Only The Good Die Young, Book 2

Chapter 3

Katy laid in Tony’s strong arms in the dark. She was wide awake, and clearly upset. She never intended on sleeping with Tony. She loved him, but not like how he wanted. She considered Tony to be a good friend, perhaps her best friend, but not as a lover. Katy had no idea why she had let herself get so carried away. Then, a depressing thought entered her mind. The last time she slept in this bed, John had been with her.

Katy started to cry to herself. She hadn’t noticed that Tony was stirring awake.

“Katy?” he said, “What’s wrong?”

Quickly, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. “Nothing… nothing’s wrong.”

“Don’t give me that.” Tony rolled over on his side, facing her. “What’s wrong?”

“This was a mistake, Tony.”

“No it wasn’t. This was beautiful. It wasn’t a mistake.”

“Yes, it was. I shouldn’t have done this. I don’t know if I’m ready for this sort of thing.”

“What’s to be ready for? You can either be here in the arms of a man that loves you so much, or you can be on your own to dwell on the past.”

“That’s what scares me. I know you love me. I’m not sure how I feel about you.”

Tony sat up, and was feeling for his clothes. “So why did you make love to me if you weren’t sure?”

Katy was quiet for a moment. “I’m not sure.”

Tony felt his heart burst into a million bits. He was confused, hurt and very angry. He found his trousers and shirt, and rushed into them.

Katy had started crying. She was still in bed, and had the covers pulled up around her.

“Tony, look, I do love you. I do. I’m just not sure.”

Tony was putting on his shoes. He stood up and opened the bedroom door.

“Well, be sure to let me know when you are. You know where I am.”

He slammed the door behind him and Katy heard him stomp down the steps and out the door, slamming it behind him as well. She laid back down in bed and let the tears fall.

* * *

By the next morning, the lights had come on in her house. She got up and felt her feet land heavy on the floor. She got dressed, picking out a pair of herringbone trousers, a black scoop-neck cashmere top, and a red suit jacket. She retrieved her good jewellery from its hiding spot in the house and admired herself in the mirror. She was still gorgeous. Secidecided to get her hair cut in a few days time.

Katy caught the DLR from Greenwich to Stratford. She walked from the station to the storage garage where John had left her car for her. When she asked at the office if she had anything to pay on the garage, they told her no, but to get all of her belongings in the garage, unless she wished to renew it for another four years. Katy declined and opened up the bay. All that was in the garage was her car. Katy got inside of it and turned the key. The engine hesitated then sprang to life.

“Good old BMWs,” Katy thought to herself. She drove out cautiously, and then got out to close the garage door. She handed over the key to the attendant and drove off. To get to Hendon she would have to go through Sun Hill. She drove very cautiously through Sun Hill, hoping not to draw attention to herself from anyone, especially Tony. Katy hoped that he wasn’t on patrol.

* * *

Tony was in a foul mood. Dave glanced sideways across the Area car, noting Tony’s scowl. Even through the morning briefing, Tony hadn’t been his normal wisecracking self, even though everyone was just waiting for him to jump on Reg’s suggestion of doing another Christmas Panto like they did a few years ago.

“Tony, is something up, mate?” Dave asked him.

“No.”

“Come on, it’s me you’re talking to. You’ve got a face like a smacked arse.”

“Will you mind your own business, Dave?” Tony said, glaring at him.

“Just asking.”

They were silent for a few moments. Tony turned into Gatley Road.

“Kathryn O’Sullivan got released yesterday,” Tony said.

“Oh yeah?” Dave said, smiling. Dave knew that Tony had always carried a torch for her.

“I went up there yesterday, to Holloway, to bring her home.”

Dave was quiet for a minute. “How did it go?”

“Alright. She was happy to see me.”

“What did you do?”

“Took her home, helped her in.”

“And that’s it?”

Tony was silent.

“I imagine she’d be upset and all… seeing as Robocop’s no longer with us.”

“Yeah. Upset.” Tony made a U-turn in Gatley Crescent and drove back out onto Canley High Street.

“Did she know about him and Claire Stanton?”

