Scorched Heart (The Firebrand Series Book 4), Helen Harper [free ereaders .txt] 📗

‘I don’t blame you,’ he replied. ‘I don’t blame you at all.’

Miranda turned back to me. ‘Thank you for all that you’ve done. I’m really glad you’re alright. I’ll leave you both in peace.’ She ducked out of the room and closed the door.

For a long moment, I didn’t move then I sighed deeply. A dull ache remained deep in my chest. ‘This is a situation of society’s making,’ I said to Lukas.

‘What do you mean?’

‘If it wasn’t in the best interests of certain supes to stay hidden,’ I explained, ‘I might have known about what Miranda did for me a long time ago.’

‘She doesn’t think of herself as a supe.’

‘No, but that bugbear was definitely a supe. Until a day or two ago, we didn’t know such a thing existed. If we had, maybe Rothsay and his grandfather wouldn’t have been so successful with all those murders.’

I looked away. ‘Liza’s been in touch,’ I continued. ‘Using what we’ve learned, she’s been able to pinpoint twenty more killings that can be attributed to Lazarus – and possibly to Rothsay, too. More will probably be uncovered.’ I shook my head. ‘And nobody had any idea. If supes weren’t an anathema to so many people, creatures like bugbears and people like Miranda might not be so secretive.’

Lukas’s clever eyes were watching me. ‘You say that like you have an idea for how to improve matters.’

I licked my lips. ‘Not yet.’ I raised my head and managed a smile. ‘But give me time and watch this space.’

I grabbed my few possessions and wandered out of the hospital hand in hand with Lukas. There were a few ominous dark clouds on the horizon, suggesting a storm was on its way. I sniffed the air, noting the tang of impending rain.

I heard a voice call me and glanced over to see DCI Boateng. ‘Detective Constable Bellamy.’ His expression was warm as he strode over. To begin with I thought he was merely going to shake my hand but he drew me into a hug. ‘Congratulations.’

I raised an eyebrow. ‘For bringing down a stone-cold killer and his pet supe?’ I asked. ‘Or surviving the encounter?’

‘For everything,’ he said simply. He took a step back. ‘I’m sure your parents would be very proud, Emma.’

I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek to prevent tears welling up. I’d finally avenged them. That was enough. For now. ‘Thank you.’

‘We’ve uncovered several unsavoury details that back up your report. Oliver Tigman, the prisoner who instigated the attack on Samuel Beswick at HMP Galloway, has been questioned.’

I raised my eyebrows. ‘He’s talking?’

Boateng smiled faintly. ‘He’s been persuaded that it’s in his best interests to do so. Apparently Rothsay told him that, in his role as a police officer, he could access evidence in his upcoming trial and dispose of it. I doubt that’s true, but Tigman believed him enough to tap Frederick Parris for the attack.’

‘He had it all planned out.’ I shook my head at what Rothsay had done. He’d thought of everything and covered every eventuality. Apart from one: me. ‘I suppose you’ll be heading back to Maidstone soon?’

‘There are a few bits and pieces to tidy up but yes, it won’t be long. I think it’s probably time we left the residents of Barchapel in peace.’

I smiled faintly. ‘I don’t imagine many of them will be sad to see the back of us.’

From somewhere behind me, I heard a faint snort. I glanced over my shoulder to see Chloe standing only a few metres away. She tossed her head and marched away in the direction of the hospital carpark. My eyes tracked her as she strode over to where Miranda and Albion were climbing into their campervan. ‘Give me a moment,’ I murmured.

Boateng looked slightly confused but Lukas smiled. ‘We’ll be here.’

I headed over, following in Chloe’s footsteps. As I drew closer, I could hear her voice. She sounded surprisingly unsure of herself. ‘So,’ she said, ‘there’s like this concert on next weekend. I have a spare ticket. If you feel like going with me.’ Her nose wrinkled and she jabbed a startled looking Albion in the centre of his chest. ‘But don’t go getting any funny ideas. This ain’t a date or anything. Just friends, innit?’

I cleared my throat. Chloe looked round and frowned at me. ‘What? I’m being nice. You can’t arrest me for that.’

‘I’m not going to arrest you, Chloe.’

She sniffed. ‘Whaddaya want then?’

I reached for my wallet, slid out a card and passed it over to her.

‘Why are you giving me this?’ she asked suspiciously.

‘Because I want to make you an offer,’ I said. ‘You’re getting to the age where your school will expect you to go on work experience.’

‘Yeah.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Hairdressing. Or looking after little kiddies. Or working in a hotel. That’s usually what it is.’

‘And those are all very valid types of work,’ I said gently. ‘You can learn a lot from them. But if you fancied something further afield, my department in London is offering a work-experience placement.’ I glanced at Albion. ‘Two placements actually.’

Albion shook his head. ‘I’ve had enough encounters with criminals.’ Miranda jabbed him with her elbow. ‘But thank you for the offer,’ he said hastily.

I smiled at him. ‘No problem.’

Chloe’s lip curled. ‘Work experience with the police? Become a pig?’

‘It’s only a suggestion. Have a think and let me know.’ And then, because I didn’t want to intrude any longer, I nodded and returned to Lukas’s side.

‘Since when did Supe Squad offer work-experience placements?’ Lukas enquired.

‘You heard that?’ I shrugged. ‘Since now. I’ve made an executive decision.’ And I didn’t care whether DS Grace, the new Supe Squad detective, agreed with that decision. It was going to happen.

‘We should head back to the Bird and Bush and pick up the rest of our things,’ I said to Boateng. ‘You have my contact details if you need them, or if there are any