Love You To Death: A Psychological Crime Thriller

by Rita Ames

  “How far?” I had a really bad feeling about this.

  “Twenty minutes away” he said.

  “Tell them we will check it out” I answered trying to ignore the nagging feeling that something had gone wrong. I just didn’t want to entertain the possibility that we had lost the trail again.

  I wasn’t used to feeling such rage. I guess that’s why it’s a bad idea to be involved with a case when it gets personal, and this was definitely getting personal. I was personally going to ensure that Carl Dawson regretted ever getting within 10 feet of Susie Brown. If he had harmed her in any way then I hated to think what I was capable of.

  As we approached the last location of our colleague my heart fell at the sight of an ambulance and two Police cars outside the building.

  We went over to one of the Officers and after much mutual flashing of badges and credentials; we were informed that a body had been discovered in the men’s room.

  Before we could enter the building the paramedics pushed open the doors with a stretcher. Lifting the cover we confirmed that it was Greg, our colleague. I looked at Dave and I could see he was unusually upset.

  “You okay mate?” I asked.

  “I know him and his wife quite well” he said running his hands over his face “They just had a baby girl a couple of weeks ago” he kicked the wall beside where we were standing “Fuck!” he shouted.

  I put my hand on his arm “I’m so sorry mate” there was nothing I could say that would make this any easier to take. It was just another reason why we had to catch up with the monster that did this.

  “We have to call the station and see if there are any new leads, but we will get him” I reassured my partner.

  “Yeah, I know” Dave sat on the wall while I called in the details. While I was running through things on the phone Dave interrupted.

  “I just thought of something” he said.

  “Hold on a minute” I said into the phone.

  “Tell them to check the address for Carl when he lived in Plymouth. We are less than an hour away from there and I can’t think of anywhere else he might be headed in this direction” Dave said “I may be way off the mark but at least it’s a start”.

  “It’s genius” I said “There’s a reason why I like having you for a partner” I smiled at him. I relayed that info down the line and told them to call when they had the details.

  “Let’s get going. We can head in that general direction to save some time” I only hoped Dave’s hunch was right.

  After leaving some contact information with the local Police Officers asking that they send copies of any security footage to our office, we got back on the road.

  Dave was quiet for a while and I respected his need for contemplation. We both knew there were risks with this job but it never got any easier when it affected someone close.

  When the phone rang again we both jumped and after a nervous chuckle Dave picked up. He spent the next few minutes giving one word answers and I tried to concentrate on driving, impatient to know what was being said.

  Dave reached over and began programming an address into the Sat Nav. Finally he sat back and looked at me.

  “Carl never sold his parents house in Plymouth. He still owns it”

  “You think that’s where he took her?” I asked.

  “It’s the only good lead we have so I don’t think we have much choice but to head on over there” he reached towards the dash compartment and pulled out a bottle of water, taking a swig and passing it to me.

  I was grateful for the drink. We had been neglecting our stomachs in the rush.

  “We’ll need some back-up” I said resisting the urge to go it alone.

  “The Super is contacting the Plymouth Station and arranging something. He will send us the name of the Sergeant in charge asap”. I noticed that Dave now had his gun in his hands and was checking it was fully loaded. He saw me watching.

  “I can’t help wondering how he was able to drive back on his own. Where the hell is Susie and what must he have done to her to ensure she couldn’t escape while he was away?” That fact had me scared to death.

  “You need to keep your cool, mate. This is going to play out one way or another but the bottom line is that we can’t risk him getting away. No matter what has happened to your girl, we just can’t risk anyone else” he spoke sense and I knew it, but it didn’t make it any easier.

  “You know I have your back” I said confidently agreeing with him.

  “Great. Then let’s go get the fucker” he said.

  ********

  An hour later as we neared the address we decided that it was too dangerous to try anything straight away. Every fibre of my being disagreed but when Dave pointed out that there were still kids walking home from school at this time of the afternoon I agreed that we should wait until it got dark. The Plymouth cops also needed more time to get a task force ready to meet us there.

  We pulled into a lay-by where there was a van selling burgers and got some food. Our stomachs growled in anticipation of the greasy feast. I had to force my food down, my appetite gone with the worry. It was surprisingly good and I had to admit that I felt a lot more grounded once I had eaten.

  I looked at Dave who had reclined his chair and was now happily snoring beside me. I smiled. Dave could sleep anywhere, even in the worst situations.

  I sat mulling over the death of Greg and felt sad that his wife would be opening the door to such bad news.

  I had never really cared much about the risks we took in the job, but then again, I had never had anyone significant that would really care that much. My father was in a home with dementia and my mother had died 3 years ago. Any girlfriends I had before Susie were a lot more casual.

  Since I met Susie it seemed my outlook was changing. If we got out of this alive I decided that maybe it was time to look for a different job, a safer job. I could still work within law enforcement, but maybe move away from homicide.

  It was comforting thinking about the future while we waited. I only hoped to God we had a chance at one.

