Saffina Desforges' ROSE RED Crime Thriller Boxed Set

by Saffina Desforges

  Deimante glanced from Pippa to Red, holding the small box in her hands as if it were a baby bird fallen from a tree. “It is not my birthday Miss Pippa, Miss Cass. Why do you buy me present?”

  Red scooped an excited Ruby into her arms. “I’m not a detective for nothing, Dei. I did a little digging and I happened to find out that today is your naming day.” Red winked at Ella and Jack. “How about that you two? Two birthdays!”

  “That is so unfair!” Ella grinned. “Mum, can we have a naming day too?”

  “Not until you learn to speak English properly. Tell them, Deimante.”

  Deimante looked bewildered. “About the naming day?”

  “No, about the difference between can and may.”

  Red nudged Pippa. “Chill, woman, for God’s sake.” To the au pair, “Well, are you going to open it?”

  Deimante’s eyes glistened as she clasped the gift-wrapped box to her chest, her gaze falling lovingly on each of them in turn. “I am so happy, I don’t know what to say.”

  Pippa said, smiling warmly, “You don’t know what it is yet.”

  “Open it, Deimante!” Ruby bounced up and down in Red’s arms.

  “Yeah, come on,” Red agreed. “I’m dying to see what it is.”

  Deimante wiped away tears on her sleeve and pulled at the bow securing the box. Lifting the lid, she peered inside. “It’s a key?” Confusion furrowed her brow.

  “It’s a car!” Ruby yelled. “Mummy and Cassie bought you a car!”

  Deimante fished the key from the box. “I don’t understand.”

  Pippa signalled to Jack. “Would you please do the honours, Master Crichton-Ward?”

  Jack took the key from Deimante, tugging her by the arm to follow him. Ella skipped behind them, followed by Red and Pippa, through the hallway and into the icy morning, breath pluming before them like a thick fog. The early April sun cast a tepid, pastel-like yellow hue on the road. Red scanned the road for small city cars, wondering which one Pippa had decided on.

  Jack held up the key in a grand gesture, pressed it once and watched as the beep beep awoke a shiny black A-Class parked at the kerb, its lights and indicators blinking twice in greeting.

  Red’s and Deimante’s hands flew simultaneously to their mouths.

  “For me?” Deimante stared at Pippa and Red, opening and shutting her mouth like a fish.

  Red gaped back, azure-blue wide eyes moving slowly from Deimante to Pippa. “It’s an effing Merc!”

  Red watched as Deimante flung her arms around Pippa, then flinched as the au pair flung her arms around Red.

  “I don’t know what to say! Thank you both so much.”

  Pippa beamed, draping her arms around Ella’s shoulders, pulling her daughter towards her, avoiding Red’s icy stare.

  “Give Deimante the key, Jack.” To Deimante and the children. “Climb in and see what you think. Then come indoors and we can call the insurance company and give them your details. Cass and I will make some coffee.”

  Red and Pippa left Deimante and the children to swarm over the car. Red turned on Pippa as they re-entered the house.

  “It’s a frigging Merc, Pippa,” she hissed.

  “I am aware of that, strangely enough. I’m not entirely ignorant in these matters.”

  “But I don’t drive a Merc.”

  Pippa shrugged. “So?”

  “You were supposed to get her a cheap run-around.”

  Pippa folded her arms across her chest. “I won’t have some dilapidated old jalopy sitting outside my home, Cassandra. What would the neighbours say? Nor will the children be seen getting in one when being collected from school.”

  “Well I was hardly expecting a rust-bucket, but…”

  Pippa looked mystified. “But what?”

  Red shook her head incredulously. “You are unbelievable, Pip, do you know that? There must be fifteen grand sitting there.”

  “Eighteen.”

  “What?”

  “Eighteen thousand.” Pippa turned to Red. “Anyway, you’re the one always telling me to chill out. So I did. I went to the showroom and asked for a cool car. They said this one fitted the bill.”

  “But eighteen grand? For the au pair’s car? Jesus, Pip. How can we afford that?”

  Pippa planted a kiss on Red’s lips. “Really, Cassandra, you are so naive at times. I’m not paying for it. I put it on Richard’s card.”

  Chapter 61.

