Sinister Intent

by Karen M. Davis

  Then again, maybe he was reading too much into the messages. Perhaps it was merely some joke she had going between herself and a friend. That’s what you get for snooping, he berated himself. However, that uneasy feeling refused to budge no matter what he told himself. He checked the caller ID from where both messages were sent. It was the same number and was not listed in her contact list. That struck the ‘joke between friends’ theory off the list.

  A bad taste filled the back of his throat. Something was not right.

  Casey yelled at Josh from her office, startling him.

  ‘Josh, can you get in here!’

  The boss took off her reading glasses as he took the seat opposite her.

  ‘I just spoke to ballistics. The gun found in the street near where Rex had his accident doesn’t match with the bullets that shot Bluey.’ Her face became animated. ‘The gun found in the striped bag at Centennial Park, the one we assume belongs to Sandy Croft, does in fact match the bullets found at Robert King’s murder scene. That’s our murder weapon.’

  ‘You’re joking!’ He couldn’t believe it. Sandy Croft a murderer? Or a convenient scapegoat?

  ‘I don’t joke about things like that,’ Casey said. ‘The serial numbers, as you would expect, have been scratched off the surface of each weapon. But when a firearm is manufactured and imprinted with the serial number it’s like a branding. The impression leaves a bruising, a marking on the metal underneath. Using chemical etching and the right equipment, ballistics can often make out those imprinted numbers that can’t be seen by the naked eye. So even if someone has done a good job of scratching them off the surface of the weapon, they can still be detected.’

  Josh realised his mouth was agape and closed it. He was aware of the process but had never actually had to use the procedure. This was great news.

  Casey’s expression turned severe. ‘Are you ready for this? It gets better.’

  Josh found he could only nod. His voice had apparently deserted him.

  ‘Both firearms are police issue. The murder weapon has been traced back to a retired police officer whose last posting was at Balmain. The gun was stolen from his locker two and a half years ago.’

  Now not only was Josh unable to speak but he could barely hear over the thumping in his chest.

  ‘You were stationed there at that time, weren’t you? You may have known the officer? His name is Bond. Jonathan Bond.’

  For a moment Josh lost the power of speech. Staring at his boss, he opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

  Casey Blair straightened in her chair. ‘Josh, what’s wrong?’

  Finally finding his voice, he said, ‘I know him. He’s not the only one who had his gun stolen at that time. And I’m not the only one in this office that was stationed there at that time either . . .’

  CHAPTER 57

  Pure unadulterated fear threatened to turn Lexie’s muscles to jelly as panic seized every part of her body. A hand grabbed the back of her shirt, dragging her roughly to her feet. Her hair was yanked painfully, her body arched awkwardly as she was hauled backwards. Unbalanced and hovering on the brink of tipping over, she was unable to see her assailant or able to kick out and fight.

  Jesus! What was happening?

  Her thoughts were jumbled, chasing each other in circles, trying to make sense of her predicament. Then, as the cold barrel of a gun was pressed hard against her cheek, the true horror of her situation sunk in.

  Lexie froze. Her heart beat wildly as adrenaline surged through her system. She could hardly breathe. This was déjà vu, but it was all real, not one of her nightmares. For the first time she wished it was.

  ‘The beautiful sexy Lexie finally in my arms.’

  He was holding her captive from behind so she couldn’t see her attacker. But she instantly recognised the voice. Her blood turned to ice.

  His breath stunk of coffee and was hot on the skin of her neck. Straightening her up, he burrowed the gun further into her cheek, rendering her completely helpless. Panicked eyes darted around the familiar living area of her friend’s apartment, searching hopelessly for a means of escape. Her instincts told her to make a mad dash and run through the glass doors only metres away. Except she knew that if she did somehow manage to break free, her captor would have a bullet in her back long before she could dive through the glass wall.

  Lexie squirmed when she felt a jagged tongue dart inside her ear and fought the urge to gag. Her slight movement caused the gun to be pushed further into the hollow of her cheek.

