Chapter 7
"So how did your meeting with Nikki Wade go?" Karen asked, sitting next to Helen.
"It was interesting and she seemed very intelligent and passionate," Helen said nodding. "In fact, she was brilliant, and I'm looking forward to working with her."
"That's Nikki for you," Karen said grinning widely. She knew both women would get along. "She loves a good challenge. You won't have to worry about her work behaviour. She's really intense, though, a bit of a hothead and opinionated."
"Yeah, I can see your point of view." Helen nodded in agreement. "Listen I don't have long before I have to head back to see Mr. Stubberfield. He's up my arse about this case. Like I don't already know the complications. It's not my fault they screwed up on the old case file, and now I have to mop up their mistakes."
Karen looked at Helen who looked a little tired. Maybe it was the stress of engagement to Sean. "She's also quite enchanting," Karen said grinning at Helen.
"What," Helen said lost in her thoughts.
"I was referring to Nikki being fascinating," Karen repeated. She didn't know why but she thought Nikki and Helen would make a nice couple but unfortunate for Nikki, Helen was engaged.
"Yes, she does have a way to draw you in her web." Helen said a little hesitant. Yes Nikki was attractive, but she was straight and she didn't look at women in that way at least she told herself.
"Karen, did you see Nikki?" Gina Rossi said, walking up towards them. Gina was one of the attending Doctors. She specialized in head trauma. "Sorry, hello Helen." Helen nodded.
"I believe she stepped out, why?" Karen asked.
"I wanted to give her the results from one of her patients." Gina said.
"You coming out next week?" Karen asked Gina, trying to avoid Helen's eyes.
"Sorry, mate, going to have to take a rain check. My boyfriend Mark is taking me out to a romantic dinner."
Karen smirked. "Hold on, didn't you mention last week that he was a good for nothing lout with a wandering eye."
Gina smiled, "That was so last week, Karen. I thought you knew the difference."
"Sounds like you're trying to be bloody head perfect," Karen shook her head. Gina didn't have a good track record with men. In truth, neither did she.
"Well if you see Nikki, tell her to ring me in," Gina said quickly. "See you later. Bye."
Helen looked at Karen with an annoyed expression. Why did Karen exclude her? She was a little hurt that she was not invited, but she wasn't entirely surprised either. As if Karen could read Helen's mind she said, "Bunch of us gals are going to a club called 'Boogie Nights'. I wanted to take Nikki out and show her around and it would be nice to celebrate her book."
"A girls night out," Helen said, wondering why Karen was telling her now. Maybe she felt guilty. "I didn't realise that Nikki was a writer too." Helen was amazed how talented Nikki was. What other talents hid behind those piercing brown eyes?
"That woman has many talents, but don't tell her that, she's so unpretentious. She hates to be made a fuss about." Karen smirked thinking about Nikki. "You should read it, it's called 'Fragile Dreams'."
"Perhaps I will someday." Helen smiled back. "Been a long time since I had a good read."
Karen began to felt uncomfortable. She didn't invite Helen to the outing, but recently she seemed to always decline her invitations, so she didn't bother. "Well, if you don't have plans that weekend, perhaps you could come. I'm sure Nikki would love to have you join us."
"Are you sure? I don't want to seem like I'm putting you on the spot." Heled replied. She didn't want to impose, especially since she was originally excluded. She knew that it was partly her fault.
"So, come anyway. It will give you a chance to let down your hair, or do you have to ask Sean first?" Karen grinned over at Helen who looked annoyed. She didn't like Sean, and he seemed very controlling.
She cringed at Sean's name. "I don't need permission if you must know. I think I will. I need to wallow in alcohol."
"Now you're talking woman," Karen rubbed Helen's shoulder. "But I need to tell you something first." Helen wondered why Karen sounded serious all of a sudden. "Nikki is gay."
"Why are you telling me this?" Helen said, a little surprised at the revelation. Why did Karen tell her something that seemed to be personal? It didn't matter if Nikki was open about her sexuality.
