Sign of Evil Read online

  Her chest tightened, and she frowned momentarily. “I don’t understand. Sorry if I’m a bit dense.” She winced. Why the heck did I mention the word ‘dense’?

  “We all have ambitions running through us, some more than others. All I’m asking is, what lengths are you willing to go to achieve your objectives?”

  “I’ve never really thought about it. I suppose, given the opportunities on offer, I would do what it takes to achieve them. If that makes sense?”

  Another man entered the cabin, raised the steps and went through the door at the front of the plane. The next thing she knew, the engines had started up and they were taxiing down the runway. The panic washed over her and briefly took her breath away.

  “What’s going on? Why is the plane moving?” She peered through the window, and suddenly, the plane left the ground. She grappled for a seat belt, tugged and fastened it around her.

  “Oops… my bad, maybe I should have pre-warned you. Not scared of flying, are you?”

  “I… umm… I don’t think so. Shouldn’t you be wearing a seat belt?”

  “Nah, I’m what’s commonly known as a risk-taker. I trust my pilot implicitly. Often with my life.”

  “Good to hear. Sorry if you think I’m a wuss.”

  He cocked an eyebrow and smirked. “I don’t. Drink your coffee.”

  She sipped at the now lukewarm drink and willed her nerves to settle. Her ears had popped several times already, which in itself, unnerved her. She hadn’t prepared herself for this adventure, and she wasn’t sure she was handling it the best way possible.

  His head inclined. “You’re confused, I can tell. What’s rushing through your mind right now? Come on, total honesty.”

  “How scared I am. All I want is to sit here, and yet, I know you’ll be expecting me to answer all your questions.”

  “All right, then. Why don’t we skip the interview part and get down to the nitty-gritty of why you’re really here?”

  “Sorry?”

  “What happens after work ends for the day?”

  “I don’t understand. I usually go home, is that what you meant?”

  “There are fringe benefits to being on my payroll, Amber.” A glint appeared in his mesmerising eyes. If only she knew what he meant by that statement.

  “There are?” she asked, tentatively, resisting the temptation to gulp.

  “Indeed. Here’s the thing, I get lonely at night.”

  “Don’t you have a girlfriend?” she asked, kicking herself for saying the dumbest thing that sprang into her mind.

  “I have lady friends who visit me for evenings of pure delight, I wouldn’t class them as girlfriends, though. So, I need to know that we’re compatible… if you get my drift?”

  What the fuck is he talking about?

  “Meaning what, exactly?”

  His smile slipped and was replaced by an evil sneer. “I’m proposing that you’re going to need to spread your legs, regularly, if you want to work for me.”

  She swallowed down the acid scorching her throat. “No, sorry. That’s impossible, I should have mentioned, I have a boyfriend. We’re getting engaged soon, as soon as I’ve paid off my debts.”

  “So, what does that matter? I’m not bothered. Hey, considering the money that I’m offering for the position or positions…” He laughed at his suggestive joke. “Well, you should have realised there would be more to this role than just taking notes all day. Dump your boyfriend, come and be a part of my life. What do you say?”

  Her saliva dried up and her voice shook when she said, “I’m sorry. This isn’t how I expected the interview to go. I don’t want to ditch my boyfriend, I love him. Where are we going? You haven’t said.” Her fear escalated, and turmoil erupted and coursed through her veins. Why did I come here? Why?

  “Does it matter? Do you have another interview to go to today?”

  “No, it’s just that, umm… Greg is expecting me to meet him for lunch.” It was a bare-faced lie, but the only thing she could think of saying that sounded plausible.

  He sat back in his chair and folded his arms. “Okay, I suppose we should consider this interview terminated, then.”

  Even though she was irritated about how he thought she’d be okay with such an offer, she was willing to see past this, she didn’t expect the opportunity to be taken away from her that easily. I need this job, it could be the answer I’m searching for to become debt-free. “What? Why? Because I have a boyfriend? That’s not fair,” she whined and then cursed herself for sounding childish.

