Split Second

Split Second

On a winter's evening, a trio of unruly teenagers board a bus, ganging up on Luke Murray, hurling abuse and threatening to kill him. The bus is full but no one intervenes until Jason Barnes, a young student, challenges the gang. Luke seizes the chance to run off the bus, but he's followed. Andrew Barnes is dragged from the shower by his wife Valerie: there's a fight in the front garden and Jason's trying to break it up. As Andrew rushes to help, the gang flees. Jason shouts for an ambulance for Luke, but it is he who will pay the ultimate price. Split Second, Cath Staincliffe's insightful and moving novel, explores the impact of violent crime – is it ever right to look the other way?

Жанр: Детектив
Серии: -
Всего страниц: 91
ISBN: -
Год издания: Не установлен
Формат: Полный

Split Second читать онлайн бесплатно

Шрифт
Интервал

© 2012

For Daniel, Ellie and Kit.

With thanks to writer Martin Baggoley

for advice on court procedure.


CHAPTER ONE

Emma

They burst on to the bus shoving and yelling; all energy and an edge of menace. Emma felt her stomach cramp, and along with that came a wash of resentment at the likelihood of disruption, the prospect that the rest of her journey home would be ruined by the chavs. Three of them. A girl: pretty, flawless milky skin and dark eye make-up, her white hooded jacket trimmed with fake fur; and two lads, a runty-looking one with thin lips and a tattoo like barbed wire on the side of his neck, and a bigger lad, red hair visible as he swiped his hood back, shaking the snow off. He had freckles and round baby-blue eyes.

The trio swung past the stairs and swayed along the central aisle, led by the big one telling some story at the top of his voice, swearing. The foul language, a sally of ammunition, fell through the air, hitting the passengers, who shrank and tensed. The girl was giggling and echoing half-phrases in a high-pitched squeal.

The teenagers scoured the passengers, waiting for anyone fool enough to make eye contact. Emma prayed none of them would sit next to her. The bus was almost half full, maybe ten people on the lower deck; the back seats just behind her were free. Would they sit there?

They didn’t even pay, she thought. And none of them showed a travel card. What was the driver playing at? Why let them on? Couldn’t he see they were trouble? He could have just closed the doors and driven on.

Emma tried to think about something else, shifted the bags of Christmas shopping at her feet. Nearly all done; got the ones to take home for Mum and Dad and the rest of the family in Birmingham, just need a couple for the girls at work.

‘Shit!’ The redhead broke off his tale and crowed at the top of his voice. ‘Look who’s here – Pukey Luke!’

He homed in on a mixed-race boy sitting a couple of rows in front of Emma on the other side. Short curly dark hair, skin the colour of toffee. There was a muttered curse by way of reply, then the clap and rustle of scuffling as the boy tried to get up.

‘Going nowhere, pal,’ the big guy said, and shoved him back down then knelt on the seat beside him. The girl and the weedy one flanked him. Now the cornered lad was looking away from the chavs out of the steamed-up window.

The bus clattered to a halt; an old couple got off and a woman with a baby in a buggy got on, wheeling the pram to the space opposite the bottom of the stairway.

‘You ignoring me, wog boy?’

The word hung in the air, resounded around the space. Emma bit her tongue, felt her face heat up. The bus seemed to hesitate, to wait shivering, its panels rattling by the roadside, and Emma wondered if the driver was going to chuck the troublemakers off. But then with a defeated sigh the doors closed and the bus shuddered into motion.

It probably looks worse than it is, she thought. They obviously knew the boy – Luke, presumably. Could just be mucking about; they do that, don’t they, play-fighting and next minute they’re all friends. She didn’t really know what was going on.

‘Talking to you, dickhead.’

‘Tell him, Gazza,’ the girl giggled, egging her friend on. ‘Black bastard.’

Ahead of her, Emma could see the latest arrival bending her head to focus on her sleeping child, an expression of dismay and the tug of anxiety in the way she bit her lip.

Emma’s stomach hurt and she felt thirsty, a bit dizzy. Maybe she should say something. But no one else was doing anything. If it really was serious, someone else would say something, wouldn’t they? What about the really big bloke sitting near the front, looking like a rugby player? He’d not done anything and he’d got size on his side. Or the group of studenty types, four of them, with long hair and funky clothes. They were just huddled together ignoring it.

What could she say, though? Stop it. Something friendlier? Please leave him alone. The words sounded pathetic in her head, weedy. She’d look ridiculous. Let alone the fact that the group might turn on her, she could get attacked. People did. What if she asked them to stop; then the boy, the ringleader, she could imagine him swivelling his gaze at her, those big marble eyes set off among his freckles, pushing himself away from the seat, homing in on her. ‘You talking to me?’ Then calling her names: ‘Fat slag, stupid cow, keep your nose out.’

