Welcome to my stop on #ZooLoosBlogTours for #MindGuerrilla by @MartinTracey1 @ZooLoo2008 #JuddStone #Extract

Not for the first time recently, Detective Inspector Judd Stone walked away from the casino having lost more money than he had won. By quitting while he was not ahead ironically meant that Judd managed to convince himself that he wasn’t a gambling addict, which was probably true, but nonetheless it was fair to say that the hours and money that he chose to spend at such establishments bordered on being an unhealthy obsession.

Not overly concerned with his lack of success – he had certainly had worse nights – Judd found himself in bed by midnight. Slightly inebriated with alcohol he was able to fall into a deep sleep pretty much as soon as his head hit the pillow, but was awoken just over half an hour later when the phone which was connected to his landline began to ring. Slightly disorientated and not sure if the unwelcoming sound was part of a dream; Judd answered the phone on the fourth ring.

“Hello,” he answered somewhat groggily.

“Detective Inspector Stone, I do hope that I haven’t woken you?” the slight time delay in the caller’s response allowed Judd to realise that the incoming call was from a mobile phone.

“Who is this?” Judd didn’t immediately recognise the sinister voice at the end of the line.

“Well now, how best should I answer that one, Detective Inspector? I believe that it would be inappropriate to refer to myself as being a friend of yours, I mean I’m not one to hold grudges myself, but I fear in the primitive way in which you view the world, Detective Inspector Stone, I don’t believe that you would allow me the same courtesy. Yes, I am quite sure that you still hold a grudge against me.”

Suddenly Stone was wide awake. “Banks. Is that you, you piece of filth?”

“I think you have just proved my point Detective Inspector, and there was me simply calling you up for a friendly chat. I had hoped we could perhaps bury the hatchet.”

“The only place I’d bury a hatchet is in your messed-up head, Banks.”

“I see those anger management classes are coming on a treat, DI Stone.”

“What do you want?”

“I just thought you may be interested to know where I am at the moment, or at least who I am with.”

“Why would I care?”

“Oh, I think you would.”

“Ok, where and who?”

“Well, I’m in a lovely part of Edgbaston actually. I’ll leave the exact location for you to work out; after all I need to leave something for you to test your detective skills on. We both know you need the practice.”

“I don’t think that I do actually. We got the right psycho last time, and you know it.”

Ignoring Judd’s remark, Banks continued with his mockery. “I’m currently nestled on a very cosy bed indeed while a very nice young lady is in the next room slipping into something much more comfortable for me; she seems such an accommodating young lady.”

Knowing that Banks was within one mile of a vulnerable female was enough to make Judd’s nerves jangle, but assuming that Banks was telling the truth, his concerns dramatically increased to know he was in such close range to a potential victim.

 “Where in Edgbaston are you then, you freak?”

….

“I am with a very interesting lady indeed. I’m with someone who leads a double life Detective Inspector; imagine that, me with someone who leads a double life.” Banks broke into a short burst of self-satisfying and somewhat manic laughter.

“You would know all about double lives wouldn’t you, Banks?”

“Moi? You know Detective Inspector you have me all wrong. I was proven innocent remember?”

“No, you were unable to be proven guilty that’s all. I’m warning you, you had better not hurt whoever you are with.”

“You know, she smiles a lot Detective Inspector, this girl in the next room I’m waiting for. Perhaps when she returns I should ensure that she keeps a permanent smile upon her pretty boat-race. What do you think?”

Judd recalled the chilling image of Cassie Parker with the Chelsea Smile that had been inflicted across her once beautiful face.