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  The Huntsman loomed as Farmer backed out on hands and knees. Casually the Huntsman placed an Italian loafer onto Farmer’s splayed fingers, slowly crushing them into the carpet with his full weight.

  “Queenie might have a soft spot for bent coppers, Farmer, but I don’t. You keep your boys playing nicely, and you keep the payments coming.” He bent and took the Disney bag, the faces of the seven dwarfs staring back at him. “Other than that, don’t look at me, don’t speak to me other than to answer questions, and most importantly of all…” He put the tip of the hunting knife to Farmer’s cheek, pressing the sharp tip until it broke the skin, drawing blood.. “Don’t ever touch me again. Understand, moonbeam?”

  Chapter 26.

  “Rubes! Stop that!”

  Ruby looked up at Red, a bewildered expression behind the biro thrust awkwardly up her nose.

  “You’ll hurt yourself, gorgeous.” Red held out her hand. “Please.”

  “Why?”

  “Just give me the pen, Rubes.”

  Ruby put a finger over the free nostril and sniffed noisily.

  Red slapped the table. “I won’t ask you again. Give. Now.”

  Ruby reluctantly handed over the offending item. “Why?”

  “One, it’s disgusting. Two, you’ll hurt yourself.”

  “It doesn’t hurt.”

  “But it could do, babe.”

  “But it doesn’t.”

  “It might. Don’t do it.”

  “Jack does it.”

  “Ruby Tuesday, don’t ever let me hear you tell fibs about your brother just to get yourself out of trouble.”

  “But he does!” Ruby’s indignant protest faded under Red’s stern gaze.

  “Do you want me to tell Mummy?”

  Ruby shook her head, eyes filled with fear.

  “Right, now go and play with your dolls or something. And don’t go sticking them anywhere, either.”

  “But Deimante is coming.”

  Red looked at the clock. “If she ever gets here I’ll send her straight up, babe, okay? Just leave your schnozzle alone. No fingers, no pens, no nothing.”

  Red leaned back, rubbing tired eyes as she watched Ruby disappear upstairs. Kids. She wiped the pen with a tissue before throwing it back on the table, distracted by the welcome sound of a key in the door. At last! A shivering Deimante appeared, looking apprehensively from Cass to the clock and back.

  “I’m so sorry, Miss Cass!” The Labrador eyes fixed on Red. “The bus was late. There was nothing I could do.”

  “Funny how the bus is always late on a Monday.”

  “But Miss Cass, it’s true this time.”

  “This time?” Curtly, “You could have called. Or don’t you have telephones in Latvia?”

  “No credit. I called my boyfriend last night. And Miss Cass, I am not from Latvia.”

  “Whatever.” Red struggled to hide her annoyance.

  “Miss Cass, I’m sorry. Really I am. Please don’t tell Miss Philippa.”

  Red felt her anger waning at the pitiful figure before her. “It’s just Cass, Deimante. Please don’t call me Miss. And for God’s sake, is that the warmest coat you have? Park yourself by the radiator. I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

  “No, no. That’s my job. You need to go.”

  “I’m late anyway. Another five minutes won’t hurt.”

  “But...”

  “Sit!” Red filled the kettle, glancing at the clock. What the hell. May as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.

  “Thank you.” Deimante settled by the radiator, rubbing her hands along its length.

  Red felt chilly just watching her. “Isn’t in cold in Lat... In where you come from?”

  “Lithuania. Much, much colder. But it is a different cold from here.”

  “Is that so? I bet the buses still run on time.” Deimante’s embarrassment made Red instantly regret her sarcasm. “No, sorry.” She pulled two cups from the shelf. “I remember what it was like before I passed my driving test. It’s not easy.”

  “Oh, but I can drive, Miss Cass.”

  “You can? Then why don’t you get yourself a car?”

  “Here? In London? Miss Cass, I am not rich!”

  “Pippa pays you well, doesn’t she?”

  “Oh yes. It is not that. But London is expensive. Even if I bought a very cheap car I could not afford the insurance here. And besides, I have my family back home to support. My younger sisters are still at school. My parents do what they can, but it is not easy.”