And what about the driver? He’d done nothing. This was his bus, his job; if anyone had a responsibility to do something, it was him.

She could ring the police, report the abuse. But if she did it now, everyone would hear. Besides, they’d probably snatch her phone as soon as they noticed. If the lad kept on ignoring his tormentors, maybe they’d lose interest. No one else was saying anything. Perhaps they knew it wasn’t worth it, or that it was just chavs messing about, bored, maybe on drugs too.

‘He’s shitting himself,’ the runty one cackled.

There were two women in front of Emma: middleaged, dressed up well against the weather. Now she saw them exchange a glance, share a tiny shake of the head, caught the muscle in one woman’s jaw tighten with disapproval. Shocking, dreadful, but what can you do?


Еще от автора Cath Staincliffe
Witness

"A painfully honest exploration of an ordinary family under stress… A stunning piece of work." – Ann CleevesFour bystanders in the wrong place at the wrong time. Witnesses to the shocking shooting of a teenage boy. A moment that changes their lives forever. Fiona, a midwife, is plagued by panic attacks and unable to work. Has she the strength to testify? Mike, a delivery driver and family man, faces an impossible decision when his frightened wife forces him to choose – us or the court case. Cheryl, a single-mother, doesn't want her child to grow up in the same climate of fear.


Trio

1960, Manchester. Three young Catholic women find themselves pregnant and unmarried. In these pre-Pill days, there is only one acceptable course of action: adoption. So Megan, Caroline and Joan meet up in St Ann's Home for Unmarried Mothers to await the births of their babies. Three little girls are born, and placed with their adoptive families. Trio follows the lives of these mothers and daughters over the ensuing years.


Looking for Trouble

She's a single parent. A private eye. And liking it. Until, that is, Mrs Hobbs turns up asking Sal Kilkenny to find her missing son. Sal's search takes her through the Manchester underworld, a world of deprivation and petty theft, of well-heeled organised crime and ultimately, murder. Would she have taken the job on if she had known what she was getting into? Probably, because Sal is fired with the desire to see justice done, to avenge the death of a young lad whose only crime was knowing too much.The first Sal Kilkenny Mystery, short-listed for the Crime Writers' Association best first novel award and serialised on BBC Radio 4, Woman's Hour.


Make Believe

Blue Murder: Make BelieveThe third Blue Murder novel written by the creator of the hit ITV police drama starring Caroline Quentin as DCI Janine Lewis.For nine days the people of Manchester have been looking for missing three-year-old Sammy Wray then DCI Janine Lewis is called to a residential street where a child's body has been found. It's a harrowing investigation and Janine's personal problems make leading the inquiry even tougher. Is this the case that will break her?Praise for the Blue Murder books'Complex and satisfying in its handling of Lewis's agonised attempts to be both a good cop and a good mother.'The Sunday Times'Uncluttered and finely detailed prose.'Birmingham Post'Beautifully realised little snapshots of the different characters' lives… Compelling stuff.'Sherlock Magazine'A swift, satisfying read.'City Life'Precise and detailed delineation of contemporary family relationships.'Tangled Web'Lewis seems set to become another very popular string to Staincliffe's bow as one of the leading English murder writers.'Manchester Metro'Pace and plenty of human interest.'Publishing News'Blending the warmth of family life with the demands of a police investigation.'Manchester Evening News'Juggling work and family is a challenge of modern life and encountering realistically portrayed women with family responsibilities is a pleasure.


Desperate Measures

The fourth Blue Murder novel written by the creator of the hit ITV police drama starring Caroline Quentin as DCI Janine Lewis.A well-respected family GP is found shot dead outside his surgery; who could possibly want to kill him? As DCI Janine Lewis and her team investigate they uncover stories of loyalty, love, deception, betrayal and revenge.Praise for the Blue Murder books'Complex and satisfying in its handling of Lewis's agonised attempts to be both a good cop and a good mother.' The Sunday Times'Uncluttered and finely detailed prose.' Birmingham Post'Beautifully realised little snapshots of the different characters' lives… Compelling stuff.' Sherlock Magazine'A swift, satisfying read.' City Life'Precise and detailed delineation of contemporary family relationships.' Tangled Web'Lewis seems set to become another very popular string to Staincliffe's bow as one of the leading English murder writers.' Manchester Metro'Pace and plenty of human interest.' Publishing News'Blending the warmth of family life with the demands of a police investigation.'Manchester Evening News'Juggling work and family is a challenge of modern life and encountering realistically portrayed women with family responsibilities is a pleasure.


