Broken Silence by Danielle Ramsay Read Free Book Online

not Matthews. Brady had grown up fast and furious on the desperate streets of the Ridges, Matthews in war-torn Benwell, each learning to survive on instinct and fists alone. Neither believed that their work in CID could change what happened in the Ridges and the Benwells of the world, but they would do their best to contain it.
    Brady had seen as many murders as any other DI during his time stationed at Wallsend and the West End of Newcastle, but as of yet, nothing had significantly thrown him. He casually put it down to the fact that he had had a tough childhood, tougher than even Matthews’ thuggish upbringing; one that had prepared him well for being a copper.
    Brady looked up at the dim, grey light squeezing through the bars of the basement window. He couldn’t think straight, it just didn’t make sense. Matthews was different; Brady would never make it beyond Detective Inspector, whereas Matthews had the makings of a Chief Superintendent. He was ruthless, that was all there was to it; bloody ruthless.
    ‘Got to go,’ apologised Brady as he stood up. He had to find Matthews.
    His leg had stiffened again making him wince.
    He turned to Harvey.
    ‘Tell Conrad that I’ll see him at the briefing.’
    ‘Sure,’ replied Harvey. ‘The Incident Room is being set up in the first-floor conference room, so you’ve got no excuses for being late. Remember, 8.30 am sharp. That gives you fifteen minutes, even you should make it in time!’
    Brady managed a faint smile despite the irritating throbbing in his leg. They both knew his time keeping was poor.
    ‘Just so you know, we really tried to get those bastards who did that to you,’ Harvey said as he glanced at Brady’s leg. ‘Especially Conrad. There were times during the past six months when he worked two straight shifts.’
    ‘Yeah, he’s a good bloke,’ Brady acknowledged as he looked over at his deputy.

Chapter Eight
     
    ‘You look like shit!’ Brady said to Matthews as he entered his office.
    He had expected to find Matthews waiting for him. It’s exactly what he would have done in his situation. But he couldn’t help being thrown. Matthews’ face was sickly pale and his eyes, which watched Brady’s every move, shone with a feverish madness.
    Brady limped over to his desk and sat down. He could see that Matthews had already helped himself to a generous measure of the Glenfiddich he kept in his drawer for when things got too much.
    ‘You want another?’ Brady asked as he jerked his head in the direction of the malt.
    Matthews nodded dejectedly.
    Brady obliged him with a liberal refill. He picked up another mug off his desk and thought about pouring himself a small measure. Something about Matthews’ silence told him he was going to need it. He then thought the better of it and put the malt back. The last thing he wanted to do was rile Gates more than usual and drinking on the job on his first day back wasn’t a good tactic.
    Brady watched as Matthews gratefully downed the maltbefore letting out a low, wounded sigh. He shook his head in disbelief before lifting his eyes to meet Brady’s. They had the despairing look of a rabid dog condemned to die.
    ‘I’m in deep shit, Jack,’ Matthews started, his voice quivering.
    Brady waited tensely.
    ‘I … I don’t know where to start …’
    Brady felt his stomach objecting to the greasy breakfast.
    ‘I … I knew her … I fucking knew her …’ muttered Matthews shaking his head.
    ‘Who?’ asked Brady, not wanting the answer.
    ‘The girl … the one who was …’ Matthews’ voice trailed off.
    ‘You can’t have done.’
    Brady cleared his throat as he waited for Matthews to agree with him.
    ‘Jimmy? Come on, man.’
    ‘Don’t you think I’d fucking know?’
    ‘Come on, Jimmy. You can’t have known her. There was nothing left of her face to recognise.’
    Matthews didn’t answer.
    Brady swore to himself.
    ‘For fuck’s sake, Jimmy! Do you know what you’re saying?’
    ‘What kind of