Blood & Guts

by Ed James

  McLean leaned forward, kneading his forehead like it was a loaf of bread. ‘Christ. You’re seriously doing me with her rape?’

  ‘Yes. And you’re going to go down for it. We’ve got it on video. To say nothing of the forty-one-year-old woman, who we have yet to identify but will no doubt turn out to be fourteen… Aye, we know about that too and it’s only a matter of time before we have her signed up as well.’

  McLean shook his head.

  Vicky pushed her seat back and stood up. She leaned over to Karen. ‘We’re done here.’ She walked over to the door and took one last look at the raping bastard. He was going to rot for a long time. Then she pushed out into the corridor. The stale air tasted like she was on a hike up in the glens with her dad.

  Considine was lurking around.

  ‘You still here?’

  ‘Sarge, aye. Hate to see him get away with it.’

  ‘He’s not.’ Vicky looked back at the door. ‘In fact, can you take him downstairs and get him charged?’

  ‘Sarge.’ He slipped inside the room, brandishing his handcuffs.

  Vicky checked her watch. Just after three, half an hour drive at this time, even with the ice. She’d get a few hours’ sleep before Bella came clambering into her bed, hunting for presents. She smiled at Karen and caught her yawn. ‘Time to get home. I’ll see you in five minutes.’

  ‘Vicks.’ Karen walked off along the corridor.

  Vicky opened the door to the Obs Suite.

  Forrester was leaning on the back legs of his chair, his feet on the desk. Very precarious. The screen showed Considine trying to help McLean up, but he was staying rooted to the spot. ‘Honestly, some people, eh?’

  ‘Tell me about it.’ Vicky stayed by the door. ‘Considine is just taking McLean down to do him with Catriona’s rape.’

  ‘Well, that’s a decent result, isn’t it?’ Forrester shook his head. ‘Shame a girl’s dead and another’s in hospital because of— Jesus Christ!’

  On the screen, Ennis was somehow in the interview room, aiming his fists over the lawyer’s arms at Mike Wilkie’s head.

  Shit, shit, shit.

  Vicky darted back down the corridor and tore open the door.

  Considine lay on the floor, completely out of it.

  The lawyer wasn’t up to handling Ryan Ennis, just took one sock to the jaw and he went down.

  Then Ennis had Mike in a headlock. ‘Think you can do that to my daughter, do you?’

  ‘Ryan!’

  Ennis looked over at Vicky. ‘What, you’re going to save this piece of shit?’

  ‘Don’t.’

  ‘Bugger this!’ Ennis pushed Mike against the wall. One punch to his throat, a second to his gut, then he went down. Ennis launched a kick at his face, then put his foot on his neck.

  Vicky grabbed Ennis by the arm, but caught a flailing hand in the face. His wedding ring took a chunk out of her lip.

  Sod this.

  Vicky launched herself shoulder first at Ennis, pushing him away from Mike and pinning him against the wall. Another of her dad’s old tricks came out to play – she drove the crown of her head right into his nose. Less a Glasgow kiss, more a Dundonian handshake.

  Ennis was squealing. She pushed him down on the floor, and reached for Considine’s cuffs lying in the middle of the floor.

  ‘You coward.’ Ennis’s voice was muffled. ‘You absolute coward.’

  But Mike Wilkie wasn’t in any shape to hear. Eyes shut, mouth hanging loose.

  Forrester was in the doorway. He let the duty doctor past him. ‘Christ, tell me he’s alive.’

  19

  Vicky was on her feet, stomping around Forrester’s office, mobile in her hand, just waiting to give him the news.

  Forrester put his desk phone down and slurped coffee out of his mug. World’s Best Father. Not a dad, but a father. ‘Well.’

  ‘That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?’

  ‘What, you want me to say we’re charging Ennis?’

  ‘Aye, I do. He attempted to murder a suspect. He deserves jail time for this. At the very least, he should be kicked off the force.’

  Forrester took a slow sip of coffee. ‘Come on, Doddsy, after all you’ve been through with him.’

  ‘We’ve been through nothing.’

  ‘That’s bollocks. He turned you from a rough-and-ready DC into the DS you are today.’

  ‘No he didn’t!’

  ‘Aye, he did. Course he did.’