"I guess you didn't realise that Nikki was gay." Karen said, waiting for Helen's expression. Nikki was attractive and oozed sexuality. Nikki was different from anyone she knew. Inwardly Helen smiled. Nikki did flirt with her and seemed to enjoy doing it. "Is that a problem, I mean Nikki being a gay. You won't have any problem working with her?" Karen asked even though she knew the answer.
"Why would I? I don't have a problem with someone's sexual preference. Nikki seems nice, and what she does in her bedroom is none of my business," Helen said a little grated. Why was Karen being so determined? "And as for working with her closely, I do have gay friends, remember. It shouldn't be a problem." Helen said defensively. She felt like Karen was being overly protective of Nikki. She wondered how Nikki would react if she knew Karen was telling her. Although, Nikki seemed like someone who was comfortable in her own skin. She admired that quality in her.
"That's settle then. You two will get on famously. Nikki's great on the humour, and strong on opinions. She's very giving, but a flirt." Karen said smiling. Obviously, the way Karen was taking about Nikki, she felt highly about her. Her first encounter with Nikki was interesting. In fact, when Nikki left her office that morning, she hadn't thought of anything else, and it troubled her. But then, she didn't allow herself to befriend many, except for a few and her best friend Claire Walker, who is a University teacher. She told herself she would make a conscience effort to befriend Nikki Wade.
A few hours later…
"Yvonne, I know you keep tabs on the comings and goings in the hospital. What do you know about Nikki Wade? You seem to know everything and I was a bit curious, since she will be working with me." Helen got on well with Yvonne Atkins. When Karen first introduced them at a party, Yvonne seemed quite charming. She was the Chief Nurse and difficult to work with, or so she was told by Karen. She wasn't quite sure why she didn't just ask Karen, but she knew Karen would question her motives. It was really just curiosity she told herself.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. "Hmm," Yvonne finally said. "As a matter of fact, I do know a thing or two. I pried it out of Nikki over drinks one day." Yvonne joked. She got on well with Nikki and it didn't take her long to ask Nikki personal things. Yvonne made it a point to know as much about others. "Her parents died in a terrible accident when she was just fourteen. She lived with her godmother, up until she left to go to University."
"Do you happen to know if she's married or if she's seeing anyone?" Helen ventured, knowing she was probably stepping on a thin line. She didn't know why she was asking when she knew the answer.
There was a smile in Yvonne's voice when she answered. "No, she isn't married. She was seeing someone back at her hometown, a young lawyer, but it didn't last long. I don't know if you know this but Nikki's gay."
"Is she? She doesn't seem the type." Helen remarked, trying to sound surprised.
"Helen, what does this have to do with working with her?" Yvonne asked, knowing that Helen would play innocent. "Why didn't you just ask Karen about Nikki? She knows her quite well."
"I don't know what you mean, Yvonne." Helen said, trying to change the subject. "I was only asking because…"
"Forget it. I'm being nosy. I think it's good that you are interested in Nikki Wade as a person."
"I was thinking about inviting her over for dinner to discuss the case that we're working on. And I wanted to know a little about her. You know me Yvonne. I like to be well informed about whom I'm working with. It's no different than Dominic. Remember when I found out that he was going to be my partner. You thought I was crazy for playing the Detective." Helen said in her defence.
"Well, you did frighten the poor sod. I think he's still afraid of you," Yvonne laughed. "If I wasn't a married woman I'd probably shag him."
"Yvonne," Helen said, smirking over the phone. "He was wet between the ears, now look at him, well respected and keen to get on with things." She said. "So don't get so paranoid that I'm asking you questions about Nikki."
"Fine if you say so," said Yvonne, the words full of innuendo. Yvonne didn't really think that Helen and Sean made a good couple; in fact, she didn't understand why she was even with the slimy git. He was so controlling, that it made her skin crawl. Yvonne knew Helen's personality and she thought she should be with someone who allowed her to breathe, to become her own woman. Someone who could put the fire in her eyes, which she had never seen. Perhaps, she needed someone different. "Well, from what I've heard about Nikki, you two should get along. I hope that helps you."
Helen smiled to herself. It was all really innocent. "Yes, that helps. Is there anything about anybody you don't know?"
"Hmm, let's see," Yvonne, said as if she was actually considering answering the question. "Nope."
