by Liz Mistry
Lalita had been incensed on the boy’s behalf. Sharukh hadn’t stepped up to the plate when Gillian, his ex-wife, had died, insisting that the fact he’d let her live rent-free in his property had paid his debt to her. Now, it looked very much like she and Nikita would have to be the ones to explain the situation to Isaac.
When they’d walked back to her house, Isaac had all but run, his head bobbing from side to side as if scared of someone. This of course made Lalita jittery too and she found herself doing the same thing. She’d been relieved to get indoors, slam the door behind them and engage the lock.
Footsteps on the stairs announced that Isaac had finished his shower and was heading down for his promised hot chocolate. Lalita exhaled, pasted on a smile and poured the steaming drink into two mugs. When she put them on the table, Isaac was standing by the door in a pair of stripy pyjamas that he’d left behind the previous year. His cheeks were scrubbed to a glowing pink and his damp hair was flattened across his scalp. A surge of love swept over Lalita as she quirked an eyebrow at him. ‘Suppose you’ll be wanting some more cake?’
Grinning, Isaac sat down at the table with a nod. Then, he jumped up again and hugged Lalita as if he’d never let her go. ‘You kept my TARDIS mug, Lally Mum.’
Extricating herself, Lalita ruffled his hair. ‘’Course I did. Knew you’d be back.’
They sat blowing on their hot drinks, munching on what was left of the cake Isaac had made with the kids in Nikita’s house earlier. Isaac kept glancing round the kitchen and Lalita suspected he was reacclimatising himself.
‘You know, you can stay here as long as you want, Isaac.’
The boy nodded, intent on fishing out the marshmallows Lalita had added to the spray cream on top of the hot chocolate.
‘You’ll need to make up your mind soon, love. They need to know if you’re going back to your flat.’
Isaac shrugged. ‘I’m gonna sell the house. Want to make sure Mum stays in heaven.’
Taking a moment to try to work out the link between selling the house and Gillian remaining in heaven, Lalita paused. Then, hesitantly: ‘Your mum’s in heaven, Isaac. You know that, don’t you? She was such a good person, where else would she be?’
Still not meeting her eyes, he shrugged. ‘Glad Sunni still likes Dr Who. We’re gonna binge-watch all the Jodie ones together on Saturday. Nik Nik said that was fine. Marcus said he’d make popcorn.’
Well used to Isaac’s diversionary tactics, Lalita decided to let things lie for now. It had been a busy day and it was getting late. ‘Drink up, Isaac, then off to bed. You’ve got work in the morning, I hear.’
In companionable silence they finished their drinks. Lalita, happy to have company, savoured the moment.
‘Lally Mum?’
‘Hmm?’
‘If you break a pinkie promise, bad things happen, don’t they?’
Lalita studied the boy. His head was bowed, his fingers wrapped round his mug, eyes flitting sideways towards Lalita and then just as quickly away. Something was troubling him. Taking her time to respond, she chose her words carefully. ‘Pinkie promises are just like any other promise. If you make one, then you should try your best to keep it. But, if you were scared, or not sure, or you were made to make a promise you didn’t want to make, then you don’t need to keep it.’
Isaac nodded. ‘But sometimes you can’t risk it, can you? Cos if you do, something bad might happen and I don’t want her to go to hell.’ With that he jumped to his feet, dropped a hurried kiss on Lalita’s cheek and rushed upstairs.
Picking up the empty cups, Lalita put them in the dishwasher and decided to talk to Nikita about this before speaking to Isaac again. Moving round the house, Lalita’s unease returned with Isaac’s obvious anxiety. She checked the locks and through a slight gap in the front-room curtain, she scoured the street outside, then repeated the process with the kitchen curtains. All the while she chided herself that she was being melodramatic.
Heading upstairs, she poked her head into Isaac’s room and saw his shape under the TARDIS duvet cover. With a smile, she switched on the night light in the hallway and left his door open a crack. It was good to have him back. Now all she needed to do was work out what was troubling him.
