Let Right Be Done

chapterfive

Chapter 5

Ricky was seriously pissed off; somebody was ringing the doorbell at some ungodly hour. No, he thought, correct that, they were not just ringing the bell they were leaning on it. Groaning, he rolled on to his side and reluctantly opened his eyes to look at what ungodly hour it was. Six am; he pushed himself up and grabbed a vest and his jeans. Since his Mam's illness he'd taken to sleeping in his pants in case she needed him during the night, after all she didn't need an eyeful when she called him.

"Ricky who's ringing the bell this early love?"

Ricky's anger raised a notch. Great, now his Mam had been disturbed.

Taking a deep breath he walked to her room and stuck his head around the door.

"I don't know Mam but don't fret about it, I'll gan see what they want. I expect it'll be nowt."

He headed down the stairs as the bell continued to ring. Ricky hoped the person doing the ringing had broad shoulders because he was about to descend on them like a bloody ton of bricks.

He yanked open the door scowling.

"Morning Ricky didn't wake you did I?" John Bacchus removed his finger from the bell.

"I might have known it'd be you. I don't give a shit that you woke me but me Mam who's recovering from a heart attack, well now that's a different matter. If you weren't a cop I'd teach you some manners. What the bloody hell do you want with us now?"

"I'm sorry about yer Mam," Bacchus looked uncomfortable. "DCI Gently wants a word."

"This bloody early, why?"

"He wants to speak with you before station and town get busy. Private like." So bloody private that he hasn't even told me what he wants, Bacchus thought.

Ricky shook his head.

"What is it with you lot? You say jump and we all shout how bleeding high then do it. What does he want to talk to me about?"

Bacchus flushed.

"I'm not allowed to divulge that here you have to come to the station."

Ricky smiled.

"He didn't tell you what he wants me for did him John? Not a surprise really seeing as how you can't keep your gob shut..."

"What..."

"Alexandra Kendrick, you told her I was a suspect. She came looking for me. Fortunately she's an intelligent lass and realised I were telling the truth, no thanks to you."

Bacchus flushed again, Gently had already hauled him over the coals about that. Alexandra had been in and made a complaint.

"Are you coming in or do I have to arrest you?" he said smarting from Ricky's manner.

"Oh aye I'll come, in me own time. I have to sort me Mam out first. Are you coming in or standing on yon doorstep?"

Bacchus followed Ricky through to a small kitchen and stood watching while he filled the kettle. While it was boiling he got a tray ready with a cup and dish on it.

"Very domesticated Ricky, still your kind are aren't they?"

"My kind?" Ricky's eyebrow raised a fraction as he put some cornflakes in the dish.

"You know flower fairies, poofs, and Nancy boys."

"I wouldn't know about that would I?" Ricky smiled nonchalantly as he placed an array of tablets on a small saucer.