“Aren’t you pleased to see me, Sis?”
“The police will be here any minute, Nathan. If you leave now we can forget this.”
“Nice try, Red.”
“I mean it, Nathan. Go now and we’ll pretend this never happened.”
“Sorry, Sis, no can do.” He took a step back, casting an approving glance the length of her well-toned body. “You’ve aged well. Always knew you’d be a good looking bitch. Those little tits of yours were barely budding when I had their pleasure. Ironic, ain’t it?”
Red stared into his eyes. “What’s ironic?”
The Huntsman moved forward. “I was the first person to lay hands on them, and now I’m going to be the last to -”
Red brought her knee up without warning, smashing into the Huntsman’s thigh, the side of her hand about to strike when the gun levelled at her. He waved her back, gesturing to the robe.
“Put that on, Rose Red. I’ve seen enough for now.”
Red reached for the robe, slipping her arms into the sleeves. As she glanced down to tie the towelling belt the Huntsman drove the gun and his fist into her stomach, catching her chin with his other hand as she bent double. She barely saw Pippa, paralyzed with fear, before Red felt the gun barrel forced into her mouth.
“Only the gun for now. You can suck on the real thing later. For old time’s sake. But I’m guessing you’d like to see your friend blow me first, right?”
Red couldn’t have answered if she’d wanted to. She grunted an acknowledgement around the barrel of the pistol.”
“Has she ever had a man before?” the Huntsman asked.
Red furiously blinked the tears away, desperately trying to remember her training; scouring her memory banks for something, anything that would get them out of the situation.
“I’ve been with men before,” Pippa said, her barrister’s voice even and clear. “Sorry to disillusion you.”
Red tried to turn, shaking her head for Pippa not to engage, the barrel in her mouth preventing her speaking.
The Huntsman turned to face Pippa, moving Red with her.
“Is that so, dyke?” The Huntsman shuffled Red closer, gun still in place. Red’s eyes were screaming at Pippa to be silent, but as she took in the scene Red realized Pippa was completely calm. The earlier fear had evaporated. No longer naked and vulnerable, Philippa Crichton-Ward QC had replaced the frightened woman Red had been hugging minutes before.
Chapter 119.
“Nathan, isn’t it?” Pippa folded her arms as if she were in Court addressing a hostile witness. “Well, Nathan, let me tell you something. Before I met Red I was happily married. To a real man. Not some loser who can only get a woman when he has a gun in his hand.”
“Is that so?” the Huntsman sneered. “Well he obviously didn’t satisfy you where it counts, or you wouldn’t be shagging my sister.”
Pippa’s eyes never left the Huntsman’s. “Oh, he satisfied me alright. He gave me three wonderful children.” She paused, holding his gaze. “How about you? Have you ever sired a child, Nathan?”
“Don’t mean a thing. Anyway, those little brats are the least of your worries. Their uncle can take care of them once you’re gone.”
“Uncle?”
“The prat with the bimbo in tow and the fancy Merc.”
“That happens to be my husband.”
“Your what?” The Huntsman grabbed Red by the hair and spun her round, the weapon now by his side. Red breathed a sigh of relief to have the gun out of her mouth. He yanked her head back by her hair. “What is this, a bleeding swingers’ club?”
“They’re waiting for the divorce to come through.” Red forced the words through clenched teeth, the pain searing.
The Huntsman let out a cold laugh, staring at Pippa. “Then what, a civil partnership, I suppose?”
Pippa remained perfectly calm. “We don’t need a piece of paper to show how much we love one another, Nathan. But I’m guessing that’s beyond your understanding. I’m guessing love has never played a large role in your life. Not ever.”
“Up yours, bitch.”
“Let Cass go and I’ll think about it.”
The Huntsman laughed. “Your turn will come, don’t you worry.”
“In your dreams. If I need a man I’ll stick with my husband, not scum like you.”
The Huntsman smiled. “That’s what I like. Fighting spirit. Red here learned to go limp on me, to just lie there, just so she could deprive me of my pleasure. But you, dyke. I reckon you’d be a bucking bronco. You’re one classy bitch. And a classy bitch needs a classy dick. So this is your lucky day.”
