by Sarah Flint
Angie was more than happy with her work. Dimitri had been identified and arrested as a result of what she’d established and a nice reward was waiting. It wasn’t a problem that the information had come from Ayeisha, and that her former friend would not see a penny of it. Ayeisha was dead to her. She had committed the ultimate betrayal, stealing her future, and for that Caz would let her rot… unless of course, the girl could be of use again in the future.
Her thoughts returned to Razor, banishing the memory of Ayeisha to the back of her mind. She remembered Razor’s reaction to Redz’ death; how he’d turned to her in the following days, just like her mother had after Tommy’s death. She smiled at the thought, releasing the grip on her legs and letting the blood flow back into her numb, oxygen-starved toes, feeling her body start to tingle and pulse, just as life with Razor had restarted with Redz gone.
The decision to kill Dutch had also been straightforward. Razor had wanted to fuck her that night and she couldn’t let that happen. Not when she and Razor had become so close. Her friend had wanted to die anyway and she too was becoming burdensome. Injecting the additional wraps of heroin from Turbo into her body was easy. Dutch was out of her head anyway on the extra crack. Her intervention had just speeded up the inevitable, clearing the way for her future happiness with Razor. Nobody would ever know she’d been assisted to her death. Just another sad junkie overdose.
The fact that Dutch had also been given a haircut had escaped everyone’s attention. Her black silky tresses were far too beautiful to ignore; so Caz had snipped them off, placing them in a separate carrier bag and carefully positioning Dutch’s wig over the missing locks. Nobody knew any different; few people ever having seen her without the hairpiece and certainly not her estranged family who would identify her. The carrier bag containing her guilty secret had been hidden within the amenities cupboard too, until it was safe to be retrieved.
Caz had promised to get everything sorted out… and she had. Razor would be hers and he would love her, and she would love him, and they would live together happily ever after, like she had always dreamed.
Until…
She picked herself up off the floor and gathered up the wet towel, wishing she could stay cocooned in the warmth and tranquillity of the small room forever, but as she opened the door and shuffled painfully back to the ward, the day-to-day bustle of the hospital swept away the cosy humidity of the bathroom. Life was cruel. Just as the chill, starkness of the ward encompassed her, so the brutal reality of her life with Razor had hit her in the nights after Dutch’s death. All her hopes and yearnings were torn apart at the sight of Razor’s final betrayal, her best friend Ayeisha inflicting the fatal wound.
Caz climbed back into her bed and felt herself enveloped in the warmth and comfort of the covers. She pulled them up over her, breathing in the airless environment, feeling safe at last within its claustrophobic atmosphere.
She thought of Anna. The woman had thrown her a lifeline by making herself available. Here was someone who truly cared, someone who believed in her, someone who seemed even to love her. As her life turned into a nightmare Caz had known the only way out was to turn to her counsellor.
Squashed behind the wheelie bins, she’d remembered the plastic carrier bags and retrieved them, fearing for her very existence and hiding them back in the flat. What followed then was out of her control and she could do nothing to stop it. She was catapulted into a whirlpool of violence, torn and tossed around and spat out to die. She knew she was lucky to have survived.
Razor was finally gone. Charlie Stafford, DI Hunter and their team had written out his life sentence with her help. The only certain way to gain freedom from his hold was to have him locked away. He would never have let her go. Ultimately she’d have ended up dead, just like Redz and Dutch, their breath snuffed out by their forced lifestyle, the drugs supplied by their pimp, dictating their choices. Nobody lived long on the streets.
She was a survivor though. She knew that now.
Someone was outside her refuge, shaking her gently. She pulled the covers back and the brightness dazzled her. Standing in the intensity of the background light was Anna, almost saint-like in her appearance. She was smiling at her and stroking her hair. She was saving her.
‘Are you ready to go?’ her saviour enquired gently. ‘I’ve brought you some clothes. Hurry and put them on. I can’t wait to show you to your new life.’
