Survival Instinct

by Declan Conner

  “Right away, sir, just take a seat.”

  Jamie sat down and pondered the events. Crossword Killer? Must be from the scribbles on the mirror. Didn’t look like crossword clues to me. Hunting knife? Bill had one in his bedroom drawer and three pairs of panties and handcuffs. But there was nothing about missing panties. Christ, if they think I could have sneaked out of the hotel then what’s to say Bill didn’t; he’s a wiz at crosswords. He knew Grace and Sandra, and he’s been a member for a long time. What about when he followed Ellie? “Stop it Jamie,” he said aloud.

  “Are you okay, sir, your coffee and doughnut?”

  “Oh. . .sorry. . .I was just thinking out loud, thank you.”

  Jamie picked up his cell phone and was about to phone Bill. His fingers hovered over the keypad. God what if Bill is the killer? Why didn’t he phone the police about the break in and why did he stop me phoning the police to report Grace and Sandra? Who the hell can I talk to? I have to talk to someone. He decided to phone the office.

  “Mary, have you had lunch yet?”

  “No, I was just leaving, why?”

  “Don’t ask, please, just meet me at the coffee bar at the shopping mall.”

  “Okay, ten minutes.”

  His mind was still in a boil when he saw Mary, who bought a coffee and walked up to his table.

  “JJ, what’s the problem?”

  “You need to be sat down for this.”

  “Oh no, sounds serious.”

  Jamie relayed everything to her and he started to tell the gory details of his night with Grace and Sandra. Mary started to giggle and then laughed aloud.

  “It’s nothing to laugh at.”

  “Sorry, but you have to see the funny side. Maybe if I’m honest I think it’s nervousness. After all I put the singles’ club form in your file.”

  Jamie continued and when he had finished, he sat back to wait for her response.

  Mary sat there thoughtfully. Then she leaned forward and took his hand.

  “I can’t begin to imagine what you’ve gone through, but you know you’re not involved, so lighten up. You’re acting as though you’re guilty.”

  “What do I tell the kids? All the neighbors must have seen the fiasco this morning.”

  “You keep calling them kids. There grown up now. Just tell them what’s happened or they’ll think you have something to hide.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I still see them as my babies.”

  “Look if it makes it any easier, I can go with you for moral support? Maybe if you’d asked me out to the movies earlier, none of this would’ve happened. It serves you right for going out with strange women.”

  Jamie managed to raise a laugh and realized he was still holding her hand.

  “Guilty as charged.”

  “There you are. Like I told you before, a problem shared is a problem halved, at least we managed a smile out of you,” said Mary and withdrew her hand.

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  “What, that you need moral support with Ellie and Steve, or that you should’ve asked me out?” Mary crossed the invisible line.

  “Yes to both, although these aren’t the best of circumstances to be going on a date. What do you think? Will you go out with me?”

  “Well, maybe the circumstances are not right, but Friday night there’s a movie I’d like to see, ‘Better the Devil You Know’.”

  “Very apt. Are you making that up?”

  “No, by the way it is a date, right? It’s not one of your condescending to ‘accompany’ me events?”

  “No, it’s a date, as long as you don’t see me as ‘sweet and gentlemanly’.”

  By now, Jamie had almost forgotten about his ordeal, excited and yet not quite believing they were actually going out on a date. How did that happen? he asked himself.

  “JJ, have you seen the time? We need to get to work. Good news. The contract came though from the attorney for Martin’s Brewery, everything’s signed.”

  “Fantastic!” he held his hand up and she slapped it in a “high five.”

  “Oh, it gets better. We had a product placement company on the telephone, and their director is excited about the product. Apparently, it’s a new sitcom based around a bar and they want to feature ‘Blond’ in the script. Mike wants you to phone him.”

  “Let’s go then. That should keep my mind busy.”

  As they stood up, Jamie couldn’t help himself and hugged Mary, relieved that at last they had broken the ice but not daring to give her a kiss. They made their way out of the mall.

  Back at the office, John in the lobby pulled Jamie aside.

