The Heads of Ayr

By Stuart Mackay

When you head to a local landmark there are some parts that you shouldn’t leave behind.
Seems there is murder in the Ayr.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stuart Mackay
• Release date: May 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463979860

Stuart Mackay

Stuart Mackay was born in Ayr Scotland in 1972. His poetry has been published in various publications in the UK, USA and West Africa, some of which are in his collection The Visions of a Macabre Mind. His first novel The Toxic Dream was released in 2013. His second novel The Vapour Trails of Hypocrisy was released in 2015. His third novel The Heads of Ayr was released in May 2020 Stuart has also written for magazines and has published several short stories including a trilogy based on the islands of St Kilda.

Book preview

The Heads of Ayr

By

Stuart Mackay

Copyright 2020 Stuart Mackay

Smashwords Edition

1

She took a hesitant step, breathing in the first fresh air she had tasted in days. She almost gagged as she tried to breathe in as much as she could, eventually with every breath she took she could feel her body being almost revitalised. She stretched and smiled at the pain as her dormant muscles came back to life, the enforced hibernation now over. Reluctantly she opened her eyes to the carnage that was unfolding in front of her; the bright lights after the prolonged darkness caused her to shield her eyes with her hands. Her hands were brushed away as she was barged aside as a man ran for his freedom, she turned to look back from where she had come from, an overcrowded tomb-like box that had been her prison for the past, she didn’t know how long it had been. She could still taste the claustrophobic air and smell the decay of the people who never made it, her stomach wrenched but there was nothing to bring up, food and water were but a memory. An old woman staggered out the box, she managed to take two hesitant steps before her body gave up and she fell to the ground, the young woman thought about running over to help her fallen companion but an old man, most likely her husband reached for her and tried to pick her up but to no avail as he never had the strength, he just sat down next to her and waited for the inevitable. The young woman’s eyes reluctantly scanned the people around her before focusing on her sister’s lifeless body which was being trampled on as people ran for their lives, someone reached out to grab her but she managed to escape their grasp. She turned around and faced the barrier of bright headlights and flashing blue lights that were prevailing the dying embers of daylight, she didn’t understand what was being shouted but she knew she had to run. She saw some of the others being dragged into the back of a van, the old woman who was standing next to her fell to the ground as if giving up, she looked up and motioned with her head to a gap between the cars before she was grabbed by two men and unceremoniously dragged to her feet without a fight, the young woman thanked her and ran, she had given up her freedom so she could escape. She ran as hard as she could, her legs wobbling slightly as the sensation of being free to move overwhelmed her, she ran through the gap between vans before someone grabbed her shoulder, she turned to face the man, he looked like a policeman, the uniform similar to the one they wore in her own country, she started to cry as she looked into the policeman’s face, she knew it was over, her new life was just out of reach.

Lynn? the policeman said softly, he stared into the young woman’s eyes, the eyes he had last seen 2 years previously, he shook his head, wiping away the memory of his beloved daughter.

He was brought back to reality when the young woman tried to shrug off his grasp. Kawlunaa, she pleaded, her eyes now showing fear rather than a memory, her face smeared in dirt and her top ripped on the right-hand shoulder. Kawlunaa, she pleaded again, her voice hoarse, a tear made its way down her face.

He looked at her and then the scene behind him, he turned back and stared into her eyes again, her eyes were now full of water as her tears were now in full flow, she wiped away the tears with the back of her hand before licking her hand to taste the salty moisture. He smiled at a memory of his daughter, the young woman in front of him smiled at him, he smiled back at her, even her smile brought back memories of Lynn. He turned his head and watched as his fellow officers were running about like Keystone cops as they tried in vain to catch everyone, run, he said quietly to the young woman.

She didn’t move, too shocked at being released, not fully comprehending or believing that she was free. The policeman gently pushed her away, she looked at him and bowed her head, khwap jai, she said wiping away the tears from her eyes, khwap jai, she repeated, she bowed again and then turned around and started to run away.

The policeman watched her run, for a brief moment he had stared into the eyes of his daughter, satisfied that he had made the correct decision he turned back and walked back to the melee that was still taking place.

DS Devlin, barked a voice.

DS Dan Devlin’s shoulders slumped slightly as he turned and walked over towards the man, Sir, he replied as he turned briefly to watch a police van drive away before stopping a few feet away from his boss, he wasn’t brave enough to take a further step forward, DI Dodds was infamous for his halitosis.

