The Phantom Ritual (DCI Morgan Chester: Case One)

Chapter One

Four years before.

The toddler three aisles down had grown tired of his mother gossiping to her friend, suffocating him of any affection. He let out an ear-shattering wail that shook the Tesco Express store. A stream of snot and tears followed.

Spoilt brat.

Morgan exhaled as she stood on her tiptoes to grab the second bottle of sauvignon blanc wine hidden on the top shelf. The commotion brought on a throbbing headache. She bent her elbow to balance the metal shopping basket and used her index fingers to rub both of her temples in a circular motion. Mentally, she reminded herself to bring her noise-cancelling earphones on her next expedition to buy food.

At the age of thirty-three, Morgan has no children, nor were they part of her life plan. Her career and lifestyle would not be accommodating for a child. She paid for her items at the self-service checkout, hoping they would last until tomorrow, possibly stretching over the weekend and to Sunday, and left the supermarket with her bags.

A car blared its horn beside her. A small yelp escaped her lips, and she jumped back in surprise, almost knocking into the elderly gentleman walking beside her. She turned and quickly apologized to the gentleman, who softly smiled at her before casting a glance at her chest. She noticed and smirked at him as he scampered away red-faced. I see you, pervert.

The culprit was a black BMW that was now hitched up on the curb, meters away from her. Morgan did not have much knowledge of cars, but she knew this was the newest series. Annoyed, she stalked to the car and tapped her knuckles against the tinted windows. A beautiful blonde with flawless makeup appeared like a movie star at a premiere as the window wound down.

"Hi, detective!" she chirped. After seven years in London, Olivia James' Liverpudlian accent had weakened.

"Evening Olivia," Morgan responded and bent her body further down to see the driver and muttered, "Stefan."

"Liv darling, are you okay to start from here? I need a word with our friend." His broad cockney accent spoke.

"Charming as ever." Morgan rolled her eyes and checked the time on her watch.

"I know you are a busy woman, so I promise not to keep you long. We need to discuss some business." He told her.

Olivia climbed out of the car gracefully. Morgan assessed the girl's attire: a tight pale blue dress with a cream fur coat, no tights and nude-coloured heels. Her hair, usually pulled into a high ponytail, was freshly clean and styled in loose waves cascaded down to her lower back—perks of being the pimps' favourite girl.

"You best get in, detective. It is freezing tonight." Olivia offered politely.

Morgan smiled at the small gesture. Despite her line of work and the disgusting clients, Olivia never failed to bring a smile to someone's face. She was a strong girl, and Morgan admired that.

Stefan beamed at Olivia as Morgan climbed into the passenger seat. It was still warm. She noticed that Stefan recently had his hair trimmed at the back and sides. He dressed casually in jeans and a dark grey turtle-neck jumper.

Olivia softly grabbed Morgan's hand and gave it a soft squeeze.

"It is so good to see you again, detective. You should pop over one night, and I will make us a family dinner," she paused and turned her gaze to Stefan, "I will see you in the morning. My phone has a full battery."

Morgan pulled the car door closed as Olivia vanished into the sea of people lingering on the high street.

Stefan parked in the car park underneath her block of flats. He held the doors open for her as they climbed the stairs that led into the main reception. Morgan kindly waved to the concierge. He waved back at her and greeted Stefan with a nod.