“Yeah. She found out.”

“What did she have to say about it?” Trying to get the whole story out of Tony was like pulling teeth.

“She was angry.”

“Did him and her get back together after we nicked her at the hospital?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Wasn’t that priceless, Tone? The look on his face after she belted him one! I would have paid money to see that scene!”

Tony snorted, “It’s just too bad we all couldn’t have had a go.”

“Anyway, what else did she say?”

“Not much.” Tony turned down Back House Lane.

“Is she still a looker?”

Tony felt a piercing pain in his heart, “Yes.”

“Do you still fancy her?”

Tony was silent.

“Yeah, you still fancy her.” Dave was grinning like the cat that got the canary.

“Piss off, Dave,” Tony said, angrily.

“It’s alright, mate. Half the men down the nick fancied her at the time. What’s not to fancy there? Besides, with Robocop gone you’ve got a chance there! A lonely good looking girl who needs a shoulder to cry on and someone to comfort her. Mate, when’s the last time you got your leg over?”

“Dave if you don’t shut up I’m going back to the nick to get another partner,” Tony growled.

“I’m just saying, Tone, you should go for her. What have you got to lose?”

“I did.”

“And?” Dave asked.

“We… you know.”

“And?” Dave asked.

“She said it was a mistake and she wasn’t sure if she was doing the right thing.”

“So now you feel guilty?” Dave said.

“It’s more than that. I love her Dave. I’ve loved her for ages, and I don’t just want her like that. I want her to love me like I love her.”

“But did you enjoy it?”

Tony was silent for a moment. “It was the most incredible thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Then was it worth it?”

‘Was it worth it?’ Tony thought to himself. ‘The pain I’m in now, seeing her cry like that, this feeling that I’ll never see her again, is it worth one moment of having her in my arms, feeling her lips on mine, being inside her?’

“Yes.”

* * *

Katy hit the north circular off of Canley High Street. She eased her car into gear and accelerated. The North Circular was not so busy, being early afternoon. She came off at Golders’ Green and drove up to the gates of the Metropolitan Police training academy at Hendon.

The guard came out from the booth and walked up to the side of her car. “Name?”

“Kathryn O’Sullivan. I’m here to see Mr. Deakin. He’s a professor.”

“Is he expecting you”?

“No.”

The guard went back in his booth. He picked up a phone and was speaking through it.

“Mr. Deakin teaches in Block 3. It’s the one over there.” The guard pointed. “Room 301. He’s expecting you. Park in guest parking.” He handed her a tag for her car.

“Thank you.”

The guard opened the gate and Katy drove through it. There were some new recruits doing physical fitness exercises on the lawn to her left. She parked up and walked towards the building.

She looked up, and saw Chris standing at the window of his office, watching her. Katy broke into a wide grin and waved. Chris smiled and waved back. He came down the steps to greet her.

“Katy, how are you?” he asked, looking over her.

“Just fine, Chris! How are you?”

“Fine!” he exclaimed. He embraced her and gave her a warm hug which she returned. Chris was looking slightly older, and his hair had got lighter, but he still looked handsome for his age. She could tell he was glad to see her.

“Why don’t we go for a coffee?” he asked.

“Sure! I’d like that.”

“I’m finished teaching for the day. You’re lucky you caught me, I was ready to leave.”

“Where do you suggest we go?”

“Do you know Hampstead Hill? There’s a nice little pub about halfway up it, The Dog and Gun, I think it’s called.”

“I can find it,” she said.

“Alright, how about if I meet you there in a half hour?”

“Ok!” she said. Chris walked her to her car.

“Still have this beauty, I see.”

“Yeah. John tucked it up for me while I was inside.”

Chris’s face fell at the mention of John. He put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll see you there then.”

“Ok.” Katy gave him a wave as she pulled out of the lot.

Chris shook his head. She was still beautiful. He wondered if Tony Stamp had seen her yet.

