Bad Moon Rising (#1 - D.I. Paolo Storey Crime Series) by Frances di Plino Read Free Book Online Page B

the day.”
    Dave mumbled something and Paolo opened his mouth to have yet another go at him, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort. He’d speak to the Chief Constable and see if he could get his golden boy nephew moved to a different station. Clearly he and Dave would never end up on the same wavelength.
    They strolled towards Beacon Street, passing girls who suddenly seemed to be really interested in the derelict shop windows. Paolo had never figured out how the working girls knew he was a copper.
    “The Maltese run the far end of this district, the Albanians this end. I’d like the girls to feel free to speak, which means you keeping your misogynist mouth shut. Okay?”
    When Dave didn’t answer, Paolo stopped and grabbed his arm. “Did you hear me?”
    “I heard you.”
    “Then next time answer me. I don’t know what your problem is, but if you want to stay on my team, you’d better try a bit harder to do things my way.”
    He walked away without waiting to see Dave’s reaction and reached the corner just in time to see a young girl wearing a black leather skirt short enough to be a belt duck into the first shop doorway. He walked up to the opening, but made no attempt to get close to the girl. He stood back and called out to her.
    “I’m looking for someone who knew Lisa Boxer.”
    The girl kept her back to him and pretended interest in the dirt-streaked glass of the disused shop. The area was a slum, but the council wasn’t interested in encouraging shopkeepers back. The streets had long been abandoned to drug dealers, prostitutes and their pimps. The turf wars between the Albanians and the Maltese seemed to be beyond the force’s powers to end. Paolo knew Azzopardi controlled the Maltese girls, but couldn’t prove it.
    “Lisa Boxer – did you know her?”
    The girl turned her face towards Paolo and shook her head. “You wan’ fuck?”
    Paolo felt sick. She looked about Katy’s age, but could be even younger, it was hard to tell. Life on the streets, probably with a drug habit, had taken away any hint of youth. He heard footsteps and looked back. Dave came and stood next to him.
    The girl looked at Dave. “I no do two fuck. One fuck then one fuck more. No two fuck.”
    “It’s okay,” Paolo said. “We don’t want to hurt you. We’re police.”
    The girl put her hand in her skirt pocket and Paolo wondered if she was going to pull a knife. Turning to Dave he signalled for the two of them to take a step back so as not to spook her any more than they already had. Her eyes darted from side to side and she shook.
    “Look at her,” Paolo whispered. “She’s a child. Call in for a WPC and we’ll get her to social services.”
    Dave took out his phone, but before he could dial, a car screeched around the corner. As it slowed, the rear door opened and a man’s voice yelled in rapid Albanian. The girl had started running towards the car as soon as it came into view and hands dragged her inside as she reached it. The car accelerated away. Paolo took off after it, but the door was pulled closed and it disappeared down a side street. Out of breath, he retraced his steps to where Dave was still standing, phone pressed to his ear.
    “Damn,” Paolo said. “She must have had a phone in her pocket with their number on speed dial. Did you call in the number plate?”
    Dave nodded. “Just waiting.”
    “I want someone watching this street. If whoever was in that car puts her out to work again, I want her taken in and given over to social. I can’t bear to think of a kid like that being used.” He kicked the shop door. “Fucking bastards!”
    Dave held up one hand and Paolo fell silent.
    “Okay,” Dave said into the handset. “Thanks.” He put his phone in his jacket pocket. “Plates are false.”
    “Why am I not surprised?”
    “I’ve given CC the car’s description and she’s checking it out against the stolen list.”
    Paolo sighed. “Come on; there must be someone who’s heard of