Towers of Silence

It's the count down to Christmas and Sal Kilkenny is exhausted even just thinking about the festive season – so when she is asked to investigate a seemingly straightforward suicide, she turns the case down. But eventually persuaded, against her better judgement, to help the family trace their mothers' last hours, Sal is ashamed to realise how little the authorities had bothered to investigate and starts to have her own suspicions about the death. Why would a woman so petrified of heights choose to jump from the top of Manchester's Arndale Centre car park? Written with beautiful attention to the nuances of everyday life, Towers of Silence is an emotionally involving journey into the heart of a city hiding dark secrets.


Рекомендуем почитать
Статьи в газете «Ведомости»

В книге рассказывается история главного героя, который сталкивается с различными проблемами и препятствиями на протяжении всего своего путешествия. По пути он встречает множество второстепенных персонажей, которые играют важные роли в истории. Благодаря опыту главного героя книга исследует такие темы, как любовь, потеря, надежда и стойкость. По мере того, как главный герой преодолевает свои трудности, он усваивает ценные уроки жизни и растет как личность.


Чарующий город

Роман «Чарующий город» продолжает рассказ о приключениях отчаянной Тесс Монаган — бывшей журналистки, а ныне сотрудницы частного детективного агентства. Ее жизнь не назовешь скучной — она полна неожиданных событий, а порой и опасностей.Захватывающий детектив американской писательницы Лауры Липман не оставит равнодушными любителей этого жанра.


Человек-змея

«Человек-змея». «Человек-хамелеон». Мальчишка из провинциального американского городка, страдающий уникальным психическим расстройством — отсутствием собственной личности. Однако проклятие становится даром — ведь отсутствие личности собственной идет у него рука об руку со способностью в совершенстве вживаться в личности чужие. Опасная способность. Способность, за которую в мире криминала платят большие деньги. Путь наверх «человека-змеи» начинается.


Эволюция войн

В своей книге Морис Дэйви вскрывает психологические, социальные и национальные причины военных конфликтов на заре цивилизации. Автор объясняет сущность межплеменных распрей. Рассказывает, как различия физиологии и психологии полов провоцируют войны. Отчего одни народы воинственнее других и существует ли объяснение известного факта, что в одних регионах царит мир, тогда как в других нескончаемы столкновения. Как повлияло на характер конфликтов совершенствование оружия. Каковы первопричины каннибализма, рабства и кровной мести.


Бобовый король

В книгу входят две повести: «Бобовый король» и «Третий». Последняя по времени действия относится к Великой Отечественной войне, место описываемых событий — блокированный Ленинград. Время действия первой — двадцать с лишним лет спустя. И если в повести «Третий» говорится о сражении с фашизмом в войне, то в «Бобовом короле» речь идет о борьбе с возрождением нацизма, о верности старых друзей по оружию, говорящих нацистам «нет» в сегодняшней Франции.


Прозрачная маска

В сборник произведений болгарских авторов входят книги: Н. Антоновой «Три кита в аквариуме», Д. Димитрова «Прозрачная маска» и А. Крыстева «Тонкости профессии». Все они посвящены работе болгарских правоохранительных органов, стоящих на страже завоеваний социализма. Предназначается для массового читателя.


Империя

Новый роман автора продолжает раскрывать завесу тайны над действием темных сил на земле. Теперь сюжет перенесен в начало нашей эры, где судьба великой империи разыгрывается на фоне знаменитой библейской истории.Книга будет интересна любителям мистики и фэнтези, подойдет как для легкого развлекательного чтения, так и для желающих порассуждать над прочитанным. А тем, кто знаком с первым романом автора, сюжетная линия откроется полностью.Возрастное ограничение — 16+.На этот раз обложку делал не я.


Я убийца

В каждом из нас дремлет зверь в ожидании своего часа. И когда существо вырвется на свободу, его невозможно будет остановить. Обнаружена очередная жертва. Развязка, кажется, вот-вот наступит. Но что если расследование заранее спланировано? Что если все явное лишь вымысел? Возможно истина совсем в другом месте…Возрастное ограничение — 16+.Обложку на этот раз делал не я.


Последняя акция

В городе бесследно исчезают девочки в возрасте 9-11 лет. Два старых приятеля идут по следам преступников, но все дороги ведут в прошлое, в дни их комсомольской юности. Бывшие хозяева жизни не брезгуют ничем, лишь бы снова дорваться до сладкого куска. В их грязные игры оказываются втянутыми не только взрослые, но даже дети…


Тождество Сансары

Аккону, детективу, жителю единственной планеты в планетарной системе двух звёзд, жителю единственного города, управляемого суперкомпьютером, поручают найти саботажника, который угрожает всей работе системы. Сам Аккон сталкивается с математическим круговоротом жизни, пытаясь понять его.