*
Isaac loved being back in Lally Mum’s house and seeing Nik Nik and everyone again. Especially Sunni. But he was still scared. He had to sell the house and that Calum had said he’d show him how. He didn’t want to sell it. He didn’t want to live there anymore, but he didn’t want to sell it either. Isaac snuggled under his duvet, inhaling the familiar smell of Lalita’s house. He loved it here. He felt safe here, especially with kick-ass Nik Nik just down the road. But he didn’t want Calum and his friends to hurt Lally Mum … or Sunni. Maybe he should have stayed at the home. Maybe he shouldn’t have come back.
He waited till Lalita had checked on him. She always did. He smiled when he heard the click of the night light going on. She looked after him, did Lally Mum. He loved her almost as much as his real mum.
Unable to sleep, Isaac listened to the sounds of Lalita getting ready for bed in the next room. When there was silence, he got up, bare feet sinking into the carpet, and padded over to the window. Pulling the curtain to the side, he peered out, craning his head to see as far along the street as he could. He couldn’t see anyone and, reassured, he went back to bed, pulled the cover over him and went to sleep, dreaming of Daleks zapping Calum and his mates.
Friday 18th September
Chapter 17
Parked outside Nikki’s house, Sajid was leaning on the bonnet of his Jaguar, scrolling through his phone when she joined him. He scrutinised her as if she was a specimen in a lab before speaking. ‘You okay?’
Her partner was referring to more than the anonymous mail she’d received. Saj was well aware that there was tension between Nikki and her mum and, after a brief phone call the previous evening telling him of Isaac’s mysterious return, he was aware that she and her mum had met up. After she’d shown him the contents of the letters, Saj had advocated bringing Archie into the loop, but Nikki had expected that. Sajid was nothing if not predictable when it came to playing by the book. However, he was also loyal to a fault and Nikki was lucky enough to have his complete allegiance.
Although he’d initially balked at her plan to do a bit of investigation into Liam Flynn’s abduction and subsequent murder without informing Archie, she’d soon won him round to her way of thinking. As things stood, other than the anonymous communications, there was no clear link between Peggy’s death and the one in Cambridge. Neither missive had contained even the hint of a threat to Nikki other than the one evoked by their anonymity. But the clincher had been her desire not to overburden Archie with unnecessary hassle after his hospitalisation a few months earlier for a heart condition.
‘’Course, I am. I’m always okay, aren’t I?’ And with a reassuring smile, Nikki updated him on the Isaac situation and skimmed over her slightly uncomfortable interaction with her mum. Nikki loved her mum and, although hugging her had been awkward, there was no way she could maintain her distance indefinitely. Besides, her mum’s face had been drawn with tension lines spreading out from her mouth and her smile had been forced. Why was she punishing her mum with her distance? It made no sense. Nikki had long since accepted that her mother was a child victim who had fallen through the cracks and, despite being subjected to the utmost cruelty and exploitation, had somehow managed to come out the other side. Okay, she’d leaned on her eldest daughter more than she should have and that had meant Nikki took on more responsibility than any child should have to. Still, her mum did the best she could and the bottom line was that Nikki loved her.
She gave Saj the Parkside police station postcode for the sat nav. Despite keeping Archie out of the loop, Nikki had already reached out to the investigating officer in Cambridge and he was expecting them by lunchtime. Sliding into the car seat beside her, Saj gave a last-ditch attempt to change Nikki’s mind about them flying sol
o, well in tandem – but not in any official capacity. ‘I think we really need to bring Archie in on this. He’ll be livid when he finds out.’
Sajid was right, of course he was, but Nikki wanted to be sure there was something to report before she wasted anyone’s time. She turned her laser gaze on him and remained silent.
Tapping his hand on the steering wheel, Saj tutted and looked out the windscreen. Engaging the clutch, he set off. ‘You win, Nikki. Since you’ve already set up those meetings in Cambridge we’ll go down there. But, everything we find out gets reported right back to Archie on our return, okay?’
If he hadn’t been driving, Nikki would have kissed him.
Chapter 18
Decided to take some time out after they found Flynn’s body. Shit, I thought they were never going to find it. Thought maybe he’d end up being just another missing person. Suppose it’s better he got found. It’s what I’d thought would happen and now it’s like closure, innit? The police don’t seem to have much to go on, which is a relief. All my plans and the measures I took seem to have paid off. Last thing I want is to have left a big clue pointing straight in my direction.
