Clouded Judgement

 

 

By

 

Jan

 

Chapter 5

 

“What did you think to Monica?” Nikki asked Helen as she drove them back to the nightclub.

 

“She’s a nice lady,” Helen replied truthfully. “Have you known her long?”

 

“I seem to have known her forever.”

 

“And Zandra? You two seem very good friends.”

 

“We are.” She smiled wryly. “But the first time I saw her she was snorting coke in the ladies loo. She was eighteen, looked forty but would have been lucky to have reached twenty the way she was going.”

 

Helen’s interest heightened. This was the first time Nikki had ever mentioned drugs. “Was she dealing?”

 

Nikki glanced at her quickly before replying. “No, just hurting! She got pregnant but her boyfriend was a posh git who didn’t want to know. When she miscarried she just couldn’t handle it.”

 

“So what happened?”

 

“I took her home with me. Trish wasn’t very happy but I managed to convince her that Zan needed our help. When she was clean I badgered Monica and Barbara into giving her a job.”

 

“Barbara?”

 

“Monica’s business partner.”

 

“Oh, yes. The one with the cut hand.”

 

Nikki turned into Skylark’s car park and drew into her reserved parking space. She left the engine running and turned slightly in her seat to face Helen. “I’m going to go home and get some sleep. Will I see you later?”

 

“No, Sean and I are going out tonight.” She opened the door and climbed out.

 

“See you Monday then. Enjoy your weekend.”

 

“You too. Have a good sleep.” She closed the car door and watched Nikki drive out of the car park before taking out her mobile and dialling a number. “This is DI Stewart. Would you put me through to the incident room, please?”

 

“Incident room,” a male voice informed her.

 

“This is DI Stewart, who’s this?”

 

 “DC McAllister, ma’am.”

 

“I want you to run a check on the Lark Hall Hotel for me. Also a Mrs Monica Lindsay. There’s also Lindsay’s business partner, Barbara, sorry haven’t got the last name. ASAP, please, and let me know what you find out.” She switched off her mobile and went into the club. Trish’s car wasn’t in the car park and with Nikki out of the way, this gave her a chance to have a look around the office.

 

Outside the office door she punched in the security code for access then with a quick look down the corridor went inside.

 

Apart from the desk, settee and coffee table the only other furniture was a cupboard standing beneath the barred window and a safe. Even as she experimentally pulled on the door handle she knew the cupboard was locked because she had seen Nikki unlock it with a key from the bunch she carried around with her. A search of the desk drawers also proved fruitless. She didn’t really know what she expected to find but it was unlikely anything incriminating would be kept in the office. She started guiltily as the door opened and Trish entered.

 

“Have you seen Nikki?” she demanded impatiently.

 

“She went home to…er…get some sleep.”

 

“I’ll see her there. I’m going home myself now I’ve been to the bank.”

 

Helen felt a twinge of something alien to her at the thought that Nikki and Trish shared a home but it stood to reason they would because, according to the files, theirs was a long-term relationship.

 

“Is there anything you need before I go?”

 

Helen thought quickly. “Nikki showed me some blueprints last night, I’d like to take another look at them.”

 

“They’re in the cupboard. If you pull out the top drawer there’s a key blu-tacked to the back panel.”

 

Helen pulled out the drawer and prised off the key she found nestling there and offered it to Trish.

 

“Help yourself. Just put it back when you’ve finished with it. Right, if there’s nothing else I’m going home, hopefully Nikki will be in bed, if you know what I mean.” She raised her eyebrows suggestively.

 

Helen forced a smile. “I’ll…er…get those blueprints.”

 

“If you need anything just ask one of the staff,” Trish flung casually over her shoulder as she opened the door.

 

“I think I’ve got everything I need now.” She waited until Trish had gone before crossing quickly to the cupboard but her anticipation turned to disappointment when she saw the only contents were the blueprints. She swore softly under her breath. The cupboard had obviously been cleaned out. No wonder Trish hadn’t minded her knowing about the key!    

 

 

“Stubberfield wants us for a debriefing,” Sean informed her as she entered the house that same evening. “Sorry, you’ll have to drive, I’ve had a few drinks with the lads.”

 

“Your weekend has started early,” she admonished him then grimaced. “I could have done without this today.”

 

“These meetings sometimes prove invaluable, Hel,” Sean said patiently.

 

“Aye, and they are more often than not a complete waste of time,” she exclaimed. “I’ll have a shower then let’s get it over with.”

 

 

Sean knocked on Stubberfield’s office door and walked straight in. Stubberfield was sitting behind his desk nursing a glass of something Helen guessed wasn’t cold tea. “Ah, Sean, Helen, come in and take a seat.“ He pointed to two chairs facing him.

 

“’Evening, sir. We got here as quickly as we could.” Sean said as he sat down.

 

Helen raised her eyes to the ceiling. Sometimes Sean was such an arse-licker! “Sir,” she muttered sullenly as she sat down on the other chair.

 

“Sorry, it’s such short notice but I wondered if either of you had anything to report,” he looked from one to the other expectantly.

 

Sean shook his head. “Nothing really, sir.”

