Saffina Desforges' ROSE RED Crime Thriller Boxed Set

by Saffina Desforges

  He slammed the boot shut. “Because let me tell you right now, if that bastard comes within fifty square miles of my children, Detective Inspector, it’ll be me hunting you down, not him.”

  Red smiled as she lifted the cases. “That’s Acting Detective Chief Inspector to you, and if you make one more threat of that nature, Mr. Ward, you’ll be in need of your own surgical services.”

  Richard glared at her. “Touché.”

  “And just out or morbid curiosity,” Red persisted, “what makes you sure this was a local man?”

  Richard picked up two cases and walked towards the house. “For starters, he knew the Windermere’s Edge cottage as soon as I mentioned it. And secondly he knows the area well enough to walk back through the woods. Though come to think of it he didn’t have a local accent. But a pleasant enough fellow. He even told me his name. Nathan Hunter.”

  Chapter 111.

  “Smile, hon,” Red said through pursed lips, draping an arm around Pippa’s shoulder, the other waving manically at Ruby, the child’s beaming face pressed to the rear window. “They’ll have a great time.”

  “The girls will. But you saw Jack... Anyone would think we’d packed them off to boarding school instead of a day out with their father.”

  The pair bent low to look into the windows of the Merc as it pulled away. “Have a great time, children.”

  “We will, Mum!” Ella shouted. “Bye, Cass.”

  “Bye, Els. Look after Rubes!” Red fixed serious eyes on Jack. “Bye, Jack! See ya later!”

  Jack’s sullen features brightened slightly. He looked up from his Nintendo. “Bye, Red. Bye, Mum.”

  “Jack, I’ve told you not...”

  Red pulled Pippa back as the car drew away. They waved energetically at Ruby and Ella until the vehicle disappeared around a bend. Red turned to Pippa, taking her hands. “Hey, leave Jack to me will you? It doesn’t matter what he calls me – at least he’s talking to me.”

  Pippa sighed, holding up both her hands in submission. “You’re the boss.”

  “Too right I am.” Red grinned, pulling Pippa into an embrace. “Finally,” she said into Pippa’s hair. “Now get inside and make me some lunch will you. That’s an order.”

  Chapter 112.

  The Huntsman watched from the trees as the Mercedes glided across the snow, tyres squeaking, its occupants animated. He checked his watch. Plenty of time.

  He couldn’t prevent a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth at the impending reunion.

  Chapter 113.

  Red glanced over the newspaper at Pippa. “I might just go for a quick stroll through the woods, have a quick look around.”

  Pippa shook her head without looking up from her book, “No, Cassandra, you will not.”

  Red sighed, folding the paper over, scanning its pages for a distraction. “It says here that...”

  “Nor will you read out useless snippets from articles that I have no interest in.” Pippa put down her book, patting the seat next to her. “Come and talk to me.”

  Red jumped to her feet, grateful for the unspoken truce between them. “How about we really live on the edge and open some wine?”

  Pippa looked at her watch, feigning horror, “At this time of the day?”

  “It will be dark soon, even if it is still afternoon. Anyway, we’re on holiday. We’ve got the house to ourselves. Let’s take our clothes off and go skinny dipping.”

  “Is that all you can think about?”

  “It’s that or work.”

  “Don’t you dare.”

  Red disappeared into the kitchen, returning with two glasses dangling from her fingers, and a bottle of Krug. “Let’s hope the kids don’t come back early and catch us at it.”

  “Cass, you have a mind like a sewer.”

  Red raised a mischievous eyebrow. “Couple of glasses, then the pool. Whaddaya reckon?”

  “We won’t hear Richard knocking.”

  “I gave Richard the spare key. They can let themselves in.” Red clinked the glasses together. “Ready?”

  “Are we celebrating?” Pippa curled her legs up beneath herself.

  “Why not?” Red coaxed the cork out with a muffled pop. “Putting the Burns boys behind bars; you being considered for partner; the kids all doing well at school; Jack finally liking me.” She filled their glasses with expensive bubbles. “Me being alive.”

