Ring-A-Ring O'Roses (Rose Red Rhymes #1): A Crime Thriller Short Story

By Saffina Desforges

From SAFFINA DESFORGES, international best-selling British author of Sugar & Spice, Anca's Story and the Rose Red crime thriller series (Snow White, Rapunzel), comes ROSE RED RHYMES, a collection of crime thriller short stories featuring the Rose Red cast, based on traditional nursery rhymes.

But be warned. These are NOT for children! When a rare family day out for DCI Cass 'Red' Rose and her barrister partner is cut short by a murder on Blackheath, Red's team are faced with the possibility of gang warfare and race riots among London's troubled youths unless they can sort things. Fast.

With the Super wanting results yesterday, the pressure is on to find the killer. But DCs Barry Taylor and Jez Harris have other things on their mind. As usual. And when the pathologist examining the victim starts pointing out anomalies it's clear a simple murder case is about to open up new mysteries.

As if Red didn't have enough problems, The Huntsman is back in town and meeting with the mysterious Queenie. And the kids want to go trick-or-treating. Even the busiest of detectives have to make time for Halloween!

ROSE RED RHYMES 2 ~ THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IS OUT NOW!

Look out for more Rose Red Rhymes coming soon!

Please note: although all books and short stories are part of a series, each book can be read as a 'stand alone'.

MORE (FULL LENGTH) BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Book 2: Rapunzel is out now!
Book 3: Beauty & the Beast is due for release in 2013
Book 4: Little Red Riding Hood is coming soon!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saffina Desforges
• Release date: Jan 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781908961204

Saffina Desforges

Since 2011, Saffina Desforges has sold close to a million titles. The following books are available: Crime *Snow White *Rapunzel *Ring-a-ring O'Roses *The Night before Christmas *Rose Red crime thriller box-set Young Adult *Saffi does Sherlock (YA Sherlock Holmes series) *Indigo Kids - Books One and Two - Awakenings and Paragon. (YA Fantasy/paranormal series) Coming soon... *Beauty & the Beast (Book 3 of the Rose Red Crime thriller series) *First Blood (Book One - Equilibrium - Adult Fantasy trilogy) Contact: [e-mail] Represented by Broo Doherty @ DHH Literary Agency, London. Coming soon ~ (writing as Stevie Jordan) TAKE IT TO THE GRAVE (forthcoming WONDERLAND crime thriller series) & DRAWER SEVEN. Contact: [e-mail]

Book preview

Rose Red Rhymes

Crime thriller short stories

Ring-a-Ring O’Roses

by

Saffina Desforges

copyright Saffina Desforges 2012.

All rights reserved.

This story is a work of fiction. The resemblance of any characters to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

ISBN: 978-1-908961-20-4

Published by MWiDP at Smashwords

Ring-a-ring o'roses

A pocket full of posies

A-tishoo! A-tishoo!

We all fall down!

Chapter 1.

A-tishoo! A-tishoo! We all fall down!

Red and Ruby collapsed onto the bed in a fit of giggles.

Read it again, Cassie!

Not tonight, hun. Princesses need their beauty sleep. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.

Oh, please. Just once more? Ruby cupped a tiny hand to her mouth. She leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. Mummy won’t know.

What won’t Mummy know? Philippa Crichton-Ward QC stood in the doorway, arms folded, eyes firmly on her daughter.

Oops! Red grabbed Ruby by the waist. Nothing, Your Honour, promise. To Ruby. Come on, gorgeous. Let’s get you tucked in. It’s nearly Halloween. We don’t want the goblins and ghouls getting you.

Ruby scrambled beneath the covers. What are ghouls?

Nothing for you to worry about, sweetheart. Pippa shot a warning look at Red. Time you were asleep.

Is my costume nearly ready, Mummy?

Almost, darling. Deimante will take you to pick it up from Grandma’s Monday after playschool.

Why is Ella and Jack allowed to stay at Grandma’s tonight and I’m not?

It’s why are Ella and Jack allowed, not why is, Ruby. Pippa ignored Red’s loud tut. And Grandma is still working on your costume. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you got to see it before Halloween, would it. Now, sleepy time, or we might have to cancel the picnic tomorrow.

Ruby hurriedly closed her eyes.

Red planted a kiss on Ruby’s golden mane. Goodnight, Rubes. Sleep tight.

Shhh. I’m asleep, Ruby whispered. You’ll wake me up again.

Pippa quietly pulled the door closed. In a loud whisper, Cass, you’ll give Ruby nightmares talking about goblins and ghouls.

Give over, Counsellor. She’s loving all this trick-or-treat stuff.

Pippa waved a dismissive hand. Ruby may well be, I most certainly am not. Legalised begging, that’s all it is. I don’t know how I ever let you talk me into it.

Something to do with having the kids out of the house so you could catch up on your case work, as I recall.

Yes, well rather you than me, Cassandra. And make sure you take the children well away from here. The last thing I want is our neighbours thinking my offspring are in need of their charity.

Red palmed her forehead. Give me strength. She turned for the bathroom. I’m off for a soak. You can bring me a glass of wine if you like, seeing as I’ve been on story duty. Again.

Red watched the blue Radox swirl in the water as she pulled off her t-shirt, mussing up already dishevelled hair.

Start without me, why don’t you. Pippa passed a glass of wine to Red.

Cheers, Counsellor. Red pecked Pippa on the lips. Hey, I hope you’re not planning on joining me?

Pippa looked uncertain. I thought that was the idea?

Yes, with a full bottle. Not just one pokey glass each. Be serious.

Red dropped her clothes and kicked them into the corner. By the time Pippa returned with the Voignier, Red was already disappearing beneath the foam.

The children are excited about tomorrow. Jack just texted me to say I must take his remote control car. Remind me in the morning. Pippa bent to retrieve Red’s top, folding it carefully before placing it in the linen basket.

Counsellor, they’re going in the washing machine. They don’t need folding.

I find I get cleaner wash when they are folded first.

Red snorted beneath the foam. You get a cleaner wash?

Pippa sniffed dismissively. Deimante, then. I don’t see why you cannot wear sensible clothes that lend themselves to dry cleaning, like normal people. It’s not seemly a detective chief inspector running about in cotton singlets and jeans.

Counsellor, are you getting in or not? The water will be cold by the time you finish farting about.

Cassandra!

Red held a hand out through the foam. Refill please, waiter.

Pippa grudgingly topped up the glasses. She began to slowly undo her blouse. Now, about tomorrow.

Red forced herself upright. Here we go. Rules of engagement.

Pippa carefully laid her clothes on the chair. Mock all you like, Cassandra. But there will be no playing detective tomorrow. I mean it. You’re off duty for twenty-four hours.

You know me, Pip. There could be an armed robbery taking place and bombs going off left, right and centre and I’ll still be sat on the picnic rug taking care of my family responsibilities.

Can you not be serious for one minute?

Me? Counsellor, I’m not the one stood there reading the riot act wearing just a bra.

Chapter 2.

It’s not that cold, Ella.