Saffina Desforges' ROSE RED Crime Thriller Boxed Set

by Saffina Desforges

  Red moved towards the sound. Felt the breeze from outside. A thick plastic sheet billowed as the chopper turned above. One corner flapping in the wind.

  Chapter 145.

  There were four huge window sections before her. Each comprising two tall rectangles of glass and above those two smaller arches of glass, all encased in elegant Victorian masonry. All bar one. The two rectangles of glass from one of the middle sections were missing, the replacement plastic sheeting billowing in the wind of the helicopter’s rotors. One corner had broken free, flailing wildly.

  Leading out onto the stonework balcony, Red reasoned. But they were on the second floor. There was nowhere to go. Cautiously she edged forward towards the missing window. Gun steady in outstretched arms. The helicopter was moving away, wind and sound subsiding together.

  Red reached the plastic sheet. Her right hand steady with the firearm, her left slowly eased the opaque sheet back. She peered out onto the balcony. No-one. She stepped out to see if there was any external hiding place. At once a spotlight fixed on her from the helicopter, turning fast. Instantly the gun fell from Red’s hands, clattering to the floor. She reached for her badge. Held it high. Waved her hands above her to signal all was well.

  The helicopter zoomed in close, spotlight scanning the balcony, confirming Red’s semaphore story, she guessed. A wave from one of the crew to acknowledge, and it eased away.

  Red turned back to the south tower. Picked up the firearm, hung it loose by her side in case the chopper swung its spotlight back.

  Pushed the plastic sheet to one side.

  Stepped inside.

  Stared down the muzzle of Nikki’s gun, at point blank range from her face.

  “Drop it, Inspector.”

  Red stared into Nikki’s manic eyes. Behind her Kevin stood, emotionless, seemingly indifferent to his sister pointing a gun at someone. As indifferent as he had been when his sister had pointed it at his own head. Harris was right. A total retard. Couldn’t wipe his own backside.

  “Drop it,” Nikki repeated.

  Red stood steady, the Smith and Wesson loose in her fingers. “Come on, Nikki, the game’s up,” she said calmly. “If you were going to kill me you would have pulled the trigger by now. Let’s all walk out of here together.”

  Nikki held the gun steady, her eyes locked on Red’s.

  Red wondered what type of weapon it was. A handgun, obviously. More modern than the Smith and Wesson, that was for sure. She wondered where Nikki had got it from. If Nikki even knew how to use it. At that distance, just pull the trigger, Red mused.

  She said, “We can talk about everything down at the station.”

  Red took a step forward, hands still by her side. “Jez could be there, Nikki. I could make that happen.”

  Nikki flinched, like a naughty child being shouted at. “Jez?”

  “Sure. He’s at the station now. One call from me and we can call off CO19. Get you some warm clothes. Something to drink. A burger for Kevin. And we can meet Jez. Work something out.”

  Red saw the gun bobbing up and down in Nikki’s hands as uncertainty crept over her mascara-streaked features.

  “Nikki? Just give me the weapon.”

  “What will happen to Kevin?”

  “He’ll be taken care of.”

  “He needs me.”

  “You should have thought of that before.”

  Nikki eased back, pushing Kevin with one hand, the other holding the gun, still pointing at Red. For every step Nikki took back Red took one forward, the Smith and Wesson loose by her side. Breathing steadily. Weighing the options. Protecting Kevin her first priority.

  “Come on, Nikki. For Kevin’s sake. Give yourself up now.”

  Nikki’s aim was wavering, but she was still close enough not to miss.

  Red watched as Nikki surveyed her options.

  Surrender to Red.

  Rush Red and go through the door back to the stair case.

  Or back herself out onto the balcony.

  Kevin reached the plastic sheeting. Nikki a step behind. Red three steps behind Nikki.

  Red watched as Nikki eased Kevin to one side, stepped into his place. Watched as Nikki reached her free hand out to pull the plastic to one side. Turned her head to view the balcony.

  Red saw her chance. She let the gun fall to the ground and lunged at Nikki, a waist-high rugby tackle. It was good enough for Steve. It was good enough for Nikki.

