Flowers of a Wolf

Chapter 7

DAY 4

Rawford took a breath and looked out the window. All he saw when he stared at the building opposite was each Victorian brick popping out, the scene falling apart in front of him. He pushed back, his hands clenching and unclenching the arms of the chair. He was sitting in Meeting Room 24, staring out the backside of Bishopsgate Nick, the rambling headquarters of the finest - and smallest - police force in the United Kingdom, the City of London, feeling for the first time like a stranger. Worse than his first day here off the new arrivals wagon from Hendon. And he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Boss, I'm alright! A little banged up. Put me at a desk, I can–" He hated hearing himself, the whine in his voice.

"This isn't just about your injuries Rawford," said the Chief Super firmly. She was both SIO for the investigation and acting supervisor for all assigned detective officers and support staff on the City force. And therefore had the final word.

"What then? Ma'am" asked Rawford, now confused.

"He's made an official complaint. Michael Eddison. Said you attacked him - has evidenced injuries."

"That fuck Mikey from the Leisure Center–"

"I can well understand your frustration," continued Hammersmith. "However in light of–"

"But obviously Robertson put him up to this! He's the fucking one–"

"Detective Sergeant Rawford, this is a criminal investigation, which ends with a successful prosecution. If you are right and that man - who I might add is now our prime suspect - is our killer, would you want to imperil the prosecution, and let him get away? Have all our hard work when we catch the bastard, thrown out of court on a technicality? Would you?"

Rawford tried to release his grip on the chair, but couldn't. How the fuck could this be?

The Wolf's eyes stared at him, its tongue swinging from side to side in another huge mocking grin.

"Ma'am, given his injuries, Rawford must remain on sick leave with full pay" The voice from the ancient northerner sat beside him.

Rawford ignored him. He was back lying on the cold tiles of the Leisure Centre changing room. Michael Eddison ("Mikey") lay into him, while the Wolf looked on. Kick, kick, kick. And then the Wolf's boot in his balls. He could still feel the pain. Almost worse though was the humiliation of that moment. How many times had he re-lived it since?

"Regardless of the IOPC's position, if this should go to court, Sergeant Rawford can expect the full support of the Force to cover all legal fees too?" continued the union rep.

"I've spoken directly with the DPS and they understand the special circumstances–"

There was a knock on the door.

"Not now!"

Hammersmith continued to stare at the crumpled suit of the Union man. "Detective Rawford will–"

The knock at the door became louder. And then the door opened and a head popped around. Everyone turned around.

Rawford recognized Davis, Hammersmith's number two.

Must be bloody serious, Rawford thought.

"Jerry, we're–what is it?" Hammersmith stood, seeing the look in Davis' eyes.

There's been another victim, Rawford predicted to himself. But as he looked on at the two most senior staff on the investigation, standing whispering, he watched the color drain from the Chief Super's face.

Rawford stood. "What is it?" he asked out loud, but Davis only looked over at him and shook his head.

The door opened again and the Assistant Commissioner was there. "We will do everything to bring this murderer to justice!" The little room - normally reserved for interviewing victims or family members - was getting crowded

Hammersmith stared at the floor, her look of incredulity so out of place. Rawford couldn't remember a time when the Chief Super wasn't in control, in command. The old battleaxe looked almost normal. Just a person.

"It's Jenny," Davis said, mouthing the words to him, shaking his head.

"What's this to do with–" but then he got it, though his mind refused to accept it. It couldn't be. It wasn't possible.

But it was. Detective Jenny Hammersmith, his partner, and the Chief Super's daughter, cut and killed. The Wolf had gotten her too.

***