"DCI Helen Stewart speaking." His voice came over the phone. "No, I don't have a problem with that. Thanks for pulling some strings for me. I owe you one." She remembered Nikki. "While I have you on the phone," she said, purposely trying to sound upbeat, "I'd like to tell you that I would like Dr. Nikki Wade, to look over his case. If you have a problem with this, you need to let me know now." Helen held her breath as she awaited his answer. "Thank you Doctor. Then you'll inform Mason that we'll be bringing him in when he's released on Wednesday." Helen hung up and stared across the room. Then she thought about Mason. What was wrong with him? Was there something about today that was different from other days? Nikki was right, Helen was breaking the cardinal rule by getting personally involved. She needed to stop thinking about Mason because every time she did, she thought about his life, his movements, and what lay beneath those blue eyes that seemed so horrible and frightening.
Helen picked up her mobile phone and started dialling. "Sean, it's me. I have to cancel dinner this evening. Something's come up." She said, knowing that he was going to not like it. She knew he would probably whine.
"I thought we would head to my parents for dinner." Sean pouted. He was spending less and less time with Helen and he absolutely hated it. He wondered if she was cheating on him but he knew deep down inside that she would not be unfaithful to him.
"Sorry Sean, but I'm up to my eyeballs with work and I need to run over a few things. Please, it's important. I promise we'll see each other this weekend." Helen said, tired of his complaints. At times she wished she was alone. But pride and stubbornness always got in the way and her judgment on relationships were erroneous.
"We seem to spend less time together and I get the feeling you're not happy in the relationship. You work always come first," he whimpered like a spoiled child.
"Don't play that tune on me Sean. You know I'm swamped with work and I would really appreciate some sympathy from you." Helen said her voice irritated. "I have enough pressure from work and the last thing I need is you complaining like a prat."
"Is that what you think I'm doing? I'm trying to be patient with you. What if I come by later?"
"Please Sean. I really don't think that's a good idea. I don't know when I will be home." She could sense that he didn't want to give in, but he really had no choice. She was determined to be alone.
"Fine, have it your way. But don't expect me to be calling." He was irritated with Helen.
"I won't hold my breath." Helen said quickly, before hanging up the phone. He was starting to get on her nerves. She started dialing the phone again.
"Nikki Wade speaking."
"Hello Nikki, this is Helen Stewart." She said, sounding a little nervous.
"Yes, of course, is there a problem?" Nikki said wondering why Helen was calling. Her voice sounded sexy over the phone. She liked her soft Scottish accent. Nikki felt like cheese melting on a hot summer day.
"No, no problem Nikki," Helen said. "I was wondering if," a little hesitation, "well, I thought that it might be good if we got together at my place to discuss the case further. I also wanted to tell you that I arranged for you to take on Mason case file on Wednesday when he's released from the ward. "
"Are you asking me out Helen?" Nikki said, knowing full well she was going to make her uncomfortable.
"I…er…" Helen was stumped. She didn't expect those words to come out of Nikki mouth.
"I girl likes to be wine and dined." Helen could hear Nikki laughing at the end of the line. "Sorry, Helen. I'm being crass. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. You don't like jokes very much do you." Nikki smiled inside knowing she was getting to Helen.
"Sorry, no, just been a long day. My brain doesn't seem to be working at the moment." Helen breathed a sigh of relief.
"What time do you want me over?" Nikki asked. She didn't even know if Helen knew that she was gay, but that didn't matter. If she turned out to be a prune then there was nothing that she could do, but something inside her told her that Helen wouldn't shy away. It was in her eyes. The softness that she found alluring. She felt that Helen flirted too. Didn't she, she doubted? Maybe it was all innocent or in her imagination.
"Is after seven okay with you, Nikki?"
"Yeah, I have a few errands to run, but I should be in after seven." Nikki said, her voice sounding happy.
"Yes of course. Let me give you my address," Helen replied.
"No need, Helen. I make it my business to know everything about the person I'm working with."
Helen was impressed. Nikki was quite the Detective herself. "You impress me Nikki." She said.
"Why is that?" Nikki breathed into the phone waiting for a reply.
"Well, for starters, you don't hesitate and waste time." She said. "Plus, you're very intuitive."
