Avaline Saddlebags

by Netta Newbound

  “I bet. Never mind—I should be getting home anyway. Rachel will be late tonight, so I could earn myself some brownie points by making dinner. Give my regards to Bella anyway.”

  “You old softy.” I grinned. “But if I could ask a favour?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’ve been thinking about the prosthetics left on the victims and wonder where they’re coming from. Any chance you can do some digging. I think you have the report from Lauren with the images.”

  “I’ll do what I can, but hopefully they weren’t bought online, or that will be a nightmare.”

  “We’re due some good luck, so let’s hope they’re from a local stockist.”

  “Yeah. In fact, I’ll get cracking now and come back with an answer as soon as I can.”

  “What about cooking dinner for Rachel?”

  “I’ll pick up Chinese on the way home too.”

  “Good man,” I said, slapping him on the back. “But don’t stay too late. I don’t want your Mrs complaining about you working late.”

  Five

  I walked to my car—pleased Will seemed a little more accepting of my position. We were two detectives down with an already heavy workload and now a possible serial killer to catch. I planned to speak to Janine tomorrow about replacing mine and Bella’s vacancies on the team.

  I was still finding my feet, desperate to do a good job, but felt out of my depth. Although baffled by the case, my instincts told me this was more than just a hate crime. Why would somebody specifically target the transsexual community? I hadn’t worked out a motive yet, but one thing I was certain of, there would be further deaths, and each more brutal than the last.

  As promised, I picked up a takeaway and headed to Bella’s with enough food to feed an army. It was what I needed—a few hours spent pigging out and gossiping with my best friend.

  Rain had been threatening all afternoon, and as I pulled up outside Bella’s place, the heavens opened.

  Grabbing the brown paper bag full of food, I rushed up the path.

  Bella must have been waiting for me as before I had a chance to knock the door opened.

  “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” I said.

  “Hello, stranger.” She wore a pair of Minnie Mouse pjs and her usually straightened brown hair was piled into a messy knot on the top of her head. “Come in.”

  “Haven’t you bothered to get dressed today, you lazy cow?” I teased.

  “Nope. It’s just you and me for dinner and I’ve been curled on the sofa eating junk-food and binge watching Breaking Bad.”

  I walked into the hallway. Spotless as per usual. I always wondered how she found the time to keep such a clean house.

  “Where’s Lily?”

  “Out with my sister somewhere,” she replied. “That food smells divine. Go straight through to the kitchen, the plates are ready.”

  “Still a glutton, I see.”

  “Oi, cheeky, I’m eating for two, you know?”

  “Just kidding.”

  Five minutes later, we were seated side by side at the table, open cartons of Chinese food everywhere.

  “This is just what baby needs,” Bella said, hand resting on her enormous stomach.

  “Don’t blame it on the baby. I’ve seen how much food you can put away.”

  She shovelled a forkful of chicken fried rice into her mouth, chewing voraciously. “You know me too well, but today’s junk food is the first I’ve eaten for a week. My sister only eats an organic, plant-based diet and if she finds out I’ve eaten this, I’ll never hear the last of it.”

  “Ugh,” I said. “Give me a curry any day of the week.”

  “Exactly, and as soon as this little one makes an appearance, she can get back on the train to Manchester, she’s driving me mad.”

  “I would’ve come to stay with you, you know that?”

  “From what I’ve seen on the news, you’ve got enough on your plate right now.”

  I didn’t want to talk about work, and dreaded telling her I had a new, if only temporary, partner, but since she brought it up... “It’s pretty sick stuff, Bells.”

  “Is Layla working out okay?”

  “Shit,” I said. “You’re supposed to be on maternity leave. How did you know about her?”

  “I do have other friends on the force, you know?” She laughed and shook her head, before another forkful of food disappeared. “And besides, it makes sense. Both of you were left without a partner so I knew Janine would make this call.”

  “I know. I just feel guilty that’s all.”

  “Guilty. Why?”

