Bad Advice

by S M Mala

  ‘That’s really bad.’

  ‘Do you think he was asked to do this by someone? To make a point I can be torn to pieces again and again?’ Ruby quietly asked, feeling Jacinta touch her hand gently. ‘Because it certainly worked.’

  She sipped her drink, trying not to look too miserable. Jacinta pulled her sad face.

  Then she heard her phone ring.

  It was Hugh.

  ‘Did you hear about Cass?’ she asked, putting a finger to her lips so Jacinta wouldn’t speak.

  ‘It’s awful,’ he said, sounding genuinely upset. ‘I’d fly back tomorrow but we’re coming home the day after so I didn’t see the point of stressing out Theo.’

  ‘Are you okay?’ she whispered, her heart wrenching for him. ‘What have the police said?’

  ‘I’ll speak to them when I get back. I just wanted to talk to you.’

  ‘Give my love to Theo and I’ll see you on Monday.’

  ‘Ruby, I …’ he hesitated for a moment. ‘Take care.’

  She knew what he was going to say. Ruby furiously shook her head knowing that to feel sorry for him would cause a whole heap of trouble.

  ‘The ex? Can you imagine what he’d say if he found out you’d been porking a policeman?’ Jacinta sympathetically smiled.

  ‘Then we’d have something in common, wouldn’t we?’

  Fifty two

  ‘We’re missing a link somewhere,’ Scottie said as they sat in the Commissioner’s office the following Wednesday.

  ‘The Samaritans thing is too wide a net,’ Helen Trott scowled, sitting at her desk, glancing up at him. ‘And I really need you back here. You have to oversee, not go in, hands on.’

  ‘Then there’s Cass Parker. It was a heart attack and that’s because she probably got a shock or it would have been a murder.’

  ‘And she also had writing on her lips, the same message. We can’t tell anyone about the injections or what was written,’ Helen Trott said seriously. ‘It’s scaremongering at most and it’s to do with the press now, not just people who volunteered at the Samaritans. I know Hugh Yates is extremely upset about the whole thing, he knew her for years. And the problem is when someone in the press dies, they tend to dig a little deeper than they should. I’d hate to find out that they unravel this quicker than us.’

  It wasn’t a comment, it was a command.

  And the very mention of Hugh Yates only made him think about Ruby.

  Scottie wanted to see her.

  She was playing on his mind again and again.

  Since he told Sebastian how he ended it, his friend’s reaction said it all.

  It wasn’t the most honest thing to do, especially when he blatantly lied about how he felt.

  ‘We’ve spoken to everyone who knew the victims and there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary,’ Scottie quietly replied. ‘Cass Parker, she’s one of the big guns, a highly recognisable person.’

  ‘These agony aunts, maybe it’s their comeuppance and…’ Helen Trott stopped for a moment and narrowed her eyes. ‘It could be that advisors are being targeted and whoever is doing this is trying to make a point. Hurting the ones on the ground, the volunteers, isn’t as important as attacking the ones who are well known.’

  Scottie froze for a moment, wondering if that was the next plan of action.

  ‘Why don’t you speak to Ruby Marquis? You know, the friend of your cousin,’ continued Helen Trott with a sneer. He felt his heart start to beat faster. ‘She might know something and she works as an agony aunt, doesn’t she? And a Samaritan?’ She laughed for a moment. ‘How the mighty have fallen. That’s one thing I’d never expect her to do, not with her amount of blunt honesty. But then again, it’s Ruby so who knows what goes through her head.’

  ‘I thought you knew her?’ he asked, feeling his chest squeeze, knowing it would be the perfect excuse to make contact but then wondered what Helen Trott meant.

  ‘I’ve known her for most of her adult life. We don’t get on you see, personal differences,’ smiled Helen Trott in amusement. Then her face turned to stone. ‘She’s a difficult creature to figure out.’

  He was shocked at hearing how well she knew Ruby.

  ‘That girl was a very talented journalist but she made a few wrong decisions, especially after their paper concocted a whole lot of lies regarding the Metropolitan Police. It only seems like yesterday.’