  “Jamie, there were some detectives here asking about you on Saturday morning. I only told them you’d been away sick last week, was that okay?”

  “That’s fine, John, don’t worry. I’ve paid all my parking tickets now.”

  Jamie jumped in the elevator determined not to let it get to him. Sitting at his desk, he smiled across at Mary who was busy whispering with Betty. He picked up the phone and placed the call.

  “Hi, Mike, JJ here, what can I do for you?”

  “I’ve had a discussion with a director of a new sitcom about a bar, and he freaked out when I told him about the product. He’s come up with an unconventional idea.”

  “Go on.”

  “He wants them write a script for the opening episode around one of his characters and the product. He takes it to bed and everything centers around everyone ribbing him about it. What do you think?”

  “How much is that going to cost?”

  “That’s the beauty of it. It won’t cost a cent in return for permission to use the product.”

  “Christ that’s priceless. When’s it due to run?”

  “Same time as the product launch. We just need an agreement and a placement fee, then we can go ahead.”

  “That’s great! Just ask them to run the script by us, or give us an outline and we’re in business.”

  Business done, Jamie began to think about his date with Mary. The cinema’s not the most romantic venue. He started to search the web for somewhere to take her afterwards, preferably somewhere he hadn’t taken June. Looking down a list, he found a Spanish restaurant with entertainment. Then clicking on today’s date, he noticed they had a cabaret on that evening. Jamie looked across at Mary and wondered if he should ask her out to dinner. Oh, what the hell, just do it! He booked a table over the net. Then he typed away and sent Mary an email, “After we go to my house to tell Ellie and Steve, I booked a table for dinner as a special thank you!”

  Mary saw the pop-up and opened it. Then she typed one word, “Delighted.”

  Jamie smiled across at Mary and wrote her another message, “Would be a good idea to leave work early, say 4:00? The police may have left the house in disarray and I don’t have my car. Don’t want the kids to find a mess.”

  Mary replied, “Ah, I take it the first email was a sweetener. It’s a house cleaner and chauffeur you need.”

  Jamie’s face reddened, “Is that a yes, or a no?”

  “Yes, of course,” Mary replied as a huge grin lit up her face.

  His extension rang and he answered with a smile in his voice.

  “Jamie Jameson, whose calling?”

  “It’s Bill, JJ. I’ve just heard they have a suspect on the news. Looks like you’re off the hook?”

  “Listen it’s difficult to talk right now,” said Jamie, his smile disappeared.

  “Don’t worry, JJ, we can catch up later. Gina’s back tomorrow so I need to spring clean the apartment.”

  “Yeah I’m going to be busy too. See you later, Bill.”

  Jamie put the phone down relieved he didn’t have to face Bill as his thoughts turned back to the murders. He started to wonder how he could back away from Bill. Bill knew Sandra was away and due back later that night. Who else would know? Surely, the police will notice that. The killer can’t have just struck lucky.

  “You look deep in thought, problem with Bill?” aske
d Mary.

  “Sort of. We can talk about it later.”

  She gave him a look he hadn’t seen before. Had he done the right thing? Was she thinking she made a mistake or trying to decide what to wear? He wasn’t sure but his mind shifted back to the murders. He took the paper from his pocket with the scribbled messages and began studying them as Mary went back to her desk. Not like any crossword clues I’ve ever seen. He slipped the paper back in his pocket as Betty came over with some papers for him to sign.

  As four o’clock approached, Jamie watched as Mary packed away her papers. She looked across at him and tapped her watch. Jamie was feeling nervous. He had been fine talking to her when it was just normal conversation, but he was apprehensive how he would get around to a romantic situation without it seeming contrived. Then he remembered what Susan said. Maybe I shouldn’t treat it as a date, then there’s no pressure.

  It was too late; he felt his body tremble and his face began to feel flushed with heat.

  “Ready JJ?”

  “Yeah, just give me a sec to go to the bathroom.”

