The Goldsworth Series Box Set
Page 8
Aurora returned to Clint, who looked cautiously at Serena, before they turned their backs on her and wandered off down the road towards school. Aurora turned around and waved to her, and Serena waved back. Then, when they were out of sight, she returned to the car.
As she slipped in and sat down in the driver’s seat, Casey looked at her expectantly.
“Any luck then?” he asked.
“We’ve confirmed Jackson’s identity,” Serena said, and Casey sighed.
“Oh, you mean he didn’t fall to his knees and confess to murder?” Casey said sarcastically.
“You know, you’ll have to change your attitude if you expect to make a good detective.”
Before Casey could reply, Serena caught sight of Brandine Mason leaving the estate, dressed in her uniform, the same as Aurora’s. A red-haired girl was walking beside her, heavily pregnant, and they were both smoking. Great, Serena thought. Brandine’s best friend is a Vicky Pollard wannabe.
She angled out of the car and crossed the car park towards the two girls. When she stepped in front of them and flashed her badge, the red-haired girl gasped and Brandine shot her a poisonous look.
“Hi girls, I’m detective Serena Patterson. I was just wondering if I could have a word with you.”
“Why?” Brandine asked, “We ain’t done nothing wrong.”
“I know that,” Serena said, smiling, “Are you Brandine Mason?”
The girls look surprised, and Brandine replied coolly, “Why?”
“Could you answer the question, please?”
“Yeah, I’m Brandy Mason,” she replied, looking bored, “What do you want?”
“And you are?” Serena asked, looking at the red-haired girl.
She blushed, and quickly dropped the cigarette on the pavement, “Zoe Taylor, miss.”
“I’m not a teacher, Zoe,” Serena smiled, “You can call me Serena.”
“Okay,” Zoe said, blushing.
Brandy shot her another venomous look, and returned her gaze to Serena’s. It was clearly Brandy who was calling the shots. Maybe she wasn’t going to be the weak link to Troy Banks after all.
“We’ve got to go to school,” Brandy said, “Can you tell us what you want?”
“Okay, I take it you’ve heard of Shaniqua Curtis’ murder?” Serena asked. She observed their reactions. Brandy’s eyes had flashed for a few seconds, and then her gaze had returned to the cool glare that she seemed to have perfected. Zoe, on the other hand, had nearly gasped and her eyes had widened. Her hand had quickly flown up to her mouth, as if to stop herself from saying something, and she’d blushed a shade of crimson.
Brandy had also noticed Zoe’s reaction, and sighed, “Everyone’s real shook up about what happened. Us girls don’t know who’ll be next. And Zoe’s having a baby, so you can understand why she doesn’t like talking about it.”
Serena was uncertain now. Brandy had covered for Zoe’s actions. She didn’t know if Brandy was telling the truth, or whether she and this Zoe girl were involved in the murder and Brandy was covering for her friend’s apparently suspicious behaviour.
“I understand girls, but I just need to ask you a few questions,” Serena said, “Do you know who might have been responsible for the murder?”
Brandy laughed disdainfully, “If we knew that, they’d be in jail by now.”
Zoe attempted a laugh as well, but it came out sounded strangled, and she quickly pulled another cigarette out of her handbag and started smoking it, inhaling deeply, seemingly unaware, or not caring, how damaging it would be to her unborn baby.
“Are you sure you should be smoking?” Serena asked Zoe, before she could stop herself.
Zoe looked taken aback, and Brandy stepped forward, invading Serena’s personal space.
“She can do what she wants, Serena,” she said, saying her name with a spiteful force that surprised Serena, “Now if you don’t mind, we have somewhere to be right now.”
And with that, Brandy took Zoe by the arm and led her past Serena and started across the car park. Serena turned to watch them as they walked away. She couldn’t leave things like this. She didn’t know what to do.
“Are you in a relationship with Troy Banks?” Serena called after them.
Brandy stopped in her tracks, and turned around. Her face was stern, her eyes unflickering. She was not the weak link, Serena thought to herself.
