by S M Mala
‘I wouldn’t know as I’m lying in bed waiting for Ruby to come back home to make me breakfast.’
‘Just breakfast? When are you announcing your engagement?’
‘Let’s get the party over and done with before we move on to the next thing,’ he said, wanting to desperately tell his friend. ‘You are coming on Saturday aren’t you? I need you there.’
‘I’m practically organising it in between being a high flying barrister. God, you’re a lazy bastard if all you’re doing is working and making love to your woman.’
‘I didn’t tell you. Helen Trott made a pass at me again.’
‘You what!’ shouted out Sebastian. ‘Jesus, what did you do?’
‘I refused. I also told Ruby who thought it was funny. What am I going to do? What if she says I sexually harassed her? I got the number off the cabbie who witnessed it but, you never know. Do you think she’s setting me up to give me the boot?’
Sebastian was laughing loudly down the phone.
‘It’s not funny,’ continued Scottie, sitting up. ‘I’m stuffed.’
‘You’ve not been in the job for long. You must’ve known she fancied you, that’s how you got the promotion.’
‘That’s not true!’ he barked, pissed off at his friend’s comment. ‘I’m a bloody good-.’
‘Looking man who makes the Metropolitan Police seem like a positive thing. We know it’s not all like that, is it? I knew you weren’t going to enjoy this level of seniority and now with Ruby, it complicates everything. Don’t throw it all away and equally, don’t put yourself in a vulnerable situation. You have to cover your back.’
‘I don’t know what to do. So many things have changed and I just want to be happy. And I want that with Ruby.’
‘Stupid man in love, aren’t you?’
‘Yep.’
After taking a shower and getting changed, he walked into the living room and got a pleasant surprise. There were balloons and banners all over the place. Ruby was standing in the kitchen cooking.
‘You didn’t come back to bed,’ he said, walking behind her and noticing she was trying not to be sick. ‘Are you alight?’
‘It’s the smell of the bacon,’ she replied, putting her hand over her face.
Scottie put the extractor fan on and opened the window then turned her around. Slowly he moved forward as she kissed him on the lips.
‘You don’t have to cook bacon if it makes you feel sick,’ he replied, realising happiness was surging through his veins.
‘It’s your birthday and you’re going to be late if you don’t eat up,’ Ruby said, stroking his stomach through his t-shirt. ‘Did you book Friday afternoon off to come with me for the scan? If you can’t then-.’
‘Friday afternoon I’m coming with you then I have to go and buy some booze for the party,’ he said, wrapping his arms around her. ‘God knows what it’s going to be like with the kids and Lorraine’s coming with Kevin. Katya and Miriam are in Thailand so it won’t be that bad.’
‘We don’t have to tell anyone anything,’ she said softly. ‘It’s your birthday and that’s what we should be celebrating.’
‘I want the whole world to know,’ Scottie replied, leaning down to meet her at eye level. ‘Then we take it from there.’
Friday morning he sat in the station. They had managed to track down the man Edmund allegedly saw when he was attacked. Edmund confirmed his identity, much to the denial of Nigel Stubbs, the person in question. Dave thought it was best for Scottie to watch from the other side of the mirror as he questioned him.
He didn’t notice Commissioner Helen Trott had walked in and was standing behind him.
Scottie jumped.
‘Hello,’ he said, gulping hard.
There hadn’t been any contact between them since the incident on Tuesday.
‘Is this the man accused of attacking Samaritans?’ she asked coolly. He was relieved she wasn’t being friendly. ‘What else has he said?’
‘He’s denying it but Dave will get there in the end,’ he replied, staring at the handsome cocksure bloke, knowing he was the bastard that hurt Ruby. ‘And then I’ll make sure he suffers.’
‘No you won’t. Let the others find out why. You keep out of it.’ Scottie heard the hesitation in her voice. ‘And happy birthday. It is today, isn’t it?’
‘It is,’ he replied, glancing over his shoulder to smile. ‘I’ve had a lovely morning so far and, if you don’t mind, I’d like to leave a bit earlier to get back home.’
