by E. S Hoy
Adam was first to arrive he sat beside me holding me gently; Lucy was talking to Gordon who she had called on my behalf. I barely heard what she was saying; I wanted to climb into a soft comfy bed not sat here on the concrete floor of the car park. The police had arrived and were sealing off the car park, forensics were working on the body. I wanted to get away as soon as possible Rob was on duty so he drove the three of us to the station to answer some questions.
I told Rob everything I knew about where Richard had been and the cases we were working on, but nothing about his search for my file in case it looked bad on him. A small part of me wondered if it was my fault he had died, in which case maybe I should mention his threats. Knowing this could lead to me being a possible suspect I kept quiet.
Adam was great, having a lawyer boyfriend came in handy; he had a private word with Rob before we left. Gordon was waiting outside; he ordered Adam to take me home and gave me the rest of the day off. We drove home in silence, I wasn’t sure if going home was the best thing, throwing myself into my next case may have been more help in taking my mind off Richard.
Adam meanwhile had plans of his own; he made me a cup of tea then set up the lap top in the kitchen,
“Get the scrapbook Leah, let’s start going through the articles and looking for places to start our search for Jake” My heart soared this was exactly the right thing for me to be doing. I raced off to fetch the book and we sat with our drinks pouring over all the scraps of paper Gran had collated.
We isolated a few interesting facts there was a partial image of the flats in Burnage, actually it was a Victorian semi converted into bed sits, I recognised the front door immediately. We also knew which car park my mum had been found; apparently the police had received an anonymous call about a body. I was desperate to start asking questions so like a pair of amateur sleuths we drove to Burnage hunting for the house in the photo.
When we got there I was disappointed to see that all the houses looked identical. We drove up and down the streets; nothing looked familiar until I spotted a fish and chip shop.
“Stop Adam it is somewhere here I remember my mum complaining of the constant smell of fish wafting in the flat from across the street. We parked up and walked over to the houses that faced the chippy, standing on the path I looked at the only two possibilities for my old home. I had absolutely no idea, feeling frustrated that nothing rang a bell Adam put an arm around me
“Don’t expect too much Leah, lets knock on a few doors and see if anyone remembers Suzie as she was the land lady” I agreed so we started knocking, after five no answers a lady in her fifties answered on the second floor
“Yes Suzie I remember her she disappeared just before that poor young girl was murdered, of course I lived next door then. These flats were very run down before that summer.” This was fantastic we had our lead I jumped in while she took a breath
“I am the little girl found with the dead girl Selina, did you ever see me with her” She peered at me her eyes suddenly bright with tears
“Come in dearie come in Oh you poor child, I thought about you every day, oh I am so glad you are well. A nice young man too I see, come in I will put the kettle on” Adam and I grasped hands excited for the first time in our search.
“Did you ever see my mother at all? Mrs sorry what is your name?” she frowned but was thinking back
“Mrs Franklin dear, I lived next door until the fire, and then we were all rehoused into this building. I remember seeing your mum, so pretty I only saw you a couple of times, children were never seen in this building, I think the hookers used to get the children removed by the social services poor wee mites, too young to be doing that work runaways most of them that Suzie used to arrange it all common piece she was” that was news to me, that explained her asking my mother if she wanted to keep Jake
“So when did you see me?” she was pouring the hot water into the pot, I helped by dropping the bags in for her
“I saw you once going to the chip shop and once when she dropped you off with Suzie when you were tiny, she was all dressed up getting into a fancy motor, had a limo driver it did, she looked stunning like a model” I stared at Adam, this must be the man she kept talking about
“What kind of car was it do you remember?” it was a long shot but you never know
“Big and Black dear, my hubby said it was a Bentley I think, very swanky for round here, poor girl can’t believe she was murdered. You know Suzie was found not long after?” Suzie!
