‘It seems pretty clear to me,’ Ruby said, her gaze imparting little sympathy.
‘I couldn’t tell you the truth – Lenny would have killed me. Besides, the damage had been done. I just had to place my faith in you, that you’d find the killer and bring him in.’
‘You sat back and allowed him to slaughter those poor young people, all the while knowing who it was. You know I just can’t leave it at that, don’t you?’ Ruby unfurled her handcuffs from their pouch. ‘I’m bringing you in for this.’
‘Wait.’ Steve raised his palms open in a gesture of surrender. ‘Please, sit down. It’s time you knew the truth.’
Chapter Seventy
‘Fresh air has never felt so good,’ Nathan said, placing the shopping on the counter of Ruby’s new flat. A smile broadened his lips. ‘Thanks, you risked a lot to clear my name.’
‘Well, I’m honoured. It’s not every day I get thanks from you.’ But the pleasure of Nathan being in the clear was marred by the news on her tongue. As he shoved the empty shopping bag into the overhead cupboard, Ruby took a step towards him and hugged him from behind. ‘Thank you. . .’ she whispered, wrapping her arms around his waist, ‘. . .for the flat.’
Turning around, Nathan silenced her words with a kiss. He had told her before he did not want her gratitude. According to the legal documents, the flat had been left to her in her deceased aunt’s will. But Ruby knew the truth and, much as it pained her to accept such an extravagant gift, she could not face another day in her rodent-infested tower block. As they parted for air, she leant into his taut chest, taking in the sound of his heartbeat from beneath his crisp white shirt. Dressed in his suit, he had come straight from work. He had spent little time at his own house since Ruby moved in, and their time together made her feel the happiest she had been in years. Unlike many couples, they did not speak about work – they lived in their own little bubble, just as they did in their youth. But now Ruby was about to put a pin to that perfection, and the words weighed heavy on her tongue.
‘There’s something I need to tell you,’ she said, staring deep into his blue-grey eyes. ‘But I don’t want you to lose your head – enough people have been hurt. You have to learn from this and let it go.’
‘Let what go?’ Nathan said, his face clouding over.
‘I know who tried to frame you for the murders.’
It took less than a second for the atmosphere to change, and the quiet anger Nathan had suppressed came bubbling to the surface in an instant. ‘Who?’ he said, his voice low and rumbling.
Feeling his muscles tense, Ruby took a step back, preparing to impart the identity of the person who almost sent him to prison. ‘It wasn’t the doctor who planted the evidence, it was someone much closer to you. It had to be to get inside your house unchallenged.’ She sighed, waiting for their happy world to come tumbling down. ‘But what worries me now is where to go next with this information. The doctor’s the one who committed the murders, so I’m tempted to let sleeping dogs lie. On the other hand, I’m conscious of the fact that they tried to frame you, and I really don’t want that to happen again.’
‘Who. Is. It?’ Nathan said, each word sounding pained.
Ruby checked her watch as the air chilled between them. ‘They’re due here any minute. But you’ve got to promise me one thing, you can’t lose your rag.’
‘You’re kidding me, aren’t you?’ Nathan said, his face incredulous.
‘You told me when I moved in that this is my flat. If you raise one finger, I’m walking. I still have the lease on my old place for another month.’
‘Fuck’s sake!’ Nathan ran his hands through his hair. ‘If you think I’m letting him get away with this. . .’
But Ruby stood firm. ‘I mean it, Nathan. Raise one finger and I’m gone. This is going to be dealt with by talking. If you lose your temper, you’ll be waging war. You listening to me?’
The sound of the doorbell had never sounded so menacing as it delivered a light chime. Nathan’s biceps tensed as he folded his arms across his chest. ‘I’m listening,’ he grumbled. ‘But I don’t know what the hell you’re on about.’
‘You will soon enough.’ There was a light tremble in her hand as she activated the buzzer and allowed them access to the flat. She prayed she would not have to act as referee between them. And if it came to blows? Her relationship with Nathan would be over before it even got going.