‘Which home would that be?’ she asked and he heard the sneer in her voice. ‘You seem to have two from the sounds of it.’
‘I’m a very lucky man then, aren’t I?’
‘I thought you might want to come out for a drink after work to celebrate your auspicious coming of age.’
‘I have to-.’
They both turned when they heard shouting and Nigel trying to launch at Dave. Another police officer managed to intervene just in time, preventing Dave getting a fist in the face.
‘What on earth just happened?’ gasped Helen Trott, looking at the scene.
Scottie rushed outside and went to the door as Dave stumbled out.
‘What did you say to him?’ asked Scottie, seeing the expression of shock on his friend’s face. ‘He looked like he was going to beat the living crap out of you.’
‘I asked if he was the ‘Samaritan Slayer’,’ he replied, trying to control his breathing. All they could hear was the man shouting loudly while another officer ran in to help. ‘He went berserk.’
‘Shall I speak to him?’ he asked, itching to walk in. ‘I’m not going to do anything. Maybe there’s more to it?’
As he looked up, he saw Helen Trott staring at him, shaking her head.
‘I don’t think that’s a good idea. You have an emotional involvement in the case.’
‘There’s no harm, guv,’ said Dave, who was trying to catch his breath. ‘Sensitive young fella, if you ask me.’
‘Give me five minutes, that’s all I ask.’
As Scottie walked in, Nigel Stubbs had his head in his hands and was crying.
‘I’m not a bloody serial killer,’ he sobbed.
‘No one said you were,’ said Scottie and the man looked straight up at him. ‘Can we just calm down a minute?’
‘You can’t keep me here. I’ve done nothing wrong.’
‘You’ve been identified as the person who carried out an attack out on Edmund Smith,’ Scottie said calmly. ‘There have been a string of attacks on Samaritans that work at his branch. I need to know your whereabouts at the time of each incident.’
‘I’m not saying anything,’ he said, suddenly sitting up and wiping his face. ‘Get me a solicitor or something.’
‘You can be out of here in a shot. All you need to do is answer my questions and then that’s it.’
‘No comment,’ he said defiantly. ‘I need a brief.’
‘Where were you on Thursday 17th October?’
‘No comment.’
‘Based on photographs and security footage, a man fitting your description was seen in the vicinity where three separate attacks took place. To omit you from our enquiries, you need to tell me where you were and if you had any witnesses. Also where were you on Thursday 24th November? Ms Ruby Marquis was attacked on-.’
‘I need a lawyer,’ he angrily replied. ‘I have nothing to say.’
‘If you are found guilty of these four attempts of GBH and the vandalism on one of the other victim’s homes, then we will have to charge you. Also, there might be a strong link to the killing of Samaritans across London. These are serious questions we need answers to. If you refuse to answer then I can only assume you have something to hide.’
‘I never killed anyone!’ the man snapped. ‘You can’t pin anything on me.’
‘Do you like the idea of picking on vulnerable people? Is it some kick?’ Scottie continue, seeing the man was riled. ‘Ms Marquis had to spend the night in hospital and Edm
und Smith was badly beaten around the face. Does this make you feel good? Queer bashing and racist attacks?’
‘I’m not a queer basher.’
‘So you’re a racist?’
‘I’m not saying a thing,’ he sniffed.
Scottie examined the man very closely. He was much larger than Ruby and, from the look of his arms, he would have hurt her easily. Taking a deep breath, he started to get upset knowing he could have potentially threatened the life of their unborn child.
Closing his eyes, he composed himself, knowing Dave and Helen Trott were watching him from the other side of the glass.
‘How do you know Mick Dawson?’ he asked quietly and noticed Nigel’s eye widened. ‘And before you call for a brief, it would make it much simpler for all of us if you tell me now. That means we can let you go.’
‘I don’t know him,’ he shrugged and started to look nervous.
‘Are you sure you don’t know him?’
‘Like I said.’
‘Then explain this,’ Scottie said, pulling some photos out from one of the social networks that showed Nigel and Mick together. ‘It seems you’ve met on several occasions.’