Chapter 59
‘Clinton James Roberts, you are charged that on Thursday 14th December 2017 you did murder Grace Flaherty. That is contrary to Common Law.’
Charlie watched as Razor spat and scowled from within his cell as the custody officer read out the words of the caution. Their suspect had refused food, refused legal representation and refused to come to the custody office. Hunter had been prepared to interview him one last time, on the advice of the CPS, to give him a chance to explain how Redz’ hair and the murder weapons had come to be in his flat, but their suspect had stayed stubbornly lying on his mattress, alleging only that he had been fitted up. The time police were allowed to hold suspects after arrest had now elapsed and he had lost his opportunity. As the words of the charges were read out, it was apparent that he had also totally lost control.
‘You are also further charged that on Thursday 21st December 2017 you attempted to murder Charlene Zara Philips. That is also contrary to Common Law.’ The custody sergeant started the caution, but his words were drowned out as Razor threw himself at the cell door, kicking at it and shouting abuse as his eyes came to rest on Charlie.
‘No reply then.’ The custody officer shrugged.
‘I don’t think he likes me very much,’ she shook her head and grimaced in good humour towards Paul, who was finishing off the last bits of paperwork in the custody office.
‘That’s because he knows he’s guilty,’ Paul picked up the case file. ‘In my experience the only people to claim they’ve been fitted up are those who know they are absolutely banged to rights.’
‘I agree,’ the sergeant pressed a button on the base of a small Christmas tree squashed on to a shelf on the rear wall of the custody office. The boughs of the tree sprung into life, starting a medley of Christmas carols, with the sergeant grinning as he sang ‘Away with the fairies’ in place of ‘Away in a manger’.
Charlie had to laugh, as Paul joined in, changing the words too as he sang along. Not for one minute could she imagine Razor laying down his sweet head in the hay.
‘Right, Charlie we’re all done. Let’s go,’ Paul stopped singing and headed for the door, signalling his thanks to the custody officer. ‘Apparently we’ve got visitors.’
Charlie’s interest was awakened, but Paul refused to expand. She followed him to a large interview room at the front of the station, where she could hear the sound of voices, mostly female, some with foreign accents. Opening the door, she saw Hanna and Michaela standing chatting to Naz, Sabira and Bet. Hunter was on the periphery, obviously not quite sure of himself among so many young females. He looked up, relieved to see Paul as they went in.
‘Charlie,’ Hanna called out her name as she entered, rushing towards her with her hand outstretched.
‘It’s good to see you,’ Charlie gripped her hand, genuinely pleased. ‘How are you?’
‘We are both well, thanks to you,’ Hanna replied, as she was joined by the younger girl. ‘We are flying back to our home countries tomorrow, just in time to be with our families for Christmas. We wanted to thank you. None of us thought we would ever get to see our families again, or at least not for a long time, but you have made it possible.’
‘But it is all of you that have made it possible,’ Charlie looked around at the whole team before focussing her attention back to Hanna and Michaela. ‘If you two and the other girls hadn’t been brave enough to speak out, then we wouldn’t have had enough evidence to lock Dimitri away.’
Michaela took a step forward. ‘Did you ever find out who the other young girl was, in the car with Dimitri?�
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Charlie shook her head. ‘Not yet. The knife that Dimitri was carrying has been sent off for examination, as has the car you were in. If any other DNA or fingerprints are found, we’ll take a look.’ She paused. ‘But at least, with Dimitri in custody, she should now be safe.’
‘What about Tatjana and her baby?’ Hanna’s eyes clouded. ‘What will become of them now?’
Bet shuffled over, passing a sheet of paper to Charlie before putting an arm around Hanna’s shoulder and offering the girl a tissue. Hanna took one, holding it to her eyes, while Charlie scanned through the report. A weight was lifting from her shoulders as she read it.
‘I thought you’d want to tell Hanna and Michaela the news yourself,’ Bet smiled warmly towards Charlie. ‘I know I would have, if it had been me who had seen…’ She broke off, clearly searching for the right words. ‘If it had been me who had been driving the investigation,’ she said instead. Charlie guessed exactly what was on Bet’s mind. It was the same as was on hers.
