by S P Dawes
Nearly dropping the kettle, Jesse quickly grabbed it, putting it back down on the stand. Holding her by the shoulders, he turned her to face him. “Caitlyn, this is important. What is he doing with Gleeson?”
“How the hell should I know!” shouted Caitlyn, moving his hands off her shoulders and spinning back to the cups, filling them up with the water.
“Caitlyn, this bloke sounds dangerous. If Leon’s involved with him, I need to know now, and I might be in position to help him.”
Caitlyn handed him a cup of coffee after adding milk. Walking through to the living room, Jesse followed, watching her sit down nursing her drink.
“Leon told me Gleeson’s only just got out of prison. The first thing he wanted to do was get revenge on the person who had set him up, and before you ask, he didn’t say who,” answered Caitlyn.
“Do you know Gleeson?”
“Only from when he turned up with Leon. Rob was trying to make that meet for you happen, but he didn’t know he would bring anyone with him. So, Rob got spooked and called it off when they arrived.” Caitlyn began sipping her drink.
“Did you know Gleeson was coming?” Jesse asked, but only really to gage her reaction. He was already sure he knew the answer.
Caitlyn looked down and took a sip of her coffee, feeling uncomfortable.
“What did Leon tell you about Gleeson regarding some girl?”
Caitlyn couldn’t look at him. She felt terrible about it, but at the time she just wanted to bring her down a peg or two. She shrugged.
“Have you had any other contact with Gleeson, do you know anything else?” Asked Jesse, hoping in one sense that she hadn’t but from the other aspect, he needed information to continue with the right line of inquiry.
“He came back round a day or two later wanting to know people’s locker numbers. He asked where the lockers were at work so he could get a message to someone. I told him I couldn’t tell him which numbers were for whom, cus I didn’t take much notice, but...”
“But what?”
“I told him the locker numbers were up in the office.” Caitlyn suddenly put her hands up to her mouth. “You don’t think that’s why they robbed the place do you?”
“They?” Asked Jesse, wanting to be sure about how much she understood. If she knew who had robbed the place and said nothing, we would be compelled to arrest her.
“The people who did it, you don’t think it was him, do you?” Caitlyn was good at covering her tracks, or she was genuinely shocked to have come to that conclusion only after speaking to him. “Please tell me I’ve not just helped someone rob my work?” she asked, panicking.
“Not unless you let them in or gave them a key.”
Caitlyn shook her head.
“Well, you’ll be all right then.” Jesse stood up. “You sure you don’t know who this guy is after?” suggested Jesse, unconvinced as he watched Caitlyn shrug.
Jesse had already completed a check on Gleeson after Dave had given him the name. He was known to the authorities as a bit of a wannabe gangster. The man seemed to have fingers in as many pies as he could, certainly no shrinking violet. But why would he want to take on a spa, it was hardly the most profitable robbery? They did most transactions for bookings by card, and if they required the ingredients from the shop, there was a lot less risk in just ordering stuff online. Why take the risk of getting caught, especially when the yield was so high on the end product?
Jesse drove home, slinging his keys on the side and walking into the living room where his Dad was polishing shoes over an open newspaper covering his knees. Jesse dropped on the settee and let out a vast sigh, running his hand through his hair.
“You OK?” Jesse noted the concern on his Dad’s face and nodded.
“Just a tough case that’s all.” Jesse admitted. “Can’t wrap my head round it.”
“You not getting anywhere with it?” Asked Michael.
“I thought I was, but I keep being thrown curve balls. Now I think there’s more to it, so I’m back to square one,” answered Jesse. “Doesn’t add up.”
“Well, don’t forget you’re not the only copper there, I hope you’re letting others take some strain,” warned his dad.
“I’m not sure they know what I do.” When Michael looked at him confused, he added, “don’t worry Dad, I’m sure I’ll sort it. Like I said, bad day.”
“So, what do you think of our new lodger?” Asked his Dad, brightening at the mention of her.
