Tom Calladine shot the DCI a disapproving look. The fact that he was Ray Fallon’s cousin was not common knowledge in the nick.

Only the DCI and Ruth knew. So he didn’t want the DCI shouting his mouth off. The others on his team would ask those awkward questions he didn’t want to answer.

“Yes, sir, I’ll get onto it. We do have a lot on. In fact I could do with a minute or two to fill you in.”

He followed Jones back to his office.

* * *

“Why does the boss have to give a statement to Central?” Rocco asked Ruth. “Has he been up to something we should know about?”

“Nothing that concerns you, Rocco, so just get on with what you’re supposed to be doing.” She passed him a card with Alice Bolshaw’s number on it. “Give her a ring and tell her we’ll be in to see her later today.”

“Not sure what’s going on, or what it has to do with the boss.

But what I do know is that Central has its hands full at the moment.

There was a gangland shooting earlier in the week. The only witness in a major case was shot and killed. Nasty business and it’s got them all edgy and looking for someone to blame. But someone tipped the bad guys off, so the push is on to find out who that was.

The whisper has it that it might even have been a cop. So why they’d want to see the boss is lost on me. Surely they can’t think that he’s involved somehow—do you?”

“Don’t be daft, Rocco. What would Calladine know about the likes of Ray Fallon and his crew?” Ruth tried to close the discussion down.

Chapter 12

She was such an innocent. An innocent unsuspecting fool. Just what he needed. He’d told her to take the train from Victoria to a quiet little station two stops from Huddersfield. He’d arranged to meet her at the bus stop outside. She hadn’t even questioned the plans when he’d phoned her. She’d simply laughed that light tinkle of a laugh she had, and enthused about their weekend together.

He was beginning to wonder whether she was such a good idea after all. Vida was never that gullible. She was mature, sensible, and would’ve seen through his subterfuge in a second. So if Patsy Lumis wasn’t right for him, then how to deal with her? Not nicely—that was for sure. He’d take what he wanted and have some fun.

His kind of fun—and she wouldn’t enjoy it, not one little bit. But what did he care?

He’d checked out the bus stop and the road for a hundred yards either way. There were no cameras. He’d park up, get her in and bring her back to his place as quickly as possible.

It was a good plan. He couldn’t see any problems. In the night, the street was particularly dark because the nearby street light was blinking off and on—even better. He sat in his van and waited anxiously for the train. He hadn’t bothered to change, and was still wearing his work clothes. She’d turn her cute little nose up, but that didn’t matter now. He could sweet-talk her round.

Once he got her back he’d treat her like a proper lady—for a short while. He’d prepared food—of sorts. Some small savoury pastries from the bakers in Leesdon, and a bottle of wine. They’d eat and she’d drink—then he’d have her. He’d laced the wine with GHB. It was his favourite because of the effect it had. He’d also added some diazepam for good measure—he wanted it to work quickly. He wanted her sleepy and sexually uninhibited. He could feel his loins stirring already at the thought of what he’d do to her.

He’d have her straight away—rough and hard, in the isolation of his special place. She could scream all she liked and no one would hear. Serve her right—stupid cow!

He heard the train pull in and a couple of people ran up the steps and into the station. He waited, clicking his fingers with impatience. Where was she? Then he saw her. The bitch was talking to someone—an older woman. What was she doing? He didn’t want anyone to remember seeing her—so what now? He thumped his fist on the steering wheel, making the horn blast, and her head shot round. She’d seen him.

He watched her smile at the woman and wave goodbye, and then teeter towards him in those stupid heels she wore, dragging her suitcase behind her.

“Friend of yours?”

Patsy Lumis shook her head and attempted to lift her case into the van.

“Aren’t you going to help me, Jack? Do you want me to put it in the back?”

He nodded, jumped out, hastily opened the back doors and threw it in. She wasn’t playing the game—but she would, very soon, he tried to reassure himself.

“Do you know that woman?”

“No, we just started talking. She was in America last year and we were swapping sightseeing stories, that’s all. It’s no biggie, Jack.

She was just, like, some random woman.”

He shot her an angry look and pulled away. He had to calm down or this wouldn’t work. Even she might twig what he was really up to, and he couldn’t have that.

“Sorry, babe. For one awful moment back there, I thought you might have brought someone with you.”

“Silly Jack.” She rubbed his arm. “That would spoil our fun, and I wouldn’t want to do that. I want to spend this whole weekend getting to know you—just us two together. We don’t need anyone else.”

How true that was. He smiled at her and turned the radio on low. The music was relaxing and he needed to be calm for the next bit.

They drove for a few miles, leaving the town and train station behind them. They wound their way through the pitch dark, along the narrow roads that led through the Pennines and down into Leesworth. Jack knew these roads well, every last inch of them, and he knew exactly which route to take so he wouldn’t be seen.

“Thought we could do something romantic. I’ve got some food and wine for us back at mine. We can relax and celebrate our first night together.”

Patsy Lumis was delighted. “I can’t wait to be with you, Jack.

You know what I mean. You’re such a hot guy.”

“Here, help yourself.” He handed her a wine bottle and a glass.

“Fill your boots. Get yourself in the mood.”

Patsy giggled and poured a large helping of wine, filling the beaker nearly to the top.

“Good stuff that.” He smiled. “It’s not your bog-standard supermarket plonk.”

She sipped delicately, her eyes sparkling in the half-light of the van.

“You’re spoiling me,” she trilled. “I love things like this, so spontaneous and romantic.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“Don’t be shy. Drink up, there’s plenty more.”

He saw her reach for the bottle again, out of the corner of his eye. It wouldn’t be long; he’d planned it well. She wouldn’t be able to finish this one—she’d be out cold.

“You’re not having any wine?”

“Better not—I’m driving. But you have what you want.”

“When we get to yours I can cook, if you like. I’m quite good, I really am. I’ll make you one of my signature dishes. You’ll love it.”

“We’ll see.” He stroked her hair as she began to yawn. The cocktail of drugs was working—so they should, he’d used enough of them.

“Whoa…I feel kind of weird, sort of sleepy and numb.”

“You’re probably tired. Look, it’s a good few miles yet. Just lean back in the seat and snooze for a while.”

She nodded, her eyes closed and her head sagged forward.

This was far too easy. He picked up her arm and watched it flop back as he released it. She didn’t even groan—she was completely out of it.

Half an hour or so later he pulled up outside his special place. It was dark and secluded and there was no chance of being seen. He hauled her out and laid her on the ground while he unlocked the door. Then he hauled her from the car and dragged her in. She was inert and heavy, and he was hot and panting by the time he got her to his room. But she was worth it. He was excited beyond measure.

He tore wildly at the clothing on her lower body. Her skirt, tights and finally her knickers were all thrown aside and he bent her legs, spreading them wide. She was slim with shapely thighs and smooth creamy skin. A tidy mound of dark fluff between her legs—perfect.