Saffina Desforges' ROSE RED Crime Thriller Boxed Set Page 4

“It’s your bedroom, Mrs. Ellis. I’d prefer it if you accompanied us.”

  “There’s nowt worth stealing. Be my guest.”

  “Mrs. Ellis. Please?”

  The old lady let out a prolonged sigh, gently placing the still sleeping cat on the floor. She struggled to her feet. “Arthritis. But don’t you worry about me, Inspector. You just drag a poor pensioner out of her chair, just so you can look out of a bleeding window. That’s why I wanted a senior male officer. Someone who understands the word gentleman.” She stared at Harris, making plain he did not fit the bill.

  Mrs. Ellis pushed open the door, shuffling around the bed to pull back the drawn curtains, letting daylight flood in. Red tried not to look at the mess as she worked her way through the piles of newspaper and empty gin bottles that littered the cat-hair strewn carpet. She was surprised to see a laptop on the small table by the bed.

  “And the Bingo Hall is…” Red scanned across the park, trying to get her bearings. She glanced at Harris before turning to the old lady. “Mrs. Ellis?”

  Mrs. Ellis shuffled alongside. “You’ll be wanting to borrow my glasses next. “There, for God’s sake. Through those trees.”

  Red squinted her eyes to try to focus on the white and blue building just visible in the distance. She let out a sigh as she turned from Harris back to the old lady. “Mrs. Ellis, with the greatest of respect, you can barely see the hall in daylight. There is no way on Earth you could determine a face in the dark at this distance, let alone hear a name. You’d need a pair of binoc…”

  Red’s voice trailed as Mrs. Ellis pulled the curtain aside to reveal a pair of hi-tech binoculars mounted on a tripod.

  “Can’t be too careful nowadays,” Mrs. Ellis said smugly. “My son set them up for me. So, Inspector, can I expect to be treated with a little respect from now on? Instead of like some daft old bat with dementia?”

  “Mrs. Ellis, I assure you I…” What was the point? She studied the binoculars. No question they added credibility to the old woman’s story. “I really appreciate your time in talking to DC Harris and myself. You’ve been a great help. There’s nothing you can add to the description you gave my officer?”

  “If there was, I would have told him already, wouldn’t I?”

  Red forced herself to smile. “You said there was another matter you’d like to raise?”

  “I did, but with a senior male officer, if you don’t mind.”

  “Senior officers are extremely busy just now, male or female. I assure you I can be relied upon to address whatever else it is that is bothering you.”

  The old lady eyed her up and down, as if assessing how much Red could be relied upon. “It’s rather delicate.”

  “Try me.”

  Mrs. Ellis considered her words carefully. “There’s a young man across the way.” She gestured across the park towards the bingo hall. He likes to get undressed in front of his window before he takes his daily bath. He used to leave his curtains wide open.” The old woman’s eyes lit up. “You could see his… You know.”

  Red avoided smiling at Harris. “I see. Does he deliberately stand at the window flaunting himself, or is it perhaps that he just didn’t realize he could be seen?”

  The old lady shrugged. “Does it matter? I could see everything!”

  “It matters to how we handle it, Mrs. Ellis. Indecent exposure for sexual gratification is a serious offence. He could end up on the sex offenders’ register. But even if it’s not deliberate, a child might be walking past and glance in.”

  Mrs. Ellis chuckled. “Not much chance of that. He’s on the third floor.” She pointed through the trees. “The building next to the bingo hall.” She gestured to the binoculars. “Look for yourself. The window directly above that lamp-post.”

  Red let out a long sigh. “Mrs. Ellis, if you can only see this man by searching through binoculars I really can’t see there are legal grounds for saying he’s flashing at you. On the contrary, you might leave yourself open to being accused of voyeurism yourself. At the very least any court would say you went out of your way to be offended.”

  “Offended?” The old lady glared at Red. “”Who said I was offended? I was hoping you could ask him to keep his curtains open longer.”

  Red brought her hands together in silent prayer beneath her lips. Count to ten. Harris turned away to hide his smile.