 

Bloody hell! We could have had this conversation on the telephone! Helen thought impatiently.

 

Stubberfield turned and looked at her. “What about you, Helen?”

 

“No, sir.”

 

“It hasn’t gone unnoticed that you’ve spent quite a bit of time with Wade just recently,” he said almost accusingly.

 

“Isn’t that what I was supposed to do…sir?” She was having a hard time keeping the insolence out of her voice and she knew it was because she was feeling guilty. She took a deep breath. “Ni…Wade made a pass at me, sir.”

 

“A pass!” Sean exclaimed incredulously. “Why didn’t you say something? What the hell happened?”

 

Stubberfield held up his hand. “Just a minute, Sean. Well, Helen?”

 

“It was nothing, sir. She kissed me and I told her I wasn’t interested.”

 

“When did this happen?” Sean demanded.

 

“Last night before you came to the club to pick me up.”

 

“The dyke bitch!” Sean spat out angrily.

 

“Oh, don’t start getting offensive, Sean. It won’t happen again.”

 

Stubberfield regarded Helen intently. “Hold on, Sean. This might just be our way into Wade’s inner sanctum. She’s obviously interested in you, Helen. I think you should string her along.”

 

Helen looked at him in disbelief. “For Christ’s sake! Are you ordering me to have an affair with her?”

 

“Helen, you know I can’t order you to do that but, whether you like it or not, this could be the break we’ve been waiting for.”

 

“Well, I don’t like it! I don’t like it one bit!” Helen snarled at the two startled men.

 

“Then you’d better start liking it, Inspector, because there is no way I can take you off this case. We’ve spent too many man hours on it already to throw it all away just because you can’t hack it!” He glared at her and she shook her head bitterly.

 

“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll do my job but once this case is closed, I’m giving you my resignation and you can stuff it where the sun don’t shine!”

 

“See this job out, Inspector, then you’re free to do what you bloody well like,” he told her smugly.

 

“Is that all…sir?” she demanded stiffly. Stubberfield nodded and she slammed out of his office.

 

“We’re going to have to watch Inspector Stewart, Sean. I think she’s starting to crack.”

 

“Don’t worry, sir,” Sean assured him. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

 

Sean caught up with Helen as she reached the car and grabbed hold of her arm. “Wait for me, Helen.”

 

She turned on him angrily. “Thanks for backing me up, Sean. You’re just a spineless, weak-kneed shit!”

 

“What was I supposed to do?” Sean asked defensively. “ He is in charge of the case.”

 

“You asked me to marry you then you just sit back and let that pompous bastard tell me to have an affair with another woman! Prostitute myself, for the sake of the case!”

 

“Helen, baby, let’s just go home to bed,” he wheedled.

 

She looked at him distastefully. “Go f*ck yourself, Sean, because you’re not getting in bed with me tonight!” She climbed into the driving seat, slammed the car door and wound down the window. “In fact, go f*ck Stubberfield! You’re halfway up his arse already!”

 

“Helen, don’t be stupid!” he snapped. “Let me get in the car!”

 

“I’d rather eat my own vomit!” she retorted then switched on the ignition, put car into gear and roared out of the car park. As she drove she started to calm down and a sheepish smile appeared on her lips. “I’d rather eat my own vomit,” she repeated softly to herself. She was supposed to be an educated, intelligent woman and she couldn’t come up with anything better than that. Christ! She needed a stiff drink and she wanted…no, needed to see Nikki.

 

 

She went into the nightclub and threaded her way through the late night revellers before going through to the office. Nikki was sitting at the desk and looked up in surprise at the intrusion.

 

“What are you doing here?”

 

“Are you busy?” Helen asked nervously.

 

“I’m never too busy for you.”

 

Helen swallowed hard. She was getting on dangerous ground and she didn’t know how to stop it or even if she wanted to. She closed the door and walked over to the desk where she ran her fingertips over its polished surface.

 

“Are you alright?” Nikki asked with a frown as she stood up.

 

“Fine.”

 

“So what are you doing here? Did you want something?”

 

“I want…” she stopped. She was only going to say she wanted to talk but seeing the look of raw desire in Nikki’s eyes drove all thoughts of talking from her mind.

 

Nikki reached out and stroked her cheek. “What do you want, Helen?”

 

“You!” Came the harsh reply.

 

As she moved closer to Nikki, she thought about what Stubberfield had said to her and felt exonerated of any guilt or blame. She had virtually been ordered to seduce this woman! She put her hands on Nikki’s shoulders and reached up and kissed her, gently exploring the tall woman’s lips. She drew back and looked into her brown eyes, almost drowning in their depth then she felt the softness of Nikki’s hands on her cheek and long fingers stroking through her hair. Her arms went around Nikki’s neck and she drew her head down until their lips met.

 

Nikki’s arms encircled her and she ran her hands up and down Helen’s spine, tenderly caressing her and moulding her body closer.

 

They drew apart shakily. Nikki smiled at her then took her hand and led her to the settee where she drew her down and pressed her back against the soft leather. As they kissed Nikki’s hand moved to the front of Helen’s trousers. She unfastened the button and started to slide down the zip. “Are you going to stop me this time?” she whispered softly against Helen’s ear.

