You'll Be Sorry Page 11

  * * * *

  Dan stared at the new copper’s back through the window in the shop door. Something about the man bugged him. Now that he thought about it, the bloke had pissed him off from day one. Seemed to resent any instruction from Dan and looked at him as though he was shit on a new shoe.

  SOCO still worked on the body, their white booties and body suits rustling. Joe stood in deep conversation with one of them, hand to his chin, eyes focused on the shop floor. Dan left them to it; nothing alarming had cropped up, and he’d relaxed.

  He opened the shop door, tapped the uniform on the shoulder, and waited for him to step to the side. On the pavement, Dan lit a cigarette and sensed dissension from the officer.

  Like I’m not allowed to smoke? What’s his problem?

  Dan turned to him. “I’ve been trying to recall your name, but it’s slipped my mind.” He smiled and blew smoke in his face.

  The copper winced, hands clasped behind his back, legs planted wide. “Mark Lendall, sir.”

  “Lendall.” Dan flicked ash on the ground, thinking of his warning to the officers at Ginger Fatty’s scene not to contaminate the area. Fuck it. Those rules didn’t apply to him. “Can’t say your name rings a bell.

  Lendall’s face remained impassive.

  “Where do you live, Mark Lendall?”

  The uniform tried to hide a sigh unsuccessfully, and his cheek muscles twitched. “Here. Gradley.”

  Dan sucked hard on his fag. “Oh, you do, do you? And where exactly do you live?”

  “Around the corner, sir.”

  “What corner? Lots of corners around here.”

  Lendall lifted his arm to point, but Joe squeezed past him and joined Dan.

  Did Lendall just sigh with relief then?

  “Joe. Any news?” Dan asked.

  “Been thinking about this. Doesn’t look like a random murder; the killer knew her. Otherwise, why not rob the place? It points to being a man; large hands around that neck. He took the surveillance DVD and disabled the cameras prior to her death, from what we can gather. Not a robbery. No real hate displayed towards the victim, almost like she needed to be removed from the killer’s life quickly.” Joe shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. “If it’s like we think and Kerry’s been taken, seems we have a link between this body and Sara.” He stared at Dan. “We have to find Kerry. You need to file a missing person’s report as soon as possible.”

  Dan nodded, but Lendall gained his whole attention.

  I know these officers listen, but this bloke is seriously listening. I’m sure he’s—

  “Now, Dan. Come on. I’ll drive you back to the office,” Joe said.

  Dan stared at Lendall, but the officer remained stoic, eyes ahead.

  Dan followed Joe, intent on looking up Lendall’s address when they arrived back at the police station. At Kerry’s car, he checked the mileage. Still the same. The random thought entered his head that Lendall was involved with Kerry’s disappearance. If she was with him… When had she met him? How long had they been seeing one another? He thought back to Lendall’s first day on the job—well, the first time Dan had seen him at the station anyway. What, maybe two months ago?

  Maybe they bumped into one another in Harmondsey. Did Ted take Lendall with him to break the news of Sara’s death? I’ll have to look into that.

  Joe’s hand on his arm pulled Dan from his thoughts.

  “You were miles away. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Let’s get going. The sooner we get back, the sooner we can find her.”

  Dan nodded and got in Joe’s car. He stared through the windscreen, images of Kerry with Lendall, Kerry touching Lendall, Kerry kissing Lendall, they all flew through his mind… He slammed his fist on the dashboard. Pain paralysed his knuckles.

  “Watch it, will you?” Joe said. “I understand you’re under pressure, but shit, if you can’t handle this, you’re better off going home. You shouldn’t be on this investigation anyway if Kerry’s involved. The chief’ll make sure you’re pulled off once he finds out. You want in on this for tonight, then act like a copper, not a husband.”

  “Sorry. It’s just…she’s my life.”

  Joe started the engine. “I know. And we’re going to find the bastard who did this—providing she’s missing. She might just be taking time out. You sure you didn’t have an argument?”