“It’s none of your business,” Brandy spat out, “Now fuck off and leave us be.”
* * *
Back at the office, Serena was at a loss. She was still convinced that Banks and Jackson were involved in Shaniqua’s murder somehow. Now, though, things were getting complicated. It seemed, from her questioning of them, that Brandy Mason and Zoe Taylor were also involved. And Brandy was not the weak link, she thought, as she remembered the poisonous glare she had given her friend when she had nearly slipped up. She would not be rushing to help Serena with the investigation any time soon. Zoe Taylor, on the other hand, could be a weak link. She had been nervous, on edge, this morning. She was clearly under pressure from Brandy, and therefore probably Banks and Jackson too, to keep her mouth shut about whatever she knew. With a little bit of pressure from Serena, she knew Zoe would break and tell her whatever she wanted to know.
The question was, what did she know? What did any of them know? It wasn’t unusual for people to be nervous, scared even, of talking to the police. Especially people from the Goldsworth. They were all definitely hiding something, but she had no proof that it was something about Shaniqua Curtis’ murder that they were hiding. It could be anything, from drugs or crime to something less critical, like underage drinking.
She wished she hadn’t asked Brandy about Banks now. It gave them a head start over her, if they were involved in Shaniqua’s murder. Brandy would alert Banks, and the wall of silence that had already descended over the Goldsworth estate would thicken, making it nearly impossible for her to carry on her investigations and get any more leads. Not that she had any proper leads at the moment anyway.
Casey was sat across her desk from her, looking out of the window. It had started raining, as was typical in London, and Serena once again wished she could be back in her cottage in Cornwall.
“What do we do next?” Casey asked her, turning his gaze from the window.
“I don’t know,” Serena answered truthfully, and sighed.
“We could try that Taylor girl again tomorrow,” Casey suggested, “If she’s as nervous as you said she was, she’ll break easy. And then we can either step up the investigation into Banks and his motley crew, or we can rule them out and start focusing elsewhere.”
Serena thought about it for a few moments and it made sense.
“That sounds like a good plan,” Serena said, and smiled at Casey, who smiled back at her for the first time since they’d met, “Now let’s go get some coffee. I’m knackered.”
* * *
“I can’t fucking believe you!”
Brandy was pacing up and down the girls’ locker room at school, her hands shaking and her eyes flaring angrily whenever she looked up.
“How could you be so stupid?” she asked, her voice rising.
Zoe tried to muster the courage to reply, but all she could manage was a pathetic, “Sorry.”
Brandy’s eyes swivelled to meet hers, and she stepped forward suddenly. Zoe drew back, afraid that Brandy would hit her. But she didn’t. She just walked past her and left the bathroom without a backwards glance.
Zoe watched as the door swung closed behind her, and sighed. Her hands were shaking. In fact, it seemed her whole body was shaking. Since that detective, Serena, or whatever her name was, had talked to them. Now everything was going to fall apart because of her. Brandy was right, she might have just cost them their freedom.
She quickly hurried out of the locker room, and caught sight of Brandy as she slipped out of the front doors. Zoe ran as fast as she could down the corridor, and felt her swollen stomach ache in protest. She pu
shed through the door and saw that it had started raining.
She called out Brandy’s name, and Brandy stopped halfway across the yard, rain dripping down her face, her perfectly-done hair now a sodden mess.
“Wait for me!” Zoe called, as she crossed the yard to where Brandy stood.
“What is it, Zoe?” Brandy asked, sounding frustrated, “I’m going to find Troy.”
“I’m really sorry, Brandy,” Zoe said, her eyes swelling with tears, “I didn’t mean to give it away. I’m so sorry. I just can’t lie, you know I can’t.”
Brandy’s hard gaze softened and she pulled Zoe to her and hugged her.
“It’s all right, mate,” Brandy said reassuringly, “We ain’t going to get caught by that bitch of a detective. We’re smarter than her. You didn’t give it away. We’re going to be fine.”