‘It’s good news, or as good as it can be. Tatjana and her family will have justice,’ she said, smiling gently towards the two girls. ‘Dimitri is to be charged with murdering Tatjana. The post-mortem was carried out yesterday and concluded that the cause of death was from an infection aggravated by lack of treatment after a stillbirth, but the examination also showed severe bruising in the area of her pelvis. Usually the CPS would only advocate a charge of manslaughter in these circumstances, but as you were able to give evidence that the bruising was in all probability caused by Dimitri’s assault on Tatjana, along with his outright refusal to obtain medical assistance, they have upgraded the charge to murder.’ She paused. ‘Working together, we will ensure Dimitri is convicted of his crimes. He will never be able to treat other girls in the same way that he treated you.’
Hanna was sobbing. ‘I was too late to save Tatjana. I should have done more.’
‘You did everything you could in the circumstances. Dimitri is an evil, violent man. He will also be charged with child destruction and various other serious offences relating to prostitution and human trafficking. Because of your courage in speaking out, he will be in prison for many years. Albertas too. He is to be charged with the same trafficking offences. They are part of a network operating throughout Eastern Europe, each member of which, will be identified and hunted down, and all because of your bravery.’
‘And Tatjana’s baby?’ Hanna buried her face in the tissue.
‘She and her baby are together now,’ Bet said softly. ‘I made some phone calls after we received the formal news of the charges. Their bodies will be buried together back in Russia where her family live. The coroner’s officer has been liaising with them and has explained everything. Hanna, they want the baby girl to be named in honour of you, or Charlie.’
Charlie was taken aback. For a moment she was speechless, recalling the tiny baby lying amongst the rubbish, but then she shook her head.
‘She must be called Hanna then. All I did was respond to a call and start something off. Without Hanna we would never have reached the conclusion that we have.’ She waited as Hanna lifted her head, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. ‘Besides,’ she added, grinning sheepishly at each member of the team. ‘You’re always saying I’m a proper Charlie, so who’d want to saddle a beautiful Russian baby girl with that name.’
The tension was broken as the team laughed and Hanna brightened immediately, her eyes now shining with the recognition.
‘I will be with Tatjana and baby Hanna when they are buried and after the service I will tell her family how brave they were, and how determined you all were to catch their killer.’ She turned to Charlie. ‘You will not be forgotten.’
‘Neither will you, Hanna,’ Charlie glanced around to see Bet smiling towards them both. ‘And nor will Tatjana and her baby.’ She knew she would never forget what she had seen, but, just as Bet had promised, she could now foresee a time when baby Hanna’s murderer would be brought to justice and she could fully move on. ‘Don’t forget to come back though. We still need you to give evidence.’
‘Don’t worry, about that. We’re used to doing what we’re told, aren’t we?’ Hanna squeezed Michaela around the shoulder and laughed, a high tinkling sleigh bell of laughter.
‘Here I have made something to thank you all.’ She opened the bag she was carrying and took out a tin, carefully unwrapping its contents. ‘It’s Medovik, or honey cake, and it’s a very popular delicacy in Russia. I made it myself from my mother’s recipe. Here, try some.’
The smell of honey quickly filled the room as Charlie peered at a beautiful multi-layered cake, drizzled with cream and pre-cut into a dozen slices. Her hand moved towards it automatically, before glancing at Hunter, suddenly aware that they weren’t really supposed to accept gifts.
‘It’s Christmas,’ he said with a grin. ‘How could we say no?’
*
The Camel and Artichoke was bursting at the seams with Christmas revellers. Saturday night had started early, every single occupant in the bar already tipsy with good cheer.
At each new entry, the air trapped within the confines of the bar escaped into the street with a loud gasp of relief. Even the rumble of the overhead trains from Waterloo seemed unusually subdued against the barrage of noise.
