Authors: JJ Franklin
Urge to Kill (1) (40 page)
This killer was cornered, dangerous, and had nothing to lose. Matt cursed himself for letting him take first blood. Matt gave a shake to rid himself of the excess water and a stab of pain shot through his head. Ignoring this he moved towards Clive.
Clive glanced towards the door looking for a way of escape. He stopped and Matt was thankful to hear footsteps running towards them. There was no escape.
Matt pushed on through the water and saw Clive pause and look towards the small island. Matt followed his gaze although the pain in his head screamed. Through the blur he could see a figure. It must be Eppie. The figure waved and he heard her call.
‘Matt. Let the others take him. Please.’
Behind him there was movement and he turned, causing his head to complain and his vision to blur even more. When he re-focused, he felt a mixture of fear and rage race through him, realising that Clive was starting to scramble across the rocks at the edge of the pool towards Eppie.
Matt knew he had to get to her first. He turned and began to swim across the pool to intercept Clive. He aimed for an area of sun loungers, set on a mock sandy beach, half way around the pool. He was glad his muscles were responding and his head began to clear as he ploughed forward reaching the sand at the same time as Clive.
Clive jumped to the left and nearly fell over a lounger. Matt followed, throwing the chairs aside before lunging forward in a rugby tackle, which brought them both crashing down. Clive was stronger than he looked, and Matt struggled to gain the upper hand.
As they fought, rolling over in the sand, it was an even match until Clive aimed a kick at Matt’s stomach and staggered to his feet, pausing only to scoop up a handful of sand. Too late, Matt saw the thousands of grains flying towards him. Most of it went straight into his eyes and he floundered.
Clive used the advantage to clamber up the rocks—still heading towards Eppie. Matt ignored the sand even though it was stinging and scrambled almost blindly after him. It took him only a second to catch up.
Clive was on the edge of one of the small hot pools. Matt decided on brute force and heaved himself forward again. He caught Clive around the knees causing him to lose balance and throwing them both sideways into the bubbling whirlpool.
Sinking beneath the bubbles, they writhed against each other, tossed by the powerful water jets. Matt felt his eyes start to clear of the sand. He tried to get a stronger hold on Clive, but his fingers slipped and fumbled on the wet cloth. Clive kicked out viciously. Matt knew he had to stop this madman before he could get to Eppie.
As they both surfaced, he aimed a right-hander at Clive’s head. Clive ducked sideways and managed to climb onto the next step where he turned and delivered a karate chop to Matt’s neck. Matt moved his head just in time, catching the deadly stinging blow on his left ear.
Clive used the time gained to clamber out of the pool and on towards Eppie. Matt dragged himself out, weighted down by the water that streamed from his wet clothes, and staggered on after Clive.
Clive was slipping and sliding on the rocks ahead of him—wet feet finding no purchase. Matt could hear his laboured breathing just a few feet away, as he struggled to catch up with him and keep his own footing. All those muddy Saturdays on the rugby field were beginning to pay off.
Then the pace of the racing waters changed, the bubbling and frothing turned into a series of gurgles and trickles. Matt became aware that there were figures at the far edge of the pool. Help was on the way.
Spurred on, Matt closed in on Clive who turned and prepared to land another karate chop.
Matt was ready for him this time and dodged it easily bringing up his right fist in an upper cut to the jaw. Clive fell back and Matt moved in, ready to restrain him.
Help was close, but they had no chance of reaching Eppie in time, only he could do that. The blow had floored Clive, and he seemed groggy, but Matt didn’t want to take any chances. He stood over Clive trying to assess if he was faking. Deciding he was feigning, Matt bent forward to haul him to his feet. Feeling Clive’s muscles tense, he moved swiftly to put him into a restraining hold.
Clive kicked and struggled, as if he didn’t feel the pain the hold must be bringing to his arm and shoulder.
‘You can’t win. She is mine, Inspector.’
‘Not this time.’
Matt guessed at his determination and pushed Clive forward onto his knees. The pure physical effort of the fight and the blow to the head was beginning to take its toll, and Matt was unsure how much longer he could hold on.
‘Sam hurry,’ he called, hearing the fear in his voice.
