Equinox

Chapter 25

The worst of the traffic was around Kew itself. Mothers in four-wheel drives on the school run had no qualms about cutting across lanes, and sales reps racing back to their admin centres to clock off early added their own hazards.

Philip had taken over the driving. 'Getting around this place is like playing fucking Space Invaders,' he complained as a young woman in a Grand Cherokee jeep suddenly appeared out of a side street. 'God, and isn't that just typical?' he yelled, slamming his hand down on the horn. 'Look at that on her bloody rear window — Baby On Board!'

By the time they reached the Westway they had started to make good time, until they crossed over the Baker Street intersection where they got snarled up again. It was almost four-thirty as they turned along Museum Street.

Philip indicated right and was just turning into the narrow street when an ambulance emerged and blocked their way. Philip reversed out quickly and

the ambulance sped off in the direction of Tottenham Court Road. Pulling into the lane the first thing they saw were flashing blue lights.

Laura dashed out of the car even before Philip had put on the handbrake. A police car stood directly outside the White Stag bookshop and next to it was a small blue van. A man in a white plastic oversuit was sliding into the driver's seat of the van and another was already seated inside. A uniformed officer stood at the door to the shop, and as Laura ran up two plain-clothes officers emerged.

'What's happened here?' Laura exclaimed. As she reached the doorway she could see a pool of blood on the floor just inside the shop.

'And you are?' one of the officers asked. The other looked on as Philip reached them.

'My name's Laura Niven. I'm an old friend of the owner, Charlie Tucker.'

'Philip Bainbridge. We got a call from Charlie earlier. .'

The blue van was edging away from the kerb. 'Sanders,' the officer turned to his colleague. 'Tell Forensics home time will have to wait an extra five. I would at least like a verbal from them before they go skipping off.' His voice sounded husky and tired. He extended a hand. 'Detective Jones. I'm sorry, Ms Niven, Mr Bainbridge. I'm afraid I have to inform, you that your friend died earlier this afternoon.'

'But that's. .' 'That's?'

'Well, he texted us, texted me at — I don't know — when was it, Philip? Just before midday?' Laura couldn't hide the shakiness in her voice.

Philip nodded.

'We arrived here about an hour ago,' Jones said. 'The body was taken away just now; after our Forensics chaps were finished.' He pointed towards the opening into Museum Street where the ambulance had nearly collided with them. 'One of the new private ambulance companies. Got here pretty sharpish, I'll give them that.' Then he noticed the Forensics officer walking over from the van. 'Excuse me.'

Out of the corner of her eye Laura could still see the crimson puddle on the bookshop floor. An intense nauseous feeling swept over her. She took a couple of deep breaths.

'You OK?' Philip looked as shocked as she felt.

'I guess,' she replied unconvincingly. 'But this is just madness.'

Jones returned from the van, shaking his head.

'Sorry about that. I know this is a difficult time for you both, but I would be grateful if you could answer a few questions for us.'

'Questions? You don't. .'

'Ms Niven, you are not a suspect at the moment, if that's what you're thinking. Mr Tucker died from a gunshot wound, fired at close range. We would like to know more about him. Was he depressed? Can you offer us some background?' 'Shot? I don't. .'

Philip took Laura's arm. 'Yes, of course,' he said evenly. 'Anything we can do.'