Rain | ClarkeFiction

Rain

Rain.

Drenching, relentless rain.

Like standing under a waterfall.

And no shelter in sight across the featureless Lincolnshire fens.

She is soaked, drowning, and deafened by the noise. Noise so loud she doesn’t hear the car approaching until it stops alongside her.

Window opens a fraction. Weird looking bloke. “Lift?”

She catches his eyes. Deep set. Penetrating.

She hesitates, lets him see her caution.

Finally, she says, “OK,” and gets in.

“Not afraid of strangers, then?” He isn’t smiling.

“Should I be?”

“Can’t be too careful.”

“You’re right,” she says and pulls the tiny revolver from her bag.

“Whoa!”

“Stop the car. Wallet and phone on the dashboard. Now!”

One hand in the air, he complies.

“Now get out.”

DI Ron Baxter watches his car disappear, then retrieves his second phone from his rear trouser pocket.

“Bait swallowed. Trace the car. She’s armed, so tell them to be careful.”