Saffina Desforges' ROSE RED Crime Thriller Boxed Set

by Saffina Desforges

  Red ran her toes up and down Pippa’s inner thigh. “You know, it was so long ago now, I don’t remember. Why don’t you sit on that jet a minute and let yourself relax.”

  Pippa sat upright, moving away slightly. “How is it you always change the subject when your past comes up?”

  Red stiffened. “It’s a long story, Pip. I’ve told you before.”

  “Every time I’ve asked for the last, what, three years?”

  Red sighed. “Yeah and I’ll probably go on saying it for the next thirty-three years.” She turned to face Pippa, taking her hand. “Pip, please don’t think that I am shutting you out or that I don’t trust you enough to tell you, okay? It’s just...”

  “Just what?” Pippa prompted.

  “Just so embarrassingly dysfunctional and complicated that I think you’d probably run for the hills.”

  Pippa reached up to tilt Red’s face toward her, frantically scouring her eyes. “Are you crazy? Is that why you never tell me anything? You think that I’ll leave you.”

  Red dropped her gaze to the water.

  “Cass? Are you serious?”

  Red refused to meet Pippa’s gaze. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “Cassandra.” Pippa grabbed Red’s shoulders, forcing her to look up. “I seriously can’t believe what I am hearing. Three years ago I was a successful, happily married mother of three. Great husband, well-paid job, nice house, great car — great lifestyle. I had everything. I told myself that I was the luckiest woman on Earth. I was the envy of all my friends.”

  She shook Red’s shoulders, Pippa’s brown eyes now so dark they were almost black. “And then you come along. Sauntering into my chambers, stealing my biscuits, asking questions you had no right to ask about a case that no-one could possibly help you with.” She paused, unable to keep a slight smile from her lips, “You were just so... so self-assured and beautiful. You blew me away.”

  Red held her breath, bringing her eyes to meet Pippa’s.

  “I’d only ever loved Richard, Cass. Never even considered anyone else. I was loyal to Richard. Totally. Never looked at another man, let alone a woman. And then you entered my life. I had never felt for anyone the way I felt the day I met you.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “My life changed that day, Cass. Changed forever. And I let it. I wanted it to. I gave up everything I had ever known. Risked my reputation, my family, my friends… Everything. Just to be with you. And now you sit here telling me that you doubt my commitment? That I’ll dump you because of some stupid skeleton in the closet?”

  “That’s not what I said, Pippa.” Red reached a hand to Pippa’s cheek. Pippa knocked it aside.

  “Don’t. Just don’t, Red.” Pippa wrapped her arms around herself. “I thought we trusted one another.”

  “We do.”

  “No, Cass. You’ve just told me in no uncertain terms that you don’t.”

  Red reached out both arms to Pippa. “Now’s not the time, I promise you. But soon, okay?”

  Pippa hauled herself over the side of the Jacuzzi and wrapped a towel around herself. “No, Cassandra, it is not okay. I’m going to bed. And please don’t wake me when you come through.”

  Chapter 107.

  Red completed her tour of the downstairs doors and windows, towelling her hair as she mounted the stairs, muttering beneath her breath.

  “Damn you, Nathan. That’s the third check tonight. You’ve got me going all OCD.”

  “Mummy will be cross if she hears you say that word, Cassie.”

  A startled Red spun on her heels. “Rubes, where did you spring from?”

  The child clutched a teddy to her tiny frame. “Me and Snuggles were explorer-ing and came to see what the noise was.”

  “Noise?” Red dropped onto her haunches in front of Ruby, “What noise, Rubes?”

  “Scratching at the windows.”

  Red grabbed the child’s arms. “Where? Which window, Ruby? Show me.” Red scanned the infant’s face frantically, watching her bottom lip begin to tremble. “Ruby, it’s okay. You’ve not done anything wrong. Just, it’s really important that you tell me.”

  The child nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. “There.” Ruby pointed through the doorway to the window of her room.

  “Stay right there, babe. I’ll see what it is.”