  ‘Sir, that is absolute bollocks and you know it.’

  Forrester kept his peace.

  Vicky leaned against his desk. ‘So, what, you’re going to try and cover it up?’

  ‘Maybe.’

  ‘That’s corruption.’

  Forrester flicked his wrist towards the door. ‘None of that was recorded. It’s just the word of Mike Wilkie and that lawyer against us.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Come on, Vicky. Ryan’s a good cop. He’s got a good conviction rate. That guy put his daughter in the boot of a car and…’

  ‘I sympathise with his situation, really I do. Convicting Wilkie for Ennis’s daughter’s ordeal is the right thing to do. Hospitalising him isn’t.’

  Forrester finished his coffee and put the mug back on the desk, nudging it away. ‘Any word?’

  ‘On who? Wilkie?’

  ‘Teresa.’

  ‘She’s going to be okay. Physically. Psychologically, the doctor is less sure. But Wilkie’s in a coma.’

  ‘He’s what?’ Forrester’s eyes were wide. ‘A coma?’

  ‘No, he’s not.’ Vicky rolled her eyes at him. ‘But he’s not speaking to us, is he? He might’ve killed someone, but he’s a victim too.’

  Forrester sighed. ‘Had me going. Guy like that, he had no idea what he was doing. Stands to reason he’d go all catatonic. I mean…’ But he trailed off.

  ‘You need to report this higher, sir. You need to call this into DCS Soutar.’

  ‘I can’t, Vicky.’

  ‘Why, because you and Ennis go back years?’

  ‘Loyalty is earned.’

  ‘He’s—’

  ‘Vicky, you think a guy like me, from my day and age, gets where he is by colouring inside the lines all the time? I made some compromises, and Ennis knows most of them. He goes down, I go down. Is that what you want?’

  Vicky knew she wasn’t going to persuade him by fighting him. ‘So what’s the plan, then?’

  ‘We’ll get him home tonight. Let him sleep a night in his bed. I’ll call Soutar, like you say.’

  ‘On Christmas Day?’

  ‘No. Christ, no. I’ll wait until Monday. Meantime, Ryan can get into the doctor’s, get a sick note, get him to sign him off long term. Mental stress, something like that, no longer fit for duty due the rigours he’s endured.’

  ‘You’re a coward.’ As much as Vicky wanted to say that, she kept her own peace. Just let him spill out his plan.

  ‘I’m a survivor, Doddsy. Before I speak to Soutar, I’ll put in a word with some contacts. Won’t be Grampian or Highlands who investigate, but I’ve got some mates in the old Lothian & Borders and the old Strathclyde, they’re the ones likeliest to investigate him.’ He sat forward, running his hands through his hair. ‘Was thinking that maybe we can give Considine credit for McLean’s arrest. Give him credit for catching him for Catriona Gordon’s rape.’

  ‘So you can throw the press a bone?’

  ‘Aye. Keep them off the scent.’

  ‘Surprised you’re not going to frame McLean for the murders.’

  ‘Full confession, Doddsy. I’ll take that. And Ennis was nowhere near the case.’

  ‘Right.’

  ‘Tell me I’m doing the wrong thing here.’

  Vicky held his gaze. ‘You know you are.’

  ‘Look, it’s a man thing. Okay?’

  ‘A man thing?’

  ‘Aye. Ry wants to protect his kid. Maybe you wouldn’t do the same—’

  ‘Don’t.’
/>
  ‘See? You don’t understand.’

  Vicky felt that twanging pain in the back of her neck. Like she was going to snap. She got up to standing again. ‘See you on Monday, sir. Have a good Christmas.’ She walked over to the door.

  ‘Seriously, not a word of this to anyone.’

  Vicky stood there, head bowed. ‘I’ll see.’

  20

  Vicky put her key in the lock and eased the door open. She stopped on the threshold and listened as she removed her key. Letting heat out, but trying to listen for who was still up.

  A strange clacking sound.

  What the hell?

  She stepped inside and nudged the door behind her, then raised the handle to lock it. It didn’t click too loudly. She stepped around the side of the creaky floorboard and traced the clacking to the living room.

  Mum was sitting on the sofa, mouthing some secret incantation as she knitted away.

