Sugar & Spice (44 page)

214

As Reynolds advanced, knife raised, Claire lunged forward with what little
strength desperation and anger gave her, hitting the hunched figure in the
stomach, winding her.
The startled woman dropped the weapon as she struggled to keep balance, fighting
to extract herself from Claire’s weakening grasp.
Reynolds managed to push her away, but as she stooped to retrieve the blade
Claire was on her again.
They clasped one another, fighting to keep balance, then as one they fell.
Claire somehow managed to twist Reynolds’ body beneath her, the hunched body
taking the weight of the fall, Claire landing on top, knocking the breath from
the older woman’s lungs.
Reynolds’ glasses slipped and as she fumbled blindly with one hand to right
them, Claire pinned the other arm to the ground with her knee. As spectacles
gave sight to her eyes once more, Reynolds jaw dropped as she saw the knife now
poised in Claire’s hand.
For a second there was panic, then calm as the fixed smile replaced her terror.
“Go ahead, Claire,” she rasped. “If you think you can. If you really think
you’re woman enough.”
Claire stared down at her, not moving a muscle.
“A life for a life, Claire, isn’t that how it works? But will that make you
feel any better? Do you think you could live with yourself afterwards? I don’t
think so. You haven’t got it in you.”
Claire looked down at Reynolds, defenceless, at her mercy, yet smiling.
“Don’t flatter yourself, Ruth. It’s not any innate feminine qualm that’s
holding me back. I’m not hesitating.” She looked again at the photo of
Rebecca. “I’m just savouring the moment.”
The smile vanished, Reynolds’ eyes widening with fear as she saw the intent on
Claire’s face.
The knife raised, poised, then with all her strength she brought it down.
“Claire, no!” Matt’s shout came too late.
Reynolds let out a piercing scream as the knife plunged, embedding itself into
the parquet floor. Claire turned to see Matt running towards her, Danny close on
his heels.
“God, I thought you’d killed her.”
Claire’s voice rasped, struggling to breathe. “I missed. Hold her down while I
try again.”
Reynolds screamed louder. “Help me! She’s mad!”
Matt kicked the knife away, taking Claire by the arm, easing her to her feet,
embracing her. “Are you okay?”
“What about Uncle Tom?”
“He’s harmed his last child. Let’s worry about you.”
Danny said, “There’s a girl in the van, outside. She’s still alive.”
Claire released herself from Matt’s grasp. “Let’s go, Danny.” She glared
at Reynolds, cowering on the floor, her eyes black with hate. “I’ll show that
child that people care.”
Danny kicked the knife across the floor to Matt. “You might need this.”
As Matt bent to collect it he saw Uncle Tom’s exhibit for the first time.
He turned on Reynolds. “You sick bastards.”
He passed the knife by the blade to Danny. “Put this somewhere safe, before
I’m tempted to use it myself.”
Danny said, “Come on, Claire. Let’s get that little girl in out of the cold.
Matt, you stay here and keep an eye on the witch.”
Matt nodded, happy to let the kid take charge.

215

The three of them watched the evening bulletin together.
Matt clutched and as the photo of Rebecca was screened for the final time. It
was over.
Danny lay against Claire’s side, moist-eyed, watching the news in silence.
As the picture of Ruth Reynolds came up, Matt asked, “You did mean to miss
her, didn’t you?”
“Best not ask.” Claire gripped his hand tightly, her other arm comforting
around Danny’s shoulder. “But Matt, there’s one thing still bugging me.
Something Reynolds asked me. What was the name of that other child in the
display?”
Danny said, “Laura Coverton, from Queensferry. She was six years old. Abducted
just a few yards from her home, while walking her dog.”
Claire shook her head, incredulous. “How on Earth do you remember all this
stuff?”
Matt smiled. “Danny’s a walking encyclopaedia of crime. Right, partner?”
Danny said quietly, “Not any more, Matt. The first thing I’m gonna do when I
get home is bin the lot. The books. The magazines. Everything.”
Matt sat up. “What? Danny, why?”
Danny said, “I learned two important lessons today, Matt.”
“You have?”
“Things you’ve been trying to get through to me for ages.”
Matt exchanged a mystified glance with Claire. “Me?”
“First,” Danny said, “that true crime and real crime aren’t the same
thing.”
His voice began to break.
“True crime is when it happens to other people.”
He took a deep breath. “Real crime is when it happens to you.”
“And the other thing?”
“That it’s a nasty, sick world out there, and no place for children.”
He fell on Claire’s shoulder as the tears rolled.
“And like you keep telling me, Matt, I’m just a kid.”

The End.