  “Girlie coffee morning. Sorry, guys.” Red beckoned Anna and Terri into her office with a tip of her head, ignoring the exchange of disapproving glances between Taylor and Harris. “Close the door behind you.”

  “Sex discrimination, Guv,” Taylor said, winking conspiratorially at Red.

  “So sue me.” Red forced an unmeant smile. Taylor was milking it for all it was worth. The bastard. To Terri, gesturing to the percolator, “It’s not Starbucks, but it’s wet and warm.”

  “So long as it’s strong, Guv,” Terri said, wincing. “Can’t the Met run to an espresso machine?”

  “In your dreams, Terri. Heavy night?”

  Terri nodded, flopping onto the two-seater, raising a hand theatrically to her brow. “Another dinner date with John Tasker. Man, can he put it away.”

  Anna Hargreaves joined them, rolling her eyes at Red. “She’s only been here a few weeks and already she’s being wined and dined by the only eligible victim’s relative we’ve had come our way.” Anna smiled at her colleague, friendly eyes twinkling with amusement. “Terri obviously likes the older man. All that experience and charm.”

  “Come on, he’s not that old. Anyway, you’ve not even seen him.”

  “I have,” Red smirked. To Anna, “He’s not so bad. For a pensioner.”

  Terri spluttered, “He’s not that old!”

  “Well we know how old Mrs. Tasker is,” Anna noted. “Doesn’t take a mathematician to work out he’s no spring chicken.”

  “Forty-five is not old.”

  “It is when you’re only twenty.”

  “Twenty-three.”

  Red turned, two steaming mugs of coffee in her hands. “I’m not going to have to split you two up now, am I?”

  Terri wafted a tired hand in the air, “Nah, you’re safe, Guv. I know Anna’s just jealous. Not that she should be, given her little beau. Don’t they call that cradle-snatching in this country?”

  Red slid enquiring eyes to Anna, who blushed, holding up a palm.

  “Don’t even go there, there’s nothing to tell. He just looks young. Plenty of beauty sleep.” Anna dropped into the seat next to her. “How is Mrs. Tasker anyway? On the mend?”

  “Much better. She’ll be out by the end of the week.”

  “That’s great news.” Red perched herself on the edge of her desk. “For her family and the Burns gang. They’ve just escaped a murder charge.”

  “What about The Super’s grandson?” Terri asked, blowing on her coffee.

  Red and Anna exchanged glances.

  “Peter Blake has been bailed, that’s all I know,” Anna said. “Not sure about charges. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

  “Peter Blake is not our problem. However, the Burns Brothers are.” Red sighed, shaking her head. “One slip up, that’s all we need. One mistake from them.”

  “We’ll get them, Guv. Sooner or later. Especially now we’ve got ourselves a real-life Charlie’s Angel to help us put them away for good.”

  Terri groaned, resting her head on the arm of the sofa, closing her eyes. “As long as it’s not today, huh?”

  Amusement danced in Red’s eyes. “I thought Americans were renowned for their ability to take their drink?” She winked at Anna, “Looks like we’re gonna have to teach Terri some good old British stamina.”

  Red unfolded her arms, her face serious again. “Starting just as soon as you finish that coffee. I want you two out there, rallying the troops, going over everything we have again. Hangover or no hangover, I want those bastards nailed.”

  Chapter
62.

  “Ella’s cheating, mum!” Jack glared at his sister. “She shouldn’t be the banker. Look at how much money she has!”

  Pippa cast a wary eye over her daughter’s wealth. “You’ve still got two five hundreds?”

  “So what?” Ella dramatically threw her hands in the air. “I can’t help it if there’s a bank error in my favour.”

  “But if you’re the banker, that’s not fair,” Jack snarled. “How can you have an error in your own favour?”

  Pippa nodded sagely. “Good point, Jack. Legally this does indicate a conflict of interest.”

  “Er... Pip,” Red reached a hand to Pippa’s shoulder. “I don’t know how to break this to you, but it’s just a game?”

  Pippa deliberated on the statement as she shook the dice. “Seven. Now there’s a surprise. Ruby, darling, move Mummy’s hat seven spaces, will you?” Pippa turned to Red. “The thing is, Cass, the children need to understand the realities behind the game. If it’s not part of the children’s learning process then how can we possibly justify the time spent sitting here?”

