Devil's Demise

by Lee Cockburn

  Her eyes raised up as she heard the vehicle coming towards her. Eyes blurred with tears she felt total exasperation. Focusing hard, she saw the light box on top of the car, the driver had a marked cap on his head and a radio on his lapel was lit up in receipt of a call. A slight smile curled at the side of her mouth and she felt her body weaken with the anticipation of being rescued.

  Susan raised her arms over head and stepped out into the road, waving for attention, and the car slowed down. The passenger door swung open and a soft voice said, “Quick! Get in - he’s close by.” Susan did what was asked of her without hesitation and a large muscular arm reached across her and closed the door. The feeling of relief welling within her was short lived though, when the voice in the car changed to a very familiar one, one that sent terror straight through her heart.

  She barely dared to look up, her stupidity at falling so easily into his hands after what she had just been through burnt her deeply; she should have noticed there was only one officer there. Why would that be? Because he wasn’t an officer, that’s why.

  Her eyes clouded over as his hand gripped her mouth and nose so tightly that she felt her head was going to explode. “Welcome back Susan. We’ve got some unfinished business to attend to.”

  She slumped onto the seat unconscious and he viciously shoved her further down towards the floor and out of sight for those who may have looked in on them. The car moved slowly off, lights on and driving carefully round the winding road. He thought the chopper would have followed but they obviously hadn’t found the body of the cop yet so he moved away in plain sight, totally unchallenged. Several miles passed and he came to a junction and turned slowly right onto a two way carriageway. He moved off and saw his first car, then another and another. He flicked on the blues and pulled over the next car, smiling when he realised it was a woman at the wheel. She looked up and asked, how can I help you, officer?”

  Her face whipped round as his fist slammed against her cheek. She fell out cold straight away, jaw clearly broken and blood pouring from her mouth. He dragged her to the police car and threw her into the back seat before dragging Susan’s limp body over to his new wheels - a nice four by four with plenty of space for both of them. He lifted Susan up like a bag of potatoes and shoved her on the floor of the passenger side. He turned the ignition and started to drive, happy that he had survived and that he had got what he came for, a great twist of fate after he’d thought it was all over for him. He turned onto the nearest field, cutting across as many drivable fields as he could without the lights on, this enabling him to miss the arterial and minor route road blocks that the police had set up.

  Where now? He thought as he headed back to Edinburgh. He had stripped the woman of all of her personal belongings to slow down the police in finding out, who she was and what car she may have owned, that’s if she didn’t come round too soon. He’d dump this car soon too and steal the next one he came across as that wouldn’t be discovered till morning and he’d be long gone by then.

  “Officer down,” rang out on the radio. “A police vehicle is unaccounted for, I think Brennan has fled the scene. Get the helicopter to trace 79’s GPS. Track that fucking car. NOW!!” The cop’s voice was shaky and quite obviously angry; he had found his friend lying there with his head blown out. The sight had quite clearly got to him and his words revealed an emotion that he rarely showed at work. He also requested an ambulance even though he knew that there was no chance to save his partner, but how he wished the opposite.

  Taylor could not believe what she was hearing on the radio. “How the fuck did that happen? How did he get a set of wheels? I bet he’s not just escaping. He’s probably got Susan as well. Marcus! He’s got her, he’s fucking got her.”

  “Calm down! How do you know that for sure?”

  “I know that bastard wouldn’t leave here alone just to save himself. He’s fucking got her and wants time and privacy to do it right this time. He’s going to make a show of it.”

  “Really? Do you think he’s that bright and thought this through?”

  “I do, Marcus, and we’ve got to save her. We can’t let her down, not after what he’s put her through and for Fran, Steve and the other armed response officer”

  “We’ll have to confirm it though, boss. We can’t just leave on a hunch!”

  Taylor called over the radio. “To all sets, rendezvous point the following coordinates. Then could the chopper do a sweep of this portion of the woods with the heat seeker and confirm or not whether there is anyone else here with us? Susan wouldn’t hide. She should be clearly visible.”

  Everyone gathered together. The time delay frustrated Taylor as she just wanted to go. All of them had to make their way back to the vehicles first, and that would be no easy feat. A crackled message came over the radio, “Negative for the first sweep. There appear to be no extra bodies other than those that have been plotted.”

  That was enough for Taylor. She rounded up her group, two less than she’d come with, and left those from the local area to deal with the evidence gathering at all of the multiple crime scenes throughout the once peaceful woods.

  Chapter 34: Reunited

  The car rumbled away, his newly stolen vehicle perfect for the task at hand. This time it was a Land Rover, one big enough to hide his victim with ease. John thought hard about where he could go, what would be the best ending for his prized possession and tonight’s events. He’d read about a lot of successful and powerful women in his time but was now a bit lost as to where he could go. The last thing he wanted was to be captured without having his party first. He grinned as he thought up a suitable and sinister ending for those that had cost him so much, all of them.

  ¤¤¤

  Inspector Findlay came over the radio with his brash and intrusive manner, “Phone me, Sergeant Nicks, at your earliest opportunity.”

