by Jay Nadal
Cara sat up in bed and pulled the duvet up over her chest and wrapped it around her sides. She sipped eagerly from her mug as she watched Scott rummage in his wardrobe for something to wear. He held a dark blue tie against his navy suit and debated the merits of whether the two coordinated.
“You could have stuck a rose between your butt cheeks like in Cold Feet,” she teased, as she glanced at his naked backside.
“I’m getting too old for this,” he said on a lazy yawn.
“What? Too old for sex, or too old to handle me?”
Scott glanced over his shoulder and cracked a smile. “I meant getting up for work so early. Besides, I think I can handle you…just about. I don’t see you complaining. And don’t you dare say anything to Abby; I know how thick you two are.”
Cara beckoned him over and put her bowl to one side. “You more than satisfy me, and you certainly know your way around the female form. Thank you, that was perfect, and breakfast wasn’t bad either,” she admitted, laughing before giving Scott a long, lingering kiss. She threw off the duvet and lay there warm and naked. “Now how about you show me once again just how much you fancy me.”
36
Buoyed up with the Cara feel-good factor, Scott allowed his pleasant interlude to uplift his mood. A night out with Cara had been the perfect ticket. It was an opportunity to leave the job behind and feel normal for a few hours. His mind cast back to how they just mingled with the crowd, just another couple enjoying each other’s company for an evening.
Scott had rolled an A4 sheet of paper into a tube and had proceeded to tap one end in the open palm of the other hand. His evening may have gone to plan, but the current case was slowly skidding sideways, and he didn’t have his hand on the footbrake. He stared at the incident board, the pictures of Hailey Bratton and Rebecca Thorne smiled back at him. He cast an eye over their youthful features, exuberance and freshness radiating from their faces. Pleasant thoughts of them were soon cast to one side as his eyes glanced at the SOCO and post-mortem pictures of Hailey Bratton.
The system files had been updated with the progress of the searches being conducted on the marine engineering units. So far the searches had drawn a blank. It wasn’t the news he had hoped for which soured his mood. Further instructions had been passed to the search team to extend the search to former businesses and as far back as ten years.
The emptiness of the incident board played on his mind. He had known for several months about the reports of attempted sexual assaults on campus. But with limited resources, and little evidence, the cases remained pending whilst his team worked full-time on the Edmunston-Hunt School case, frustrating Scott. The job, dwindling budgets, limited resources and constant management reports about crime figures threw up a series of hurdles, which modern-day senior police officers had to navigate. When combined with an above-average number of officers signed off with stress, it made the job untenable.
Abby came through to the office, dumped her bag by the side of her desk, and placed a large one-litre bottle of mineral water by her PC. “I’m not sure if that would be regarded as an offensive weapon!” she shouted across the floor.
Scott glanced over his shoulder as his eyes narrowed searching for an explanation. He laughed when Abby’s eyes nodded towards the rolled-up sheet in his hand.
“Time for some brekkie?” Abby asked.
“Normally, it’s me who’s suggesting breakfast…or lunch…or come to think of it, just food in general.”
“I know, but it was a manic rush this morning, I couldn’t get the kids up. I just about managed to get myself out on time. And now I’m starving.”
Scott tucked into smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on toast. On this occasion, Abby stole the show, as she heartily tucked into a full English breakfast much to Scott’s amusement.
Abby was the kind of person who would often forget to eat. A combination of a hectic work life, and a busy home life, often meant that she had neither the time nor the inclination to prepare something for herself. Scott had pulled her up on many an occasion because she’d had a bowl of cereal for dinner the night before. He’d lectured her on missing out on vital nutrients and nourishment for her body. Often it had fallen on deaf ears, as Abby shrugged it off.
“How’re things with Jonathon?” Scott asked as he waited for Abby to finish her mouthful. He felt a pang of guilt for interrupting her, as she enthusiastically took elements from around her plate in each mouthful.
“Touch wood,” she replied as she tapped her head, “It’s actually going really well. In fact, it’s almost going too well.”
“You sound surprised, as if you were expecting it to fall at the first hurdle?”
Abby shrugged and said, “Well you know what I’m like. I have a bad choice in men. I’m a difficult person to live with, and I like things done in a certain way. So I thought he would leg it at the first opportunity.”
“So has he restored your faith in the male species?”
Abby blushed, offering nothing more than a sheepish grin, and a shrug of her shoulders.
“Oh, I get it. The jury is still out?”
“No,” she remonstrated. “I like this relationship. He’s kind, thoughtful and really laid-back, which I actually think is a good thing for me. He helps to balance me and my life. Up until this point, my life just seemed to be one long rollercoaster ride. Bad luck and poor judgement have shafted me on more than one occasion, and if I’m honest, it’s left me with a very negative, critical perspective of life and relationships.”
“I’m glad we came out for breakfast. That really cheered me up,” Scott teased.
“Sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean to go on. You know what I’m like when I get on my soapbox.”
“It’s cool. Don’t worry. I’m just glad that you are happy for a change.”
