Crime Fiction Series

Hair as Red as Sin

For the Sins of Red #15: I felt a little unsteady on my feet as I left the police station. It was hard to believe all of this had started less than two weeks ago…

Recap: After being abducted & released by her 1st boyfriend Clive, Rose ‘Red’ Redman revealed the identity & background of the notorious ‘noirette’ serial killer — at large for a few years. The police question Red and she began to feel like a suspect, and vomited. Later, she thinks back to when she moved out from Clive’s flat after he slapped her, & then missed him so badly they got back together — trying out some kinky play. The Police finally ask her about Steph, & she reflects on the time they became friends again. Clive got on great with Steph and the 3 of them began to socialise. Then… Steph told Rosie she wanted to kiss her. (Told from Red’s POV — Series list is linked at the end of the episode.)

Steph was — and probably still is — an extraordinarily pretty woman. I was definitely attracted to her, and knowing what I do now, that was not at all surprising…

I was brought back to the here-and-now by a tall, awkward looking young police constable stating, “Ms Redmond, you are wanted back in the interview room.”

I wondered how long I’d been sitting there in the canteen, ruminating on my past.

“Okay. Will just use the bathroom.” I told him, needing to splash some water on my face.

As soon as I sat down, Wilkins explained, “We called you back, erm, as we have had some rather unexpected news about the case.”

“Really. Can I ask what it’s about?” I said, genuinely intrigued.

Wilkins glanced at the DI, who then looked at me and stated, “All I can tell yer is Mr Burke, well… ‘as been detained.”

My heart leapt into my mouth and I nearly vomited… again!

DI Giovanni continued, “you’re free to go now, but we may need you back tomorrow.”

I felt a little unsteady on my feet as I left the police station. It was hard to believe all of this had started less than two weeks ago…

One evening I had left work late — it was dark. Jumping in my car, I started the engine when all of a sudden I saw the shadow of a person appear in my rearview mirror.

“Oh my fucking god.” I shrieked, thinking I was about to be attacked.

“Red, it’s me…”

I recognised the voice immediately. Not to mention, nobody had ever called me Red apart from… “Clive. What the hell are you doing lurking in the back seat of my car?”

I turned slightly to look at him. Still scared. From what I could make out in the dim light, he looked dreadful. Very thin. I didn’t know him any more. It had been a while, for sure.

Clive and I split up for good about a year after Steph asked to kiss me. In fact, the three of us went our separate ways. We had to because of… what we’d found out.

Clive had been in a bad way mentally. At first, I had offered help, but he started getting violent. Slapped me again, saying what had happened was all my fault.

He sold up. Said he was moving to Wales, and Steph landed a graduate position at a top financial institution in London.

I’d not thought a lot about him, actively attempting to put that confusing time of my life behind me, so was stunned to find him in my car after about seven years.

“Red, I need to talk.” He sounded sombre and his voice monotone.

That was when he told me he was the wanted serial killer. And as the words left his mouth, I pissed myself — just a bit — wondering if he’d come for me. Then suddenly visualising the newspaper headlines from his last kill a few months previous:

The Noirette Serial Killer Strikes Again.

… noirette — meaning black hair.

It was then I looked him straight in the eyes and asked him what he actually wanted, as of course I sat there with — to quote my sister —

hair as red as sin.

To be continued next Wednesday…

For the Sins of Red #15: Hair as Red as Sin'- Original Fiction by May More

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