“Really? Okay, if you’re sure that’s all. My appointment turned out to be a waste of time, and I cut it short. I hurried back home as I wanted to see you. Ella, I think it’s time we had that talk. Can we go upstairs where it’s more comfortable? It’s difficult standing and conducting a conversation in the hall with me in my outdoor clothes and you in your dressing gown. Not that you don’t look alluring in dark blue. I…I’ve missed you, and it’s time you and I sorted everything out. Even think about the future. That’s if you want to?” He smiled and as I stared into those dark pools of Atlantic blue, I felt my heart pulled in all directions.
He took hold of my hand and raised it to his lips. Tim really acted like an old-fashioned gentleman at times. Curling his fingers around mine he gently led me towards the stairs. “How about I make you a hot drink? I know you have a special fondness for chocolate, and my concoction is renowned to get rid of all headaches.”
I had to stand firm. I couldn’t be tricked or sweet-talked into thinking him innocent of those heinous murders. I had just seen for myself what he had been up to all these years. I swallowed, and turning away lest he saw my expression, grabbed hold of the bannisters.
“I’ve missed you too, but truly, I do have an awful headache. It’s making me feel sick, and I think it’s turning into a migraine. Chocolate’s the last thing I fancy. And falling down the stairs has shaken me up…I’m sorry, Tim, but I ought to go to bed straightaway. Can we talk tomorrow? I…I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
We had reached the top landing and were standing outside my apartment door, which was ajar. I noticed he glanced inside and wondered if he thought I had someone with me. Maybe I should have played him along…let him think I wasn’t alone. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something glowing on the floor, and I realised it was one of my errant hair pins.
Tim’s eyes darkened as he bent his head nearer to mine. “Of course we can, poor you. I didn’t mean to force you. Have you any medication for migraine, sweetheart?” His eyes bore into me, and I imagined his psychiatrist mind tapping into mine.
“Yes. I’ll take some immediately. Goodnight, Tim. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I think I’ll have an early night too. I’m going to try out my new coffeemaker and take a cup to bed and have a read. Goodnight, sleep well, my luby.”
He moved as if to kiss my cheek, but I moved out of his reach and stepped over my threshold, closing the door behind me. I drew the two bolts across without making a sound and then stood with my back against the door, willing my body to stop shaking. Oh god, oh god. Was I sharing my roof with a murderer? A murderer who tried to lull me into a false sense of security by calling me sweetheart.
Chapter Forty-Four - Ella
I knew I had to get out. But first I had to raise the alarm.
I walked through to my living room; my hip ached from my fall, and I guessed I would have some delightful bruises the next day. I remembered my mobile was in my pocket and reached for it. Turning it over in my hands, I knew it was completely useless, and I hadn’t another, as I had donated all my old ones to a charity. Bugger.
Still, at least I had a landline. When I first moved in, I didn’t want the additional expense, but Mum and Dad insisted.
“It’s not a waste of money. You know how mobiles pack up for no reason,” Dad said. Actually I didn’t, but there was no arguing with him when he had his daughter’s interest at heart. “You never know when you might need it. And we don’t mind paying for it.” Thank god for caring parents.
By now, I really did have a headache, and my hip was throbbing so much, I could hardly think straight. I decided to take some painkillers before I rang the police. As I moved awkwardly towards the bathroom, I pondered whether to ring Michael or Pete. I didn’t want to dial 999, as they would have arrived with flashing lights and sirens. Tim would have scarpered at the first hint of the police arriving or worse, take me hostage. I decided either Michael or Pete would act calmly and arrange for back up immediately and quietly, without fuss. I felt relatively safe behind my stout oak door and knew Tim hadn’t a clue about what I had discovered. Gradually, I realised I felt calmer than I had been all evening. Finally, the Surrey Punisher was going to be arrested and justice carried out.