  Red forced a wry smile. “There is another concept you won’t be familiar with. It’s called having fun?”

  Pippa dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. “Fun or not, rules, like laws, have their place. And I would strongly argue that whoever is banker should be – Oh, Ruby. Old Kent Road? Are you sure I shouldn’t be on Park Lane?”

  “No, Ruby’s right, Mum,” Ella reported. “And it’s for sale. Do you want to buy it?”

  Pippa stared in disbelief at her daughter. “Buy the Old Kent Road? I don’t even want to park there.”

  “It’s only sixty quid.”

  “Sixty pounds, Ella, please. I will not have you using this slang.”

  “Well sixty pounds, then. It’s still the cheapest property on the board.”

  “There’s a reason for that.”

  “Pip, it’s a f... A flaming game! Just buy it.”

  “Yes, buy it, Mummy,” Ruby enthused. “Then it will be my turn.”

  Pippa reluctantly counted out the notes. “But don’t think for one second I’m building houses on it, let alone a hotel.”

  Red flopped back in her seat. “Give me strength.”

  “Give me strength too,” Ruby imitated, flopping back in her own seat, to the amusement of all.

  “Thank you, young lady.” Red glanced at her watch. “Break time, unless I’m very much mistaken. Anyone for hot chocolate?”

  A chorus of me’s echoed around the lounge, four hands thrust into the air.

  “Coming right up!”

  “Go steady on the sugar, Cass,” Pippa warned. “It’s almost bedtime.”

  Red straightened herself, clicking her heels together, arm outstretched before her. “Yes, Mein Fuhrer.”

  Pippa rolled her eyes. “I’ll thank you not to…”

  Red’s Blackberry vibrated on the coffee table.

  Pippa passed it across, a look of concern disturbing her features. “It’s the station.”

  “DI Rose speaking.”

  Pippa watched the colour drain from Red’s cheeks, her partner’s shoulders slumping.

  “I’ll be right there” To the children, “Sorry guys. Duty calls.”

  “What about our hot chocolate?”

  “Guess Mum’ll have to make it for a change.”

  “Oh no, not Mummy’s hot chocolate,” Ruby protested. “It’s horrible!”

  As the two older children lapsed into exaggerated laughter at Pippa’s expense, Red leant across, a kiss on Pippa’s cheek, whispering, “Another mugging. Don’t wait up.”

  Chapter 63.

  Terri Miller gave a weak smile as Red approached. “Sorry, Guv. It’s not good. Male, seventy-nine, head and facial injuries, suspected broken ribs, query broken hip from the fall. Made off with his winnings, and the bastards took the war medals he was wearing too. He stopped in for a bingo session on the way back from a British legion event.”

  Red closed her eyes momentarily, inhaling deeply. “Witnesses?”

  Terri shook her head. She held up an evidence bag. “A red beret left at the scene. The usual calling card.”

  Red struggled to quell the rising tide of anger swelling in her stomach. Digging nails into her palms, she looked at Terri. “Get the rest of the team here, and no-one leaves until every person in that hall has been interviewed. No-one.”

  “Yes, Guv.”

  “And I want an officer at the hospital immediately. When the family turn up I want us to be seen to be doing something.” As Terri set to, Red allowed her eyes to scan her surroundings, resting on the gap between the trees. She brought up her mobile. “Jez? Some overtime for you. I want you to go have a word with the cat lady, Mrs. Ellis.”

  Chapter 64.

  “Ah, DCI Andrews, DI Rose, come on in.” Superintendent Blake glanced up from his morning paper. “Take a seat.”

  “Thank you, Sir,” Andrews gestured for Red to sit before he did.

  “So, William. Cass. What brings you into the lion’s den at this time of morning?”

  “Thought you’d appreciate a heads up on the pomme-rouge, Sir,” Andrews said.

  “Indeed I would,” Blake removed his spectacles, making a pyramid of his fingers beneath his chin. He fixed steel-grey eyes on Andrews.

  “I have reliable information Bernie Southgate has the apple, Sir, and may be about to shift it. We have a time and a place. All I need is the go-ahead for manpower.”

