Page 2 of M for Murder

‘Want one?’ he mumbled through his mouthful.

She screwed up her nose. ‘Thanks, but I think I’ll pass.’

Taking the bag from him, she added it to the growing collection already in the glovebox, making a mental note to clear it out when they next stopped, and thinking that if Vic kept eating doughnuts at this rate, he would end up looking like one.

Not a pleasant thought.

That wasn’t to say he was ugly, or even overweight. Even features, close-cropped dark hair and grey blue eyes, tall, and with a bulk that, at the moment, was mostly still muscle, thanks to the few hours a week he did bother to put in at the gym. But he would be piling on the pounds soon if he wasn’t careful. And if he did pork out, he didn’t exactly have a personality to carry him.

The man wasn’t just a pig when it came to his food either. He was lazy, had little respect for women, and it had quickly become apparent to Rebecca that he would rather spend his day with his feet propped up in front of the TV with a six pack of beer at hand than behind the wheel of a patrol car.

At first, she had wondered why he decided to become a cop. It took just a week of working with him though to realise he was in it solely for the perks. Not punching a clock, and with no one constantly looking over his shoulder, he was able to make as many social stops as he liked, and he frequently abused the siren whenever he didn’t feel like sitting in traffic or wanted to get somewhere fast.

As a rookie, Rebecca was sure she could learn a lot from this man.

Finishing his doughnut, Vic used his pants to wipe the sugar from his fingers and started the engine. As he edged away from the curb, Rebecca had one eye casually trained on the crowded street. She watched as a middle-aged woman pushing a baby stroller paused by a bus stop to fuss over the infant inside.

The boy ran from an alleyway, slowing to a jog as he approached them. He looked young, probably only about fourteen, and had straggly blond hair and a pair of jeans that hung down to the backs of his knees. He made a grab for the woman’s purse and, though the two of them struggled briefly, the boy gained control easily, succeeding in knocking the woman into a crowd of disgruntled pensioners who were waiting for the bus.

Rebecca glanced at Vic, who appeared oblivious to the commotion going on across the street. ‘Didn’t you see that?’ she snapped, thumping him hard on the arm.

He turned to her in irritation. ‘Do you mind?’

Rebecca barely heard him, already out of the patrol car and heading across the street towards the alleyway she had seen the kid disappear down.

‘Stop! Police!’

The boy paused momentarily, glancing over his shoulder long enough to flash a quick mocking grin, before disappearing from sight. Rebecca charged in after him.

The alleyway was long and narrow, the entrance to it flanked by the kitchens of restaurants. Steam and smoke billowed from various pipes and vents, and the strong aroma of Chinese food filled her nostrils. The buildings on either side were tall and both had fire escapes. The kid was no longer in sight and she glanced briefly at the metal staircases wondering if he had used one as an escape route, before dismissing the idea. He had only had a few seconds head start on her and she would easily have seen him before he’d had time to reach the rooftop.

She paused to catch her breath and, in that moment, caught sight of him darting from the doorway where he had been hiding, making a mad dash for the metal fence that blocked the end of the alleyway. As she gave chase, Rebecca picked up speed, glad that she’d persevered with her early morning runs. She wasn’t naturally athletic and didn’t enjoy exercise, viewing the daily running and her visits to the gym as punishment rather than recreation. Now, though, as she closed the gap between herself and the kid, satisfaction kicked in that her efforts were paying off.

Behind her came the wail of a police siren; evidently Vic had finally decided to get his ass in gear.

She didn’t stop to wait for him. The kid was already scaling the fence and if he got to the other side, chances were, she would lose him. Her adrenalin was pumping and there was no way in hell she planned on letting some snot-nosed little purse thief get the better of her.

Reaching the fence, she made a grab for his leg. Catching hold of his sneaker, she pulled hard. Struggling and squealing, the kid kicked out hard, knocking her in the face. Rebecca fell back, landing inelegantly on her ass, the sneaker still in her hand.

Laughing, the kid pushed himself over the fence, dropping easily to the other side. Peering through the bars and waving the red purse he’d snatched as a trophy, he grinned at her.

‘Sorry. Gotta run!’

Feeling cheated, Rebecca picked herself up from the ground and flew for the bars. He was already disappearing around a corner, but she climbed the fence anyway. Behind her Vic pulled the patrol car to a stop, killing the siren.

‘Hey, Angell, he’s gone. Let it go.’

Ignoring him, she swung her leg over the top of the fence. As she dropped to the ground on the other side, she realised that Vic had left the car and was approaching.

He scowled at her through the bars.

‘This had better not be a wild goose chase. I don’t like running.’

Rebecca brushed down the seat of her pants, fully believing him. She didn’t doubt for a second that Vic tried to get away with as little exercise as possible.

‘He has to be around here somewhere,’ she muttered, ignoring him. ‘I mean, where could he go?’

Vic swung a leg clumsily across the top of the fence and jumped down, landing heavily beside her.