Only the Good Die Young (17 page)
I can’t believe I got it so wrong. I thought the policeman was in on it. This man is mad. The old people must have made him mad. He’s like my Mum. The government has got to him.
‘Look mate,’ I say.
‘We’re not mates,’ he says.
‘But we could be,’ I say.
‘No we couldn’t.’
‘We’re the good guys. It’s the old people that have made you mad. Just like they made my Mum mad.’
The policeman is looking behind him. I reckon his so-called mates are coming.
‘You’re good. They want you to die.’ I say.
‘You are a crazy man. You are going to be in Broadmoor for the rest of your days. You won’t kill me. You won’t,’ he says.
‘I’m not going to kill you,’ I say. ‘Do you hear voices like my Mum did?’
He looks at me, all embarrassed.
‘Look, the government has done that. They do it through the old people. I’m sorry I made you meet the old woman. I bet she did it.’
‘That is a conspiracy theory that is all in your mind. I won’t ever believe it because I work on evidence.’
‘The evidence is you’ve gone mad.’
‘The evidence is you hit me with a hammer.’
He leans in towards me.
‘I know the voices are not real. I’ll never be like you or your mother,’ he says.
‘You never knew my mother,’ I say. This man is brainwashed. He thinks what he’s told to think. ‘My mother killed herself because of the old people. You will too.’
‘I won’t,’ he says.
He waves the gun in my face. I can see he’s bluffing with the gun. I can tell from his face. I look in the mirror. The police cars are not here yet. I can get away. I jump over the seat, to the passenger seat and get out of the car. I leg it across the road.
Now the sirens are here. There’s a cycle lane ahead. I can get to it. I know I can. I can get across. I feel something hit me. I fall. I’ve got to get up. They are running towards me. I need to get away. They will lock me up. This conspiracy is bigger and stronger than me. I can’t live in a prison. I need to die young. They are running towards me. I look around. I see Piggy Policewoman.
The back-up arrived just in time. Shirley jumped out, took out a knife and threw it. She missed and got his leg. Richie fell to the floor. They all ran over. Shirley reached him first. She went to handcuff him. She held the knife as she went round the back of him. Dave was nervous. He pointed his gun at Richie.
‘I’m going to kill her, I’m going to kill her,’ said Richie’s voice in his head.
Richie looked over at him.
‘I’m your friend,’ he said.
Richie tried to turn, tried to struggle off Shirley’s grip. He slammed his head back into hers. Dave felt fear turn into anger. He ran at Richie, and took his thick neck in his hands to strangle him.
Shirley jumped back, and dropped the knife. Dave saw it and went for it. As he let slip his grip of Richie he felt a punch in his stomach. Without thinking he put the knife in Richie’s neck.
Richie fell to the ground.
Shirley checked his pulse.
‘Call an ambulance,’ she said.
‘In a bit,’ shouted Geoff.
All the officers cheered.
Dave sat down on the kerb.
‘Is he dead?’ he said.
‘I think so,’ said Shirley.
‘I just wanted my head back,’ said Dave.
‘Well, we can say he was fighting back and I hadn’t got as much handle on it as I did. You should trust me, you know,’ she said.
‘It was him I didn’t trust,’ he said.
‘Did you hear him,’ she said. ‘Saying you were his friend. Why would he say that?’
‘Some conspiracy or other. I’m just glad I won’t have to hear his voice again,’ said Dave.
‘I’m still here,’ said the voice of Richie.
‘No you’re not. You’re dead,’ said Dave in his head.
‘I’m here, why wouldn’t he be?’ said the voice of Stephen.
Dave hung his head.
Shirley put her arm around his shoulder.
‘Thank you,’ she said.
‘Team effort,’ he said.
‘It’s finally over,’ said Shirley.
‘Not really,’ said Dave.
‘Oh, yeah,’ said Shirley. ‘The paperwork.’
‘Yeah,’ said Dave.
‘I’m going to see if my Mum’s OK. She was being checked over by the medical team when I left. Come with me. We can get our heads seen to,’ said Shirley.
‘Our heads?’ said Dave.
‘Well you got hammered and I got strangled. About time we got looked over. Chief’s orders anyway,’ she said.
‘OK,’ said Dave.
They went together back to the building where Richie had set up home. Dave looked up at the concrete and metal windows and shuddered.
‘You killed me,’ said the voice of Richie. ‘Only the good die young.’
‘You’re not good,’ said Dave in his head.
‘I must be,’ said Richie’s voice.
‘Why did I kill you? I’m such a fool to think you’d go away.’
‘I’m with you forever,’ said Richie’s voice.
‘I’ll get you out. You’re going to die all over again. In my head,’ said Dave.
He imagined killing Richie. He imagined he was dead and couldn’t talk any more.
‘Still here!’ said Richie.
Dave rubbed his face.
‘You’re away with the fairies again,’ said Shirley. ‘You need to check that out.’
‘Sleep deprivation they say,’ said Dave.
‘Well here’s the medical team,’ said Shirley.
Shirley’s mother sat in the ambulance, her hands neatly clasped.
‘Come here you two,’ she said.
