DI Lorne Simpkins 09 - Tortured Justice

by M A Comley

  There will be plenty of intimacy. Don’t you worry about that, my dear friend.

  As the room grew lighter, the wider Jordan’s grin spread. His brother, on the other hand, looked more and more perplexed. Felicity recognised the distrust pooling in his eyes and reached out to try to put him at ease. Her expectations of how the evening would pan out had shifted with his inclusion. The last thing she wanted was for everything to go awry.

  “David, why don’t you make yourself comfortable over there with Kaz?” She pointed at a couple of cushioned chairs off to one side of the room. “And you, Jordan, can stay here with us.”

  “Yeah, go on, bro. Go have yourself a good time with Kaz. It looks like I’m going to have my hands full here for a while, if you get my drift.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Felicity noticed the curtain twitch. Her heart sank when she realised Dara was hiding behind it. Stay there. Stay out of sight, at least for now. But she had a feeling that Dara was about to do just the opposite. She needed to act fast, before Jordan’s ex gave away the game.

  “Why don’t we organise some drinks and then start the party games. Mags, can you sort out the music? I put a variety of albums over there by the tape machine.”

  “My pleasure. Hot and raunchy or slow and deliberate?”

  “Let’s go with hot and raunchy and see where that leads us, hey, Jordan?”

  His eyes widened to their fullest, and he growled like an animal in heat. “Oh, yes, hot and raunchy sounds delicious to me.”

  She suspected her warm smile hid her repulsion well. She guided Jordan to the seats on the opposite side of the room then went in search of the promised drinks. A few women were already in the back room, filling the glasses with red wine.

  “Okay, I need you to pass the message around while I help keep the men distracted. We’re going to play with them for a while, lead them into believing we have the intention of sleeping with them later. Once their defences drop—it shouldn’t take long in Jordan’s case—then we pounce.”

  Dara quietly joined her. “How could you?”

  “What, Dara? We haven’t done anything yet.”

  “You know what I mean. You’re not stupid. His brother, David—how could you get him involved in all of this? He’s married to a wonderful woman. I wouldn’t feel right about hurting him.”

  “Well, maybe he should have considered his wonderful wife before he accompanied his brother on this little outing. Men always show their true colours when the chips are down, Dara. It’s very rare they think with their heads instead of their dicks when a little loving is on offer.”

  Dara sank back against the wall, and her chin fell onto her chest. “I’ve changed my mind,” she mumbled sullenly.

  “What? It’s far too late for that now. They’re here. They’ve seen our hideout—we can’t let them go now.” She corrected herself quickly, knowing that the men would never see daylight again if everything went according to her plan. “Not yet.”

  Dara raised her head, and with narrowed eyes, she asked, “You are going to let them go, though, aren’t you, Felicity?”

  She waved off the woman’s concern. “Eventually, yes. Let’s have some fun with them first, girl. Look, if you feel uncomfortable about seeing this, then go home. I’d be very disappointed if you chose that option, however. Stay in here, out of sight, for the next hour or so and then make your appearance when things start to heat up. I want him to see that you are no longer scared of him. Don’t you want that, too, hon?”

  Dara inhaled and let the breath out almost immediately. “Maybe. Oh, I just don’t know anymore. Now the time has arrived, I’m having second thoughts about the situation. Please reconsider until I can figure things out in here.” She prodded at her temple.

  Felicity shook her head. “I’ve already told you that things are going ahead as scheduled. It would be a wasted opportunity if we backed out now. The option wouldn’t arise again in the future, love. Take my word on that. Do as I say—stay in here for the time being, all right?”

  Reluctantly, Dara crossed the room, picked up a glass of wine, and dropped onto a tiny wooden stool in the corner, the only form of seating in the room. “Give me a shout when you’re ready. And, Felicity, please be gentle with him. I couldn’t live with the guilt of seeing him hurt.”

  “You worry too much. We’ll see you soon.” Felicity motioned for the other girls to bring the drinks and to join the rest of the women looking after their two guests. “Here we are. I hope you like red wine, boys?”