"It's all part of the plan, Helen." Nikki teased. Flirting with Helen came naturally, but she knew that she had to be careful. Helen was straight and engaged and she certainly didn't want to fall for another straight girl. Those relationship always ended up being shite.
"Again, impressed." Helen repeated. She smiled inwardly. She was looking forward to having Nikki at her place.
"Then I'll see you tonight." Nikki said, in a suggestive matter.
"Yes, you will." Helen said, smiling as she hung up her phone. She knew that having Nikki around could very well be dangerous to her mental health.
(At Helen's flat)
"Paddock Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon?" Nikki grinned knowing Helen would gasp.
"Really," Helen rolled her eyes. "You think I'm made of money? Those wines are bloody expensive for my blood."
"But I got an expensive palette. Sorry, my upbringing." Nikki quipped. "A bottle of whatever you have then. Don't want you going broke on my account." She smiled over at Helen who was shaking her head.
"Expensive palette my arse." Helen smiled over at Nikki and she felt her stomach flip. "I wanted to go rummaging through the case files with you." Helen said trying to forget the uneasy feeling she had near Nikki.
"Okay," Nikki sat down next to Helen on the sofa. "But maybe you should offer me food first, before we overload our brains." Nikki grinned over at Helen.
Helen blushed immediately that she didn't have the good sense to offer Nikki something. She was distracted by Nikki's presence to think clearly. It was a good thing that she bought food otherwise she'd have nothing to offer Nikki. She wasn't sure if she would expect food. Then again, she didn't bother to ask either. She mentally told herself to be the wiser the next time: food before work.
She was arresting – that was the only way Helen could describe Nikki. For all that, she was astonishingly mysterious, yet Nikki had a dark beauty that screamed danger in the subtlest way. And as for what lay beneath her beauty that was the darkest of all – as Helen would come to see.
"How did you end up working as a DCI?" Nikki asked curiously.
"I'm originally from Scotland, and when I was a student, I volunteered as a Police Cadet then as a Police Community Support Officer. I completed the Standard Entrance Test and went to Police College. Then decided to get my Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology at Edinburgh." Helen smiled. "My parents didn't approve of my career choice. They were always afraid that one day they would get a knock at their door in the middle of the night? How about you Nikki? Do you parents approve of your career?" Helen immediately recoiled. She remembered what Yvonne told her.
Nikki's smiled faded. She didn't talk much about her parents, but she felt comfortable with Helen. "They died when I was fourteen. Both my parents were killed in a high-speed chase."
"That's horrible." Helen said trying to sound shocked. She didn't like lying to Nikki but she didn't want Nikki to feel like she was probing into her life. It was an awful feeling.
"No, no," Nikki said shaking her head. "My parents had just come home from the theatre after watching an opera. The police were chasing a couple of blokes who had murdered and robbed a clerk from a gas station. The thieves ran a red light and broadsided my parents' car. The car was ripped apart. Dad was dead on arrival and mum died a week later at the hospital. She never regained consciousness." Nikki paused. She tried to ward off thoughts of the loss of her parents. It was a very difficult time in her young life. She felt as if her whole world fell apart. Those were dark times. "My parents were very much in love. They told me once that they wanted to die together and they wanted it to be quick. I remember them joking that when they got old and feeble, they would just drive off a cliff together. They almost got their wish. I don't think they ever knew what hit them. I really miss them so much. I still feel a void in my life and I just wish they could see me now. I know they would be very proud of me."
"I'm so very sorry," Helen said, watching her fight to hold back tears. "It must have been terrible. It's part of the job that no one likes." Helen reached over and put her hand over Nikki's. It felt warm and somehow the touch made her heart beat faster.
"The food looks delicious," Nikki said as she watched Helen dive into her meal. "I make a mean vegetarian lasagne. I don't eat meat anymore, although I did when I was younger until I started to get gross by it all. I do love cheese and milk, so you can say I'm not a true vegan. I've seen one too many cruelty to animals to ever eat meat again."
"Gee, thanks ever so much for setting a great dinner mood," Helen said, popping a piece of chicken into her mouth. "I'm sorry I didn't know you didn't eat meat. I feel embarrassed that you're only eating a salad."