  Nikki fell backwards against Kevin, sending him flying into the wall. Red landed on top of Nikki, falling against the plastic sheet. It ripped from its frame and wrapped around them as they struggled.

  Red wrestled herself free, spinning Nikki in the plastic, trying to disorientate her. Trying to disable the hand with the gun. She pushed Nikki towards the empty window frame, savouring the moment as the plastic-wrapped figure tripped and fell headlong onto the balcony outside.

  Red spun round to Kevin, slumped against the wall. She raced to his side, feeling his pulse at the neck. Breathed a sigh of relief as he stirred.

  His eyes opened. He looked at Red, bewildered.

  A slow smile of recognition. “Where’s Nikki gone?”

  Chapter 146.

  A flood of white light pierced the room through the now empty window frame, an amplified voice loud over the roar of the helicopter. Red could see Nikki struggling to her feet, tearing at the plastic that entangled her.

  “Put your weapon down and your hands in the air. We have you surrounded.”

  Red raced for the window, about to clamber out, when she saw the muzzle flash from Nikki’s weapon against the backdrop of the London horizon. The helicopter reeled away, soaring high, the spotlight dancing wildly on the balcony.

  The second flash of muzzle fire was crystal. From the south bank. A CO19 sniper by the ARV at the south blockade. Red’s mind was still registering the flash when she saw the plastic sheet around Nikki’s torso explode in a shockwave of red.

  She saw Nikki’s body hurl backwards towards the far wall of the balcony. Saw the body hit the wall, slide slowly down to rest. Saw blood gush from a gaping wound that left no hope of survival. Saw Nikki’s long blonde hair float down around her.

  Saw Kevin ambling up behind her.

  She swung round, pushing him back into the room.

  “Where’s Nikki?”

  “She had to go, Kevin.”

  Kevin nodded. “She said she might have to go.” He shrugged and walked away.

  Chapter 147.

  “Come on, let’s get you out of here.” Red draped a foil blanket around Kevin’s shoulders. Steered him gently through the throng of officers at the base of the south tower. Eased him into the back seat of her car.

  Superintendent Colin Blake caught her as she was about to open the driver’s door. He put his hand on her arm.

  “You’re full of surprises, Cass.” He smiled. “Well done. Excellent work.”

  “That depends how you look at it, Sir. If I’d arrested Nikki myself she’d still be alive now.”

  Blake leaned in. “I await your report with interest, Chief Inspector. The IPCC will have to investigate, of course. A civilian was killed. I just want you to know you have my full backing.”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  Blake peered in through the car window. Kevin stared back.

  “There’s no need, Cass. We have a Social Service liaison officer on the way.”

  “I think Kevin needs a friend just now, Sir.”

  “You understand he cannot return home until forensics have been through the Marshall flat with a fine-toothed comb.”

  “Which is why I’m taking him back to my place. There’s a spare room. The kids are at their grandmothers tonight, luckily.”

  “I’m not sure that’s advisable, Cass,” Blake said.

  “I can’t see any valid objections, Sir. He’s not mentally fit to stand as a witness, and he didn’t see Nikki killed anyway. The murder suspect is dead. Case closed. Kevin is just collateral damage.”
/>
  “Even so,” Blake said.

  “I don’t think he even understands she’s gone, Sir. And it will only be for the one night. I owe it to Jez to put things right.”

  Blake shrugged. “I can see you’ve already worked everything out, Cass. Speaking of Harris, someone needs to tell him about Nikki. Would you like me to?”

  Red climbed into her vehicle. “I’m heading there now, Sir. I think it needs to come from me. But thanks.”

  Chapter 148.

  Red cleared the blockade at the north exit and pulled up along the embankment. Hit Harris’s number.

  “It’s okay, Guv,” Harris said quietly. “I saw it on the news.”

  “I’m sorry, Jez. I was on my way to tell you in person. I still am, if you need to talk.”

  “No need. I’m fine.” The quavering voice said otherwise. “Is Kevin okay?”

