‘I get it, sweetheart. I would be worried he would find me, but you’re stronger than me. You always were. Everything you’ve been through and you just keep fighting. I love you very much, my daughter, and I’m so proud of you,’ tears glistened in Rose’s eyes as she got up from her pool bed and sat beside Cass, pulling her into her arms and holding her tight.
‘Please just promise me you will be careful. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.’
Cass hugged her mum just as hard. ‘I don’t feel strong, Mama. I’m scared, but I can’t dwell on what happened. I have to try not to think about it. He won’t come near me, but I ‘ll be ultra-careful. The alarm guy’s coming on Friday. I’ve started my self-defence classes again. It’ll be OK, Mama.’
Rose pulled back and gave Cass a shrewd look. ‘I bet Alex wouldn’t let him anywhere near you anyway.’
Cass smiled back and nodded.
‘You’re right,’ she admitted, ‘Alex scares me too. I’ve never been with anyone since Carl. But I’m really comfortable with him, we talk, you know? What if I’m reading more into it than there is though, Mum? What if he’s just after something light-hearted and I’m after something more long term? I’m not that great at reading man-signals.’
‘Nobody is but judging him on my only meeting with the man so far, I think it’s a safe guess he’s pretty smitten. Men don’t think to buy gifts for nothing you know,’ said Rose, patting her hand knowingly.
‘It was just a tin of shortbread and some flowers, Mum,’ groaned Cass with a grimace. ‘But you think he’s smitten? Really?’
‘I most definitely do. Now, shall we go have our mani and pedi done? I’m getting peckish so if we get our nails done, we can head up and get ready for an early dinner? It’s Roger’s treat and he said not to argue,’ said Rose with a grin.
‘Sounds good to me. Let’s go. I need to ring the kennel and check on Ollie on the way though, OK?’
At her mum’s nod, they both jumped up and made their way into the changing area.
The Dene’s Park, Sunderland – 19 October
He watched as Scott dragged Kourtney behind him. They had been drinking in the park since goodness only knew what time, and she was verging on hysteria. She had managed to piss Scott off somehow and he had yelled at her, then slapped her across the face saying he was taking her home. She was crying and trying to pull away from him.
If he didn’t intervene, Scott would be getting arrested all over again.
Straightening his wig, he turned the corner and came into their direct view.
‘Andy. Hi. Is everything OK? I was just heading to the shop.’
He paused, waiting for Scott to reply. Kourtney had calmed slightly and although she was still sobbing, she now gripped Scott’s arm tightly.
‘Is she OK?’ he asked.
‘Yea she’s fine. Was kicking off for a while but she’s OK now right, Kourt?’ At her slow nod, he continued. ‘You get me some smokes from the shop, mate? Am out.’
‘Sure, no problem. Do you want anything Kourtney?’
The girl shook her head silently, gripping Scott’s arm so tightly he could see the white marks appearing beneath. He walked past them and into the nearby corner shop.
‘I don’t like him. He really creeps me out. His smile doesn’t reach his eyes,’ she slurred at Scott, pouting at him.
‘Kourt, don’t speak until he’s gone, OK? He’s going to give us money to piss off and live our lives. Do not mess this up, OK?’ Scott’s tone had turned quiet, and Kourtney was still reeling from the slap he had given her in the park. She nodded silently, abruptly releasing his arm from her death grip. She swiped at the tears streaking her face, swiping wet mascara across her cheeks without realising.
Scott just shook his head. Maybe he should just ditch her and get with someone else. That Tonia lass she hung around with was pretty fit and he’d never seen her with a guy. But he did have feelings for Kourtney. He let the thought pass. He had a feeling she ‘d learn from the slap. His mother had never learnt from his dad, was always getting beaten, but then she’d always pissed him off. Kourt didn’t always piss him off, only sometimes. Tonight had just been one of those times was all. He was sure it wouldn’t happen again, he hadn’t liked the feeling of his hand connecting with her face, the look of terror in her eyes as she’d stared at him in shock and her tears had bubbled over.