‘Come in,’ Ruby said, allowing their guest inside.
Ruby did not need to introduce herself to Leona – the young woman knew exactly who she was. She stood tight-lipped, wearing a red dress that clung to every inch of her figure beneath her expensive fur coat.
Nathan’s eyes narrowed. ‘Leona,’ he said. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘You texted me,’ she said, her face pinched as she looked Ruby up and down. Sliding the phone from her pocket, she recited the words. ‘“I’ve had time to think. Miss you, meet me at this address so we can talk.” I presumed this was one of your hideouts.’ She cast her eyes around the room. ‘Now I’m not so sure.’
‘I sent the text,’ Ruby said, her face firm. ‘I knew you wouldn’t come any other way.’
Leona looked from Nathan to Ruby. ‘I don’t know what sort of messed-up game you’re playing, but I’m not having any part of it. If I’m not invited by Nathan, then I’m going home.’
‘You’re not going anywhere until I have an explanation,’ Nathan said, his tone commanding. He turned to Ruby. ‘What’s she doing here, babe?’
The term of endearment made Leona visibly flinch. There was love there, Ruby could see that, but it was all one-sided, and the sort of love that could turn to hate at a flick of a switch.
‘Leona set you up.’ Ruby took little pleasure from the words.
‘She’s lying,’ Leona said, reaching for her phone.
But Ruby was ready and slid it from her grasp. The last thing she wanted was Leona calling her father, and him sending his heavies around. This is what she meant by Nathan waging war. Leona’s dad Ray Delaney was well known in the criminal underworld and had been good friends with Nathan’s father, Jimmy, when he was alive. But he was a violent man who thought the world of his daughter and if Nathan harmed a hair on her head, he would unleash his fury. Such a war would have far-reaching consequences, and enough blood had already been shed. Leona may look sugary sweet on the outside, but she got her spirit from her father, having chosen the worst possible way to wreak revenge on the man who had so callously dumped her.
Ruby examined Nathan’s face for clues: a flicker of compassion, a glance of appreciation for the woman he had once shared a bed with. But there was nothing but hatred delivered by an icy stare. It sent a chill down her spine, and she hoped it was never a situation she would find herself in. She took a breath, wanting to get this sorted. The sooner Leona could leave, the better.
‘This is off the record because I don’t want to get mixed up in your mess,’ Ruby said. ‘We’ve got our man, and he’s remanded at Her Majesty’s pleasure, but I couldn’t understand why he wanted revenge so long after the crime. And as for planting the evidence, it seemed oddly convenient it happened when the CCTV was out.’
The three of them stood facing each other. Ruby knew there was little point in asking Leona to sit down. The young woman was looking less self-assured now, her gaze on the floor.
‘So I began compiling a list of all the people who held a grudge. But it just didn’t fit. Then I remembered where Nathan was on the night it happened – in your father’s house, playing poker. He kept up his weekly routine, despite the fact you had split up. You were there too, weren’t you?’
Leona nodded, a flush rising to her face.
‘Only, you weren’t there very long. While Nathan thought you had parted amicably, you slipped off, pretending you were in your room. In reality, you were delivering a present to Nathan’s house, and it was Tweedy who let you inside.’
Nathan shook his head. ‘Fingers was working that
shift, not Tweedy.’
Ruby sighed. ‘Fingers didn’t turn up for his shift until later – he was too busy boozing down the working men’s club. Tweedy covered for him because he didn’t want to get him into trouble. By the time the police arrived, Fingers had taken over. He lied, saying he’d been there all evening. He wasn’t to know that it would turn into a murder investigation.’
‘Then why didn’t Tweedy just tell me what happened?’ Nathan said, frowning as he tried to comprehend her words.
‘Because Miss Leona here made sure he had plenty to stay quiet about.’
Leona emitted a small gasp, her hand rising to her face as Ruby spilt her shameful secrets.
‘She fucked him,’ Nathan said, the harshness of his words slicing through the air.
