Saffina Desforges' ROSE RED Crime Thriller Boxed Set

by Saffina Desforges

  “I want to. It’s just...”

  “Just what?”

  “Why didn’t she come and say goodbye first? Why would she leave Ruby like that?”

  “Guess we’ll have to wait ‘til she comes back.”

  “You really think she will?”

  “Of course she will,” Red said, thankful for the dark to hide her lack of conviction. “Why do you like her so much, anyway?”

  Jack shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I don’t fancy her, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  Red grinned. “Did I say that?”

  “You were thinking it.”

  “Oh, so you’re a mind-reader, as well as a gentleman, are you? So tell me, clever clogs, what am I thinking now?” Red stared ahead, focused on the road.

  Jack studied her in the dark of the car, the snow rebounding the vehicle’s lights to give a yellow sheen to Red’s features.

  “You’re thinking about that man I saw.”

  “That obvious, huh? That’s the problem being a copper, Jack. You get suspicious about things even when there’s nothing to be suspicious about.”

  “But you’ve gotta admit this guy was suspicious, even before he turned up here. That’s when I started investigating back in London.”

  “Investigating?”

  “Just noting times and numbers, that sort of thing.”

  “Numbers?”

  “His car number plate.”

  “Do you have it?”

  Jack shrugged. “In my notebook. I’ve got one just like yours. I was going to tell you, Cass. I mean, Red. I’m gonna be a copper when I grow up. A detective. Just like you. Only a man, obviously.”

  Red fought mixed emotions of pride and fear. “Jack, do you have this notebook on you?”

  “In my case. I can show you when we get back.”

  “Do that.” Red flicked the ignition. “Not a word about this to the others. I don’t want your mother worrying. Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  Chapter 103.

  “Jack, that’s too heavy. Let me take it.”

  “A gentleman always carries the bags for a lady.”

  Red stifled a laugh. “The gospel according to St. Pippa of Kensington. You’re not carrying all that in one go, Jack. You’ll do yourself a mischief.”

  “Course I won’t.”

  Red reached to take a bag from him. “Besides, it’s far too icy. Supposing you slip and break your mother’s bottle of wine…”

  “Okay, but you get the lightest one.”

  “I’ll get bloody frostbite if you don’t hurry up.”

  As they cautiously negotiated the iced path Red said, “Don’t forget, not a word to Mum. You can show me your notebook later, when the others aren’t around.”

  “Got it.”

  Red awkwardly slipped the key in the lock, pushing the heavy cherry door with her foot. “It’s open?”

  Jack shrugged indifferently. “Maybe you didn’t close it properly.”

  “I’m a police officer. Of course I closed it properly.” Red peered round the door. “We’re back!”

  No answer.

  “Hello? Anybody home?”

  Jack struggled through with the bags, Red taking them from him. “Maybe they’re upstairs playing that Wii thingy. Jack, can you whizz up for me?”

  “Sure.”

  Red scanned the room as he left. Everything in its place. She walked through to the lounge and utilities room. All quiet. She could hear Jack’s feet coming down stairs. “Anyone home?”

  He shrugged. “Empty.”

  Red fought to control competing emotions. “They’ve probably just gone out for a walk. They’ll be back soon. Maybe there’s a note somewhere.”

  Red scanned the room for a note. “It’s obvious they’ve just gone for a walk.”

  “In the dark?”

  “It’s only early evening. The Moon is bright.”

  “They would have put the outside lights on.” Jack’s eyes hinted worry. “Cass?”

  Red forced a smile. “It’s Red, remember?” They’ve just gone for a walk, she told herself. To Jack, “So, let’s get this lot unpacked and put away. How d’ya fancy helping me with dinner?”

  “What, cooking?”

  “Well yes, that’s how meals are created, as a rule.”

  “I’ve never done cooking.”

  “So now’s your chance. We’ll show those girls what a man can do in the kitchen.”

  Jack grinned. “Too right.”

  Red threw some potatoes into the sink. “Peel these while I prepare the sprouts.”

  Jack peered into the sink, then back at Red. “Peel them?”

  “That’s what we normally do with potatoes.”