“What happened I knew she had gone missing we borrowed her car that night we left, “she looked sad again
“Body floating in the Ship Canal I heard. Strangled then dumped in the water, such a shame” We drank our tea intrigued, there was nothing else to get from Mrs Franklin but I tried anyway
“Did you ever see my mum with a baby at all?” she shook her head still thinking about Suzie a thought occurred to me
“When was the fire?” Mrs Franklin answered immediately
“The week after your mum was killed. We were all evacuated in time luckily but your flat was where it started then it spread to our building, gas explosion we were told.
No way was this far too much of a coincidence. Could it be that someone was destroying any evidence of Jakes existence? It was the only explanation I could come up with. Suzie delivered him, she was killed, my mum murdered obviously, and now the flat. There would have been traces of him in there, but why leave me alive. We left her an hour later, Adam deep in thought, “I am going to drag Rob into this so many deaths surround your flat and no one looks into it? Coupled with the missing files I think we are out of our depth don’t you?” I definitely agreed but was hesitant in involving someone else, possibly putting him at risk too
“I need to tell him that Richard was looking into mum’s case to use as blackmail, it may be why he was killed, I feel bad now that I said nothing, I was trying to protect his reputation, I am sure his family wouldn’t like to hear he tried to intimidate me. Adam put a call through to Rob, he apparently had a lot to say; Adam gave me a sidelong glance
“We are on our way; I think we may be able to add some info to your case. Give us an hour Leah really needs to eat first” I frowned food was the very last thing on my mind, but after this morning maybe keeping my strength up wasn’t a bad idea. Adams idea of feeding me was a drive thru! Still I loved a burger every now and then. We parked up in an empty side road munching away on the messy burgers. I finished first giving me a chance to watch Adam eat, why was it everything he did was so graceful and perfect? Not a drop of relish on his chin, no ketchup on his lips I sighed with appreciation causing him to look at me.
“You still hungry? Grab a chip if you want” Leaving him unaware of my real hunger I reached over as if to pinch a chip, instead I stroked the crotch of his jeans licking my lips at the same time how very loose of me. I felt a twitch in his jeans; he gulped hard raising one eyebrow, giving me a questioning look.
“Hungry! Very hungry” I smiled as I lowered his zip freeing his awakening penis. With his burger poised at his mouth he could only stare as I lowered my head and proceeded to get him off. Adam was growling the food in his hands had disappeared somewhere and as his hands now clasped my head urging me on, I swallowed every last drop of him while he whimpered and raised my head feeling very pleased with myself.
“Shit Leah if a drive thru gets me extra’s I will pick you up every day for lunch” he pulled my face towards him and kissed me thoroughly. How times have changed I would never willingly do that for a man before, I certainly wouldn’t have imagined ever enjoying doing it. With Adam it was like giving had become better than receiving, hearing his moans of pleasure outweighed any orgasm he could give me. Now to kill the mood and visit the police station, what a way to lose a high!
Chapter 11
I was sat in an interview room with Adam acting as my representation; fidgeting in my seat I wondered why everything felt so formal. Rob walked in the room along with a young male of
ficer; he sat down then began a speech I recognised from TV shows
“Leah Fellows you are free to leave at any time, anything you say will be recorded and used for our investigations. Could you confirm your name and address for the tape please” My heart was hammering in my chest, what was this? A taped interview could only mean one thing. I was under suspicion for the murder. Repeating my name and address as requested I looked at Adam for reassurance. As my legal representation he had to maintain professionalism so barely glanced my way, I knew he had to be like this but still it left me feeling isolated.