Pippa smiled back. “Believe me, Nathan, my husband is a classy dick. Isn’t that right, Richard?”
As the Huntsman turned to follow Pippa’s gaze he saw the monkey wrench coming towards him. He instinctively lurched away, releasing Red.
She spun round to see Richard’s arm locked around the Huntsman’s neck, his other hand struggling to grip the Huntsman’s gun hand.
“Get out of here you two!”
“Stay where you are, Pip!” Red launched herself forward, lunging head-first into the Huntsman’s stomach, sending the three of them reeling, Red’s hands grabbing at the gun.
Red brought a knee up to the Huntsman’s groin. “That one’s for Pippa, you bastard.”
As the Huntsman doubled over Red grabbed his arm, smashing it down across her knee, the gun clattering to the floor. Red rugby tackled the Huntsman’s legs, sending him flying against the wall. As he picked himself up onto his knees he stopped and sneered, face to face with his own gun, now in Richard’s hands.
The gun bobbed nervously in Richard’s grip, his breathing rapid as he trained the weapon on the Huntsman.
“Dad!” Jack’s voice came from the doorway.
Pippa’s hand flew to her mouth, stifling a sob. Red watched in alarm, not daring say anything to inflame the situation.
Richard didn’t turn, his focus on the Huntsman. “Get out of here, Jack. Go and look after the girls.”
Jack looked to Red.
Red took a deep breath. “Jack, please go back to the girls. They need you.”
Jack stood his ground.
Nathan stood up, grinning up at Richard. He swiped a trail of blood away from a cut on his lip. “Come on, pretty boy.” He stepped forward towards Richard. Richard eased back.
“Dad!”
Richard halted, his eyes never leaving the Huntsman. “Jack, get out of here, now.” Richard held the weapon steady. To the Huntsman, “Move back.” He gestured with the gun for the Huntsman to move towards Red.
The Huntsman stepped back. Richard moved forward.
The Huntsman looked at Jack with a smile. “Ever see Dirty Harry, kid? That’s your old man. Look at him. Thinks he’s Clint Eastwood.” He sneered at Richard. “Go ahead, punk. Make my day.”
Red yelled, “Shoot!” as the Huntsman spun on his heels, lurching towards her. The Huntsman rugby tackled Red around the waist, running her into the side of the Jacuzzi, knocking the breath from her. He grabbed a handful of hair, yanking Red’s head back, kissed her on the side of the cheek before plunging her head into the water.
“Let her go!” Richard stood frozen, gun in hand, eyes bulging, brow covered in sweat.
“Dad! Do something!” Jack watched helplessly as the Huntsman held Red’s head below the water.
“Let her go! I’ll shoot, so help me God.”
“Nobody’s stopping you, big boy.” Bubbles rippled to the surface as the Huntsman felt Red weaken, her legs and arms flailing wildly. He grinned over his shoulder at Richard. “Not man enough to pull the trigger, Dick?” He turned to Pippa. “No wonder you –”
The half-empty Krug bottle smashed into the Huntsman’s temple, splitting the bone, showering the water with crimson droplets.
“You bastard!” Jack stood motionless, dropping the Krug bottle’s neck to the ground as he watched the Huntsman slump over the edge of the Jacuzzi. He ran forward, grabb
ing Red, pulling her from the water, pulling her up, throwing his arms around her. “Please don’t die, Cass! Please don’t die!”
Spluttering, swallowing huge gulps of air, Red cleared her lungs, hugging Jack to her. Pippa ran to join them, throwing her arms round both of them. Together they looked across at Richard, gun still in hand.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t. I...” He flung the gun into the pool, taking deep breaths to calm his nerves. “Philippa, go call the police. The real police, not Juliet Bravo there.”
He held his arms out to his son. “Jack, come here. Come to your dad. Away from her.”