  Dan gritted his teeth, then, “Yes, I’m sure. Everything was fine.” He laughed bitterly and mumbled, “They say you’re always the last to know.”

  Joe reversed and swung out of the parking lot. “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  They rode in silence, Joe’s face indicating he processed all the crime information as he drove. Dan took the time to do the same. Nothing placed him at the scenes with Sara or Monique—unless eyewitnesses came forward. In Sara’s case, the dockworkers had already been questioned. No one had seen his car or him. CCTV had thrown up jack shit. Time would tell whether a member of the public or cameras had caught sight of him going into The China Cabin. For now, he was safe. Later, when he’d checked out Lendall’s address and filed a missing person’s report, he’d go home and work out an excuse as to why he’d been in The China Cabin should he have been seen. He could have been buying a cup…but he didn’t have the cup or proof of sale.

  Shit. I should have bought the damn thing before offing her. But then her time of death would be too close to the time of purchase. Fuck it!

  Angry at himself, he resisted smacking the dash again. Joe turned off the winding road, and Harmondsey came into view, the panorama a black backdrop to white, yellow, and red lights. He stared at them, their individual brightness merging into one solid shape as his eyes glazed. The engine’s hum lulled him, and he rested his head on the seat.

  Lendall’s face filled his mind. Copper’s intuition or human instinct, he knew something was up with that bloke. He scrutinised their earlier interaction. Lendall had been uneasy, though he did a good job of hiding it. His inability to meet Dan’s eyes—or was that deliberate?—confirmed his suspicions. Yeah, Lendall was hiding something all right. But what if it wasn’t Kerry? What if the man just had a few skeletons in his closet from his previous posting? After all, he’d recently moved from another station. Perhaps he’d changed departments because of his attitude—and he definitely had one of those—though he’d kept it in check as far as Dan was aware.

  But if he is seeing Kerry, if she’s at his place…I’ll kill him.

  His stomach churned, and anger built inside him, growing so fast his throat narrowed and he struggled to breathe. He gripped his knees and exhaled through a tight pout.

  “You all right?” Joe asked.

  Like I said, I’ll kill him.

  Dan opened his eyes. “Yes, I’m all right. Just tired, that’s all.” He glared out of the window at the upcoming station and prepared to unclip his seat belt. The quicker he got inside, the quicker he’d lay some queries to rest.

  Joe stopped the car, and Dan lurched out, his mind working faster than his feet. He stumbled and held his hands out in front of him, sure he’d hit the ground. Joe gripped his elbow, and Dan righted himself, curses dancing on the tip of his tongue.

  “You ought to go home,” Joe said, his brow marked with three deep, wavy lines. “When was the last time you slept?”

  “Look, I’m fine. Just took a turn to my ankle.”

  Joe narrowed his eyes. “If you’re sure. Listen, when the chief finds out about this, be prepared to step down on this investigation, right? No hassles, no arguing. Just back off. Let us handle it.”

  Dan nodded.

  “But for tonight, it’s unrelated as far as I’m concerned, if you catch my drift. I’ll notice a link in the morning and report it in. Now go and do what you’ve got to do. I’ll be in my office doing the paperwork on this latest body and compare the two murders.”

  They walked inside.

  Joe said, “I can’t see any similarity with the deaths, though, can you? I mean, one w
as hung, the other strangled. Okay, we could say the killer basically strangled both, seeing as Sara’s scarf did all the work.” He took the stairs two at a time, Dan close behind. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. You know everyone involved here will try harder because it’s Kerry.”

  “Yeah,” Dan said. At the top of the stairs, he took a left towards his office. “Right. I’m off to fill in that report on her. Then I’ll be going home to check she isn’t there. If she is, I’ll call in, but if she isn’t, you can proceed with that part of the investigation.” He opened his office door.

  Joe stopped and held out his hand. “If she’s not there, get some sleep.”

  Dan shook Joe’s in both of his and inwardly smiled. Joe didn’t know he touched murderous hands. A flurry of laughter threatened to spill, so Dan clamped his lips closed and walked into his office.