  “You mean, like an orange?”

  “Give me strength. Jack, you’re not seriously telling me you don’t know how to peel a potato?”

  “Mum’s never shown me.”

  “Your mother’s probably never peeled one herself. So who did the cooking before I moved in?”

  “Deimante if it was her day on, or we ordered catering.”

  “And before Deimante?”

  “Ruby’s nanny.”

  “Ruby had a nanny?”

  “Doesn’t everyone?”

  “So your mother has never cooked for you?”

  Jack pondered the question. “She makes a cup of tea now and then. Anyway, you know she doesn’t.”

  “Not since I moved in, no. But I thought that was just her way of letting me feel at home. She knows I love cooking. What about Richard?”

  “Dad, you mean?”

  “Duh. Your mother never cooked for him either?”

  “Mum says cooking is a chore and that’s what charladies are for. Dad says the same thing. If you can’t afford a maid, at least have a char.”

  “He does, does he?”

  “Mum says she’s always wanted a maid.”

  “Really. Just wait till I see…” Red’s gaze paused at the clock. “They should be back by now. Get your boots on. Let’s go and meet them.”

  “How can we meet them if we don’t know where they’ve gone?”

  “Jack, just do as your told.” Red grabbed her boots as the utility room door burst open. “Ella?”

  Jack stared in shock as his sister emerged in a wet bikini, hair dripping water over the floor.

  “Jack, there’s a swimming pool! Come on! Your swim things are here!”

  “A pool? Cass! There’s a pool!”

  Relief flooded over Red as she watched Jack’s expression change from shock to delight. As he rushed after his sister Red buried her head in her hands and silently wept.

  Chapter 104.

  “You scared the living daylights out of me, Pippa! Jesus Christ!”

  Pippa stared at Red. “What are you talking about?”

  “Leaving the house empty like that and making me think…” Red caught herself. “What the hell happened to the big surprise tomorrow?” She threw out the questions angrily. “The water can’t be warm enough yet, surely? What about Jack?”

  “The water’s fine. Well, not to my liking yet, but the children don’t seem to mind. It’s hardly freezing.”

  “I wanted to see their faces.”

  Pippa reached out an apologetic hand. “Oh Cass, I know. I promise it was not of my doing. Margaret is to blame.”

  “Margaret?”

  “The char. She was cleaning everywhere, and obviously came through to see if we had used the pool. Ruby was following her about with a pretend vacuum cleaner and happened to be there when Margaret opened the connecting door. Of course Ruby then blurted it out to Ella. What could I do?”

  “You could at least have waited until me and Jack got back.”

  “It’s Jack and I, Cassandra, really. And anyway, you had gone stomping off with my son and I had no idea when you might return.”

  “We were bloody shopping, Pip. You knew full well we wouldn’t be long.”

  “But Ruby was so excited, Cass
. She couldn’t wait. Anyway, all three are here now. And just look at them. Isn’t Ruby adorable in that little swim suit?” Pippa lowered her voice to a whisper. “And have you noticed Ella’s chest! Oh my God! Where did they come from?”

  “Pippa, really. She’s been wearing a bra for almost as long as I’ve been living with you. Girls develop early these days.”

  “Well I think it’s time she stopped wearing bikinis and adopted something more appropriate. And anyway, how on Earth do you know she wears a brassiere?”

  “Pip, you must be the only person on this planet that still calls a bra a brassiere. And if you ever went near the washing machine you might have an inkling what clothes your own children are wearing.”

  Pippa wriggled her fingers disdainfully. “All my clothes are dry-cleaned, Cass, as well you know.”

  “Except your undies.”

  “Well, yes, obviously. Deimante deals with the delicates.”

  “And who sorts the washing on Deimante’s days off?”

  “No-one. It waits until the following occasion.”

  “So you’ve never seen me load the washing machine?”

  “You? Why would you want to handle other people’s grubby attire?”

  “The same reason I cook other people’s grubby food.”

  “But you like cooking.”

  “True.” She stared Pippa in the eye. “But I don’t like being taken for a ride.”

  “Pardon?”