  “I guess not. Tea or coffee?”

  “Coffee, thank you. So where is my Ruby Thursday?”

  “Tuesday,” Red laughed. “It’s Ruby Tuesday.”

  “Yes, I meant Tuesday. That is the day she was born, yes? So what is your day?”

  Red grabbed a jar of Nescafe hidden at the back of the cupboard. “It’s from the song.” She made a self-conscious effort to sing. “Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday, Who could hang a name on you.”

  Deimante smiled politely, showing no sign of recognition.

  “Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of The Rolling Stones?”

  Deimante looked blank.

  “Mick Jagger?”

  Deimante shrugged.

  “Thank god I wasn’t brought up in Latvia.”

  “Lithuania.”

  “Same thing. Sugar?”

  “One. She is upstairs?”

  “At work.”

  “Not Miss Philippa. I mean Ruby. Ruby Tuesday.”

  “Banished to her room.”

  Deimante’s eyes grew large. “Banished? My poor baby! What has she done?”

  Red poured steaming water onto the coffee granules. “Don’t let Pippa see we’ve got instant in the house. She’ll go spare.” She picked up the pen. “The little madam has been sticking this up her nose like an inhaler. Not for the first time, either. God knows what that’s about.”

  Deimante looked horrified. “It wasn’t me!”

  “Wasn’t you what?”

  “I did not teach Ruby to do this! Does Miss Philippa think I am responsible?”

  Red managed a reassuring smile. “Of course not. Pippa doesn’t even know. It’s just something kids do.”

  Chapter 27.

  Red silenced the buzz of conversation with a wave of her hand as she entered the room. “Can someone switch off that damn heater? I know its winter outside, but that doesn’t mean we need it like a sauna in here.”

  “Yes, Guv.” Anna hit the switch with her foot.

  “Right, I’m playing this by ear because I was delayed, so haven’t had time to check my desk.” Red spotted Taylor and Harris engaged in whispered exchanges. “Yes, Barry? Has my being late inconvenienced you in some way?”

  Taylor affected an air of nonchalance. “No, Guv. Course not. Boss’s privilege to be late, no questions asked. Not like us mere mortals.”

  “If you must know, Barry, our au pair was late. I couldn’t leave a four year old on her own now, could I?”

  “Didn’t realize a DI’s salary ran to au pairs, Guv.”

  “Believe me, it doesn’t.” Red scanned the room. “Are we missing someone? Where’s Terri? Don’t tell me you’ve already frightened her off with your lecherous ways, Barry?”

  Taylor managed a toothy grin. “Not me, Guv. I was just training her how to make proper English tea when the Super borrowed her.”

  Red rolled her eyes. “The Super? Just what I need. Okay, for those of you that are here, let’s get a move on.” She nodded in the direction of the digital wall behind her. “We have some new information on the crack dealers at Lavender Hill, which Anna is chasing up. But our number one priority is still the Burns brothers.”

  Red tapped an image on the screen, expanding the map of the estate. “However, thanks to some sterling work by Jez we have a breakthrough. The CD Ms. Ellis gave him has provided us with a positive ID for one of the Burns gang close to the bingo hall where the attack on Mrs. Tasker took place.”

  Harris basked in
the glory as Anna and James Mackenzie initiated a ripple of soft applause. Taylor glared at Harris. “Little ass-licker.”

  Harris grinned, savouring the moment.

  “Well, Barry, you can’t expect Jez to sit around waiting for you just so he can benefit from your infinite wisdom.”

  Taylor glowered. He leaned across to Harris, “You’re wasting your time, Jez. The Guv ain’t gonna sleep with you no matter how well you do.” He shifted his gaze to Red. “Not unless you dress up in high heels and a frock. Right, Guv?”

  “That will do, Barry.”

  “So what’s so special about this ID?” Taylor demanded. “It’s just some cats’ piss stinking old prune cock-watching with a pair of binoculars.”

  “And a video record of what the witness saw. There’s no way the CPS can argue with that.”

  “All it shows is dopey Clarke in the vicinity.”

  “It’s a start. When he was interviewed Clarke said he was at a friend’s house at the time of the incident. This disproves his alibi.”

