Page 96 of The Girl in the Woods

‘Message me how she is,’ she told Sonya, who nodded tearfully.

They knew Alistair would be in one of two places: either the The Fox pub just along the road or his fancy house on the outskirts of Kirby. Ana hoped it would be the pub. At least his wife and kids wouldn’t have to witness the arrest.

It was a Saturday night, and The Fox was heaving. They passed the placard announcing a live band was playing that night and entered to the sound of pulsating music and shouting punters struggling to be heard above the din. As soon as Ana and Arif were spotted, the noise slowly diminished until only a lone musician played. Ana nodded toward them, and the music stopped.

Shane, the landlord, walked towards them. ‘What the hell?’

‘Sorry to break up the fun,’ said Ana.

‘Yeah, you look it,’ said Shane.

Ana ignored him and walked towards Alistair McQuire, standing by the dartboard.

‘Turn around,’ she said, her voice sharp.

‘What for? I ain’t done nothing wrong,’ he sneered.

‘I said, turn around. Don’t make me ask a third time.’ Ana pulled handcuffs from her pocket. ‘You’re under arrest for grievous bodily harm.’

He laughed, looking around the pub for others to laugh with him. ‘Oh, come on. Sometimes you have to give those whores a slap or two. How am I supposed to run a business?’

Several of the men laughed. Ana stared at them for a second and before McQuire had time to react, she’d whipped out her baton and brought it down hard on the back of his knees. The next thing he knew, he was on the floor. Arif knew that McQuire was in big trouble now.

‘Fucking bitch,’ yelled Alistair. ‘I only gave her a slap.’

‘I’d shut up if you know what’s good for you,’ warned Arif, pulling him up and handcuffing him.

‘You shit-faced bastard. The whole fucking room is decorated with her blood,’ spat Ana.

‘The place needed a clean-up,’ he sneered.

It was the smirk that did it. Arif wasn’t prepared, and when her baton came smashing down on McQuire’s head, he leapt back in shock.

‘You fucking no good piece of scum,’ she yelled, the baton coming down repeatedly.

‘Christ, Ana, stop,’ said Arif, as McQuire’s blood splattered onto his face. He pulled the baton out of her hand just as she was about to strike again.

‘Get this piece of shit out my sight,’ she said, the emotion thick in her voice.

He dragged McQuire from the club. The Glaswegian pimp was already screaming his revenge.

‘Okay, the party’s over,’ said Ana, a slight tremble in her voice.

‘You were out of order,’ said Shane.

She ignored him and left the pub, her heart banging in her chest. She got into the police car and turned to McQuire, who was now quiet, blood flowing from a cut on his head.

‘He’s going to need a doctor,’ said Arif. There was no criticism in his tone.

Ana nodded.

‘I have to report it, Ana. You used unnecessary force.’

She shrugged. ‘I know. I’m going to the hospital. Can you arrange some protection for the girls for a few nights?’

He nodded. ‘Sure, I’ll see what I can do.’

Cherry was lucky, they said. She had a broken collarbone and a few fractured ribs. ‘One of her kidneys looks damaged,’ said the doctor. ‘I’ll need to open her up to see how bad it is. But from the CAT scan, I’m not hopeful I can save it. I’m sorry.’

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