  Carl

  It had taken me a couple of hours to get everything in place so that I could bring Susie downstairs. I was excited to spend some quality time together. Once she saw how much effort I had gone to in order to make her happy, I was sure she would begin to relax, and we could get back to our easy friendship of before.

  I went upstairs and knocked on her door. I was determined to be the gentleman that she deserved.

  She was lying on the bed looking at the ceiling. I coughed to get her attention.

  “Hello Carl” she said. There was no emotion in her voice which worried me a little.

  “Hey baby” I said cheerfully “I have a surprise for you”

  She didn’t respond. I went to the wardrobe and glanced through the clothes I had bought for her. Selecting a red shift dress that would look sexy on her lovely curves I threw it over the back of the chair.

  “I have cooked us a nice meal so I want you to get changed” I smiled at her expecting a positive reaction.

  “Oh” she said. I was confused as to why she was not happier about my news.

  “You can come downstairs once you are dressed” I said.

  This brought a flicker of interest.

  “Downstairs?” she looked at the dress and frowned.

  “Let’s get you to the bathroom so you can clean up” I flung the dress over my shoulder and untied her hands. I released the metal cuff and lifted her up. I always enjoyed having her in my arms.

  I waited outside the bathroom while she washed up and changed, anticipation humming in my veins.

  When she was ready I produced a set of handcuffs. I stood behind her and joined both of our left hands together. This meant that I could still pick her up whilst we were joined. It was probably a little uncomfortable for her as she had to keep her left hand down, leaving only the right arm free to hold me. She gripped me tightly around my neck. I liked it when she was a little off kilter
, so did my dick. My dick would have to wait a little while longer. I was intent on taking things slower this time.

  “Just a precaution baby. I will take them off soon” I nodded towards the cuffs.

  I carried her down the stairs and into the living area. The table was laid up already and the food smelt good as it wafted in from the kitchen.

  I attached the chain to the cuff on her ankle. I had fitted a number of metal rings around the room which enabled her to move about. This worked by sliding the ring at the end of the chain along another chain which ran around the wall. It was simple, but effective. Of course she would be limited to the space between each ring. I intended on being around most of the time and I would be able to unclip and re-attach them when required, so there was no real issue there.

  Once the leg cuff was attached I removed the handcuffs and indicated that Susie take a seat at the table.

  “I’ll just check on dinner” I headed for the kitchen.

  A few minutes later I brought in the Chicken Casserole that I had made along with a basket of bread.

  “I hope you’re hungry” I joked. Susie said nothing.

  I was beginning to get a little pissed at her rudeness.

  “It’s polite to acknowledge when someone has gone to the effort of making you a nice meal” I said sternly.

  “Thanks” she answered and picked up her fork, eating silently.

  I tried to think of something casual to talk about but words failed me. I ate my food in silence taking sly looks at Susie as she ate. I watched her lips as she chewed her food and began to think of things other than eating. I liked having her chained up, just for me. It was surprisingly a turn on.

  Susie

  I wanted to scream at Carl to just let me go! He was sat there eating as if we were just having a friendly evening, and I wasn’t actually shackled to the wall.

  His ever changing personality was really beginning to freak me out. There were glimpses of the gentle man that I had believed to be my friend, although I was seeing less of him and far too much of the deranged madman that was replacing him.

  There was only one point on which both versions of Carl appeared to agree and that was that they both had an attraction to me. Carl, both of him, believed himself to be in love with me, and insisted that we were going to live some wonderful happy ever after. The only thing wrong with that picture was that I was chained to the damn wall.

  I sat silently eating what was actually a rather good casserole. My mind was running through a hundred and one different escape scenarios, all of which I abandoned, knowing that there was a good chance I would not survive the attempt. I wondered if Ben was any closer to finding me.

  I had no idea where we were, other than it appeared to be where Carl had grown up. I thought it might be Plymouth. I vaguely remember Ben saying something about it at the station. I wish I had paid more attention.

  “Susie, I am talking to you” Carl said and banged the table, making me jump. He took one of my hands in his and brought it to his lips. I shuddered. He noticed this and dropped my hand sighing heavily.

  “If you won’t make an effort then we are going to fall out” he said giving me a stern look.

  “I don’t know why you are doing this” I appealed to him “I thought we were friends. This isn’t how you should treat your friends”

  “When are you going to accept that we were meant to be together? Fate brought you to me that night and I’m going to make you happy. Just you wait” he cleared the plates away and took them to the kitchen.

  I gave the chain a little tug to test the strength of the ring at the wall. It would not budge at all. My ankle was beginning to get sore from wearing the cuff all the time.

  Slowly I moved over to the couch and sat down. I was worried that Carl would try something like he did before.

  I had only just started to get over the previous incident. I was not sure if I could survive it again. I couldn’t expect Ben to forgive me a second time. I leaned back and closed my eyes listening to Carl as he cleared up in the kitchen.