  Jordan snatched the glass out of her hand and downed the drink in two large gulps. “Yep, I need a top up. When does the real entertainment begin? That’s what I’d like to know.” He ran his tongue suggestively around his plump lips.

  “Real entertainment? Well that only happens to men who behave and learn to control themselves, Jordan. You could learn a thing or two from your brother’s behaviour.”

  “Ha! He’s always been the quiet one in the family. The most excitement he’s had in his life is when he caught a ten-pound trout on a fishing holiday in France.” He laughed at his own joke.

  Felicity’s gaze drifted over to David. She could tell that underneath his cool exterior, there was an angry man wanting to punch his brother’s lights out for the public humiliation he was subjecting him to.

  The music started up and combatted the tension between the men. The 1980s disco tunes appeared to go down well, and before long, everyone was up on their feet moving. Some were even gyrating and twerking to the beat. Jordan was well on his way to inebriation, which Felicity hoped would make their job much easier when the time came to place him in the stocks. Her brain had been working overtime and had come up with several ideas on how to get him into the contraption. She’d finally settled on the idea that he would be up for a game where kinky sex was on offer. After a few more drinks, he would be a willing participant—of that, she was confident.

  Two more glasses of wine, and even David had loosened the black tie around his neck and seemed to be enjoying himself. His brown eyes sparkled with what looked like devilment, and his arm had become permanently fixed around Kaz’s shoulder. The temptress gave Felicity the impression she would be happy to put up with his mauling, aware of how the evening would end for the brothers.

  It was time to escalate things and aim for the end game. Felicity tugged Jordan’s shirt out of his suit trousers and started unbuttoning it, while sashaying her hips. She heard him gulp and knew he was under her spell. Halfway through undoing the buttons, she placed a hand around his tie and swivelled, pulling his tie over her shoulder then leading him toward the stocks. Felicity glanced sideways to see Kaz mirroring her movements, bringing David along, as well. Her heart rate tripled, and she cast aside the fears suddenly filling her mind with scenarios of what could go wrong.

  One of the girls changed the music to something with a conga beat, and everyone joined in the fun. The men were oblivious to what was going on. Finally, Felicity came to a halt in front of one set of stocks, and Kaz slipped past her to deposit David by the other set.

  “Let’s make things a little more interesting, shall we, boys?” She glanced at Kaz and winked.

  “Just tell us what to do.” Jordan’s eagerness brought her attention back to him.

  “Take a seat. You too, David.”

  The two men plonked down on the cushioned bench.

  Felicity dropped to her knees in front of Jordan, and Kaz did the same with his brother.

  “Give me your hands and feet.” Felicity removed Jordan’s shoes and socks and put the shackles around his ankles. The sound of the women observers standing behind her urged her to finish the task quickly before they gave the game away. She heard Kaz removing David’s shoes, following her movements to the letter.

  Snap, snap, snap, and snap. Four shackles snapped into place around two ankles and two wrists. Jordan laughed and looked over as Kaz completed the same action with David. Felicity and Kaz stood up and stepped back a foot or so then high-
fived each other.

  “Right. I hate to repeat myself, but this is where the true games begin.” Felicity raised her voice. “You can come out now.”

  Dara entered the room with her head bowed low.

  Colour rose from Jordan’s neck and flooded his cheeks. His head shook in disbelief. “You! What are you doing here?”

  Dara came to a standstill alongside Felicity, within inches of Jordan’s feet. “I’m sorry, Jordan. Please forgive me?”

  “Forgive you? For what?” His brow twisted into a deep crease.

  “That’s enough, Dara.”

  “But I need to hear that he forgives me, Felicity.”

  “I don’t understand. Why should I forgive you? What’s going on here?” Jordan yanked and twisted his constraints, to no avail.

  “Oh no!” David groaned.

  Kaz struck him across the top of the head with her open hand. “Hush now. The better you behave, the less punishment you’ll receive.”

  “I knew it. What sort of crap have you got us caught up in now, brother?” David asked, shifting uncomfortably, making his chains jangle noisily.