  Taylor crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. “Big deal, Guv. We can’t arrest someone just for telling porkies. Clarke being in the vicinity don’t prove nothing.”

  “It’s more about the thirty minute window, Baz,” James Mackenzie said, studying his notes. “The old biddy was admitted to hospital just before nine. Simon Clarke was there at the crime scene at eight-thirty-five. It’s a step closer.”

  “The old biddy, Mac?”

  “Sorry, Guv. Mrs. Tasker,” Mackenzie said. Anyway, Anna and I have been at it over the weekend too.”

  “You dirty bastards.” Taylor spat. “I knew there was something going on between you two.”

  Mackenzie forced a smile. “Very funny, Bazza. Anna, do you want to do the honours?”

  “Sure.” Anna stood up, producing a package from her bag. CCTV showing the rest of the Burns gang to be nearby too. In the right area, an hour before.”

  Red beamed. “No sign of any baseball bats?”

  “No, Guv. But they know where all the cameras are. They were deliberately waving, making sure they were seen. Just a bunch of hoodies on a night out. But it does contradict their statements that they were all elsewhere.”

  Red forced a smile. “Smug bastards. And Clarke’s among them?”

  “Of course.”

  “Let’s bring the little tossers back in,” Taylor’s gravel voice suggested.

  “Thank you, Barry. That had occurred to me as a possible way forward.”

  “We’ve wasted far too much time on this bunch of wannabes if you ask me, Ma’am.” Taylor leant forward, smacking his lips around a piece of gum, the buttons of his graying shirt straining against his ample girth. “We should bring ’em in now and beat the shit out of them.” He sniffed loudly, leaning back. “Unless you need the Super’s permission...”

  There was a muted snigger from Harris. Red folded her arms across her chest, leaning against the desk behind her, cocking her head to one side.

  “Tell me, Jez, do you find it amusing that a defenceless old lady is in hospital breathing through a ventilator, unable to open her eyes?” She surveyed her team, daring one of them to crack so much as a smile. “No, neither do I. It’s sick, and there’s nothing I would like more than to drag Tommy Burns and his pathetic gang of apes in here and kick the shit out of them, as Barry Taylor so thoughtfully put it. But you know as well as I do the C.P.S. won’t touch it without something resembling good old-fashioned evidence.”

  “Especially after last time,” Taylor muttered.

  Red glared at him. “Thank you, Detective Constable Taylor.” She moved her gaze from Taylor to Harris. “Anything you’d like to add, Jez?” The glass stare dared him to try.

  Harris cleared his throat nervously, getting a dig in the ribs from Taylor as he did so.

  Red returned her attention to the rest of the team. “I don’t suppose anyone’s bothered to find out the latest on Mrs. Tasker’s condition?”

  “On my list for this morning, Guv,” Anna said.

  “I want to know the moment she’s fit to talk to us.”

  Taylor sniffed. “If she pulls through.”

  Red let out a deep breath. “Thank you, Barry. Any more blatantly obvious observations you’d like to share with us?”

  Taylor flashed his toothy grin. “Just giving Jez the benefit of my infinite wisdom, Guv.”

  “Lucky Jez.”

  Taylor stretched his grin wider. “I’ve taught him everything I know about police work.”

  “Everything?” Red feigned wonder. “That must have kept you busy for at least five minutes.”

  “If he was taking his time,” Anna added.

  It was Taylor’s turn to glare.

  Harris hesitantly put up his hand.

  Red swivelled to give Harris her full attention. “I’m not a bloody school mistress, Jez. If you have something to say, say it.”

  The hand came slowly down. “I was just thinking, ma’am.”

  “Thinking? I’m impressed, Jez. Did Barry teach you that as well?”

  Harris shot an uncertain glance at Taylor. “No, ma’am. I could do that before… That is…”

  “Jez, it’s Guv, not ma’am, and just bloody well say whatever it is you want to say. For God’s sake!”

  “Yes, ma’am. I mean, Guv. I was just thinking, it might do us a favour if the old biddy did kick the bucket.”