  That explained it, then.

  Vicky felt her tension release. All through her shoulders and neck. She stepped over to the door, opened it and pushed it shut.

  ‘Is that you, Victoria?’

  Tinkle was lying on her lap, the cat all curled up. And Mum looked terrified of her.

  Vicky eased off her jacket and hung it up. ‘Aye, it’s me.’

  Dad lay supine on the armchair, legs fully extended. His headphones lay on his belly. He opened his mouth and let out the rawest snore.

  Vicky dumped her coat on the side table and leaned in to kiss her mother. ‘You okay?’

  ‘I was shattered, but I had a good sleep while we were waiting.’

  ‘Thanks, Mum.’ Vicky carefully extricated Tinkle from her lap and set her down on the actual cat bed. ‘Has his snoring done any structural damage, do you know?’

  ‘I wouldn’t be surprised.’ Mum started putting her knitting away. ‘We’ll get out of your hair, then.’

  ‘I’ll drive you home.’

  ‘Not with the wee one upstairs.’

  Vicky blushed. ‘Right, no.’

  ‘And the walk will do us good.’ Mum pushed herself up to standing. Looked painful. ‘George!’

  ‘What’s that?’ He licked his lips a few times.

  ‘Wake up!’

  ‘Just resting my eyes.’

  ‘George, we’re going home.’

  He shifted round. ‘I’ll stay here.’

  ‘No, you won’t.’ Mum walked over and prodded a knitting needle into his side.

  He yelped and jerked up. ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘Get up. Victoria needs to get on.’

  ‘Right.’ He rubbed at his eyes, then looked at his daughter. ‘Hey.’

  ‘I’ll just get his beer out of the fridge, then we’ll be gone.’ Mum scuttled off out of the room.

  He looked over at Vicky. Didn’t seem to be in any hurry to get up. ‘You catch him?’

  ‘Them.’

  ‘One of those?’

  ‘Complex, aye.’

  ‘Want to talk about it?’

  Vicky glanced over at the door. Sounded like Mum was clearing out half of the fridge. Or loading it with stuff she shouldn’t. Chocolates, cakes, chocolate cake. ‘You ever work with Ryan Ennis?’

  ‘Oh aye. What did we call him?’ Dad clicked his fingers. ‘That’s it. The Rube.’

  ‘What’s a rube?’

  ‘It’s an American thing. A country bumpkin. Easily fooled and parted from their money by big city types. Kid was daft as a brush. One time, Davie Forrester got him to guard a coat hanger and a jacket. For twelve hours! Didn’t even look to see if it was a bloke sitting there. Thought he was just the silent type.’

  Vicky flashed up her eyebrows. ‘So he goes back a ways with Forrester?’

  ‘Long time. Davie was one of my DCs, then we got The Rube in as a Training DC. Why do you ask?’

  ‘It’s a long story.’

  ‘You want to tell me now?’

  ‘Dad, someone kidnapped Ryan’s daughter. He beat the living shit out of the guy. And I mean, absolutely battered him. He’s in hospital.’

  ‘I see. You remember that wee shite, Craig Norrie? What he did to you?’

  ‘Aye, I remember. And I remember what you did to him.’

  ‘I didn’t really do anything.’

  ‘But he didn’t do it again.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘This is different, Dad.’

  ‘Is it? The things I did to protect you. It’s not any different.’

  Vicky wanted to argue, but she was so bloody tired. She collapsed onto the sofa, roasting from where Mum had been sitting, and stroked Tinkle’s soft fur. ‘So I shouldn’t report him?’

  ‘Depends what Forrester’s asking you to do.’

  ‘Sounds like he’ll fudge any investigation into Ryan. Get someone connected to him to park the inquiry. Or maybe not even start one.’

  ‘I see.’

  Mum battered into the room, loaded down with a couple of big bags. ‘Right, George. Let’s get along the road.’

  ‘Okay-doke.’ Dad hefted himself up to standing. ‘Well, we’ll see you and that ball of mischief in the morning.’ He leaned in to kiss Vicky, but whispered, ‘Go easy on Ryan. Please. And trust Davie. You’ve got a foot in both camps, Vicky. Don’t forget your past.’ He paused. ‘Or mine.’

