Watcher

by Grace Monroe

  Sunday 23 December, 3.30 a.m.

  I lifted my face and let the fat snowflakes fall onto it, feeling each one cold and clean upon my skin. I was worn out and felt like crap. I stuck my tongue out to catch a speck; it melted immediately but didn’t make me feel any cleaner. The cobbles were covered with a layer of white; it gave the streets an innocence that I’d lost long ago.

  There’s nothing like confronting death to fire up your will to live. The roads were lethal and I didn’t fancy spending Christmas in an intensive care unit. Lavender would kill me if nothing else. Snow lay on the Fat Boy too. He was staying where he was, and I’d have to get a taxi home. Easier said than done – the clubs were emptying and the narrow streets of the Old Town were filled with prime examples of binge Britain. Young girls staggered down the road arm in arm, thinking that there was safety in numbers. It made sense to me in the absence of any other option, so I fell in behind them as they lurched and reeled up St Mary’s Street.

  The sound of a horn made me jump. My heart raced as I turned and saw Bancho kerb crawling. Putting on my best smile, I hopped in – he’d obviously been bullied into this. As I’d overheard, he was on his way to pick up Joe at the casino to go on the dawn raid. A blast of warm air counteracted the chilliness of his welcome. Glancing at him out of the side of my eye, I put the seat belt on. The wheels skidded as Bancho drove off in the direction of my house; he was obviously in a rush to get rid of me.

  We stopped at the top of St Mary’s Street, and a shiver that had nothing to do with the temperature ran down my spine.

  ‘What did you think of the City Wall verdict … did it make you proud?’ Bancho asked, exhaling noisily. He watched as I gave my reply.

  ‘No.’

  On the corner with the Royal Mile sat the City Wall pub, implicated in one of Edinburgh’s most notorious murders. Two young girls, Alice Parks and Jane Derren, had been bound and raped then murdered after they had left the pub. The police had investigated the case for thirty years until advances in DNA techniques allowed them to bring in Andrew Saunders.

  ‘Did you think Alice and Jane got justice?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘You’re bloody right. We brought her killer to court; he was a convicted double killer and paedophile – yet he was found not guilty. Nine days of evidence, and thirty years of painstaking detective work down the toilet … why did the prosecutor close the case without putting the DNA evidence to the jury?’

  There was no answer. All I knew was the law must be above suspicion – which was why I’d asked if the judge was a Mason in the earlier case. People make mistakes – there must be no suggestion it’s not a mistake.

  ‘You know what the tragedy is, Brodie – we had the evidence to nail him … It just wasn’t put forward in court.’

  Bancho drove at speed. He couldn’t leave the scene of the City Wall fast enough.

  ‘It could happen again, Brodie. When I catch the Ripper there’s always a chance he could walk free because of a smartass lawyer – we both know that lawyer could be you. Would you sleep at night? Would you?’

  He was looking at the City Wall pub in the rear-view mirror. His eyes showed that the old case still haunted him. ‘Nobody cares.’ He ran his fingers over his mouth as soon as he spoke; perhaps wishing he could take the words back. ‘We couldn’t get justice for Alice and Jane and they belonged to the city – what chance does someone like Bianca have?’

  His nicotine-stained fingers kept pulling on his hair, and clumps came away in his hand. I hoped for Bancho’s sake that this alarming moulting had occurred because he hadn’t brushed his hair and not because of a failure to control his stress; otherwise he’d be as bald as a coot come Christmas morning.

  ‘No one cares about these girls,’ he said again. ‘Not their families, government, no one.’ His voice was rising. I could see he wasn’t taking me home. That was unfortunate, because I wanted to check out this ‘Hobbyist’ website as soon as possible.

  ‘The media just think these girls are prostitutes – even if they were that’s no excuse – but they were double-crossed, Brodie; told that they were coming to the West to go to college or to model, and then ending up as sex slaves.’ Bubbles of spit were forming at the edges of his mouth as he turned into Danube Street and stopped outside Kailash’s establishment. He leaned over and opened the door for me to get out. The snow was still falling heavily and I wasn’t even home yet. ‘Do you know that the American government doesn’t have a charter against people trafficking? You’d think Uncle Sam of all administrations would be against slavery – well, they all speak a good game but that’s as far as it goes. Bush said in 2002 that there would be zero tolerance and a bill was drafted, but defence contractors objected. The British government is just as bad.’

