Love You To Death: A Psychological Crime Thriller

by Rita Ames

  I could feel my consciousness slipping away and thought for one moment that I still might not make it.

  I looked up into Carl’s face and could not recognise him. The face I saw was that of a mindless monster intent on destruction, not the gentle, laughing man I had known such a short time ago.

  As I looked into his eyes, an awareness swept through me. I may not be in love with Carl but I had loved him as my friend. My heart was breaking for that man and all he was going through. I could see the pain behind his eyes. He so desperately wanted to be the better man.

  “I love you Carl” I whispered “I am still your friend and I forgive you” I said as calmly as I could.

  He stilled and looked into my eyes. I could see the storm of emotions in them, feel the internal struggles that he was facing.

  His face took on a stricken look and once again I was staring into the face of my friend. A tear ran down his face.

  “Susie, I...” he tried to speak but choked on his words.

  “I forgive you” I repeated.

  He looked down at me in disgust and shame. I knew I must look a mess. I could feel one eye swelling and my lips were split.

  “What have I done?” he said and lifted his weight from me “It’s too late now” he whispered, another tear dropping from his chin.

  He stroked a finger down the side of my face.

  “I am so, so sorry” he said moving away from me.

  “Carl Dawson. Come out with your hands up” the voice outside shouted again.

  He stood and looked down at me. I could see a decision forming in his eyes. Just as I realised what he intended to do and went to stop him, he spoke again.

  “I love you Susie, but there was never any hope for me. You deserve a future without darkness in it. Be happy” he said and went towards the door.

  “Carl, wait” I started to get up.

  He looked back at me for one more second and then ran out of the door shouting at the top of his voice.

  I heard the gun shots and screamed. I got to the door in time to see Carl fall sprawling onto his face. His body bucked once, twice and then lay still.

  “Noooo!” I screamed. I couldn’t run to him as the damn chain was pulled tight. I crumpled to the floor sobbing for the waste, grieving for my friend who never had a chance at a real life.

  Ben

  We had expected Carl to realise that he was cornered and to surrender peacefully. Serial Killers were usually insanely pleased to finally be caught so that they could relish in their notoriety.

  Carl however, was no longer just a serial killer. There were two personalities fighting for supremacy within him. We could not be sure which of these we would meet when he came out. Therefore the armed officers were primed and ready to act.

  Unfortunately this played into his hands. It was clear that he had intended for us to shoot in the way he flew out of the house, waving his arms and shouting like the madman that he was.

  I tried to halt the shooting but it was already too late. Everything happened far too quickly for us to react properly.

  In the silence after he fell to the path I could hear Susie inside, sobbing.

  I ran into the house to gather her into my arms. I just held her, knowing there were no words of comfort. She was suffering from shock as well as having to watch a man die in front of her.

  It took some time to get her out of the shackles she was in as we couldn’t find the key. Paramedics took us to the hospital, Dave having stayed behind to supervise the clean-up so that I could stay with my girl.

  Carl had been pronounced dead at the scene, his body having been hit four times. I had little sympathy for him, especially when I saw the state of my darling girl’s face.

  Lucking, nothing was broken and she even got away without having any stitches. Just rest and care was required and I fully intended to ensure she got it.

  While I waited for her to be discharged I called her Mother to let her know what had happened. I admit I did not give all the details as there was no point in causing any more unnecessary upset. She wanted to come up immediately but I assured Mrs Brown that I would take good care of Susie and that we would visit her as soon as she was able to travel. This seemed to work, although I had to make several promises to keep to my word, which I was happy to do.

  I took Susie back to my place, arguing that Hari was there waiting for her. This did the trick. She didn’t know it yet but I fully intended that she would be staying with me permanently.

  *******

  The next few weeks were busy at work with the compiling of the evidence that was beginning to build up.

  DNA results had confirmed that Carl Dawson was indeed an evil and prolific killer. His whole life had been one big nightmare. It was no wonder that the monster managed to break through again after the accident. The goodness in Carl was not strong enough to hold back such badness.

  As he was now dead, all we could do was to list everything in the files and get the cases all signed off as complete.

  Susie, being her usual compassionate self, grieved the loss of the gentle man she called a friend.

  I kept my opinions to myself, glad that the killing spree had finally been stopped.

  I couldn’t bring myself to tell Susie about the underground basement we had discovered in Aspen Woods, or what it contained. Nothing would be gained by upsetting her any further. I was just happy to have my girl under my roof.

  Six Months Later

  Susie

  “Well Carl, Ben and I are getting married in a couple of months and I wanted to come and let you know” I looked down at the headstone. Ben squeezed my hand as he stood beside me.

  “I am happy and living the life you wanted for me” I said mentally picturing Carl smiling at my good news.

  Ben’s armed snaked around my waist and he pulled me into him.

  “I am sure he wishes us well” he kissed my ear.

  “Yeah, I know. In the end, the good man in him did what he thought was right and we have to respect that. It’s just hard when I think of what his life could have been if the darkness had not overshadowed it” I said.

