Devil's Demise by Lee Cockburn Page A

apologetic manner, “You will be required to give a statement.” He hesitated and then said, “Under caution though - the guy whose wrist you broke is making a counter allegation against you.”
    “Fine! Twisted little prick, but I expected that. He brought everything that happened there on himself. I warned him and the rest of them, but he started on me and they just started to pile in. What else was I supposed to do? Release him and make it even more easy for them to attack me? No fucking way.”
    An hour later, after giving her statement, Marcus started to head towards his car and was expecting Taylor to follow, but she muttered, “Aahhemm, mister! Where do you think you’re going? I still need to speak to Nicky. I’m not coming back here tomorrow. No way.”
    “What! You need to be going home, put your feet up and take the rest of the day off. You’re entitled to it you know.”
    “I don’t want time off. I want to do what I came here to do. I’m not letting those little pricks scare me off. Come on!”
    They entered the lift, a small enclosed metal box, names burnt onto the ceiling with lighters and the stench of stale urine overpowering . Dried saliva on half of the buttons and a used condom in the corner to join them as the metal doors shuddered closed. Clanking noises sounded all the way up, until the lift groaned as it stopped abruptly at the 17 th floor. The doors opened and the floor was split into two sections, one at either side of the corridor with external security doors leading to each set of three dwellings: a futile attempt to stop house break-ins and intimidation.
    At the security door Taylor stopped and paused for a minute, almost as if to gather herself back together again. Marcus dared to put his hand on her shoulder in an attempt to offer her some moral support as he had never seen her shaken like this before. She straightened up and looked at him. Her eyes softened and she said, “Thank you, I’m okay you know. I’m just thinking of how bad that could have turned out for me.”
    Marcus replied, “It didn’t, though, and you’re a very lucky lady.”
    Taylor reached for the buzzer and pressed flat number one for a prolonged period, allowing the person inside to wake up or sort themselves out, before coming to the door. Three more tries and the door was finally opened. Before them was a six foot four man, of muscular build with a shaved head and a large diamond earring in his left ear. He was wearing a tight black t-shirt, loose designer jeans and brown Timberland boots with the laces undone. A tattoo of an eye on his neck, just visible from beneath his top completed the look. He had dark brown pupils with an unwelcome gaze which was fixed on Taylor’s breasts. He hadn’t even acknowledged that Marcus was there, his attention was only for the striking woman that stood before him.
    “Have you come to earn a little cash? I’m needing another star for the show,” Nicky was careful not to implicate himself with what he said.
    Taylor stated in a clear and firm voice, “Detective Sergeant Nicks and DC Black. We’ve come to ask you a few more questions about the disappearance of Layla Petrovsky.”
    “What! You’ve asked me shit loads of questions about that useless bitch already.”
    “Sir, do you mind if we come in and speak to you somewhere a little more private, please?” Taylor nodded her head, gesturing to be allowed into his flat.
    Eventually, he moved to the side and let the two detectives into his place, watching Taylor’s every move, leering at her backside as she strode past him.
    “Wow! I would like to have a sweet piece of that ass,” Nicky muttered.
    “I’d watch what you’re saying, I’ve had a really shitty day, and that’s enough to get you lifted for a sexual breach, big fella,” Taylor said with an edge to her tone, leaving Nicky in no doubt she meant it, and he didn’t want any unnecessary attention.
    “Was that a little lesson from your man on how to