  I thought he was going to leave me alone in the snow; I was bored and just wanted to get home – but no such luck. He got out of the car and grabbed my arm, dragging me to the front door of Kailash’s place. I don’t choose to frequent my mother’s brothel or her casino, but Bancho wasn’t giving me any choice in the matter.

  It was a while before the door was answered, which gave me plenty of time to inspect the Christmas wreath in front of me. It was extravagant, expensive and unique – just like my mother. I was touching the blue thistles that were intertwined with holly, when Kailash opened the door.

  ‘Well, well, well – to what do I owe the pleasure?’ Kailash’s tone was sarcastic and acerbic. She wasn’t talking to Bancho, she was talking to me. It was a source of great annoyance to her that I had difficulty accepting her choice of profession. I’d hoped that when Connie went to a day school in Edinburgh, Kailash would change her ways. She certainly didn’t need the money. Her casino and property developing companies more than paid for her hairdressing bill, which wasn’t insignificant. Kailash said that I just didn’t understand her – kids were supposed to say that to their parents, but, actually, she was spot on.

  My heart sank as she pulled me inside the large Georgian hallway. With one swift kick of her Manolos, she slammed the door shut in DI Bancho’s face.

  Quality time with Mummy.

  Just what I needed from Santa.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Danube Street Casino, Stockbridge, Edinburgh

  Sunday 23 December, 4.10 a.m.

  I knew that my scuffed bike boots were leaving dirty marks on the plush red carpet, but I guessed that Bancho’s banging on the front door had been much more unsettling for the high rollers. Anything that took their minds off the tables was bad for business, and that made it Joe’s business.

  The hum of conversation and the shuffle of cards had slowed due to the late hour. It didn’t take too long before Glasgow Joe was at my side. He’d approached Kailash with an idea for online gaming; the costs were low, and their profits phenomenal. Against all odds they worked well together.

  We weren’t really back to chatting – a few minutes spent on a muddy pitch watching Connie couldn’t make up for what had happened; Joe’s a proud man who didn’t take rejection well and that was without him knowing that I’d slept with Jack Deans. Again.

  He blamed me. Well, that’s always easier. We’d got on great until he wanted more – Joe always wants more.

  I pulled a battered black-leather wallet out of my jacket and handed him £500 in fifty-quid notes. I always kept a sizeable quantity of spare cash on me – it made me feel safe. Growing up we never had grubby fivers lying around. Joe crooked his index finger and called over a waitress. He placed the money on her tray, and, after a few moments, she brought back the chips. As I took them, Joe quietly suggested that I try out the poker table, before heading for the front door where Bancho was still creating merry hell. I turned and watched as the door was opened – if the policeman was surprised to see Glasgow Joe in full Highland evening dress, he didn’t show it.

  ‘Have you got a warrant?’ Joe asked, his tone cool and measured. I wasn’t fooled. Despite apparent hostilities, these two were working together, c
reating a convincing charade to fool the rest of us.

  ‘No. It’s a friendly visit – I can get one, though, if that’s your last word on it,’ replied Bancho.

  Their play-acting was pathetic. Joe reached out into the cold night air and hauled Bancho in off the street. It looked impressive, especially to the punters who were growing a little uneasy. Manhandling the police in front of witnesses was an Oscar-winning bit of theatre.

  I wandered through the casino. It was packed with judges, football players, businessmen and wealthy tourists, all desperate to get a last bit of freedom before being shackled to their families for Christmas. I craned my neck looking around for someone – a friend, an acquaintance, but there was no one, so I turned my attention to the tables. I knew that Joe was probably watching me on the surveillance system. The clientele watched me too as I walked around. I contravened every dress code the casino had – my leathers were filthy, still covered in midges from the summer, but the pliable leather clung to my arse in what I’d told myself was a most appealing way. Maybe that would distract them all and I’d walk out of here a millionaire.

