From the Dark Read online

  ‘Okay, I guess. My face feels like there’s a football inside it but otherwise okay. I’ve not been dizzy for a wee bit.’

  ‘Well you do have concussion – realistically I could keep you in for observations for a night or two, but I get the feeling you’d refuse that. So, I’m going to release you as long as you have someone with you for the next forty-eight hours to monitor you and bring you back should you deteriorate. The break in your nose is quite bad and will need surgery to reset it properly but we can’t do that until the swelling eases – you’ll be booked in to speak with our ear, nose and throat consultant in a few weeks and he’ll get the operation arranged then. I’ve sent a prescription down to the pharmacy to be filled, so when it’s brought up, you can go. There’s painkillers and some antibiotics – take all of them as prescribed, please.’

  Directing his attention to Toni, he continued, ‘If he goes dizzy, shows any signs of nausea or you have trouble waking him from sleep, please ring 999 and bring him back here by ambulance. I get the feeling he’ll be a bit of a trouble-maker given the option of coming back so I’m trusting you to make sure of it, okay?’

  Toni smiled and nodded. ‘Absolutely, doc. He’ll be a good boy and do as he’s told or else. Won’t you, sweetheart?’

  Mark nodded sedately. As if.

  Chapter 8

  18th December, 0920 hours – Edinburgh City Police Station

  After much twisting and grumpiness, Mark had finally persuaded Toni to let him go to his own home. She’d made him stay over at her flat so she could do what the doctor said and keep an eye on him, had even given up her bed and slept on the couch.

  He could understand her worry, even thought it cute, but he’d not had a day sick in over four years and wasn’t going to start now. He’d rang the DI and said he would be late in and would explain when he got there. He fibbed to Toni, telling her he’d stay on the couch and watch Netflix. She’d kill him when she found out, but work was important to him.

  How Mark would explain to McPhee what had happened hadn’t quite come to him yet. With his warrant card being stolen as well, he knew he’d have to think of something. If he mentioned the street he’d been on when he’d been attacked, he’d be hauled into the office and screamed at for a start. And it was highly likely he’d be disciplined formally. He’d already been told, in a formal capacity during a meeting with the big boss, not to go anywhere near Wright’s flat. He didn’t want to lie – but he knew he needed to keep watching Wright, waiting for him to slip up. He hated disobeying orders, almost as much as he hated lying, but the end would justify the means. Decision made, he stepped into the major crimes office, waiting for the first person to notice his bashed-up face.

  ‘About time you got in, McKay. Any reason for your tardiness?’ The DI’s voice from the doorway behind him was curt.

  Slowly he turned around to face him.

  ‘Bloody hell, Mark. What happened? Should you even be here?’

  ‘I’ve been declared as fit by the doc at the hospital, boss, so I should be fine. Had a couple of pints at my local last night and got jumped on when I left. They nicked my wallet. And my warrant card.’

  ‘Has it been circulated? If not, we’ll have to get right on that. Did you see who it was? Pissed anyone off lately?’

  ‘Other than you, no, I don’t think so. Didn’t see much of anything, it all happened pretty quick. They were all white, three or four of them, I think. I was knocked out pretty much instantly. Probably local scrotes or druggies to be honest.’

  ‘CCTV? Witnesses?’

  ‘Nothing, boss. No CCTV in the area, and I was the only one outside to my knowledge. I’d gone out for a sneaky tab. I’m giving up – have one of those puffer things and everything, but you know what it’s like when you’ve had a drink.’

  ‘Only too well. Take it easy today, Mark. Last thing we need is you pushing yourself too hard. I’ve booked the Marple room for the forensic strategy meeting in relation to the death in the vaults. It’s booked in for 10am – Annie’s coming up as well. Betting she’s well pissed off you were caught like that. She’s a spitfire that one.’

  ‘You’re not wrong. Thanks, boss. I’m gunna make a coffee then I’ll crack on. Do you want one making?’

  ‘No not for me, thanks. Wife’s got me on that horrid piss water, green tea? Can’t stand the stuff but she insists it’s good for me. Don’t be telling her I have to load it with two spoons of sugar to get it down my neck.’