  “Shut up. I came to your rescue, remember? You’re to blame for this.”

  “No. I think you’ll find this is about retribution for all the pain and anguish you put Dara through during your farce of a marriage,” David countered, living up to Felicity’s assumption that he was the brainier of the two men.

  She made a note to be gentle with the man compared to what she had in store for Jordan.

  “What? Our marriage wasn’t a farce, not until the end. She loved me unconditionally, and I loved her in return. Didn’t I, Dara?”

  “Yes, dear,” Dara said, her head still lowered.

  “Don’t do it, Dara. Don’t let him continue to manipulate you. Yes, David, you’re totally correct in your assumption as to why you gentlemen are here with us tonight. It’s all about retribution, Jordan. David, I want to say from the outset, that I apologise for your involvement in this. We didn’t know Jordan had a brother, let alone a twin, who worked at the same firm. Your role in this is noted, and we’ll be kinder to you as a consequence. You have my word on that.”

  David inclined his head. “Thank you. If you’ll consider letting me go, I promise that I won’t go to the police. My brother has been walking a tightrope for years. Something like this was bound to happen to him eventually. I get on with him, but I detest the way he treats women, all women. Dara, I’m sorry for what he’s put you through over the years. Please find it in your heart to forgive him—he’s a confused man, who often neglects to think of right and wrong. His ‘brain’ dangling between his legs makes too many of his decisions. Sometimes I find myself ashamed to call him my brother. Please rethink your actions before things get out of hand. For all our sakes, don’t stoop to his level.”

  Felicity applauded. “Bravo. You’ve summed up the situation perfectly, David. It won’t make the slightest difference, though, at least not in your brother’s case—”

  “But, Felicity,” Dara interrupted, “you said—you promised me that you wouldn’t hurt him.”

  Felicity cackled and smiled at her friend. “I lied.”

  Dara’s legs gave way, and Mags and Julie rushed forward to support her.

  “No! Please, I don’t want any harm to come to him. I love him!”

  “Don’t be so pathetic, Dara. How can you love a man like that? You disappoint me. Go, get out of my sight. I can’t stand the sound of your whimpering and foolish words.”

  “But…”

  “Take her in the other room, girls. Let us get on with our work.”

  Mags and Julie whisked the sobbing Dara from the room. She called over her shoulder once more, “Jordan, forgive me. I had no idea this was going to happen. No idea.”

  Felicity watched the snarl on Jordan’s face. “I don’t believe you, Dara. Whatever these women have planned for me, it’ll be nothing compared to what I’ll do to you when I get my hands on you.”

  Disgusted by his boldness, Felicity shook her head and bent over to whisper in his ear, “If you get out of this alive!”

  CHAPTER SIX

  That day and the next, Lorne found herself mired in frustration. The case of the man stabbed with a high-heel was a perplexing one that offered up very little to investigate. Katy shooed Lorne out of the office early that afternoon to ensure she made it to the TV station in time for the interview.

  Lorne rushed home, checked that Onyx was ready and looking her best for the camera, then ran upstairs to shower and change into a comfortable pair of trousers and a blouse. She was aiming for a smart but casual ensemble, nothing too fancy for the TV slot.

  “Are you coming with me, Charlie?”

  “Wow, really? Nothing like giving me a little notice, Mum? Have I got time to have a shower?”

  “Sorry, I should have mentioned it sooner. Run along. I think we should take the pups, too. I think we’ll gain more sympathy votes, don’t you?”

  Tony poured hot water into two coffee mugs. “That’s a great idea. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on the other dogs. I hope we don’t get bombarded with phone calls tonight.”

  “Why? I thought that was the whole idea of the interview—that and finding Onyx’s despicable owner.”

  “I don’t mind getting calls during the day, but at night, I want some form of peace, Lorne.”

  She sensed Tony wasn’t being completely truthful with her. She glanced at the clock on the wall—five minutes before she and Charlie would need to start loading the dogs into the car. They hardly had enough time to begin a serious chat. “Is something wrong, love?”