  He shrugged. “Life ain’t fair, most of the time. You have a lot to learn if you think otherwise.”

  She shook her head in disbelief. What now? What can I say to persuade him to turn the plane around?

  Placing a hand over her mouth, she retched. “Is there any chance we can turn back? I feel sick.”

  “No chance. You’re here to stay.”

  Her stomach twisted several times. “What? What do you mean by that?”

  He leaned in closer and gripped her knee. “You’re mine. We’re going to have fun. Just you and me.”

  “Please, I don’t want this. I want to go home.” Tears of frustration stung her eyes and she frantically glanced around her for an escape.

  Sensing she was about to bolt, he grasped her wrist, tightly. “All in good time, once I’ve finished with you. Now, strip off, let’s see what you have buried beneath that expensive suit of yours.”

  Sasha’s words seeped into her mind and her confidence grew a touch. “I will not.”

  He leapt out of his seat, grabbed her knees and pried her legs apart. Then his hand shot up her skirt and ran the length of her thigh. Amber screamed, swiped his hand away, then sank into her chair and kicked out with her legs. He laughed at her failed attempts and then swooped, planting his wet lips over hers. She was taken aback; her eyes widened, fear freezing her in place.

  He didn’t care, his kiss deepened and his hands tore at her clothes. She struggled as much as her seat belt would allow.

  He withdrew his mouth and positioned his nose against hers. “The more you struggle, the worse it’s going to be.” He caressed her throat and his hand slithered downwards until his finger traced the outline of her heaving breast. “Give in to it. I know you want me as much as I want you. I can tell by the look in your beautiful eyes.”

  “I don’t. I swear this is all a terrible mistake. I’m happy with Greg. I’m sorry if you think there’s been a misunderstanding. I only came here for an interview for a job.”

  He tipped his head back and let out a demonic laugh. “You fucking girls are all the same, prick teasers, the lot of you. Prancing around in tight short skirts, hitching them up when you sit down to reveal shapely thighs, and then, putting up the barriers once you’ve hooked us and reeled us in.”

  Flabbergasted, she opened her mouth to object, but the words failed to emerge. He lunged again, and this time his tongue invaded her mouth. She should have had the sense to bite down on it, instead, his kiss took her breath away, adding to her confusion.

  He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “See, you’re crying out for it, I can tell. Stop fooling yourself and give in to the desire.”

  “I don’t. I want to go home. Please, please release me. I didn’t sign up for this.”

  “You were seeking excitement and I’ve just offered it to you on a plate.”

  She shook her head and her eyes widened as her panic rose. “I don’t want what you’re offering me. I’ve told you, I’m happy with Greg.”

  “You’re a slut who needs to be taught a lesson. What type of woman gets into a limo and climbs on board a plane with a stranger, eh?”

  “I genuinely thought this was going to be an interview, and you had stopped off to see me between trips. It was an error on my part, please don’t punish me.”

  “Keep begging, I like it.” He glanced down at the bulge in his trousers, and Amber gulped. “Exciting, isn’t it? Go on, admit you have a sexu
al attraction towards me.”

  “I don’t. I love my—”

  “Boyfriend. Yes, I’ve heard it all before. You’re a liar. Now, remove the rest of your clothes.”

  “I refuse to.”

  Her attention was focused on his face; the hatred she saw in his expression rattled her bones. She failed to see his fist until it connected with her jaw. Her head whipped to the side, jarring her neck. She raised her knee, hoping to locate his crotch, but her attempt was futile. He struck her, over and over again. Until she lost consciousness.

  1

  Sara Ramsey was in a good mood as she drove into work that morning. Why shouldn’t she be? Even though it was January and the weather had turned cold, freezing some days lately, she was content with her life as it was. In the couple of months since she and Mark had tied the knot, she had woken up every morning with a certain zest for life. Something she’d never dreamt would have been possible before Mark had swooped into her life, unexpectedly.

