Ugly Duckling (8 page)

The next morning Ian arrived just as the morning briefing was finishing.

'Well, fucking wonders will never cease, D.S Cripp has dragged his sorry arse out of bed and decided to join us, lets have a round of applause for D.S Cripp shall we?'

A half hearted ripple of applause spread around the room

'Sorry J.D' Ian said

'Fucking sorry isn't good enough, make sure it doesn't happen again!' snapped John in response, and stormed off into his office, closing the door behind him.

'I see his back to his normal moody self' Ian said to D.C Wallace as he laid his things on his desk

'Worst than ever today' Wallace replied

'Oh well into the dragons den then' Ian approached Johns door but before he could knock he heard a shout.

'Cripp! Fucking get in here!'

Ian entered 'Morning J.D. How are you this morning?'

'Don't give me that shit Ian, Where the Fuck were you? Don't you know we've got a case to solve?'

'Sorry J.D no excuses, I just overslept, it won’t happen again'

Somehow that seemed to take the wind out of Johns sails a bit 'Did you get my Bacon sarnie and coffee?'

For a split second it seemed that Ian was going to his desk but he stopped and confessed 'Sorry J.D didn't have time, too much of a rush this morning. Shall we pop out and get one, get away from this place for a bit?'

'Bloody hell! Arrive late and don't even bring my sarnie, well I need my coffee and the stuff here's shit, so we'd better go out. But your paying'

'No problem J.D. I'll be with you in a minute'

He walked to his desk and spoke again to Wallace

'I'm taking him out for a bit, get him out of your hair till he calms down, he'll be alright after a coffee,' he handed a bag to Wallace 'Here you have these, two bacon sandwiches and two coffee's just don't let him see.'

***

John and Ian had large mugs of coffee in front of them and the remains of Bacon sandwiches were left on plates to one side of the red and white checked table.

'Feeling better now?' Ian asked

'I'm ok' came the reply

'So what happened last night?'

'With Jenni you mean? I completely blew it, I asked how come she wasn't more upset about her boyfriend being murdered, she slapped me round the chops, called me a few choice names and went off crying'

'Difficult to stop working isn't it'

'No I didn't say it in that way, I just thought she would be more upset, it’s taken me years to get over Sonia'

'Yes but Sonia was the love of your life, you were married. With Jenni it was just a boyfriend one that had just told her he was married, it was going nowhere. She probably is upset, but you can’t compare it to you and Sonia'

'You're probably right, and I'm perhaps not the most tactful person in the world, I'll send her some flowers later.'

'And what about Liz? You're reaction wasn't very good last night; you didn't even go over to say hello. Poor Liz must be really confused about you; she’s waited all this time, waiting for you. I know she's had other dates, slept with some of them, but it’s always been you she wanted, it wasn't so bad when you weren't seeing anyone, but now you've started dating, but not her. Even that wouldn't be so bad, at least she'd know where she stood, but then you go and get jealous when you see her with Greg.'

'Jealous!'

'Yes J.D. Jealous, plain as the nose on your face'

John thought for a moment, 'To be honest Ian, I don’t know how I feel about Liz, she was Sonia's best friend, we all went to Uni together. I never thought of Liz in that way. Well actually that's not true, I have thought about her in that way but it’s never led to anything, but the thing is, you know that night when nothing happened? Well something did happen, something changed, in me. Just waking up in the morning with her there, not in bed with me, but there, in the same house. It just felt so right, so comfortable, you know? And we just had such a laugh that morning. When she opened the bathrobe to show me her long johns I was actually hoping she would be naked, I would have shagged her there and then if she was. But I just can’t get it out of my head that she's Sonia's best friend, that part feels wrong, like I'm betraying Sonia.'

'How do you feel about Jenni?'

'Early days Ian, only had one date and look how that ended up. But Jenni doesn't have any of that, she doesn't know us or Sonia, and I get a hard on every time I see her'

'Well J.D you'll work it all out I'm sure, but Liz won’t wait forever and if you're not going to be with her you can’t expect her to be a Nun'

'No, I know, but fucking Pike, she can do better that that!'