  “When’s the last time you cooked?”

  “Cass, you know full well I poured Ruby some cornflakes just this morning. And I replenished the orange juice.”

  “Cooking as in making a meal.”

  Pippa considered. “Last month. Deimante was sick and you were working away. I sent Ella round to M&S and we slummed it with a microwave dinner. It was rather nice, though I say so myself.”

  “Just as I thought. Well there’s some potatoes in the sink need peeling, and some sprouts to tail.”

  Pippa put up both palms in protest. “Don’t even think about it, Cassandra. I am not ruining my nails just so you can play class war. This is utterly -”

  The sound of breaking glass echoed through from the kitchen.

  “What the…?” Red glanced around the pool confirming three children present. “Stay here with the kids.”

  Red raced through the utility room, pulling the door closed behind her. The empty kitchen seemed as she’d left it, but as she moved around the table the aroma of wine assailed her nostrils before she saw the broken bottle on the floor. Her eyes moved to the door swinging in the cold wind, a flurry of fresh snow blowing onto the tiles.

  Cautiously Red moved around the puddle of wine to the door, peering into the darkness beyond the glow of the kitchen lights. As well as jack and her prints from the car larger footprints to and from the door disappeared into the darkness in the direction of the woods.

  Reluctantly Red pushed the door to, sliding bolts top and bottom and securing the chain.

  “Is everything okay?” Pippa stood in the doorway to the utility room, Ruby before her wrapped in a bath towel. Ella and Jack brought up the rear.

  “I left the door open. A gust of wind must have caught a bottle of wine I left on the edge of the table. You’ll have to lift the children over, Pip. There’s broken glass everywhere.”

  “You heard Cass, children. Broken glass. No-one to set foot in here without feet properly attired. I’ll carry Ruby across and get you two big elephants your indoor shoes. Then it’s straight upstairs, a proper shower, and pyjamas. Got it?”

  “Yes, Mum!”

  Pippa lifted Ruby over her shoulder and began precariously dodging glass and wine stains to reach the lounge. “Mmmm, that smells beautiful. What a waste of a perfectly good – Oh no. Oh my God, no!”

  Red spun round. “Pip? What is it?” She followed Pippa’s gaze to the floor.

  “Cass, you’ve just destroyed a grand reserve Rioja.”

  Chapter 105.

  Red looked at Pippa over her fanned playing cards.

  “Hit me with another, Els.

  “No way, Cassandra Rose,” Pippa protested, “You have to be bluffing.”

  “You’d think your mother would be good at reading, wouldn’t you, kids? Her being a fancy defence lawyer and all.”

  “I am a barrister, Cass, not a mere lawyer.” Pippa took a card, slotting it into place. Concentration crumpled her features.

  Red rolled her eyes at Ella. “Can you imagine your mother at Monte Carlo?”

  Ella let out an exasperated sigh. “Mum, you know you don’t have the slightest clue whether Cass is bluffing or not. You don’t even know how to play poker.”

  Pippa looked up from her cards, scanning the amused faces around the table. “Okay, you win. I’m at least ten sweets down anyway. Let that be a lesson to you children. When you’re playing with card-sharks like Cassandra they’ll take you for every last malteser.”

  “I think you’ll find its Jack with the biggest booty, Pip. Jack, make sure you share those with Rubes in the morning.”

  “Of course I will. It’s Els who’d stuff them all herself.”

  “I resent that remark, little brother. I always share my sweets with Tues.”

  “Children! No arguments. We’ve all had a good day so far. Well, apart from Cass forcing me to peel the potatoes. But I think it’s time for bed.”

  “Mum! It’s not even ten o’clock. And you said we could do as we please the rest of the week.”

  “Mum didn’t say sleep, guys,” Red added quickly. “Just time to hit your own rooms. Go watch a DVD or some telly.”

  “Television will suffice, children. I have yet to inspect the DVD collection here. Some may be unsuitable for you.”

  “God, Mother,” Ella’s sullen eyes latched onto Pippa. “We watch eighteens at our friends’ houses all the time.”

  “Which friends? I’ll have words with their parents.”