  “Fuck! How did that prick get hold of this so soon? I thought he’d be in his bed.”

  “Good news travels fast,” Marcus sighed.

  Taylor dialled the inspector’s number and Marcus could tell instantly that she was getting a roasting at the end of the phone, being blamed for others that she did not have control over back there at the scene. They had been a totally separate unit that had only just joined them and probably hadn’t grasped just how cunning Brennan was and how ruthless he could be when trapped.

  Her face got redder and redder, anger etched across it as she was ordered to return to Edinburgh and stand down from the enquiry. Others would be taking over the lead from now on as the bosses were on his case and he couldn’t allow for any more failures. “How the fuck did you let that bastard get away, and where the fuck has he gone? He couldn’t just have disa-fucking-peared,” Findlay yelled down the line. Everyone in the van heard it and felt for Taylor; it wasn’t through her lack of trying or the commitment of everyone present that they’d failed.

  Findlay didn’t seem to care a damn about those who wouldn’t be coming back tonight. There was silence after the phone clicked off, mouths agape with his decision to stand their boss down.

  Taylor threw her radio on the dash board. “Fucking fat bastard,” the silence now broken as she shouted, “We’re off the fucking case as from now. What the fuck does he know? Nothing! Stupid twat! He knows fuck all about how it works out in the field, the useless fat desk jockey.”

  Marcus kept quiet along with the rest of the team.

  “Oh, and all operational statements regarding your involvement in the whole case have to be completed and forwarded to the replacement team by the end of your duty tonight. Arsehole! That will take bloody hours. Who needs sleep!”

  The drive back was silent and very uncomfortable. It was tinged with sadness for the two dead cops and for poor Fran - for her ordeal and the humiliation and degradation she had endured for all to see - and for Andrew and poor Susan. To even contemplate a repeat of anything she had suffered before was incomprehensible.

  John pulled into an unfamiliar road but he knew t
he number of the house where he intended going. The road had cars parked on both sides and was lit by orange lamps, leaving a sinister glow on the silent street; there was no movement anywhere and no lights on as John parked the stolen car.

  He left Susan inside and went to the door of the house, a modest dwelling in a decent part of Edinburgh. The house looked pretty secure as he made his way round the back. One hopper window on the second floor was open. He knew he would be able to get in.

  “Thank you once again for your help,” he muttered.

  As everyone arrived back at Fettes HQ, there was a little more chat but, not the usual banter, just general chat about families and partners who had not been seen for days. Everyone was oppressively tired from the events of the night and the journey home. They were all dirty and stank of stale sweat. Many headed for the showers before they sat down at their desks to begin their marathon typing sessions to complete their operational statements.

  Taylor leant back on her seat, tired and despondent at the way that she and her team had been treated after what they’ d been through. We have worked our asses off for this enquiry and risked our bloody lives and just because there was a little heat from the top, instead of standing up for us, that weak minded fool felt he had to take some sort of action. The wrong action, of course, she thought to herself.

  Some civilian staff were still working late in the building. She looked over anxiously, guiltily, at Kay’s seat, which was empty. Why’s she not here today? God if I’d only phoned her, been civil and respectful and given her her place, I would know what’s going on with her now. Fool! What a fool I’ve been. Taylor put her face in her hands and shut her eyes. She could feel the sadness welling up inside her again, everything overwhelming her tired senses.

  Taylor jumped as two hands gently clasped round her eyes, a scent of pure beauty surrounding her. The familiarity and the instant affection she felt left her in no doubt who this was. The touch of the hands was tender and caring, not that of someone who no longer cared; Taylor could feel a familiar stir within. She swung round on her seat and her flushed face melted into a smile. She stood up and gave Kay a warm and loving hug, one that would be given to any friend but that had a hidden portion of affection only they were aware of. Marcus looked up at them. It was different for him; he knew the score and he smiled a knowing smile at the genuine warmth in their shared embrace.

  Kay just stood and looked at Taylor before saying in a seductively loving voice, “You stink, lady.” She flicked her hair back over her shoulders and laughed aloud. “You all stink.” Her tone was jovial and kind. The rest of the team smiled and acknowledged her. She wasn’t wrong; they did stink.

  Everyone went back to typing their statements and Kay continued to gaze at Taylor. “I was really worried about … about us, about everything.”

  Her eyes were a little hurt and fragile, although she still held eye contact in a loving way.

  “You could’ve called me, though. I do realise it’s difficult being in a squad but all I needed was a one liner to let me know you were still okay and we were still okay.”

  Taylor’s eyes dropped only a little as she replied, “Why wouldn’t we be alright?” Her response was calm and said as innocently as she could, trying not to arouse any suspicion.

  Kay put her hand up to Taylor’s cheek and stroked it downwards in a warm and loving manner, not caring who was watching, before going to her desk. Taylor questioned herself. Why had she had done what she did with Fran? Had Kay noticed the guilt in her eyes because Taylor certainly felt it!

  Kay sat back at her desk. She knew that Taylor was hiding something, her forced response obvious to another woman. She didn’t know quite what it was but there was something amiss.