'Let me tell you a couple of things about Greg J.D. One. He's going to Glasgow; he couldn't get much further away. And two, he's more likely to hit on you than Liz. How you don't know is beyond me, but he's gay! I always thought that's why you didn't like him.'

'He's Gay, are you sure?' a smug smile spread across Johns face

John’s phone rang.

'D.I. Dickie, What? You’re joking! OK me and Ian will be there in 10'

'Come on Ian, Glenferness Avenue, Mr Dunn's place.'

Mr Dunn's house in Glenferness Avenue was a large detached house with a walled front garden and trees planted at the edge to shelter it from the traffic, when John and Ian arrived they instantly saw Mr Dunn talking to one of the policemen that were there and a small covered lump in the front garden.

'Oh no' John said as he exited the car 'Not that'

Mr Dunn saw John and instantly marched towards him,

'Sir! Thank you for coming sir' I don't know what to do Sir, Please Help'

'OK Fred, threes no problem with me attending at all, we’ll see what we can do. Do you want to put the kettle on? We'll have a nice cuppa, I'll be in a moment'

'Nice cuppa Tea sir? No problem, coming right up'

Fred disappeared into the house. John looked around and spotted Liz,

'Hello Liz what's going on?'

'Its Mr Dunn's Dog' replied Liz, John thought she looked unusually pale, even shocked, which was odd, there wasn't much that Liz hadn't seen during the course of her career, what could be so bad?

'His Dog? You don't normally come out for animal deaths'

'This is no ordinary animal death; you’d better come and have a look'

John walked with Liz to the covered lump in the front garden; Liz bent and pulled back the sheet, instantly John’s stomach turned.

'Oh fuck,' he was trying hard not to throw up, lying in the garden in a pool of blood was Patch, Mr Dunn's Dog. On its back, its front legs were up in the air and the paws at the end were bent almost as if it were begging for scraps. Its throat had been cut and stomach split wide open, intestines laid out next to it. In its mouth, grotesquely, had been placed a toy knife.

'Fuck, cover it up Liz, not much doubt about who did this, they must have seen him on telly. At least that confirms he's local, it was only on the local news. How are you at animal post mortem's Liz?'

'In these circumstances I'll do it. Isn’t it odd how it’s more upsetting than when it’s a person?'

John reached out and touched Liz tenderly on the arm he knew Liz was a great animal lover even though she didn't have one 'it would be unfair while I'm working all day' she would say.

'Yes it is. Thanks Liz. I'd better go and speak to Fred'

Fred was in the kitchen just starting to pour two cups of tea, his cheeks moistened with tears, looking very sad, very old and very alone, He saw John coming in and instantly wiped the tears away and straightened himself up.

'Here you are sir, a nice cup of tea'

'Thanks Fred I need this' John very rarely drank tea but he thought it would do Fred some good.

'So Fred, if it’s not too upsetting, can you tell me what happened'

'Upsetting? No sir, have to do my duty don't I sir, try and help you catch the perpetrator.' Fred's eyes were welling up with tears, but his pride wouldn't allow him to cry, not till he was alone at least.

'Well sir, it was about midnight you see, I was already in bed, I tend to go to bed about 9:30 these day's, not much on telly so I prefer just to take a cup of coco up and have a read. Well it was about midnight as I said and Patch suddenly got up and dashed downstairs. Barking furiously he was, well he doesn't bark much normally, so I thought, Hello, I thought, that's odd. Anyway I went downstairs and patch was sort of scratching at the door, well I thought must be cats or something, so I let him out just to have a little chase around the front garden and I went and sat in the front room, just till he'd finished you understand. Well, I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know its 9 O'clock, I don't normally sleep that late because my Patch normally wakes me up about 7 so he can go for a tinkle, well I thought, My god I've left poor old Patch out all night, he won’t be happy with me. So I go outside to let him in and say sorry. Then I saw him, laying there, the way he was.' Fred's eyes began to well up again; he was finding it hard not to break down in tears. 'He was a hero my patch, deserved a medal. And this is how he wound up.'

'OK Fred, That's ok, you've done well' John put a hand on Fred's shoulder to try to comfort him. 'Did you notice anyone odd hanging around last night?'