Jesse smiled at his Father getting all gooey eyed over a female. “She seems nice,” admitted Jesse, thinking about the kiss they’d shared.
“She does. You two were down here for a while after we left you last night?”
Jesse smirked at his dad’s steady gaze over the top of his glasses. “We were only talking, so calm down; I’m just coming out of a failed marriage.”
Michael turned back to his shoes, ensuring he had a good shine on them with no scuff marks.
“How’s that going?” Asked his Dad.
“Be a lot better when the bloody house sale comes through, then I might actually afford the divorce.” He still couldn’t believe he was going through a divorce after just two years.
Jesse had met Rihanna at University, she was studying law, and she had legs up to her armpits and long flowing blond hair. He knew she’d finish with the highest mark possible, and she did. It only took her a week to find a job, and then he’d worried he’d lose her, so a year later he asked her to marry him. That had kept her until they had saved up enough to have the wedding of her dreams. It had been amazing, on the beach in Malibu with close friends and family only, and then they had had another party when they got back for all those that couldn’t travel.
They had been happy, or so he thought. They were holding off having kids as she wanted to concentrate on her work and he respected that. She had put a lot of effort into it. Jesse had been oblivious to any changes. If they had happened, they had been far too small for him to pick up on. As a detective, that didn’t fill him with much confidence when he was the one investigating other people’s lives. What right had he any more, when he was completely in the dark to his own marriage failing?
It had been his best mate’s wedding, a guy he’d known all his life. Their parents had been friends, always gossiping over the fence in the back garden when they were kids. Lee’s parents had moved away when they were eighteen. They wanted to be closer to the seaside, so moved to be there. Lee and Jesse had always kept in touch and regularly met up. Lee met Rihanna when they had got engaged, and Jesse hadn’t noticed that he’d taken a shine to her. But then why would he? He had been engaged to marry his childhood sweetheart Catherine.
When the couple eventually set a date, he asked Jesse to be his best man. At the time Jesse felt honoured, after all Lee had four brothers’, he’d assumed he would pick one of those. On the wedding day Jesse had delivered his speech, thanked the flower girls, and then grabbed a drink. It was a few hours later that Jesse had opened the bedroom door to his mate and his wife in an intimate clinch on the bed. He had always believed that if he ever witnessed anything like that he’d fly into a fit of rage and be uncontrollable, but in reality, it hit him like a bolt, stunning him to the spot.
His entire world had just fallen apart in a matter of seconds. He didn’t even have his best friend to console him and get him drunk. So, he just shut the door and walked out. Walking up to his car, he drove to his Mum and Dads. They had scooped him up and looked after him, and he didn’t know where he would be without them. They’d never once condemned him for any of the decisions he’d made.
“I’m going to grab a drink. Do you want one?” His Dad shook his head.
Jesse walked into the kitchen to see what cold drinks were in the fridge. There was some orange juice, so he opened that. Marie walked in and caught him drinking from the bottle. She grabbed a glass and slammed it down next to him on the table; he looked to the side of him. “Sorry Mum.”
“We’ve got guests,
I’m sure she doesn’t want your mouth round her juice.”
Jesse nearly spat the juice out, some of it went up his nose and he couldn’t stop coughing.
Marie on realising what she said turned a shade of pink and clasped her hands to her mouth, trying to stop herself from laughing.
“I can’t believe you just said that!” He responded after gaining the ability to breathe.
“That came out wrong.”
“So did the orange,” declared Jesse, whilst accepting the tea towel his Mum offered him.
Chapter 13
Meeting her at the top of his street, Hayley jumped in the car.
“I thought we should try to get some time together without creeping round the house like teenagers,” said Jesse. “You look really nice by the way.”
Hayley blushed, pulling the hem of her dress down nervously. “So where are we going?” She asked.
