Saffina Desforges' ROSE RED Crime Thriller Boxed Set

by Saffina Desforges

  It was heavier than she expected. Like something out of a Dirty Harry movie. Was it a Magnum? She had no idea. The brand had been crudely filed down.

  More importantly, was it loaded? How could she tell? She let the weapon rest gingerly in the palms of her hands, heart still racing. The door clicked open behind her. Red shoved the gun under the bed, spinning round to the doorway, still on her knees.

  Pippa stared at her. “What on Earth are you doing down there?”

  “You’re home early,” Red managed to say.

  Pippa was already taking strides to the end of the bed. She peered over. “Cassandra! The floor!”

  “Elizabeth gave me a box of Bill’s old papers,” Red stammered, eyes scanning the edge of the bed to see if the gun was visible. “I was just sorting through them.”

  “But they’re covered in dust! In our bedroom! We’ll be infested!”

  “It’s just for a few days. I need to check there’s no personal items in here before I take them to the Station for archives. It will take a few days.”

  “You’re sleeping on this side of the bed tonight, Cassandra, I can assure you. And if that rubbish is staying in the house at all it can stay in the attic, not in here.”

  Chapter 21.

  Jez Harris hooked an arm around the fur-clad shoulders of his date as she simultaneously giggled and wiggled at the distinctly unimpressed man-mountain doorman.

  “There must be some mistake, silly,” Nikki Marshall gushed, fingering the only part of the man’s jacket that she could reach over the huge slabs that served as pectoral muscles. “My agent promised me he’d put us on the guest list.”

  The man’s face remained passive. “Like I said, doll, you’re not down. Not for tonight.”

  Nikki shrugged out of Harris’s embrace, squirming closer to the beast on the door, thrusting her bouncing assets into direct view. “Could you just check one more time for me? Nikki Marshall. That’s Nikki with two kays.”

  The bouncer let out a loud sigh and shoved a finger to his ear. “Chantelle,” he boomed into the mouthpiece, “just check the VIP list again for me will ya? Nikki Marshall...” He looked down at the pair. “With two kays.”

  Harris shifted uncomfortably, his smile apologetic to the growing number of people milling around them. He hopped from left to right as the gorilla in a tuxedo went silent, eyes swung skyward as he awaited an answer from the voice in his ear.

  “Thanks,” the doorman said eventually. To Nikki, “Sorry, doll. Definitely not there. You’ll have to queue like the rest of them.” He checked a wrist watch the size of a saucer. “Waiting time approximately ninety minutes.” He brushed Nikki aside with a massive hand, tipping his chin at someone behind them. “Next.”

  “Jez, can’t you do something?”

  Harris looked at his girlfriend in bewilderment. “Like what?”

  Nikki stared at him. “Duh. You’re a cop, aren’t you?”

  Harris looked uncertain. “So?”

  “Your badge, Jezza? Show him your badge!”

  An enlightened smile spread across the DC’s features.

  The bouncer pushed an over-sized palm at Harris. “Come on, you two. Move aside,”

  Harris turned, face to face with the doorman. He put his palm up against the bouncer’s. “Hold it, mate. Police.” His other hand fished his ID from his jacket pocket, holding it in the bouncer’s face.

  The doorman’s giant fingers slowly closed over Harris’s hand, crushing his fist. “So? You got a warrant?” The doorman stared unblinking at Harris.

  “No,” whispered Harris, voice strained voice as he tried to not to cry out.

  The bouncer released his grip, showing Harris down the steps into the crowd. “Then you ain’t coming in, sunshine. Got it?”

  “You bastard!” Nikki screamed, kicking the doorman on the shin. “Jez is a high ranking Chief Constable, you know.”

  “He’s a chief cun...” The doorman stopped himself, ignoring Nikki. “Next!”

  Nikki teetered down the steps after Harris, by now being roughly shoved to the back of the queue by the irate clubbers.

  “Oi! He’s a copper, I’ll have you know,” she said indignantly.

  “Yeah? Where’s his funny pointy hat then, darling?” someone shouted, setting off a stream of jeers and jibes.

  Harris pulled himself free of the crowd, making a show of straightening his jacket and shrugging off the dignity as best he could. Once he’d distanced himself he produced his ID “Any more trouble and I’m running you lot in,” he said, to more jeers.

