Page 3 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

“Let’s call it a night.” She said into the radio and she heard Evans sigh relieved next to her.

“You got plans?” She teased him and he laughed.

“No just sick of this, surveillance was never my thing.” He said and she frowned.

“You work in Serious Crime, surveillance is our life blood.” She said.

“Urgh don’t I know it.” He muttered.

She laughed before looking out to see the other surveillance car drive past and head off. They’d been watching this guy for two months now, two months waiting for him to make a slip, for him to show his hand, show anything but so far there was nothing. And it was infuriating.

She watched the man walk out of his house and put his rubbish in the bin before going back inside. It was like he was goading them, like he knew they were there but there was no way he could, Maddie had been too meticulous, too organised for him to suspect anything. And yet..

“If he has them…” Evans began.

“What do you mean if?” She asked looking back at him.

“I just mean, if he has them then they can’t be here. Logically it doesn’t make sense.” He stated.

“But where else would they be? He hasn’t left. He hasn’t been anywhere. We’ve been following every move he’s made. He’s been nowhere.” Maddie said.

“Exactly.” He replied and she could hear the frustration in his voice.

“So what are you saying? That you don’t think he’s involved?” Maddie asked.

“No I think he is but I think we’re missing something.” He stated.

“What?”

“I don’t know.” He said and she shook her head looking back at the house. It was your typical townhouse for the area, steps up to the front, big sash windows and no doubt original Georgian features still inside. The kind of house most Londoners dreamed they could own but probably would never be able to afford. The only thing that made it stand out was the fact that it had been recently renovated. It was practically anonymous but Maddie’s gut told her that was why this perp had chosen it.

“Come on. I called it a night. Let’s get some shut eye and regroup tomorrow.” She muttered and he nodded in agreement. The night watch would still be there, as they’d dubbed them. Two plainclothes in an unmarked up the road just in case but Maddie was certain there would be nothing to report. Nothing to say just like every other night.

She dropped Evans at his home before doing a 3 point turn and heading back to the city. Her flat was annoyingly central and though she loved it most of them time, she didn’t love the traffic.

Sticking her car in the underground carpark she took the lift up and went to open her door but found it slightly ajar. Rolling her eyes she walked in knowing exactly who was waiting for her.

“Madddiiiii.” Kelsey cried, bottle in hand, sitting on her kitchen island as though it was a throne.

“Seriously? You think you’d have learnt to shut the door by now.” Maddie said putting her now redundant keys down and walking up to her.

“How you doing sis?” Maddie asked.

“Great! I just got a new contract.” Kelsey replied.

“Who for this time?”

“Agent Provocateur…” She said beaming.

“Seriously?” Maddie said.

“Yeah. Your little sis is all grown up.”

Maddie rolled her eyes and then took in the bottle of champagne dangling from Kelsey’s perfectly manicured hand.

“I was saving that.” She said and Kelsey laughed.

“For me?” She half cooed.

“Not exactly.” Maddie replied.

“Well it’s too late now, might as well drink it up.” She said shoving the bottle in Maddie’s face.

“No thanks. I’ve had a long week and it’s been shit from start to finish.” Maddie stated.

“Excuse me? It’s not every day your sister gets an international modelling contract. I want to celebrate.”

“You’ve been a model for Burberry, Prada, and almost every other Designer House. How is this any different?” Maddie asked.

“You know why.” She retorted and Maddie grimaced slightly. She did know why, and she was right, it was a big deal.

“Urgh fine.” She said grabbing her now half-drunk champagne and swigging it.

“And this is why I love you.” Kelsey cooed before jumping off the island and landing perfectly poised on the hardwood floor beneath.

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