  He realised she was thinking hard about something.

  ‘We all knew that some of the senior officers, well, there was grounds for the accusations but not all of them. They literally ripped the place apart. Knowing that, how can you still be on speaking terms with Hugh Yates?’ he gently asked.

  ‘It wasn’t Hugh that started it off, it was Ruby. She was intent on digging up some dirt and dig away she did. The thing is, even she wasn’t prepared for the consequences.’

  ‘What would make her investigate the police?’

  ‘It wasn’t the police she was intent on hurting, it was me.’

  ‘Go away,’ Sebastian said while he looked through some bundles. Scottie stood in his office, later on that afternoon. ‘I have to be in court in fifteen minutes.’

  ‘Just tell me what’s going on. I’ve got all these questions flying around in my head and want some answers.’

  ‘As I said before, I did some work for the police when this was all happening and I’m at liberty to keep my trap shut or I’ll lose my job,’ he said quickly, glancing up at him.

  ‘I’m in love with Ruby,’ he blurted out. Sebastian stopped what he was doing, letting out a long sigh then sat up. ‘And the more I find out about her, the more complicated things get.’

  ‘I think telling someone you didn’t love them when you did, as part of a break up scenario, does cause a slight problem with this declaration,’ he smiled. ‘And she’s a sensitive flower.’

  ‘The Commissioner told me to speak to her, to see if anything strange has happened,’ he said, throwing himself onto the sofa. ‘She might be in danger.’

  ‘Only from you!’ Sebastian stood up and walked towards him, checking out his wig in the mirror. ‘I’m surprised Trott would even let you talk to her, all things considered.’

  ‘Stop these fucking games! Tell me what happened!’

  ‘I find, in my job, you only deal with the facts. In this case, it’s Ruby versus Commissioner Trott. You’ll find that there is no love lost between them. Anyway, aren’t you far too important to be dealing with a potential serial killer or is the subject matter making you interested?’

  ‘I don’t know why we’re friends,’ fumed Scottie, standing up. ‘You’re not actually being helpful.’

  ‘Because I’m trying to protect the people I love,’ sighed Sebastian, kissing Scottie on the cheek. ‘And that includes you.’

  ‘And Ruby?’

  ‘Yes, protect her I will. She should never have married him, that Yates bloke. I knew he’d end up hurting her but she couldn’t see it. I told her time and time again but she was so blinded by it all. For such an intelligent woman, she has poor taste in men,’ smirked Sebastian, walking back to his desk and picking up his papers. ‘What’s your plan? I take it you have one.’

  ‘Did you sleep with her all those years back? And if you knew Ruby, how comes I never met her?’ Scottie examined the smile appearing on his friend’s lips. ‘I just want to know.’

  ‘I never slept with her but I wanted to. You never met because, there was no reason to,’ was his succinct reply. ‘You think had you done, you’d have fallen in love? I doubt so very much. She’s been with Hugh for years and, to be honest, she wouldn’t have given you a second look. Soon as she met him it was like, she was reeled in.’ Sebastian laughed for a moment. ‘If you think your past life is chequered when it comes to women, Hugh Yates can beat you, hands down.’

  Fifty three

  ‘I don’t want to go,’ Ruby said. Hugh was sat in his living room while she loitered, waiting for Theo to come down the stairs. ‘I hate funerals and the who
le situation is shit. Diane, Annette and Gary are going. Seems they met her at a few social functions and feel the need to pay their respects.’

  ‘You knew her. Don’t think you should do the same?’

  ‘It’s going to be media frenzy and you’re going.’

  ‘I’m worried about you,’ he said seriously. ‘Has anyone contacted you, made any threats?’

  ‘Only the usual weirdo’s but that comes with the territory of being an agony aunt.’

  ‘What sort of things?’

  ‘Hugh, please don’t make it out to be bigger than it is,’ she huffed, shaking her head. ‘Anything odd I forward it onto IT so the sender is then blocked.’

  ‘The police are being very cagey and we know now all the victims had something written on their lips,’ her ex replied, flashing a concerned glance.