  Hesitantly Red made her way to the window, a tapping sound clearly audible as she got nearer. She stood to one side, cautiously reaching out a hand and grasping the thick curtain. Red jumped in front of the window, a huge sigh of relief escaping her lips as the drape opened to reveal a branch sway gently in the breeze, knocking against the glass.

  Red sent up a silent prayer to a God she had never believed in.

  “Come on, babe. Back to bed for you.”

  “Cassie, read me a story.”

  “Rubes, it’s very late.”

  “Please, Cassie.”

  Red glanced across the hall to their own bedroom. The lights were out and she could hear Pippa’s restful snores.

  “You know what, Rubes. I think I need a story to get me to sleep tonight too. Which book are we on now?”

  “Snow White, of course.”

  Red sighed. “Of course.”

  ~

  Red opened one eye, slowly focusing on Pippa, stood over her, hands on hips. The grinning faces of Ella and Jack slowly came into focus beside her.

  “Really, Cassandra. This is too much.”

  Red prized open both eyes, a hand reaching to remove the unseen weight on her chest. Snow White. Her other hand reached to her side to confirm Ruby still sleeping next to her. Red struggled into a sitting position, running her hands through her hair. She forced a sheepish smile at Ella and Jack. “Must’ve fallen asleep reading to Rubes.”

  “One hardly needs to be a detective to work that out,” Pippa said, her face breaking into a smile. “However, time to get up. It’s eight o’clock.”

  Red shrugged. “So? We’re on holiday.”

  “Someone promised the children they could go swimming first thing?”

  “Oh f….” Red nodded. “It’s a fair cop.” She turned to Ruby. “Someone better wake Sleeping Beauty here and get her ready while I go shower.”

  “You’re going swimming, Cass,” Ella said. “You can have a shower afterwards.”

  “Not even a cup of tea?”

  “Afterwards!” Ella and Jack chimed together.

  “Come on, Tues’,” Ella said. “Time to wake up.”

  “Uh-uh,” Red put up a protesting finger. “Jack’s turn. You put Rubes to bed, remember? She’s all yours, Jack. Ella, you can sort the swim costumes. Mum’s and mine are in the top drawer by the window.”

  “Count me out,” Pippa said. “I’ll be preparing breakfast. Eggs and bacon okay for everybody?”

  Three shocked faces turned on Pippa.

  Pippa stared back indignantly. “No need to look surprised. I’m on holiday. And it’s only eggs and bacon. But don’t think for one second I’ll be going anywhere near the kitchen once we get home.”

  Chapter 108.

  Pippa stood by the edge of the pool, Red sitting on the tiles, feet in the water. “Do you think I need to have a talk with Ella?”

  Red looked up wistfully. “What’s she done this time?”

  “Nothing. Just… Well look at her, Cass. She’s not a little girl any more.”

  “She tells you that every day.”

  “You know exactly what I mean. That bikini has got to go.” Pippa looked down at Red. “Do you think it’s time to… Well, you know.”

  “I know what?”

  “To sit her down and have the talk.”

  “The talk?”

  “Don’t be obtuse, Cassandra. You know exactly what I am referring to.”

  “Oh, you mean the birds and the bees?”

  “Oh Cass, thank you. It would be so much better coming from you than me.”

  “Hold on, hold on. I missed the bit where this was my problem?”

  “Cass, you
’re family, remember? Of course it’s your problem.”

  “Hey, I’m fine with it. I just think it would be better coming from her actual mother.” Red looked Pippa up and down. “But then again…”

  “Meaning?”

  Red grinned. “I’ll take care of it. Do you want me to sort Jack too?”

  “I was going to ask Richard when he gets here.”

  “That prick? Be serious.”

  “Don’t start, Cass. Please.”

  “Pip, you do not want Richard giving Jack that sort of talk. Believe me. I’ll talk to both of them. Separately,” she added, seeing Pippa’s horrified expression.

  “What would you know about boys growing up?”

  “You’d be surprised. Now how about this breakfast you promised.” Red flashed a grin at Pippa. “Did you find a recipe?”

