Twenty-One
‘Another tequila?’ Rex called as he ordered at the bar. He pulled his casual checked shirt down over his belly as he waited for her answer.
Gina giggled as she shook her head. ‘I have work early in the morning and I can’t afford to turn up with a hangover.’
He burst into laughter. ‘I think the hangover is already a given.’
‘I’ll have a coffee.’ He nodded and continued speaking to the young barman.
The pub in Stratford-upon-Avon had been a good call. It was warm and inviting, busy but not crowded and the garden had a lovely view of the river. She glanced out of the window, taking in the lights that reflected in the shimmering water. She turned her head and smiled. The warmth of the wall lights coursed through Gina’s veins, or was it the tequila? As midnight drew ever closer, people left and the place really was thinning out. A bell rang, calling last orders.
‘Right, your turn. Ideal night of passion.’ He placed a wedge of lime in his mouth and pulled a funny face.
‘We’re not still playing this game, are we?’ Gina stared at him before bursting into fits of laughter. She daren’t tell him it involved someone else, Briggs. He knew exactly how to turn her on. ‘I don’t have any set ideas.’
He pulled the lime from his teeth and slammed the shot down his gullet. She began sipping the hot coffee in the hope of sobering a little. ‘Cop out! You never thought of threesomes or booty calls?’
She almost spat her coffee out. ‘Aren’t you a booty call?’
He moved his eyebrows up and down and grinned. ‘I hope so. Which phone box shall we head to? I’ve never done it in a phone box.’
She threw the tiny biscotti that had come with the coffee at him. ‘In your dreams. That’s so not on the cards.’
‘I forgot, Inspector. I suppose it’s more than your job is worth but wouldn’t that add to the excitement? Yuck, I’ve had enough tequila. Right, I need a slash, then I suppose we best call a taxi. So, it’s no to the booty call. You didn’t dismiss the threesome idea. You’re a dark horse, Gina. Back to yours?’ He hurried towards the men’s room, not giving her a chance to answer.
The warm fuzziness seeped out of her like an Arctic blast. He was not coming back to her place. She’d made it clear that having a laugh as friends had been her only intention. She shook her head as she thought of the evening and how it had developed from general conversation to flirtation. Again, she’d totally given him the wrong impression.
His words swam around her head, propelling her back to the night Terry had brought home a prostitute and held a knife to her throat. The look in his eyes had said,do as I tell you or you’re in for it.She closed her eyes as she recalled the night she was trying so hard to forget.
‘That’s better. Did you call a taxi?’ Rex said as he wiped his damp hands on his jeans.
Gina opened her eyes and wiped the tear that had slid down her cheek. That particular memory had been buried for such a long time. Now, it was back with a vengeance.
‘Dryer didn’t work, I didn’t pee on my hands, if that’s what you were thinking.’
She forced a smile. ‘I’ve called two taxis, one for you and one for me. Oh look, mine’s just arrived.’ She finished her lukewarm coffee and put her jacket on, fighting with her drunken jellied legs as she walked towards the taxi driver. Her instinct had been right about Rex. He wasn’t right for her and he didn’t really want to be just friends. She held a hand up to him, waving as she left, not once looking back. He’d presumed wrongly when he thought he was going back with her. As she opened the door to the taxi and got in, a flood of tears filled her burning red cheeks.
She’d never eradicate the memory of that night and what happened next. She thought of Jade Ashmore and Dawn Brown. Had they been pressured into things they didn’t want to do? Maybe Steven, like Terry, had brought Dawn a few surprises home and maybe she just wanted to forget. Steven, like Terry, wasn’t the type to take no for an answer. She suddenly felt sick. Did Steven know about that night and would he twist it and use it to shame her over the course of the case? She swallowed. She wasn’t going to throw up, not tonight.
‘Where to?’ the driver asked as he reset the meter, ignoring her tears.
Twenty-Two
Wednesday, 8 May 2019
I just can’t sleep. I’ve had a little drink, tried a few deep breathing exercises of which I know Aimee’s a fan, but they didn’t work on me. Aimee with two e’s. I even love the way she spells her name, it’s so… her. I thought it wasn’t real, the name, but it is. That is how it’s spelled on the electoral register. I like her parents, they created a real individual.
I needed to see her. It’s way past midnight, one, maybe two in the morning. Who knows? Who cares? I certainly don’t. That’s why I’m standing knee deep in the tangled shrubbery at the back of her house.
She’s given up pacing and staring at her phone. The main light in the bedroom, flashes on and she stares out of the window. I hold up my phone and take a sneaky photo through the gap in the fence. Another photo of the most beautiful girl I know.
Standing in darkness, I remain still, hoping that she won’t look my way. I doubt she’ll see me. I’ve been there in plain daylight, right in front of her and she’s failed to acknowledge my existence.One day, my darling, one day.I know exactly how to charm a woman, it’s tried and tested. I also love that you don’t mind sharing as I’m not an exclusive kind of guy. But, when I saw your profile, I knew you were more special than the rest.
I step back a little further as she steps forward, inquisitively searching for any sign of life.Don’t be scared, my lovely.Everything will all work out fine.She places a hand on the window and stares out as she cries.
I remove what’s left of the tiny spliff from my pocket and place it between my lips. As she closes the curtains, I light up, inhaling the relaxing drug. I feel the muscles around my mouth relaxing into a gentle smile.
Now, I’m ready for bed but there’s something I must do first.
