Leech stopped and watched, fascinated as the limp figure crashed to the tarmac.
Served the little shit right.
Leech considered whether to go back inside now, but the police would definitely be arriving soon and he did not want to chance them linking the boy to Powers, and then knocking on the ruined door.
No. He should walk away.
He did.
***
Judy could see from Colin’s expression that the news was not good. His face was pale as he grunted the odd monosyllable to Carver, his knuckles white as he pressed the phone to his ear. She finished the last of her champagne, convinced the celebration was over.
Colin clicked off his phone.
‘He got away... Leech.’
‘How?’
All the relief she had felt earlier was gone, replaced by paralysing anxiety. Was there no stopping this man? He was still out there, somewhere, and there was no way she could convince herself he was not coming for her. He had been in her house! Indigestion ripped her gullet, shooting a jet of acid champagne that bubbled up and burnt her throat.
‘They think he fooled them from the outset. Made them think he wanted to negotiate. That’s why he asked to see the Commissioner.’ Judy could see Doc was having a eureka moment as he went on, ‘He wanted to confuse the lines of authority, delay normal procedures, involve the big boss... Very clever.’
Judy did not like the sound of that one bit. Very clever? The man hunting her was being described by this incredibly intelligent man as very clever. Her spine chilled at that, and she certainly did not appreciate the wonderment Doc was displaying either. She asked, ‘He planned to escape all along?’
‘Yes. While the police were trying to get organised he slipped out the back.’
‘But my yard has a two metre wall and backs onto other flats.’
‘He clambered over it, smashed his way through the apartment backing onto yours, stole a car and disappeared. It didn’t take them long to link it all together and realise what had happened... but it was too late. The Tac team were still yapping with their control centre about hostage negotiation and all the while he’d already flown the coup.’ She could hear the appreciation in his voice.
‘Weren’t there six police there? All armed?’
‘There were. Not just any six coppers either. They’d all been to Hereford and undergone specialist training for this type of operation. Elite protection and hostage rescue... It didn’t do them much good. He killed two of them.’
Judy wanted to be anywhere in the universe other than in the path of this monster. ‘Killed them... Two more policemen?’ She could not absorb it.
‘One policeman. One police woman. Apparently he was executed. She died from blood loss. Leech shot her leg off and left her bleeding to death. Help was delayed for about ten minutes while they thought they had a hostage situation rather than merely an injured colleague inside. She would probably have lived if they had got to her immediately.’ Doc’s face had a look that suggested the world was full of evil. ‘Leech used one of John’s shotguns.’ He finished his drink and said, ‘Let’s go. You still need to tell Josh about his father.’
The rain had gone now, the roads still slick, the splashing and hissing of tyres a miserable soundtrack to a depressing day. Judy was not looking forward to seeing Josh, and that was a first. Her thoughts flittered, from Josh to Leech and back. Everything was such a disaster. Her fear of Leech nudged aside by her concern for Josh and his reaction to John’s death. Then it resurfaced again.
‘Why did they let Leech in my house? Why didn’t they stop him on the street? Ambush him? Shoot him?’ Her brain clawed, desperate for understanding.
‘Unfortunately our police cannot just shoot a suspect on sight, not even a man as dangerous as Leech.’ Doc thought back to the uproar over the shoot to kill policy for terrorists suspected of intending a suicide bombing. Even that seemingly reasonable approach had been slated by the liberal press after an innocent man had been shot. ‘Leech was disguised as a motorcycle courier. Brilliant.’
‘Brilliant? You sound like you’re about to join his fan club.’
Colin gave her a look that bordered on the patronising, and said, ‘The helmet covered his features, what little they could see of his hair had been dyed brown, so the team couldn’t positively identify him. The four members of the squad stationed outside were waiting for a signal from the decoy. It came too late. And Leech must’ve immediately twigged it was a set up. He was inside before they could stop him.’