  An irate clubber stepped forward. “Just piss off home, sonny, and take your tart with you.”

  Harris looking anxiously at Nikki. “Don’t call my girlfriend a tart.”

  “Or what, sonny?” The clubber held his wrists out, to a wave of cheers from behind. “Gonna cuff me and take me down the station?”

  The crowd behind him surged forward, yelling. Harris eased himself back, taking Nikki’s arm. “That’s just friendly warning, mate. But next time...”

  The clubber stepped forward, chin jutting, arms aped at his sides. “Next time, copper?”

  Nikki giggled. “You just lost your place, mate. Look!”

  The clubber turned. “Oi! You bastard! I was there!”

  Nikki grabbed her boyfriend’s arm. “Come on, Jez, before you get hurt.”

  Harris let Nikki guide him away, a token struggle with his arm in one direction as his legs carried him away in the other. “Lucky for him you was here, Nikki,” he growled. “I was about to lose it.”

  Nikki entwined her arm in his. “Really?” she grinned. “Do you want to go back and sort him, then?”

  Harris stared straight ahead, shaking his shoulders. “He’s learned his lesson. So what we gonna do now, gorgeous? Back to my place?”

  “In your dreams, Jez. It’s too early. I need a drink.”

  “Tell you what, hun’. I know a great little pub not far from my mum’s place. All my cop colleagues go in there. I could introduce you properly.”

  “A pub?” Nikki whipped her head around, the odour of salon shampoo and perfume causing Harris to step back. “I want to go clubbin’, Jez.”

  Harris smiled sympathetically. “I know you do, gorgeous, but that clown of an agent obviously forgot to call, so how about we just leave it for tonight?” He pulled Nikki close. “And anyway, there’s far too many people in there, and it’s bound to be noisy and dark. You look so beautiful tonight, I just want to sit and stare at you all evening. Have you all to myself.”

  Nikki visibly swooned in front of him. Dropping a shoulder, she tilted her head at an angle so steep Harris thought she might keel over. “Awww. You’re such a sweetie, Jezza. “I think tonight’s going to be your lucky night.”

  Chapter 22.

  Harris scanned The Union as he walked in, puffing his chest out. Nikki tottered on high heels behind him “What’ll you have to drink, sexy?”

  “Why thank you, Jez,” a voice distinctly not Nikki’s responded. “I’ll have a white wine seeing as you’re offering.”

  Harris spun round on his heels to find himself nose to nose with his DCI. His jaw fell open, a blush staining his cheek. “Guv?”

  “Glad to see you’re feeling better, Jez,” Red said.

  Harris stood, mouth opening and shutting like a stranded fish. “I… That is… Much better thanks, Guv.” He tried to shuffle himself behind Nikki.

  “And you must be Nikki.” Red willed herself not to add ‘with two kays’.

  Nikki Marshall stepped to one side, stretching to take Red’s hand in fingers finished with glittery talons. “Ooh, you must be Jez’s boss. Rosie, isn’t it?”

  Red shot an amused glance at Harris as Nikki jiggled her breasts on autopilot. “It’s Detective Chief Inspector Rose,” Red said. “But you can call me Red. My partner and I just popped in to buy the first round.” She slipped Jez a twenty. “Bring a fresh bottle and some glasses.” To Nikki, “Do come and join us.”

&n
bsp; “We’d love to!” Nikki said, slipping a hand through Red’s arm like they were old pals. To Jez, “Bring the drinks over, big boy”

  Red stifled a laugh. She turned to Jez, mouthing Big Boy as Nikki led her away. “Over here.” Red motioned to a table in the corner where Pippa sat nursing a half empty wine glass.

  Nikki whipped her head first left, then right, a bemused expression crumpling her orange features. “I thought you said you were with your partner?” She looked as though someone had just asked her the square root of 144.

  Red grinned at Pippa, pulling Nikki closer to the table. “Pippa, this is Nikki, DC Harris’ girlfriend. Nikki this is Pippa, my better half.”

  A look of realisation slowly crept across Nikki’s face, causing a ripple of giggles. Long, manicured fingers wafted under her chin as though she were attempting to put out a fire. “Oh my God! I thought Jez was joking when he said his boss was batting for the other side.”