  Pippa relieved Red of a glass, holding it aloft, “To the memory of William.”

  Red paused, feeling her euphoria deflate.

  “Come on, Cass, you know he would want this.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. To Bill.”

  Chapter 114.

  The Huntsman squatted in the bushes surrounding the extension to the main house. The early spring sun sinking fast behind the hills, the temperature plummeting with it. He blew into his hands as he watched the silent movie unfold before him. Staring at the two women through the window as they disrobed, feeling himself get hard at the thought of what was to come.

  He checked his watch again: 1700 hours.

  Acting Detective Chief Inspector Rose had less than an hour to live.

  Chapter 115.

  Red watched in awe as Pippa’s naked form dived gracefully into the pool, barely causing a ripple, watching her effortless progress beneath the surface. As she surfaced where her partner stood at the shallow end Red pulled Pippa into her arms.

  “That’s a nine-point-nine from the judges.” She planted a teasing kiss on Pippa’s lips.

  “Pfft. Surely a ten?”

  Red shook her head, “Nah, not this time, beautiful. Your feet weren’t quite together.”

  “It feels strange swimming in the nude,” Pippa said. “But rather exhilarating. I’ve often wondered what people saw in being nudists, but now I think I’m beginning to realize.”

  “Nudist holiday in the summer, then, is it?”

  “Certainly not! I don’t want anybody else looking at me. How embarrassing would that be! And that would really finish my hopes of becoming a Partner if word got round.”

  “Good old Philippa Crichton-Ward. Always worrying about what other people might think.”

  “One has to, Cass.”

  “You don’t have to live your whole life trying to impress other people.”

  “To make an impression one has to impress.”

  “Yeah, well you impressed me alright, lover.” Another kiss.

  Pippa splashed the water in front of her, draping her arms around Red’s neck, moving her body into her. “I could get used to this, you know. Just you, me and the children; no work.”

  “Hey, you and me both.” Red rested her lips on Pippa’s.

  “You taste of chlorine.”

  Red grinned, scouring her lover’s face, drinking in the happiness radiating from her eyes. Suddenly she felt Pippa stiffen in her arms, and saw the colour draining away from her cheeks.

  “What? What is it?” Red asked, fingers digging into Pippa’s arms.

  “Outside. There.”

  Red turned towards the huge picture window. “Pip?”

  “There was a face.”

  Red waded urgently through the water, hauling herself onto the pool-side. Running to the window, she cupped both hands at the side of her head, blocking out the light, pressing her forehead to the glass.

  “Do you see anything?”

  Red didn’t answer, frantic eyes scanning the grounds beyond the house, her breath fogging up the window. Wiping the condensation away she peered into thick, black shadows that loomed before her, trees silhouetted against the fading evening light. Everything was still.

  “There’s nothing out there, Pip. Maybe you imagined it.” She mentally recounted her earlier movements. Had she secured all the doors and windows? She was sure she had. “Come on, let’s hit the Jacuzzi.”

  Chapter 116.

  The window to the old pantry broke easily, the Huntsman muffling the sound of shattering glass with the balaclava wrapped around his hand
, pushing out the remaining shards onto the chest freezer below.

  He slipped a practiced hand through the hole, releasing the rusty catch. He smiled to himself. This is just too easy.

  Chapter 117.

  Red lay her head back on the foam pillow, the bubbles gently easing away her fears. “We should get one of these.” She reached out an arm, patting the tiles in search of her champagne.

  “When I make partner and you’re superintendent we can have two. And a pool.”

  “Me? Superintendent? Stuck in a bloody office all day? Never. Mind you, the salary would be tempting.” Red raised her head, opening her eyes. “I should have known you’d be high maintenance when I met you.”

  “Moi?” Pippa slid herself along the circular seat to Red. “I’m not high maintenance at all, Cassandra. I simply have elegant tastes.”

  Red opened her legs to allow Pippa to snuggle herself between them, her back to her. Hooking her arms around Pippa’s neck, Red pulled her close, breasts against Pippa’s shoulders. “Elegant tastes. Yeah, you must have.” She nibbled Pippa’s ear. “You chose me, remember.”