  “Not really. I do think we need to sit down and have a chat, though. Perhaps when you get back? I know that’s not fair on you. You’ve had a long day, and it isn’t finished yet.”

  She closed the distance between them and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. “We’ll chat later, whether I’m flaked out or not, love, if it’s that important. Should I be worried? You’re not going to ask for a divorce, are you?” she joked, expecting him to laugh, but he didn’t. Oh, crap!

  He passed her a mug of coffee and kissed the tip of her nose. “We’ll talk later. I hope the interview goes well.”

  “I do love you. You know that, right? I’m sorry if I don’t show it enough.”

  “Hey, where’s that coming from? I know you love me as much as I love you. It’s just…”

  Charlie thundered down the stairs, putting a stop to the conversation. “Come on, Mum. We haven’t got time for a cuppa.”

  “Hush now,” Tony said. “You go and get the dogs ready and let your mum drink her coffee in peace. There’s plenty of time.”

  “He’s right. Let me drink at least half a mug, love. I’ll be out in a mo.”

  A disgruntled Charlie marched out the back door.

  Lorne looked up into her husband’s eyes once again. “And we will have a long discussion later. You hear me? The last thing I want is another marriage going off the rails. I’d rather thrash things out before they go that far, hon.”

  “You’re reading too much into a little statement. Our marriage is far from in jeopardy, Lorne. Stop worrying.”

  He kissed her again, then she took a few more sips of the hot liquid and walked out the back door. Stopping on the threshold, she turned to blow him a kiss and mouthed, “I love you.”

  He pretended to catch the kiss in his hand.

  Charlie had loaded everything but the dogs into the car by the time Lorne got outside. “I’ll grab Onyx if you can put the pups in the carrier. There’ll be no chance of the little mites falling all over the place in the back and slipping into a crevice.”

  “Aww…‌Onyx won’t like being separated from the young ones.”

  “She’ll be fine. They’ll still be together in the back.”

  Lorne held out a piece of chicken to the mother dog, who took it and licked her lips. Lorne stroked and made a fuss of her for a few seconds then lifted her, tugging the T-shirt int
o place so the dog’s flaky skin was covered and not liable to rub against her own clean clothes as she carried Onyx out to the car. Onyx whimpered once she was out of range of her pups but calmed down again when Charlie arrived with the carrier and put the pups next to her in the back of the rescue centre’s van.

  • • •

  The drive into London took longer than expected due to the rush-hour traffic, and Lorne and Charlie arrived in the TV station car park with two minutes to spare.

  “Quick, or we’ll miss our cue,” Charlie said, being impatient as only a teenager could.

  “I’m going as quickly as I can. Grab the pups. I’ll bring Onyx.”

  “All right. I know what to do. I’m not stupid, Mum.”

  Lorne rolled her eyes towards the sky. Less attitude, Charlie. More speed.

  They ran into the reception area, where a stressed-out young woman awaited their arrival.

  “I’m so sorry. The traffic was really bad.”

  “You’re here now,” she replied tersely. “Come with me.”

  Lorne and Charlie trotted behind the woman marching down the corridor ahead of them.

  “She seems pretty pissed off, Mum,” Charlie said out the corner of her mouth.

  “Yeah, let’s make sure we don’t make her mood any worse, all right?” She pleaded silently for her daughter to rein in her petulance.

  “Spoilsport.”

  In spite of herself, Lorne chuckled. When she realised the studio was directly ahead of them, Lorne felt her nerves kick in. The interviewer introduced himself as Mike Green. He took one look at Onyx and shrank back in his chair. Lorne wondered if she’d done the right thing by bringing the poor girl.

  “So, this is how things will go. I’ll introduce you. Then you tell me a little about what you do, you know, your role in saving these animals. Then we’ll move on to the dog. Does it have a home to go to yet?”

  Lorne ground her teeth in irritation of the man’s lack of compassion. “The dog is called Onyx. She’s had a rough start in life, Mr. Green. Let’s try and not hold that against her when talking about her if we can, eh? Dogs have feelings, as all animals do. They sense people’s negativity towards them from the outset.”