‘Hold on, Guv, nearly there.’
Matt had never been so glad to hear Sam’s voice. He dared not look around but could hear footsteps clambering over the rocks; then, at last, Sam was at his side ready to take over.
Matt waited until Sam had a firm hold on Clive’s arm, just below his and then eased his grip. It was the moment Clive had been waiting for, and it was as if he had been storing every ounce of energy to take one last spring. In one leap, he was three feet away and already into a long running stride, springing from rock to rock, the survival instinct now adding fuel to his muscles.
The suddenness of Clive’s move had knocked Matt off balance, but Sam was already racing after him. Matt’s first thought was of Eppie, but he saw with relief that other members of the team were moving towards her. Eppie was safe, and there was nowhere for Clive to go.
He must realise that
, Matt thought, as he watched Clive reach one of the supporting girders at the far wall. Sam had stopped a few feet away. Matt had a sudden fear and shouted a warning. ‘Sam, be careful. He’s got a lethal karate chop.’
Matt watched as Sam stepped back. Clive gave a sudden smile before turning and began to climb the girder. Matt staggered to his feet. ‘Stop him,’ he ordered.
Sam made a move towards the girder and then hesitated as a female voice gave a command. ‘Leave him, Sergeant. He can’t go anywhere.’
Matt turned to see DI Hadden standing at the edge of the pool. Couldn’t she see the risk? If Clive jumped, he would never have to face his victim’s families in court.
T
he growing sense of exhilaration gave him a surge of power. He had escaped the Inspector, as it was meant to be. Soon he would be well out of his reach, soaring high over his head, able to look down on him with contempt. Clive’s wet shoes slid on the iron girder causing a sickening slide downwards. Despite his grazed shins, he forced himself on. He couldn’t lose. Nothing could stop him.
At last, he reached the top. Pausing to regain his breath, he looked down upon Inspector Turrell. Even from this height, he looked battered, with blood caking the side of his face. Clive watched as the sergeant reached his side and he saw the DI gesture upwards.
Their voices seemed far away, drifting up to him only after first echoing around the complex. Clive tried out his own voice, delighted in its powerful flight around the domed roof before it sank to the ground for the enlightenment of the mere mortals.
‘You can’t beat me, Inspector. You can’t beat me. You can’t beat me.’ He liked the repetitive beat. ‘I’ve won, Inspector. I’ve won. I’ve won.’
‘There is nowhere for you to go. Come down and we’ll talk. I’ll get you some help.’
Why did this useless inspector think he needed help? Clive was completely out of his reach.
With a tremendous effort, he hefted himself to sit astride one of the pillars that crossed the pool. High up and all powerful, like the gods, he would be able to fend off anyone trying to reach him with a swift kick or karate chop.
Below him, the area around the pool was filling up with other members of the DI’s team.
‘You. Come down immediately,’ that woman’s voice rang out again.
The sharpness of her voice sounded like his Mother. Had she come for him? She sounded cross.
Clive would sing her a lullaby and she would go back to sleep with the birds. He laughed at the thought and began to sing.
A
ll Matt wanted to do was go to Eppie and hold her. At least she was safe, and he could see uniform had just reached her. His head was throbbing, and he felt the urge to lie down. But it wasn’t over yet. Although there was nowhere for this killer to go, he still wasn’t in custody.
Clive had reached the top of the girder and had swung himself easily onto one of the metal beams crossing the pool. Maybe it was best not to put Sam at risk. His team had been devastated enough by this bastard. He wondered how Fluff was.
Sam looked reluctant but returned to join Matt. Matt felt himself sway with the effort of looking up. Sam put an arm out to steady him.
‘You need help, Guv. He’s not going anywhere.’
Matt knew he was right, but he wanted to see this through to the end. He sat down on a nearby rock to regain his balance. He could see Eppie limping towards the edge of her island with the encouragement of the uniformed officers.
Above them, Clive was also watching. He seemed to be laughing at his achievement. His voice boomed up into the domed roof before spiralling down to them.
‘I’ve won, Inspector. I’ve won. I’ve won, won.’
The childlike words echoed like a mantra around the complex.
‘Bloody hell. He’s gone barmy,’ Sam exclaimed.