  Pippa leant back against Red, her toes tracing the shimmering edges of the spotlights beneath the turbulent water. “This is so tranquil. Just the two of us. It’s as if—”

  The piped music wafting from the speakers fell silent, thunderous static replacing it. Red sat bolt upright, looking around, bewildered.

  The deafening sound of birds whistling filled the semi-lit solarium. Red and Pippa clasped their hands to their ears.

  “What the...?”

  The theme Whistle while you work crackled through the speakers as the jets from the Jacuzzi slowly fizzled out, the surface becoming calm.

  Red pulled Pippa toward her, her throat constricting, a sickening dread rising from the depths of her stomach.

  As quickly as it had started, the music stopped. Red could hear her own blood rushing to her head. In front of her Pippa’s breaths come in short, frantic bursts.

  The speakers crackled once more.

  Vibrant colour filled the floor of the Jacuzzi.

  A mask appearing beneath the ripples. Wobbling, dancing.

  “I do love a little tune to help me whilst I work,” rasped a synthesized voice through the speaker system.

  Red heaved, feeling bile rise up in her throat. Instinctively, she held Pippa to her, her grip vice-like, her eyes searching above them. She saw the projector’s light behind a dislodged ceiling tile.

  The mask continued to jiggle in time to the metallic voice. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Ronnie McQueen. You might have heard of me, Acting Detective Chief Inspector.”

  Cass held Pippa tight. “Ronnie McQueen is dead.”

  “And you’d know this, would you?”

  “The Guv tried to save him, but it was too late.”

  “Ah yes. Dear William. Your predecessor was an old friend of mine.”

  “That’s not what he told me.”

  “Andrews was a man of integrity, don’t misunderstand me. He tried to save my life. That’s why I insisted his end was painless. But you know that, don’t you. You were there.”

  “Who the hell are you? What do you want?”

  “I’ve told you who already. As for what I want... I want the pomme-rouge.”

  “Cass?” Pippa’s body trembled. She clutched Red’s leg with one hand, the other desperately trying to preserve her modesty.

  “Stay calm. It’s all under control.” To the room. “And you think I have the apple McQueen, or whoever you really are? It was taken from us. The Huntsman has it.”

  “The name is Ronnie McQueen, Red. The Ronnie McQueen. Your late DCI wasn’t quite as clever as he thought. He should have know better than to believe what he read in the papers.”

  “Okay, so you’re alive. But you’re wasting your time. I still don’t have the pomme-rouge. The Huntsman took it.”

  “Yes, I know he has the apple.” Robotic laughter filled the air, the mask bobbed about beneath the water as if on a spring. “Unfortunately, you have to die before my friend will hand it over. Sorry about that. It’s nothing personal.”

  “It’s a trick. He left the country with it. We have him on CCTV going through Dover.”

  The mask grinned inanely in time with the synthesized laughter. “He did leave, Red. You’re absolutely right. But he also came back. He was here in London with me the day you and your so-called family packed your bags and set off on your jolly jaunt. And of course he’s been with you up there in the wilderness ever since. But you’re a good detective, Red. You know that.”

  Red felt Pippa inhale, forcing her body back against Red’s. “You knew?”

  “Just stay calm. Whoever that is isn’t here. It’s just -”

  Red heard the click of the hammer, just as she felt the cold metal pressed to her temple.

  “Ronnie’s not here,” the familiar voice told her. “But I am. So how are you doing, Sis? Long time.”

  Chapter 118.

  “Sis?” Red heard Pippa gasp.

  “Just stay calm,” Red whispered back. She swallowed hard, forcing her gaze to remain forward, clutching Pippa’s hand tight. She could feel her partner’s body quake against hers.

  “I knew it was you, Nathan.”

  “Yeah, funny that, huh?”

  Red could feel the Huntsman’s breath in her ear as he knelt down, gun barrel still firm against her head. A gloved hand snaked around Red’s jaw-line, pressing her head towards his. “Are you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?”