  She smiled, remembering that day clearly. The day he’d saved her pussy, so to speak. Misty had been poisoned a few years before. Sara had been beside herself, fearing that if Misty died, she would lose her one last connection with her late husband, Philip.

  Pulling up at the traffic lights, Sara wiped away a stray tear that had dripped onto her cheek. “Silly woman,” she scolded herself. “Even now, after all this time, you can’t think of him without feeling emotional.”

  She switched on the CD player and slotted into first gear at the sound of Luther Vandross’ dulcet tones, filling the interior of the car.

  Another five minutes, and she drew into her allocated parking space at Hereford Police Station. Sara exited the car, breathed in a lungful of cool fresh air she knew would help her combat the day ahead and then entered the main door.

  “Good morning, Jeff. And how are you on this fine, frosty morning?”

  The desk sergeant looked up from his paperwork and raised an eyebrow at her. “Umm… can’t say I’ve really thought about it, Ma’am. I suppose, if I had to say something off the top of my head, it would be that my extremities are colder than anticipated. I guess one should expect that in January.”

  “That’s a shame. As long as those extremities don’t get too cold that they end up dropping off, you should be okay.”

  Jeff shook his head, a grin creeping in place. “You seem in fine fettle this morning, Ma’am, any particular reason?”

  “I am. Is it too much to ask the universe not to throw anything at me which is likely to change that, or would that be deemed as pushing my luck?”

  “Sorry, I’m not an expert on talking to the universe, so I’ll have to pass on that one.”

  “You should try it sometime. I sincerely believe in it. Anyway, I must press on, I can’t stand around here all day, gossiping. Are the team all here?”

  “Except for a notable absentee, yes.”

  Sara frowned. “And who would that be?”

  “Carla. Let’s just say I haven’t seen her waft through yet, although I did have to leave the desk unmanned a little while back, you know, when nature came a calling.”

  She pulled a face. “Er… too much information there, buster, thanks. I’ll check first and chase her up if she hasn’t arrived yet.”

  “Have a good day.”

  “You too.” Sara punched the number into the security keypad and entered the inner sanctum. She raced up the stairs and into the incident room. Jeff had been correct in his assertion, Carla was nowhere to be seen. She glanced up at the clock; her partner still had ten minutes to get here before their official shift started. “Morning all, anyone heard from Carla since yesterday?” She tried her hardest to keep her concern to a minimum.

  The team all glanced at each other and then back at her, all of them either shaking their head or shrugging. “Never mind, I’m sure she’ll show up soon. I’ll grab a coffee, anyone want one?”

  Marissa left her seat to help distribute the drinks. Task complete, Sara went into her office and closed the door, but not before issuing the instruction to send Carla in to see her once she arrived.

  A weird sensation pulled her insides in all directions. Don’t be such an idiot, stop over-thinking things, she’s fine.

  Engrossed in her daily chore, she failed to hear the knock on the door, if there had been one. It opened to reveal DCI Carol Price. “Got time for a brief chat?”

  “Sorry, I was fascinated by the latest policies coming down from the Head Office. Come in.”

  Carol chuckled and closed the door behind her. “Like I believe that. I take it you’ve received the same letter I had, that’s why I’m here.”

  Sara picked up the letter and waved it. “Same old shit: cutbacks. Remind me again why I do this job? Why any of us bust a gut to arrest the criminals in this area when Head Office are so damn keen on cutting back our hours? What’s the bloody point?” She flung the letter in the bin and slouched in her chair.

  “Stop it! You hear me? Stop feeling so dejected. In my expert experience, they’re testing us, seeing how far they can go before we snap.”

  “Seriously? Jesus, don’t they have anything better to do than to test our limits? I have to tell you, I’m at the end of my tether on this one.” She raised a finger. “That team out there give it their all. They have to, otherwise they get a frigging rocket up the arse from me.” She shook her head, then exhaled with frustration and defeat. “You think revealing that one of them might get the sack soon will be welcome news? You’re wrong. I’ll tell you this, I’m not going to be the one to sack someone just so this department comes within the guidelines of the latest sham of a budget.”