‘Probably always was. Just good at hiding it.’ Matt thought they would need the white coat brigade to talk Clive down. Feeling stronger, he stood. He had a better idea, but before he could tell Sam, a paramedic came towards him.
‘Matt, stand down.’ Jenny nodded towards the paramedic.
Matt guessed she must be torn between dealing with this and being with Fluff. She took in what was happening and began giving orders.
‘You. Come down, immediately.’
Her sharp voice seemed to fly straight up to Clive. He paused and looked down.
‘Mother?’
As the paramedic reached his side, Matt reached out a hand for Sam, drawing him close and giving whispered instructions, before allowing himself to be tended to. Sam hurried away, already on his mobile, going around the back of Jenny so that she didn’t notice him leaving.
‘I’m not your mother. Come down.’
‘Shush. Mother is sleeping.’
Clive started to softly sing a lullaby.
‘Rock a bye baby, in the tree top. When the wind blows the cradle will rock. When the bough breaks the cradle will fall. Down will come baby, cradle and all.’
There was an eerie stillness as everyone listened. Matt felt a shiver creep down his spine as the lullaby became louder and louder. Jenny broke the spell.
‘Oh God. He’s playing the loony card.’
She turned in disgust to those closest to her. Matt wondered if she had forgotten all her negotiating training. This was the wrong way to handle him. Matt tried to stand, but found a firm hand held him in place.
‘I wouldn’t advise it, Sir. That’s a nasty head wound, and I need to make sure you are stable before we can move you.’
Matt felt like telling the man that he had been doing a lot more than mere moving, but a part of him knew the man was right and only doing his job. He sat back and during the man’s administrations tried to see Eppie.
The other paramedic was wading across a small strip of water, bag held high to reach her. One of the uniformed officers was already with her. She would be safe now. Matt had to give up and let Jenny handle things her way, even if it wasn’t right.
An enormous sense of tiredness came over him. He felt himself being manoeuvred gently into the recovery position on the rocky ground. From this angle he could see Clive inching along his beam. He seemed far away, like a circus dream from childhood.
‘I am Detective Inspector Hadden, and I need you to return to the ground immediately, Mr Draper.’
Her words had no effect, and Matt watched as the singing grew louder and Clive continued to move forward. His eyes seemed to be fixed on something ahead but down to his left. Matt tried to move his head to look, but the man tending to him spoke sharply.
‘Try to lie still, please.’
The paramedic had moved in front of Matt and was using a stethoscope to listen to his heart. There was nothing Matt could do but lie still; it was over for him.
But something was stopping him from drifting off, something important. Where was Sam? Had he been successful? Why didn’t he come back?
In the background, Matt could hear Jenny’s strident voice, laced with Clive’s humming. The humming stopped. Suddenly, Matt knew exactly what Clive was planning to do.
He resisted the paramedic and sat up, pushing the man aside. Clive was much farther along on the beam and right above Eppie. He was going to jump on Eppie.
Wavering, Matt managed to stand and shout. ‘Jenny.’
She turned, with one glance dismissing his usefulness. He had to get her attention. He took a step forward with the paramedic holding onto his arm.
‘He’s going to jump.’ With great effort, Matt managed to get the words out at almost his normal volume. She turned towards him again and then back to Clive, assessing the situation. It seemed an age before she took action.
‘Get everyone out from under him—now. Fast.’
Matt sank down exhausted onto the rock to watch as the uniformed officer, the other paramedic, and Eppie looked up, all aware for the first time of the danger they were in.
It was as if they were frozen, then they started to move. The officer picked up Eppie and was preparing to enter the water. On the other side of the small gap, the other officer was reaching out to receive her. The paramedic began gathering up his gear.
‘Stop. Stop. Stop.’
Everyone looked up at Clive. He was directly above the group. Matt wondered how accurate his aim would be if he jumped now. It was difficult to say, but someone was likely to get hurt. They needed a negotiator. In this situation, it was one of the first things Matt would have done. He had learned that lesson the hard way.
‘She is mine. Get away from her.’
Not one of the group moved an inch, and Matt was grateful for such brave men. Jenny tried to distract Clive.