Sins of Red #7: A Tangled Web We Weave

I was nervous, so my mind was racing all over the place in a bid to stop myself reverting to a giggling teenager

Rose Redman — Deposit Photos Standard Licence by dekazigzag

Previously - After being abducted & released by her 1st boyfriend Clive, Rose ‘Red’ Redman had to reveal the identity & background of the notorious noirette serial killer — at large for a few years. Red returns home & chats to her sister about when she first moved in with Clive. Their slightly weird sex-life and his possessiveness regarding other men — her interview with the police looming.

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The doorbell rang at exactly 9.30am. It was the lady officer I had seen through my window earlier that morning. She offered a broad grin while observing me over the top of small, round spectacles. I wondered why she appeared so jolly. After all, I was shortly to be questioned about an apparently insane serial killer. Not a smiling matter. And indeed, the drive to the station was a silent, sombre affair.

When I entered the interview room, it was clear Detective Inspector Giovanni was ready to get down to business. He was a severe-looking guy of about forty-five who, for some reason, reminded me of the waiter at the Pizza restaurant in the high street. Perhaps they were related. I was nervous, so my mind was racing all over the place in a bid to stop myself reverting to an anxious, giggling teenager. I can assure you I had never set foot inside a police interview room before, and I felt like a character in a crime novel.

Shortly after, we were joined by Sergeant Wilkins. I was happy to see a face I recognised.

“Miss Redmond. We wanna try and create a profile of this Clive Burke, and we think yer can help us.” To my surprise, the DI had a slight cockney accent, not an Italian one. “We’ve read through the report from yesterday.” He glances over at Wilkins… “Sergeant?”

Wilkins produced the report and coughed. “Em, Miss — Are you happy with the details you gave our psychologist?” He coughed again.

I nodded.

“Em, it would be a great help, if — in your own words, you could tell us about the problems you encountered in your relationship with Mr Burke. I appreciate it was a few years ago, but it may give us a better insight into the reasons why he recently abducted you.” Wilkins cleared his throat, lent over the table, poured a glass of water and drank it down. I hoped the fluid would help his cough.

Carefully, so as not to miss anything, I explained what happened the day my boss, Jack, had dropped me home, after which Clive had hit me. The memory was still clear in my mind…

Once I’d got over the shock of being slapped, I told Clive straight away that Jack and I were just friends. Almost immediately, he was on his knees next to me, begging for forgiveness. He loved me so and could not bear the thought of… ‘a man like Jack laying their filthy hands on me’. Repeatedly saying how precious I was to him. Later in bed we spooned, yet I hardly slept.

“You mention Jack. I assume you are talking about — Mr Jack Barker. And in your opinion, Clive Burke had no reason to fink you were cheating on him? I take it you were not, in fact, ‘aving sexual relations with Mr Barker?” asked the D.I., staring directly into my eyes.

“No, he was my boss. We were mates. That was all. Clive… got it wrong,” I protested.

I shook my head to reinforce the statement, but all I could see in my mind's eye was the image of Jack hitching up my skirt, lifting me on to the wooden kitchen table, removing my panties and giving me the most wonderful head I’d ever experienced.

But… that incident didn’t happen before Clive hit me. So I wasn’t lying to the police. Was I?

Telling them the truth would only have complicated matters. I’m sure.

“Let me get this clear. You are stating yer never had sexual relations with mister Jack Barker?”

The DI stared at me, sitting perfectly still, waiting for an answer…

'A Tangled Web We Weave: Sins of Red #7' - Fiction by May More

Part 8 next weekend

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