The man looked at Scottie with alarm and started biting his fingernails.
‘What’s that got to do with anything?’
‘Did you and he have a falling out? Is that why you assaulted him?’ asked Scottie quietly. ‘And his colleagues? Why hurt them? One of them you attacked twice.’
‘I want a brief!’ he shouted loudly, standing up. ‘You don’t know anything.’
‘I’ll get Mr Dawson to come down to the station and see what has to say.’ The man sat back down and stared at Scottie then glanced away. ‘We’ve linked you to being near the attacks when they happened. Nigel, you’re in serious trouble because there’s a serial killer out there and you and he might be one and the same.’
‘I’m no fucking killer!’ he said angrily. ‘Don’t you go fitting me up!’
‘No one’s doing anything of the sort but we need to verify your whereabouts when the killings and attacks took place. If you’re found guilty then-.’
‘I’m no murderer!’ Nigel said, starting to get upset. ‘Just leave me alone!’
‘We’ll call you a solicitor so we can question you further.’
Scottie got up and walked out of the room then stopped.
Nigel Stubbs knew Mick Dawson and attacked him.
But from the pictures and the cross checking of the social sites, they were extremely friendly so it didn’t make sense.
‘Something’s going on,’ Dave said, walking towards him. Scottie saw Helen Trott walk away. ‘What’s going on with her? She’s been hovering around. Why can’t you all go back to Scotland Yard?’
‘I’d prefer to be here,’ he said quietly and looked at the door where Nigel Stubbs was sitting on the other side. ‘If he’s friends with Mick Dawson, why attack him?’
‘Falling out?’
‘Unless he attacked him to make out that Mick Dawson was a victim when he wasn’t. He did the press interview within hours so maybe this is a set up. We need to take a closer look at Mick Dawson. I think he might have something to do with it.’
‘And instigated the attack on Ruby Marquis?’
‘If he did, I’ll break his fucking neck!’
Scottie marched down the corridor and headed back to the office, walking through the busy room then noticed the bottles. He knew it was for him but was distracted. His eyes followed the names of all the people who had been attacked and then at the list of the Samaritans that worked at the branch. Diane, whose name had been circled, was moved away from the suspect board.
Taking a pen, he started writing the names of all the suspects on the board. Annette, Gary, Edmund, Mick and the few others he knew had valid alibis omitting Diane and Ruby, for obvious reasons. Then he smiled and wrote her name at the bottom of the list, wanting to see what the reaction would be from Helen Trott.
‘What are you doing? Is this about turning forty and losing your mind?’ Dave asked, putting his hand on his shoulder. ‘You want to fit up your woman now?’
‘It has to be one of these guys. We need to find out more about them. Who they know, what they do. I bet you guys just focussed on Diane and little else.’
‘We didn’t really look into the others other than Diane and …’ Dave hesitated.
‘Who else?’
‘Ruby Marquis,’ he said quietly. ‘She seemed one of the obvious candidates as she’s not the best Samaritan and, as you know, she has an opinion on people who abuse their positions to gain money.’
‘But she works on a problem page and earns her money that way.’
‘She’s also not a very good Samaritan, from what I hear,’ whispered Dave. ‘Even I know they’ve tried to sack her when she decides to, what’s the expression? Tell it how it is?’
‘Only I could fall in love with the worst Samaritan in the history of the universe,’ he sighed, trying not to smile. ‘Thing is, she was with me for a majority of the times the murders took place, which isn’t common knowledge. Only when we split she was free to murder people and, let’s be honest, they wouldn’t have let her in their homes knowing she’s that bad.’ He laughed, then shook his head. ‘Thing is, who would they have let in and why?’
On Wednesday they had to release Nigel Stubbs. He denied being in the vicinity of any of the attacks and had a strong alibi on the nights of the murders. Scottie thought it would be an ideal situation to see who he was really hanging out with, so they set up surveillance to keep an eye on him. Everything was currently leading to a dead end other than the thorough research being done on the remaining Samaritans.
