The Unseen Read Online Free Page B

teams, then he was probably on the very outer edge of the official system. Poor Girl was going to upset people and tread on toes. “I’ll need access to the case notes,” he said. “That means liaising with the Met. Whether or not these murders are open or shelved, the CID won’t welcome my interference.”

    “Have no fear, I can guarantee the investigating officer’s full co-operation.”

    “Who’s he?”

    The man sat back and for the first time smiled with real pleasure. “She is Victoria Lawless.”

    Sean sagged. “You sure pick ’em, boss,” he said, visualising her face, attractive, intelligent, pushy, an expert in the use of a beguiling presence. Cobbart would have been no match for her. “I heard she made DI in the Met.”

    “Briefly. Her boss was Charlie Creech.”

    “She worked for that arsehole?”

    “I’m glad you share my sentiments, but she’s a tough lady. She investigated both London murders and might have solved them if Creech had not ordered her to arrest the wrong man. Lawless resigned, as she resigned on principle from SOCA. She’s now a spook with MI5 and equivalent to chief inspector. Creech’s suspect walked free but Creech became a tabloid hero by accusing the courts of weakness. Hence he shelved both files as solved but awaiting justice.”

    “Then I can count on her co-operation?”

    “Better. When I took these files from Sammy’s house I used the Met’s CRIS computer to check a few facts. Somehow she got knowledge of it because two days later she was sitting in this office flashing those big dark eyes and showing enough leg to gain an old man’s full attention. She has downtime and is free to help.”

    Not a good idea, Sean thought. He kept his expression bland when Cobbart pushed two A4 files towards him. Clearly Victoria’s tactics remained consistent, as did her understanding of male gullibility.

    “Try this contact number.” Cobbart passed a card. “Her contribution will be invaluable and, more pertinently, it gives her a golden opportunity to shaft Creech.”

    You and her both, Sean thought, but said instead, “I trust she will accept this is my operation?”

    For the first time Cobbart looked uncertain. “You’re handling an SOCA investigation, she’s MI5. Both female victims suffered the most appalling violations. For Victoria this will be justice for her gender. But I’m sure two senior officers like yourselves will find an amicable solution.”

CHAPTER 4
    Mark hunted on the streets, his stride positive, his bearing military. He took pride in knowing he was the best, always pristine, pressed grey slacks, well-cut blazer and regimental tie. He wanted to feel good this bright morning but the pressure was balling inside his skull, imploding into a black void of frustration. He blamed the blonde girl on the dance floor. She had laughed, had walked away calling him a liar, had left him cut by the jagged edge of her scorn. Bitch. To get himself right he tried to distract himself with images of Cindy Bradshaw. He visualised her beautiful face, her beautiful body, the firm swell of her breasts beneath his hands, but all he got was the blonde girl laughing. One day he would kill her, like he had killed the others, like one day he would kill Cindy if she ever became a hostile. But he knew that was impossible. Last time they met, Cindy had smiled at him with big blue eyes. She had touched his shoulder, her breasts brushing his arm. Cindy was the perfect female and one day soon, Cindy was going to be his. What he needed in the meantime was enemy action, an interrogation or some close-quarter combat. On this bright morning, somewhere near, there had to be a hostile.
     
    He found her in the Strand near Trafalgar Square. She sat on a rolled up sleeping bag begging from passing office workers. She had tattoos here, there and everywhere. She wore rings in her upper ears, rings in her lips, studs in her nose and tongue. Mark wondered if maybe he should melt her