  Come on Ben, I thought, come and get me before it’s too late. I would rather die trying to escape than let Carl touch me again.

  Ben

  As much as I like Dave, sitting in a car with him and his flatulence for 3 hours was straining our friendship.

  It had taken the local authorities all this time to put a team together. At our request they had deployed an armed response team who were positioning themselves around the address in readiness.

  Dave and I left the car around the corner. The street was clear with most of the residents inside eating their evening meal.

  We were running lead on this so we told the team to stay out of sight until we had taken a look around the property.

  There was still a chance that this was the wrong place.

  Dave and I kept low and skirted up the side of the building and around to the back yard. It was a mess, overgrown and unloved. Dave nodded towards the house and I noticed a light showing through the kitchen blind. We watched for a while and could just make out movement in the kitchen. I strained to see more but could not make out who it was.

  Dave and I split up and he went further around while I moved closer to the window. We had to try and work out where he was keeping Susie before we could plan our move. If we did this wrong then Susie could easily get hurt in the cross-fire.

  I flattened myself against the wall and edged slowly along until I was right beside the window. I cautiously turned so that I could see into the kitchen. The blinds were closed but there were a couple of places where the strips didn’t lay flat causing there to be a gap. It was through these little gaps that I could look further into the room.

  I moved so that I could look directly into the kitchen and froze. Carl was directly in front of the window, and from the looks of it, he was washing dishes.

  I kept still. If I moved suddenly it would draw his eye. If he saw me then the game would be up and the issue forced. I eased away from the window oh so slowly, holding my breath as I did so.

  It seemed to take an eternity before I could breathe easy again. I only hoped he still had no idea how close we were to nailing his ass.

  I indicated to Dave that I was going around the front. Signalling to communicate to the other officers to hold for our signal, I moved round to the lounge window. The curtains were drawn but there was a light on which showed through the fabric of the curtains.

  As I pressed myself flush to the glass trying to see in the curtains suddenly moved. My heart stopped as my eyes met Susie’s through the glass. She stepped back in shock. It was almost comical how we both jumped out of our skin.

  I looked her over and was glad to see that she looked unharmed. She smiled at me in relief and glanced back over her shoulder, obviously checking that Carl was still in the kitchen.

  I pointed to my watch and indicated 5 minutes hoping she would understand my meaning. She nodded, then her eyes looked alarmed and she dropped the curtain quickly.

  I stepped back into the shadows as the curtains were pulled open again roughly and I could tell it was Carl looking out into the night. I kept still.

  Once he retreated, I held up my hand, again indicating 5 minutes to the rest of the team.

  Carl

  I came into the lounge after clearing up the dinner things and Susie jumped back from the window, letting go of the curtain as she did so. I was immediately suspicious and rushed across the room, shoving her aside and yanking the curtains open once more. I peered into the night trying to see what had gotten her so spooked.

  I could see nothing. My senses however were now on high alert. I had a feeling all was not as calm as it seemed as I peered up and down the street.

  I turned and looked at Susie. Her eyes widened and it was clear she was keeping something from me. Anger overwhelmed me and I took her roughly by the hand and pulled her into me. She tried to resist but I was having none of it. I had been pussy footing around the girl for far too long, afraid
to upset her delicate sensibilities.

  In fact, now that I thought about it, I had been treating her with far more respect than she deserved. All I had received in return was betrayal and disrespect.

  I dragged her over to the couch and pulled her down with me. My hand grasped her hair and pulled her lips to mine. I kissed her with all the passion that I had, showing her how important she was to me, and at the same time letting her know that escape was impossible.

  I looked into her eyes and was rewarded with the gratifying fear there. My dick rose to the occasion, begging to be allowed to join in the play. I smiled as I continued to plunder her soft lips. Moving back a little, intending to remove her top, I was suddenly crippled with pain. The little bitch had brought her knee up hard into my groin.

  “Son of a bitch!” I yelled, automatically striking her across the face. She cried out as her lip split, pushing me off her body. I landed heavily on the floor, still holding my balls in pain.

  Susie made a dash for the hallway. What was the crazy bitch thinking? She was chained up for God’s sake so had no hope of getting anywhere. I painfully pulled myself up and went lumbering after her.

  As I entered the hallway, I saw that Susie had managed to just about reach the front door, although she had the chain at its capacity. I laughed, curious as to what she was planning to do. Even if she could open the front door, it would be impossible for her to move any further.

  She swung the door open just as I gripped her arm yanking her backwards. We both fell onto the floor with me on top.

  I was now in a murderous rage and I rained punches down onto the ungrateful bitch’s head and arms. She tried to cover her face but I kept on beating her.

  “Carl Dawson, the house is surrounded. Come out with your hands above your head!” a voice shouted from outside. Shit! It was the fucking police!

  This incensed me even more and I took my rage out on Susie continuing to beat her bloody.

  Susie

  When I heard the voice outside calling for Carl to surrender I thought he would stop hitting me. Instead he became like and animal in his anger and beat me harder.