‘Why the hell didn’t they just grab him when he arrived? Even if they weren’t sure?’
‘They wouldn’t want to blow their cover for the wrong guy. The courier disguise worked perfectly. He was just too quick.’
‘I’m really scared Colin... No, I’m bloody petrified. He’s coming for me and no one can stop him.’ She started crying and he held her. They stood like that on the pavement outside the pub until an empty cab eventually arrived.
They did not speak in the taxi. Judy nestled against Doc’s chest, his arm hugging her. She let out the occasional sob, fear and sorrow leaking from her.
She began to wonder who was the basket case now? She was losing it.
She sat up as they entered Colin’s road, wiped her eyes and took out her compact to tidy herself up. She did not want Josh to witness her terror, to see her in pieces.
The cabbie spoke, ‘I’m gonna have to drop you here, guv. Road’s blocked. Looks like an accident up ahead.’
They stopped outside the pub at the end of Colin’s street and Judy could see an ambulance double parked not far from his house.
She felt herself tumble into a nightmare now, her sixth sense filling her entire being with a chilling premonition. She flew out of the cab, Colin’s words to her lost as she ran to the ambulance. Some bystanders blocked her view and she barged her way through, dodging under a policeman’s arm as he tried to stop her. She got to the ambulance as they were loading a small body into the back.
She could hear the siren. But it was not coming from the ambulance. It was a wailing sound of torment and sadness beyond endurance.
It was her own voice.
The tiny body on the stretcher was her son’s.
***
Doc caught up with her, the awful din she was making curdling his blood. He took in the scene. A large SUV with a damaged grill and bonnet, a pool of blood, Josh on the stretcher, his own front door open and a policeman standing beside it.
He knew.
Leech had been here. To his home.
He held Judy until her scream died away. She kept repeating, ‘It’s my Josh, it’s my Josh,’ several times, as if unable to accept it, then her words disintegrated, became a babble of unrecognisable sounds.
Doc explained to the paramedics who she was and helped her into the ambulance. She was still not fully coherent when he spoke to her.
‘Sweetheart, I need to go to my house and then I’ll come to the hospital.’ She looked at him, uncomprehending, so he repeated his words, adding, ‘I’ll be there as soon as I can.’
Tears dripped off her chin as she quietened, then mumbled something that sounded like, ‘Sorry.’ She was clutching Josh’s hand as the paramedic locked his stretcher into place. Doc jumped down and watched as the doors closed and the vehicle moved off.
He was wondering about Betty. If Leech had been here, what had he done to her? He wore concrete boots as he trudged to his house.
‘This is my home. What happened?’ Doc fumbled in his pocket for his identity card as he spoke to the PC on his doorstep.
‘We’re still making enquiries sir. I’m afraid you can’t come in just yet. Perhaps you could answer some questions – ’
‘Call DI Carver on this number.’ Doc passed him his mobile phone. ‘He’s involved in this. He’ll answer all your questions. Now answer mine.’ He flashed his official ID and the constable blanched.
‘Forensic Psychiatrist? Sorry sir. I didn’t know.’
‘It’s not completely clear, but a neighbour saw the little boy come tearing out of the house, then the lad hid between some cars. A man followed several seconds later. The boy ran out and the car failed to stop in time in the wet. The neighbour thinks the lad may have been running away from the man.’
‘He was. The man is Peter Leech. Recognise the name son?’
The policeman stuttered, ‘Y-es. How can you be so sure?’
‘I just know. Radio it in and let Carver know. But first, was anyone else injured?’
‘Yes.’ The PC keyed his mic as he spoke to Doc. ‘We’re waiting for the ME and forensics. An elderly lady is bound and gagged inside. I’m afraid she’s dead sir.’
Doc fell against the door jamb. Will this never end?
Then he saw those luminous green eyes. The monster’s harsh laugh clattering, like swords duelling. He looked around but it was inside his head.
No! Not that again!
