The noise this statement caused was deafening. Everyone spoke at once, trying to get their opinion heard. It was at that unfortunate moment, Sergeant Drake made his entrance into the café for his morning coffee. The crowd spotted him at once. It was like a sea of bodies surging towards the shore. The noise escalated to the level of a small riot.
Paige glanced at Jean. The woman rolled her eyes and grimaced. “Some poor person is dead and it’s like all that matters is the thrill the news has brought them all.” She shook her head, her lips curled back in disgust.
Sergeant Drake held his hands up, a pained expression crossed his features. The man clearly wished he’d skipped coffee for one day. “Please, everyone. Calm down. I can’t hear a word any of you are saying.” His voice boomed over the crowd. Little by little, the noise ebbed.
Sergeant Drake placed his hands on his hips. “Now, what’s this all about?”
“Are you kidding, Mike?” Mr Blackwell, a painter and decorator by trade, stared at Sergeant Drake as if he had grown five heads. “Did you not hear the news from Hindleford this morning? Another murder. Not even a month has passed. This is serious. Are you and those constables of yours even thinking of safety measures for our town?”
Sergeant Drake sighed, “Of course I’ve heard the news. Until we know for sure that the murders are connected, I think we need to remain calm. So far, there is no indication that this perpetrator is any threat to Oakwood Grove.”
“There’s no saying he isn’t!” Mrs Buckley chimed in, slapping her palm against the table where she sat. “Murderers do know how to drive you know!” A loud chorus of agreement broke out over the room.
Sergeant Drake’s jaw clenched tight, the muscles in his neck bulged out. “I understand all of you are concerned, but we really need to wait and see what the investigating officers uncover on this latest incident. As I have already stated, we don’t even know that they are connected as of yet.”
“Oh, get your head out of the ground, Mike,” Mr Blackwell shouted. “Who needs some fancy investigator to tell us what we already know.” Another round of shouts in agreement rose up.
“I can assure you, DI Steele is more than capable of dealing with this investigation. He has an outstanding record.” As Sergeant Drake spoke the name, Paige felt her body tingle. Without even needing to be told, she knew DI Steele was the grey eyed man she’d seen on the TV that morning. Again, the sense of connection flowed over her, along with a deep dread.
The conversation continued, but Paige heard none of it. Her mind whirled with everything that had happened in the past few hours. Despite Sergeant Drake’s reassurances, Paige knew a serial killer was at large. What she didn’t know was why her gift was ‘talking’ to her.
As a child she’d had little control over the things she could do, but once she’d reached adulthood, she’d been able to harness her gift with much greater success. It had only given her information on such occurrences when she’d sought it out, during her time working with the police. It had been almost five years since then. Paige hadn’t actively worked with her gift in all that time. Not after what had happened on that last case.
Now, for reasons unknown, her gift was feeding her information she didn’t want to receive. Why? Her mind wandered back over the years, trying to recall the times her gift had behaved this way. Slowly, a pattern began to emerge. Ice cold fear raced through her body as realisation dawned.
The only times she’d ever had her gift act this way was when something would impact her own life directly, like an early warning system. She sucked in a deep breath. Did this mean that the killer would indeed come to Oakwood Grove? Or did it mean someone she knew was in danger? She thought of Beth, who worked in Hindleford. Her heart almost stopped beating. Was it her friend that was in danger? And if so, what could she do to stop it?
Chapter Three
Try as she might, Paige could not shake the notion, nor could she ignore the possible threat to someone she cared about. She had to speak to Beth and make sure her friend was safe.
Turning to Jean, she touched the woman’s arm to gain her attention. Panic and fear flowed over her, so intense she almost choked on it. For a moment she thought the feelings were hers, but then she realised the sensations weren’t her own. Her eyes widened as Jean turned towards her. Paige searched Jean’s face, but none of the emotion she was feeling from the woman showed on her features even slightly. It was strange. How could someone be feeling so much, but not show it at all?