“Miss Fellows, could you begin by describing your relationship with Mr Green, the deceased?” I gulped wondering where to start;
“Mr Green was my senior; we worked together for only one week. Our first court case I did the write up and Mr Green took offence to the praise I received and put his name against my article. Gordon, excuse me Mr Steel reprimanded him for that, you can check with him. On my third day Mr Green made a threat against me” I noticed both officers’ eyes widen at this
“He wrote a story in 1990 a murder of a hooker in Burnage, My mother. Mr Green remembered her real surname was the same as mine and once he confirmed the link he started digging for information to use against me. The evening before he disappeared he threatened me in the corridor accusing me of making police files disappear, inferring my connection to the Richmond family. He said he also had friends in high places and was meeting one of them that night, I gave him a knee to the groin and that was the last time I saw him..alive” I caught a proud look from Adam as Rob continued his questions
“Miss Fellows where were you on Thursday May 3rd2013 between the hours of 6 and 10pm?” my heart slowed as I knew I was safe now
“I was at the Palace theatre training with the cast. Then we went for a drink at Henry’s bar after, I got home at eleven thirty, if you need to check it, I was with Chris Holmes for the whole time he is a fellow dancer” Rob visibly relaxed, he must have found it very difficult considering me as a suspect. Adam was ready to take over the interview now
“Could you tell us what led you to Miss Fellows as a possible suspect?” Rob looked at him debating how much to say
“We have a few witness’s who said the relationship was fractious and one who witnessed the incident in the corridor, we had to check it out as it appears Miss Fellows was the last person who saw him alive” We both nodded understanding now why he had to bring me in.
“Could we talk off the record, we may have some information pertinent to the case” Rob switched off the recorder after making the correct comments. He dismissed the other officer and took out his notebook.
“Rob have you checked over Green’s PC at all, he was trying to get the official police investigation file on Leah’s mum but according to him it had disappeared why would that be?” Rob shook his head
“We searched his computer everything had been wiped his PC was cleared before he left, we have no idea why.” My mind whirled it was all becoming clear, someone was covering up.
“Leah you should know Richards throat was cut, your mum’s was too wasn’t it?” I nodded, obviously
I hadn’t known as a child but when I did find out it made sense of the pool of wet I had slipped in. I shuddered imagining myself at four lying on a bloodied body, thank God it was dark or I may have never recovered.
We filled Rob in on today’s search, disclosing the crucial missing link, my brother. We told him about our chat with Mrs Franklin and the fire. Rob would follow it all up himself, Jakes existence was the catalyst, and Rob didn’t like the sound of it at all. He would start by looking on the quiet without mentioning Jake, if it got into the press it could force a reaction that may endanger us all he promised to keep us in the loop.
“Advice from a friend you two, stay off this for a while it appears to be a health hazard, we will take over now. Adam keep your girl safe and just go about your normal daily routines to avoid rousing suspicion. By the way Leah give my girl a hug and tell her I may be late tonight” He winked at me, I liked Rob, the search for Jake may be just beginning but I reckon we were closing in on the answer.
The flat smelt of curry, Lucy was in her pyjamas even though it was only five o’clock, I could tell by her eyes she had been crying. Lucy wasn’t made of strong stuff like me, despite the fact she didn’t see the body she will have found the whole thing disturbing. I needed to check on her so a quick excuse to be alone meant sending Adam back out to pick up some beer to go with the curry.
After the door closed I advanced on my friend, I was no further than two steps before she started crying.
“Lucy it’s okay to be sad, come on come and sit down with me” She sniffled her way to the sofa’s I sat beside her and held her hand
“Oh Leah I know I am being a wimp but the thought of that man lying there all that time, and the awful smell is driving me mad. Three showers and I still can’t get rid of the stench” There was of course no stench but I understood the feeling of filth after a trauma like that so I didn’t even try to convince her otherwise.
“How did you get over this Leah, surviving that sort of trauma so young” I sighed knowing I needed to tell her the rest, Rob knew about Jake now so it wouldn’t be long before she got wind of it. Lucy wouldn’t forgive me for keeping it from her, it may even be a distraction she loves a good mystery.
“I need to tell you something Lucy, Adam already knows and now Rob too” She stopped crying and stared at me, her curiosity aroused as predicted.