  “Very funny, Cassandra. Even I know how to cook eggs and bacon. Which are stacked up in the microwave as we speak.” Pippa waved across the pool to get the children’s attention. “Breakfast awaits. Come on out, please.”

  “Mum, you’ve got to come in. It’s great!” Jack hauled himself onto the side of the pool, slapping his way across the tiled floor toward them.

  “Tomorrow maybe.” Pippa pulled a towel from the sun-bed and wrapped it around her son’s skinny shoulders, rubbing him down. “Did you have a good time?”

  “Yup,” Jack’s teeth chattered despite the warm air blasting out. “Anyway, you know we did.”

  Pippa cocked her head to one side, raising both palms. “Because?”

  Jack nodded his head in the direction of the window. “Ruby saw you trying to peer in through the window.”

  Pippa stared blankly at her son. “Ruby imagined it, Jack. I assure you I’ve been in the kitchen the whole time.”

  Jack turned anxiously to Red. Red shook her head, wild eyes warning Jack not to say any more.

  “Yeah,” Jack agreed. “Kids are always imagining things.”

  Chapter 109.

  The children settled excitedly at the table, neatly laid with little name plates hand-written on serviettes, the complimentary flowers from the lounge moved to the centre of the kitchen table.

  “And all this just for breakfast?” Red began pouring chilled Florida orange juice into the glasses. “Imagine what Mum will do when it’s a special occasion!”

  Pippa beamed. “Why thank you, Cass. I just hope you enjoy the food as much as the table presentation.”

  “Bring it on, woman. I’m famished. Aren’t we, kids?”

  “Yeah, come on, Mum. Dish it!”

  “Brekkie time!”

  “Yay!”

  Pippa retrieved a hand towel and pinged open the microwave, extracting a large covered serving dish. “Here it comes. Close your eyes everybody. My first ever egg and bacon breakfast special.”

  Pippa pushed the flowers to one side and place the serving dish centre stage, clasping the cover and lifting it. “Surprise!”

  Four pairs of eyes opened excitedly, and stared in undisguised dismay at the pile of barely cooked bacon and exploded egg shells before them.

  Chapter 110.

  “Now remember, Cass, play nice. Richard just wants a couple of days with the children. It won’t hurt you to be civil to him.”

  It bloody well will. Red smiled at Pippa. “No problem, just call me Miss Congeniality. What time are they getting here?”

  “Early afternoon was the plan, but with these roads… The last thing we anticipated was snow at Easter. The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men, gang aft agley.”

  Red stared at Pippa. “I’m sorry?”

  “Robert Burns. From his poem, To A Mouse.”

  “Another Dove Cottage resident?”

  “Really, Cassandra, you wear your ignorance like a badge sometimes.”

  “Don’t go there. If you start an argument about the education system while Dickhead’s here I shall…” Red searched the air for a fate unpleasant enough to penalize such an act. “Just don’t, okay?”

  “Only if you agree not to call him that. And especially not to his face.”

  “But it suits him so well.”

  Jack came through with Ruby in tow. Pippa eyed them disdainfully.

  “Jack, you still do not appear to have changed. Nor you, Ruby.”

  “Dad’s not here yet.”

  “That’s not the point. I want you presentable for when Lucy and he arrive. Ruby, darling, please go with Jack and put on that new dress. Your father will be here any time now.”

  Ruby burst into a smile, tugging at Jack’s sleeve. “Come on Jack. Daddy’s coming.”

  Jack stared back at his mother as Ruby pulled him up the stairs. “Do I have to?”

  “I thought you liked helping your little sister.”

  “Not Tues. I mean do I have to, you know, go with Dad? I don’t really want to go out tonight.”

  Pippa stared at her son. “Jack! Really! Your father is taking you to one of those awful pizza places you are so fond of. What on Earth has gotten into you?”

  “I’d rather stay here.”

  “Jack, you’re going and that’s final. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, Mum.”

  Pippa sighed. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him lately. He used to love being with his father. Now it takes him all his effort just to speak to him on the telephone.”

