Scare Me To Death by CJ Carver (free romance novels TXT) 📕

bubbly and a bunch of flowers, then he’s out of view for ten minutes and when he returns it’s at a run, no bottle, no flowers, and he’s obviously stressed, covered in what looks like blood. He drives off.’

‘Blood?’

‘His car had her blood and DNA all over it. And he’d left his gifts behind.’

‘That doesn’t mean he killed her.’

Karen gave her a droll look that said, yeah, right.

‘How did he know her?’

‘She picked him up, apparently. In a bar.’

Lucy blinked. The photographs of Kaitlyn Rogers in the press had shown a strikingly attractive woman with a mane of chestnut hair and a smile that made you think of surfers and sunshine. Ricky, on the other hand…

‘Quite.’ Karen put her head on one side, considering her. ‘If you find anything to help our investigation, you will let us know, won’t you?’

‘Sure,’ Lucy lied, and at that moment, the door banged open and Chief Superintendent Magellan strode inside.

5

It was as though she’d stepped back in time. Where Karen’s appearance had changed thanks to being knocked around by life, Magellan looked exactly the same. Same dyed black hair, same sharp suit and gym-fit body.

‘Lucy!’ He was feigning delight which simply made him look as though he had indigestion.

‘Sir!’ she exclaimed in the same tone but inside she could feel her blood begin to boil. This was the man who’d sabotaged one of her biggest cases. The idiot who’d ignored her when she told him time was of the essence, dragging his heels and allowing Mr Big to get away. And when she’d made it public it was his fault, he’d got shot of her. Far easier to send her packing than face his own shortcomings.

He was still grinning. ‘Someone told me the Energiser Bunny was in the building, but I didn’t believe them.’ He knew she hated her nickname and in the old days she might have reacted but not today. She wasn’t going to let him get to her. Coolly, she put out her hand.

‘Good to see you, sir.’

His grip was over-hard and designed to crush her knuckles and although it hurt like hell she didn’t let it show. She felt a moment’s triumph when she spotted his flicker of annoyance.

‘Don’t tell me you’ve come looking for your old job?’

I wouldn’t take it if you paid me a million dollars.

‘Gosh,’ she beamed. ‘Wouldn’t that be great?’

His indigestion appeared to turn into fierce heartburn. Excellent. She was delighted to have rattled him. Holding her eyes, he spoke to Karen. ‘Sergeant, if you could give us a minute.’

Karen hurried out.

The second the door closed behind her, Magellan stepped close, trying to intimidate Lucy’s small frame with his powerful six feet two bulk. Lucy didn’t relent an inch. Instead, she squared her shoulders a little and raised her chin, meeting his gaze dead-on.

‘I know everyone thinks the sun shines out of your arse,’ he hissed, ‘but that’s because they don’t realise what a complete fucking nutcase you are.’

‘Why, thank you, sir.' She gave him one of her prettiest smiles, making sure it warmed her eyes. ‘I’d forgotten how one of your compliments could make my day.’

The skin around his nostrils turned white. ‘The fact that Ricky Shaw knows you won’t help him. I’ve got him for this and just because you think you’re so fucking brilliant won’t change shit.’

‘So, you’re not sure he’s guilty,’ she mused.

‘Of course he’s fucking guilty.’

She just looked at him.

He raised a finger and stabbed it into her face. It was so close she reckoned she could have darted her head forward and bitten it if she wanted.

‘If. You. Fucking. Interfere. I will. Fucking. Destroy. You.’

She let her smile broaden. ‘Oh boy, have I missed you.’

Before he could react, Lucy nipped around him and snapped open the door. Karen was outside. As Magellan joined them, he fixed Lucy with an icy stare. ‘Just remember what I said.’

She blew him a kiss as she turned and walked down the corridor, her mind humming a happy yellow.

Karen had arranged for Lucy to meet Ricky in one of their interview rooms. Two chairs and an aluminium table bolted to the floor. No windows. Like a lot of police interview rooms, it smelled of stale sweat, desperation and coffee.

‘Ricky.’ She stretched out her hand, trying to cover her shock. He wasn’t just fat any more, he was obese.

His grip was soft and damp. It was like holding a bunch of damp sausages and she had to make an effort not to wipe her fingers on her jeans afterwards.

‘Thanks for coming.’ His words were slightly obscured thanks to his mouth still being swollen.

Despite his weight, he looked pretty good. His suit trousers were nicely cut, his white shirt tailored over his bulk. An orb emblem with a V in its centre was embroidered onto the chest. Versace? Vivienne Westwood? Whatever it was, it came from a high-end designer. She studied him further, noting his hair had been styled to curl just above his collar. His fingernails were buffed and manicured. He’d come a long way from the streets of Southwark and Poundland, and even without a tie or belt, or laces in his brogues, his attire shouted money!

‘You should thank your mum.’ Lucy thought she’d better be honest. ‘It was Jaya who persuaded me.’

‘They think I did it.’ His voice trembled. ‘They really do. But I didn’t. I swear.’

‘Who’s your solicitor?’

‘Ajay Pozo. Pozo and Partners.’

She took one chair while he took the other, settling his bulk carefully as though testing whether the chair would collapse or not. ‘You need to be working with him,’ she said. ‘He’s the one who’ll get you released.’

‘I couldn’t hurt her. I’d never hurt her.’

‘Any idea who did?’

He closed his eyes. Sweat beaded on his upper lip. ‘No.’

Lucy let a silence pass before she spoke again.

‘Tell me about Kaitlyn Rogers.’

He didn’t move. Lucy waited.

Eventually, he opened his eyes. They were filled with tears and ineffably sad. ‘She was beautiful.’

Lucy nodded. ‘I saw her photograph.’

‘You’re probably wondering what she’d