A very successful night wouldn’t you agree? quizzed Dodds, he looked at the back of his hand rather than look at Devlin, more focused on a small scratch than his fellow officer.

Devlin looked towards the shipping container. The last of the bodies were being carried out and gently placed into the black van with its blacked-out windows. People did lose their lives, Sir, the word Sir was encased in both sarcasm and disrespect but Dodds was too full of himself to notice.

I guess they paid the price for freedom, he replied, chuckling lightly to himself.

Prick, replied Devlin under his breath. Do you not agree with the principle that people deserve a better life if they were prepared to travel in that, he pointed at the shipping container, his eyes focusing on a small panda toy just outside the container, it white patches now a mixture of mud and what looked like dried blood. Do you not wonder how bad their lives were in their own country?

Dodds shook his head. As a police officer, I would have thought you would understand the rules and legalities of human trafficking.

As a human, never mind, Devlin didn’t feel the need to continue with the comment, he breathed in deeply and silently counted to ten.

Dodds continued ignoring what Devlin was about to say. From what we can gather we managed to capture them all, well, apart it seems one that managed to escape your grasp, care to elaborate, he sneered when he said elaborate.

Devlin shrugged his shoulders. One of those things Sir.

Dodds exhaled deeply causing Devlin to take a step backwards. Look I know you have had some issues, he used air quotation fingers when he said issues, but you have a job to do, we all have jobs to do and we all have people to answer to, you have been in my position, you should appreciate that I have to answer to upstairs as to why you let one of them escape.

Devlin clenched his fist and prepared himself for the consequences; he stared at the left check of Dodds’s face and grinned at the image of his fist connecting with it.

Sir, interrupted DC Kat Harper, she smirked slightly as she said the word, Sir. Some of the press have arrived and they are looking for a statement. She smiled at him, Dodds eyes twinkled at the thought of the press hanging on to his every word, he smiled at Harper, yet another woman infatuated with him, he turned and stared at Devlin before marching regally towards the awaiting members of the press. What a complete arse, stated Kat as she watched Dodds walk away, if he was chocolate he would eat himself, or cover himself in it and wait until his imaginary harem of admirers licked it off his god-like body.

You would need a lot of chocolate to cover that fat bastard, added Devlin with a grin towards his partner.

Kat looked at her watch, its half past stupid o’clock, if we leave now, curry and a couple of beers, Devlin started to shake his head, and a wee talk about why you let that young woman go. Get our stories straight, just in case, she turned and stared over towards Dodds who was being backlit by the light coming from a TV crew.

Dan Devlin nodded his head, you are full of good ideas Cathubodua Harper, he grinned when he used her full name, her eyes narrowed as if contemplating some sort of revenge. I just need to phone Alison and let her know. Kat nodded understandingly.

Do you want to talk about it? asked Kat in-between a mouthful of her lamb and ginger Balti.

Dan nodded as he took a sip of his pint of Kingfisher and then placed the glass onto the beer mat; he moved the beer mat so it was perpendicular to the edge of the table. He looked at Kat, they had been partners for about six months before Lynn had died so she knew what he had been through, he turned his attention back to his Makai Ka Sewai pushing a piece of chicken around his plate, Kat allowed the silence, she reminded me of Lynn, he eventually said, he gave up on the piece of chicken and tore off a chunk of Nan Bread.

Ok, but if anyone asks, she kneed you in the nuts, replied Kat reaching for her vodka and very little coke. Dodds really hates you, she started moving away from the subject of Lynn. Any idea why?

Probably due to the fact that he took my job and that he thinks that one day I will get it back. He knows McMillan hates him.

When you did get your promotion back, would you still share a curry with us mere mortals? asked Kat.

Promotion, he laughed, I was ready to swing for Dodds before you came over tonight, this time next year you will be a DS and I will be in your position or more likely being given time to spend in my garden day after day.

DS Harper, I could get used to that. Kat grinned at him.

Dan shook his head, have a life first before you get married to the force, being a DS or DI, let’s just say I’m glad Alison is so forgiving about me cancelling plans all the time. He looked out the window and watched as people rushed by, I missed a lot of things to do with the girls, I missed parent’s nights, football games, the girls coming home having their hearts broken by, oh dad you wouldn’t understand real love, boyfriends.

So there were some good points then, joked Kat.

Talking of boyfriends? said Dan with a grin.