  ‘Really?’

  ‘A message of some sort.’

  ‘Cass Parker died of a heart attack, so what can you do? Anyway, she wasn’t the slimmest woman so it would have been weight related.’

  ‘That’s your conclusion?’ he laughed.

  ‘She got a surprise, died and then the so called ‘Samaritan Slayer’, wrote a message. It probably said ‘Eat less cake and give better advice’. Did you see some of the things she’d written recently?’ Ruby shook her head in dismay. ‘When did she turn so right wing? And why did you let her column run?’

  ‘She’s well regarded.’

  ‘Not to everyone and especially not to the person who left the message. What was written?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  He glanced away and she knew he was lying.

  ‘I don’t see why you can’t tell me? What do you think I should do?’

  ‘Stop working at the Samaritans and pull out from writing for that paper, that’s what you can do. It’s not that I don’t give you enough money to support Theo.’

  ‘It’s not about the money, it’s about my independence.’

  ‘You’re independent from me, isn’t that good enough?’ Hugh stood up and walked towards her. ‘Are you seeing anyone? Got over your recent heartbreak?’

  ‘Mum! Can we go out for pizza later?’ shouted her son, running down the stairs. ‘And I think I’ve lost some Lego. Dad, did you see it?’

  ‘He lives ten minutes away and I’m sure it’s safe,’ she sighed, shaking her head. ‘You’ll see him soon so let’s go.’

  ‘But mum! Dad, can you-.’

  ‘Listen to your mum,’ Hugh replied and smiled at Theo.

  Ruby could see how much he adored their child and moments like this, she’d feel guilty about not having a forgiving heart.

  Then she remembered why and felt her steely resolve.

  ‘We’re going to be late for the skateboarding class,’ Ruby grumbled as her child kissed his father then rushed to the door. ‘See you next weekend or before.’

  ‘Bye,’ Hugh replied, his arms folded and leaning against the door frame. ‘I might pop round next week.’

  ‘Fine, call me beforehand to make sure we’re in. I hate unexpected guests, as you well know.’

  ‘I mean it Ruby, you need to be careful.’

  ‘I will be.’

  She shut his front door, grabbed Theo’s hand then marched him towards the meeting point.

  ‘You know dad misses you,’ he said after few minutes of silence.

  ‘I miss your dad so it’s good he doesn’t live too far away, isn’t it?’

  ‘Why can’t we all live together?’

  ‘Because then I’d be up on a charge for murder,’ sighed Ruby, noticing her son did a double take. ‘And your dad and I, we’ve grown apart. People change.’

  ‘He says he loves you.’

  ‘From past experience with your father, he can say that and still it doesn’t stop him from showing me otherwise. Look, enough of the deep and meaningful, we can’t be late. And when I collect you at four we can go for pizza or whatever.’

  They crossed the road and she saw the group standing there, waiting to be picked up. She checked he had everything, then kissed him goodbye.

  Holding a coffee, she strolled back through the park, enjoying the sunshine. There was a fair amount of noise coming from the playground.

  ‘Ruby,’ she heard someone call and turned.

  She was shocked to see Scottie standing behind her.

  Instantly she felt sick, remembering it was nearly the same place he dumped her.

  For a moment she couldn’t speak and looked away, feeling embarrassed but mostly hurt about loving a man who didn’t feel the same way.

  A man who intentionally hurt her. Who wanted to prune her bush, so to speak.

  ‘Liar,’ she mumbled into her coffee, pretending to take a sip.

  ‘Can I talk to you for a moment?’ he asked, his feet coming closer. ‘Are you in a rush?’

  ‘Yeah,’ she replied and looked up, seeing him smile.

  It only made her realise he probably didn’t comprehend he’d broken her heart.

  That’s if he cared.

  Then again, he was all pretend. He was a copper after all.

  ‘What can I do to help?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘How are you?’

  ‘Fine,’ she replied sharply. ‘I saw you in the paper, all kitted out. Are they letting you become more streetwise as part of the new senior look to the force?’