  ‘Won’t say a word,’ Mark said, making a zipping motion with his finger across his mouth.

  Leaving the DI in the office, Mark left and made his way to the stairs that led down to the CSI office. If he didn’t tell Annie what had happened before that meeting, she’d kill him.

  He was just walking in the office when she barrelled out at speed and ran into him.

  ‘Shit, sorry, I…’ her eyes widened when she saw the injuries to his face. Silently she grabbed his arm, her nails digging into the flesh as she dragged him around the corner and into the photograph processing room.

  ‘What the hell did you do? Did Wright catch you outside his flat?’ She kept her voice low but he could tell she was really pissed, and worried too from the frown that she was now displaying.

  ‘Honestly, Sis, I don’t know. I was outside his flat in the car…’

  ‘How many times have I told you that if you insist on watching, that you’re to be careful? For God’s sake, Bro. You get caught there and that’s it. You know this. What the hell were you thinking?’

  ‘It wasn’t him – he was inside the flat. It was an opportunist, I think. Smashed the car window, hit my face off the steering wheel and knocked me out. They stole my wallet.’

  ‘Well shit, you didn’t see anything then?’

  ‘Not a thing. When I came to, I drove to hospital and…’

  ‘You did what? You were knocked out – what on earth made you think you’d be okay to drive? You could’ve killed yourself, or someone else for that matter.’ Annie punched him hard on the same arm she’d grabbed and he rubbed it, wincing.

  ‘Ow. I stopped when I went dizzy and drove really slow. The roads were dead – I swear I wouldn’t have done it if I’d thought I’d cause danger to someone else. I was careful I promise. Anyway, the hospital did some scans and stuff before they let me go. I’ve got a cracked cheekbone and broken nose. Mild concussion. I’m okay, Sis. Promise.’

  Annie sighed, relieved. ‘Okay – so what’s the story?’

  And just like that Mark knew he was forgiven. She fully understood why he had to watch Wright. She’d never grass him up. He explained what he’d told the DI and not long after they left the photography room and headed up to the strategy meeting.

  18th December, 1220 hours – Scott Monument, Princes Street, Edinburgh

  Francis sat on one of the benches down from Scott Monument. It was bitterly cold today, the daylight dull and uninspiring as a light drizzle fell. It didn’t deter the shoppers, though – the streets seemed even fuller today than they had the day before. For all he loved living in Edinburgh, loved the city’s quirks and the looming castle that overlooked the main street, he detested this time of year. Everyone always being friendly and polite, even to the people they didn’t like. Even the sparkling lights did his head in – and the happy screams of joy from the children on the various rides in the park below shattered any semblance of peace that he might have felt. A bit of rain didn’t seem to put anyone off enjoying the festivities that the Christmas markets brought to the city.

  He hadn’t slept very well – by the time he’d got back to his flat it was far later than he liked. And it was all Mark McKay’s fault, of course. He had to do something to get the cop to stop following him, prevent him being there every time he turned around. Prick. I need a good plan to get him moved. Preferably to somewhere far away from here. With everything running round his head all he’d done was toss and turn all night. He’d pretty much seen every hour on the clock, he was sure.

>   Resolving to think about how best to tackle the Mark McKay problem, he tried to move his focus back to the task at hand.

  Yesterday’s meals with the decadent Lee had been fruitful. The lad trusted him already, either that or saw him as an easy mark from which he could be fed and maybe even get some money somehow, but Francis preferred to believe it was trust. He’d sent Lee a text as soon as he’d got out of bed that morning. Keeping it nice and simple he’d just enquired as to his well-being and asked if he fancied meeting for lunch again today.

  Lee hadn’t hesitated and had replied with yes almost instantly.

  Got him hook, line and sinker. A slow smile spread across Francis’s lips – it wouldn’t be too much longer and he’d have Lee in all the ways that mattered. He shuddered at the thought of Lee’s full lips surrounding his cock which jumped to attention. Yes, a blow job first, then Lee will do my bidding. What the heart wants, the heart gets.