  Jamie headed for the restroom, washed his hands and then looked in the mirror. He could see the terrified expression on his face. “Come on Jamie, you’re a big boy now, you can do this. Don’t get cold feet now that you’ve asked her out.” For a split second, he was sure his reflection answered him back.

  “Jamie, we’re all rooting for you, be positive.”

  Then there was a tap on his shoulder.

  “Ben, I didn’t see you there?” He jumped and choked with embarrassment.

  “I didn’t think so. I was in the shitter.”

  “What do you mean; you’re all rooting for me?”

  “Mary couldn’t keep it to herself. She told Betty and. . . .”

  “What? She told her about the police?”

  “Police? What police? No, about your date. Does Cuthbert know?”

  “Did I say police? I was about to say, please don’t say anything to Cuthbert.”

  “Don’t worry your little secret’s safe with me. Just be positive and thanks for being understanding with me and Betty. Go for it, man, you deserve some happiness.”

  “Thanks Ben.”

  Jamie nearly died as he walked to the elevator. Mary and the whole team, lined up as though they were a guard of honor at a wedding, greeted him. Betty the last in line stood forward and hugged Mary. As the elevator door closed, Jamie shook his head and broke into laughter.

  “You realize we’ll never live this down.”

  “Yeah, sorry for not being discreet, it just sort of leaked out.”

  Making their way to Mary’s car Jamie picked up an evening newspaper from the newsstand and folded it to carry it under his arm. Once in the car, they headed for the freeway and Mary switched on the radio.

  “Please, not the news, I’ve been enough of a news item for one day.”

  “It’s only the music channel, don’t worry.”

  Jamie unfolded the paper and looked at the front page with a headline, “VENUES PULL PLUG ON SINGLES’ CLUB.” He read on, “Following a report that all four victims of the Crossword Killer were members of a local E-dating singles’ club, Hotel venues have pulled the rug out from under the cities singles’ club. After a report from the Mayor that police were interviewing a suspect, Chief Hogan refused to comment other than to say, ‘A person of interest was helping with our enquiries earlier today, but he has been released.’ He refused to comment when asked if the person was still a suspect, but he called on all members of the singles’ club to provide DNA. The Crossword Killer, so called by an FBI source, leaves cryptic messages on his victims’ mirrors marked in lipstick. The latest victim was thirty-two-year-old...”

  Jamie put the newspaper down.

  “Christ, it’s splashed all over the newspapers. Chief Hogan won’t rule me out as a suspect.”

  “Does it mention your name?”

  “No.”

  “Forget it then.”

  “Yeah, easy for you to say.”

  Arriving home, Jamie felt as though all the curtains were twitching. The next-door neighbor cutting his front lawn turned off his lawnmower and walked over raising his hand.

  “What happened this morning?” asked Dave Brogan. “I think as your neighbors we have a right to know?”

  “Drug bust, Dave!” he shouted. “Luckily I’d shipped everything out to the dealers before the police arrived.” Jamie sneered in contempt as he turned his key in the door. Mary followed laughing, and Jamie slammed the door shut.

  “Can’t stand the guy! Dave Brogan's a regular neighborhood watch busybody. . .Everything seems tidy, looks like they haven’t made a mess. I’ll just check upstairs?”

  Jamie quickly returned to the den.

  “So?”

  “Everything seems fine, nothing missing. Wait a minute, there was a crossword book on the coffee table. I can’t believe they took that.”

  “Don’t worry. They’ll probably provide you with a list. What was on your mind about Bill?”

  “I was just thinking, only the two of us knew what time the last victim was due home and other stuff. I mean, what do we really know about Bill? For all I know he could be the Crossword Killer. Look how he followed Ellie home that day?”

  “Listen to yourself. If it wasn’t for Bill, they would have locked you up. He saved your bacon. You need to stop it or you’ll become paranoid. Just let the police do their job.”

  “Yeah, I need to cool it. Thank God his girlfriend Gina is back from Italy to keep him occupied.”

  “Maybe I said it out of jealousy? I mean really, where do you stop?”

  “You’re right. Perhaps I'm looking for someone to take the heat off.”

  “More than likely, just try and forget it.”