I’m trying to act normal. Working as usual, going to the pub and all, but it’s like I’m in a dream. Like I’m looking down from above and it’s creepy. I keep wondering what they’d all think if they knew the truth – that I’m a killer. That I’ve got blood on my hands. Sometimes I drift off mid-conversation and they take the piss about that. I’ll be careful though. Will make sure I don’t do that again. Don’t want anyone to notice anything out of the ordinary.
I regret having to kill Liam, but there was no other option. Shame really. He wasn’t a waste of space like Dyson was or like most of them on my list are. But, he was a threat and there was no way I could risk him mouthing off. It had to be done – for the greater good. Weird though – I was all excited when I offed the Dyson whore, but with Flynn it was different. I still got a buzz, like. But I didn’t come. Just shows I’m not a poofter like he was. Not a pervert. Not that I’d have had a go with that Dyson thing. God no. Bet she had the clap. Dirty bitch.
It’s easy to choose who’s next from my list. He should have been the first really. Hmm or maybe number two … Nah definitely him first. He’s behind all of this. He’s got the most to pay back. He’s the one I’ll least regret killing. As I look at his name, an idea forms in my head and I smile. I’m going to enjoy disposing of this one and I’m going to enjoy seeing him squirm. I’ll not let him off lightly like I did with Dyson. No. He’s going to pay big time.
I’ve got rid of the burner phone I took to Cambridge, so first up, I need to buy another. Got to be sure I don’t leave a trail. I had wondered about stealing a van – just for the night, but decided it was too risky. Best to just go with the anonymous look.
I decide to do a bit of surveillance. I take the train, pay cash, keep my head down and blend in. Nobody notices me and there’s no reason why anyone would bother checking CCTV around the train station. Nothing to say I made a recce and even if they considered it, they’d have no idea when I made it or how I arrived. Also, they’d not see me returning by train on the actual day I dispose of him. Hell, for all they know, I might live in Bradford.
It’s weird seeing where he’s lived all these years. Knowing the sorts of things he’s done – the risk he could pose if he blabbed. If anyone gets wind of what I’m covering up, they’ll rake everything up. What I need to do is make sure that there’s only dead bodies to rake up. Protecting those you love has its price, but in this particular instance payback is a major motivator.
If it was anyone else, I’d feel sorry for them, living on their own, in a crappy house that’s falling to bits. No visitors, only that care worker. His house stands out like a sore thumb – an eyesore. Decrepit, filthy and decaying. Just like him. Through his grimy window I see him, eyeing the people who pass. My stomach clenches as I see him lift something to his face when a mother and child step out into their garden opposite. Bastard’s got binoculars. I want to storm over and smash his window in, yell at the mother to take her kid indoors till I’ve dealt with this old pervert.
Instead, I continue to walk down the hill, my heart hammering against my chest, my hands clenched into fists by my sides. Yes, this is one person I’ll have no regrets for. None at all.
Chapter 19
‘Still don’t get why you won’t let me share the driving. It’s a long journey, you know? Over three hours and we’re driving back tonight too. You’ll be knackered.’ Nikki glared out the side window, seeing fields, and buildings and whatnot zoom past. Saj was making good progress and, with luck, they’d arrive in Cambridge in time for a late lunch. Nikki hated being a passenger on long journeys – hated not being in control. It wasn’t just that she wanted another go at driving the Jag, it was that driving helped her think – and she had loads to think about. Perhaps she should have insisted they use her car. But deep down, she realised that that idea would have been totally impractical. There was no guarantee her increasingly temperamental Zafira would make it to their destination and back.
Saj laughed, his deep brown eyes sparkling. ‘Not this again, Nik. You know fine and well that last time I let you drive my baby, you sped – not just a little bit – a huge, massive well-over-the-speed-limit amount. In fact, I’m surprised you weren’t caught. So, if you think I’m risking Parekh’s answer to Lewis Hamilton on the damn motorway with my car, you’ve got another thing coming.’