  She bent down and engulfed Pippa in a suffocating embrace. “So pleased to meet you, Pippa.”

  “It’s most pleasant to meet you too,” Pippa said, massive eyes pleading with Red to rescue her.

  Nikki finally eased herself back, gazing in admiration at Pippa. “Jez says you’re a solicitor?”

  Pippa looked horrified. “No, no, no. A barrister, please.”

  Nikki stared at Pippa, disappointment clouding her face. “Where do you work, then? Starbucks?”

  Red laughed at Pippa’s horrified expression. “Barrister, not barista. Here’s Jez,” she added’ thankful for the distraction.

  Nikki clapped her hands together like a mechanical monkey before relieving Harris of the bottle and glasses. “This is so cool.” Nikki nudged Pippa along the leather seat with her hip, suddenly burst out laughing uncontrollably.

  As she struggled to regain her composure she explained, “Oh Jez, I just had a thought. Me and Pippa here have got something in common.”

  Harris, Red and Pippa simultaneously held their breath, dreading the punch-line. Nikki struggled to hold back the tears of laughter.

  “Go on,” Red said hesitantly, certain it would be better not to know.

  Nikki confirmed Red’s worst fears. “We’re both shagging coppers,” Nikki said, bursting into hysterics again, her silicone breasts threatening to break free at any moment.

  Pippa hid behind her wine glass, determined not to admit she was amused. Red grinned at Harris. “You’ve got a live one here, Big Boy.”

  A red-faced Harris hurried to the gents.

  Chapter 23.

  Mackenzie and Taylor appeared in the doorway, scanning the crowded bar. Red waved a hand to attract their attention. Pippa and Nikki spun round. Pippa forced a smile. Nikki stared blankly as the two men made their way across.

  “Evening Baz. Jim,” Red acknowledged, holding up a twenty. “My round.”

  Taylor snatched the note as if half-expecting Red to change her mind. “Usual, Guv?” His eyes settled on Pippa. He stretched out a hand. “Long time, no see, Pippa. What can I get you?”

  “And a pleasure to meet you again, Barry,” Pippa lied. “And you, James.” A little more conviction this time.

  Mackenzie took Pippa’s hand and theatrically kissed her wrist. “The pleasure’s all mine, Philippa. To what do we owe the honour of your company this evening?”

  “A fleeting visit, James, I can assure you. Cassandra and I are having a quiet evening out, but I suggested we might call in and say hello to the team as we passed through.”

  Red spluttered into her glass. “I’m sorry?”

  Pippa ignored her. “Nothing more for Cassandra and I, Barry. We’ll be leaving very shortly.”

  Taylor looked at the twenty. “Just me and you, then, Mac.” His eyes travelled to Nikki, suddenly widening as they moved from her head down. “Can I get you anything. Miss?”

  Red sat up. “Sorry, gents. I’m forgetting my manners. Nikki, this is Barry and Jim, two officers from the Station. They work with Jez. Guys, this is Nikki, Jez’s girlfriend.”

  Nikki beamed a smile and jiggled her chest in Taylor’s direction. Taylor forced his eyes away long enough to share a widening smile with Mackenzie, before returning to Nikki’s chest.

  He forced his eyes up again. Looked around, seeing only Red and Pippa. “She’s with you?”

  “Heavens, no,” Pippa assured him. “Nikki is here with Jeremy. He’s just gone to the restroom.”

  Taylor looked bewildered. “The where?”

  “The bogs, Barry,” Red sighed, glancing in the direction of the gents’ toilets. She saw Harris appear in the doorway, absently pulling at his zip. Saw his smile drop as he took in Mackenzie and Taylor standing over Nikki. Watching him bustle towards them, mixed expressions fighting for predominance.

  “Bazza! Mac!” Harris took a defensive stance behind Nikki, one arm on her shoulder.

  Taylor’s toothy smile alternated between Nikki’s chest and her boyfriend’s face. “You kept quiet about those, didn’t you, Jez?”

  Harris beamed.

  “Missed you at work today, Jez,” Mackenzie said. “Feeling better now, are we?”

  Harris shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. An anxious glance at Red.

  Nikki looked up at Harris. “Have you not been feeling well, hun? You should have said. Maybe you had too many last night.”

  Harris suddenly found the floor of great interest.

