London Noir: A gripping crime suspense thriller (Kal Medi Book 2)

by Ann Girdharry

  For almost an hour, they stayed that way. Kal thought about Sophie’s short life, and Eliza’s, and about how much misery and suffering had been stuffed into both of them. Kal swallowed down her own tears and waited, watching the sun sinking towards the horizon.

  Only when the sobbing stopped did the story start to come, spurting out between bouts of desperate shaking. It took time for Kal to make sense of it all.

  She learned that Eliza had been found dead in her bed earlier that day – the morning of her eighteenth birthday. It was Sophie who discovered her, and although the nurses at Melrose and emergency services had done everything they could to resuscitate her, Eliza was reported dead on arrival at accident and emergency. A suicide note had been found. According to the word doing the rounds at Melrose, Eliza had overdosed on prescription medication. Melrose had rigorous procedures and an investigation was already underway to find out how a vulnerable girl might have had access to restricted and strictly supervised substances. It seemed the police hadn’t suspected any suspicious activity though everyone at the clinic, including Sophie, had been routinely questioned that morning.

  The thing was, as Kal pieced together the information, she felt a growing sense of unease.

  ‘So, tell me again, although Eliza dreaded her birthdays, you thought she was in a positive frame of mind when you left her last night?’

  ‘That’s what I can’t understand. If she were going to kill herself I’m sure I would’ve realised something was wrong. When Eliza’s been depressed or hurting in the past, sometimes I sleep in her room even though it’s not allowed, and the nurses turn a blind eye. I was ready to do it last night, only it didn’t seem she needed me. If anything, she seemed more positive than usual, like she had something to look forward to.’

  ‘Did anything different happen during the day?’

  ‘Her family lawyer visited. It’s a woman and I’ve seen her before. She comes every six months to talk about finance and plans and stuff like that. I think she’s quite nice and I suppose she wanted to let Eliza know what would happen for the coming year, you know, whether she would stay at Melrose and all.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘And nothing. Of course she was staying.’

  It all sounded so straightforward. A vulnerable girl who dreaded her birthdays, who took her own life because she couldn’t bear to continue as she was. That’s why Kal didn’t buy the scenario. Especially since Sophie had been at Melrose ready to stay with Eliza. Kal had seen how close the two of them were, and she knew first-hand how astute Sophie was. Kal felt convinced Sophie would’ve known if something was wrong and she would’ve stayed close to comfort Eliza and prevent a tragedy.

  ‘Did she try to take her life before?’

  Sophie hesitated. ‘Yes, but that was different. She was in a bad patch.’

  ‘I’m glad you came to find me, Soph.’

  ‘Yes, so am I. You’re solid. Like people can lean on you and you won’t break.’

  Kal gave Sophie a sharp look. ‘Is that why you came back?’

  Sophie hesitated. ‘Yes.’

  At that moment, Purdy decided to make an entrance. She strutted across the lounge floor and jumped onto Sophie’s lap.

  ‘Thank you so much for looking after her. I knew you’d be a great cat-sitter.’

  Kal felt a bit guilty and was suddenly glad she’d remembered to put food out that morning. The poor animal had acted half starved. She stood up and walked over to the window and stared out at the plane trees lining the road and running all the way along the side of Wimbledon Common. Kal kept her back to Sophie. Two joggers were heading this way, their bright running shoes stark against the grey of the pavement. The girl was withholding something – Kal knew it. Likely a key piece of information. Certainly linked to Eliza’s death. And Sophie seemed to have snapped right out of her lethargic state. The shock could have done that. Kal was still waiting for the results of the pill analysis but was Sophie implicated here? Had she any part in Eliza’s death? Should Kal trust Sophie or should she push and force until she got that last piece of information out of her, most likely destroying any bond they had between them in the process? Kal half-closed her eyes and listened to her gut instinct. Wait, said the voice in her head, let the confession come in its own time, and so Kal turned around and gave Sophie a small, sad smile.

  ‘Penny’s been killed and now Eliza. I don’t think this is over yet and you’d better stick with me and my friends until it is.’