Nikki smiled at Helen's impediment. "Don't work yourself over me. It's quite alright. I do love the greens."
"How did you become a Clinical Psychologist?" Helen asked wanting to know about Nikki.
"Funny how many people ask me that question," Nikki replied. "It's probably a good dinner conversation starter."
"Go for it. Just about anything will beat a discussion about animal cruelty." Helen said, grinning.
"After my parents died I had to deal with their estate. I lived with my godmother Barbara. I was an only child and they left me everything, including their home and a Cottage up north. I was fourteen in college and everything seemed so messed up. I was feeling very depressed. My parents lived most of their married lives in a big old Victorian house on a hundred-acre farm. I discovered some letters packed away in my mum's things. I took them to my parent's attorney and got the shock of my life." Nikki paused to tackle another bite of her salad. "I found out I was adopted."
"You didn't have any idea before that?" Helen asked, stunned. She could only imagined how Nikki felt finding out her parents were not her biological parents.
"Nope. I couldn't believe my parents would keep something like that from me. It turned out to be like some mystery novel. They left a letter with their attorney. He was supposed to give it to me if anything ever happened to them. I was adopted when I was a week old. They assured me that my birth mother was intelligent, healthy. My biological Mother also left me a nest egg that my parents invested. It did very well in the stock market."
"You ain't going to turn out to be some rich snob," Helen playfully said. "Had I known you were made of money, I would have insisted on going to some expensive restaurant." Helen giggled, poking fun at Nikki.
"I ain't that rich, just very comfortable." Nikki winked at Helen. She really enjoyed watching Helen smile. She had a wonderful smile and a sexy voice to match that smile.
"I imagine your apartment is much bigger than mine. They don't pay me to get rich, unfortunately. But I get good health coverage and dental." Helen smiled, as she enjoyed playing with Nikki. She was very relaxed in Nikki's company and imagined that she had it easy with the ladies.
Nikki giggled at Helen who seemed relaxed. "I don't live in a Penthouse, but, I suppose I've done well. I live in a converted warehouse. I just love the loft feeling. You should come over one day." Nikki winked.
"Well if you behave yourself, then I just might." Helen flirted back. She didn't understand why she was flirting, except that it felt natural.
"Normal is boring, I suspect you much rather have me intrigued than well behaved. I'm an onion with many layers." Now it was Nikki's turn to flirt back.
Helen rolled her eyes. Flirting with Nikki might not be a good idea. She didn't want their working relationship to get weird. In truth, she didn't want to like the feeling she was getting out of it. "I can't imagine you being boring." Helen paused. "So you went searching for your biological mother" She asked changing the subject.
Nikki frowned. Just when things were getting interesting. "Cliché but true. The more I thought about it, the more I just had to know. While in my last year at University I applied for a job at the local Hospital. The timing was right for women with degrees. In my spare time I tried to track down my biological mother."
"Have you had any luck?" Helen asked.
"There isn't any birth documented records with the exact date and time listed on my birth certificate. I've tracked all the Liverpool births for a week in either direction and can't find any connection that point to me. I'm beginning to think I was born out of state."
"This must be really important to you." Helen said, her voice full of understanding. As Nikki discussed her life Helen felt privileged that she trusted her enough to talk about something that was obvious personal. It made her feel good in a way. She felt closer to Nikki. In fact, she was more compelled towards the dark haired woman who was sitting in front of her. Whenever she looked into Nikki's sad brown eyes she felt penetrated and Nikki showed a vulnerable side to her. She knew that dark matters hid behind those dark brown eyes.
Nikki took the last bite of her salad. "I loved my parents very much. We almost never had a disagreement, even when I came out to them. They couldn't have loved me more or treated me better. No one can ever take their place; they'll always be my real parents. But I need to know who my biological mother was."
Before she could go on, Helen got up and cleared the plates. Nikki was a bit put off. She just told Helen that she was gay, well, not in the sense of the word, but what else could she have meant when she told her that her parents didn't care when she came 'out' to them. Why did Helen get up so quickly? Nikki felt disappointed. In fact she couldn't be more wrong. When Helen got up too clear the table she didn't even register Nikki saying the word 'out' since she already knew that Nikki was gay. But once she was in the kitchen getting dessert ready the word hit her and she felt mortified. Nikki probably thinks I'm disgusted by her revelation she thought. She felt stupid.