  Red cast her gaze back to the binoculars. “Do you think you would be able to formally identify the youth you saw if we arranged for you to look through some photographs?” Red nailed as patient a smile on her face as she could.

  The old lady shuffled her way slowly over to the laptop next to the binoculars. “No need.” She retrieved a padded envelope from the table and handed it to Red. “All on here.”

  Red took the envelope cautiously, letting a compact disk slide onto her hand. “Mrs. Ellis?”

  The old lady gestured to the binoculars. “Everything I watch gets recorded.” She held up an SD card. “I take this out of there and stick it here.” She gestured to the laptop. “Some nights it’s better than watching telly. I mean, Corrie’s not the same since Ena Sharples died.” She leaned forward to Red, whispering. “Make sure you have a look at the Wednesday evening recording. He had a guest staying with him. My god, he was big!”

  Chapter 12.

  “One extra large Pinot Grigio.” DCI Bill Andrews gently slid the glass in front of Red.

  She smiled appreciatively. “My hero. Thanks.”

  Andrews cleared his throat uncomfortably, sliding into the seat opposite his DI, nodding an acknowledgement as he raised his own glass. “Here’s to the job.”

  “It’s been one hell of a week.” Red touched her glass to his pint, narrowing her eyes at him. “Cheers.” She took a sip, then, “You look tired, Guv.”

  Andrews nodded wearily. “You know, the usual. Plus the bloody pomme-rouge today. You heard about that, I suppose?”

  “After everyone else, yeah.” Red smiled. “Looked you up on Google, Guv. You were quite good looking in your time.”

  “In my time?”

  Red smiled sheepishly. “You know what I mean.”

  “I don’t think I’ve weathered so very badly, have I?”

  “I guess not. For a bloke.”

  “Its worry that makes me look my age, Cass. Some coppers can just switch off when they leave the station. I can’t. And don’t tell me you’re any different. We both carry our loads home with us.”

  “Tell me about it. Pip lectures me every night in bed, usually when we’re just about to…”

  Andrews raised a palm. “Too much information.”

  “Sorry. So what’s on your mind? I’m guessing this isn’t strictly social.”

  “Like I say, we carry our load home.” Andrews stared wistfully into space. “The Super’s on my back; top brass are on his back; we’ve got a gang of lunatics running riot in Tooting; this Huntsman nut-job sending you mysterious presents, and the pomme-rouge has come back to haunt me....” He paused, not meeting her gaze. “And you. I’ve got you to worry about too.”

  Red raised an eyebrow. “Why would you worry about me?”

  Andrews sighed. “Your father has just died, Cass.”

  Red shrugged, a stray lock of platinum-bleached hair falling into her eyes. “So?”

  “So, you might act all hard-assed super-cop with everyone else, but there’s no fooling this old dog. I’ve seen it all before.”

  Red instinctively covered Andrews’ hand with her own. She felt him tense, smiling to herself that he was still embarrassed after their years working together. “Look, Pops, I’m a big girl now, alright? I can look after myself.”

  “Even so…”

  Red took a huge swallow of wine. “I’ve been doing it since my mother bailed out on her sole duty just after my ninth birthday, Guv. I’m kind’a used to it by now.”

  Andrews shifted uneasily in his chair.

  Red shook her head, rolling her eyes skyward. “There’s that look again.”


  “What look?”

  “Pity.” Red let go of his hand, “I don’t need it, Guv’.” She sank back in her chair, twirling her glass. “I buried my demons a long time ago. I’m good, okay?”

  “Whatever you say, Cass. Just don’t expect me to fall for it.”

  Red drained her glass, gesturing for the steward’s attention. “Same again?”

  “I’m fine. What time are you meeting Pippa?”

  “Eight-thirty.”

  Andrews checked his watch. “You’d better make that the last one.”

  Red touched her fingers to her forehead in mock salute. “Yes, Sir, Detective Chief Inspector Andrews, Sir. Anyway, I’m thinking of giving the meal a miss. Pippa can handle it fine on her own.”

  “You’ve just buried your father, Cass. Take it easy with the wine.”

  Red grabbed the freshly filled glass and drained it in one. “What wine?” To the steward, “Same again, mate.”