It was a long shot but he had to try something.
Late on Thursday night, he went to bed. Ruby was sleeping. He hadn’t seen her much since his birthday on Tuesday. Lying down, he couldn’t rest then noticed Ruby turn around to look at him.
‘You’re supposed to be asleep,’ he said, gently rubbing her head.
‘I’m bored,’ she frowned. ‘I can’t stay home any longer and I’m sick of people following me down the road. I know they’re there so what’s the big deal?’
‘You got attacked nearly a fortnight ago. I want you safe.’
‘I’m not earning enough money,’ she sighed, sitting up. ‘My editor told me that we’re to lay off the problem page for a few weeks due to the publicity of who I really am and my former attachment to the editor of a larger national newspaper. My career is over!’
‘I see,’ Scottie replied, trying hard not to smile at her annoyance. ‘I’ll look after you.’
‘I’ve never had a man look after me in my life and I’m not starting now. I have to earn my keep. And anyway, you’re on a copper’s wage so that can’t be much plus you have expenses with the kids and all that stuff.’
‘I’ll always have enough for you.’
‘You don’t know if I’m expensive to run or not.’
‘You don’t need to earn money. You have a windfall from your late step father and a few properties here and there.’
‘Who told you that?’ she said, looking at him all wide eyed then frowned. ‘Have you been doing a background search on me?’
‘I’d prefer to do a backside search, if we’re being honest,’ he grinned, noticing she was trying not to smile. ‘This will soon die down and it can all go back to normal.’
‘Normal?’ she winced. Scottie felt his tummy do somersaults as he eyed her up and down. ‘Nothing will ever be the same for me and you. Then there’s now a massive extended family to take into consideration.’
‘You’ll get to meet Charlie on Saturday. He’s looking forward to seeing you.’
‘What happens if they hate me? Your kids? Riley’s not that impressed and when he finds out you’re having another baby! And what about if Theo and Riley don’t like each other? What are we going to do then?’
‘You think too much,’ he said gently, slowly sitting up to look at her.
‘And I need to sleep as I have a really busy day tomorrow.’
‘I’ll shut up then,’ Ruby sighed and lay back down. ‘You have a job whereas I am unemployable even more so now I’m pregnant.’
‘You can go back to the Samaritans soon enough and you know the paper loves you, so I’m told, based on your following of fans.’
He distinctively heard her grumble something that he couldn’t quite catch.
‘What did you say?’ he asked, leaning forward and getting a whiff of her gorgeous body cream.
‘I said I got a letter from the Samaritans today, saying they don’t want me to go back when the office opens next week,’ she said quietly.
‘Oh no!’ he said, unable to stop the laugh coming up from his throat.
‘What’s so funny?’ she asked, sitting bolt upright again. ‘Why are you laughing Jonathan Scott?’
‘My god Rubes, they’re crying out for volunteers to help and you’re the first one I’ve ever heard to be let go.’
‘They got a complaint,’ she said, moving very close to his face. ‘Actually, Diane has been preventing them from filtering through, mainly from Mick Dawson but something happened while she was banged up.’
‘What did you do?’ he asked, seeing her nightdress had pulled away and was exposing her voluptuous breast.
Scottie first instinct was to embrace it in his hand. Then he felt the beginning of hard on as he examined the erect nipple just begging to be put into his mouth.
‘This bloke keeps gambling his money away then can’t pay his rent. Well, I was a little pissed off the last time I was in and told him to get a grip, stay off the horses as it was obvious he was shit at it and pay his dues. Mick snitched on me. That’s when I got attacked the first time. What am I going to do with my life?’
‘I think you’re a little stressed and I certainly need to relax.’
‘What?’ she said disbelievingly. ‘You want to have sex? Now? I’m letting off steam.’
‘You need to stay calm as you’re carrying baby Marquis-Scott and we can sort out a job for you soon enough,’ he said, moving closer to her face. ‘And I really want to kiss you.’
‘And you need to bring your clothes here then I have to make space and-.’