  “Now, Sara, calm down. You’ll have to do it. That type of pressure comes with the territory, you knew that when you accepted the role.”

  Sara sprang forward in her chair again and placed her elbows on the desk. “It sucks! S-U-C-K-S, sucks.”

  Carol rolled her eyes. “I’m aware of how to spell the word, thank you. You need to get over this and quickly, Sara.”

  “Or what? What if I refuse to kick someone out? Force them to quit and possibly say goodbye to the pension they have worked damn hard to accrue over the years, what then?”

  Carol sighed heavily. “Then, I will have no alternative but to relieve you of your post.”

  “What? Are you for real? That’s what all this comes down to?”

  “Look, it’s hard, you don’t have to tell me that. Either we make the decision or…”

  “Don’t tell me, or it could be our jobs on the line, right?”

  “That about sums it up perfectly, yes.”

  “Wow, I never, ever, thought I’d see the day, not in my time on the force. How long have I got before I have to make this life-changing decision? And no, that’s not me being melodramatic, it’s a fact. If I have to sack someone it’s going to destroy their lives, as they know it.” She shook her head in disgust. “I feel physically sick at the thought.”

  “It is what it is, Sara, get used to it.”

  “I’ll never get used to exploiting people only to ditch them once they’ve outlived their usefulness.”

  “Bloody hell, that’s a bit over the top, even for you.”

  “It might be. It happens to be the truth, though.” She sighed and closed her eyes for a second before asking, “How long?”

  “By the end of January. You’re going to need to look through each of their records and ditch anyone who doesn’t come up to scratch.”

  “I don’t have anyone on this team who fills that criteria. All my people regularly bust a gut. Why us? You’re always so fond of singing our praises and yet you’re not prepared to speak up for us?”

  “I stand by what I’ve always said: this team is the best in the area. The problem is Head Office are keen on number-crunching. The only possible way we can meet the new budgets they’ve put in place is by cutting the members of staff.”

  “It’s just wrong, if you ask my opinion, not that it seems to be worth much the
se days, apparently.”

  “That’s unfair and you know it.”

  “Is it? The team go above and beyond on each and every case we deal with, and this is the result. Talk about shitting your thanks.”

  Carol raised an eyebrow. “Maybe we should revisit this conversation another time.”

  “What, when I’ve managed to calm down? Here’s news for you, boss, I’m not likely to. This is a damn disgrace.”

  “That’s as may be. Nevertheless, it’s a directive we need to adhere to.” DCI Price rose from her chair and opened the door. “We’ll discuss it further soon.”

  Sara shrugged, knowing there was no way she was about to win the battle she was being forced to contend with.

  The door closed firmly behind the chief, but it was opened again within a few minutes. Sara glanced up from her paperwork and frowned. “Carla? What in God’s name happened to you?”

  Her partner crept into the room and gingerly took a seat. Her face was discoloured in several places. Sara leapt out of her chair and sat on the desk in front of Carla. “Don’t start on me. I’m here, aren’t I?”

  “Barely, you can’t come to work in that state and not expect me to be worried about you. Come on, what gives?”

  Carla sucked in a shuddering breath. “I was attacked.”

  “Whoa, no shit, Sherlock, I gathered that much for myself. Sorry, bloody hell, girl. You poor thing. Who did it?”

  “I don’t know. Someone jumped me outside my house last night.” Carla burst into tears.

  Sara reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Let it out, you’ll feel much better after a good cry, my mum swears by it. Cures all evils, she says.” She snatched a tissue from the box on her desk and muttered, “I can’t believe this. Do you think it was a one-off or intentional?”

  Carla’s gaze met hers. “I don’t know. The attacker didn’t say anything, never mentioned me by name, so I haven’t got a clue.”

  “All right. We’ll get whoever did this to you, love, don’t worry.”

  “How do you propose doing that? I didn’t see the person. They wore a balaclava.”