  “He’s not hurt, if that’s what you mean,” Red said quietly. “But he’s going to need some help adjusting. Sorting his life out. Do you think… Tomorrow?”

  “Sure. Poor bastard. She was all he had.”

  Chapter 149.

  Red forced open bleary eyes, the smell of strong coffee helping ease the strain. She managed a smile at Pip. “Morning, Counsellor. How’s our guest?”

  “Making breakfast.”

  “On his own?”

  “Cass, Kevin’s just a bit slow, that’s all. You’d be surprised. And I guarantee you he will leave the kitchen spotless.”

  “Until the kids get back from Madame Sin’s,” Red grinned. “I must say you’re taking this in your stride. I thought you’d still be be livid. You weren’t too happy last night. You wouldn’t even say hello to him”

  “That was before I realised who it was.”

  “I told you it was Nikki’s brother.”

  “But you didn’t tell me who Nikki’s brother was. What a small world we live in.”

  Red forced herself upright. “Counsellor?”

  Pippa made herself comfortable on the edge of the bed. “Kevin and I have known one another for almost two years. I see him every six weeks.”

  Red stared at Pippa. “You and Kevin?”

  Pippa smiled. “Kevin is the errand-boy at Tony & Sascha’s. Oh, sorry. It’s not called that any more. I meant, Rapunzel’s.”

  Chapter 150.

  “How’s Jez?” Taylor asked as Red opened the briefing room door.

  Red acknowledged the team with a hand gesture. There was no small-talk. No celebrating that the murders were over. The atmosphere was heavy with regret.

  Red made her way to the front of the white wall. Picked up the wand on auto-pilot. There was nothing to use the wall for today.

  “Jez is at Nikki’s home, advising SOCO.” Red chose her words carefully. “It’s just a routine search of a suspect’s home. Obviously Jez had first-hand knowledge of the set-up. I spoke to him a few minutes ago. He’s handling it well. Very well.”

  A collective sigh of relief ran around the room.

  Anna asked the question they all wanted answered. “What about the bungled arrest?”

  Red nodded to confirm she understood the depth of the question. “I’ve already spoken to Superintendent Blake. He’s fully behind us.”

  “Guv?”

  “Obviously none of us were to know Nikki would be armed. I explained to the Super that you were both taken by surprise when Nikki produced the gun. Jez played the hero and was injured trying to wrestle the weapon from Nikki. She made her escape while you were calling an ambulance for Jez.”

  Anna held her breath. Said nothing.

  “You followed procedure to the letter,” Red continued. “When confronted with an armed suspect and an injured colleague you radioed for help and kept yourself and your colleague safe. Is that a fair summary of the report you will be submitting, DS Hargreaves?”

  “Word for word, Guv.”

  “What about the brother,” Mackenzie asked.

  “Unharmed, fortunately. And pretty unfazed by it all. It’s like he doesn’t even understand his sister is dead.”

  “What will happen to him?”

  “Jez has offered to keep an eye on him while the kid gets sorted with Social Services.”

  Taylor’s mouth dropped open. “Jez has? I thought they hated each other’s guts.”

  “They did,” Anna said. “I guess they’ve both lost someone special. The same someone special. I think helping Kevin will help Jez bring closure. Good on ya, Jez. I’m proud of you.”

  “We all are,” Taylor added. “We all are.”

  Chapter 151.

  Anna was sitting at a corner table with the coffees when Jez Harris arrived, carrying a scrapbook under his arm.

  Harris threw the scrapbook onto the table, slumped into the chair opposite Anna and seized the glass gratefully He gulped down half the mocha in one go, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. Belched loudly.

  Anna smiled. “That answers the how are you? question then. Your usual charming self, I see.”

  Harris forced an unconvincing grin. “Gotta make the most of my holiday.”

  “Compassionate leave is hardly a holiday.”

  “Any time away from Bazza is a holiday.”

  “Give it a rest, Jez. You know you’re dying to see him. Anyway, the Guv says you two will be back together again when you return to duty.”