  At his desk, he sat and pulled open a drawer. A silver hip flask lay beneath a pile of papers. He unscrewed the lid, and the whiff of whiskey hit him. He tipped the flask to his mouth, draining it. Tossing the flask back into the drawer, he booted up his computer and opened the file containing the details of Sara Westholm’s murder. Scrolled down the list of other files until he reached one marked WITNESSES. Opened it and scanned another list of those interviewed and informed of Sara’s death. He clicked the one marked with his wife’s name and read the information at the top.

  Ted had visited Kerry with Lendall.

  So did she meet him before then or what? Which reminds me. I need to look up where that fucker lives.

  Chapter Seventeen

  A key slotted in the front door. Kerry froze on the sofa and clutched the dolphin ornament.

  Stop it. It can’t be him. He hasn’t got a key.

  She remained tense. Dan was so wily he could have caught up with Mark, taken his keys, and stormed around here intent on—

  The door swung open, and a red-faced Mark stood on the threshold. He stepped inside, chaining the door. Beside her on the sofa, he glanced at the dolphin then back up at her. Sweat beaded his temples, and he panted as though he’d run up the stairs instead of taking the lift.

  “What…what’s…?” Further words failed her. His appearance told her something was terribly wrong.

  “There’s been another murder.” Mark took the dolphin and placed it on the table. “The woman from The China Cabin.”

  Kerry’s pulse raced, and she swallowed. “Oh shit. Was he…?”

  “Yes. He was called to the scene. Sent some officers out on house-to-house. Kept me on guard by the shop door. He senses something, I’m sure of it.”

  Her heart pulsed faster, and the room seemed to twist around her. Please don’t let him know where I am. Please…

  “He’s such a smarmy bastard,” Mark went on. “I got the feeling he had something to do with the woman’s death. I just…shit, it’s all too coincidental.”

  Kerry exhaled, and blood rushed through her veins, leaving her disorientated for a second, as though she travelled backwards through a vortex. She blinked and took deep breaths, one hand on her chest. Her heartbeat throbbed against her palm, and the instinct to run gripped her. “I have to…I’ve got to… He knows, doesn’t he? He knows I’m here.”

  Mark nodded. “I think so.”

  His confirmation unleashed a wave of nausea.

  Jesus Christ, I’ve got to get out of here. I’ve got to…

  “I have to leave,” she said and stood on unsteady legs.

  He rose beside her, his arm about her back. “I’ll give you some money for a taxi and a hotel. Take my mobile, and I’ll buy a new one in the morning. You can ring me on this one.” He indicated a phone in a case on his belt. “The number’s under WORK.” He winced. “I have to go back to the station before anyone notices I’ve been gone too long.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll let you know where I am when I get there.” She stared at him. “Thank you.”

  “You’ll be okay,” he said. “We’ll get you away from here, and I’ll pay for your room. I don’t want you to worry about anything. If he’s…if he killed that shop woman and gets caught, he’ll be out of your hair anyway. Out of your life.”

  “D’you know, I used to pray for sunshine. If the sun shone, it meant I could wear my sunglasses and hide the bruises. I-I also prayed for someone to rescue me.”

  “It’ll all be okay.” Mark’s exhale showed his anger. “That man…I could… What makes him think he can just ride roughshod over you and everyone he comes into contact with?”

  Kerry shrugged. “I don’t know. I need to pack my bag.”

  Mark walked to the cabinet. He opened a door, reached inside a vase, and extracted a thin roll of notes. “There isn’t much here—maybe enough to see you through the night in a hotel, some food, a change of clothes. If you take a taxi to the next town over, you’ll have enough until I come to you sometime tomorrow.”

  He held his hand out, and she took the money and his phone, shame and guilt burning a path through her. She straightened her shoulders and resolved not to cry until she’d reached her destination. Once there, she could pummel the pillows, scream into them.