The PC completed his call and said, ‘Are you okay sir? Was she a relative?’ He placed his hand on Doc’s shoulder.
‘No. I’m not really... How did she die? Was she shot?’
‘Not shot sir. We aren’t sure yet. We’ll have to wait for the ME. We entered the house after speaking with the neighbour... The door was open you see, and there was evidence of a weapon being discharged – ’
‘It’s okay, no need to explain. I’ll go to the hospital. Where did they take the little boy?’
‘One minute sir.’ He keyed his mic again.
Doc sat on his doorstep, contemplating throwing up a beer and champagne cocktail. A few weeks ago he had not been sure life was worth living. Then he had found someone good, someone to live for. Yet how would she feel now? Her mother murdered. Her son’s father killed by the same man. Josh in hospital with God knows what injuries... How would Judy take it if her boy died?
‘Sir?’ The PC’s voice brought him back to the present. ‘He’s been taken to Charing Cross hospital. We can get a car to take you, but DI Carver is on his way and asked if you’d wait.’
***
Leech had retired to the pub at the end of Doc’s street and watched the chaos he had created build as the road became blocked, the rubberneckers milling around until the police arrived with the ambulance. He was confident no one had noticed him sneak in here, all eyes having been focussed on the kid and the car driver. Not that they would think of looking in here, right under their noses, less than one hundred yards from the scene of his latest crime.
He was untouchable. They kept underestimating him. Especially that useless bunch of pussies at Judy Finch’s house.
He swigged his beer, a self-satisfied smirk on his face. Two more coppers down because of him. And he could have taken out a couple more if he had wanted.
He shrugged off his coat in the warm bar. The place was empty apart from some old codgers playing dominoes. Neither of them looked up from their game as he took the shotgun from the loop around his shoulders and tucked it under his coat on the seat next to him. That’s better. He relaxed, and the beer tasted good.
He could run... Catch a flight today. Things were getting dangerous now. Having shot and killed some police he knew they would be pulling out all the stops to find him. They probably had an up to date description too – that neighbour had spotted him leaving the house, had checked him out as she ran past to help the kid.
He inspected his damaged palms, the thumbs and fingertips exposed but smeared with dried blood, the white cloth stained red but not saturated. There was a Guinness is Good for You mirror above his seat so he checked out the wounds on his head. At least that bandage was dry.
He looked tough as nails now though, his bruises green and blue, his swollen nose a purple mess from Shaun’s head butt, and red pock marks dotted his cheeks alongside the plasters that covered the worst cuts from his leap through that window.
Not bad. Even his bollock had settled down to a mild ache.
The little toe-rag. I hope he dies.
Typical really. Now he had decided he didn’t want Birdy she probably wouldn’t be lumbered with a kid...
He still wanted to punish her. For leading him on like that. Then betraying him for no reason – he had done nothing to hurt her! And she had never even called. Not once.
Maybe he would phone Powers again. He rooted around in his pockets, the two police issue handguns clinking against their ammunition clips as he searched for John’s mobile.
It was off. He did not understand. He tried all the buttons, trying to remember what the salesman had told him when he bought his a few days ago.
Friday. His first day out. What day was it now? Tuesday? Wednesday? He was not sure, but he was certain he could not turn the phone on.
Dead battery?
Yeah. Probably.
He tossed it aside and gazed out the window.
That Powers was such a bastard. Leech definitely would like to beat the fat wanker to death. Oh yes. The smartarse had tried to trick him too.
But I’m better than you Powers.
Something occurred to him then, the thought that had flashed into his mind when he’d recognised the kid’s face. Finch’s brat. What was he doing at Powers’ house?
Then he twigged. Of course, she would need somewhere to stay while the pigs had been in her home waiting for him... So her and Powers must be real friendly.
The familiar sensation of envy swirled, a vortex of evil intent inside him, as a taxi stopped outside the pub, two lovers in the back snuggling together, head to head, arms entwined.