Hunter had gone ahead but was nowhere to be seen. Ben, resplendent in a bright green and red Christmas jumper, was waiting by the door to the garden, as arranged, welcoming each member of the team as they fought their way through. Angie, who had been invited to share in the team celebrations, had arrived early, and was watching Ben with amusement, already having downed two large glasses of Merlot. Bet greeted Ben with a chaste kiss, Naz and Sabira with slightly more enthusiastic kisses and Paul with a full-blown bear hug, leaving Charlie unsure of what was expected of her. She paused before she got to him, grinning in delight to see Hunter battling towards Ben from a different angle, holding up two bottles of Moet et Chandon in outstretched arms.
‘Here, take these,’ he shouted to Charlie as he got closer. She reached up over the top of a few revellers, taking hold of them, and turned to find Ben standing directly in front of her with a sprig of mistletoe held aloft in one hand.
‘Hmmn, now that’s what I call a welcome,’ Ben laughed, wrapping his spare arm around her waist and jiggling the mistletoe above her. ‘I’ve wanted to do this for some time.’
Charlie felt her cheeks colouring as the team gathered round, cheering and clapping. Paul reached up, rescuing the champagne and leaving her hands to fall empty on to Ben’s shoulders. She twisted her head round in panic, still unsure of how she should be acting in front of her team and, more importantly, her boss.
‘Well go on then,’ Hunter prompted, winking towards her as he finally drew close. ‘I promised champagne to celebrate if we got both our men. Now it looks like you’ve finally got yours.’
Charlie grinned at the analogy. Life was full of surprises; this week more than most. But she was also well aware that this new development could muddy the waters, just as things were becoming clearer. Ben was good at present, calm, sober and in control of his demons, but who knew whether it would last?
Paul was pouring the champagne now, toasting the team’s success, Charlie’s success, lifting the glass to toast her future with the man in whose arms she now stood.
She closed her eyes, pushing any doubts aside, and melted happily into Ben’s strong embrace… before finally lifting her lips to his.
Chapter 60
Christmas Day 2017
Ayeisha stood thoughtfully by the murder scene. There had been no joy in staying at the children’s home. She had never valued the friendship of the other residents, seeking out new thrills and older companions instead. Now, as she stood at the spot where Redz had died, and her best friend Caz had almost met her death, her loneliness was almost overwhelming.
Two bunches of dying flowers remained tied to a fence post, the heads hanging limply from each stem, their leaves b
rown and dead. The life had disappeared from their petals, just as it had faded from her friends. She wandered over to the first posy, picked up the discoloured card and read the message.
To Redz, our great friend,
We’ll always remember your wicked sense of humour.
Love from all the girls xxx
The other was attached to a small bunch of shrivelled red carnations and it read.
To a young child whose life was cut tragically short.
I wish I had done more. I’m so sorry.
Maria Simpson
A few dying stems and a handful of people was all there were to remember her friend, Redz. There was even less to remember Dutch. Dutch had died alone and lay alone now in a mortuary somewhere in London, Ayeisha knew not where. As for Dimitri, she had heard nothing from him in days; clearly having moved on to older, more experienced girls, like she had so wanted to become.
She laid the second card back against the fence and shook her head sadly at the thought. How could she ever have given her virginal body to Razor believing he would provide the experience she craved? How could she have believed his promise that her friend wouldn’t mind? Caz had loved Razor, even though he was a man of violence, even though she might even have suspected what he’d done. And she had ridden roughshod over Caz’s dreams, just as they were materialising. Now she had lost her only real friend and, worst of all, Caz had almost died because of her stupidity.
She pulled the tab on a can of extra-strong cider, before swigging down its contents and throwing the can to one side. It clattered against the concrete, coming to rest on a dark patch that stained the roadway. She closed her eyes tightly at the sight, knowing what the darkness denoted.
Bending down, she picked up the first card and started to walk; her mind numb, her feet moving automatically. She walked on and on, passing the block where Caz and Razor had once shared their lives with her. Razor’s flat was boarded up now and Caz had vanished, taken from the hospital to a new home, a place of safety where she could not go.