Little Red

forged his signature to complete to handover process, his blood boiled and he felt another launching of his phone approach. His dreams of retirement were clouded by the Doctor, he had Nathan removed and now he was focusing on stealing Jack’s light. He removed another cigarette and torched the tip with the flame, he inhaled deeply.

‘Fucking wanker’ he shouted whilst exhaling.

***

He sat up, the boy’s dead eyes looking straight at him. He scanned the room; the blood had gone, soaked away through the carpet. He turned back to the body, it too had disappeared. He gathered himself to his feet, the wheel brace lay upon the floor and he reached down to collect it. The low grumble made him freeze stiff, it came from behind him. He attempted to look past his leg, trying to keep his frame as still as possible. The corner was hidden by darkness. The shadows were too black to peer through. He tapped the carpet with his finger tips and located the weapon. He had struck the beast, he was sure of that. But now it lay behind him, lurking somewhere in the shadows of his mind. He turned slowly to face the creature. Come on you bastard, show yourself…………show yourself. The words in his head weren’t heard by his opponent, it remained hidden to his front. The silver body of his torch poked out from the darkness, the handle caught his eye. Shit. He edged closer, his steps were small. The growl came from the shadow, he stopped to observe.

‘Don’t you fuck with me…..don’t you fucking dare!’ he spat the warning, his eyes searched the black space. His feet began to move once again, closer and closer to his objective. He stopped and knelt down an arm’s reach from the lighting aid. He watched his front, his mind showing movement with the depths of black. He wanted to snatch the torch, his mind telling him to back-up, to move away. Fuck it.

He grabbed for the torch, grasping it in one hand. The high pitch shriek stung his ear as it came from his right. He spun on the spot and fired the light towards its location. The boy stood in the beam next to his body, the throat torn open and blood flowing from the wound. Nathan fell backwards as the scare struck him. The torch hit the floor. It rolled on the spot. The creature was illuminated for short spaces of time as the beam crossed it in its spin. It seized, the light illuminating part of the corner. The fur moved as the beast breathed, its air blew the hair on its arms as it exhaled heavily. Nathan tried to stand but the beast leapt for him. Its large head clashed with his chest and sent him backwards over the bed. He pushed his body from the floor, his eyes searching for his foe.

‘Where are you……come on you fucker, where are……’

His foot was grasped and his body was dragged under the bed. The teeth ripped his flesh, the blood spewed into his face.

***

William Lime entered his apartment and ensured the door was fully closed behind him. He locked the catch and hooked the chain into place. The removal of his coat lifted a weight from his shoulders and he hung it up upon the rack by the door. He turned the dimmer clockwise, it offered a small click as the lighting burned to life. He kept it low, setting the relaxing mood. The night had approached quickly and he had only just finished preparing for the press conference the next day. His time to shine was nearing, he felt the excitement rush through him in an electric wave. The kitchen was as clean and tidy as usual, he set his standards high, giving the well-educated and professional appearance. He removed a bottle of red wine from the rack and sat it upon the unit. The cork gave a low pop as it was pulled from the neck, the instant aroma filled his nostrils. He collected a large glass and moved to the living room, the bottle wedged between two fingers.

The leather sofa stretched as he lowered himself onto it. The music started as he pressed the button on the small remote.

‘Ahhhhhhh, Beethoven, who else could comfort me in a time like this?’ the red liquid was poured to the top as Moonlight Sonata eased his tension. He sat back, allowing his body to recuperate. The alcohol went down like a treat, he classed himself as a connoisseur of fine wines, swilling the liquid against the insides of his cheeks before swallowing.

‘Tomorrow the conference, the next day……fame’. He closed his eyes as the piano playing relaxed his mind.

Chapter Twenty

Richard stood at the reception desk of the Metropolitan Police Headquarters. He watched as the staff passed by, no indication of interest shown towards him. Ten minutes had passed when a tired voice asked him his business.

‘I’m here to see the person in charge of the Wolf case’ he replied

‘I’m sorry but you need to arrange an appointment to see Mr Crawford. Can I make one for you?’ she asked.

‘No, I would like to see him now please’ his voice stern

‘Sir. Like I said, it’s appointments only. I can call him and……’

He didn’t give her chance to finish her reply.

‘Okay, call him then please’ he rested upon the desk, his arms crossed and starring into her eyes. She decided to give in and picked up the phone.

‘Mr Crawford, it’s the main desk, I apologise for the call but I have a man here asking to speak with you………wait one Sir. Can I take your name?’

‘Richard Crowe…….I’m the father of Megan Crowe, the girl that has been taken’

The woman paused, her face held a blank expression. Jack asked her if she was still there.

‘Erm, yes, sorry Sir……it’s Richard Crowe…..he’s the father of the recently abducted girl…….yes Sir, good bye’.

‘I’ll show you to his office’ she placed the phone down and moved around her desk.

‘Please, follow me’ she smiled.

Jack stood as Richard was offered a chair. The door was closed behind them and the men sat in privacy.

‘Can I start my giving my deepest sympathies Mr Crowe’

‘Thanks, please, call me Richard’

‘Okay Richard, what can I help you with?’

‘I want to know what you are doing about finding my daughter’ his face offered no emotion, no signs of heart ache or pain.

‘I can ensure you that we are doing everything we can at the moment, as you are aware, this has been a difficult case but we have an assigned team that are working around the clock to find this man’

‘The Wolf’

‘Yes, the Wolf’

‘I would appreciate being kept in the loop with the investigation, if that’s okay with you?’

‘Well, I’m sure you understand that certain details may not be disclosed. But updates can be given to you if you like. May I also suggest we organise press conference for the next couple of days, it helps to send a message out’

‘No, there will be no media involvement. I’m not standing in front a millions and emptying my heart and soul for the sick bastard to laugh up. It’s not happening!’

‘I see’ Jack realised that the man before him was not a sympathetic person. But he respected his call to reject the conference.

‘Look, I’m pretty tied down here at the moment. But I would like to speak to someone close to me who is helping with this case, is that okay with you?’ he thought quickly about organising the meeting between Richard and Nathan, it would also help with keeping Lime away from the man sitting before him.

‘Fine’

Jack smiled and removed his mobile phone, he searched down through the vast amount of contact numbers. He stopped upon Private and selected the green phone symbol. The receiving phone