  Colin Blake tried unsuccessfully to hide the smile. He moved his gaze from Bill to Red. “Is your team ready for this, Cass?”

  Red nodded reluctantly. “Yes, Sir. It’ll mean redirecting our efforts away from the Bec estate attacks, but if that’s what is required…”

  Andrews smiled gratefully at her. “We’re ninety per cent certain Southgate will be appear in person, with the jewel.”

  Blake sighed. “I dearly hope so, Bill. We really could do with this wrapping up quickly. The media are getting restless. I’ll have to make some calls, but this should be your absolute priority. I just wish I could be there when you bring Southgate in.”

  Red shook her head, unable to hide her anger. “And the OAP assaults? The Burns Brothers? You know we had another pensioner attacked last night? Where do they come on the Met’s list of priorities?”

  Andrews threw her a warning glance.

  “You’re right, Cass, of course,” Blake said, with too little conviction for Red’s liking. “You have my word, that once Southgate is behind bars and the pomme-rouge is safely back at the V&A, you will have all the resources you require at your disposal. How does that sound?”

  Red’s features softened slightly. “All the resources I need,” she repeated. “Really?”

  “Is my word not good enough for you, Inspector?”

  She felt her DCI’s foot nudge her ankle. “Yes, Sir. Of course. Thank you, Sir.”

  Chapter 65.

  Red studied Anna Hargreaves as her gentle figures grasped the hand of the victim, sorrow etched on her face. “Look at him,” Anna whispered. “Who could do this?”

  “As if we didn’t know.” Red turned her eyes back to the bruised face of Fred Barker, the hiss of oxygen through a nasal breathing tube loud in the room. A spaghetti tangle of tubes lead beneath the bed sheets. Her heart ached as she digested the extent of his injuries, tears pricking her eyes.

  “We have to stop this, Anna, before they kill someone.” Red swung hopeful eyes to the door as Terri Miller appeared. “Anything from the bingo hall?”

  “Not yet. Manager isn’t in until this afternoon. The deputy wasn’t sure how to access CCTV, so I’m heading over there after lunch.” She turned to the old man on the bed. “How’s he doing?”

  “Critical. And still no sign of any family.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t have any?”

  Red acknowledged the possibility. “Anna’s looking into that now. With luck we’ll...” Red’s voice trailed as she saw Taylor and Harris headi
ng towards the I.C. suite. In a loud whisper, “What the hell are they doing here?”

  “Morning, Guv,” Taylor grinned. “What’s this, another girlie’s coffee morning?”

  Red looked across at Anna and Terri. “Girls, meet Dr. Crippen and Florence Nightingale.” To Taylor and Harris, “Exactly what are you two doing here? Jez?”

  “Morning, ma’am,” Harris said. “Thought we’d come and see how Mr. Barker was doing. Like you said before,” he added, seeing Red unimpressed by this explanation

  “Very considerate. Seems we all had the same idea.” Red glanced at Taylor. The smug bastard.

  Harris edged closer, nonchalantly chewing gum. “How’s the vic’ doing?”

  “He might not make it.”

  A hush descended on the room, the steady bleep of machines punctuating the silence.

  A nurse appeared, concerned eyes raging at the crowd. “I’m going to have to ask you all to leave.” She turned on Anna, “I’m guessing these aren’t family?”

  Red produced her badge. “DI Rose, Battersea. We’re all police officers. Don’t worry, we’re leaving now. Anna just needs a few more details from you.”

  As Red ushered Terri, Taylor and Harris into the corridor her mobile buzzed.

  “And that phone should be switched off in here,” came an angry whisper from the nurse, heading towards Red.

  “But…”

  “I don’t care who you are or why you’re here. Can’t you read the signs?”

  “Sorry,” Red apologized sheepishly, switching her mobile off. “I wasn’t thinking.” She glared at Harris. “Something amusing you, Jez?”

  Harris hurriedly replaced his grin with a sombre expression. “No, Ma’am.”

  “It’s not often we see a DI getting a bollocking, Guv, that’s all.” Taylor’s smug smile stretched even wider, daring Red to respond.

  Angrily Red spun on her heels, switching her mobile back on in the next corridor. “Guv?”