'No sir, don't really see much of what's going on in the street, the trees in the front keep me away from all that'

'We'll ask around, see if anyone else noticed anything, I know its not much comfort Fred, but we'll find whoever's  responsible for this'

'I know you will sir, I know. Will you do just one thing for me though sir'

'What is it Fred?'

'When you find whoever did this, will you cut his bollocks off and shove them down his fucking throat please sir?'

John smiled sympathetically

'I sometimes wish I could Fred, believe me. Will you be ok?'

'Yes sir I'll be fine, better off on my own for a little while I think'

As John left the house he glanced back towards Fred, once again Fred looked very sad, very old and very alone, tears were now rolling down his face.

Outside John could feel tears in his own eyes

'How is he?' Liz was looking straight into John’s watery eyes

'God Liz, it’s probably the worst thing anyone could have done to him, worst than if they'd killed him, this is really one sick bastard'

'Your right, But you'll get him John, I know you will' she wanted to hug him and he wanted to hug her but neither of them made a move, that would have been unprofessional.

'Yeh, we will.'

It was 3:30pm and Jenni was getting ready to meet her friend for coffee. She liked to go for coffee with Amanda they always had a good chat about make up, fashion, food, men, sex and what was going on in their lives, this week Jenni had plenty to tell. Suddenly the door bell rang and Jenni peered through the spy hole, all she could see was a huge bunch of flowers, she smiled and opened the door.

'Hi Jenni, I got you these, just wanted to say sorry'

'I don’t know if that’s good enough after what you said last night.' Jenni said,

She stood with her arms folded in front of her blocking John from entering.

'I know, this is just the start if you'll allow me to make it up to you'

'You'd better come in then, tell me what you have in mind'

Jenni stood to one side allowing John to pass into the apartment, she was hoping he would come round or at least phone her, there was something about him she liked and didn't want a silly argument on their first date to be the end of it. But she wasn't about to tell him that.

'Well?' she said still with her arms folded in front of her.

'Look Jenni, I'm not very good at this, but I just wanted to let you know I was sorry' John was stood still holding the flowers which were tickling his nose; he suddenly dropped to one knee 'Jenni Everitt. Would you do me the honour'

Jenni looked shocked and moved away from John towards the kitchen

'Of taking these bloody flowers out of my hands because I feel like a pratt'

Jenni stopped and turned to face John, the sight of him on one knee holding out the flowers was enough to make her smile.

'Thank you' she said taking the flowers from him 'they're beautiful. Now get up you lump and have a seat, I haven't got long though I'm meeting Amanda for coffee soon.'

'OK Jenni, I am sorry, Tact isn't my strong point, but I was wondering if you fancied a meal tonight, no where around here though, I thought we could just get away from it for an evening. The Kings Head in Wimbourne does quite a nice meal I've heard'

Jenni looked at John.

'You really are quite a nice person aren’t you? I would also like to apologise for the things I said last night, I don't really think you're like that, and the meal sounds lovely'

'Good, that's settled then The Kings Head about 8 o'clock' John got up to leave. Jenni stood in front of him, put her arms around his neck and gently eased him towards her. She gave him the sweetest, softest kiss he had ever experienced and he pulled her closer, hungry for more. Her hand dropped and gently rubbed the front of his trousers, feeling the erection he'd had since they first touched, but she stopped and pulled away.

'Easy tiger' she said softly 'we can’t do this now, I'm meeting Amanda, We'll have to wait till later.

'OK. I suppose I'd better get back to the station anyway, but later on you won’t get away so easy'

'It's only fair to warn you John, I won’t be actually sleeping with you tonight, It'll take a bit longer before we do that.'

'Plenty of other things though' John smiled

'My thoughts exactly'

'So shall I pick you up tonight then?'

'No it's ok, I'll meet you there' if I take my own car I can leave if things don't work out Jenni thought.

'OK then, I'll see you there about 8'

Jenni Gave John another kiss and John left.

***

By the time Jenni arrived at the Café, Amanda was already there with her coffee and Danish in front of her.