Hayley was wearing a cold shoulder cobalt A line dress, with her hair curled up in a clip. The denim jacket she hung around her shoulders without her arms in, she hoped, made it look like she hadn’t spent two hours getting ready.
Jesse wore dark jeans with black slip-on shoes and a pale blue Henley shirt, he’d gelled his hair to the side and Hayley thought he looked very smart. She smelt his aftershave; it was strong, spicy and sweet, but not overpowering. Her perfume reminded her of candy floss, but it had been a present, and was better than nothing.
“A friendly pub I know, one I can leave the car at and get tomorrow if I need to.” He put the radio on and ‘Smooth’ radio filled the space between them. Hayley recognised most of the songs and hummed away to them, while watching the streets go by. She felt relaxed in his company and enjoyed the feeling.
When they arrived, they entered a large public house with pictures of owls on the windows that also resonated on the inside too. The deep red carpet held Fleur de leys, and a bar with gold trim and wooden panelling faced them as they walked through the double doors.
“What you drinking?”
“Vodka and Diet Coke, please.” Picking up their drinks, they made their way to a vacant table near a window and sat down.
“We don’t really know each other that well. I thought we should probably get to.” He smiled flirtatiously, revealing those dimples she liked so much. Leaning on the table looking at her, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She looked beautiful tonight, and her eyes were shining brighter than he’d ever seen them. The quick pecks in the kitchen and the smooching on the settee at night weren’t enough.
“Your dad’s Michael. Your mum’s Marie. Your brother’s Rob. You work most days, and you like Chinese,” she said knowingly.
Jesse smirked and nodded while taking a sip of his pint. “OK, I know next to nothing about you,” he replied. “And although we seem to live together, we don’t really get enough time to talk.”
“Not much to tell.” She shrugged, drawing her eyes away from his, deciding a scratch on the table needed attention.
“I don’t believe that for a second.”
Hayley felt that age old feeling of trepidation. The unknown, not knowing how much to say, if someone will take what they hear well, or how their opinion would change. She preferred to concentrate on the here and now, but that never lasted long.
Hayley looked down at her glass and ran her finger along the rim.
“Family?” She glanced up, realising she still hadn’t answered.
“I had a Mum, Dad, brother and sister.”
“Had?” Jesse looked confused, hoping he hadn’t put his foot in it. Her mood had transformed from a flirtatious, easy-going manner to a guarded one.
“My Mum died when I was nine…”
“Shit! I’m so sorry.” No wonder she felt removed.
Hayley shook her head dismissively. If only that was all she had to worry about. “Wasn’t your fault, it was a long time ago.” She sipped her drink, going back to circling her glass.
Jesse pursed his lips, contemplating a subject that may make for lighter conversation.
“Why did you become a chef?” He asked brighter.
Her eyes travelled to his, and they held a sparkle this time, back on safe ground. “Because I love cooking. I love trying new foods, combinations, mixes. I wasn’t massively successful in school. I knew I had to do something I loved, so I started college, trained alongside a lovely chef. He let me take over sometimes, to train on the job and not just in the college. Your first job in a kitchen is as pot wash, you make your way up. But that’s why I like it. You work hard, you earn it.”
Jesse enjoyed seeing her passionate about something. She was a lot more ambitious than she gave herself credit for.
“What about you, I don’t even know what you do?” she asked curiously, still with a niggling feeling in the back of her head about the police recognising his name.
“I’m a detective.” Hayley’s eyes went wide, he couldn’t tell if it was a positive or negative shock. “I get to arrest idiots and…”
“You’re in the police?” She whispered across the table.
Jesse nodded whilst selecting a quick look around to see if anyone was taking any notice of their conversation. No one was.
“Is that acceptable or not?” He asked her, unsure. He then leaned forward. “You sound shocked.”
“Sorry, I just…” Hayley couldn’t think of another way to say it without allowing him to realise she had held him in a dim light.