 

Helen shook her head, her face flushed. “I couldn’t, even if I wanted to.” She gasped as Nikki slid her hand inside her trousers. “Nikki, I…”

 

Nikki placed her finger over Helen’s lips to silence her. “Shhh. Everything will be OK, Helen. I’ve never known such happiness. I love you so much.”

 

Helen moaned softly as Nikki’s searching fingers found their goal. Through the mists of desire, Nikki’s words eventually penetrated her brain and her eyes flew open wide. Nikki loved her! This wasn’t part of the plan. She grabbed hold of Nikki’s wrist stilling the caressing hand. “No, Nikki, stop!” She struggled from the settee and fastened her trousers.

 

“Helen, what’s wrong?” Nikki took hold of her arm gently. “I thought you wanted this too.”

 

“I do! I did!” Helen said passionately. “But I don’t love you and I…I’m marrying Sean.

 

”So, what was all this then? Just good old-fashioned lust?” Nikki demanded bitterly.

 

“There can’t be anything else. Not between us.”

 

She grabbed Helen’s shoulders and forced the Scot to look at her. “There can be, Helen. If we both want to try.”

 

“That’s just it, Nikki. I don’t want to try.” She pulled away. What a bloody mess and what a liar you are Helen Stewart! She thought angrily to herself.

 

Nikki crossed to the door and opened it wide then stood looking at her. “Go on then, piss off back to Sean. If that’s what you really want.”

 

Helen kept her eyes trained on the floor as she went out of the office. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Nikki; if she did she knew she couldn’t hide the truth. She was falling in love with Nikki Wade!

 

 

As she let herself into the house Sean staggered into the hallway. He had obviously had more than a few more drinks. “So, Helen my sweet, you’ve decided to come back. Where have you been?”

 

She shrugged. “Just driving.”

 

He laughed disbelievingly. “Are you sure you haven’t been with Wade?”

 

“What if I have? Isn’t that what Stubberfield ordered me to do?” she exclaimed trying not to sound guilty. “But, no, I haven’t been with Nikki.” She brushed past him and started to go into the lounge but he caught hold of her arm.

 

“You never were a very good liar, Helen,” he retorted bitterly. “You have guilt written all over your face.” His fingers bit into the soft flesh of her upper arm making her wince. “Did you sleep with her?”

 

“W…what?”

 

“Simple enough question for someone with your supposed intelligence,” he said patronisingly as he leaned closer until their faces were almost touching. “Did…you…sleep…with…her?”

 

“No, of course I didn’t,” she replied.

 

“Liar!” He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her roughly.

 

“S…Sean, I have not slept with Nikki Wade.” Her voice faltered nervously. She had never seen him so angry.

 

“Then let me put it another way, Helen. Did she f*ck you?” He spat at her.

 

Helen looked at him distastefully. She had had enough of him and Stubberfield and the quicker she was off this case the better. “No, she didn’t,” she said harshly. “But I wish to Christ she had because I want her! Do you hear me, Sean? I want her!”

 

He let her go abruptly, a look of disgust masking his handsome face then he swung his arm and the back of his hand hit her face and sent her reeling. “That dyke bitch is dead meat!” he muttered viciously as he lurched from the house.

 

Helen struggled groggily to her feet and staggered outside. “Sean!” she yelled after him into the night. She hurried back into the house. She had to warn Nikki. With shaking fingers she dialled the club’s number. “Come on. Come on,” she mumbled as the telephone rang incessantly. She cut off the call and dialled another number. “Chief Superintendent Stubberfield, please. It’s Detective Inspector Stewart.” She drummed her fingers anxiously on the hall table until she heard Stubberfield’s voice.

 

“What is it, Inspector?”

 

“It’s Sean. He’s drunk and he’s gone after Nikki Wade. I saw her at the club about an hour ago and I’ve tried ringing but there’s no reply so she may already have left.”

 

“Alright, Helen. Sit tight. I’ll get a car over there straight away to check it out.” The line went dead and Helen looked blankly at the receiver before slowly replacing it. ‘Sit tight’, Stubberfield had said but how the hell could she when Nikki might be in danger?

 

She ran out to the car. Her mouth was throbbing and she had tasted blood. As she started the car, she switched on the interior light and looked at her face in the rear view mirror. Her bottom lip was split and swollen and there was a mark just below her cheekbone that was already turning purple but there was no time for a patching-up job.

 

She cruised to a halt in the car park. Nikki’s car was still there and the club door was standing wide open. The gravel crunched under her feet as she quickly walked to the entrance. She slipped inside and stood momentarily to acclimatise her eyes to the darkness. A noise attracted her attention and she went in the direction it had come from as if drawn by a magnet.

 

The dance floor was illuminated eerily by security lights and in the dimness she could make out two figures. One figure was lying prone on the dance floor and the other crouching over it. She gasped and the crouching figure turned.

 

“Dear God!” she said, unable to disguise the anguish in her voice. “What have you done?”

 

On to Chapter 6

 

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