  Pulling out a chair, I joined the poker table playing Texas Hold ’Em. In for a penny, I thought as I took my jacket off too. I wasn’t wearing a bra because I hadn’t exactly dressed up when I left the flat, and the only one that wasn’t grey was lying on the bedroom floor after Jack had taken it off me, but maybe that was a good thing – more distraction for the saddos around the table.

  I kept my face blank as I clasped my cards up from the table. Pocket-Rockets – a couple of aces. I was in good shape. The player across from me, in a bespoke evening suit, white tie, and with the obligatory female companion looking over his shoulder, chucked another grand into the pot. The dealer knew my credit was good at his table, so I decided to play on – thirty minutes with Bancho had reminded me to live for today, but I’d make this my last hand, win or lose. To my surprise, the other player at the table raised too. His toe tapped constantly, he wore a cowboy hat and was difficult to read. In spite of his porky butcher’s fingers, he shuffled his chips deftly.

  ‘Two thousand more,’ he said, evening off the two stacks of black chips and pushing them into the pot. It was the right bet and it should have scared the third player away. Unfortunately for him, the third player was me and I was just riled.

  ‘I’m in,’ I said, pushing one pile of eight black chips into the pot.

  ‘You’re bluffing,’ the fat cowboy puffed, gulping air as his eyes flicked over me.

  ‘Play and see,’ I shrugged. I was sure that Joe would be laughing out loud if he was watching. The fat man looked convinced that all he had to do was push in his remaining chips, and he’d take the hand.

  ‘Yours,’ he snorted, flicking his cards over. A pair of sixes.

  ‘You were right,’ I told him as I flicked over my two aces. A roar went up as the dealer pushed a mountain of chips my way.

  A bit of luck at last – I wondered how long it would hang around for?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Danube Street Casino, Edinburgh

  Sunday 23 December, 4.40 a.m.

  Glasgow Joe leaned in to kiss me as he stopped to check that I was all right. The money in my pocket made everything all right. He swept me up and turned me round as I threw the cash in the air. The notes whirled around us like a snowstorm – I was Kailash’s daughter. I knew how to put on a good show for the punters.

  Bancho came out of the security room. With only an hour to go before his planned raid he was edgy. The smile slid from my face, and I bent down to pick up the notes, carefully collecting them and putting them in the old wallet.

  ‘Get Kailash,’ barked Bancho. ‘I want to see the dungeons – rumour is that she’s got slaves.’

  ‘Arsehole – come back with a warrant,’ I hissed.

  ‘What does Kailash want?’ Joe turned around to find her. She was leaning against a colonnade, her jet hair curled expensively around her shoulders, and a sheer black Dolce&Gabbana dress clinging to every curve.

  ‘I’ve never denied owning slaves, Duncan, but there’s quite a waiting list. See Malcolm; he’ll put your name down.’ I was jumping from foot to foot, but Kailash locked eyes with me and it was a look that told me to calm down. ‘There are a lot of exhibitionists in tonight – the thrill of being observed by a real policeman means I can push the price up,’ she purred. She turned on her heels – he was being given one chance at what he wanted. If he failed to take it, Kailash would shut the doors faster than a Venus flytrap. Everyone concerned knew there was no way Bancho would get a warrant to inspect these premises – the powers that be had no idea who the police would find there or what the tabloids would make of it; they themselves kept Kailash out of the courts because they spent so much time there.

  On the other hand, the Ripper’s victims seemed to be plucked from the city’s disenfranchised community of foreign, probably illegally trafficked prostitutes. Sex slavery. Perhaps, despite their unconventional ‘partnership’, Bancho didn’t trust Joe to check out Kailash’s operation with the same dedication he applied to brothels in Leith.

  ‘I’m coming!’ Glasgow Joe shouted. ‘I hate watching these fucking deviants getting their arses skelped,’ he muttered under his breath, and scratched his head as if such behaviour was beyond his comprehension. I knew it was. Joe’s sexual taste didn’t run along these lines; he was strictly a meat and two veg kind of guy. He grabbed my arm. ‘Don’t act smart down there – Bancho’s been mouthing off to the authorities that Kailash has sex slaves. I’ve told him he’s wrong but she feels insulted. She’s ready to knife him, Brodie, so we don’t need you shit-stirring as well. I don’t think it would be so easy to get Kailash off another murder charge.’

