The Lipstick Killers (19 page)

62

Margaret and her sisters spent another bleak day consoling each other and Sharon’s children. The mood in the cottage was grim. Peter and Susan didn’t
understand
what was happening. How could they? One day they were a happy family doing the sort of things that happy families did. The next they were orphans. The three women were as bereft as the children, but tried not to show it with little success, although they were careful not to cry in front of them. Around four Margaret left and went back to Sharon’s empty house. She could hardly bear to be there surrounded by family pictures from happier times but she needed some time alone, plus time to get ready to see Mahoney. She felt guilty about leaving the family, but there was little that she could do for them at the moment. She told Roxie she’d collect her the next morning. ‘Have fun,’ she said as Margaret left, her face puffy from crying but her eyes twinkling slightly as she spoke.

‘I don’t know if I should go,’ said Mags, suddenly unsure.

‘Course you should. Remember what I said – life’s too short. I’ll hold the fort here.’

Margaret considered what she was wearing when she got to her room. Jumper and trousers. Not exactly an outfit to drive men wild, she thought. But she had nothing better and could hardly touch anything of Sharon’s under the circumstances. Then she saw the bag of clothes that Roxie had brought with her. What the hell, she thought, let’s see what little sister has stashed away.

She opened the bag and found a selection of clothes. She passed on the thongs. So last year Roxie, she thought, but found some lacy shorts-style knickers with a matching bra, a tight pencil skirt and a silk blouse. She tried them on and they fitted perfectly. Still the same size, sis, she thought. Not bad for five years older than you.

She left her legs bare and slipped into her high heeled ankle boots, laid on some slap and felt ready for anything. Mahoney, you don’t know what you’re in for, she thought as she brushed her hair. She left the house about six-thirty and sped off in her Porsche for Mahoney’s house.

63

Margaret found Mahoney’s address with little trouble. It was a modern block on the outskirts of Guildford near the cathedral and university. She parked in a visitor’s bay, checked her make-up in the rear view mirror and went to the front entrance. She rang the bell for his flat and waited, feeling nervous at the thought of going on a date after so long – if you could call it a date, when really she just wanted some good sex. After a few seconds of indecision, when she actually thought she might turn and flee, she heard his voice on the speaker. ‘Push the door, and come up,’ he said, as a buzzer sounded.

Here goes nothing she thought, as she did what he said, entering the foyer and calling the lift. Mahoney’s flat was on the top floor, and he was standing at his open door when the lift opened. She was pleased to note that he
had
shaved and combed his hair, and he was dressed in blue jeans and a pale blue polo shirt, his aftershave smelling clean and fresh.

‘You’re punctual,’ he said, smiling. ‘Come on in.’

She followed him down a short hall into a sizable living room, one wall of which was glass, with a view of the massive tower of the cathedral. The room was sparely furnished with a sofa, leather swivel armchair, a coffee table, a big screen plasma TV and top of the range stereo system, and a couple of bookshelves crammed with paperbacks.

‘Bachelor pad,’ she said. ‘This is very nice. Must be good money in being a copper these days,’ she said, her tone teasing.

‘Just renting. Wherever I lay my hat, as they say.’

‘Good plan in our game.’

‘Drink? I have beer, wine, red or white. Scotch, gin, you name it.’

‘Wine would be good. White.’

‘Sit a minute. It’s in the fridge.’

Mahoney went back into the hall and into the kitchen, where Mags heard him open and close the fridge door. He returned with an open bottle of wine and two glasses. By then Margaret was sitting on the sofa, her skirt up around her thighs, and she knew Mahoney noticed. He put the bottle and glasses on the coffee table, filled both and handed her one glass. He joined her on the sofa and they clinked their glasses together. ‘Cheers,’ he said.

‘Cheers,’ she replied.

‘So what do you want to eat?’ he asked. ‘Pizza, Chinese, Indian, Thai. The whole culinary world is just down the road, only a phone call away.

Margaret crossed her legs and her skirt rose even higher. ‘Can we eat later?’ she asked. ‘Frankly right now, after the day I’ve had, I’d just like to go to bed.’

64

‘You don’t beat around the bush do you?’ said Mahoney, surprised at her words.

‘After what I’ve seen in the past few weeks, especially today, I don’t have time to waste. Life can be very short, and who knows where we’ll be tomorrow. I’ve lost my bloody sister, I’m feeling like shit. I feel guilty about what happened to her, and guilty about just being here when I should really be with my family.’

‘You have no reason to be guilty. None of this is your fault. So why
are
you here?’

‘To forget for a few hours.’

‘And I’m just handy, I suppose?’

‘Look Mahoney, this is what it is. If you want me to go, I will.’

‘I never said that.’

‘I’m not just using you Mahoney. I need a friend. They’ve been in short supply for long time.’

‘Just a friend?’

‘You know what I mean. You want to don’t you?’

‘You know I’ve wanted to, since the first time I saw you,’ Mahoney said softly.

‘But you made a good job of pretending not to like me.’

‘It was hard, but I was here for the job.’

‘And it’s hard now isn’t it?’ She looked at his crotch inside his tight jeans.

Mahoney actually blushed, then laughed. ‘I’ve never met anyone like you before, Ms Doyle,’ he said. ‘Got me’.