  Sophie nodded and curled up with the cat. Her face was puffed up from all the crying and Kal noted again the girl’s resilience and strength of character given the stress she’d been through. What a horrible, gruesome discovery. Kal felt even more certain that deep down inside, Sophie had more reserves than she realised. Kal stroked Purdy and tucked the cushion more comfortably behind Sophie’s head.

  Thanks to her summoning by Dante, Kal had missed the planning meeting for Marty’s homecoming but there was no way she was going to miss the actual event. The best place for Sophie would be by Kal’s side. Or if that wasn’t possible, by Marty’s side, and Marty’s homecoming would be the ideal opportunity for the two of them to meet. Kal watched while Sophie fell asleep. Then she tip-toed out of the lounge. She needed time to reflect on her strategy.

  ***

  The knee held out for the workout and Kal made sure not to over-stress it.

  She’d missed her usual kung fu sessions. Whenever she stayed in London she’d the habit of attending her old club and normally, she’d have been going down there at least three times a week to clear her head and burn off the stress. Kal flexed her knee. It was pride too that kept her away, because she didn’t want LeeMing to see her not at her best. That was stupid and she knew it.

  After going through a full routine of stretching and power exercises, Kal sat for a long meditation. When she finished, she opened her eyes to find Sophie standing in the doorway, staring at her. The girl’s face was still red and blotchy.

  ‘I wasn’t spying, I wondered what you were doing,’ Sophie said quickly.

  ‘Being curious isn’t spying, Sophie, you didn’t do anything wrong.’ Kal patted the mat beside her. ‘Come and sit with me. I’ve been doing martial arts since I was a kid and meditation is a key part of the discipline – it allows me to let go of distractions and keep focused.’

  ‘I bet you’re pretty good at martial arts. You look the type.’

  ‘Do I?’

  People didn’t usually say that to Kal because she preferred to hide her abilities. Often, she hid them simply by wearing very girly clothes. It wasn’t always wise to show your strengths – a better strategy was to keep them as a surprise, especially in uncertain or dangerous situations. Kal patted the mat again, avoiding filling Sophie in on her level of skill.

  ‘Will you teach me?’ Sophie asked.

  ‘What? Meditation or martial arts?’

  ‘Both.’

  Sophie’s tone was serious.

  ‘It takes years to become proficient at martial arts. I’ve got to say it could really help you, for instance with your confidence and with your emotions. Most people learn it for self-defence but it has so much more to offer.’

  ‘My half-brother, Raymond, would probably like it then. He’s always telling me I’ve got a problem with self-esteem.’

  ‘Hey, I didn’t put it that way.’

  ‘I know. I guess Raymond’s not as diplomatic as you. I’m just one big problem for him that he’d like to get rid of.’

  What must have it been like losing your parents and then being left with a man like Raymond? Pretty dreadful, Kal imagined. What would he have to offer a grieving child? Kal sat still, sensing more was coming.

  ‘Ever since Mum and Dad died he’s tried to suffocate me. He’s the one who put me in Melrose. He’s the one who signed the papers so that he doesn’t have anything to do with me. When I first went there I was drugged up to the eyeballs and that was his doing.’

  Sophie didn’t hide her b
itterness.

  ‘Penny was my only friend outside of the clinic and Raymond always hated her.’

  ‘Why would he feel like that?’ Kal made certain to ask it gently.

  ‘Why do you think? Because Penny was a prostitute and runs a brothel of course. Raymond hated her, and he hated that Penny wanted me to get out of Melrose and build my own life. But she was the only one who cared about me.’

  ‘And how did you know Penny?’

  ‘I’ve known her all my life. She and Mum were friends.’

  ‘Right, well maybe Raymond was worried about you. You told me you had money, so perhaps he thought Penny was trying to manipulate you?’

  ‘Bullshit. Raymond is the one who manipulates. Always dragging me back to Melrose when I tried to get away. Penny cared about me and she didn’t give a damn about my money.’

  Again, Kal regretted not meeting Penny so she could’ve made her own assessment of the woman. A clever manipulator can always make it seem they care for you, it’s one of their best tricks and works so well on the lonely and desperate. Once they’ve got their claws in, a victim doesn’t find the strength to get away because they’re too reliant on the affection.

  Sophie was struggling to keep her emotions in, her chest pumping up and down. Tears started to flow.

