radio propped up next to the typewriter. “I was listening in. It’s our old friend Matty Smith you’ve brought in isn’t it?”
    Hunter nodded.
    Then Harry settled his gaze upon Hunter. After a few seconds of silence he said, “I know you don’t I?”
    Hunter nodded again, “You investigated my girlfriend’s murder.”
    He scrunched up his face, deep in thought. Seconds later his eyes lit up. Wagging a finger he replied, “That’s right. Me and Barry Newstead interviewed you.”
    Pursing his lips Hunter nodded once more.
     
    Harry let out a short laugh. “Barry gave you a bit of a grilling, if I recall?”
    Hunter did recall. He answered, “I’ll never forget it.”
    “Well you were her boyfriend. And you don’t need me to tell you that most murders are committed by those who’re close to the victim.” Harry paused and studied Hunter’s features. “Do you know that’s the only murder I’ve been involved in that’s not been detected. And I know Barry was gutted when he was told to wind it up and shelve it. He’d never been defeated either. We pulled in loads of suspects but never found who’d done it.” He kept eye contact with Hunter and shook his head. “I don’t know if you were ever told but we came to the conclusion that the offender wasn’t local. One day, he’ll be caught. Mark my