  He saw Lee well before the lad saw him, and observed his approach silently. Lee was shuffling, his pretty blue eyes squinting even though it wasn’t bright at all today. Definitely hungover then. He was wearing fitted jeans, so fitted they left little to the imagination. Francis grinned. That bulge at the front would soon be standing to attention just for him. The dark parka coat seemed to hang off Lee’s slender frame. Momentarily he wondered if he’d inherited it from a family member. Or maybe he just used to be fat. Didn’t matter to him, really, though he preferred his conquests slim rather than chunky. Chunk got in the way of what he wanted to do at times. Slim made them much more – moveable. And easier to control and force to do his bidding when they became reluctant.

  He widened his smile as Lee grew closer, and felt satisfaction as the lad saw him and smiled back. On with the show.

  18th December, 1300 hours – Toni’s flat, Harrison Gardens

  Toni had gone to work that morning but after spending the full morning unable to concentrate on anything, she’d finally asked to take some flexi-time so she could go home. She worked for The Writing Museum in the heart of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. She was part of a small team of staff who kept the museum running and acquired writing-related items for show in various exhibits. She was a massive reader and loved anything that allowed this passion to grow.

  Making her way from the offices down to the exhibit area, she paused at the Sherlock Holmes display, feeling the need to see it again today. She was a huge fan of Arthur Conan Doyle’s work, and had been heavily involved in the museum acquiring various items used by Doyle whilst penning the Sherlock stories.

  It was poignant that Doyle had maintained his relationship with Edinburgh University long after his time studying medicine there, and it had been the highlight of the decade for her to be able to handle the very quill that Doyle had used to write A Study In Scarlet, the first Holmes novel. Toni was massively proud of the exhibit and had been over the moon when the manager had selected her to put it together. It would be displayed to the public for a further month before it was dismantled and the items returned to the owners.

  Wandering down the steps that led out of the building, Toni pondered on the real reason she felt she couldn’t focus today. Mark McKay. Fate had thrown them together again after all these years – it was a strange feeling. She almost felt drawn to him but that couldn’t be true. He was far removed from the kid she’d known at school who’d helped protect her from the bullies. He seemed… she didn’t want to think ‘broken’ but definitely a little on the dented side. Toni found herself wondering what in his life had caused him to be that way. There was always something. Life brought challenges – it was just the way it was.

  She’d felt anxious and antsy all day – her focus well and truly on Mark instead of at work where it should have been. Toni was worried he hadn’t done as he’d promised and stayed home to rest all day. She’d very nearly rang the office and taken a personal day but he’d reassured her, saying he’d stay home and watch trash on TV. So, she’d dropped him off at his house and gone to work. What if he’s collapsed or something? The doctor did say stay with him for two days.

  Jumping in her car, she made her way to the address she’d left him at, but there was no reply to her banging on the door. His car was missing off the driveway too. She frowned. Surely he hasn’t gone to work? Not in the state he was in this morning?

  She made her way back across the city and parked in the visitor bays at the police station. The automatic doors opened as she approached and she stepped into the waiting room. It wasn’t a pleasant place – stained off-white walls, with posters about domestic violence, car crime and online safety adorning the walls. There were two plastic benches attached to the walls and floor at the back of the small waiting area, and a large reinforced glass pane covering the office used by the counter staff.

  The shy-looking woman behind the glass glanced up as Toni paused in front of her.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Hi – I think my fiancé took my phone instead of his when he left this morning. Mark McKay?’

  The woman’s eyes grew a little wider at the mention of the fiancé word but professional that she was, she didn’t say anything. ‘I’ll ring up to the office and have him come down. Just take a seat.’

  Only a couple of minutes later, the entrance door to the corridor behind opened and Mark peeked round suspiciously. He had the good grace to look apologetic when he realised it was Toni.

  ‘Okay, I’m sorry,’ he said, using his hand to motion her through the door to join him.

  ‘You’re supposed to be home and resting,’ said Toni, trying not to sound accusatory.