  I pulled free. But I went along with their game, even though they didn’t know I was in on it. ‘It wasn’t so easy for me the first time,’ I growled, rather content that we were now back on an even keel and old habits of bitching at each other were to the fore again.

  The dungeons were full tonight with ‘customers’ cramming in one more whipping before the traditions of Christmas demanded that they stay with their families. The dungeons were rooms with bars on them like the type you would see in a Wild West jail. It was a great design. Most fetishists were happy to share their perversion within their private world, and Kailash could check the employees were safe.

  ‘What’s the score here?’ I asked, pointing to a middle-aged, lumpy woman who was painting liquid latex onto a man. ‘And what’s with the straws?’ The man had thin tubes for breathing protruding from his nose. The dominatrix overheard me and proceeded to demonstrate by putting her thumbs over the bottom of the straws. Her victim, who was in chains, his hands manacled above his head, struggled. She took her boot and jammed the pointed heel into his bare foot. I winced. The man screamed silently, unable to make a noise because of the gag.

  ‘That’s enough, Betsy,’ Glasgow Joe warned as the male slave passed out.

  ‘This is what I mean, Joe – how can you say she doesn’t have more information about foreign sex slaves?’ Bancho hissed.

  ‘Because Betsy is married to a solicitor from Melrose – he’s a misogynistic bastard according to her, so she comes up once a month and spends his money here in the shops during the day and then helps out here at night, earning a bit of pin money that he knows nothing about. The slaves are quite happy to cooperate with Betsy.’ Glasgow Joe sounded tired as he explained matters.

  ‘Anything you need to ask about – ask me,’ said Kailash, who was standing behind Bancho long before he had any idea that she was there.

  ‘That girl there looks Eastern European,’ he said, squinting his eyes at her. The one he was talking about was a stunning dominatrix who would have been at least six feet tall in her fishnet-stocking soles. Tonight she wore over-the-knee latex boots with seven-inch heels. I winced when I saw the nipple clamps.

  ‘Contessa.’ Kailash beckoned the girl, who flicked the black eight-tongued whip over
her client’s butt before she left the cell. He squealed and I looked twice at him. I thought I recognized him, but it was hard to make out his features. He squirmed in the corner, presenting his naked, flaccid butt – Joe shuddered and I couldn’t blame him.

  Contessa, gripping the whip, marched over to her employer. ‘He wants a word with you,’ Kailash inclined her head in DI Bancho’s direction, and then started to laugh softly with Joe. I’d met her before – she was notoriously bad-tempered and born for this sort of work. It was unlikely that any attempt at questioning by the police would go down well.

  But the Ripper had pulled off what years of community vice work had failed to produce: cooperation. A sex worker from Eastern Europe she may be, but Contessa knew that this time police officers, even ones as smelly, dishevelled and desperate as Bancho, were on her side against a common enemy. They huddled in a corner as I waited for the explosion that never came; instead of kicking the detective’s butt (which I was secretly hoping for), Contessa kissed Bancho on both cheeks before returning to her dungeon.

  ‘I’m done here,’ Bancho said, walking up the stairs. Turning he faced me, ‘And you? You can walk home.’

  Silently, I wished them good luck at catching the Ripper.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Princes Street, Edinburgh

  Sunday 23 December, 3 p.m.

  The boots bit into my ankles, and it was with throbbing feet that I puttered over to the side, hands flailing wildly as I tried to stay upright on the ice. The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl were singing ‘Fairytale of New York’, and it rang out around Princes Street Gardens. Connie had dragged me down to Winter Wonderland – the most romantic outdoor ice-skating rink in the world.

  I’d found out that ice-skating is a dangerous business as soon as I’d started. I was certain I’d cracked my coccyx from the last fall. Jack was waving a Kielbasa sausage with sauerkraut all wrapped up in a hot-dog bun – the temptation was too much to ignore. Unable to stop, my body slammed off the barriers, every bone rattled. Winded, I reached out and snatched the sausage out of his hand.