  She picked up her phone and messaged: “Yours or mine? We need to catch up on everything, and I need what you have to offer me - all of it!”

  Taylor lifted her phone, and read the text. Guilty or not, she still loved Kay and wanted her more than ever. She smiled and raised her eyebrow and then her eyes and looked over at Kay, lust now filling her body and her heart still full of love for Kay. Just the thought of going home for a shower would be classed as a tempting invite.

  She texted back, “Mine! I want you so much, x”

  Kay smiled over and replied, “Not without a week in that bath first, stinky, x”

  Taylor lowered her head and began to type furiously. Her mind was all over the place. Her anger had now gone and being off the case until someone saw sense wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened. Everyone was totally worn out and showing the strain of two murders and a serious assault on a colleague. Taylor squirmed as she remembered her illicit rendezvous in the hotel lift with Fran. Poor Fran, I hope she’s okay. I hope someone is there for her. Does she have a partner? Hmmm, I don’t really know her that well.

  Chapter 35: Home Sweet Home

  Taylor followed Kay into the ladies’ and walked up really close behind her, pulling her round by her waist, their faces so close they were nearly touching. Their hearts raced and they were about to kiss when the door behind them swung open. Instantly, the space between them widened and their conversation became forced. The woman went into a cubicle and Taylor pushed her key into Kay’s hand, smiling.

  “I’ll not be in until later. I hope you’ll wait up for me,” she whispered in her ear. Both went back to the office a little warmer than when they left and the gentle hum of conversation was comforting after what she’d been through in the wood earlier. Fingers tapped on computer keys, and war stories of the previous night being regurgitated with animation and excitement, and for once no one had to exaggerate; no one could have dreamt of being involved in something so horrific and each and every one of them could have died at the hands of this psychotic killer tonight.

  ¤¤¤

  He looked around the quiet dark street before coming out of the front door and back to the car. He heaved Susan out, her body floppy and awkward to lift but his strength made light work of it and he launched her roughly over his shoulder and moved swiftly into the house, closing the door and locking it again behind them. He went into the living room and threw her down on the couch, tiny dots of blood spraying lightly onto the sofa, virtually invisible to the naked eye. He looked around the house at all the nice furnishings. A touch of class; a bit of a pad going on here, he thought to himself. There were personal photos in the hallway along with some nice colourful artwork above them, nothing tacky. He stroked a picture with his large thick fingers, and licked his chapped lips. You’re stunning. I’ll enjoy you tonight to and I bet it’s been a while since you’ve had what I’m going to give you.

  He went back through to the living room and pulled Susan up again; this time he just carried her, mindlessly bumping her off the doors as he went, almost deliberately hurting her to wake her up a bit. He looked around for something to tie her hands and found a silk sheet in a cupboard. Taking out his blood stained knife, he ripped through the soft material, the sound pleasing to his ears; luxury sheets for her restraint amused him. He was ruthless as he pulled the material cruelly tight on her wrists, so tight she felt it burn her skin but instinct halted the noise that stopped dead in her throat. Her heart raced into action, every sense skipping into survival mode. She could feel him so close to her that she wanted to recoil away from him but she just lay there limp and still looking believably unconscious. The last thing she wanted was for him to know she was awake, his attention was something she had to avoid for as long as possible. She knew him a little, enough to know he wanted her awake for his finale. He wanted to look into her eyes as he ended her life and he wouldn’t make a mistake this time.

  Kay smiled over at Taylor as she left to head off to Taylor’s house. Taylor mouthed, “See you later,” and she watched Kay’s lithe body glide out of the room. Taylor was now more motivated to type faster. She was looking forward to a bath and some wine and the comfort of another close beside her, her motivation not necessarily sexual but a need to feel cl
ose to someone and to feel safe in her own home after the long night.

  Kay drove through the quiet streets, her thumb gently tapping on the steering wheel to the sound of the stereo. She was glad Taylor was back and looked forward to her touch and love. She pulled into Taylor’s street and parked as close to the house as she could. Her slender leg stretched out from the car, her ankle smooth above her designer high heeled shoes that were not quite stilettos. Out into the cool night air she went, taking time to take a deep breath, smiling at how good life could feel. Her heels gently clacked up the street in a seductively feminine way, classy and not a hint of anything else.

  He stood still behind the door of the living room and heard the key turn in the lock. His heart quickened to an almost uncontrollable pace, his body tense like a coiled spring, his erection almost a hindrance. He heard her walk straight through to the kitchen, instead of where he thought and hoped she would go. This made him really angry. He was about to go after her when he heard her turn on her heels and come back through, her steps letting him know her direction and pace. She returned with a large glass of wine and threw herself casually down on the sofa, leaning her head back and stroking the sofa to feel the soft texture on her fingertips. Her eyes opened wide as her hand stroked over a sticky substance on the fabric. Fear crawled through her as she looked down at the redness on her hand. Suddenly, her head was yanked back with formidable force, every strand of her hair pulled painfully backwards. She thought her neck was going to break. His face was bristly and rough against hers, his scent vile and unwashed, and his breath putrid and offensive.