  Red stiffened, trying to pull away from him. His grip held her face tight. “She’s no-one.” Red dug her fingernails into Pippa’s arm, “Just an acquaintance.”

  “Is that right? Those were some interesting positions earlier. Into yoga, is she? It’s a good job I don’t behave like that with my friends.”

  “I don’t recall you having any friends, Nate.”

  “Yeah, well, not surprising really was it, having a nut-job for a mother and a raving dyke for a sister. We were hardly the Waltons.”

  “Mum did her best for us. She wasn’t well.”

  “That’s the understatement of the year.” The Huntsman laughed, licking the side of Red’s face, revelling in her disgust. “Well, you looked after me anyway didn’t you?” He dropped a hand into the water, reaching under her arm, squeezing her breast. “Not as firm as they used to be, Sis. But definitely bigger.”

  Red chocked back a sob.

  “Did she tell you about that?” The Huntsman moved the gun barrel away from Red’s temple, tapping Pippa’s bare shoulder. “Did Sis tell you how she used to let me sneak into her bed at night when Mum was having one of her turns? How she used to hold me while I cried myself to sleep?”

  Pippa shook her head, but no noise came from her lips.

  “No? She didn’t tell you about me and her? How I used to give her one? She fought back at first, but when she realised I enjoyed that all the more she’d just lie there and take it.”

  “Like I had a choice, Nathan. You had a knife to my throat.”

  “At first, yeah. Until I got those kinky handcuffs to keep you still. Ironic she became a filthy copper, eh, girlfriend?”

  Pippa looked away, stifling her sobs.

  “I bet you never even knew she had a brother, did you? I bet she kept me well secret.”

  “Step-brother, Nate. You were never my brother.”

  The Huntsman nudged Pippa’s head with the barrel. “Sorry, step-brother. I was never ever going to be one of the family, isn’t that right, Sis?”

  “What do you want, Nathan?”

  “What do I want? Hmm, let me see now. What do I want?”

  Queenie’s mechanical voice struck up. “Get on with it, Hunter. I have other fish to fry.”

  The Huntsman looked up at the projector. “I’m calling the shots, Queenie. Just make sure this is all recorded. I want something to wank over long after these two are six foot under.”

  “It’s rec
ording for you. But you needn’t think I’m staying around to watch. There’s only one hole I’m interested in. Let me know when you’ve finished.” The hissing static went silent, the projected mask vanishing from the still water of the Jacuzzi.

  The Huntsman smiled. “Looks like it’s just us three, Red. Me, you and the dyke.”

  Red held her breath as the Huntsman moved away from them. She hugged Pippa, urging her to stay calm. “Pip’s got nothing to do with us, Nathan. Let her go.”

  “Don’t waste your breath, Sis.” The Huntsman used the barrel of the gun to pick up a robe draped on the sun-lounger, holding it aloft.

  “You can start by putting these on.”

  Red and Pippa stayed put.

  “Now. Or do I have to kill you both?”

  Red urged Pippa forward in the water. “Do as he says. It’s me he wants.”

  Pippa hesitantly waded to the other side of the Jacuzzi, hands thrust underneath her armpits, covering her breasts; a feeble attempt at dignity. Fear etched across her face.

  Red followed, her eyes never leaving the Huntsman’s as she watched Pippa climb out awkwardly and reach for her robe.

  The Huntsman’s dark eyes devoured Pippa’s naked form as she wrapped herself in white towelling, covering her modesty. He nodded to the lounger. “Sit there and don’t move.”

  “Red? Allow me.” The Huntsman reached out a hand to help her out of the Jacuzzi.

  Reluctantly Red took it, allowing him to physically haul her out of the water and into his arms. She felt the gun in his hand, pressed against her thigh. She felt it snake around, nuzzling between the back of her legs.

  His eyes had even less life in them than she remembered. The smell of cigarettes was stale on his breath. Despite feeling the bile rise in her throat, she remained still, their noses almost touching, only thankful she couldn’t see Pippa’s face.