  A smile split Harris’s face. “Thank Christ for that! I don’t think I could stand another…” Harris winced at his own words. “That didn’t come out right. I meant…” His voice trailed as he tried to rescue himself.

  He managed a sheepish grin. “Bollocks. You know what I mean. If this were me and Baz we’d be talking with a pint in front of us, not a bloody coffee.”

  “Think of all those liver cells being saved. Not to mention brain cells. Speaking of which,” Anna added, “a little bird tells me you’re looking after the brother. Good on ya, kid.”

  “Must be bloody crazy. Honestly, he’s thicker than three short planks tied together.”

  “Not everyone can be an Einstein like you, Jez,” Anna sympathized. “Have SOCO finished with the flat yet?”

  “Just came from there. They’re wrapping up now. Didn’t find much, that I could see. A few business cards. Some clothes that match the CCTV footage, that sort of thing. Oh yeah, and they gave me this.” Harris pushed the scrapbook towards Anna. “Said it might help with Rain Man. That’s what they call Kevin. Don’t ask me why.”

  “It’s a film,” Anna explained. “Dustin Hoffman? Tom Cruise?”

  “Kevin don’t look nothing like Tom Cruise.”

  “I give up. Must be your round. Latte, please.”

  Harris struggled to his feet. “At least a round with you is cheaper than a round with Baz.”

  “See, I’m saving your brain cells and your money.” Anna picked up the scrapbook. “So what’s in this that’s so exciting?”

  Harris shrugged. “Just a load of old newspaper clippings about what happened to him way back. Nikki must have done it for him. No way that retard can actually read.”

  Chapter 152.

  Anna was just finishing a call when Harris arrived back at the table.

  “Jason,” Anna explained. “He wants to go back to that Romanian restaurant again.”

  “Social Services will just have to keep an eye on him.” Harris said.

  “Jason?”

  Harris stared mystified at Anna. “Kevin. There’s a social worker going round later today to talk to him. I said I’d try to be there. Just this once, like. He needn’t think I’m going to be making a habit of it.”

  “You’re doing the right thing, Jez.”

  “Yeah, well he’s just lost a sister. I can’t imagine what that must be like.”

  “You’ve just lost a girlfriend. It can’t be that much different.”

  “No. I lost my girlfriend the moment we realised who she was. What she was. The person who died last night was not the Nikki Marshall I fell in love with.” Harris paused to w
ipe moist eyes with a paper napkin. He asked, “Will there, you know, be an official inquiry?”

  “The IPCC have already started.”

  Panic etched itself across Harris’s face. “Christ. What am I gonna say to them?”

  “To the IPCC? Nothing. They’re not interested in you, Jez. They’ll investigate Nikki’s death. The officer who shot her. If it could have been avoided. It’s about CO19, not you.”

  “But I was going out with her. I should have seen the signs.”

  “Jez, Nikki was some kind of sociopathic murderer. Only a trained psychologist could hope to have seen any signs.”

  “The dresses she wore, the ones on the CCTV camera. They were in her room. SOCO took them away.”

  “Did she ever wear them when she was out with you?”

  “No.”

  “Then what’s the problem? She was a model, Jez. You can’t be expected to know what was in her closet. All girls have a ton of clothes they hardly ever wear, and Nikki probably had twice that.”

  Harris managed a slight smile. “Boat-loads of them. But SOCO only took the two. Nothing to link the others with any crime scene, I guess. When I left, Kevin was busy putting them all back on hangers in their wardrobe.” His eyes travelled to the scrapbook. “Any good?”

  “Haven’t looked yet. Too busy chatting to Jason.” She picked it up and flicked through. Frowned. “Some heavy stuff here, Jez.”

  “Like?”

  “About the perv who abused Kevin. God, the poor kid was only ten at the time. No wonder he’s…” Anna scanned a few pages. “Yeah. It’s all here. Social Services reports about Kevin. And Nikki. She was barely a teenager herself at the time. There’s some handwritten notes by her too. About how the system let Kevin down.” Anna pushed the scrapbook across the table. “You should read it.”