“I have a brother. Wait before you interrupt let me finish” I told her everything up to discovering the little blue hat; she was full of questions bombarding me with theories. I was getting frustrated and saying it all out loud made me feel helpless again. I stood about to do my normal self-preservation trick of running away when two strong arms came around my waist centering me again
“Okay inspector Lucy! Give the girl a break it’s been a long day, I have the beer you’ve made the curry let’s eat” Lucy looked brighter already my story blew this morning’s events away, exactly as hoped. Glad that Adam had stopped me running I turned into his embrace relishing the feel of his strength enveloping me.
“I told her about Jake because she would have been hurt if Rob had let it slip, I should have been prepared for the third degree, you arrived just in time to stop me making a fool of myself again” His lips pressed on my forehead
“Never run while I am here Leah, if the urge takes you then run at me not away from me . Deal?” I nodded into his shirt inhaling his musky odour. “Come on let’s eat, you must be hungry” I giggled
“Oh yes Adam definitely hungry again” I looked up at his amused expression, noticing a flicker of motion in his trousers I rubbed myself purposely against him, he growled in my ear
“Lucy! I could do with a shower can dinner wait half an hour?” she shouted her agreement and we skittered of into my room shutting the door firmly behind us.
Adam dragged me by the hand into the bathroom, locking that door too, he turned the shower on full. His heated expression made my legs tremble, oh boy I wanted him so badly I could feel the wetness already. He started unbuttoning his shirt but I halted him.
“Let me help with that” I took my time kissing each part of his skin as it was exposed, I heard his breathing quicken and he took over impatiently, pulling his shirt off he grabbed my blouse, completely ignoring the buttons he pulled the edges so they pinged off in all directions.
His desperation was making me more aroused his hands were fumbling with the waistband of my skirt, struggling with the fastener until he gave up wrenching it up to my waist instead. Sinking to his knees he pressed his nose into my crotch moaning as he peeled down my panties. Parting my legs his mouth found my wetness; I thrust my hands into his hair to keep me upright my eyesight blurring as his tongue stabbed inside me
“Oh Jesus Adam that feels so good” his tongue continued its assault as his fingers massaged my clitoris; the sensations were unbelievab
le I felt like I was floating. Replacing his tongue with two fingers he rotated them just catching the sensitive spot inside, he stared up at me as his tongue sucked hard on my clit sending me spiralling into oblivion.
I was still recovering when his hands lifted me by the buttocks. Pressing me gently against the wall he thrust inside me, I clenched around him as he hit the top of me, his root stimulating my already sensitive clit, the heat burst over me again as I shuddered on him causing him to bite my neck to quieten his shouts as he exploded inside me. Panting and completely spent he lowered me gently to the floor kissing me with such sweetness my heart flew, lips sliding across mine I clung to him relishing the depth of his emotions. I pulled away daring for once to be honest and opening myself up to a world of pain I uttered the words I swore would never leave my lips
“I love you” Adam stared at me, no horror no disgust; I waited for him to say something scared he would pull away. His eyes closed then when they reopened I saw my answer and I knew I would be okay
“I love you too”
Chapter 12
I was a new person today, positive and confident. I was standing in front of Gordon in my short skirt, blue blouse and big smile.
“Leah I have decided not to replace Richard instead I want you take on the senior role” I couldn’t believe my ears “perhaps in time I will take a junior on for you but I think you have proven yourself in the past week quite capable of running the articles singlehandedly. I will denote a photographer when you require one; the rest is up to you. How do you feel about filling Richards’s shoes so soon?” I was still in shock
“I think I can handle it Sir it would be a challenge for me but I thrive on those so yes I would be happy to take it on.” He smiled
“Great it will mean a pay rise of course, and I have your first case notes on your desk. A high profile one this. The defendant requested you personally to cover it, he was impressed by the positive spin you did on the Simon James case. The Bosic case could open doors for you Miss Fellows, I am sure you will find some way of painting the man in a favourable light” I was stunned Victor Bosic wanted me? Blimey was this not a crossover of protocol dating the barrister