  “You’ll be back with us tomorrow then, I take it?” Mackenzie persisted.

  “Tomorrow? But he’s on holiday.” Nikki clutched Harris’s hand. “My big day tomorrow, Jez, don’t forget. You’re going to love it.”

  Harris’s cheeks were colouring fast, his mouth working, no sounds coming. Taylor’s grin was getting wider by the second.

  “Holiday? Going somewhere nice, Jezza?” Taylor asked.

  “I…” Harris struggled to get the words out. “I… That is…”

  Red leaned across and put a palm on Nikki’s wrist. “I think Jez is trying to say duty calls, Nikki. Having to cancel annual leave at the last minute is part of a copper’s job. As you know there’s a murder investigation underway. We really need someone of Jez’s calibre to help us tomorrow.”

  Harris stood with mouth open, eyes roving from Red to Taylor and back to Nikki.

  Nikki clutched Jez’s hand. “Never mind, hun. I’ll be alright on my own.” She stared, adoring, at Harris. “Just think, they need someone of your calibre, Jez. Dunno what that means, but it sounds pretty important to me.”

  Harris continued to study the floor. “We’d better get going, Nikki,” he said quietly.

  “But we’ve only just got here.”

  Harris jerked her hand, making his intentions clear. “Come on. I’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”

  Taylor’s toothy grin reappeared.“You better believe it.”

  Taylor watched with keen interest as Nikki leaned forward to ease herself out from the table. “Hope to see you both again, Nikki,” he said, delighted at the double entendre.

  Mackenzie groaned. “Have a day off, Barry.”

  What, like Jez, you mean?”

  Red motioned for the team to ease off. “Don’t say a word, Barry,” she said as Harris and Nikki moved out of earshot. “I’ll deal with it tomorrow.”

  Taylor smiled smugly. “I wouldn’t want to be in Jezza’s shoes in the morning,” he said to Mackenzie. “Tonight, on the other hand… Lucky bastard.”

  Mackenzie diplomatically tried to change the subject. “Are you going to get the round in that the Guv’s paying for, or are we all going to die of thirst?”

  Taylor took the hint. “You’re sure I can’t get you two another, Guv? Pippa?”

  “No thank you, Barry,” Pippa said before Red could reply. “We’re just about to leave too. Aren’t we, Cassandra.” The tone left it clear this was a statement, not a question.

  “Just me and you then, Baz,” Mackenzie said. He glanced at his watch. “Best get one in for Terri. She’ll be here an
y minute.”

  “Terri Miller’s coming?” asked Pippa.

  Red stood up hurriedly. “Yep, let’s be going, Pippa. Sorry, guys. Pippa’s taking me to a surprise venue.”

  Pippa remained seated. “Perhaps we should stay for one more drink, Cass. Just to be sociable.”

  Red glared daggers at Pippa. “Don’t even think about it, Counsellor. You wanted out. We’re out.”

  Chapter 24.

  Red looked up, eyeing the sign with trepidation. “A play?”

  “Yes, Cassandra, a play. That’s what they usually have in theatres. It’s what grown-ups do on a civilized night out.”

  Red arched an eyebrow at Pippa. “But I don’t want to be grown-up. This is the first night out we’ve had for ages. I want to do something exciting.”

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t know. Let’s go bowling, eat fast food and then on to a club or something.”

  “Bowls? Cass, I had no idea you were interested in Crown Green Bowling. But where on Earth would we find a green at this time of day.”

  Red theatrically grabbed a lamppost and pretended to smash her head against it. “Ten-pin bowling, you silly… Give me strength.”

  “Skittles, you mean? Another great British game ruined by the Americans. Now, apart from the bowling, the fast-food and the club you have my fullest attention.”

  “Pip, I am not sitting in the dark, being shushed every time I cough, surrounded by a load of scruffy thespian wannabes.”

  “This is the West End, Cassandra. Scruffy people are not allowed in.”

  “I’d rather see a movie.”

  “A film, you mean? Now we really are talking scruffy people. Slurping noisily on those oversized soft-drinks containers and throwing popcorn all over the floor.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “Cass, please. We have a perfectly good DVD player at home should you wish to sate your unseemly desire for Hollywood’s latest blood and gore offering.Can we not agree on something we will both enjoy?”