“It doesn’t help her,” Andrew admitted. “But maybe by killing Jordan I’ve helped other people’s daughters. He was just a teenager; plenty of years ahead of him for terrorising more innocent people.”
“Maybe, you’re right,” said Wardsley, “but we still have to take you in.”
Andrew nodded. “And I’ll let you. Just let me finish what I started first.”
Both of the officer’s eyes went wide, shining in the darkness. Obviously the request had shocked them.
“I’m already going to prison,” Andrew explained. “Let me do some good before that happens. Let me make the world a safer place for other families so that they don’t end up like mine. Frankie is a cancer and I want to go and cut him out.”
“You’re insane to even ask such a thing,” said Wardsley. “It’s ridiculous and I would suggest you don’t say anything else. We are officers of the law.”
Dalton stepped aside, leaving the pathway open and clear. She motioned with an arm that Andrew was free to walk by her. “You do what you have to do,” she said, “but soon as you’re finished you hand yourself in and confess everything.”
Andrew nodded vigorously. “You have my word. Thank you.”
“What the fuck are you doing, Laura?” Wardsley asked his partner. “You’ll end up doing a stretch with him. Have you lost your mind? We’re taking him in.”
“I’m just letting him do what we’re failing to do, Jack – making the streets safer. How many criminals have we seen walk free just to commit more crimes. How many killers are walking the streets right now laughing at how powerless we are? I for one am sick of it. It’s time someone hit back and showed these thugs that they don’t get to avoid all consequences for their actions.”
Wardsley shook his head, exasperated. “If anyone finds out…”
“No one will,” said Dalton, “and admit it – you want to see Frankie punished as well. Not just him but every arrogant little yob like him. We’ve been in the force almost ten years each, Jack. Wouldn’t you like them all to know that sometimes the victims bite back?”
Wardsley thought about things for a moment and then seemed to relax his shoulders. It was clear he was struggling with something internally, but it was also clear that he trusted his partner. He stepped aside from the path and nodded at Andrew. “I don’t know how you’re going to find him, but he’s been known to hang around with a local drug dealer, Damien Banks. 14 Middleton Mews.”
Andrew thanked the both of them and hurried past, sprinting down the path. But he stopped in his tracks before disappearing completely, halted by the sound of Officer Dalton’s voice.
“Penelope’s dead,” she told him. “We got word she died twenty minutes ago. The hospital have been trying to contact you. I’m sorry.”
Andrew said nothing, didn’t turn around, or even move. Instead he glared forward into the rain-soaked night with nothing else but murder on his mind. “I’ll see you both in the morning,” he said to the officers, then disappeared into the darkness.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Davie waited anxiously for Frankie to get off the phone. His brother was clutching the mobile so tight to his face that it was threatening to crack his skull. Davie didn’t know who was on the other end of the call, or even what was being said, but he could tell one thing for certain: things were bad.
“No fuckin’ way!” Frankie screamed into the phone. “I can’t believe it. How the hell did it happen?”
After several more minutes of shouting and cursing, Frankie ended the call and put the phone back in his jean pocket. He then proceeded to stand there saying nothing, staring at an invisible spot in the sky. His twitch was acting up again and his whole face seemed to be breakdancing.
“What is it?” Davie asked. “What’s happened?”
Frankie lowered his gaze slowly until it focused on his brother. “Jordan’s dead.”
Davie could not have cared less about the twins, but the shock of hearing something so unexpected hit Davie in his stomach like a lead-filled boxing glove. There was no way Jordan could be dead.