John came out of the shop and Scott grabbed the cigarette packet from his outstretched palm. ‘Thanks, mate, much appreciated.’
Lighting one up, he watched as John handed Kourtney a small handy-sized bag of wipes and a bar of Dairy Milk.
‘Chocolate solves all problems, and the wipes are for your face. Your make-up is streaked.’ He turned back towards Scott, and added, ‘I’ll see you around, Andy. You guys need some cab money?’
Scott nodded silently, watching as he unfurled a ten-pound note and handed it over.
They both wandered off down the street in the direction of the string of takeaways that littered the main drag through the town. He didn’t particularly care whether they got a cab or not. What he cared about was his plan still being on course. If Scott had been arrested again, then there was a possibility he would have been remanded until his court appearance in November. And that was something he could not allow.
When he’d told Scott his name was John, it had been the most boringly common, random name that had popped into his head. He was glad of that now. Kourtney had met him, seen him, had potential to identify him. But he was confident in the disguise. Scott didn’t recognise him when he wasn’t made up. Stage make-up and dental inserts made a big difference. Add a false moustache, eyebrows and a wig, and he was unrecognisable.
He had always enjoyed that side of what he did. As a child he kept a dress up box in the garage, and his mother had always raved about what a good actor he was. He played a few parts in school productions. He learnt early that showing emotion was a bad thing, where his mother was concerned, but the acting gave him more time away from home.
He liked being someone else. And he did it well.
Ryhope Police Station – 20 October
Cass picked Ollie up from the kennel, dropped her mum at the station and had just decided to call into the nick to get some evidence for a case file example for her paper. She parked up, grabbed Ollie from the boot for a visit and wandered in through the front office. She nodded at Ben through the glass and slowly the staff door opened at Ben’s silent command.
As soon as they were through the connecting door Ollie pulled at his leash, and it slid from Cass’s grasp. He scratched at the door to the front office, wanting to be in. Humouring him, she grinned and opened the door.
‘Ben, I think Ollie wants to say hi,’ Cass called out, before opening the second door and allowing the dog access. Ben was already on her knees at the base of the supply cupboard when he bounded over to her with his tail wagging hard, and his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth. A huge smile lit up Ben’s face, and it was all the invitation he needed. Planting himself in front of her, he greeted her with a sloppy kiss to the cheek, then promptly rolled onto his back, legs in the air, inviting her to stroke his tummy.
‘Aw he’s gorgeous, Cass,’ said Ben, obliging him by rubbing her hand along his tummy. He almost groaned with pleasure – there was nothing he loved more than getting attention. Deciding this office was new, he jumped to his feet and sniffed contentedly around the floor.
‘I’d better take him through to see Faith or she’ll never forgive me. Busy night?’
‘No, steady away but not too many peeps coming through the doors tonight. I’m just stock taking so I can put the order in tomorrow. I don’t know what our lot do with the pens they take but I order hundreds every month! The sergeant will be telling them to bring their own in before long I reckon.’
‘Glad it’s quiet, hope it stays that way and you get it all sorted. Come on Ollie.’
Cass flashed a quick smile at Ben as she left the off
ice and made her way down the corridor, waited for the door to close behind her, and let Ollie off his leash. He’d visited the station with her enough times to know where he was going and quickly bounded into the CSI office, knowing someone in there would feed him treats.
Cass smiled as she heard Faith squeal his name enthusiastically.
‘Hey. Am just popping in, forgot to take my file with me when I left the other day. Everything OK?’
‘Yeah, it’s all fine, Cass, been steady away today. Greg’s just picked up a couple of jobs, and Fred left a couple of minutes ago. Jason’s said I can get a flyer so am just finishing up then gonna head off home.’
Faith handed Ollie a large piece of the sandwich from her desk and smiled as he gently took hold. She ruffled his ears, and grinned as he pushed his head into her hand.
‘Can I leave him with you for a sec? Just need to grab the file from my office. Is Kevin back? Jason said he was coming back in today?’