Don’t start, replied Kat cutting him off, you want another beer? she asked pointing at his glass with her fork.

Dan looked at his watch, no its fine, the night is still young, you go out and enjoy yourself, go and break some hearts.

It took Kat 2 seconds to deem that this was a good idea, you’re the boss, she replied with a salute.

I think Emma is out tonight as well, no doubt you will bump into her. His eyes giving a slight look of fear when he spoke.

I’ll look out for her and, you know, make sure she doesn’t do anything crazy, she replied, her eyes full of mischief.

That’s what I’m afraid of, Dan replied, he reached into his jacket and pulled out his wallet, tonight’s on me, go out and have some fun.

Kat stood up and started to put on her jacket, thanks boss, she paused for a moment, is Alison home? There was a look of concern on her face.

Dan smiled at her, yeah she’s home, don’t worry I’m not going back to an empty house, he noticed her expression, Pamela is visiting for a few days so I’m not exactly being missed; sisters, he added with a way of an explanation.

Good luck, replied Kat, she had met Pamela a few times and she was unique to put it politely.

When Dan got home he briefly spent time with his wife and her sister before retreating to the sanctuary of the loft and the little haven he had created, rows of books on one side, rows of CD’s on the other, the only other items in the room was his armchair and his Bang and Olufsen music system, well apart from tonight, Yards his trusty German Short Haired Pointer was curled at his feet, he was no doubt escaping Pamela as well, both of them spent the rest of the night losing themselves in the music of Pink Floyd, John Lee Hooker and Leonard Cohen. The only lapse in their music bliss was when Leonard Cohen’s, Famous Blue Raincoat, breezed into life; Dan cast his mind back to the young woman who earlier on tonight had reminded him of Lynn.

2

Dan woke early, his sleep interrupted by images of the young woman, he turned and looked at his sleeping wife, content that he hadn’t woken her. He quietly got out of bed and made his way out the bedroom, he passed by Emma’s room and listened to the gentle drunken snores escaping through the slightly ajar door, he smiled as it meant that Emma had got home, she always did, it was just a fatherly instinct to be sure, he continued down the hall and passed what had been Lynn’s room, it was now the spare room, he had met some families that had left the rooms of their loved ones a shrine as if they weren’t really dead, they were just down the shops or something. When he heard the foghorn snores coming from the room he wished they had kept it a shrine and not somewhere Pamela could pollute the peaceful tranquillity of an early morning.

He quietly walked down the stairs missing the creaky step as Lynn had called it and made his way into the kitchen, he opened the fridge and brought out the fresh orange, he took a glass from the cupboard next to the fridge and poured a generous amount into the glass before draining the fresh orange in one go, he put the carton back into the fridge and then washed the glass out before placing it gently onto the dish drainer. He looked out the window and smiled as the first rays of sunshine basked the early morning, he heard a noise and turned to see Yards coming into the kitchen, morning Yards, he whispered to the dog, Yards wagged his tail in reply, want to go for a run? he asked the dog, Yards wagged his tail even faster.

Dan parked the car at the end of Maryborough Road and both he and Yards got out, before he knew anything Yards was already on the beach chasing the seagulls, this was where Dan always came to run, if the tide was out he would run on the sand towards Prestwick, if the tide was in he would use the esplanade.

Dan ran down the ramp and onto the sand, he looked ahead as far as he could and couldn’t see anyone else on the beach, he whistled for Yards, the dog gave up on its frantic chase on the seagulls and ran towards Dan. Once he was close by Dan started his run, this was where he could think clearly, there were no distractions apart from the occasional jellyfish that were lying on the sand waiting for the tide to come back in. Dan was about 100 meters past the sailing club when he spotted someone, he normally saw the man about twice a week, he would nod politely as he ran past and the man would sometimes nod back or more than likely be lost in his metal detecting, listening for a beep that would make him rich, Yards, on the other hand, would always grab his attention as he danced around the metal detector, hoping it was some strange new game.

Dan reached the turning point of his run as he touched the wall of the old outdoor swimming pool, it closed around the same time as he was born but his grandfather often talked about the biggest swimming pool in Scotland, he did remember playing in a small outdoor kids pool and the crazy golf course next to it, with one hole being a concrete hill with the hole on the top of it, no matter how many shots he took he could never get the ball in the hole; a perfect day on the beach would finish with a trip to the café at Prestwick cross and having the best ice cream in the world and if it was a really special day he would have some Curries Red