  “It’s his age, Pip. All he wants to do is play on his X-box and be with his friends. He doesn’t want to be around adults.”

  Pippa sniffed, chewing the inside of her cheek. “He doesn’t seem to mind being around you.”

  “You make that sound like a bad thing.”

  Pippa silently rearranged the flowers in the vase.

  “Pip?”

  “Cass.”

  “What did you just mean, about me and Jack? I thought you were pleased we were getting on, spending time together.”

  “I am. It’s just... “ Pip held the vase to the light. “You know, I do believe there’s some flowers missing.”

  “Don’t try and change the subject, lover.”

  “No, seriously. The bouquet had a rose in, I’m sure of it.”

  “Pip, it’s April. It’s still snowing!”

  “There was a rose, I’m telling you. A red rose. I remember, because it reminded me of you.”

  Red stared at Pip, her mind racing. “A red rose?”

  “Well obviously not an English red rose, Cass. None of these flowers are in season. They’ll be imported from somewhere exotic.”

  “You’re sure it’s a red rose that is missing?”

  “Positive.” Pippa turned on Red. “Why?”

  Red raced her thoughts, trying to pick a way out. “And so another huge iceberg melts,” she said, “raising sea levels.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Global warming is a complete myth.”

  Red let go a silent sigh of relief. Pippa was so predictable. Bongo-bongo land next, Red thought to herself.

  “And even if it were not,” Pippa chimed in on cue, “a handful of flowers being flown over from bongo-bongo land is not going to make any difference. It’s all those cheap flights to Ibiza for lager louts and hoodies that are the cause.”

  “Whereas a flight to a five star luxury hotel in the Caribbean presumably leaves no carbon footprint.”

  “Really, Cass. That was when I was still with Richard. Things were –”

  “Did someone mention my name?” Richard’s head popped through the window.

  Pippa threw her hands into the air in a gesture of theatrical delight. “Richard! Lucy! How lovely to see you. But why are you at the window? We didn’t hear you knock.”

  Pippa cast an apologetic look in Red’s direction and raced to the door. She slid the bolts across, exchanging air kisses as the visitors entered.

  Red reluctantly followed suit. “Do you need a hand with your bags, Richard?”

  “Actually yes, if you wouldn’t mind.”

  Red looked up in surprise. Richard was too much
the gentleman ever to take up such an offer. “O-kay.”

  “Hold on,” Pippa said, “I’ll get my boots.”

  “No need, Philippa. Cassandra and I can handle them. How about a coffee with a shot? It’s perishing out there.”

  Pippa beamed. “Of course. Here, Lucy, let me take your coat. The children are just changing. So how was…”

  Pippa’s conversation was lost to the wind as Richard and Red made their way to the Mercedes, the silence between them hanging heavy in the cold air.

  Red forced herself to be sociable. “You found us alright then?”

  “Pretty much. The sat-nav got us to the last village, but that was it.” Richard clicked his fob and the doors unlocked. “Luckily for us there was a local man out walking. We asked him for directions and he came with us the last mile or so. Very pleasant chap. I offered to drive him back again but he declined. Took a short cut back through the woods there.”

  Red stared into the woods Richard had indicated. “A local man? Could you describe him?”

  Richard looked aghast. “I am not one of your coppers’ narks, Cassandra. He was just a local man who gave us directions.”

  “And then disappeared into the woods.”

  Richard eyed red warily. “No, he didn’t disappear literally. Obviously hetook a short cut back. I would imagine there is less ice and snow among the trees. Philippa told me you were still edgy about that cop-killer business.” His eyes softened for a moment. “Nasty business. I trust Philippa passed on my condolences? I understand the officer was a friend as well as a colleague.”

  “She did. Thank you. Richard, this man who brought you here…”

  “Cassandra, I am not joining in these silly games of yours.” He hauled the luggage from the boot. “This was a local resident helping a stranger. I mean, what’s this all about? Do you think this maniac who killed your friend is here stalking you? For God’s sake!”

  Red reached for a case. “That’s not what I said.”