When Helen came back with dessert and tea, they settled a shared piece of chocolate mousse pie. "Sorry, I didn't have any other dessert and I seem to only have chocolate mousse pie so I hope you don't mind sharing with me." Helen said, her nerves slightly on edge.
"That's fine with me Helen. You have been kind enough to feed me."
"That's not what you said in the beginning when I didn't offer you food," Helen smirked over at Nikki.
Nikki laughed. Helen was charming and she could listen to Helen telling stories all day with her Scottish accent. "True enough, but you've slowly won me over with you exquisite Greek salad."
"You mocking me Wade," Helen questioned, with a serious look. She was trying to keep a straight face without laughing.
"No ma'am." Nikki smiled at Helen. "Let's change the subject. You know things that even Karen hasn't pried out of me. Tell me about yourself." She was going to ask Helen if she understood. She figured if she understood and choose to ignore it then she wasn't going to put herself out there. It was silly she thought inwardly.
Helen didn't know what to say. She felt awkward. She hoped that Nikki would bring it up again, so she played stupid. "Well, there were times when I was desperate to be an only child." Helen said, amused. "It just goes to show you that we're never happy with what we have. I was born in Scotland and always lived there until I moved to London. My dad was a firefighter and my mom was a nurse. We were comfortably middle class with both my parents working a lot of over-time and each of us going to work when we were teenagers." Helen paused as she took a zip of her tea.
"You go first," Nikki said, shoving the decadent-looking pie towards her. "I've never known a woman who wouldn't all but kill for a good piece of chocolate."
"What a dangerous remark to make to a woman with a gun." Helen smirked. She was finding herself enjoying Nikki's company a little too much.
"Careful honey," Nikki said, raising her hands. "No offence meant. Just slide it right back over here if I was out of character."
"Bollocks," Helen said, pulling the pie towards her. "If you think you're getting the first bite on this, you've got another thing coming." She forked a large piece into her mouth and moaned with delight.
Nikki tried a piece. "This is good, but I'll never understand why women are so obsessed with chocolate."
Helen snatched the plate back. "I guess that means you won't mind if that's the last bite you get." Her eyes twinkled. "I thought about keeping it to myself but I didn't want to be a pig about it."
"How generous of you Helen to share such a delight with me. I think my mouth is getting watery just thinking about it." Nikki teased. She knew Helen was enjoying this as much as she was so she would be brazen. She needed to test her."
"I thought you'd be the first to point out the connection between women and chocolate?" Helen said amused.
"Never understood it. I mean I am a women, but I don't see what the big deal about it. In fact, I hardly even have chocolate. Not big on my list of things to eat. My last relationship was with a chocoholic, and I swear she had to have a piece everyday" as the words casually rolled off her tongue. She really enjoyed playing with Helen. She couldn't remember the last time since she had a flirtatious conversation with another woman who managed to break through her hard exterior shell. Nikki was too stubborn and held her guide high, careful not to let anyone in. Her distrust in people made it difficult to have a lot of friends. She preferred the company of a few trusted friends than many 'what have you done for me lately' friends. As for male friends, Nikki didn't allow herself to trust them. She knew it was wrong but ever since what happened to Trisha that fateful evening, she was weary of people.
Helen didn't flinch. "That speaks volumes," Helen quipped, carving off another bite. Why did Nikki have such a hold on her in such a short period of time? She was charming, attractive, and downright funny.
Was Helen that naïve Nikki thought? She would just have to be upfront about her sexuality. "Did you hear what I just said?"
Helen knew that Nikki was trying to be subtle about it but she wanted to play the innocent. She didn't exactly know why but it pleased her to watch Nikki struggle. "Hear what?" Helen said. "You said your previous girlfriend needed chocolate on a daily basis, which sounds like a neurotic to me. Doesn't seem you have good taste in people," Helen laughed teasing Nikki. She would play with Nikki just a little longer.
