Little Boy Blue

76

‘If you want me, you’re going to have to come and get me.’

Samantha remained stock still, despite Charlie’s repeated demands for her to move. She lingered within the sanctuary of her strange doll cocoon and as neither of her hands was visible, Charlie had no intention of approaching her. Charlie had been stabbed, assaulted, even strangled in the line of duty and had no intention of risking another such attack.

‘That’s not going to happen and backup’s on its way,’ Charlie barked, crossing the room quickly to switch off the deafening music.

‘Isn’t that what they always say, just before something bad happens?’

‘Threatening a police officer is a criminal offence,’ Charlie growled back, irritated and angry.

‘I think I can wear it, sweetheart.’

Charlie stared at her. She was treating this like a game. Was she just enjoying the moment or was there something else going on here?

‘Well, that’s all you’re wearing, Samantha, so why don’t you find yourself a robe? You’ve no idea what the sight of a naked woman will do to some of my uniformed colleagues.’

‘Especially one like me,’ Parker responded, suddenly getting to her feet. The dolls fell away to reveal her full nakedness. She was utterly hairless and stick thin. With her toned body and full eye make-up, she could pass very convincingly for a woman, except for the bulky male genitalia between her legs. Charlie raised her eyes to hers and kept them there.

‘Could you grab something for me, honey?’ Samantha nodded towards a large wardrobe in the corner of the room. ‘There’s a jumpsuit two hangers from the left that should fit the bill.’

She ran her tongue over the last two words, amused by her little joke. The faint sound of sirens could be heard in the distance now, but this seemed to have no effect on Samantha. Her eyes were fixed on Charlie.

Charlie edged towards the cupboard, not once breaking eye contact. Samantha seemed calm, relaxed even – it was hard to see where the danger might come from. Was it possible there was somebody actually in the cupboard? The thought was crazy, but taking two quick steps towards it, Charlie threw the wardrobe doors open.

Nothing but a ragged collection of dresses and suits. Keeping one eye on Samantha, she reached for the second hanger from the left. A crimson jumpsuit hung on it and Charlie lifted it out. As she did so, the hook of the hanger snagged on the top of the hanging pole and Charlie had to turn briefly to free it. As she did so, she saw her go. Samantha sprang from her position in the middle of the room and sprinted through the open doorway. She had waited patiently, playing for time, but now she was making her bid for freedom.

Charlie dropped the hanger and ran after her. Samantha made it through the door and tore off down the dark corridor, hurdling the detritus in her path. Charlie was only seconds behind her, busting a gut to keep up.

Samantha raced to the bend in the corridor and took it hard, bouncing off the wall but keeping her balance. Charlie lunged at her, but in the darkness failed to see a discarded vodka bottle on the floor. Her left foot went from under her, the bottle skidding away and she hit the ground hard. Her momentum carried her forward and then she was scrabbling to her feet, ignoring the throbbing pain in her shoulder as she burst round the corner.

Now it was a straight race. The long, creaking corridor ran all the way to the front door – to freedom. Samantha had a head start and looked odds on to get there first, but Charlie knew she had to stop her. Redoubling her efforts she surged forward. Samantha was only twenty feet from freedom now.

Charlie had shut the front door behind her on entering and she was glad of it now. As Samantha approached the door, she was forced to slow down. And as she yanked the door open, Charlie saw her chance. Launching herself through the air, she cannoned into Samantha, slamming her naked body against the back of the door, before the pair of them fell to the floor in a heap. Dazed, Samantha tried to struggle to her feet, but the wind had been knocked out of her and within seconds, Charlie had her knee in the small of her back. Pulling her arms roughly behind her, she slapped on the cuffs and yanked Samantha to her feet.

They stared at each other for a moment, breathless and bruised, before Charlie eventually said:

‘I think we’ve had enough fun and games for now. Let’s make you decent, shall we?’

Samantha stared at her, shivering even as the sweat ran down her cheek, then suddenly spat hard in Charlie’s face.