They went over.
‘I want to say a special thank you to you,’ she said to Dave. ‘I hear you wouldn’t take no for an answer and came looking for us.’
‘Really?’ said Shirley.
‘I get the gossip before you do,’ said her mother.
‘Been busy,’ said Shirley.
Dave smiled. He wondered if that would stand in his stead or if the Chief was still upset he’d raided a rich person’s property.
‘I’ve heard a lot about you,’ said Shirley’s mother.
‘Oh right,’ said Dave. ‘Yes, Shirley’s the best sergeant I’ve had, I must admit.’
‘I’m glad I got to meet you. Shirley’s a very good cook too. You should spend more time together. You’re welcome to ours any time.’
Dave laughed nervously. He looked over at Shirley who looked embarrassed.
‘I’m embarrassing you both,’ said Shirley’s mother.
Dave winked at Shirley.
‘I would straighten her out,’ he said. ‘But she’s straight as can be. A very laudable quality in a police officer.’
Shirley turned away to laugh.
They were checked by the medical team. Both of them were told to go to hospital.
‘We might as well go together,’ said Shirley. ‘I’ll drive.’
‘Thanks,’ said Dave.
As she set off driving, Dave realised she was going the wrong way.
‘Where we going?’ he said.
‘Thought you would have seen enough of hospitals,’ she said.
‘Where are you taking me?’ he said.
‘To the police station, stupid. Where else?’ she said.
They arrived at the station and were cheered by everyone who they went near.
Shirley had a proud smile. Dave didn’t feel so happy. With Richie’s voice still around, he felt more depressed than pleased. He’d killed a criminal. He’d made the streets safe for older people everywhere. But his own head was not his own. That was a big price to pay.
The Chief didn’t come out of his office.
‘Nice welcome,’ said Shirley.
As she said it, two men in uniform left his room.
Dave shrugged at her glance.
In their open plan office, there was silence.
‘Come on,’ said Shirley. ‘Where’s our welcome?’
The room erupted into clapping and cheers.
Dave held up Shirley’s arm.
‘We did it!’ he said.
‘The new Chief will love you,’ said Geoff.
Dave raised his eyebrows.
Geoff winked and nodded towards the Chief’s office.
‘Really?’ said Shirley.
Geoff nodded.
‘Top Brass just left after a shouting match with our very own drunkard. Apparently he’s out of a job.’
Dave bowed a deep bow in Shirley’s direction.
‘Well done, Sergeant,’ he said.
‘Shit,’ said Shirley. ‘Did I really do that?’
‘Who else?’
Geoff smiled.
‘Let’s hope the next Chief is actually qualified to do the job.’
‘So what happens now?’ said Dave.
‘There’ll be an investigation. You might get called up about your gun, but you shouldn’t worry, Dave. It was in self-defence. We’ll smooth it over.’
Shirley shook her fists in happiness.
‘Result!’ she said.
‘Mmm,’ said Dave. ‘Grandmothers everywhere are safer. It hasn’t been in vain.’
‘Oh,’ said Shirley. ‘Oh, my poor family. They won’t be so happy with me.’
‘Your mother seemed pleased to be alive. That was your doing,’ he said.
‘Yes, but coming home to all that. Have you spoken to your mother?’
‘No but I think she’s safe,’ said Dave.
‘How are you going to celebrate?’ said Shirley.
‘By sleeping?’ said Dave.
‘At your place?’ said Shirley.
Dave looked at her, confused.
‘Thought you were a devout lesbian,’ he said.
‘What has that got to do with it? I’m asking if you want driving to your blood stained house or if you have other plans, like a hotel perhaps.’
Dave blushed.
‘You’re a funny guy. That blow to the head hasn’t made you soppy over me has it?’ she said.
‘Of course not. I was joking. You’re the one who has gone funny in the head.’
‘Sure,’ she said.
They set off in the car. As Shirley drove him to a hotel, the voice of Stephen spoke.
‘Why don’t you see our mum more often?’
‘Can we change direction?’ said Dave to Shirley.
‘Where we going?’
‘Home,’ he said.
At his mother’s house, Shirley said goodbye. He knocked on the front door and his mother drew back the curtain then answered.
‘Mum, can I stay for a while?’ he said.
His mother hugged him.
‘Of course you can,’ she said.
‘Thanks brother,’ said Stephen’s voice. ‘We can teach Richie how real mother’s behave.’
‘Neither of you are staying,’ said Dave.
He heard laughter. The young laughter of Stephen and the bitter laugh of Richie. He knew they were there to stay.
Meanwhile, surgeons at St George’s Hospital were battling through the night to save the life of Richie Henders, who was brought in by armed police with a lethal knife wound to the neck.
The End
If you enjoyed ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG by GEORGE HELMAN you may also like the author’s second book:
The latest enthralling serial killer thriller from George Helman
A body found in a block of flats leaves more questions than answers, and Inspector Dave McDonald and DS Shirley Palmer investigate. But will their new police chief thwart their efforts to find a potential serial killer before he strikes again, and will Palmer be able to stick to her guns and trust her instincts.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MMMFH66/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MMMFH66/
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