Concerned, Paige tried to feel deeper, to reach what was causing the woman’s distress, but it was like trying to move through molasses. She couldn’t find any foothold on what was wrong with Jean. Could it be the deaths in Hindleford? The level of emotion seemed excessive. Perhaps someone she loved was in trouble? Paige couldn’t determine the truth.
“Did you need me?” Jean asked, as the silence stretched out. She waved her hand in front of Paige’s face, a puzzled frown crossing her stern features.
Paige shook herself and tried to focus on the task at hand. She drew her hand away from Jean, but the encounter left her slightly shaken. “Yeah, can you manage here for a couple of minutes? I’ll get Mandy to stop clearing tables to assist you. I just want to check in with Beth. You know she works in Hindleford, right?”
Jean glanced at the crowd, her gaze skimming over Mandy, a teenager Paige had hired as part time help. “Okay, as long as you’re not too long. As soon as they are finished with Sergeant Drake, they are going to remember they want coffee and Mandy is not the best with serving.”
Paige nodded. Hurrying from around the counter, she pushed her way through the crowd to Mandy’s side and quickly instructed the girl on what she needed her to do. Mandy’s brow wrinkled and her mouth drooped down unhappily, but she nodded her head and made her way to Jean’s side.
Paige shot to the back of the café where the noise from the café would be less intrusive. She grabbed her phone from her apron pocket as she moved. Quickly, she scrolled to her friend’s name and ran her finger along the screen to place the call. Her friend answered on the fifth ring.
“Hey, what’s up? Can’t talk long. I’ve got a customer under the dryer.”
“You’re at work?” Paige stated unnecessarily, trying to keep the worry from her voice.
“Yeah. I thought about not coming in under the circumstances, but I need the money.” Beth sighed down the phone. “You can’t stop living your life because of maybes. At least that’s what my mum’s always telling me.”
“I guess not, but you still need to be cautious.” Paige bit her lip, wishing she had the courage to tell Beth about her abilities, but too afraid to take the risk. “What time are you working to?”
“Seven.” Beth’s voice dropped several octaves. Paige didn’t need her gift to hear the fear edged through that one word. “We have an important client that wanted a late appointment. I’m stuck doing her nails.”
“Where are you parked? Is it close to the shop?”
Beth sighed. “Nope. There are only two hour parking spaces available in front of the shop. I’m parked down a side street. It’s about a five minute walk.” She paused. “Have you heard something else? Is that why you’re calling? Have they said it’s definitely a serial killer?”
“No, but I can’t help worrying.” Paige bit her lip. “Is someone going to walk to the car with you?”
“Yeah, Stella is parked near me. We’ll walk out together. I’m sure I’ll be fine.” She didn’t sound totally convinced. “It’s only in the movies where someone springs out at you from the back seat of the car, right? Surely in real life you’d notice a whack job hiding out in your car?”
“Just be careful.” Paige relaxed and tried to feel into Beth. Sometimes if something bad was about to happen to someone she was close to or certain big events were shortly to take place in their life, Paige could pick up on it if she concentrated on them. There was no sense of immediate danger as far as she could tell. She relaxed. At least for now, Beth see
med to be safe, but she would have to monitor the situation constantly until the killer was apprehended.
“I will, you can bet on that. Thanks for worrying though. See you later.” Beth hung up.
Feeling slightly better, Paige slipped her phone back into her apron pocket and went to relieve a frazzled Mandy. The rest of the day passed swiftly. Before long it was closing time. Paige slid the bolts into place on the front door and locked it so no other customers could wander in. Jean was busy cleaning the coffee machine.
Paige grabbed a cloth and a tray and began clearing the tables. Mandy had left a couple of hours ago. “Wow, what a day!” she exclaimed as she wiped down one of the tables.
Jean shrugged. “I knew it was likely to be wild today, after hearing the news. You know how people love to gossip. I’ve never seen our old timers coffee club so animated.” A blast of steam rose around her as she cleaned the nozzle on the machine.