  “I presume Tues’ is allowed to watch Snow White?”

  Pippa ruffled the sleeping child’s hair. “If they have it here, of course she may, should she wake up.”

  “Lucky I thought to pack the DVD for her.” Ella threw an accusatory glance at Pippa. “Seeing as you frightened Deimante away.”

  “I did no such thing, young lady! Deimante stole our car!”

  Ella folded her arms, a smug smile on her face. “What, like she stole your necklace, you mean.”

  Red jumped up. “Time to go, kids,” she urged, “before you drop yourselves right in it. Volunteer to carry Ruby up to bed?”

  “Me!” shouted Jack.

  “No, I’ll carry her,” Ella objected. “You might drop her.”

  “No I won’t. She’s my sister too. I’m carrying her.”

  “Ella! Jack!” Pippa’s stern voice silenced the bickering at a stroke. “That’s enough, both of you. Ella, I’d like you to carry Ruby up, in case she wakes up and wants a story. Otherwise she will never get back to sleep again. Jack, would you mind running the Jacuzzi? Cass and I need a long soak to ease our tired muscles.”

  Ella smiled triumphantly as she gently picked up Ruby. “Putting little Tues’ to bed or running a bath for the old fogeys. I know which one I’d prefer.”

  “That’s enough, Ella,” Red chided. “Jack, you’ve been carrying heavy things for me all day. Take it easy for a change. You’re gonna need all your strength tomorrow when your father arrives.”

  “That’s not ’til the afternoon. And he’s bound to be late.” Jack’s eyes moved to Pippa. “Mum, can we go swimming again in the morning?”

  “Course you can,” Red jumped in before Pippa could object. “And this time I’ll be joining you. Ten lengths before breakfast!”

  Jack grinned. “Race you!”

  “Better get rested tonight then, Jack. I used to swim for my school.”

  “Didn’t know they had swimming pools in dinosaur times.”

  “Thank you, Jack. Don’t forget the Jacuzzi as you go. Please?”
>
  “No worries, Red. All under control.”

  “Jack, Cassandra’s name is not Red. Please don’t let me hear you use that word again.”

  “But…”

  Red winked at Jack. “Jacuzzi?”

  Jack sighed resignedly. “On it, Cassandra.”

  Pippa leant in closer to Red as Jack disappeared through the door, a lock of dark hair falling across her face. “You see, I knew there was a reason they wanted to promote you to DCI. Such a diplomat.”

  Red grinned, moving to brush the stray hair out of Pippa’s eyes, resting a kiss on her lips. “I love you, Philippa Crichton-Ward, QC.”

  “And I love you, Acting Detective Chief Inspector Rose. But don’t think for one minute that that means you get the biggest jet in the Jacuzzi.”

  ~

  “Mummy!” Ruby’s voice floated down the stairs.

  “Sounds like someone didn’t stay asleep long,” Red said.

  Pippa turned pleading eyes to Red. “Cass?”

  “I’ll go shall I?” Red huffed, propelling herself out of her chair. “Coming, Rubes.”

  Grasping the remote in tiny fingers, Ruby sat upright in bed as Red came in. “There’s words on the telly, Cassie. I don’t know what they say.”

  “You know full well what it says, Rubes. You’ve seen it a million times.”

  Ruby shrugged. “I forgetted.”

  Red sighed, flopping down beside Ruby. “It tells how the handsome prince can wake Snow White up with a kiss.”

  “Yuk!” Ruby wrinkled her nose. “That’s gross.”

  Red cuddled Ruby to her. “Sure is, babe. My days of kissing handsome princes are well and truly over.”

  Chapter 106.

  Red wriggled her toes playfully between Pippa’s legs, enjoying the gush of warm water. “I wish you’d call me Red like everybody else does.”

  Pippa leant her head back, stretching out. “I do not like it, Cass, and I most certainly do not approve of Jack addressing you that way.”

  “I told him to.”

  “Well un-tell him, Cassandra. It’s wholly inappropriate for Jack to use that name for you, and anyway, it makes no sense. You’re not red. Not even strawberry blonde. Who gave you this stupid nickname anyway?”