  “Cass, slow down, for God’s sake. You’ve not eaten yet.”

  “Lighten up, Guv. It’s been a long day. I need a quiet drink, not a fancy restaurant.”

  Andrews took the glass from the steward as it arrived, placing it next to his own glass. “Most people I know would give their right arm for a table at Patterson’s.”

  “I’m not most people. Anyway, Pippa takes us there so often I feel like part of their furniture.”

  “Which shows how good they are.”

  “No question. Their roast middle-white pork is to die for. Just not tonight. And certainly not with that ass-hole Doctor Dick.”

  “Finished?” Andrews put his glass down slowly. “Now listen to me for a change. You, Cass, are going to meet Pippa. You are going to enjoy a nice meal in pleasant company, without getting into any silly arguments with Richard. And then you’re going to take a few days off.”

  “Off?”

  “Compassionate leave.”

  Red sat forward. “I don’t need bloody compassionate leave.”

  Andrews showed her his palm. “That’s an order, DI Rose.”

  Red sighed, a slight grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Too much to do, Guv. I’ve some hooligans to put away, and this Huntsman weirdo to nail.”

  “Your team can handle the Burns brothers. The Huntsman can wait. Just someone’s sick idea of a joke. You need some time off.”

  “There’s an old lady in a hospital bed right now who should be at home with her feet up. There’s cocaine being sold to school kids the same age as Jack and Ella, plus all the usual day-to-day burglaries and car thefts; and Farmer’s still on sick leave. No-one’s taking time off on my team.”

  “Then at least keep Pippa sweet, for God’s sake.”

  Red held both hands up in defeat. “Aye, aye, Cap’n.”

  “I’m glad we have that cleared up.”

  Red smiled sweetly. “Can I have my drink now, please?”

  Andrews reluctantly slid it across. “The last one before you go. We need to talk shop.”

  “Guv?”

  “The new recruit. Terry Miller.”

  “The cowboy, you mean?”

  “Cass, just because he’s from Texas does not mean he’s a cowboy.”

  “Shame. I was hoping I could shunt him off on a rodeo with Taylor and Harris.”

  Andrews grinned. “No-one deserves that. Anyway this is the Chief Super’s pet project.”

  “ Any coincidence he’s just bought a villa in Florida?”

  “How in hell do you know about that?”

  “The grapevine, Guv. The font of all knowledge. So it’s true, then?”

  “Florida and Texas are two entirely separate states. Though, strictly between us, Cass, I’m wondering myself, I have to be honest. I’ve never heard of any cop from overseas just waltzing into a job here.”

  Red grinned. “Corruption? In the Met? Surely not.”

  “I’m not saying that. It’s just… Well, the paperwork must be in order, but beyond that I just don’t know. As I understand it he’s got less than a year’s experience in Dallas, and almost none here. He’s been doing some basic training with North Wales Police. But the mean streets of Rhyl hardly compare to London.”

  “And he’s on my team?”

  “Orders from on high. The Chief Super told me to make sure he was under your supervision. Your personal supervision.”

  “For crying out loud, Bill! So now I’m the Force babysitter as well. Nothing to do with me being the only female DI at the station of course. Guv, this is just bollocks.”

  “It’s not all bad, Cass. It will give you someone you can mould to your own exacting standards.”

  “Yeah, right. I’ve got to potty-train him how to not shoot the suspects.”

  “He’s hardly likely to have smuggled his gun through customs.” Andrews chuckled at the thought. “I’m sure Terry will prove a valued member of the team, Cass. I’m out with the Super on this blasted pomme-rouge case Monday morning, so you’ll have the first pleasure.”

  “I can’t wait,” Red said in monotone response. She swilled her half empty glass, wondering if she dared order another.

  “Okay, we’re both officially off duty, my Rose Red, and I am officially no longer your superior, so start talking.” Andrews was unable to keep the tone of affection from his voice. “I know Pippa was stuck in Court. But were any of your family at the funeral?”

  Red’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah, if you can call them that.”

  Andrews watched her take another huge slug of wine, saying nothing, willing her to talk.