  ‘I know – I just couldn’t settle. We’ve got quite a few cases on at the minute and I needed to be here. I did stay at home for an hour or so before deciding to come in, though.’

  ‘Ah – cos that makes it okay – you’re disobeying doctors’ orders and you promised me you’d stay home. I’ve been stressing all morning and it turns out I was right to be. You were knocked out, Mark. It’s not rocket science to understand you should be home resting. I’m pretty sure you work with other cops who’d be able to work those cases you mentioned.’

  ‘You’re wasting your breath,’ came a female voice from beside her. Toni turned to find Annie, Mark’s sister, standing behind her with her hands on her hips and a glare on her face that was aimed at Mark. ‘I tried telling him as much. He’s a stubborn mule.’

  ‘Annie, right? Long time no see. I’m…’

  ‘Toni – I know. Mark mentioned he’d seen you again. Didn’t realise that old flame you two had was still burning. You look good together.’

  Toni flushed red – old flame? She supposed she had had a crush on Mark back in school but she didn’t think for one second everyone had known. How embarrassing.

  ‘Leave it, Sis. You’re just stirring. We’ve had this discussion – I’m staying at work. If I feel ill or sick or whatever I’ll go home, but until then I’ve got work to do.’

  Annie nodded tersely. ‘Don’t forget we’ve got dinner at Ma’s tonight – bet Ali and Alex are gunna quiz you twenty times over. Can’t wait to see how you explain it all to them.’ She turned on her heel and strode off down the corridor.

  Mark sighed deeply. ‘She’s pissed at me cos I won’t go home. She’ll come round.’

  ‘I can understand why she’s pissed to be honest. I’m not over the moon with you being at work myself, but you’re a grown man, you make your own decisions. Annie seemed… angry at me. Do you know why?’

  ‘It wasn’t aimed at you – it was for me. She’s always been the bossy one – always thinks she knows best. I’m sorry about her snarky comments.’

  ‘It’s fine. Well I’ll let you get on with your day. Sorry for bothering you at work. I was just worried.’

  ‘Thank you for worrying. I’ll call you later, okay?’

  Toni nodded, doing her best to ignore the warmth she felt at the point his hand touched her lower back as he guided her back through the entrance door to the waiting area. Nope,
not going down that road. Whatever flame was there has been well and truly extinguished.

  When she got to her car she paused for a minute, taking a breath and rested her head on the steering wheel. She suddenly felt the need to talk to someone about what had happened, what she’d seen and how she felt. There was only one person who would understand, she knew. Starting the engine, she made her way to Dalry Cemetery. Nobody knew her real reason for living in that flat. She’d wanted to be close to her gran – even in death her gran was the only person who understood her, could relate to her psychic gift.

  On only two occasions since her death, her gran had appeared and spoken to her. She hoped that today would be the third.

  She parked her car in the small car park within the cemetery grounds, and silently made her way to the section where her gran was buried. As always, the grave was spotlessly clean and tidy – fresh flowers were already present in the two ground pots at either side of the headstone. Toni visited regularly, but so did other members of the community. It was the Romani way – the ultimate respect to the dead. Toni usually visited her gran either first thing in the morning or last thing at night, so as to avoid any awkward confrontations – she was, essentially, shunned by the community. There was nothing in lore to say she couldn’t visit the grave of a loved one, but nobody else visiting would give her the time of day if she was seen. Some, she knew, would even turn aggressive. Trying to protect their own – she wasn’t included in that anymore.

  Sometimes she missed being part of the tight-knit community – missed the spirit and camaraderie between all the families and friends. Then she’d remember how adamant her gran had been on her deathbed.

  ‘Go from this place, child. You’re sixteen. Take the cash box and go now. Don’t ever come back. This life is not for you. Duke is not a nice man and he will ruin your life if you stay. You’ll be ground down, beaten and never for one second be happy. The others will just watch and let it happen. Duke’s family are too strong for anyone to intervene. You must go, make a life for yourself, be your own person, and embrace your gift, it will always keep you safe.’