I found the pills and washed a couple down with some water. My face looked ashen in the mirror above the wash basin, and I noticed the beginnings of a bruise on my left cheek, too. And the seam in my dressing gown, where I had caught my foot, was badly torn. Wonderful.
The landline was in the living room with an extension in my bedroom, and I made my way there to make my call. I decided to phone both Pete and Michael. Pete because he was directly involved in the case and Michael, because I knew I had hurt him so much lately and I owed him. He had warned me so many times. Maybe I should call him first, let him take the credit for informing Pete.
“Michael, it’s me.”
His voice, when he answered, sounded muffled, as if he had a bad cold. “Ella.”
“It’s him. Tim. I…I’ve been into his apartment and found all sorts of things. Newspaper cuttings, photos, a map showing where he’s made all his kills. He’s the man you’re looking for. I’m frightened.” My voice shook.
There was a short silence. “My god, Ella! The risk you’ve taken. Does he know any of this? Does he suspect anything…that you’ve been inside?”
“No,” I whispered. “I got a spare key from my parents’ and let myself in when he was out. Michael, that’s not all. He wants to speak to me, he says. Explain everything. I’m afraid to go near him after what I’ve seen, also—”
Michael interrupted before I finished. “Okay. Listen very carefully. Where are you now? Is he still out?”
“I’m at home and he’s back in his flat now. I haven’t called for help yet, as I thought it might alert him. Michael, I’m scared.”
“I’m sure you are, darling. Listen, leave ringing the police to me and make getting out of there your priority. Better still get over here. I’m at home. You’ll be safe here, as once the boys arrive, no doubt they’ll have firearms, and you don’t want to get caught in any crossfire or end up becoming Coleman’s hostage. I presume he doesn’t know where I live, so he couldn’t come after you?”
“No, I don’t think so. I might have mentioned you live near where you work, but that’s all. Are you sure that’s best? You will ring, only I have to get dressed first and leave without him knowing?” My mind was already on getting to safety. Michael’s place in the village of Peasmarsh would only have taken a few minutes at that time of night.
“Promise. As soon as you put the phone down, I’m on the case. Remember, though, don’t waste time calling Pete or anyone else, as I can get things moving much quicker if I do it. I can get through to the right people immediately. Remember, Tim Coleman is dangerous and not to be trusted. He’s killed ten women already. Get the hell out of there ASAP.”
“Okay.”
“Ella?”
“I’ve never said this before, but I love you.”
I wasn’t surprised by his words. So many people had said Michael was in love with me. It’s just that his timing was so bloody awful. As I was about to reply, the room was suddenly plunged into darkness, and the phone I was holding went dead.
A power cut. What next?
Chapter Forty-Five - Christian
I had laid some of my cards on the table. Made some sort of vow, made a show of how I felt. She would guess I wanted to talk about some sort of future once everything was sorted out. I couldn’t help laughing as I imagined her face as she thought back over my words. She would be lulled into submission; they always were, and I would draw her in, inch by inch, until in the end she would be screaming for me to end it.
Chapter Forty-Six - Ella
In fright, I let the phone fall from my fingers. I stood in darkness as my eyes adjusted to the gloom. Gradually, I became accustomed to the dark and realised there was light coming from a lamp post at the end of our drive.
So the power failure was very local then. The other houses in the road, including the Browns next door, all seemed to have light.
As realisation dawned, I found I was shaking with terror. Our part of the house was the only one without electricity. Tim must have done something to the fuse box. I had to get out.
I heard movement coming from the hallway between our apartments. In haste, I peeled off my dressing gown, dropped it to the floor and dragged on the clothes I was wearing earlier that day. No time for socks or underwear…it could only have taken a minute or so to dress, but it seemed like ages, as I was all fingers and thumbs, fumbling with the zip and putting my sweater on back to front. Shoes. Shoes! Where the fuck had I left them? Sweat gathered beneath my armpits and trickled down between my bare breasts. I tripped over something in the dark and picked up a trainer. At last!