  ‘I wouldn’t fight it if I were you, Lexie,’ the voice said. The arm around her neck moved to her chest. Capturing a breast, he squeezed it painfully. A chill ran across her back.

  Don’t worry. You called off on the police radio. If you don’t call back on they’ll start looking for you. But you could be dead by then, you fucking idiot! You should have trusted your instincts.

  ‘I’m sorry it has to be this way but you’ve left me no choice. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

  Her mind was so busy trying to find a way out of this situation she hadn’t yet grasped why she was here. What had she done to be such a threat? Then Rex’s words jumped into her brain. ‘If there is no witness to the dying declaration – there is no dying declaration.’ She thought about Amitt Vincent. If she wasn’t around to give evidence at his trial he would walk free.

  Amitt Vincent. The thought of him gave her an idea. It had worked once before. She had to remain calm. Maybe she could pretend to faint? Catch him off guard.

  ‘You are so delicious, Lexie,’ he whispered, brushing his lips across the skin of her throat. His tongue traced the small straight scar along the length of her hairline. ‘We all know how you got that; though we aren’t allowed to mention it. Wouldn’t want to upset poor Lexie, now would we? Don’t worry, when it’s time I’ll make sure it’s quick. But first, we’re going to have some fun.’

  Should she fall to the ground now? She couldn’t. The gun was rammed under her chin. If only she could reach her ankle holster . . .

  Almost as if he’d read her mind, she felt his free hand trace the outline of her body, over the curve of her breast, the sway of her hip and along the outside of her thigh until, bending down, he reached her calf muscle. Finding her holster, he removed the gun. She heard it land on the floor with a thud somewhere behind her.

  How can this be happening? Instead of a knife it was going to be a gun this time.

  ‘Now you are completely at my mercy.’

  He laughed. She thought the sound held the slight hint of hysteria.

  ‘Lexie,’ he groaned, biting her neck and grinding his erection into the back of her thigh. ‘I’m going to fuck you to death.’

  That was when it hit her . . .

  Kate’s voice resounded in her head. ‘You’re so fucking stupid. Just turn it around, you stupid bitch.’ The letters smeared across her mind. But it was all too little, too late.

  BURGH, turned around, spelt backwards was HGRUB – H.GRUB. Leave off the H and you had it. The Grub. How clever! So simple!

  If only she’d figured it out sooner.

  CHAPTER 58

  Harry Burgh could not believe how easy this was. Lexie Rogers was a friend indeed, running to the assistance of a friend in need, and now it was the fearless detective who required rescuing. That was not going to happen, of course. He’d fucked up before. That wouldn’t happen again. Nothing was going to stop him now. He would get what he wanted, create some memories that would last him a lifetime and then dispose of the rubbish.

  Her skin was so smooth and tasted so sweet, he thought, licking the back of her neck. He ripped at her shirt, impatient to see her naked. Hopefully she would live up to his expectations. It would be extremely disappointing if she didn’t. Buttons flew through the air as the material fell away easily, leaving Lexie standing before him in only a lacy black bra and work pants.

  Sick of looking at the back of her, Burgh suddenly pushed her forcefully tow
ards the wall. He wanted to see the expression on her face – the fear in her eyes.

  ‘Put your back to the wall, and don’t move or I’ll put a bullet between those beautiful brown eyes of yours.’

  He pointed the gun at her head.

  Lexie obeyed and Burgh felt his heartbeat quicken as he stared at the lush breasts almost spilling out of her bra. Now he could see her properly and get a better look at that incredible figure. He had to remind himself to be patient, to savour the moment and commit it to memory. She was perfect; lean, luscious and incredibly sexy. More than any man could wish for.

  ‘Why are you doing this?’ the nervous voice asked him quietly. ‘It doesn’t have to be like this. We work together. How can you – ’

  ‘Shut up, slut!’ he yelled.

  He knew what she was doing and disgust filled his veins at her desperation. The pleading tone in her voice made him want to vomit. Her vain attempt to build rapport, establish a bond, was so textbook and completely transparent. Obviously, she believed it to be her only hope, but it was way too late for that.