“Well, I’ve told Jonathon all about you and Cara. And…” Abby paused before continuing, “I suggested to Jonathon that maybe we could go out as a foursome for a bite to eat one evening. I was a bit apprehensive as to what he might say, but he seemed really enthusiastic about the whole thing. He’s heard loads about you, and I actually think he’s quite fascinated by what Cara does.”
“Blimey, that must be serious if you’re thinking of meals and foursomes.”
“Oh, he’s a really nice fella. He helped out last night as it was Adam’s birthday. I took Adam and five friends to the Hollywood Bowl, and Jonathon came and helped out.”
Scott’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding? We were there last night at the marina for a few drinks and a meal.”
Abby threw her hands up in the air in mock despair. “Now you tell me. You could have come and rescued me from six screaming boys. Any chance of civilised company would have been a godsend.”
“Ah, yes, but you had Jonathon with you. Are you saying that he’s not adult, civilised company?”
Abby cracked a smile. “I meant I could have left him with the kids and escaped.”
“Yes, and I think you’d have never seen him after that,” Scott replied as he pointed his thumb over his shoulder to suggest that Jonathon would have legged it.
37
Scott slumped into his chair and dug his heels into the carpet so he could pull himself closer to the desk. He felt cheerful this morning. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time a morning had gone so well. His mind drifted back to Cara lying naked in his bed, followed by a good catch-up with Abby. Cara had been a good influence on him. Yes, they had their ups and downs, but it had been a few years since he’d been this happy. Tina and Becky were never far from his thoughts, and his heart felt heavy as an image of Becky smiling and calling him ‘Daddy’ floated across his consciousness.
Scott opened his phone and flicked through his gallery of pictures until he found Becky’s photos.
A knock on the open door of his office jolted him out of his melancholy moment. Berry leant up against the door frame, one arm folded across her chest, the other playing with the necklace pendant around her neck
. Was she stalking him? Every time that he turned his head, she was there. If someone had it in for him up there, then they were doing a bloody good job of letting him know.
“Yes, Ma’am?” Scott hated the need to formally address her. The words practically stuck in his throat as he fiddled with his phone.
Berry stepped into the room and closed the door. The edges of her mouth curved into the smallest of smiles as her dark brown eyes locked on him. She helped herself to one of the seats opposite Scott, who had now become decidedly more uncomfortable.
“I’ve been thinking, Scott. Why don’t we mix business with pleasure?” she asked raising an eyebrow suggestively. “It would just be like old times again.”
Scott shook his head in defiance as the two maintained eye contact.
“If I recall correctly, I don’t remember you complaining in the past…”
There was an uncomfortable silence as she waited for an answer. The thick tension hung in the air and filled the empty space between them.
“With all due respect, Ma’am, I’m neither interested, nor do I think it’s an appropriate suggestion on your part as a senior officer.”
“Scott, I don’t think you’re getting the message,” she said, her voice laced with a firm brevity he’d not yet heard from her. He’d annoyed her with his dismissal. “You wouldn’t want Meadows hearing that you’ve been uncooperative with me, or that you withheld information from me. From what I can tell, you’re already on thin ice.”
The clinical coldness of Berry’s tone and threat both stunned and angered Scott. His body tensed with ire, his stomach churned, and it took every ounce of resolve to avoid a reaction. He crossed his arms and maintained his glare.
Berry turned the screw as she said, “Your current bit, Cara, she is very beautiful. You still have a soft spot for brunettes, then?”
When Scott didn’t respond, she continued, “Is she really doing it for you like I used to? I think it would be a good idea for us to have a chat over a drink, just like old times. You never know where it might go?” she said with a determined glint in her eye.
“Thanks, but no thanks. I think we’ve moved on from that. If you haven’t, then that’s your problem, but I know I have. And for the record, yes, Cara is a beautiful, lovely and amazing lady.” Scott controlled his voice as he emphasised his point. Deep within, he seethed. Over the past few months, everything that he had taken years to build was slowly being eroded.
Scott burst from his chair and splayed his hands firmly on his desk as his body arched forward. His mind found it difficult to organise the words that were rattling around inside his head.
Whether it was perfect timing or not, Abby knocked on the door and let herself in. She exchanged glances with Scott and Berry. The tension had risen to a fever pitch, as neither of the three volunteered any words, content to participate in an impromptu stare down.
“Is everything okay, Ma’am? Guv?”
Berry stood from her seat and straightened her jacket. She took a few steps towards Abby and offered her a melodramatic smile. “Everything is fine, Abby. Just a couple of officers disagreeing over something.”
Abby turned to watch Berry stroll casually out of the office and out of earshot. She turned towards Scott and held out her hands, searching for an answer.
Scott closed his eyes and shook his head. “Don’t. Whatever you do, just don’t.”
“Guv, get your jacket and come with me, and no argument about it,” Abby said.
They cut through from Edward Street and St James’s Street out on to Marine Parade in silence, before they found an empty bench.
“Off the record, and as a friend, what the fuck was all that about? I could hear it kicking off from outside, and before anyone else could hear it I had to butt in.”