There was a light tap on my door. “Ella! It’s me. Sorry, but I must have blown a fuse somehow. Are you still awake? If so, not to worry, I’ll sort it out in the morning. I don’t want to be disturbing you banging around in the dark searching for the fuse box. ‘Night.”
I paused, trainer in hand, then ignoring him, continued to wrestle with my footwear. I thought it best to let him think I was safely tucked up in bed and asleep. I didn’t believe for one second the power cut was an accident. He meant to put me at a disadvantage and terrify me at the same time. I tried to hurry up, and then, once dressed, I returned to the kitchen where I remembered I had left my keys and handbag. I was on the point of leaving my home when I paused.
What if he was lurking outside my door? Just waiting to pounce on me as I attempted to escape? He must have done something to cause our power failure. Of course he had! He knew I had a landline. He had been in my place enough times to have seen it. What if he realised I was in his apartment and had seen all the gruesome evidence? He would know I would try to alert the police.
I put my ear to the door and listened. The only thing I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears and my own heavy breathing. I waited a full five minutes before I found the courage and opened my door a crack. The only light in the hallway came from a long window on the stairs. I peered along the carpeted landing both ways, but it looked empty. Holding my breath I took my first footsteps towards the stairs.
The first two steps were easy, and I remembered the third one creaked. Still feeling a dull ache in my hip and back, I clutched the banisters for support. Treading as lightly as I could, I made my way down quietly.
At the bottom I had to make a decision. The front door had been needing some work doing to it: a little rubbing down to ease the loud creak it made when opened and some oiling; both my parents had heard Tim leaving in the dead of night on numerous occasions. Why they hadn’t got round to fixing it, I didn’t know. I had the key to their apartment on my key ring and decided to exit the building from the French windows of their lounge. Fingers crossed they wouldn’t be burgled when I left the door unlocked. Their own door opened without a whisper, and I slipped inside.
The familiar smell of the apartment assaulted me, and I felt a wave of longing sweep through my body. If only they had been here. But then, at least they were away and out of danger. I crept through the rooms towards their lounge which opened onto a chunk of garden via the French windows. A street light shone through a chink in the curtains, and I moved them aside an inch or so to peer out into the garden beyond.
Everything appeared peaceful. Normal.
I released the safety catches on the French windows, turned the key in the lock and slid the door open a fraction. A faint breeze caught the trees lining the drive, ruffling the few remaining leaves on the branches. I watched, mesmerised, for a moment as they swayed, casting skeletal shadows across the grass. My breath fogged before me and hung in the cold air, dissipating after a second or two. All was clear. I couldn’t hang around any longer; it was time to go.
I crossed the lawn and reached the gravel drive. My car sat in its usual spot. I spotted Tim’s smart Mercedes parked nearer the road. As I crossed the gravel, wincing from my bruises, my footsteps sounded overly loud to my ears, and I trod more lightly to deaden my passage. A car passed along the road, throwing the beams from its headlights over me, and I shrank back against my car, thinking Tim might have been looking out of a window, spying me crouching there in terror.
Three seconds later, I fit the car key into the lock and pulled the door open. I slid into my seat and shut the door without too much noise. As I put the key into the transmission, I heard a sudden shout and glanced back in terror to see Tim coming down the front steps of the house towards me. I turned the key and nothing happened.
Chapter Forty-Seven - Ella
In a flash I locked all the doors and tried starting the car again. The engine turned over once before spluttering and dying.
A knock against the car door had me screaming out in terror, and I shrank back from the window.
“Ella! What are you doing? Where are you going? I thought you felt unwell?”
Tim bent down and leaned in towards the glass. In the faint light, our eyes met, and I thought I could read concern together with puzzlement in them. “What’s wrong?” He frowned.