Paige grinned. “I know. They usually just talk about their aches and pains. Mrs Buckley was especially vocal today.” She turned to the next table and swiftly piled the dirty items onto her tray.
Jean rolled her eyes as she shoved a cleaning tablet into the coffee head of the machine and placed it into its slot for cleaning. “That woman ought to have been on stage. She has a flair for the dramatic. Talk about blowing everything out of proportion. She was likely to give one of her friends’ heart failure, the way she was carrying on.”
Paige was surprised by Jean’s comment. It seemed a little harsh. She thought back to her earlier experience when she’d touched Jean. Maybe Mrs Buckley had brought up a whole pile of fear and worry in the woman. Why else would Jean say such a thing? This could be the perfect opportunity to see if she could ferret out what was bothering Jean. It wouldn’t be easy, since she had no Earthly way of knowing anything was wrong.
“Still, I can understand their worry. After all, Hindleford is only a short drive from us.” Paige fiddled with the cloth in her hand. “I’m certainly concerned. A serial killer is no small thing. Anyone could be at risk.”
Jean snorted, flushing out the cleaning foam on the coffee head with hot water. “Just don’t put yourself in a position that places you at risk. People today are always doing stupid things. They flirt with danger. Besides, we still don’t know a serial killer is at large. It’s a little premature to panic.”
“It seems likely, though, don’t you think?” Paige bent to pick up a napkin that had fallen under the table she was clearing. “If that’s the case, we don’t know how this person is selecting or grabbing their victims. It could be someone in a trusting position. You know, like a police officer or a doctor. Most people will trust someone like that.”
“Trust nobody, that’s what I say,” Jean retorted. She poured hot water from a jug into the drip tray. A strange look crossed her features, as if she was haunted or deeply disturbed by something. Her eyes glazed over and she seemed to stare off into space. “After all, you never really know someone, do you?”
Jean’s voice was so low, Paige almost didn’t catch her words. Goose bumps popped up over Paige’s body and she shivered. “Are you okay?” she asked awkwardly.
The air around Jean was charged with the emotions she’d felt earlier. Whatever could be the source of Jean’s distress? It occurred to Paige that she didn’t really know a great deal about Jean. Not enough to understand what was bothering the woman or be able to speak to her about it. Jean had never been the warmest of people, but she was very experienced and a hard worker, which is why Paige had hired her. Her private life, however, was a total mystery.
Jean glanced up at her, a startled expression on her face. “I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“Well, what you just said. About not really knowing anyone. You seemed upset. I thought maybe something was bothering you?” Paige carried the tray full of plates and mugs to the counter. “If so, can I help in some way?”
“No.”
Jean grabbed the tray from her and carried it through to the kitchen. Paige could hear her loading up the dishwasher. The short, abrupt answer left her somewhat stumped. She hadn’t expected to have her head almost bitten off. After all, she was simply concerned.
Paige grabbed the broom and swiftly swept over the floor, her mind whirling. What could be wrong with Jean? Maybe it had nothing to do with the news that morning and was a personal matter at home. Some people were very touchy about their privacy. Hadn’t Jean just said she didn’t trust anyone? Paige certainly didn’t want to intrude. She’d learned the hard way how people reacted when she knew things about them that they didn’t want anyone to know. She understood. She had things she wouldn’t want anyone to know either.
Paige felt faintly guilty about having attempted to read Jean earlier and for prying now. It was really none of her business. Her gift didn’t give her the right to delve into other people, just because she could. She would do well to remember that. It was a lesson she should have learned by now.
Jean stepped out of the kitchen and grabbed the cloth Paige had discarded earlier. She began to wipe down the counter. Paige leaned on her broom handle and drew in a deep breath.
“I’m sorry, Jean. I didn’t mean to pry. Please forget I asked.” She bit her lip. “I just want you to know, if you ever need to talk, I’m here.”
Jean sighed and paused in her task. “It’s fine. I shouldn’t have been so touchy. I don’t find it easy confiding in people. I’ve been let down too many times in the past.”