'Hi Jenni, wasn't sure if you were coming today'

'Wouldn't miss it for the world' Jenni replied and placed her order with the waiting waitress.

'So what's been going on with you this week' Amanda asked.

'Well, you Know I've been seeing Bill, Turns out he was married, he said he was going to leave me and go back to his wife, But, you must have read about the murder on Horseshoe common, That was him, he was murdered the very same night!'

'No!' Amanda almost shrieked 'you didn't have to do that just because he was leaving you'

They both laughed briefly, and the waitress bought Jenni's coffee placing it carefully in front of her. Jenni waited till the waitress had gone then continued

'I might have felt like it at the time, but no it wasn't me'

'Really that's quite awful isn't it? You must be upset'

'Actually its odd but I'm not, I'm no more upset that if it had been a complete stranger. I guess that must mean I didn't have any proper feelings for him.'

'I know what you mean,' Amanda said 'from what you've told me before I don't think the two of you were going anywhere, and then for him to admit he's married, what a swine!'

There was a sudden commotion as somebody in an electrified buggy entered the café.

'Its like Clapham junction in here today, it must be the weather, anyway' Jenni was busting at the seems to tell Amanda the next bit,

'Because of my connection to Bill I've met this really nice detective'

'Oh, tell me more' Amanda leaned forward eagerly awaiting this piece of news,

'Well, His names John Dickie, we met for a drink last night but that ended in an argument, I think because of everything that's going on and he's the one trying to solve it, although between you and me I think he's struggling a bit, nothing much to go on. Anyway he just came round with a huge bunch of flowers to apologise, that's why I was a bit late, and he's invited me out for dinner tonight' Jenni clapped her hands with excitement.

'Fantastic! Have you snogged him yet'

'We kissed' Jenni said coyly

'Well, tell me!'

'Wowcha, it was really fantastic, I wanted to do him there and then'

'Why didn't you?' Amanda was fidgeting in her seat; she loved to hear all about the sexual exploits of Jenni.

'Because I was late meeting you, and anyway, I'm not that type of girl, not on the first couple of dates anyway, but I can’t wait till tonight, I'm sure we'll find something to keep us amused after dinner'

Amanda laughed and was just about to offer some advice on after dinner activities when the electric buggy reversed into the table and knocked Jenni's coffee all over her clean white skirt.

'Bloody hell! Why don't you watch' but it was too late the buggy was out of the door and heading down the high street,

'Shit! Can you believe that? Now I'll have to go home and change. I'm really sorry Amanda, I was going to stay longer but I'll have to get home and change now before meeting John'

'That's ok Jenni, go put on something sexy, but make sure you give me all the details tomorrow.'

Jenni arrived at her apartment, went straight to her bedroom and removed her coffee stained skirt, as she searched through her wardrobe for an alternative she realised if she wore her red micro skirt she could wear the red satin knickers, she liked them and felt sure John would like them too. Decision made she changed her skirt and knickers sprayed some perfume on her neck, arms, cleavage and a little up her skirt and made to leave, just then the Skype call alarm on her laptop sounded, it was wheeler49.

'Not now' Jenni said 'I'm going to get some flesh to flesh action tonight' and closed the lid of her laptop without answering.

***

Arriving early at the Kings Head, Jenni ordered herself a drink and sat to wait for John, The Hotel was an old style hotel in the centre of Wimbourne it had several rooms in the hotel part including a honeymoon suite which Jenni thought looked lovely from the pictures on their advertising leaflet, complete with four poster bed, Jenni wondered what it must be like to stay in that room, maybe one day she would find out. It wasn't long before John arrived and they took their places at the table.

'This is lovely' Jenni Said

'Me and Sonia used to come here quite often, we liked it'

Jenni looked at John. Realising what he had just said he smiled at Jenni and said 'I'm sorry, it’s just I'm not used to taking another woman out to dinner'

'Don't worry John, I understand, it perhaps seems a bit odd. Shall we order?'

John ordered a steak with pepper sauce and Jenni a risotto with cashew nuts, not because she was vegetarian, she enjoyed eating meat, she explained, but she also liked to try new things and tastes. They also ordered a bottle of house red wine.