  Jamie’s telephone rang. He felt reluctant to answer, but then he thought it might be his sister.

  “Hi, it’s Bill. Have you seen the news? They’ve shut the singles’ club down.”

  “Yeah saw it. Are you going to go and give your DNA sample?”

  “If I get time. Thing is, I’m thinking of asking Gina to go away on vacation with me for a couple of weeks.”

  “What, straight away?”

  “Don’t see why not. If actual sex with her is as good as the cybersex, I wouldn’t mind being with her forever. Got to go now, have fun.”

  Jamie put the handset down. The call gave him more to think about. Damn it, he’s avoiding giving his DNA. No, I’m just being paranoid.

  “What do Steve and Ellie do for dinner?”

  “I usually make it . . . sometimes Ellie.”

  “If you show me where everything is, I don’t mind cooking them something, and you can take a long shower.”

  “Fine, sounds good, follow me. Think I’ll take a hot bath.”

  Jamie left Mary to it and he filled the bathtub, pouring in relaxing crystals and climbed in. He began to soak away the day’s problems. A little later, he came down the stairs to the wonderful smell of cooking and heard the key in the door as Steve and Ellie arrived home at the same time.

  “Hmm, smell’s good, dad, what is it?”

  “Not sure, Mary’s cooking.”

  “Mary?” said Ellie as Steve ran upstairs.

  “Yeah, it’s a long story. I‘ve something to tell you and she came for moral support.”

  “Sounds serious, don’t tell me you’re getting married. You haven’t even dated yet?”

  “No, no, nothing like that. But we are going out on a date tonight.”

  “Great, I like Mary. I’ll just change and be right back.”

  Jamie popped his head round the kitchen door.

  “The kids are home.”

  “Kids? Okay, it’s ready. Do you want me to put some out for you?”

  “Just a little, we’re eating tonight remember?”

  “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten. I’ll have a little taste too.”

  “God, dad, I’m starving. What’s Dave Brogan ranting at ne
xt door? He was mumbling something like, ‘The neighborhood's going to pot’. That guy’s really weird,” said Steve.

  “Wait for Ellie and I’ll tell you.”

  Steve looked at Mary with a sly grin as she dished out his dinner and Ellie joined them.

  “I hear dad’s finally asked you out, Mary,” said Ellie.

  “Oh, it’s just for a meal, don’t worry, I’m not trying to steal your dad.”

  “Huh! You can have him, just as long as you do the cooking,” said Steve. “Wow, this is great!”

  “Don’t embarrass dad, Steve, he’s done well to get this far.”

  Mary raised her eyebrow.

  Jamie’s face reddened as he took a deep breath.

  “Look you two; you know I joined the singles’ club. Well I met two women there and, well, how can I say this? Well . . . they’ve both been murdered.”

  Ellie and Steve stopped eating. They turned to him mouths open and full of food.

  “What’s that got to do with you?” asked Ellie.

  “That’s just it. Nothing, but since I was one of the last to see one of the victims before she was murdered, the police searched our house this morning and took me in for questioning.”

  “You mean they arrested you?” asked Steve. “So it was you they were talking about on the news?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Wow, cool! Too bad we don’t have CCTV, we could’ve put it on You Tube, when they arrested you I mean,” said Steve.

  “Steve, act your age,” said Ellie. She stood up to walk to Jamie and put her arms around him. “Don’t worry dad. It must have been terrible.” She squeezed him tight.

  “Listen, guys, your dad has nothing to worry about, but if your friends and neighbors find out, it may cause you problems until they catch the killer. So you’re going to have to be prepared. You know the media.”

  “Well I’m not worried,” said Ellie. “We’re a family and we stay together whatever happens.”

  “I just think it’s fantastic,” said Steve with big eyes. “I can’t wait to get it on Facebook.”

  “Don’t be stupid, Steve, how old are you?” asked Mary. “What do you want to do, bring in vigilantes? The best thing you can all do, and this includes you, Jamie, is to forget it.”

  “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking, I was just trying to lighten things up,” said Steve.