Too Close For Comfort
Chapter Two: Chance Encounter
Detective Inspector Rose Callaghan cast her eyes around the desolate environment, a shiver running through her body as she took in the bleak landscape around her.
The noises of the fully operational docks away to her left on the immediate horizon filled the air with heavy industrial sounds, life carried on unabated within close proximity to crime scene she stood within. To her left the sound of a blue and white plastic carrier bag temporarily caught in a thick brambles caught her attention as it protested in the ferocious frigid wind that whipped across the open wasteland. The area to her feeling like a Guernica vision of an industrial hell that defined any genuine description due to distinct lack of any features, let alone any redeeming features.
Looking back over her right shoulder she attempted in her own mind to fathom the scenario that had led to the body which still lay in situ, all be it now hidden from view behind the pop up stark white forensic tent. As rain began to fall from the granite grey sky once more Rose watched as a line of police officers made their way in a single file formation towards where she stood. Their eyes painstakingly scanning the floor around their feet in the hope more than anything else of significant evidence that may become a clue at very least or a means of prosecution in the absolute best-case scenario.
Amongst the litter and the heavy undergrowth of brambles and weeds that scattered the ground around her Callaghan knew theirs was a thankless, if procedurally necessary task.
Turning on the heel of her practical heavy walking boots Callaghan trod carefully, just as cautiously as she had a little over twelve hours earlier when she had first arrived at the crime scene. The body of a 23-year-old local sex worker, Alice Thomas had been recognised and informally identified by one of the first Police Officers to attend the 999 call received a little after eight thirty last night. Her body cruelly and unceremoniously discarded in these bleakest of surroundings. Discarded to be discovered by Security Guard, or more specifically his patrol dog who had taken exception to an anomaly detected on the regular walk around that he and his handler took of the privately owned but hideously unsecured area of undeveloped commercial land that was littered with the detritus of fly tippers and industrial waste.
Passing a discarded and slightly rusted refrigerator lay on its side Callaghan stepped towards the hive of activity inside and outside of the scene of crime tent. Looking up through the rain that now fell sideways on the heavy wind she recognised despite the full white hazmat suit that adorned her body the Senior Pathologist as she emerged from the tent.
"We're ready to move the deceased" Mina Shazara offered from beneath the hood of her zip up disposable full body suit.
"Any indication as to the cause of death," Callaghan enquired on a grimace against the weather.
"Not at this stage..." Mina stated shaking her head as if apologetic, "...at least nothing that's obvious."
Callaghan's mind cast to the haunting vision of Alice Thomas as she had first observed her, by torchlight, on hearing Mina's comments. The short haired girl had lain awkwardly prostrate amongst puddles of rain but in the same breath she seemed perversely almost at peace with the world around her. There appeared to be no circumstantial evidence of torn or overly dishevelled clothing, with equally no tell-tale bruises or cuts visible anywhere on her torso. No trace of blood or any injuries whatsoever that would lead to an instant assumption as to the manner of her death.
"Ok... I'm heading to the station now" Callaghan offered shivering once more despite the thickness of the woollen roll neck sweater she wore beneath her parka jacket.
"Will you be present for the autopsy?" Mina enquired.
"I will," Callaghan offered without further conversation before turning her back on the crime scene and heading towards the area of scrubland where her three series BMW was parked.
Slipping into the vehicle, with the engine ticking gently over her body, welcomed the warmth that eventually came through the cars internal heating. Stabbing a finger against the button that activated the heated seat on the drivers' side of the vehicle to further stave off the savage February weather. Whilst connecting her phone to the in-car system entertainment system she felt a double vibration. One vibration on the phone connecting to a power source and a second vibration indicating a message.
Opening the front screen, she followed the source of the message, tapping her finger against the App icon for 'Elite Meets,' before she opened her private messages next to which a tiny number one sat in a little red circle.
A slight grimace crossing Callaghan's features as she waited for the message to open, fully expectant of whom the message would be from.
••• Morning. Had fun last night. Would you like to meet again? Daniel •••
Rose Callaghan closed the app and dropped her phone onto the passenger seat of the vehicle without a thought towards replying. On extending her arms to the leather covered steering wheel she glanced to the faint bruises that circled her wrists, bruises she would do well to keep hidden from inquisitive minded colleagues despite the intentionally long sleeves of her roll neck sweater.
As she drove she briefly once more considered the message received, as pleasurable as her encounter had ultimately proven to be some acquaintances, no matter how mutual pleasurable, were best left on the memory of such a sordid never to be repeated experience.
**********
Two shot glasses of straight tequila bang three times on the surface of the bar.
The barman watched on amused, feigning amusement, it was not as if this was the first time he had never seen such a display.
The brunette was quicker off the mark bringing the glass to her lips tilting her head back viciously as she hurriedly consumed the clear liquid before slamming the glass back down against the surface of the bar. Her attractive face contorted on the bitter acquired taste of the liquor consumed.
The blonde somewhat reluctantly follows suit, her platinum hair spilling down the back of her shoulders as she eventually swiftly knocks back her shot. Turning back to the bar her hand to her mouth as her eyes squeeze tightly shut on her own protest at the harsh taste of the drink, as the flat of her hand falls across her ample chest both her friend and the barman laugh at her expense.
Watching on intently from my vantage point at the far end of the bar I try to remain aloof as an attractive red head lifts a hatch to my left-hand side and passes into the hordes of Saturday night revellers that pack the claustrophobic space.
Online reviews were never necessarily to be trusted in my opinion. O'Leary's Bar had rated nightly however across nearly every review site I had searched online before impulsively deciding to head out for the night. Looking around the venue I found no reason to be disappointed in the views of internet reviewers.
From the end of the bar, I keep an eye on the brunette dressed in tight fitting red dress and her blonde friend who sports a silver dress beneath a short black leather jacket. They both elaborately feign protest but point-blank refuse the barman's offer to refill their shot glasses as he stands with the bottle of tequila hovering over their hands that in unison slap flat over the tops of their miniature glasses.
A vibration in my pocket breaks my attention away from the scene that plays out before me. Slipping my phone from my jeans pocket I turn it over to see the partial WhatsApp message displayed on the front screen, opening the phone and the app I cast my eyes across the brief message.
••• Are you around tonight? Kat xx •••
With the phone held between my hands I quickly type a response with my thumbs.