Ruby nodded. ‘It bought his silence because he didn’t want you to know. He didn’t find out about the package until later, and by then he’d guessed her involvement. But Leona here told him to keep his nose out unless he wanted to start a war between her family and yours. That’s when he came to see me to find out how the investigation was progressing.’
Ruby turned to face Leona, counting her misdemeanours with her fingers. ‘You went looking for revenge, and you found the doctor. You gave him the list of working girls along with enough money and food so he could stay underground. Then you gave him free reign with no compassion for his victims, offering him your father’s protection. Doctor Tanner was still carrying enough anger to undertake your wishes, even if he did decide to use his own turn of hand. After you planted the evidence, you tipped off the police as an anonymous source.’
Leona fell silent but she did not need to speak. Guilt was etched all over her face.
‘It was you who took Nathan’s watch, wasn’t it? Jealous, because you saw our names engraved on the back. Then you gave it to the doctor so he could plant it at the leisure centre – another damming clue.’
Nathan shook his head in disbelief. He would never hit a woman, but he had a right to be angry and owned a temper that could not always be controlled. ‘You fucking bitch!’ he spat the words. ‘You fucking psycho bitch! I should have you killed for this.’
‘Not on my watch,’ Ruby said, coming between them. ‘This ends today.’
‘I didn’t mean for him to kill all those people,’ Leona said, her voice trembling. ‘Doctor Tanner came to my dad for help after he strangled that girl in the park. Dad owed him a favour and promised he’d make it all go away.’
‘And that’s when an idea hatched in your head,’ Ruby said, as things became clear. So Danny Smedley had been telling the truth – Ray Delaney had got to him and persuaded him to confess to Lisa’s murder. Her attention returned to Leona, her discomfort evident as she confessed.
‘After he left, I followed him home.’ Leona’s eyes flicked to Nathan and back to the floor. It was doubtful she would have been so truthful, had Ruby not been there to protect her. ‘I gave him the list of women so he could pick just one. Later, I planted the evidence under Nathan’s bed when he was visiting our house. I wasn’t to know the doctor would kill them all. And Nicky. . . he was just a kid. I told him he went too far.’
‘And what about Ash Baker?’ Ruby said, fighting the urge to smack Leona in the face herself.
‘That wasn’t my fault,’ Leona’s chin jutted in defiance. But she could not hide the pain. She still cared for Nathan, and it hurt her to be spoken to with such harshness by the man she once wanted to marry. As Nathan’s hand slid around Ruby’s waist, Leona’s eyes burned with a look of jealousy and hatred – a cocktail inflamed by desire. But Ruby was more than ready to take her on, and she had the law on her side.
‘Does your father know?’ Ruby said, her words cold.
‘No, and he’s not going to. I’m not admitting to anything.’ Leona stared at them with contempt. ‘All that time I thought you loved me, and you were just stringing me along. I don’t ever want to see either of you again.’
‘That suits me fine,’ Nathan said, anger simmering beneath his words. He pointed to Ruby. ‘This is the woman I love. You’re just a stupid kid playing at being a grown-up. If I ever see you around Ruby or me again—’
‘You won’t,’ Leona said, tears filling her eyes as she made for the door. Emotional manipulation was a tool Nathan would use to his advantage when physical violence was off the agenda.
Guilt speared through Ruby. She gained no satisfaction from seeing another woman humiliated in this way. She squared her shoulders. She had to get the final word in to ensure that it ended here.
‘I’ve got enough evidence to send you down for conspiracy to commit murder,’ she said. ‘If anything comes from this – and I mean anything, I won’t hesitate to arrest you. Do I make myself clear?’
‘More than clear,’ Leona said, her voice breaking as she opened the door. She paused as she twisted the handle, tears falling down her face. ‘I went too far… I’m sorry.’
Chapter Seventy-One
One Week Later
‘Did you think it was that easy?’ Lenny said. ‘You thought you were going to ride off into the sunset, just like that?’
‘What do you want, Lenny?’ Ruby said, stepping back as she allowed him inside. She did not want to spend any more time in her old flat than she had to and, gathering up the last of her things, she was just about ready to leave.