  ‘This is what we’re going to do, Sophie, first I’m going to talk you through a guided meditation. It’s a method to bring us back to our centre and help everything else fade into the background – thoughts, emotions, turmoil – they’re all going to calm down. Then, you’re going to rest and sleep if you can. Tomorrow I’d like you to meet Marty. I know going outside is the last thing you want to do but I’m going to be right there with you every step of the way. Are you willing to try it?’

  ‘They covered Eliza’s lovely face with a sheet and when I saw them wheeling her away something inside me broke. I wanted to fall on the floor and never get up. They left me in a chair in the corner. The police questioned me and then the nurses put me to bed. It was all I could do to crawl back here.’

  ‘I’m so sorry, Sophie. I can’t imagine how horrible it must have been to find her.’

  Sophie made gulping sounds. ‘Whatever you’ve got inside that makes you strong, Kal, I want it. I don’t want to be weak anymore. I want to fight for Eliza. I want to help find out who did this.’

  And vulnerable, frail Sophie was telling the truth, Kal could see that. Sophie’s whole body shook and Kal watched as the girl sat down beside her. Then Sophie copied Kal’s posture and crossed her legs and, trying to wipe away the tears, she closed her eyes.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  ‘You should’ve told me about poor Eliza and I would’ve cancelled the damn party. It wasn’t my idea in the first place,’ Marty said.

  Marty and Kal were in the kitchen at Marty’s apartment. Through the open doorway, Marty could see Sophie sitting hunched at a table. The other guests were in a light mood, chatting and laughing, and it made Marty feel extra bad for what the girl must be going through.

  ‘Sophie’s had the night to get over the worst of the shock. She needs time to come to terms with it,’ Kal said.

  ‘It’s going to take a bunch of time to come to terms with another of her friends being murdered.’

  ‘Eliza’s suicide note must’ve been faked, I’m convinced of it. I’m going to brief Detective Inspector Spinks, see if I can get him involved.’

  ‘And meanwhile I hope we’re going to do some digging of our own,’ Maty said. ‘I can see from your face you’ve been planning the next move.’

  ‘Of course I have,’ Kal said, staring beyond Sophie to an attractive woman on the far side of the lounge. The woman had auburn hair swept up into a pony tail and she had long legs, shown off to good effect by a short skirt. Kal tried not to grit her teeth.

  ‘Yeah, I thought you’d clock LeeMing’s girlfriend. Her name’s Fiona,’ Marty said. ‘Attractive woman, isn’t she?’

  ‘I’m not clocking anyone.’

  Marty watched as her brother gave LeeMing a friendly slap on the shoulder. It was good to see the people she cared about in the swing of their own lives rather than sitting fretting at her bedside.

  ‘You’re not going to like this, Kal, but there’s one question keeps popping into my mind. If Eliza’s death wasn’t suicide then who supplied the pills? I mean, it was an overdose, so if it was voluntary or if it was forced, someone had access to restricted substances. Eliza got the supply from someone or somewhere.’

  ‘It was forced. No question.’ Kal said it quickly.

  Marty was careful to keep her voice even. ‘And what if Sophie had access? What if Sophie hoarded her own supply of medication? Did you think about that?’

  ‘Only briefly. Believe me, it’s a non-runner.’

  Marty crossed her arms. ‘From an outside point of view, Sophie is the only link between the two killings. Fact – she was the first to discover Eliza. Fact – something happened at Montgomery Road, we don’t know what, and she hid in the laundry basket. What if Sophie was upstairs with Penny? I mean, the girl attacked you with a knife, we can’t dismiss that.’

  ‘I’m not dismissing it. She’s been traumatised. Sophie gets re-triggered and then she can’t remember what happened or what’s she’s been doing.’

  ‘My point exactly. And you said she changed. When she attacked you she’d gone into a dark frame of mind like it wasn’t really her.’

  ‘Sophie isn’t a killer.’

  ‘You told me yourself you saw hatred in her eyes.’

  ‘Yes, and?’

  Marty could see Kal getting more and more defensive and annoyed. Better back off for now or she risked Kal walking out on her. Besides, if Sophie posed a risk to Kal, Marty intended to be around to monitor that risk. The last thing she wanted was Kal cutting her out. Marty took a sip of her apple juice. ‘All I’m saying is, let’s keep it in mind.’