‘Yeah he’s over at central. Spoke with him earlier. He seems a little quiet but kinda happy to be back, I think? Must be hard rattling around the house without Madge there.’
‘Definitely,’ acknowledged Cass. ‘I’ll give him a quick ring while I’m here.’
Leaving Ollie with Faith, she made her way into her office and paused at her desk, something bothering her momentarily. ‘Where’s my address book?’ she muttered under her breath – her desk was testament to her mild OCD, and everything always had its place. She found the address book on the floor under the desk and frowned. How had it got there? She carefully placed it back down beside her pen pot and decided one of the team had probably been in her office. She gave her head a shake and sat down to phone Kevin.
‘Johnny, it’s Cass. Is Kevin around?’
Seconds later Kevin was on the line. ‘Cass, you’re supposed to be on leave for the next couple of days or did you forget?’
Smiling down the phone at him, she said, ‘You know me, Kev, can’t stay away from the place. How you holding up?’
‘Can’t complain. No one would listen anyway. I’m glad to be working again if I’m honest. The house just feels too big without Madge there.’ His voice broke a little on the mention of his wife’s name. Pulling himself together, he added, ‘Enough of all that anyway, get what you need and get on with your leave, Cass. I don’t want to hear from you ‘til you’re back OK?’
‘OK, Kev, I’ll just grab Ollie from the office, if Faith will let him go, then I’m heading home. Gunna try to get my paper finished for the submission deadline this month. You know where I am if you need me though, right?’
At his assent, she hung up the phone, grabbed the file and wandered back into the office. Ollie was lying at Faith’s feet, his tongue lolling out happily, and Cass couldn’t help but notice the absence of the rest of Faith’s sandwich. ‘Hope he didn’t woo you with those puppy dog eyes?’
‘Nah, I’d had enough anyway. You getting off now?’
‘Yeah. Tell Greg I said hi. And bye.’
‘OK. Enjoy the rest of your leave, Cass.’
Cass’s Cottage – 20 October
Cass pulled up in front of the cottage, opened the boot to let Ollie out and grabbed the kebab box off the back seat. She really should have just cooked something, but she was on holiday so why not indulge? She wandered to the front door, unlocked it and went inside. Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the darker interior and widened as she registered the scene. The drawers from the unit in the hall were upturned and the contents strewn all over the place. She stood still for a moment; head cocked as she listened. Quietly she placed the takeaway on the cabinet and opened the door to the living room. It was in complete disarray, all her belongings and ornaments spread all over and the sofa cushions lying on the floor.
She began to shake as shock set in.
She had been burgled.
Tears filled her eyes. Thank God Ollie was with me.
She dreaded to think what burglars would have done to him if he had been there. Sensing something was up, Ollie stayed by her side as she made her way into the kitchen. The cupboard doors hung open, even the fridge contents were on the floor.
She took in a shaky breath and dialled the non-emergency number for the police.
‘North East Police, this is Laura speaking. How can I help.’
‘Laura, this is 7265 Hunt. I need to report that I’ve been broken into.’
Things were always dealt with a little differently when it was an officer or civilian involved. In her mind, Cass could see the log being created and switched over to the Duty Inspector for information. It was only twenty minutes later that the panda pulled up on her drive, quickly followed by Greg in his van.
Cass stood at the door as he jumped from the van, left his kit and ran over to her.
‘Are you OK?’ he asked.
‘Yeah I’m fine, just a little shaken up.’ Forgetting herself for a moment, she added, ‘Wish Alex was here.’ Realising what she’d said as soon as the words left her mouth, she glanced at Greg who was grinning widely.
‘You think we didn’t know? We all had bets on – I thought you and he would’ve got together months ago.’
For a moment Cass was shocked, then she remembered she worked for the police managing a team of trained observers. If they hadn’t noticed, then she should have been worried. She smiled back at Greg, turning as Harry Green approached her.
‘I’m just going to head inside and have a quick look around – is the kitchen area OK to take the crime details, Cass?’
‘Sure, Harry. I’ll be in in a moment.’