  “I’ll ring you as soon as I can,” he said. “Ted got a lift back in another patrol car. I’ve got the one he used so need to get back to the city. Be careful.” He moved to the door, unlooping the chain. Stepped into the hallway and pulled the door closed.

  The soft click prompted her to rush over and drape the chain in place. It wouldn’t stop Dan if he came here, but it might buy her some time to grab something to hit him with. Nerves jangling, she went to the bedroom and collected her meagre belongings, stuffing them into her bag. The cash and phone safe in a zipped inside compartment, she dressed and ran her fingers through her hair. With one last look around, she went to the living room and called a taxi firm. None available for half an hour, but she booked it anyway.

  Shit.

  That amount of time scared her. It was too long. She put the kettle on. Paced the living room a few times and then double-checked her bag. At the window, she stared down into the street. No police officers. No Dan that she could see.

  Twenty-seven minutes left to wait.

  She knew Dan would find her wherever she went. A lifetime of running loomed, and she fought back tears of unfairness, the bubbling water and the kettle’s click ominous in the early morning hours.

  * * * *

  Dan revved the engine. He gripped the steering wheel and shot out of the station car park on an adrenaline high. That prick lived just around the corner from The China Cabin. The address matched the one Monique had given him. Good job he’d listened to his instincts and kept him on door duty. The thought of Lendall being able to warn Kerry griped his guts, and he clenched his teeth. He hissed out an exhale and drove the darkened roads until the streetlamps grew few and far between. On the outskirts of Harmondsey, he picked up the pace and sped along the road to Gradley, his mind on reaching Lendall’s flat. He’d wake Kerry and force her home where she belonged.

  Jabbing the PLAY button, he turned up the volume and allowed Four Seasons to infuse him with calm and power. The musical notes had always given him strength, shown him that a person could change from what he was into what he wanted to be. Yes, he loved being in control. Loved knowing what was coming, so to have his wife ruin that serenity…

  He pushed the thoughts away and focused on the area. A corona surrounded the moon, tempered by a thin skein of grey-tinged clouds. Rain threatened. Trees either side of the road stretched skywards, their branches black and skeletal in the darkness. Autumn would soon arrive, and then winter, with a vicious bite in the air. If Kerry wasn’t careful, he’d force her to spend her time at home without heating. Make her promise to wear only a thin teddy while he was at work—and he’d know if she didn’t obey him this time. Oh, yes, he’d know.

  I’ll be more alert. Watch her closely. No way will she have the balls to leave me a second time. I’d rather her be dead than gallivanting with the likes of Lendall.


  He swerved around a tight bend. The rear wheels skewed to the left, and the back bumper brushed some shrubbery. He drove faster, his need to find his wife consuming him.

  What if she isn’t there? What if I’m wrong?

  He laughed then stared through the windscreen, lips clamped shut.

  I’m never wrong.

  Gradley’s lights twinkled in the distance, and he zoomed up the slight incline. He slowed and drove past the shopping centre car park, checked the tracker—Kerry’s car was still there. A crossroad was ahead. The lights, red, annoyed him. He contemplated running them, but a copper car sat idle on the opposite side. Dan stopped at the lights and glared out, searching for the turning he’d need to take once past The China Cabin. If only he’d done the door-to-door himself, he’d have had her by now. Okay, it would have been a surprise to find her, but he was used to working quickly, digesting information and acting on it in a split second.

  Bloody lights. They don’t take this long in the daytime.

  He tapped the steering wheel and eyed the police car. Probably one of the last uniforms to leave the crime scene. SOCO would be there for some time yet, but if a colleague spotted him, he was just on his way to pick up his wife…

  From the flat of some bastard who’s lured her away.

  Anger trundled through him again, and he snorted. The lights switched to green, and he drove ahead. The police car didn’t move. He glanced over as he drew level—and met Lendall’s gaze, no Ted in the passenger seat beside him. Dan smirked and kept a low speed. The prick probably thought Dan was going back to The China Cabin. Lendall stared at him, eyes momentarily wide, then composed his features to the annoying blank canvas of earlier.

  Yeah, but you’re riled.