* * *

Katy took her time driving over to Hampstead Hill. She admired the trees and leaves. It was a pretty area, up around Hampstead. She found the pub off on the left side of the road. It was a lovely country pub, the type that just aren’t found in London. She parked up and went inside. She ordered a mineral water for herself and sat off to the side in a private stall. A large Springer spaniel wandered over to her she she gave him a cuddle. She would need to get another dog. John looked after her dog, Midnight, while she was inside, but he had died very shortly after. He was old, and also, John reckoned, had missed her too much. The spaniel curled up at her feet.

Shortly after, Chris came in and spotted her. He ordered a pint for himself and sat next to her. The dog raised his head, gave Chris the eye, and laid back down next to Katy.

“Looks like you found a friend there,” Chris said, smiling.

“Yeah. Dogs like me.” Katy scratched the dog behind his ears and his tail started wagging.

“So, how are you anyway?” Chris asked.

“Well, not bad I guess. They managed to get my gas and electric back on pretty fast!”

Chris smiled. “When did you get let out?”

“Yesterday.” Katy sipped her drink. “Tony Stamp was there to pick me up.”

“Was he now?” Chris said. “You know he fancied you like mad. Used to drive John crazy.”

“I can imagine,” Katy smiled. “He’s a nice enough bloke.”

“So, do you think that you and him might, you know?” Chris asked.

Katy looked sad, “I don’t think so. I just don’t feel it for him. I know he’s a good, nice guy but I don’t think that he’s my type.”

“What sort of guy is your type then? And don’t say John, because he’s nobody’s type.” Chris’s eyes sparkled, and he half-smiled.

Katy laughed, for the first time in ages. “Someone a bit more, I don’t know, sophisticated. Tony’s too… common. And I hate to be that way, but I don’t know how else to put it. He’s a lovely fellow, good natured, and he’s got a good heart, but I want something more than just that.”

Chris smiled to himself. “You want that fire.”

“Yeah. That spark.”

“And there’s more. I miss John terribly.”

Chris reached across and took her hand. “I know you do. But he’s gone now. You must try to work through it.”

“I know.”

“Tell you what, why don’t you come over to my place tomorrow night and let me cook you dinner. Maybe a nice meal will help take your mind off of things.”

Katy smiled, “I’d like that Chris.”

‘Yes!’ Chris thought to himself.

They chatted and finished their drinks. Chris was living in Ealing, these days, having moved from Sun Hill. Katy found Chris to be very charming, and witty. He made her laugh and had the sexiest sparkling blue eyes. Even though he was 12 years older than her, she didn’t mind. After all, she was 35. No spring chicken anymore.

Chris took her hand and kissed her fingers. Katy blushed, and smiled.

“Until tomorrow,” he said.

Katy gave him a wave and drove off. Chris could barely contain himself.

* * *

The man sat in his car, following Katy. He had known about John’s storage garage in Stratford. He assumed, when she left the house that day, that she probably would be going there, and he was correct.

“Nice car,” he mumbled to himself, as Katy drove out of the lot. “John’s bird has good taste in one thing, at least.”

Driving through Sun Hill, the man was very careful to keep a low profile. One wrong look at his infamous visage would no doubt be the end for him and for everyone else as well, and he couldn’t have that. Not when he was doing so well. Once these photos got out, hopefully, he could put an end to this nonsense and could go retire somewhere warm, without worrying about owing anyone anything. He hated being indebted to anyone.

As they drove up the North Circular, he took great pains to keep at a distance from her. For a BMW Z8, she was taking it rather cautiously. He rolled his eyes. If it had been him, he would have wanted to blow the dust out of the tailpipes a bit, but not her. She got off at Golders Green.

“What the hell could she want here?” he said, out loud, to himself.

As she pulled into the driveway at Hendon, it clicked in his head.

“Ahh. Going to see the governor. Wonder how that old fart’s doing these days?”

He pulled off down the road, and got his camera out. He snapped photos of Chris giving her a hug hello, and of them talking to each other. Katy got back in her car and he followed her to the pub.

He knew he would never be able to get photos of her in a pub so he gave up.
“Besides,” he said, to himself, “I’ve got enough, I think. What with that goldmine of Tony shots and this, I’m sure he’ll get the picture that his little lady’s moved on to greener pastures.”