Cass had already phoned Alex, who was going to travel straight back down, but Edinburgh was a good few hours away. She had promised to ring him as soon as Harry had taken her statement.
Harry completed the paperwork and left, leaving Greg processing the scene. It turned out to be quite a big job, and he moved from room to room efficiently, leaving Cass following behind – she’d tidy once he was done. Ollie lay in the hall, perturbed by the strangers in his home. Greg was just completing the bedroom when Alex burst through the living room door.
Striding quickly inside, he grabbed Cass and pulled her into his arms.
Ignoring Greg for the moment, he kissed her head gently, and held her for a moment, almost a little too tightly. He sighed softly as he held her at arm’s length, looking at her intently.
‘You OK? I got here as quickly as I could.’
‘Am fine, was a bit shaky when I first realised but I’m all right now. Honest.’
Cass pulled back slightly, her cheeks reddening a little as Greg approached. In the space of a few hours her work mates now knew where she lived and who she was dating. Being open would definitely take some getting used to, she acknowledged to herself.
‘Several fingerprints and footwear marks, Cass. Also got some fibres from the point of entry. Reckon you’ll need a new back door, though I’ve managed to jimmy it securely for now. Offender tried to gain access using Ollie’s flap first like, think that thing must’ve been designed by the makers of Fort Knox coz he couldn’t manage it. Oh, and I’ve swabbed something that looks suspiciously like spit from the back doorstep. Might be something, might be nothing, but I’ll get it sent off if there’s no idents off the prints.’
Cass nodded as he spoke and watched as he got his stuff together and departed, leaving her alone with Alex and a whole lot of mess to clean-up. The trouble with being the victim of a crime, was more often than not the CSIs didn’t have time to clean-up after themselves.
‘Let me help, Cass,’ said Alex softly. He knew she’d probably get upset later, but for the moment she was focused on the task at hand.
She smiled at him, full of false bravado. ‘It’s just stuff, Alex. Would you mind putting things away? If it’s wrecked just bin it. I’ll grab some wipes from the kitchen and start cleaning the surfaces. Ali powder’s a bitch.’
It took a good couple of hours to get the house back in some semblance of order; and Cass, wh
o couldn’t bear the thought that someone had been in her fridge, had ditched the contents with everything else. Alex had just left to take the last bin bag out of the kitchen when suddenly it hit her.
Someone had been in her home.
She felt tears prick at her eyes, and Ollie, who hadn’t moved from her side, cocked his head and whined. She smiled a sad smile at him, bending to stroke the fluffy fur behind his ears, and dropped to her knees, grabbing his scruffy neck and pulling him to her.
‘Am so glad you weren’t here pup, what that man would’ve done to you I don’t know but I’m glad he didn’t get the chance. What are we going to do now?’
Cass hadn’t heard Alex approach and only turned when he spoke.
‘Now you and Ollie will come and stay at mine. At least until your door is fixed and you feel safer coming home. Or I stay here with you until your door is fixed and you feel safe here again.’
‘Those are my options? OK, maybe you could stay here? You live in a flat and Ollie needs his walks. I’ll phone a joiner tomorrow. Thanks, Alex.’
He walked over and held his hand out. ‘Come on, you threw the food out and I’ve binned the cold kebab, so we are going to go get takeout. Ollie too, I think he deserves something nice.’
He took hold of Cass’s hand, and led the way to the front door.
As they drove out of the drive, neither noticed the shadowy figure hidden behind one of the trees.
Chapter Thirty-One
Pallion, Sunderland – 21 October
He wasn’t sure how much longer he could continue with this charade.
He’d been doing his best to avoid Scott, meticulously planning the way he would put the detestable youngster into the carefully prepared, makeshift coffin, and choosing his final resting place.
But Scott wasn’t so keen on leaving him alone. He had been ringing and texting constantly, getting more and more aggressive about the money he had sneakily ‘demanded’. He could hear the desperation creeping in each time they spoke. The kid was actually scared about going to court, not that he’d ever admit it of course.
With Deadly Intent Page 17