'So Jenni, what do you like to do in your spare time?'

'Oh God John! You're really not used to this are you? That sounded like an interview' Jenni was laughing, 'But I like listening to music, photography obviously and I like to keep fit, I normally go to the Gym about 3 times a week. What about you?'

'Me! Oh yes, I like walking and, er, Music, TV, going for a drink with my mates, you know that sort of thing. I can tell you keep fit though, you don't get a figure like that without any effort'

'Ah! Here come the compliments, thank you. But I have to be honest' She squeezed the sides of her breasts, pushing them together to form an even bigger cleavage than was already there 'I've had a little help'

'They look pretty good from where I'm sitting' John smiled.

They were reaching the end of the meal and the wine was empty when Jenni suggested getting another bottle,

'I can’t really drink any more probably had too much already got to drive back'

'You could always get a room and stay over' Jenni suggested.

John looked at Jenni, remembering the conversation they had had earlier, There was no way they were going to sleep together she had said, his charm must be working wonders, she's changed her mind!

'Good Idea, I'll go book the room right now' he approached reception and asked for the availability of a double room for the night,

'We only have one available sir; it’s the honeymoon suite, rather more expensive than our standard rooms but very well worth it'

'If that's all you have available I'll take it, and as it’s the honeymoon suite would you make sure there is a chilled bottle of champagne?'

'Of course sir, what name is it please sir?'

'Dicki Erm, Dick Smith, Mr and Mrs Dick Smith'

'Mr and Mrs Smith. Yes, of course it is Sir. Here's your key, enjoy you're stay, oh and sir, would you ask Miss Everitt if she would like a newspaper delivered to her room in the morning?'

John returned red faced to the table where Jenni sat. A fresh bottle of wine had just been delivered; John sat and looked at Jenni,

'What's up John you look awful? Is everything ok?'

'I've just booked myself into the honeymoon suite and ordered a bottle of Champagne on ice. After I'd done that I was asked if you would like a newspaper delivered to your room in the morning'

Jenni started to laugh

'Oh John, I meant book yourself a room, I booked mine when I arrived, I told you we weren’t going to be sleeping together tonight. Champagne was a nice thought though' she laughed some more

'It's not bloody funny have you any Idea how much that cost? And it’s in the name of Mr and Mrs Smith!' by now John was laughing too, realising how ridiculous he must have seemed to the receptionist.

'Never mind John, let’s finish this wine then perhaps you'd like to invite me up to your suite for a glass of champagne.'

Jenni sat on the edge of the four poster bed in the honeymoon suite as John handed her a glass of the champagne,

'How are you doing with the Bournemouth Butcher case?'

'I think we're beginning to get somewhere. The profiler came up with some good stuff, we now think there will be other unsolved cases elsewhere so we're asking around, also that this bloke would be a bit of a loner and probably something happened in his childhood to set him off, so we're beginning to put a picture together.' John could see Jenni was taking it all in 'And if you try to publish any of this or mention it to anyone else before its officially released I'll have you locked up and throw away the bloody key!'

Jenni could see John was serious and didn't want to get into an argument, so she just smiled at John and undoing the top two buttons of her blouse said

'You have my word, I won’t mention a thing to anyone but if you're going to lock me up perhaps you should search me first' she continued to undo then remove her blouse and bra as John took a rather too large gulp of his champagne, Jenni propped her back against the pillows and raised her feet onto the bed, by now her red micro skirt had risen to reveal the red satin panties underneath. She saw John looking and lowered her hand to between her legs gently stroking the satin with her index finger,

'Do you like them?' she asked 'I bought them especially for you'

'Very nice' replied John, staring at the vision in front of him.

'Why don't you take off your shirt and come and lay next to me?'

John did as he was asked and laying next to Jenni kissed her, gently at first but as his hand replaced hers between her legs more passionately, he was about to move his hand inside her panties when Jenni suddenly straddled across his knees, in one swift movement she had undone and lowered his trousers and was sitting across his knees gently caressing his stiffly erect penis. John lay and watched as this beautiful woman gently stroked his penis with one hand and cupped his balls with the other,