I felt a sob rise in my throat. “Nothing…get away from me. I—” I couldn’t say anymore and rested my forehead against the steering wheel. A multitude of emotions raced through me…fear, disappointment, panic and despair. The damned car wouldn’t start. What was I to do? I felt horribly sick and jittery and realised it was the huge dump of adrenaline coursing through my body. I had to stay focused and strong.
“Please, Ella. I don’t know what’s going on, but I want to help.”
I turned my head and stared. I forced a show of strength into my voice I certainly didn’t feel. “It’s all over, Tim. I know who you…what you are. Please let me go. I’ve done nothing to you.”
There was one chilling moment when recognition dawned in his eyes, and then he was speaking again, urgently, cajoling, but I wasn’t going to fall for his lies. “Ella. I know you’ve been into my apartment. I found one of your hairpins on the floor. I’m not angry with you in any way about that. Look, it’s freezing out here. If you just come back inside and let me explain as I promised I would, then all this can be cleared up in minutes. I realise I’ve kept things from you, but I had my reasons and I needed more time to be certain. Please, Ella. Trust me.”
Wearily, I shook my head. “Never. Do you think I’m stupid? Become your next target? I’ve seen your press cuttings, the map showing where you killed all your victims. What did you intend doing with the gun? Michael was right all along, you are the Surrey Punisher, only I was stupid not to believe him and got sucked in by your charm. I liked you. Do yourself a favour and give yourself up to the police. You need help, Tim.”
Tim thumped his fist against the bodywork of the car in frustration. “Michael? Is that where you’re going? To him? Don’t you understand what I’m saying? I’m not what you think. I can explain everything if you’ll only listen! Michael is the one not to be trusted. He’s been twisting your mind. I’ve been following his movements for months. Ella, I’m begging you. Get out of the car now. We can call the police and wait here together in safety.”
The word safety galvanised me into action. Enough! I needed to be away before the police arrived, as I didn’t want to be in their way. Once more, I switched my attention to my car and praying silently, turned the ignition key. The engine turned, shuddered, and I pumped the accelerator in despair. There was a little hiccup from beneath the bonnet and, oh, joy of joys, the engine kicked into life. I released my foot from the clutch, and the car shot forward, hitting the edge of the wooden gatepost before surging through to the road.
I saw Tim spring back from the car, I thought I heard him shout something about Michael and the gun, but I didn’t really care. I had to get clear of Guildford.
I drove fast along the back roads of town, praying Tim hadn’t got his car keys on him. I had a few minutes on him if I was luc
ky. If not, he could have caught up with me in seconds driving his much more powerful and faster car. Heeding Michael’s advice to avoid getting caught among the police when they arrived, I headed towards Peasmarsh and my safe haven.
Chapter Forty-Eight - Ella
I don’t think I’ve ever driven as fast on minor roads as I did that night, cutting corners and more than once hitting the grass verges. All the time I roared along the country lanes, I kept glancing in my rear-view mirror. Thankfully, it stayed empty of any headlights, but I had to remember there was more than one way to Peasmarsh. I reached Michael’s in minutes.
Michael’s place was actually nearer than Peasmarsh village itself and lay along a muddy and rutted lane some way from the main road. I had always hated the cottage the few times I visited. I considered the surrounding area dank and too quiet for a townie like me, but as I drew up outside this time and saw the welcoming lights from the outside porch, I had never felt so thankful to see it.
I tore from the car and rushed up to knock on the front door. As I struck the aging wood, the door gave way to my touch and swung inwards. “Michael?”
In front of me, I could see that the square hallway was in complete darkness. Off to the left and right, I recalled a lounge, small dining room and beyond that the ancient fifties’ kitchen. I thought I could see a chink of light coming from that direction. Straight ahead was a steep flight of stairs covered with a dubious multi-coloured carpet of unknown age. The stairway led to two good-sized bedrooms and bathroom. I took a few steps into the hall and called again, a faint smell of damp filling my nostrils. A crunching sound behind made me pause, and I started to turn round, but before I could see what had caused the noise, I felt a powerful blow to the back of my head.
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