  “They offered me the promotion, not you. And now I’ve got a new partner.”

  She placed her fork on the plate. “Hang on a minute, Dylan. I didn’t even want the promotion, and as for Layla, it is what it is.”

  “But we both know if you hadn’t been about to go off on leave, I wouldn’t have stood a chance in hell.”

  “Piss off. You’re just as good as I am, if not better.”

  “You’re just saying that because you’re my best friend.”

  “You’re probably right.” She rested her head on my shoulder, chuckling to herself.

  “I don’t know why I like you so much,” I joked.

  “Listen, you got that job because you’re damn good at what you do,” she said, reassuringly. “The others are just pissed off because you beat them to it. Fair and square I might add, so cut yourself a little slack.”

  “They’ve not been too bad, to be honest. Layla was a little grumpy, but I think that was more to do with her and Max. Did you know they were getting divorced? The separation papers came through this morning.”

  “No. Really?”

  “Yeah. He’s got another woman, apparently.”

  “The dirty bastard, I hope his dick drops off.”

  I laughed. “Why do men do that? Layla’s stunning.”

  “It’s not all about looks, you know. She might be a nightmare to live with.” Bella shoved her plate away and exhaled, leaning back in her chair.

  “Hey! Aren’t you supposed to be on the woman’s side?”

  “Yes. And I am. But I’m also realistic and can see it from both sides. Just because Max had a good-looking wife doesn’t mean everything else in his garden was rosy. She can be a little snippy when she wants to be—just saying.”

  “Bitchy!” I grinned.

  She shrugged. “No, not really. I might not be her greatest fan, but she’s a good detective. Look how fast she was promoted.”

  “You know me, though. I’ve never been the type to welcome changes—I get too set in my ways.”

  “Things will settle down in a week or two and it will become the new norm. And as for Layla, I’m pleased you have somebody to work with, but as soon as I’m back, she’s gone. Got it, boss?”

  “Don’t start that shite,” I said. “We’re a team, you and me, and the sooner you’re back, the better.”

  “Well, this little one,” she said, rubbing her bump affectionately, “will make an appearance any day now, then the countdown is on.”

  “Have you heard from Simon?”

  “He’s due home on leave next week.”

  “Oh, good.”

  “I don’t know if I’d prefer to have had the baby by then, which would enable us to spend the entire time as a family, or if I want him there for the birth.”

  Simon, a soldier in the British Army, was on his second tour of Afghanistan.

  “Well, you know I don’t mind being your birthing partner if not. So long as you don’t mind me seeing your foofoo, that is.”

  “I don’t suppose I’ll care once I’m in there, legs akimbo. I’m not looking forward to that part.”

  “I should have bought you a vindaloo.” I grinned. “That would’ve shifted you along.”

  “Why didn’t I think of that?”

  “All joking aside, I am happy for you, but can’t wait for you to come back.”

  “Me neither,” she said. “Tho
se last few months on light duties bored the arse off me.”

  “You had ankles like an elephant—an eighty-year-old would have outrun you.”

  She glowered at me, as she poured a glass of apple juice, then smiled. “You’re a cheeky sod. Now enough about work and my fat ankles,” she declared. “Tell me more about your day?”

  “Well, talk about foofoo—you’ll never guess what Janine wants me to do.”

  “Go on.”

  “She wants me to go undercover and audition as a drag queen on Thursday at Dorothy’s.”

  Bella squealed and began choking on a mouthful of juice—she had to spit it back into the glass. “You’re kidding! Oh, that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in ages. You’d make an awesome drag queen.”

  “So everybody tells me.”

  “You would. Remember that fancy dress party where you went as Bubbles DeVere from Little Britain. You were bloody hilarious.”

  “That was different—I’d had a skinful of ale.”

  “No, I don’t agree. As soon as that outfit went on you morphed into her. Yes, you got a bit sozzled later on, but you were right into it before that.”

  I shrugged. “I’ve not agreed to it yet.”

  “Why does she want you to do it anyway?”