Paige smiled. “I understand. Believe me, my family was never a walk in the park.”
Jean leaned against the counter, her face softening. “Couldn’t be worse than mine,” she said softly. “They’re a nightmare.” She hesitated a moment. “I found out something about someone and it shocked me. It’s going to take some time to get my head around. I don’t really know what it means.” She shrugged. “It’s been on my mind all day, that’s all.”
Paige nodded. She grabbed the long handled dustpan and swept the dirt she’d collected into it. “Without knowing what you learned, all I can say is give yourself time. I’m sure you’ll be able to figure it out.”
Jean rubbed at her temples. “I’m not so sure. I have reason to be concerned. What happens if I can’t deal with it or it turns out to be what I’m worried about? What do I do?”
Paige dumped the dirt she’d collected in the bin. “I can’t answer that. All I can say is, trust yourself if you can’t trust anyone else. Follow what feels right for you and what you can live with.”
Jean brightened and smiled widely. “That’s actually really good advice. Thanks.”
Paige felt her own heart lift with Jean’s sudden warmth. “You’re welcome.”
They swiftly finished the rest of the clean-up and left the premises. They wished each other goodnight and Paige headed for home. It was only a short walk from her café. She breathed in deeply and loosened her hair from the bun she’d confined it in for work, rubbing her fingers over her scalp. The chill wind whipped through the tendrils, the cold air invigorating her as she drew it into her lungs.
It had been a strange and horrible day, but she felt as if she and Jean had finally developed a tentative friendship. She hoped to build on it. Her mind drifted over the events of the last twenty four hours. There was still so many unanswered questions, with danger lingering close at hand.
Paige was at least now sure that her gift had become active because this serial killer was somehow going to impact her life. Either directly or through someone she knew. The thought terrified her.
Beth seemed the most likely candidate, and she would have to keep a close watch on her friend. Her heart constricted in her chest. She only hoped she was up to it. She couldn’t bear for someone else to die because of her. Not again.
Chapter Four
Paige added the ingredients for her salad dressing into a bowl and mixed them together vigorously. The smell of the lasagne she’d prepared for dinner wafted in the air temptingly from inside the oven. It was
a shame she wasn’t all that hungry. She glanced up at the kitchen clock. Had someone glued the hands down? It felt as though the dial wasn’t moving at all.
“She won’t be home yet,” Jeremy commented as he entered the kitchen. He rubbed at his light brown hair with a towel. It stuck up around his head, still damp from his shower. “Stop worrying. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“Is that why you have a little worry frown creasing your forehead? Because you’re not concerned in the least?” Paige waved a spoon at him before dipping it into her dressing to check the seasoning.
“Okay, so I’m concerned. I haven’t been able to stop worrying about her all day.” Jeremy huffed, sticking the towel around his neck. He pointed his finger at her and waved it in a mock threat. “Don’t you dare tell her I said that!”
Paige rolled her eyes, adding a little more salt to the mix. “Heaven forbid that she knows you care.” She waved towards the cutlery draw. “Why don’t you set the table? It will give you something to focus on.”
Jeremy grumbled, but complied nonetheless. He tossed his towel into the washing machine, then pulled the cutlery draw open and gathered utensils into his large hands. Paige checked the dressing once more, then added it to the green salad she’d placed in a bowl. She tossed the dressing through the leaves.
“How did things go with your game’s rep?” she asked, wanting to get both their minds off Beth.
Jeremy shrugged as he placed knives and forks at the place settings on the table. “We got the contract. She was very impressed by our set up. We will start stocking games soon and they are going to send some for review.”
“That’s all very nice, but I was more interested in how impressed she was with you.” Paige carried the salad to the table, setting it down in the centre.
“I don’t know, to be honest.” Jeremy leaned against the back of a chair, his expression dejected. “I gave her all the signs I was interested, but she refused to speak about anything other than work.”
The Hindleford Killer (The Psychic Eye Mysteries Book 1) Page 2