"Are you as thick as dense fog?" Nikki implied crudely. She had a feeling that Helen was playing with her and that she probably already guessed that she was gay.
"If you're making fun of my intelligence then I take offence to your remarks," Helen said grinning, running her fingers through her hair and licking her lips.
"Do you Helen? Well, I was just getting started," Nikki winked as she leaned closer to Helen. Two can play the game she thought.
"If you're trying to tell me in a subtle way about your sexual preference then rest assured it doesn't matter to me in the least." Helen said calmly looking straight into Nikki's eyes, looking for a response. For some strange reason, Nikki's eyes looked like liquid puddles of brown chocolate. It glowed against the light. She thought if she stared hard and long enough in them she would become hypnotised. A warm feeling started forming in her stomach.
Nikki was taken aback by Helen's honesty. She wasn't expecting Helen to be so plainspoken. She was definitely impressed. "Glad to know your sense of humour is applied. I just wanted to be honest with you about who I am and where I was coming from."
Helen smiled at Nikki. Her eyes were piercing. "In all honesty, I already knew."
"You did, how?" Nikki asked puzzled. Was she that easier read?
"A little birdie named Karen Betts told me." Helen laughed, swiping her finger on her nose.
Nikki giggled and rolled her eyes. "That crow, exposing me before I had the pleasure."
Helen laughed with Nikki. "I suspect that she does that to you all the time."
"While you finish off the plate, tell me more about yourself." Nikki said. She wanted to hear more about the woman who was making her feel butterflies inside.
Helen leaned back against her chair. "I always wanted to be an officer, but my parents wanted us to be professionals—lawyers, Doctors, or engineers. My brother met my parents' expectations but me. My parents are retired and still living in Scotland. I'm the oddball of the family you could say."
"Why do you think you're odd?" Nikki questioned. Helen seemed so put together and she couldn't image why her parents would be at odds with her. But then she understood how some parents put too much pressure on their children to succeed and become successful. "I guess I can see why they would be scared or apprehension about your choice of career."
"As I said, my parents never wanted me to be an officer of the law. They insisted that I get my degree, so I decided to get a degree that I could live with. When I joined the police force, my mother almost keeled over. She was sure I'd be shot dead in days. Then they nearly drove me crazy insisting that I go to law school. They thought the reality of police work would hit me and I'd finally wake up. Much to their amazement, I got my Bachelors of Arts in Criminal Justice and here I am today. I worked my way up through the ranks very quickly. Of course, not everyone was happy about my promotions through-out the years. I found out real quickly, many blokes are egotistic and hate when their superiors are women."
"Some men are pigs and parents are like that, as they want the best for their children but in their terms. I know my parents would have been proud in any career I choose." Nikki said. "What brought you up here to London?"
Helen looked down at the floor, lost in thought. Nikki was surprised by the sadness in her face. "My brother's death three years ago. Nothing felt the same after that."
Nikki placed her hand around Helen's clenched fists and she moved closer, putting the other arm around Helen. "I am so very sorry. It must be painful to bring up memories."
"He was the best thing in my life." Helen remarked remembering how close she was with her older brother. They were very close and his death left a huge hole in her heart.
Nikki looked at her watch and sighed. "I hate to sound strident, but it's almost nine-thirty." Nikki said, pointing at her watch. "We should go through the case files so I can get a better understanding."
Helen nodded in agreement. She was a little disappointed but she knew Nikki was right. It was getting late and there was much to discuss. "Let's start with the case. So far we have four victims and no possible leads. Just a lot of question. Victim one was found six months ago. She was found naked with obvious signs of strangulation. She had been strangled by ligature. There was ligature marks on her wrists, ankles and neck. When she was turned over, blood oozed from her rectum. She was raped and sodomised. The bruises on her breasts were obvious. She was brutally mutilated as her body was left with many knife wounds. You could say he carved her up good." Helen showed Nikki the crime pictures.
Nikki was sickened by the brutality of the murder. The pictures showed that the victim suffered enormously. It was evident that she had been in a lot of pain and her death was slow and meticulous. "That sounds like one sick bastard."