“You thought the coppers you spoke to knew me because I’d warranted being arrested?” He had her pegged, and she felt awful. But he laughed. “To be fair, I should have put you out of your misery before, but I have to admit I was enjoying being the bad boy for a change.”
“Wow, thanks.” She couldn’t help smiling. “I’m not really into bad boy’s anyway.”
“Really? Didn’t stop you kissing me the other night though, did it?” She blushed again, realising he was right.
They spent the rest of the night talking about work and old friends. Jesse realised she was steering the conversation to him a lot more and by the end, he still didn’t truly know any more about her, other than the few tidbits she’d divulged. But they’d enjoyed the evening, they had laughed lots, and he liked her sense of humour. She was happy to have the mickey taken out of her, and chuckled at herself just as much. It was a nice trait to have, not taking herself too seriously.
They ordered a taxi around eleven and made their way back home. Whilst chatting in the back of the car, Jesse acknowledged they’d be walking in together. And although he didn’t want to hide their relationship, she wasn’t ready to share it with the world, and selfishly he didn’t mind keeping her to himself a little longer either.
“Mate, can you drop the lady off first and drive round the block again before dropping me off, please?”
“You’re paying,” observed the driver, not showing any obvious signs of annoyance.
Hayley snuggled up to him, knowing she wouldn’t have long left to feel his presence.
Pushing the door handle down, she eased it open, fumbling for the light switch before finding it. She clicked it on.
“Is that you, Jesse?” Marie’s voice floated through from the sitting room.
“No, it’s Hayley!” She called back, taking her shoes off and putting them in the under-stairs cupboard. Opening the door to the living room, she popped her head in to see Marie and Michael sat watching television. “I’m just going to go straight to bed.”
“OK sweetheart, you have a pleasant night?” asked Marie.
Hayley nodded, hoping her face didn’t give her away. She could still smell Jesse’s aftershave on her. She hoped they couldn’t. Saying goodnight, she ran upstairs.
Five minutes later she heard the door open from outside. She heard Jesse’s voice. Listening as he made his way up the stairs. He knocked gently, before opening it. She was already in bed with the lights off, so he whispered goodnight and closed the door. She was facing the wall, but she smiled a goofy grin, anyway.
>
Chapter 14
Jesse entered work chirpier than ever, and Martin observed him with a smirk.
“Have you been on that date yet?”
He wouldn’t be divulging anything.
“Have you seen we’ve had a call this morning?” Shaking his head, serious now as he observed the look on Martin’s face change. “They’ve just found another one, thought you might want to go along?”
“Where?” Asked Jesse, turning his computer back off that he’d only seconds before clicked on.
“Portland Street behind the health clinic.”
“Shit! I’m gathering it’s the same?” He queried, opening the door of his office to leave.
Martin nodded and ran down the stairs ahead of him.
When they arrived, the white tent was up, and the pathologist was knelt down doing his work. The forensic team handed Martin and Jesse suits that they climbed into and then they flicked blue booties over their shoes. They carefully made their way to the body and saw the victim laid on her back, with her legs bent to the right from the knees, mouth agape and a huge caesarean across her abdomen. Her hair was matted up, and her icy, blue eyes stood wide open. Blank apart from the obvious haemorrhaging.
“Just like the others?” Martin remarked.
“Looks that way,” said the pathologist over hearing him.
“Time of death?” Asked Jesse.
“I’d say anywhere between twelve and two, mainly because it rained this morning, and the grounds dry underneath her. But you know the rules.”
Jesse nodded; the path report would determine events and times more accurately once they moved her to the mortuary.
“Strangled?” Jesse could see the signs of strangulation but thought best to ask the expert just in case he’d seen something else.
“Yep, like the others, the cut happened first.”
Martin winced, like he had each time he’d heard it.
“Not much blood again,” commented Jesse. “This isn’t the site then?”
The pathologist stood up to face him. “Most of it has congealed in her hair. I’ll get her back and run all the tests, then we should know more.”