It was her! Birdy! And Powers!
He’s been shagging my bird!
Even though he had already dismissed her as a traitorous bitch, unworthy of him, the sight of the two of them, all lovey-dovey, especially after what they had tried to do to him with the police ambush, incensed him.
He would kill them. No question about it.
He sank his pint, and considered what to do. He would finish them right now. He grabbed the shotgun, ready to stride outside and blow them to hell.
But he was too late!
Through the window he saw Birdy was already out of the cab, sprinting up the road to her kid. And now the fat wanker was paying the driver.
He had missed his moment to get them both. If he went out with guns blazing now, he would almost certainly get himself caught before he could top both of them. He watched Powers jog after Birdy.
No. He let go of the gun and tucked it under his coat again. Forced himself to go to the bar instead, ordered himself a scotch. The last time he had tried the spirit was from his father’s drinks cabinet when he was fifteen. He drank over half the bottle and vomited, and vowed never to drink the stuff again.
He threw the spirit back, the burning sensation a reminder of his youthful binge, the heat inflaming his hatred and anger. He ordered a second and then went back to his observation point.
There must be a better way. The scotch was coursing through him, dulling his aches and pains, helping him think with clarity. The answer was obvious.
The hospital. The brat would be taken to hospital. He would head there. Mummy was bound to show up too.
Yeah. The hospital.
He checked his reflection again in the Guinness mirror and beamed a huge toothless grin at what he saw.
Hospital. I’ll fit in perfectly there!
***
‘Hi Doc... Sorry about this. Give me a minute and I’ll run you to the hospital. Why not wait in the car?’ Jack’s voice pierced through the fug of his brain.
A WPC helped Doc to his feet. He was still on the doorstep when Carver had arrived, his brain shut down, overloaded from all he had experienced in the last few months. He had no idea how much time had elapsed while he had been sitting and he felt like an
old man as the young female officer helped him to the car.
Pull yourself together. You’re no use to anyone like this.
At least his hallucination had gone now. And there had been nothing about Natalie, no visions, no movies, no screams. Just Leech’s eyes burning into him, the manic laugh taunting him, while he sat waiting. His mind had fought to clear the image, deaden the sound, and then closed itself down, like a computer on standby.
He was exhausted. Yet Leech was free... Where would he go now?
He waited in the car, trying to fathom what could be motivating the killer.
Carver’s bulk rocked the car as he got in.
‘Got an unmarked patrol car today. My Saab’s off the road... How you feeling Doc? You look like shit.’ He fastened his belt and set off.
Doc had not even noticed he was in a different car. He tried to switch on again.
‘I feel worse than shit. And Judy... God knows how she’s feeling. Any news on Josh?’
‘Her boy? He’s in surgery. Some broken bones, possibly fractured skull, and some internal organs may be damaged. Doesn’t look good.’ Carver was matter-of-fact but Doc knew he still felt it inside – even the most hard-bitten coppers hated to see kids harmed.
‘In the space of a few days her life’s been turned upside down by Leech. Her ex, her mother, Josh... Even her home’s been invaded... And my place too, and that was supposed to be her sanctuary. I thought they would be safe there.’
‘Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Bet you wish you’d never let the fruit loop loose.’
Doc did not appreciate the comment, never did like the stating-the-bleeding-obvious approach to problems. He ignored it.
Stay focussed.
‘He came to my home... For what reason? To kill me? Possibly. Your competition theory... Or he may even blame me for the police presence at Judy’s flat.’
‘You? Why? Because you spoke with him about her?’
‘Yes. That could be justification enough to him. The alternative is less palatable.’
Carver was negotiating traffic, occasionally using his horn and headlights to hurry things along. He stared at Doc long enough to worry his passenger, the road ahead was congested and they were moving fast.
Remorseless: A British Crime Thriller (Doc Powers & D.I. Carver Investigate #1) Page 37