Scott stared forward in silence, his eyes narrowed, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. He shook his head once again, as he felt his body heave with sadness. He exhaled heavily and said, “It doesn’t matter, Abby, seriously. I just have a habit of attracting shit into my life, and once it’s there it never goes away.”
Abby sensed Scott’s deep internal conflict. “Listen, whatever it is, we can get through this. I promise you. Have I ever let you down?”
Scott shook his head once again, too frightened to open his eyes and face reality, or more to the point, face Abby. There was a distinct possibility that he would burst out crying if he looked into her eyes.
“Please. I hate seeing you like this. Listen, I’ll only say this once because I don’t want your ego getting any bigger, but you’re my best friend and I care about you.”
Scott opened his misty eyes, but still didn’t have the courage to look in Abby’s direction. “I’ve got a history with Berry.”
“History? As in you’ve had a run-in with her before?”
Scott exhaled deeply yet again and turned towards Abby. “No, I mean history.”
It took a few moments for Abby to understand what Scott really meant, before she exclaimed, “History…as in that type of history.”
Scott straightened up and nodded.
“Oh, shit.”
“Exactly.”
Abby remained silent for what seemed minutes as she waited for Scott to elaborate.
Scott stared at the ground. “I really fucking screwed up. I was young, very naïve and, dare I say, impressionable. Berry…she was a predator. She enjoyed male attention, and between you and me and the gatepost, she was blamed for the breakup of at least two marriages. Everyone knew she dated senior officers, and that’s why she’s where she is now. I think she deliberately did it to advance her career. She got rapid promotion and secondments to special projects and task forces. The woman has no scruples.”
Abby nodded in bewilderment, her eyes fixed wide as she tried to process Scott’s admission. She’d heard rumours before involving other senior officers. With the closeness and proximity of their roles, it wasn’t uncommon for police officers to date each other either publicly or on the quiet…especially so if they were married.
“So, if she dated senior officers, no disrespect, why did she come after you?”
“Because I guess I was young and keen. To be honest, I don’t really know. She charmed me. She was always telling me that there were loads of female officers who had the hots for me. I don’t know, maybe she did it to rub their noses in it. But I was blown away by the fact that a senior officer fancied me. Stupid, stupid, stupid I know, but she said stuff like she was really well-connected, and that she could put in a good word for me when it came to promotions. We went out one night for a drink. One drink led to another and another…and well I don’t need to paint you a drawing.”
Scott turned towards Abby and looked decidedly sheepish and embarrassed. “What a fuck up. I hoped, in fact, I prayed that this would stay in my past.”
“So do you reckon she’s here to stir up trouble again?”
Scott shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. The chances are that we may be looking for the same perpetrator of both the Essex crimes and our ongoing jobs, but we could have shared this information online. Any one of the officers working on those cases could have made contact with us. Why she made a direct approach to the Sussex senior brass to get herself onto our team is what scares me.”
Abby shook her head in disbelief as she reached into her pocket to grab her phone as it vibrated with an incoming message. “Why on earth did you get involved with her in the first place?”
“I’ve asked myself that question so many times in the past. And I’ve asked that question every single day since the day she turned up in Meadows’s office.”
“Well, we’ll talk about this later. We’ve got more pressing issues,” she said as she showed Scott her screen.
38
It felt like déjà vu as Scott and Abby made their way along the A27 Shoreham bypass. It had only been a matter of days since they had last visited the area upon the discovery of Hailey Bratton’s body. Reports had come in detailing the discovery
of another female body not far off the A27. This in itself was a vital piece of the jigsaw as far as Scott was concerned. If indeed, it was another student, then they couldn’t dismiss the idea that the killer lived in and around Shoreham. The remote location of both bodies would suggest that the killer had a detailed knowledge of the area, and this could assist Scott in narrowing down the geographical area for their search.
Coombes Road was an isolated single track road that spurred off north from the A27 and ran parallel to the River Adur. With tall trees and shrubs that lined the road either side, it provided a natural camouflage from prying eyes. As they made their way along the track, many sections fell into darkness as the trees arched over and formed a canopy above the road. Those dense sections sporadically opened up into small hedgerows that formed a natural boundary to the ploughed fields beyond. They drove past a gated driveway on the left which had the Scout Association symbol pinned to the iron gate. Scott made a mental note to check to see whether any Scout troops were camping there last night. Door-to-door enquiries appeared out of the question as Scott had yet to see any properties along this stretch of the road.
They pulled up behind a familiar line of random emergency vehicles. Scott could see at least a handful of police cars, a scientific services van, Matt Allen’s car and Cara’s silver Ford Focus. A black private ambulance had parked up to take the body away when forensics had finished their work.
As they walked towards the blue and white outer cordon, Scott paused and sighed heavily, as he looked off into the distance. Abby followed his line of sight until she saw DCI Berry deep behind the police cordon instructing several SOCOs as they went about their work.
“Don’t let her get to you,” Abby said reassuringly. “Stay calm, keep your chin up, and let’s catch this killer before she does.”