| |
Murder Squad
Pierce was waiting for them in the hallway when Hagen and Owens arrived. “Sorry, sir, but I didn’t want to head down there without you knowing what was happening.”
Hagen glanced at the bustle and agitation in his squad room. “What’s going on?”
Pierce’s jaw was tight – actually his whole body seemed like a drawn rubber-band ready to snap – as he replied, “Boskovic has been spotted in the Piccadilly area. A WPC saw him near the fountain about twenty minutes ago. She called it in, and another PC in the area joined her to monitor him.”
Hagen nodded. “Good. He’s still there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“So... what else?”
Pierce cleared his throat. “Marshall was released today from the hospital... and he’s also been spotted in the area.”
Hagen’s eyes went wide. “Where Boskovic is?”
“Marshall was seen in Leicester Square,” Pierce replied, glancing at his watch. “About ten minutes ago.”
“We’d better get down there, and get to Boskovic before Marshall sees him.” He hesitated a moment in the doorway, looking closely at Pierce. “You’ll likely have to arrest Boskovic. Will you be alright with that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. However, all things considered, I’ll feel better if you’re armed.” He handed Pierce the keys to the weapons locker. “Make it quick.”
Pierce hurried to the weapons locker at the back of the squad room, and, faster than Hagen thought was possible, secured a sidearm, loaded it, and was sliding it into a holster. Pierce closed and locked the locker, and hurried back to join Hagen and Owens.
“Ready?” Hagen looked between the two police officers, who both nodded. “Let’s go then.” The trio headed for the elevators, and the parking ramp below.
*****
Piccadilly Circus
KATE EMERGED FROM THE Tube station. The milling crowds were beginning to increase as darkness fell and the bright lights started to turn on. She stopped for a minute, her eyes searching the crowd for... she wasn’t sure what. It may not have been the best idea going back to the camera shop on her own, but after Pierce showed her the business card, her focus had been on trying to locate Miss Georgia Bradshaw.
It hadn’t been that difficult... a few searches on the neighborhood news sites and Kate had tracked down the elusive Miss Bradshaw. Which is why Kate found herself standing in Piccadilly now... Miss Bradshaw had a regular appointment in the area, and Kate had concluded that perhaps the best way to strike up a conversation with the woman was to do so on her turf.
Kate reached in her pocket for the bit of paper she’d written the information on... The address was over in Leicester Square... Kate stepped forward and promptly bumped into a man. Bumped might have been an understatement as well as a shifting of blame. It was more like him running her over in his haste to walk by. Kate could feel herself losing her balance, which ordinarily would not have been a big deal, except for the fact she was standing very close to the stairs leading down to the Tube station. Just as she started to lose her balance, large hands grabbed her about the shoulders, pulling her back and steadying her.
“You are alright, Miss?” His voice was very deep, and very not British. Kate tried to recovery herself as quickly as possible so she could get a look at him. When she did, her eyes went wide.
The man was quite huge, with broad shoulders and arms that clearly lifted more than a briefcase on a regular basis. The leather top coat he was wearing seemed to strain across his frame, giving him a tough look despite his well-groomed appearance. He was tanned and his hair and beard were nearly black.
“Miss?”
“Sorry. Yes. I’m fine, thank you.” Kate shook off her response to him and smiled pleasantly. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Good evening.” And with that he turned and walked away into the crowds. Kate watched after him, a bit puzzled as to why she felt like she should know him, like his face was familiar... She shrugged it off and attempted once again to cross the plaza and make for the Trocadero on Coventry Street.
And that’s when she saw him... and at once felt a wave of apprehension wash over her...
What was Marshall doing here?