Jack tore himself from Red and Pippa with agonizing slowness, turning to face his father. He looked from Richard to the gun on the floor and back to Richard again. As if in slow motion, accusation burning bright in his eyes, Jack turned and clutched Red. “No.”
“Jack. Philippa. Both of you. Get away from her.”
Pippa put an arm around Red. “Just go, Richard.”
Richard turned to Jack. “Come on, son.”
Jack grabbed Red’s arm. “No. I won’t.”
“Jack! Come here!” Richard ordered. “I’m your father.”
Jack stared at his father. “Cass is more of a dad to me than you could ever be.”
Red’s arms encircled the child. She looked up at Richard, and then to the Huntsman. “Let’s deal with him first.”
Between them Richard and Red pulled the limp body out over the side. Nathan Hunter, the Huntsman, flopped onto the tiles like a wet fish onto the floor of a trawler.
Jack prized himself away from his mother’s grasp, standing over the body. “He’s not dead is he?” A sob escaped. “No, he can’t be. I didn’t mean to kill him.”
Red took him in her arms. “It’s okay. Jack. You saved my life.”
“But… I killed him.”
Richard felt for a pulse. “He’s gone.”
“No! Do something, Dad, you’re a doctor. Please do something.”
Red looked from Jack to Pippa, to her step-brother’s lifeless body, and finally to Richard.
Richard’s eyes still full of anger, begged the silent question.
“I didn’t mean to kill him,” Jack sobbed. “I just wanted to…”
Red’s heart felt as though it was being ripped from her chest as she listened to Jack’s quiet sobbing. Inhaling deep from her very being, she nodded her head to Richard.
Richard knelt beside the Huntsman’s body, tipping his head back, opening the airways. A deep breath. With a hand on the Huntsman’s chest, he closed his lips over the murderer’s, blowing heavily twice.
He cocked his head to listen again, then clasped his hands together and began pumping his chest.
Nothing. He started again.
“For Christ’s’s sake!” Red pushed Richard out of the way, landing with force on the Huntsman’s chest, hammering violently before taking a deep breath and engaging his lips. She came up for air. “Breathe, you bastard! You don’t get off this easily. I want you in court!” She plunged down again, lips against his, forcing her air into his lungs.
On the fifth compression, Nathan Hunter sucked in oxygen, coughing water. His eyes flickered open, and he grinned at Red. “Hello, Sis.”
Chapter 120.
Red tied the Huntsman’s hands behind his back with the cord from the bath robe before he could recover further. A second cord secured his feet, leaving him helpless on the floor.
“Pip, take Jack and make sure the girls are okay. Keep them out there. And tell the police they have a transfer to the Met to arrange.” Red looked up at Richard. “You stay here and help me with this bastard, before I realize I’ve made a mistake and throw him back in the... Oh shit.”
Red looked up at the door to see Ella’s confused expression. Ruby peered at Red from around Ella’s legs. Lucy stood behind them, face pale, clinging to the doorframe.
“What’s going on?” Ella demanded. She fished her phone from her pocket. “This has got to go on Facebook!”
Ruby took a step forward. “I saw you kiss him, Cassie. Is he a handsome prince?”
“No, Rubes, he’s no prince.” Red reached out her arms. “Come here, babe.”
“Stay where you are, Ruby,” Richard said sternly.
“It’s okay, Richard,” Pippa said firmly. “You’ve done your bit. Now say goodbye to the children.”
“My children, Philippa. Let’s not –”
“This conversation is over, Richard. Ella. Ruby. Come here immediately.”
Ella reluctantly escorted her little sister across, eyeing her father warily. “Dad?”
“It’s okay, Ella,” Richard said calmly. “Just do as your mother tells you.”
Pippa pulled her daughters to her, squeezing them tight. “Everything’s fine, Ella. Nothing to worry about. We’ve just... Ruby? What on earth have you got there?”
“I found it outside, Mummy. Isn’t it pretty?” Ruby beamed, thrusting her hand under Pippa’s nose.
Red caught her breath, the solarium lights illuminating the pomme-rouge nestled in Ruby’s tiny palm.
“Can I keep it?” Ruby asked.