“I don’t want to go to prison,” Zoe sobbed, and Brandy kept her arms around her.
“You ain’t going to prison, you stupid cow,” she said, her cold demeanour gone, “You’re going to be fine. We all are. Now let’s get you inside before you and the baby get cold.”
Zoe nodded, and Brandy took her arm in hers, and they walked out of the yard and down the street.
From her maths class overlooking the yard, Sasha Morton stared after them. She didn’t know what was going on with those two, but she knew it was something big. Zoe crying, Brandy angry, and now they were best of friends again. She would have put it down to a petty falling out, but she knew them better than that. This was something big. And she wanted to know what it was.
* * *
As the school bell rang to signal the end of the day, and hence, the end of the week, the students poured out of the building and across the yard, chatting animatedly and laughing. It was finally the weekend. Aurora and Sasha walked down the steps together, both lost in their own thoughts.
“Glad its Friday,” Sasha said eventually, “I’m going to get so pissed tonight.”
Aurora smiled, “I feel like getting pissed too, but I don’t think I can be bothered to go out clubbing.”
That was the truth. She hadn’t drunk in weeks, not since a party she and Shaniqua had attended together. And she didn’t want to go clubbing, it brought back too many memories of Shaniqua. Perhaps in a few weeks she’d be able to go out, but until then, she wasn’t sure if she could manage it.
Sasha was grinning.
“What’s that look for?” Aurora asked, starting to smile as well.
“Come to mine for a few drinks,” Sasha said, “We can just sit in and get pissed, and watch a movie or something. It’ll be a laugh, and it’ll take your mind off things.”
“Sounds fun,” Aurora smiled, “But don’t you want to meet Brandy and Zoe tonight?”
Sasha shrugged, “I think they’re busy this weekend.”
“Ok, well, that’ll be great then.”
“It’s a date,” Sasha said, and they both started giggling.
They’d reached the school gates, and Clint was waiting, wearing a coat two sizes too big for him.
“Nice coat, Clint,” Sasha said, and they both laughed again.
Clint looked down at the coat and shifted embarrassedly, “It was my dad’s. He can’t fit in it anymore, so it’s mine now.”
“Aww, I was only joking,” Sasha said, still giggling. She kissed Aurora on the cheek and made her way over to Tamar and Amal, who were standing on the edge of the pavement looking confused.
“See you later,” Aurora called after her, and Sasha waved back.
“You two going out tonight then?” Clint asked her, when they were alone.
Aurora couldn’t be sure, but she thought she’d detected a bit of jealousy in his voice. Did he want to spend time with her? Or did he just not want her going off and meeting another guy? Not much chance of that, Aurora thought. She only had eyes for one guy, and he was walking alongside her right now.
“Yeah, I’m going to Sasha’s and we’re having a girly night in,” she said happily, “It’ll help take my mind off things.”
“Like that police woman talking to you again?” Clint asked cautiously.
“Not her, she’s actually okay,” Aurora told him, “Just everything, Shaniqua, mum. And everything always feels better after a few drinks.”
Clint grinned, “You two planning to get pissed then?”
“Not pissed,” Aurora said jokingly, “Just merrily tipsy!”
“Same thing.”
“No, it’s not!”
“Well, I just better not find you wandering around the estate at midnight, singing Britney Spears and dancing round lampposts!”
They both laughed, “I don’t think I’ll be that drunk, Clint!”
“I hope not,” Clint smiled.
They continued chatting happily for a few more minutes, and found themselves at Aurora’s front door. Marlena was standing outside, a cigarette in one hand and a can of Strongbow in the other. She looked up at them, but averted her gaze and continued staring out at the estate.
Aurora was sad that the walk had ended so quickly, they’d been having such a laugh. Clint really was different from the other boys at school, that much she was certain of. She kissed his cheek, and he blushed.
“Have a good weekend,” Aurora said gently.
“You too, and be good at Sasha’s!”