  “All the more reason for us to live our lives to the full in his honour” he took my hand as we walked through the cemetery.

  “He said to me once that he loved me to death, I only wish it hadn’t been such a prophetic statement.” Sighing I took comfort in the colours of the autumn leaves as they fell to the ground, carpeting everything in multi-colours. It was a peaceful place.

  Ben and I walked into our future together.

  The End

  Authors Note

  After spending many years writing and performing with a local Drama Group I finally decided it was time to concentrate on my own writing projects. Currently working on several titles and series this is the first of many to come. A poet and addicted reader I like to try my hand at many different genres. Therefore contemporary romance was a must as well as a good thriller. My kindle is now organically attached to my right arm.

  I hope this little taste gives you an appetite!

  To all my friends who have had to listen to my ideas and descriptions I could not have done this without the encouragement of every one of you. Special thanks go to my Mum who painstakingly proof read this for me, even though it is a genre that she doesn’t usually read.

  Last but not least to my wonderful readers.

  Without you this book would not exist and I would not be working on the next one. I would love you hear your comments and thoughts so please send me your musings. If you enjoy my writing please leave a review, they are pure gold to us writers.

  Email: rdm_author@outlook.com

  Twitter - @RitaAmesAuthor

  Website - http://rdmauthor.wix.com/ritaames

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  THANK YOU FOR READING

  My published Contemporary Romance is:-

  If The Shoe Fits – written as Rita Ames

  Here is Part 1 free from me – Hot Shoe S
huffle. The complete book is available at all e-stores.

  If The Shoe Fits

  Chapter 1

  Hot Shoe Shuffle

  Prequel

  “See you tomorrow!” Janie called out closing the door on the last member of staff as they left for the evening. She leaned back against the door and with a sigh surveyed the damage of the day. It had been unusually busy and there were still shoes on the floor waiting to be taken back to the store room. Everyone had worked hard today and it seemed only fair to let the girls leave on time tonight instead of clearing up. Janie was staying on to carry out her weekly stock check. The new Area Manager was also due to visit the next day for the first time, everything needed to be in order. It looked liked it was going to be a late night with a takeaway on the way home. She had nothing else to do so she may as well get on with it.

  Sighing, she walked towards the back of the store picking up shoe boxes on the way. Janie loved shoes, in all shapes and forms. Some would say she had an obsession with them. At least working in a shoe store she was able to indulge in trying them on without the expense of purchasing them all, something even her Managers salary could not manage. Her wardrobe was already overflowing with her many purchases although that didn’t stop her from adding to the collection occasionally. Yes, this job had probably kept her from shoe bankruptcy! Hell to the yes for staff discount!

  Arms piled high with boxes she shoved her back against the storeroom door pushing it open. As she turned, the top box fell, its contents clattering onto the floor. “Damn” Janie put the remaining boxes to one side and bent to pick them up. “Oh my!” she gasped. There on the floor lay the sexiest pair of red heeled shoes she had ever seen. They must be from the new Valentine collection that came in earlier in the day she thought to herself. Scooping them up Janie saw they were her size and before she knew it her own shoes were kicked to the kerb and the red ones on her feet. They were high and immediately caused her bottom and breasts to stick out as she fought for the right posture. Wobbling, she giggled as she tried to stand straight, imagining that she looked a little like a newly born foal as it tried to stand for the first time. She gasped at the sheer sexiness of them and the way they elongated her legs.

  She walked slowly up and down the walkway occasionally grabbing a shelf for balance. “I’m getting too old for six inch heels” she muttered. Another wobble and she stumbled forward catching herself on one of the lower shelves. Her ass was immediately up in the air and her skirt straining against the back of her legs. “Wow, this feels so good” she giggled a little self consciously. Imagining how her position would look to a man, if she had one that is, she threw her head back and laughed, “I wish”.

  Relationships or the lack of was a constant topic of conversation when she and the girls got together for their weekly confessional. Louise, her bestie was always on at her to dip her toes back in the proverbial pool, with or without shoes on, she laughed to herself.

  They had all had their share of disasters. Marie tended to marry every man she met and was currently running down her third bad marriage. Sonia was the ‘fuck em and chuck em’ chick. Pain avoidance was her only concern after a nasty heartbreak in her early years. No matter what anyone said about time healing all, it was gonna take more than a bit of girl power to help Sonia overcome her demons.

  Then came Louise, her hearts and flowers best friend. Louise believed in true love and that there was someone out there for everyone, as long as we opened ourselves to the possibility. Louise loved each and every boyfriend so much that their breakups were always amicable. If they weren’t happy with her then it was for the best that they be happy elsewhere, so she hid her heartbreak and looked hopefully to the future when she would un-doubtedly meet her own true love and soul mate.

  Janie however thought she had found her true love back in college, when she met Darren. He was her first in many ways. His cheeky charm and radiant smile won her over until she fell desperately in love. On leaving college they planned their future together and were due to move into a shared flat when Darren had gotten a job in London. He had gone on ahead to start his new job whilst Janie packed up her things and said her farewells. She had given notice at her weekend Job at Brooks Shoe Store and was ready to re-locate.