  ‘Don’t attempt to bullshit a bullshitter,’ he spat.

  The dark cloud of rage he held at bay threatened to engulf him. He couldn’t let that happen now. It was essential he remain in control.

  ‘I know what you’re trying to do and it won’t work.’

  Moving forward, he closed the small space between them. She tensed when he squeezed her nipple but her eyes locked on his, refusing to break the contact. He knew she would enjoy it.

  All women were easy!

  ‘You killed my brother.’

  She surprised him with her directness and he halted momentarily.

  ‘If you intend to kill me, the least you can do is tell me why you killed him.’

  It occurred to Burgh she must have been speaking to Harrison. Who else could have given Lexie that idea? And because she had the balls to ask, he would give her the truth. What did it matter? He might even enjoy divulging his secrets, bragging of his accomplishments and giving Lexie a sense of resolution before her death.

  ‘Take off your bra,’ he ordered.

  ‘I’ll take off my bra when you’ve answered my question,’ she shot back.

  The muscles around his mouth tightened and stood out like cords running down his throat.

  ‘I’m running the show!’ he bellowed, incensed at her audacity, although quietly impressed.

  He sensed her vulnerability, her fear, though she battled to contain it. He knew of the inner turmoil she must be feeling, yet she kept it hidden just beneath the surface. She was inspirational, strong, and for some reason her false bravado triggered a swell of emotion in him he had not predicted, could not have anticipated. He pushed the unfamiliar feelings aside with annoyance. He could not afford to be blindsided or distracted.

  ‘I have the gun pointed at you and you dare to demand answers to your questions?’

  Lexie lowered her eyes to the floor. ‘If you just satisfy my curiosity I promise you I will not fight.’ She looked up and gave him a sensual smile. ‘I’ll let you do whatever you want to me.’

  He’d been right, she did want him.

  Shrugging his shoulders, he casually perched himself on the arm of the lounge chair next to him. Letting the gun rest in his lap, his eyes fixed on her taut stomach.

  ‘I suppose it doesn’t matter; you won’t be around much longer. What do you want to know?’

  ‘I want to know why you’re doing this to me. I want to know why you killed my brother.’

  ‘That’s easy. You are the only witness to the bikie’s dying declaration, that’s why. It is quite ironic, really. Your brother was always in the way and it seems you have the same bad habit. Have you figured out the puzzle yet? That I’m the Grub?’

  She nodded.

  ‘I know Kate Bushell told you. What did you have to do to get that out of her? She hates cops.’

  When he’d discovered Lexie had been speaking to Donaldson’s moll, Burgh knew he was running out of time and that he’d have to act swiftly before his world came crashing down around him.

  ‘Kate told me nothing. She wouldn’t betray Rex.’

  He didn’t believe her. Kate had to have told her.

  ‘What did Donaldson do to you, anyway? Why have you tried . . . are still trying to kill him?’

  The thought of Donaldson sent a shot of anger through his body.

  ‘He didn’t know who he was dealing with when he cut off the protection money. And then he had the gall to threaten me.’ He had to die. ‘I don’t take pleasure in this kind of stuff. It’s not personal. It’s business. I have a reputation to uphold. Nothing and no one is going to take me down.’

  ‘Okay, I understand why you want me out of the way. I’m the only one who heard the dying declaration and together with Rex we can put you away. But why my brother? What did he do to you?’

  Burgh focused on her face, relishing his power.

  ‘Your brother wasn’t a bad bloke and for a while there I thought I could mould him, shape him into someone worthwhile, someone I could work with. But it wasn’t meant to be. He refused to bend and threatened to expose my . . . other dealings. I found out he’d been taking photos of me; at meetings, doing business with . . . associates . . .’

  ‘Criminals, you mean,’ she interrupted.

  He could feel the dark cloud hovering overhead.

  ‘He knew too much.’ Burgh stopped there, justifying the event in his mind. ‘I didn’t kill him. Someone else did that for me. I just didn’t stop it.’ He shrugged, not feeling the slightest degree of remorse. ‘Sorry.’