“I will,” Aurora laughed, “I’ll try not to dance around lampposts and sing Britney Spears!”
Clint laughed, and retreated from the landing and headed back down the stairs. He was going to go home, and then he wanted to see Troy again. That was there Friday night routine, they got smashed and headed out on the town.
As he walked to his own flat, he thought about Aurora and how much he enjoyed being with her. He wondered why they didn’t meet up at the weekends. They lived so close to each other; they walked to school every day, so it seemed strange to him that they never met up on a Saturday. Then he found himself wondering if she was thinking this as well, or if on a Friday afternoon she forgot about him until Monday morning. He hoped she was thinking about him, because he knew that he wouldn’t stop thinking about her all weekend.
* * *
Aurora looked at her mother’s inquisitive stare and sighed.
“What is it mum?” she asked.
“What? I’m allowed to look at you, aren’t I?” Marlena said, getting defensive.
When Aurora had said goodbye to Clint, she had stepped past her mother and gone into the kitchen for a drink. Her mother had quickly followed her in, giving her a disapproving look. Now, sat across from her at the kitchen table, Aurora could tell that Marlena was itching to say something, and that it was only a matter of time before she said it. It was better to get it over with, so she could concentrate on getting ready for going to Sasha’s this evening.
“Of course you’re allowed to look at me, mum,” Aurora groaned, “But I know that look. You obviously have something to say, so you might as well get it out in the open.”
“Well, I could say the same thing to you, my dear,” Marlena replied.
Aurora was confused, what on earth was she talking about?
“What do you mean?”
“You and that Jackson boy,” Marlena said solemnly, “Clint, isn’t it?”
Suddenly, realization dawned on Aurora and she groaned inwardly. That was why Marlena had been standing outside the flat when she’d arrived home this afternoon. She had been waiting to see if Clint walked her home every day, or if the other day had been a one-off.
“He’s not my boyfriend, if that’s what your insinuating.”
“Really?” Marlena asked, disbelieving, “Why does he walk you home everyday then?”
“Because we’re friends, mum. That’s allowed, isn’t it?”
“Aurora, my love,” Marlena cooed, “You know nothing of the ways of the world. You see, boys and girls are very different creatures. You might think you’re just friends –”
“We are just friends!” Aurora interrupted.
“We’re just friends, mum. And I don’t flirt with him, we were having a laugh, and there’s nothing wrong with that. He’s a good mate, and he looks out for me. There’s nothing going on between us.”
“And you really think he feels the same?” Marlena questioned, “He thinks you’re just friends too?”
“Yes!” Aurora said, although she hoped that he thought otherwise.
“He’s a sixteen year old lad, Aurora,” Marlena stated, taking another drink from her can of Strongbow, “And you’re a beautiful young lady. He’s only after one thing!”
“Mum, you’re not even listening to me!” Aurora protested, and stood up, her chair scraping across the kitchen floor.
Marlena too rose, and swayed on the spot. So that was what this was all about, Aurora thought. Her mum was drunk and trying to give her relationship advise, if that’s what it could be called.
“I just want you to be happy,” Marlena said lamely, “And he won’t make you happy, whatever you might think!”
Aurora knew her mother was only trying to help her, protect her, but Aurora knew her own feelings and knew her own mind. And she knew that Clint could make her happy. Hell, he did make her happy.
“Mum, if you want me to be happy, let me live my fucking life!” Aurora said, her voice rising. She winced at the choice of words she’d used. Marlena’s face fell, and crumpled before Aurora’s eyes.
“I’m sorry, mum,” Aurora stammered, “I didn’t mean that.”
She went to put her arms around her mum, to hug her and show her that she was sorry, because she was. But Marlena stepped back, her face contorted with rage.
“Don’t you dare!” she shrieked, “Get out!”
“What?” Aurora asked, “I’m sorry, I really am!”
“Get the fuck out of my flat you evil bitch!” Marlena yelled, and Aurora backed away from her. She grabbed her handbag off the table and left the flat, slamming the door behind her.