Chapter Fifty-Four

The light that filtered in through the bedroom windows seemed softer today. Everything about her tower block flat seemed harsh in comparison. Ruby rested her head on Nathan’s chest, closing her eyes as she savoured the warmth of his naked body. He stirred beneath her, his muscular form wrapping itself around her in a bear hug that made all the pain ebb away.

‘I don’t want to get up,’ she said, her voice muffled as she spoke into the curve of his chest. ‘Not yet.’

‘You don’t have to, babe. Stay in bed. I’ll look after you.’

It was a tempting offer. How she had gone back to work after Ash’s murder was beyond her. She could not remember DI Downes bringing her back to the station, let alone typing up her statement of what had taken place. It was only when she had broken down in his office that she had agreed to his offer of a cab to bring her home. In her distress, she had found herself reciting the address of the flat Nathan had bought her just months before. Pride had stopped her moving in, but with the stain of Ash’s blood still visible under her fingernails, she was in desperate need of solace; somewhere that spoke of home. Finding Nathan here had been more therapeutic than any counselling session, and their night together had been the release she needed.

‘I could do with some more sleep,’ she smiled.

Here in bed, with their limbs intertwined, there were no barriers to set them apart. Nathan shifted beneath the down-filled duvet, planting tender kisses on the curve of her neck. He nuzzled her skin, murmuring softly to her to stay.

Her skin pink from the warmth of the shower, she walked across the deep pile carpet, which felt like velvet beneath her toes. She tied the belt of the soft white towelling gown. For the third time that morning she checked her nails, satisfied that all traces of blood had been scrubbed away. But it was still there, lingering in her thoughts. She fought hard to quell the flashbacks scraping her brain, focusing her attention on the breakfast that Nathan had prepared.

He pushed the plate towards her as she took a seat at the polished glass-topped table. Soft fluffy scrambled eggs were loaded onto her plate along with a buttered toasted muffin. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten and, despite the thoughts whirling around her head, she began to tuck in. With them both sitting at the table, Ruby in her dressing gown and Nathan in a T-shirt and chinos, they could be any other couple in the world. Finishing her eggs, Ruby downed the last of her tea.

‘That’s the best cup of tea I’ve had all week. Thanks, love,’ she said, rising to bring her plate to the dishwasher.

Nathan touched her arm, signalling for her to sit back down. Ruby knew he had been curious to know what had happened with the doctor. He had sensed her reluctance, waiting until she had recovered enough to relay the story without breaking down.

She sighed as the real world took over her day. ‘We found his lair. It was in a derelict hospital. The place was full of rats, creepy as hell. But you know what? We also found the victims’ clothes.’

‘Including Lisa Caldwell’s?’ Nathan said.

‘Yes.’ She was impressed that he remembered her name. ‘They match the description given by her mother. We’ve got enough forensics to put him away for good.’

Nathan briefly closed his eyes, his face at peace as he took a calming breath. ‘Thank you.’ He reached across and touched her hand. ‘At least now he won’t harm anyone else.’

But Ruby could not take any pleasure from such a horrific incident. ‘It’s not me that found him, it was Ash.’ Her gaze fell, shame rising as a warm flush brought heat to her cheeks.

‘You shouldn’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault.’ Nathan had pieced together what had happened from her brief explanation the night before.

‘I just don’t understand. I want to ask him why he acted so strangely, but now he’s dead.’

But Nathan was not one to offer platitudes. ‘You look beat. Why don’t you go back to bed, get some kip?’

‘I’m going back to work. I’ll need you to come in so we can do a taped interview under caution. Just to tie up any loose ends.’

‘Me, go to the nick? You’re having a laugh,’ Nathan said. ‘And besides, today’s your day off.’

‘You don’t get days off when there’s a murderer on the loose. Not when he’s killed one of your own. Why don’t you come with me? It won’t take long to—’

‘No,’ Nathan said firmly, rising from his chair. ‘Write up a statement, and I’ll sign it. I’m not being interviewed on tape.’

‘Fine,’ Ruby rolled her eyes. ‘Do me a favour, though, tell Cathy to stay in. At least until we find Tanner. If he’s tried to frame you, then she could be in danger.’

Nathan smirked. ‘She’s been under curfew since this all began. It’s driving her nuts.’

‘Yeah, well, a few more days won’t hurt.’ Ruby gave him a rueful smile. What would their daughter think if she could see them together now? She glanced around the spotlessly clean kitchen. With glossy designer cupboards, it held every appliance you could possibly need. Streamlined and sophisticated, the Dalston flat was her dream home.

‘And you?’ Nathan asked, breaking into her thoughts. ‘Are you coming back here when you’re done?’

Ruby smiled. ‘Yeah, I will. I can’t live in that tower block anymore. Especially now someone’s puked in my bed.’

Nathan threw her a comical look. ‘Did you just say. . .?’

Ruby’s smile widened. ‘Just a girl I was trying to keep off the streets. It’s a story for another time. I imagine you’ll be keen to get home, get things back to normal.’

‘I am, tomorrow. I’ll keep your side of the bed warm tonight.’

It was a statement, not a question. Ruby was not going to complain. Nathan was in no hurry to get back to the real world any more than she was. Lenny would most likely have a plethora of things for him to sort out and, from the moment he returned home, his mother would be on his back, trying to bridge the gap between him and his ex-girlfriend, Leona.

But Ruby could not worry about Frances or Lenny now. She took a seat at the dressing table, refreshing her red lipstick and patting her lips against a tissue. Today she would be a force of strength as her team hunted down the man responsible for the loss of one of their own.