  Red’s expression set. “Is this some sort of joke, Harris? Because if it is, it’s in extremely bad taste.”

  Uncertainty etched Harris’s face. “Ma’am?” He shifted uneasily in his chair, looking to Taylor for support. Taylor edged himself away.

  Red suppressed a sigh. “It’s not a joke, Jez, is it?”

  “No ma’am. I mean, Guv.”

  “Come on then. Let’s hear it.”

  “I just thought… Well, if the old lady died it would then be a murder inquiry, and we’d get more resources and…”

  Red put up a hand to stop him. “Jez, there are times, not very often admittedly, when I think there actually is a brain cell or two inside that head of yours that can actually work independently of Barry Taylor. Very occasionally I even think you might make a good copper one day. Like when you found the witness against Simon Clarke.”

  Harris looked on, unsure where Red was going.

  “And then you go and blow it with some stupid, ill-conceived notion like this.”

  “Ma’am?”

  “I know you mean well, Jez, but I don’t want to hear it. Anyway, we need Mrs. Tasker to pull through and give us a description. She might have crucial evidence.”

  “Four youths. Three white, one black.”

  All eyes turned to the doorway. Terri Miller smiled back.

  “Sorry I’m late, Guv. The Chief Superintendent wanted a word.” Terri took the only vacant seat, next to Jez Harris. Harris flushed, nudging Taylor.

  “The Chief Super has given you information about the Tasker assault?” Red stepped forward, throwing her marker pen to the table in agitation. “Don’t take this personally, Terri, but why the hell is he telling you and not me?”

  “No, no, Guv. He was asking me about the property crisis back home in the States. We didn’t discuss this case.”

  Red’s eyes clouded with confusion. “Then how… Four of them? Three white, one black?”

  “One had ginger hair and a West Ham top, whatever that may be. The black guy wore a hood, so not much other than clothing to go on. Jeans and an oriental design on a blue top. The other two were thick-set, close-cropped hair and looked identical, except one wore a red beret.”

  “That’s the Burns brothers alright! But how?”

  “Edith told me last night.”

  “Edith?”

  “Edith Tasker. Her son was real nice. He took me for dinner afterwards. ”

  “Mrs. Tasker is conscious?”

  “Sure is. Didn’t y’all know? She first opened her eyes while I was there Saturday afternoon.”
>
  “You were there Saturday?”

  “But the doctor wouldn’t let her talk until yesterday.”

  “You’ve been to see her twice?”

  Terri’s brow creased with bewilderment. “Have I done something wrong? I mean, she is the victim, right? She didn’t need an attorney present or something, did she?”

  Red stifled a laugh. “No, you did just great, Terri. Did she tell you anything else?”

  “All in my report, Guv.”

  “You’ve filed a report?”

  “On the desk in your office. Full descriptions. I don’t know if it’s significant, but one of them was called Tommy?”

  Red beamed. “Terri, I could kiss you!”

  Taylor coughed. “Sorry, Guv, against regulations. Inappropriate relationship with a junior officer.”

  Red bit her bottom lip to stifle an expletive. “It’s a figure of speech, Barry.”

  “In your case it might not be, though.” To Terri, “Did you know she swings the other way? You need to watch your back with that one.”

  “That’s enough, Barry.”

  “Just admit it, Guv. You know you want to get inside her knickers.”

  “That will do, Barry.”

  Taylor leant round Harris and leered at Terri. “I know I would. How about it, Texas Tess?”

  “Taylor, that will do. Sorry, Terri. You’ll get used to the Neanderthals soon enough.”

  Terri waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about me, Guv. I’m used to rednecks.” She turned her attention to Taylor. “I’ve hospitalized more of them than I care to remember. And big guys, too, not like Tubby here.”

  Taylor squirmed in his seat, a sharp kick putting paid to the inane grin on Harris’s face.

  Red shot a smile at Anna. “Looks like we’re going to have fun together. Okay, if no-one else has anything to add, Mac will go through duties for the rest of the shift. I’m due in Court, but should be back this afternoon.”

  Taylor leaned back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head, a glance at Terri to make sure she was listening. “Hope you’re not going to balls up that case too, Ma’am.”