Once he’d further justified his actions, Ian tiptoed to the front door. Just as he went to bolt for the safety of the street, a terrible scream echoed through the house.
121
Laura zoned out as Tim Burnham prattled on in the meeting. She crossed and uncrossed her legs. When no-one was looking, she took her phone from her bag and checked it. Two missed calls from DS Kapoor and a text. She frowned as she read the text. Lewis Cole now primary suspect in Madsen case. May be danger to her. Call immediately if you know where either of them are.
She closed her eyes and put her head down. “Fuck,” she muttered.
The room fell silent. “Something up Laura?” Burnham asked.
Laura got to her feet. “Lewis Cole, the so called hero of South Kensington is now the main suspect in the Alice Madsen sexual assault case. The police think Alice may be in imminent danger.”
Burnham waved at everybody to quell the murmurs. “Do you know where Madsen is?”
“She may be at home.”
Burnham pointed to the door. “Why are you still here? Get your crew over there now.”
As she hurried from the meeting, Laura called Kapoor, but the phone went straight to voice mail, so Laura sent a text. I think Alice is at home. Not answering calls. Then Laura called Alice, but she didn't answer either. “Alice? It’s Laura. The police think Lewis Cole is the guy who assaulted you. Don't let him into your house. And don't answer the door to any deliveries.”
Minutes later they were in the van heading to Portobello. Laura fidgeted in the front. She gripped her phone tight and willed Alice to call. A terrible feeling settled over Laura, yet she couldn't put a name to it. It just felt wrong.
“You all right Laura?” Ricky asked.
“I think I helped Lewis Cole get to Alice.”
“You couldn't have known that.”
“Thanks.” She winced and looked away as she found a name for her rotten feeling. There was little doubt in her mind. Laura had told Cole where Alice was, and worse, she had known what she was doing, even if only on a subconscious level. Now she wanted to bury her head in her hands and pretend none of this had happened. But that would be pointless.
After several deep breaths and curious looks from the others, she recovered her professionalism and convinced herself she had done nothing to purposely endanger Alice. Not giving Kapoor Cole’s new number was an oversight, nothing more. Just to be on the safe side of ass covering, she forwarded the text from Cole to Kapoor and added a follow up. Dunno if this is any use?
Then she noticed her fingers hurt from holding the phone too tight, and she relaxed her grip. What the hell was happening to her? She reminded herself of what Ricky had said. She nodded at her ghostly reflection in the windscreen. Don't get a conscience, get a story. It made her feel better.
122
DS Kapoor banged hard on the dashboard. The siren wailed and the lights flashed, but that didn't make the traffic move.
“C’mon Liz. Get us the hell out of here.”
“Jeez. I’m trying.”
“Keep your hand on the damn horn.”
“Like that will make a difference.”
Kapoor opened the door and waved at the traffic ahead. Vehicles made half-hearted efforts to pull aside. Kapoor jumped back in and their car inched forward. Two more marked police cars followed behind. Their lights and sirens blazed to no avail either.
The radio crackled, and Kapoor spoke rapidly. “Where are SCO19? Tell them to fucking move it… Say again? Yes... Yes… Yes. Now dammit. Over.”
“Hang on,” Manning said. “We’ve got a gap.”
Kapoor pulled on her seat belt and snapped it into place as the car surged forward. The gap between vehicles in front looked narrow.
“Go for it,” Kapoor said.
Manning went for it. Kapoor didn't flinch as a wing mirror came off another car with a loud crack. She turned to Manning. “At least it wasn't ours.”
“Yeah. I know,” Manning said. “Think of the paperwork we saved.”
“How long?”
“I don’t know. Six, maybe seven minutes. If we’re lucky.”
“Christ. That’s too long. Let me talk to Notting Hill.”
“Are SCO19 to wait?”
“No. Anyone in the area should go there now. Smash the fucking door down.”
The traffic cleared ahead, and the car accelerated. Out of nowhere, a white van pulled out in front of them. Kapoor put out her hands instinctively as their car swerved. But Manning couldn't avoid hitting the van with a bone jarring crunch, and the car came to a halt.
“For fuck’s sake,” Manning said.
The cars behind stopped. Kapoor opened the door. “Let’s go.”
“What? We can’t just leave.”
“Oh yes we can. One of that lot behind can stay and sort out the mess.”
Kapoor leapt out and ran to the car behind. “You in the back. Out. Take care of the mess. DC Manning has left the keys for you.”
The uniformed officer sulked off and Kapoor took his seat in the car. Manning squeezed in on the other side.
“Let’s go,” Kapoor said. “Come on. Go. Go. Go.”
As they sped away, Kapoor looked back to see the white van do a U turn and drive away in the opposite direction. She looked over at Manning. “What was that you said about paperwork?”
123
Alice lay face down on the bed, with her head buried sideways in the pillow. The tape across her mouth partially blocked her nose and made it difficult to breathe. It flapped every time she exhaled. Fear had cowed her into submission. The other reason she complied with Cole was that she expected Ian to come to her rescue
