Innocent Blood Read Online Free Page B

shock.
    ‘Put the gun away, Major. That isn’t going to help.’
    He stared at the two armed men and wondered who looked more dangerous. Chalfont was shaking all over as he backed away, while Maidment remained calm except for a small tic at the corner of his eye. Cooper had the horrible impression that he might actually be enjoying himself.
    ‘Don’t worry, Sergeant, I have the situation under control. I’m not going to let that bastard get away, not after what he did to Miss Pennysmith.’
    His words drove Chalfont even further away, unaware of how close he now was to Cooper. The man with the gun was the only thing he was focused on. Cooper lunged for the knife and locked his right hand around the man’s wrist. Chalfont swivelled in his grasp and jerked his left elbow sharply into Cooper’s aching stomach. His hold weakened and Chalfont swung the knife up to Cooper’s neck.
    There was a deafening report. An expression of confusion covered Chalfont’s face, then he started to scream. The knife fell as he grabbed his thigh and tried to stop the flow of bright arterial blood that was pumping out over the kitchen units and walls to puddle on the floor.
    Maidment kicked the knife away and pulled a tea towel from the drawer to apply pressure expertly on the wound. Chalfont screamed louder.
    ‘Hold this, Sergeant Cooper, while I call an ambulance.’
    ‘If you’ll just give me the gun first, sir.’
    Cooper stretched out his hand and took the pistol delicately between thumb and index finger before folding a towel around it and passing it back to Perkins.
    ‘Ambulance is already on its way, sir,’ the constable said, ‘and back-up.’ Perkins was staring anxiously at the growing pool of blood.
    ‘That compress is already soaked through,’ Maidment observed, still unnaturally calm.
    He found another freshly laundered tea towel and applied it to the thigh himself. Chalfont shrieked and passed out.
    ‘Best way. Blighter would have been in agony. At least now he won’t know a thing until he’s comfortable in hospital.’
    He spoke without a trace of emotion, causing Cooper and Perkins to exchange a bewildered look. Cooper cleared his throat.
    ‘Major, do you have a licence for that gun?’
    ‘Licence? Hmm.’ Maidment scratched his chin with his free hand. ‘Do I need one? It’s my service revolver. Had it years. Never even thought about it. No, I don’t suppose I do.’
    ‘You should have cautioned him first, sir!’ Perkins hissed.
    The reality of the situation slowly settled on Cooper. His shoulders sagged and he noticed the splashes of crimson about his trouser legs for the first time. Dot would be livid, he thought, and wished for a moment that he was at home with her now having a nice cup of tea. Instead, he forced himself to stand up and address the major.
    ‘Jeremy Maidment, I am arresting you on suspicion of attempted murder. You are not obliged…’
    ‘Attempted murder? Good heavens, Sergeant, he was less than eight feet away. I was aiming to disable him, which I did successfully. Had I wanted to kill him, I can assure you—’
    ‘…to say anything but…’
    ‘Sergeant! Didn’t you hear me? I disabled a man who was about to slit your throat. I can understand you being a little concerned about my overlooking the need for a gun licence, but to suggest I tried to murder someone is utter nonsense.’
    Cooper finished the caution, feeling the blood rise in his face to match the purple in Maidment’s. He was sorely tempted to explain the situation, even to apologise, but he knew that would be very unwise. Instead, they awaited the arrival of reinforcements in silence.
    Ten minutes later, Constable Lee helped a still speechless Maidment into the back of a waiting police car while Cooper watched as paramedics strapped Chalfont to a stretcher, before speeding him away beneath the clamour of a siren. The sense of shock that had enveloped him since Chalfont had picked up the knife slowly gave way to