  Fate was such a tease. Having managed to say all her goodbyes and get everything packed up earlier than expected she couldn’t wait to be with Darren again. In fact, she decided to surprise him and get there a day early, feeling excited at the emotional reunion they would have.

  On arriving at their new address a day earlier than expected and having had no replies to her texts from Darren she decided to take a cab to his workplace and meet him there. After all he had the keys to their new home so she couldn’t let herself in to wait.

  As the cab pulled up outside his office building she was astounded to see him coming out, his arms linked with a pretty blond, a colleague by the looks of it. Janie was about to open the cab door and shout when the couple stopped on the pavement right in front of the car window. Darren spun the girl round and she laughed as he grabbed her around the waist and promptly shoved his tongue down her throat. They kissed like this for what seemed like forever, the world going in slow motion as Janie watched their hands rubbing each other up and down right there in public. There was no mistaking their intentions as they set off down the road hand in hand. Darren had obviously moved on and not bothered to let her know. Either that or he was going to keep them both going at the same time. Fucking Bastard! She grimly wondered if he had already fucked the blonde in their apartment, in the bed she would be sharing with him! Fuck No!

  To this day Janie wished she had opened the car door and landed them both one in the face. Instead, licking her wounds she had taken the cab straight to the station and got the next train back home.

  When Darren finally answered her earlier texts apologising that his phone had been turned off she had replied that moving to London had been a big mistake and that they would be better off ending it. She had ignored his attempts to contact her for two days and had heard nothing since.

  Two Fucking Days! She resigned herself to the fact that anyone who gave up that easily was obviously not in love with her. Nursing her broken heart Janie went about putting her life back together. Her Mother did not push for details when she turned up back at home, the tearstained face seemed to be evidence enough. Mum always had a sixth sense when it came to her daughter, never judging but always willing to talk when at last Janie felt like opening up. She was lucky to have such a wonderful Mum.

  As it turned out Brooks had been more than happy to take her back on a full time basis and so her career began in earnest. Heartbreak apparently did wonders for ambition with the need to immerse herself in long days at work bringing the added benefit of a quick rise up the pay grade. Janie was now the Branch Manager, which had its perks, case in point being the most amazing pair of red ‘fuck me’ red heels she had ever seen. Who needs a man to have fun anyway.

  She slowly ran her hands up the side of her legs pushing at the pencil skirt she wore. It pooled around her waist and a rush of cool air brushed her bare legs. Moisture soaked her panties and a slow ache throbbed through her core almost immediately. “If that’s all it takes to make you that horny girl then it’s been way too long since you got laid” Janie chuckled to herself.

  It had been almost a year since Janie had seen any man action and that coupled with those shoes was enough to really get her worked up. She turned around slowly so her ass rested against the shelf and spread her legs a little further. It was silent in the store room. No one was here so why shouldn’t she have a little fun. It beat going home to an empty house and her battery operated friend.

  Lifting her blouse she allowed her fingers to move in a slow circle over her stomach working their way downwards running back and forth over the top of her panty line. Gently she brushed them up and down feeling her moistness through the fabric of her underwear. She slipped her hand inside her panties and ever so gentl
y flicked at her clit. Gasping at how good it felt she continued down until her first two fingers could glide through the slickness already weeping from her pussy. It felt so good, maybe it was because she was doing something so out of character, and at work too! She allowed her fingers to start up a rhythm up and down, flicking her clit on the up and building the heat at an ever increasing pace. Her breath became frantic as her fingers gained pace. Janie lifted one foot onto the shelf to get a better access. The heel on the red shoe hooked into the racking of the shelf lodging her leg firmly. The sheer angle of the shoe design gave her legs an amazing shape and Janie thought about how they would look wrapped around the waist of a good looking man.

  “It’s all your fault” she said to the shoes as her breath became ragged now with her need for release. “Great Janie, talking to shoes now. Get a grip” she laughed. Girls confessional was going to be interesting this week. At least I’ll have something to confess for a change. Her fingers continued their path relentlessly teasing, rubbing, flicking. Closing her eyes she let go and felt her body sing with electric ripples. Her muscles gripped at her fingers and her orgasm shook her so violently she almost lost her purchase on the shelf and fell to the ground. “Fuck” she said out loud and closed her eyes for a moment as she came down gently, legs shaking as her breathing evened out.

  Chapter 2

  The Boss

  Standing on the pavement, hand in pockets against the chill in the evening air, Bryant Lloyd surveyed the window display with a critical eye. The manager of this store obviously had a feel for design. Beside a pair of four inch black evening shoes lay a clutch bag open with the contents spilling out. A bee sting red lipstick with its lid off lay to one side along with a compact mirror. A gossamer silver shawl was draped across what looked like a bedroom stool. The whole look shouted “Sexy shoes for a night out and a promise for later”