‘I heard you’re moving in with my brother. Setting up home, are we?’
‘You heard wrong. Now, if you’ll get out of my way, I’ve got things to do.’
Lenny blew out his cheeks and shoved his hands deep into his coat pockets. He was suited up today, somewhat overdressed for a visit to her old address. ‘You can’t leave until you settle your debts.’
‘I’m paid up until the end of the month.’
Lenny smirked. ‘I’m not talking about the rent. Did you think I was giving you Mandy’s address out of the kindness of my heart?’ he tutted. ‘You should know by now that my favours don’t come for free.’
Ruby frowned, her voice rising an octave. ‘I helped you; I put my neck on the line to put Nathan in the clear.’
‘Not true. He was already in the clear before I gave you Mandy’s address. Not that you had the courtesy to update me. Oh come on, did you really think I didn’t know about that?’
Ruby frowned, her heart plummeting in her chest. To be indebted to Lenny Crosby was not a good situation to be in. ‘You never said. . .’
‘I didn’t need to. You know the code of practice. Did you think you were exempt?’
‘I was clearing up your mess. You started all this by advising him to throw acid in Tanner’s face.’
‘Such slander. I don’t think Nathan would like to hear you talk about the family like that, do you?’
‘Whatever. Tanner’s on remand in prison. It’s over.’
‘He’s in the morgue,’ Lenny said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
Ruby picked up her coat from the back of her chair and shrugged it on. Every second in this flat was tainted. She wanted to move on, but Lenny would not let her go. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘Haven’t you heard? He hung himself in his cell about. . .’ He pulled back his shirt-sleeve and checked his designer watch. ‘Oh, about ten minutes ago… nasty business, that. Still, as you say, it’s over now. He won’t be troubling us again, and you don’t have to worry about any awkward questions in court.’ Silence fell between them as the implication of his words became clear. He leant against the chair, blocking her movement. ‘Do you still have it?’
‘Have what?’ Ruby said, her blood running cold.
‘The shooter.’
She shook her head – she had taken Downes’s advice and disposed of the gun the next day.
Lenny gave a slow nod, making it clear he was enjoying every second of this game of cat and mouse. ‘So, about this debt… I’m just kidding. You did a good job.’ His face broke into a vicious smile. ‘Don’t want to spoil the housewarming, now, do I? How’s yo
ur mum, by the way?’
‘She’s fine.’ Ruby swallowed.
‘Ah, good. Sorry I haven’t been in to visit. I don’t like those places. Care homes, prisons, they’re pretty much the same to me. Know what I mean?’
Ruby nodded. She knew exactly what he meant. If he could get to Doctor Tanner in prison, then he could get to her mother just as easily. He was putting on the squeeze so he could use her in the future. He could try all he wanted. Helping Nathan was a one-off, she wasn’t for sale.
‘Great! Well, enjoy the move.’ The words trailed behind him as he walked away.
Ruby closed the door behind him, her hands shaking as she fumbled with the lock. She did not need to check with the prison to see what fate had befallen the doctor. Tanner was the last person she was worried about. Her thoughts were focused on the veiled threats made against her mother. She should have known that Lenny would try to gain control now that her relationship with Nathan was restored. They had a future together. She would make it work. As she gathered up the last of her belongings, she decided on one thing: she would not allow Lenny’s interference to blight her relationship with Nathan. Whatever came her way, she would sort it out on her own.
A Letter from Caroline
As mentioned in my acknowledgments, I’m so very grateful for the support of my readers. Every social media share, every review and every word of mouth recommendation means so very much.
On a further note I would like to mention my use of the derelict building which is featured in this book. I decided to use the recently demolished Queen Elizabeth Hospital as a tribute to the building, which was a landmark of deep significance for generations of East Enders for many years. Sadly, many iconic buildings are now being demolished to make way for new developments. It is only through our writing that we can keep such places alive.
I hope you enjoy reading about Ruby’s latest adventures.
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