“Just for a little while, gorgeous,” Red said.
Chapter 121.
“When will Mummy be home?”
“Soon, honey. She’ll be here before you fall asleep.”
“Promise?” Ruby looked up with pleading eyes.
Red glanced at her watch and crossed her fingers. “Promise. Now, shall we get back to Snow White?”
Ruby considered the proposition, then shook her head. “Uh-uh.”
“Uh-uh?” Red stared at the child in disbelief. “You don’t want me to read Snow White for the millionth time in a row?”
Ruby shook her head. “New story!”
“Fine by me, gorgeous! Which one?”
Ruby scampered out of bed and ran to her book-case. “Call Mummy while I choose, and tell her to hurry up. Tell her it’s very late and I want a goodnight kiss.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Red saluted. She jabbed at the mobile as she watched Ruby pull out a dozen books and start to spread them out on the carpet to assist her decision.
“How about Hansel & Gretel?”
“Uh-uh.”
“Tom Thumb?”
Ruby cast her a disdainful glance. “They’ve got boys in.”
“Of course. Silly me. What about – Oh, Pip? Where are you?”
“The cab’s caught in traffic. I’m running late.”
“A certain little girl is waiting to say goodnight.”
“Cass, tell her I’m really sorry, but I won’t be home till late.”
“How far are you?”
“It’s not that, Cass. It’s...”
“Pip?”
A long pause, then, “We need to talk, Cass. Best if Ruby is out cold by the time I get home.”
“Oh my God, what’s happened?”
“I’ll explain when I get there.”
“Pippa? Is it Richard? ”
“Nothing like that.”
“Then what?”
“It’s difficult...”
“Pippa!”
“Is Ruby there with you?”
“Right here.”
“You might want to leave the room a minute.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“Rubes, I’m just popping to the bathroom. Make sure you’ve picked a story for when I get back.”
“Can I speak to Mummy?”
“She’s in the taxi, darling.”
“But you’re talking to her.”
“Rubes, Mummy says she’ll be back soon.”
Red made her way through to the bathroom, bolting the door. She stared at her own reflection in the mirror.
“Pippa? I’m on my own. Spill.”
“I’ve just been allocated a new client, Cass. It came through just as I was leaving Chambers.”
“Is that it?”
“Let me finish.”
Red drew a d
eep breath. “Go on.”
“Cass, I’m defending Nathan Hunter.”
~
Ruby sat up in bed as Red entered. “You were a long time.”
“Sorry, gorgeous. I was brushing my teeth.”
“Why are your eyes red?”
Red forced a smile. “Too much reading you your fairy tales, honey. Have you chosen the next book?”
“Ages ago! And I’ve already looked at all the pictures while I was waiting. Look at this!”
“Good choice, Rubes! My favourite!”
Red took the book and opened it to the first page.
“Okay, gorgeous. Here we go. Rapunzel. Once upon a time there was a...”
END
Rapunzel
Book 2 of the Rose Red crime thriller series
by
Saffina Desforges
Copyright Saffina Desforges 2012.
Published by Mark Williams international Digital Publishing.
ISBN: 978-1-908961-96-9
This story is a work of fiction. The resemblance of any characters to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Prologue
“It’s not a pretty sight, Guv.”
“It’s not a pretty smell either.” DCI Cass Red Rose wrinkled her nose as the stench of stale urine violently assaulted her nostrils. “Why do gents’ bogs always stink to high heaven?”
“We can’t all piss lavender water like you, Guv.” DI James Mackenzie passed Red a pair of regulation plastic shoe-covers and gloves.
The revolving blue lights of the patrol vehicle cast dancing shadows on the tiled walls beyond. A lone uniformed officer exchanged cheerless banter with a cluster of early-riser pedestrians attracted by the police presence.
Red forced a queasy smile. “I hope this is worth being dragged out of bed for, Jim.” She glanced pointedly at her watch. “It’s supposed to be my weekend off.”
Saffina Desforges' ROSE RED Crime Thriller Boxed Set Page 28