  “Blame bloody Layla for that. She picked up a leaflet for auditions and mentioned it to Janine who thinks it’s a great idea. Apparently, I’ll hear more gossip as an insider. You know how tight-lipped that community is, but they can be right old gossips behind closed doors.”

  “You have to do it, if it means getting a nutcase off the street.”

  “I know, but…”

  “Hey, you might like it. Maybe you’ll double as a drag queen on the weekends? We’ll need to think about a name.”

  “The team already came up with one, but they can kiss my arse.”

  “Go on.”

  “Cunt Stubble.”

  I couldn’t help but join in with her raucous laughter.

  Once we’d calmed down and dried our eyes Bella turned to me and tried to be serious. She failed miserably. “What about Val Quaeda?”

  Another bout of hysterics followed.

  “Patty O’Doors,” I squeaked, pointing at her patio.

  “Sue Doku.” She picked up the puzzle book from beside her on the table with one hand, wiping the streaming tears from her cheeks with her other.

  Í couldn’t breathe. This was just what I needed after the day I’d had.

  The sound of the front door opening had us up on our feet and rushing to clear away the containers of congealed Chinese food before Bella’s sister caught us. We weren’t fast enough. Sounds of Penelope and Lily approached the kitchen.

  Trying to distract her I jumped forwards, blocking the doorway with my six-foot two frame. “Penny, how nice to see you.” I kissed her on the cheek and bent to chuck Lily under the chin.

  “Hi, Dylan. Good to see you too, but call me Penelope, please.”

  “Sorry,” I said, turning and raising my eyebrows at Bella.

  Bella pressed her lips together, clearly amused.

  “What’s that awful smell?” Penelope said, marching to the window over the sink and opening it wide. A gust of damp air rushed in.

  “That’s my fault. I brought Chinese food for us all.” I could never get over how different Bella and her sister were—like chalk and cheese.

  Penelope pulled a face. “We already ate at my friend’s house. Thanks anyway. So, how’s your love life? Met the man of your dreams yet?”

  “I’ve been seeing a guy called Steve, but nothing serious. Besides, what man is gonna put up with the hours I work?”

  “Every pan has a lid,” Bella said.

  I rolled my eyes. “Now you sound just like my nan.”

  “Seriously, Dylan, you do need to find a better work life balance.”

  Six

  Layla pulled up next to her mother’s car on the driveway of the four-bedroom home she’d bought with Max seven years ago. They’d purchased it off plan from a developer and had been the first family to move onto the brand-new estate. They’d been so happy back then—the perfect family, some might say. She detested the place now.

  She leaned back into the seat and closed her eyes, needing a few minutes to herself before facing the tribe.

  A fierce rapping on the window caused her to gasp and jump up, her heart beating rapidly.

  Her mother peered in, motioning for her to wind down the window.

  Layla groaned and pulled the keys from the ignition before opening the door.

  “Hi, Mum. I was just taking stock.”

  “Hello, love. I was hoping you’d be back early. I’m off out tonight.”

  “Who with this time?”

  She tapped the side of her nose. “None of your business, young lady.”

  Layla frowned. “Do you ever date the same man more than once?”

  “There are plenty of fine-looking younger men out there who like a woman with experience, so why should I limit myself to just one?”

  “You’ve just turned sixty, for Christ’s sake.”

  “So what? You should take a leaf out of my book, it’s moreish.”

  “I’ll pass, thanks.”

  “Your choice. The kids have been fed. I ordered pizza. There’s plenty left over if you’re hungry.”

  “Thanks. I hope you keep a list of the men you’re meeting somewhere. There are plenty of nutcases roaming these streets, believe me.”

  “Yes. I’m sure you’d have no trouble accessing any dating site I use—you are a detective after all.” With that, she climbed into her car and backed from the driveway.

  Her mum had helped with childcare since Kyle was born thirteen years ago. Max worked away a lot and couldn’t be relied on even back then. She lived a mile down the road and, until recently, used to sleep over during the week. That was until her friend filled out her profile on a dating site. Since then, she couldn’t wait to get home most nights.