  She gave him an incredulous look. ‘You are not sorry. You’re about to do the same thing to me, because I know too much. You’re nothing but a cold, calculating killer. How can you be a cop? You’re supposed to help people. How can you live with yourself? Think about our poor parents; my mother won’t cope. How would your mother feel if she lost a child? Lost two children?’

  At the mention of his mother, an intense rage shot through him. He had to swallow hard to push it back down. His mother was a piece of shit who had run off with the first available man and left him with his alcoholic father. He hadn’t seen her since he was six. She was a slut who had never cared about him.

  ‘That’s enough. I’ve answered your questions. Now, take off your clothes.’

  Like a caged animal, he watched her eyes dart around the room as her hand slowly reached behind her back to unhook her bra. He knew she was stalling, still searching desperately for a diversion, a way out, but his patience was wearing thin. He wanted her now!

  ‘If you don’t hurry up I’ll rip the rest of your clothes off with my teeth,’ he threatened, moving towards her.

  She didn’t flinch when he grabbed her hair and pulled her head forward to meet his mouth. He still held the gun. He pushed it into the tight skin of her abdomen just to remind her who was in control, keep her honest, as his tongue licked her lips. Surprisingly her mouth opened willingly, allowing him further access, kissing him back.

  She wanted him. All women were easy.

  His other hand fumbled for the button of her pants while Lexie rubbed her hand against his hard groin. He heard her moan as he pinched her nipples.

  ‘The bedroom,’ she whispered breathlessly. ‘Let’s go to the bedroom.’

  ‘Shut the fuck up. I’m taking you right here, right now.’ Just then, pounding footsteps advancing outside the door caught his attention. Burgh pulled back, his forehead creased with irritation and alarm as his head spun towards the door. Holding his breath, he watched in stunned silence as the doorknob twisted, turned and flew open, startling them both.

  CHAPTER 59

  Lexie was holding her breath, uncertain what to expect. It took her eyes a heartbeat to focus. Blinking rapidly, an avalanche of emotions flooded her body simultaneously; astonishment, confusion and then intense relief. This nightmare was going to have a happy ending after all. The woman standing in the doorway smiled at her reas
suringly.

  Lexie’s eyes flew to the gun in her hand.

  Shoot him, her mind screamed. Blow him away. Don’t trust him for a second.

  ‘You’re early,’ Burgh accused, his voice controlled yet displeased.

  The hairs on the back of Lexie’s neck stood on end. Any hope she’d had of being rescued swiftly vanished as the sour taste of fear, dread and betrayal burned the back of her throat.

  For a moment she’d had a plan; to play along with Burgh, pretend to be a willing participant to his lovemaking with the hope of luring him into a false sense of security and then, when his defences were down, strike unexpectedly, in the throes of passion. It had been her only chance. But now − shock, disappointment and horror threatened to overwhelm her.

  The woman rested perfectly manicured fingers on her narrow hips and gave Burgh a radiant smile. Closing the door with a casual kick of her foot, she purred, ‘Don’t worry, Harry. I won’t interrupt your fun. I just thought I might watch, that’s all.’

  Lexie couldn’t believe her ears. What the hell was going on? Disappointment, hurt and disbelief turned her chest to lead. How could someone she had thought was a friend do this to her? How had she not seen this one coming? So much for her amazing intuition! Her incredible sixth sense appeared to be as dependable as a light globe in a blackout. Frustration clawed at her insides.

  Burgh smirked.

  ‘Do you mean it? Maybe you could join in?’

  Lexie saw that Burgh was distracted, obsessed by the thought of sex with two women, and had lowered his gun. It was now pointed towards the floor – not that she had a hope in hell against the two of them and their guns. She could only hope the police radio operator would become concerned when she failed to call back on from this address and send a car to check on her welfare. Stay positive, she lectured herself, pressing her skin against the cool wall behind her. Beads of sweat dripped down the side of her face but it wasn’t due to the heat. Eventually someone would miss her. Use your undercover skills, utilise your ability to negotiate, engage them in conversation, keep them talking, stall – do anything.