  ‘They know I’m not a suit. It goes without saying I’m not going to toe the line.’

  ‘Pity you never told me how important you were,’ she gulped, watching him frown. ‘How can I help you Assistant Commissioner Scott?’

  ‘I suppose you know about the murders and now Cass Parker dying is linked in one way or another?’

  Ruby bit her lip and nodded.

  ‘Anything odd happen recently?’ he asked, stepping closer as she stepped back.

  She shook her head from side to side and forced a grin.

  All she could think about was him telling her he never meant it when he told her he loved her. Her cheeks were burning. She felt so stupid. He was acting as if nothing had happened.

  ‘You’ve not had anyone contact you at all?’ Scottie continued.

  ‘No more than usual.’

  ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘I get crank emails at the newspaper which is fine. Nothing odd about that.’

  ‘Because of what you do, there might be a small possibility you could be at risk. It’s a bit worrying and if there is anything you think of, I’d really like to know. These emails, are you sure there’s nothing out of the ordinary?’

  ‘I forward them on to the IT people and they sort it,’ she shrugged.

  ‘Ruby, I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you. You know I really-.’

  ‘Do you remember me today, is that it?’ she said, feeling her throat constrict, unable to hold back her annoyance. ‘I thought you couldn’t recall. Do you suffer from some sort of amnesia?’

  ‘Listen about that,’ he said, moving closer. ‘I know there’s something going on between you and Commissioner Trott so I didn’t want to-.’

  ‘You didn’t want to show her you knew me? She was probably one of the many decisions why you decided to dump me over there, on that park bench, or have you forgotten that too?’ Ruby said, taking a deep breath. ‘Heaven forbid you had anything to do with me. Do you think that would have lost you your promotion?’

  ‘Please don’t say that because it’s not true.’

  Ruby could see he was going a little red.

  She knew it was probably the shame of using her.

  ‘But you made your decision based on things you didn’t even try to let me explain and I understand. Your career comes first. At least you were kind enough to tell me that everything you said you didn’t mean. It helped with the final blow, when I realised who you were.’

  ‘I shouldn’t have jumped to-.’

  ‘You looked me squarely in the eye and told me all the things you said were a lie,’ she said, shaking her head, try
ing not to get angry or upset. ‘It doesn’t matter anyway. You nipped me in the nick of time.’

  ‘What’s going on with you and Commissioner Trott?’

  Ruby let out a little laugh and noticed he looked pained.

  ‘Why do you want to know? What does it matter? You made your choice. Thing is, by being so loyal, did you ever think if I knew the truth of where you stood in the hierarchy, I would’ve been happy? I wouldn’t have but, because of how I felt about you at the time, I’d have tried my hardest to support you. We’re very different you and me. And I really misjudged you.’

  ‘I really want to explain and I’m sorry for what I said,’ he whispered, the pink cheeks were now replaced with a grey pallor. ‘You’re making me feel bad.’

  ‘How do you think you made me feel?’

  He hung his head down for a moment then looked up at her. Ruby took a deep breath and stepped back.

  ‘I’ve nothing to explain, especially to you,’ she continued calmly. ‘If anything out of the ordinary happens, I’ll contact the police, the proper ones that walk the beat. Congratulations on your promotion, I’m sure you’ll do very well. You seem the type that’s good at lying so it’s a perfect job for you!’

  Turning on her heels, she walked away with her head up in the air as tears dripped down her cheeks.

  She was still in love with him and that hurt the most.

  Fifty four

  If ever he felt at a loss on what to do, it was now. She’d made it perfectly clear there was no going back, his decision was final.

  From her point of view, he had played her for a fool and was no more honest than the rest of the officers she’d investigated.

  Except he was now the foolish one, realising he wanted her back and not knowing how he was going to do it.

  Walking towards the bench they’d sat on that day, a few months ago, he felt stuck.

  He couldn’t let her go.

  And he was still no closer to finding out what went on with Helen Trott.

  There was no other choice.

  He picked up his phone and dialled the only number he could.

  Fifty five