"Oddly enough, there were two puncture marks on her arm, but no signs of needle tracks to indicate she was drug user. I saw no indication of any disturbance in the foliage nor any sign that the body had been dragged there. The murder occurred somewhere else. Her body was dumped like she was garbage, left to rot and decay in the harsh elements." Helen said, disgusted.
"Second victim was found months later. Not sure if they were connected. She was discovered near shallow waters. She too had five-point marks (ankles, wrists, and neck). There was evidence of rape and sodomy. Her body was brutally mutilated and left to the elements to decay like the first victim. During the autopsy, the medical examiner noted curious elongated marks on her thighs. It seemed the girl had resisted the rape, and her attacker had pried her legs apart with such force that he left bruises on her thighs that mirrored the shape of his fingers."
Nikki gasped. "It just doesn't get easier does it," Nikki replied. She was intrigued yet mortified that a person so evil could commit these murders. It was beginning to sound as if a serial killer was in their mist.
"In my line of work you see everything. But there are crimes that would even make the harden heart vomit." Helen said, her face showing anger. "Victim three was found on an overgrown side of a hilly area. It was a pretty horrible sight, made all the more grotesque by the decay and army of insects that had taken over the flesh. Again no indication that murder had occurred where the body had been found, nor was there any evidence that the body had been dragged there. There is the probability that more than one killer was involved in dumping her body on the hillside. She too had five-point marks (ankles, wrists, and neck) and was brutally militated."
"You think the killer had help?" Nikki said, raising her brow and moving closer to Helen, who was already having difficulty breathing being so close to Nikki.
"I don't know for sure, but the possibility is there." Helen said, looking at Nikki. She was glad that Nikki was helping her. The case was becoming emotionally draining and having someone who shared the same views was comforting. "The recent victim was found, near a stream behind overgrown brushes. Her maggot-covered body was estimated to have been there some two weeks. She had been strangled like the others and had the same similar patterns and brutality, but it was not certain if she had been raped or sodomised. Still waiting on the autopsy."
"It sounds like the killer is getting more brazen. So the only connection right now is that they were all college women?" Nikki asked. She knew someone was killing young girls. Why, she didn't know but she knew that the killer was only starting and that many more bodies would be found.
"Yup," Helen replied. "It's shite I know. I believe we are dealing with a serial killer, but Superintendent Simon Stubberfield is such a sly bastard. He refuses to believe that there is a possibility or that the three college girls dating back six years ago might be connected. I don't know what his game is." Helen said angrily. She didn't understand why Simon was so rigid in his ways. She thought he needed to retire and hang up his prejudice ways.
"Old boys network, eh?" Nikki smiled over at Helen. It wasn't easy being a woman in a field dominated by men.
"You could say that. He's been up my arse from the first day we locked eyes. And it doesn't help that DI Jim Fenner is his favourite pupil. I think he was hoping Jim would be the next DCI but I foiled their plans. Bloody hell, just what I needed, two bleepin' idiots to run me aground." Helen spat. At least she had Dominic on her side.
Nikki reached out and held Helen's arm as she rubbed it slightly. The touch sent shivers down Helen's shine. Nikki smiled and then said, "Look, clearly they are intimidated by your raw talent and your exquisite beauty. You didn't fancy them for a shag and that is enough to bruise their male egos."
Helen could almost feel Nikki's breath on her. "You think I'm exquisite?" Her face became flushed and warm.
Nikki shook her head. "Helen, you do realise you're gorgeous with a sexy Scottish accent. There's not many who would turn you down." Her stomach was eliciting tiny butterflies, as she wondered how it would feel to kiss Helen. But she knew she had no right to think those things. Helen was straight and engaged.
Helen was slightly embarrassed. "Well, you ain't half bad yourself." Nikki punched Helen's arm in protest. They both just looked into each other's eyes a little longer before they were in a fit of giggles. Both women not realising the growing feelings they were having. It was all sweet and innocent they would keep telling themselves. Time was not on their side.
(Hoping to have Chapter 8 up soon. Hope everyone is enjoying my story so far. Expect things to get more complicated, and the subject matter to get intense and dark. Don't be afraid to let me know good or bad what everyone thinks of my story. So enjoy)