Nikki huffed and popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth. ‘Well don’t even think about asking if you can drive my Zafira either, Sajid Malik – two can play that game, you know!’
‘Your old wreck – as if?’ A combination of a snort and a belly laugh made Nikki smile. She loved it when Saj laughed that deep rolling thunder right from the depths of his belly. It always made her heart sing and right now her heart could do with a rousing chorus of something upbeat.
*
DCI Davy Jones was a stocky Welshman with a gruff warm smile and bits of loo roll stuck to his face where he’d apparently cut himself shaving. He and Archie, so he told them, had come up the ranks together before Jones moved down to Cambridge. Thankfully, he didn’t appear to have been in contact with DCI Hegley, accepting Nikki at her word when she’d explained they were looking into a possible, but extremely unlikely, link between Peggy Dyson’s murder and that of Liam Flynn. Nikki could understand why the two men would get along so well together. She winked at Saj and extended her hand to greet Jones. His grip was a little too tight, but not one of those handshakes made by smarmy gits out to prove a point and Nikki flinched as her finger bones squished together. It was just his way and from Saj’s reaction, he’d suffered the same fate.
‘Come on, come on. I’ll take you back to the incident room. I got a load of sandwiches in and told Irna to make the decent coffee – can’t have you reporting back to Archie that we didn’t treat you right.’ Jones set up a pace, flinging his arms out in different directions to introduce staff or show them the facilities – none of which Nikki took in as it was all delivered at breakneck speed and she had to focus on keeping up with him.
‘Archie all right? Heard he had a bit of a heart scare a while back. Me too. It’s the damn job, you know. Takes it out of you.’
‘Yes, he’s fine. Back at work and he’s lost a bit of weight. Still doing too much though.’ Nikki shrugged in a what-can-you-do sort of way and Jones laughed.
‘And he’s got himself a lady friend, I hear. Nothing like love to mend a broken heart!’
Nikki stopped dead in her tracks. Lady friend? Looks like Saj was on the ball with that bit of gossip. But who was the mystery lady? She looked at her partner, whose lips carried a smug grin that Nikki found quite annoying. Trying for non-committal in the hope Jones would reveal more, Nikki said, ‘Yes, nothing like the influence of a girlfriend to make you slow down.’
Davy turned, tongue lodged in his cheek and looked from Saj to Nikki. ‘I’ve put my
foot in it, haven’t I? You two had no idea he was seeing …’ He stopped and waggled his finger in the air. ‘Oh, no – I’m not giving you any details about the old mucker’s love life. You’ll have to ask him yourself.’
Laughing, Nikki began to walk on. ‘You caught us out there, Davy. Can’t believe he managed to keep it a secret.’ Actually, I can’t believe anyone in their right mind would be able to put up with him.
‘I’m more surprised he’s managed to find someone patient enough to put up with him,’ Sajid said, then yelped and rubbed his shoulder when Nikki punched him. He glowered at her. ‘What was that for?’
Jones laughed. ‘Malik’s right. Archie’s not the easiest man to put up with. You know he was a different person in the company of his wife. Still gruff, but in a more loving sort of way. He’d have done anything for her – anything. Let’s move on. This reminiscing isn’t getting you lot closer to working out if there’s a link between what’s going on in Bradford and Liam Flynn’s murder down here.’
He thrust open a door and ushered them into a spacious incident room with whiteboards filled with intel at the front, a large conference table with chairs spaced around it and a spread of sandwiches and coffee Thermoses on top. Round the edge of the room a few detectives worked on computers and in the background Radio One played softly. ‘I’m not convinced there is a link, you know. It all seems a bit thin: a newspaper cutting about the murder and then diary excerpts from the same sender. Not sure it links up. Maybe someone’s just yanking your chain.’
Before Nikki had the chance to tell him they’d considered that possibility – in fact still were considering it, Jones raised a hand. ‘I know, I know you’ll have considered it. Truth is, if it was my investigation I’d be down here too looking at this case. Coincidences do happen – but not very often. Either way, if you link Liam’s murder with your one then well and good. If not, at least you’ve eradicated a line of enquiry. Now sit and eat. We’ll chat whilst you’re eating and then I’ll let you loose on the files. That suit you?’