  ‘Sure, and I think I’d better go and check on her right now.’

  Marty watched as Kal fussed around Sophie, offering crisps and another drink, even though the girl appeared to be completely lost in her own world, unaware of activity around her, her eyes unfocused. Why would Kal change from someone who didn’t give a second glance to strays of any kind? What was it about this girl that had got to Kal? Whatever it was, it worried Marty. Kal’s judgement was off. And that was bad.

  Marty noticed that as Kal walked around the table, she moved awkwardly. Kal had injured her leg in India in a near-death incident and it looked like the knee was still giving problems. That wasn’t good news either. And definitely not something Kal would want to talk about. Marty made a mental note never to mention it. Then, as Fiona made directly for Kal, Marty bolted out of the kitchen. She wondered wryly how many guests had been beaten to death at homecoming parties.

  ‘LeeMing told me all about you,’ Fiona said with a smile. ‘Sounds like you’re a bit of a power woman.’

  ‘Kind of,’ Kal said.

  ‘Oh hi, Marty. Great to see you again.’

  Marty caught Kal’s accusing look.

  ‘You’re looking so much stronger already,’ Fiona said.

  ‘Thanks,’ Marty said, really wishing she’d warned Kal about Fiona’s job.

  ‘You two have met then?’ Kal said.

  ‘Of course, we’ve met plenty of times,’ Fiona said, completely missing the barb in Kal’s comment. ‘I’m a physiotherapist at the hospital, didn’t Lee tell you? And I hope you don’t mind but I kinda noticed you still seem a bit stiff in your leg, Kal. I guess it’s from the thing that happened in India?’

  Marty had a sinking feeling in her stomach.

  ‘I’d be happy to suggest some exercises if you’d like to-‘

  ‘No, I wouldn’t.’

  Kal’s rudeness cut the conversation dead and Fiona stifled a nervous laugh.

  ‘Oh, don’t mind my friend,’ Marty said, ‘directness is her middle name.’ And she took Kal’s elbow and half steered, half forced Kal away.
<
br />   ‘I didn’t know you two were such good buddies,’ Kal said.

  Kal sounded calm but Marty knew better. One of her friend’s worst traits was jealousy.

  ‘Fiona’s been one of my therapists and she’s great. I should’ve given you the heads up on that one only I got distracted by…’ Marty turned to look over her shoulder at Sophie. ‘Shit.’

  The girl sat rigid in her chair, her eyes screwed shut and her hands in fists pressed at her temples. She looked like she was about to have a fit.

  And Sophie did. She toppled sideways, landing with a thud. Then she started screaming and flailing her arms.

  A wave of weakness ran down Marty’s legs and she leant on the back of a chair. The others were quickly by Sophie’s side and she let them tend to the girl. Kal, Fiona, Marty’s mother, LeeMing – there was plenty of help on hand. Marty got her breath back, glad the others hadn’t noticed her sudden wave of fatigue. Working with Kal was intense and getting to the bottom of the murders would be demanding. Marty realised she wasn’t quite up to it and she really, really wanted to be.

  Kal’s arms were around Sophie and she’d stopped thrashing. The girl was trying to speak.

  ‘Penny – dead.’

  ‘I know, Sophie,’ Kal said, ‘I’m so sorry, Penny’s dead.’

  Sophie shook her head. ‘Penny – dead.’

  Marty knelt opposite Kal. Their eyes briefly met.

  Sophie said, ‘I – saw – him.’

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  ‘I – saw – him. It was Sugar G.’

  ‘Sugar G?’ Kal said, glancing up at Marty.

  They manhandled Sophie into the kitchen and propped her against the cabinets. Marty closed the door.

  ‘Tell us from the beginning,’ Kal said, ‘and go slowly.’

  ‘Sitting at the table it popped into my mind. I remember I wanted to ask Penny something and I went upstairs. I found her lying on the bed with blood… and her eyelids, I mean her eyes were… it was horrible… I tried to wake her up. I shouted and I shook her and her head lolled.’ Sophie put her hands to cover her face.