‘At least for tonight,’ she said, standing up and taking his hand. ‘Bring the wine,’ she said, smiling at him seductively.

They went out of the room and Mahoney led her to the bedroom. It was barely furnished but the double bed, wardrobe and dresser looked expensive. ‘Nice bed,’ said Margaret. ‘Nice and big. I see you’re prepared for
visitors
.’

‘Came with the place,’ said Mahoney, putting the bottle and his glass on top of the dresser. ‘And I’ve always flown solo before now.’

‘It’ll make a nice change for you then,’ said Margaret as she dragged him over to the bed and peeled back the duvet. ‘Now undress me for fuck’s sake and let’s get this show on the road.’

She turned and asked him to unzip her skirt, which he did. She let it drop to the floor and stepped out of it facing away from him. When she turned back he’d taken off his shirt. ‘Nice bod,’ she said. ‘I had a feeling it would be. You must lay off the pies in the canteen.’

‘Always liked to keep in shape,’ he replied. ‘You never know what the day will bring.’

‘No you don’t,’ said Margaret, and she went into his arms and they kissed. Gently at first then harder, until her head swum, and it wasn’t the drop of wine she’d drunk that caused it. She wanted to forget about
everything
for a few hours – and Mahoney helped her do that.

65

When they were both satisfied, they lay back on the damp sheets. ‘That was good,’ said Mahoney.

Margaret said nothing.

‘What do you think?’ he asked.

‘Thai,’ replied Margaret. ‘Light, but spicy.’

‘No, I mean…’

‘I know what you mean Mahoney,’ she interrupted.

‘Mike. Now we’re friends.’

‘I like Mahoney better though.’

‘Fair enough Mags. They call you Mags don’t they? Your family. I will too if you don’t mind.’

‘If you want,’ she said shortly.

‘You’re always the hard woman. But you were soft when we made love.’

‘Did you say ‘love’, Mahoney? That wasn’t love – that was sex, pure and simple.’

‘Next time it might be.’

‘If there is a next time after tonight. You see Mahoney, we’re in a bubble. And that bubble could burst,’ she said
in a hushed voice that betrayed her true feelings.

He held her tightly and she didn’t push him away. ‘I know who did it,’ she said, muffled into his chest.

‘Did what?’

‘Killed Monty and Joyce, and made Sharon kill herself.’

Mahoney held her at arm’s length and looked deeply into her eyes. ‘How do you know?’

‘It’s bloody obvious.’

‘But can you prove it?’

‘No. I just know.’

‘So what are you going to do about it Mags?’ he asked.

‘I’m going to get revenge,’ she replied. For the first time she allowed her emotions to take over, and she cried real tears until the damp sheets were even damper.

66

‘You shouldn’t say something like that to me,’ said Mahoney, looking worried.

‘Why not? Because you’re a copper?’

‘I care about your safety, you know. But yes, because I’m a copper too – as are you, don’t forget.’

‘In a compromising position though. What would your DI say if he could see us now?’

‘He’d probably say lucky old me,’ he said, smiling.

Margaret laughed and dried her tears on the sheet. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘Mascara. Might not come out.’

‘I don’t mind. It’ll remind me of you.’

‘You’re a real romantic Mahoney, you know that. I bet you even send Valentine cards.’

‘It has been known.’

‘I’ll have to give you my address.’

‘It could be Holloway, if you meant what you said,’ Mahoney turned serious for a moment.

‘Forget it. I got emotional. I must’ve caught it from you.’

‘What now then?’

‘Like I said. Thai.’

‘Are you going to stay?’

‘Why? You want me to fuck and run?’

‘Just the opposite.’

‘Then I’ll stay,’ she said, looking at him directly.

‘Good. I’ll find the menu from the restaurant.’

Margaret got out of bed, grabbed her knickers, and Mahoney showed her the bathroom. On the way she picked up her phone, locked the door and called Roxie. ‘Had a good shag?’ her sister asked when she answered.

‘None of your business, little sis. We had a nice time, that’s all you need to know.’

‘Lucky girl,’ Roxie laughed. ‘He’s a doll.’

‘Listen,’ said Margaret. ‘No more waiting around. We’re on for tomorrow. Right?’

‘Right,’ said Roxie, sounding hesitant.

‘No time for second thoughts love, remember? Just think of mum. She would’ve done anything for her family, and so must we. Even if we end up in jail.’

‘Of course. You don’t think that will happen do you, Mags?’

‘Not if I’ve got anything to do with it. Trust me. How’s everyone else holding up?’

‘How do you think? Not well.’

‘It’ll soon be over,’ said Mags, determinedly.

‘One way or another.’

‘Right. I’ll pick you up in the morning from the cottage. We need a throwaway phone so I can listen in to what’s going on. We’ll pick one up on the way into town. You sure you’re up for this? I need you on-side Roxie. Remember, this is the only way that we can make sure
the people responsible for Sharon’s death get what they deserve.’

‘I know Mags. I want that too.’

‘OK then, I’ll see you first thing.’

Margaret ended the call and washed her face. There was a towelling robe hanging on the back of the door and she slipped into it. It smelled of Mahoney, and she liked that.