  “A couple of ‘Uncles’, you know, from the Old Boys Club. A cousin twice removed who I haven’t seen since I was stranded in a tree house for the day with Francesca Holly when I was thirteen...” Red’s eyes twinkled at the memory, a slight smile playing on her lips. “Wow, Frankie Holly, now there’s a story I must tell you some time. My first kiss.”

  Colour stung Andrews’ cheeks. He coughed into his hand, adjusting his position in his chair. “No-one else?”

  “My dad’s sister, who is so old that she can hardly stand, and advanced Alzheimer’s to boot. Didn’t even know who I was, poor cow.”

  “Did your mother attend?”

  “Be serious.” Red shook her head, staring intently at the contents of her glass. “Another emotional step too far. And of course, one more time that I actually might have needed her.”

  Andrews allowed an acceptable period of reflection to pass, choosing his words carefully. “And your brother?”

  Red snorted, sapphire eyes darkening. “Step-brother. As if. He knows I’d have him inside the second his foot hit Holy soil. Besides, he could be six foot under himself for all I know. Or care.”

  Bill raised over-grown eyebrows in silent agreement. “You weren’t there alone though, surely?”

  “Anna came along for moral support.”

  “I’m glad. She’ll go far, that one.”

  “What, another step closer to the glass ceiling?”

  “That’s not fair, Cass. Things are changing.”

  “In your dreams, Guv. I’ll be claiming my pension before we see anything resembling equality in this force. Seriously, what are the chances of me ever making DC?”

  Andrews smiled. “Funny you should say that...”

  “Guv?”

  Her drinking partner leant forward conspiratorially. “You know I’ve an option for early retirement next spring.”

  “But you won’t. You’ll hang in there until they force you out.”

  “Not if the wife has anything to say about it. I’ve told the Chief Super I’m seriously considering it.”

  “Not a chance, Guv. That’s a whole year to change your mind. Anyway, what of it.”

  “Strictly between us, your name is being tossed around as my likely successor.”

  “What, after yesterday?”

  “One faux-pas like that won’t harm your chances. Just don’t make a habit of it.”

  “Damn, and there I was thi
nking of blowing my next case, too.”

  “Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, Cass.”

  Red’s face cracked into a lop-side grin. “Seriously? I’m on the short-list for DCI?”

  “Not on it. You are the short list. Ironically, your personal life is proving to be an advantage. The powers that be feel that promoting someone like you would send out all the right messages.”

  Red’s features darkened. “I effing knew it.”

  “Knew what?”

  “They can forget it, Guv. I’m not interested.”

  “Cass? Am I missing something here?”

  “Missing something? Guv, we’ve gone full circle, haven’t we? Time was a woman had to climb in bed with the male boss to get ahead. Now... No! No way! If I get promotion, Guv, I want to have earned it on merit, not on my living and sleeping with another woman.”

  Chapter 13.

  Red used the row of topiary outside the elegant stone and marble of Patterson’s to hide the frantic brushing down and hand-ironing of clothes. Traffic passed by on Mill Street indifferent to her concerns. Checking her lipstick in a compact and attempting to flatten her intentionally unruly hair, Red took a deep breath and pushed the huge glass-paned doors open, stepping into a little piece of Europe, right there in the heart of Mayfair.

  She ran a trained eye over the bustling occupants, scanning the sea of heads for Pippa, seeking out her no-doubt-perfectly-groomed partner. Thomas Patterson was there with his usual efficiency, exchanging pleasantries as he led Red through the tables towards the aquarium. Red passed on her regards to the proprietor’s brother before slumping onto the high-backed black leather seat that afforded a little welcome privacy.

  “You made it,” Pippa took Red’s hand across the table. “I’m so pleased.” She ran a discerning eye across her partner’s attire, her smile faltering. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Oh my God, Cassandra. You’re wearing your work clothes.”

  Red grinned sheepishly. “Maybe because I’ve just finished work?”

  “Don’t be facetious, Cass. You know what I mean.”

  Red leaned forward to peck a kiss on Pippa’s lips. Pippa recoiled.