  Once her mum’s car was out of sight, Layla headed inside.

  In the hallway, a thunderous noise startled her, and she suddenly found herself flying backwards into the wall.

  “Jacob!” she cried, rubbing her arm. “That bloody hurt!”

  “Sorry, Mum. Are you okay? I didn’t expect to see you there. Kyle was chasing me.”

  “How many times do I have to tell you, no running inside?”

  Kyle appeared at the top of the stairs. “Mum, will you tell him? He just unplugged the PC while I was doing my English assignment.”

  “Jesus, you two. Can’t you let me get in the door before you start your bloody arguing?”

  “He’s a dick!” Kyle growled, throwing a purple pencil down the stairs at his brother’s head.

  “Stop that! And less of the language. No wonder your grandmother couldn’t wait to get out of here—you’re getting worse, the pair of you.”

  Jacob taunted his brother, but Layla pushed him down the hall. “That’s enough. Go and watch telly for a bit.”

  “Hi, Mum. How was your day?” Joshua said, springing to his feet as we entered the living room. “Shall I make you a coffee?”

  She smiled at her youngest son. Although just twenty-four minutes younger than Jacob, the difference in them was vast.

  “Shall I make you a coffee?” Jacob mimicked, nastily.

  “You could take a leaf out of your brother’s book, Jacob.” She turned back to Joshua. “Yes please, Josh. You’re a lifesaver.”

  Layla plonked down heavily on the sofa and sighed.

  Since Max left, she no longer got any enjoyment out of being at home. Not only had he taken her confidence and self-respect, but he’d replaced it with hatred, disgust, and scepticism. Apart from laughing at Dylan today, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d cracked a smile, never mind felt genuine happiness. How could he do what he’d done to them all? It wasn’t as though he was a young horny kid. He was almost forty, for God’s sake.

  Jacob grabbed
the remote and changed the channel, flicking through impatiently just like his dad used to. They were so like him, which saddened her all the more. Max’s betrayal affected every one of them. Kyle was on school report for fighting—one more issue and he would be excluded. Joshua seemed withdrawn, as though he had the weight of the world on his twelve-year-old shoulders, which didn’t surprise her—Josh was super-sensitive. But Jacob worried her the most. He had an evil streak that had only surfaced once his dad left. She’d caught him stamping on the neighbour’s baby rabbit. He denied he’d killed it of course, saying he’d found it like that, but Layla didn’t believe him.

  “I’ve brought you some pizza too,” Josh said, handing her a plate and placing a mug of steaming coffee on the side table.

  “Thanks, love.” She patted the sofa beside her. “Come and sit here, tell me about your day.”

  “Tell her you’re a faggot,” Jacob snorted.

  She glared at him. “Last warning, Jake. Be nice or get to your bedroom. I’m not in the mood for your smart mouth today—I mean it.”

  Jacob stormed off up the stairs.

  “You okay, son?” She turned back to Joshua.

  He nodded sadly. “I’m sorry about him, Mum. He’s a tit.”

  “Don’t you be sorry, baby. It’s not your fault.”

  “I know, but he doesn’t mean it. He thinks he’s being funny.”

  “How did you get to be so smart?”

  “I take after you.” He grinned.

  She pulled him towards her and kissed the top of his head. “Lucky you.” She laughed.

  Seven

  I felt as though I’d only just closed my eyes when the alarm sounded. I groaned, hit the snooze button, and pulled the pillow over my face trying to shut out the light from the huge bay window. I never closed the curtains, there were four of them and they required far too much fiddling with to get them to hang right, but the downside was the sun streamed into the bedroom every single morning.

  After hitting the snooze button twice more, I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower—determined to have an early night tonight.

  Half an hour later, dressed in navy slacks and a pale blue shirt, I downed the last of my coffee and headed out the door, dialling Layla’s number on the way to the car.