  Vicky nodded. ‘I’ll think about it.’

  Mum handed Dad both bags. ‘Come on, then. I’ll have to get the turkey on at six, so it’s not like I’ll get much sleep.’

  ‘You slept for Scotland earlier, dear.’ Dad followed her out of the room.

  Vicky got up and walked out into the hallway. ‘Thanks for babysitting. Lifesavers.’

  ‘Don’t mention it. It was a real pleasure.’ Mum stepped out into the night. ‘Christ, it’s freezing.’

  Vicky shut the door and listened to them arguing their way up the road until all she could hear was the occasional passing car up on the Barry Road.

  What the hell was she going to do about Ennis?

  Play along with Forrester’s game?

  Did she have the option of going against him?

  She just didn’t know.

  But that was for another day.

  Now, she had more important things to worry about. She crept up the stairs, taking it really slowly.

  Bella was in her bed, tucked in nice and tight. She made a cute chuckling sound in her sleep.

  Vicky went into her own bedroom and unlocked the cupboard. Bella’s stocking was lying there, already stuffed full of presents. She grabbed it, just as her phone chimed.

  Probably Forrester seeing the error of his ways. Or Mum had left something in the fridge.

  Christ.

  She put down the stocking and checked the message. She almost dropped the phone. Almost threw it against the wall.

  It was from Alan:

  Hey, Vicks. Long time no speak. Just having a few with the boys and was wondering how you were doing? A

  Vicky clutched the stocking, tight in her hand. Bella’s father, just texting her out of the blue like that. Didn’t seem like he had any idea, though.

  She needed to keep it that way.

  Vicky pressed the button to block his number, then sneaked through to Bella’s room.

  READY FOR MORE?

  Out now, buy on Amazon

  The next book in the series, TOOTH AND CLAW, is out now — keep reading to the end of this book for a sneak preview. You can get a copy at Amazon.

  Note that I’ve replaced the opening chapter with a new one that is a lot less shocking.

  If you would like to be kept up to date with my new releases, please join the Ed James Readers Club at geni.us/EJmailer.

  Afterword

  Huge thanks for buying and reading this book. I hope you enjoyed it.

  This series has been a labour of love for me. Vicky Dodds lives in the town I grew up in (as much as a 42-year-old manchild can grow up, eh?) and covers the city I used to visit every weekend for record shops, cinemas and, late
r, pubs and clubs. I hope I captured some of Dundee’s gritty and unique character — while it’s much-maligned and the butt of a lot of jokes in Scotland, I do really like the place. It’s got a very distinct history and some proud people.

  And it didn’t start as a series. In 2014, my first year as a full-time author, the first novel I wrote was SNARED, which I thought would become a new series, after the existing five Cullen books. Amazon’s Thomas & Mercer graciously published it, way more successfully than I could have myself, and through various deals for the DI Fenchurch books, we discussed a sequel, which always got pushed out in favour of another Fenchurch. They reverted the rights to SNARED in 2018 and I heavily edited it and republished it as TOOTH & CLAW. Then I wrote another two books in the series, FLESH & BLOOD and the forthcoming SKIN & BONE, out on the 1st May 2021. And all that time, I had an idea to do this prequel, fleshing out a couple of lines in TOOTH & CLAW, about how Considine caught a taxi driver and what happened to DS Ennis. I hope it was worth the effort!

  Thanks to Allan and Vicki for editing work this time out.

  One final thing, if you liked this, then please leave a review on Amazon — it really helps aspiring indie authors like me.

  Thanks for reading it.

  — Ed James,

  Scottish Borders, March 2021

  Other Books By Ed James

  SCOTT CULLEN MYSTERIES SERIES

  Eight novels featuring a detective eager to climb the career ladder, covering Edinburgh and its surrounding counties, and further across Scotland.

  GHOST IN THE MACHINE

  DEVIL IN THE DETAIL

  FIRE IN THE BLOOD

  STAB IN THE DARK

  COPS & ROBBERS

  LIARS & THIEVES

  COWBOYS & INDIANS

  HEROES & VILLAINS

  CULLEN & BAIN SERIES

  Four novellas spinning off from the main Cullen series covering the events of the global pandemic in 2020.