by Clare Revell
Holly sighed. “Then I’d better change the fuse.”
“I’ll do it. Where’s your fuse box?”
“Cupboard under the stairs, but you don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to.”
Holly sat on the stool while Kyle and the flashlight vanished into the hall. Less than a minute later the lights and stereo came back on. She smiled as he came back in. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Kyle dished up and then he carried the plates over to the table. Settling down at the table, they held hands as he said grace.
Holly picked up her fork and the lights went out again. She burst out laughing. “If you want a job done properly, get a woman to do it.”
Kyle flicked on the flashlight and shone it at her. “Not funny.”
“Oh it is,” she laughed. “But I’ll do it after dinner. There are candles in the cupboard under the sink. You can get them in case there’s a spider there again.”
“Women,” Kyle teased. “You know it’s far more scared of you than you are of it, right?” He went over to the cupboard, pulled out four candles and stuck them in the holders. Setting them on the table, he lit them and looked at her. “Actually it’s quite romantic. Having Christmas dinner by candlelight is quite appropriate for a first date.”
“I’d not thought of it like that.” Holly smiled and picked up her fork again, taking a cautious bite, not convinced savoury crumble would work. She was wrong. It was fantastic! Kyle was an amazing cook. “Wow. This is wonderful. It may not be what Mum would call a proper Christmas dinner, but it’s just perfect.”
Kyle smiled, taking a bite of his own. The candlelight accentuated the depths of his eyes, making him look even more handsome. “Thank you. I can’t imagine a better way to spend Christmas.”
She picked up her glass and looked at him over the top of it. “The dinner, the company or sitting in the dark?”
“All three.”
“That was a fast answer.”
“I can procrastinate if you like.” He paused for a moment while he ate a forkful. “Ummm, uh, well, ummmm...”
She laughed, holding out her glass to him. “I’ll settle for the first answer.”
He chinked his glass against hers. “To good company, good food, and a good six foot of snow by morning.”
“And a snowball match after dinner and the best Christmas ever.”
He smiled. “Best Christmas?”
“I was dreading it, Kyle. Here on my own, with my family twelve thousand miles away, but you turned it into a wonderful day.”
He sipped his juice. “It’s my pleasure.”
“Not just yours.”
“As we’re being honest here, Holly, I wasn’t looking forward to it, either. But being here with you, like this, its perfect.”
Holly smiled at him. “Not quite. Actually there’s only one thing ruining it.”
“What’s that?”
“You have dinner down your jumper and sauce just here.”
Kyle wiped his mouth and looked down at his sweater. “Can I blame not being able to see what I’m doing?”
She laughed. “No…”
“It was worth a try.” He wiped down his sweater and then picked up his fork again.
Once dinner was over, Kyle took her hand. “Can we go admire your tree and leave the dishes until later?”
“Sure. I’ll be right there. Need to do something first.” Holly let him pull her to her feet and blew out all but two of the candles. She let go of Kyle’s hand and offered him the candles. “Take these and I’ll borrow your torch. It’ll be easier with that.”
“Sure.” He took the candles, and headed into the lounge. He looked over at the tree and then back at Holly. “Oh. The lights aren’t on.”
She burst out laughing. “Of course not. There’s no electricity. That’d be why I need the torch, so I can fix the fuse.”
Kyle smacked himself on the forehead, laughing. “Oh, duh.”
Holly laughed, pulled open the cupboard under the stairs and shone the light on the fuse box. That’s strange. None of the switches have popped out. Maybe power's out to the entire street this time. She pushed them all but it made no difference. “Kyle, can you look out the window for me? Tell me if the power’s out everywhere.”
No answer. Was he sulking because she laughed at him? She shone the flashlight towards the lounge. “Kyle? Not sleeping on me, are you?”
Maybe he was. She got to her feet and went to the front door. Outside the moon glistened brightly on the snow and lights shone in every house. She went back inside, shut and locked the door. She headed to the fuse box again. It must be something simple.
Holly paused, her eyes widening. The mains switch was in the off position. Someone had turned it off after Kyle reset the fuses. That meant someone was in the house. She flipped the switch to on, and light flooded the building. She backed out of the cupboard, panic and foreboding filling her. “Kyle.”
Why wasn’t he answering her? She glanced around the hallway looking for the intruder, but didn’t see him. Maybe her shouting for Kyle had scared him off.
Holly headed to the lounge at a run. “Where are y...?” Her voice died at the sight of Kyle lying motionless on the floor. “Kyle!”
She ran to his side and dropped to the floor beside him. She put a hand on his neck, desperation filling her. Had he fallen in the dark? His pulse was strong and steady. “Kyle?” Her voice wavered as she shook him. Glancing over her shoulder she checked the room. They were alone.
Where was the phone? She had to call an ambulance. Reaching up for the phone she switched it on and raised it to her ear. No dial tone.
Panic flooded and she shook Kyle again. “Please, wake up...” Where was her mobile phone? Think...phone...On the sideboard. She got up and crossed the room. She picked up the phone. It wasn’t on. I’m sure I left it on. Pressing the on button, she froze, glimpsing something in the mirror that shouldn’t be there.
Footsteps thudded and a hand gripped her arm from behind, swinging her around.
Holly screamed, fear flooding her.
Eyes glinted at her. “Hello, Holly.”
Cold, clammy fingers tore the phone from her hand, and tossed it away. She screamed as a leg whipped her feet out from under her. She landed flat on her back, gasping for breath. She stared up into a scarred face she remembered all too well. She could smell the cologne and sweat and her fear.
The blade glinted in the light as it pressed against her throat. His other hand untucked her shirt, then pushed through her hair, his harsh voice whispering in her ear. “You’re mine, Holly. Now I’m going to finish what I started.”
Holly struggled and screamed. The knife cut into her. Please, God, help me.
The knife dug in a little deeper. Holly closed her eyes, the excruciating pain she had never wanted to feel again filling her.
“Remember this?” the voice hissed. “It’s been waiting for you.”
“Please...” She knew his name now, the doctor from the hospital. Woon.
“Begging now, are we? You recognized me in the hospital, and I can’t have that. Keep still and it won’t hurt so much.”
She screamed, struggling, fighting for her life. She knew what he’d done to each of his victims before they died, and she wouldn’t let him do it to her. “Help. Someone...” She broke off in a scream of pain.
Season for Miracles
10
“Get off her!”
The weight on top of Holly suddenly shifted. A voice echoed in the stillness. The knife jerked away, and it became easier to breathe. She opened her eyes to see a tall man grappling with her assailant. Kyle.
Kyle grunted and doubled over as Woon's fist connected with his stomach. “Holly,” he said between gasps, “ring the police.”
Holly looked around, one hand clutching her throat, in an attempt to stanch the trickle of blood. Seeing the phone across the room, she crawled over to it, snatched it up and dialed nine-ni
ne-nine.
“Operator, which service do you require?”
Her voice didn't want to work.
“Operator, which service do you require?”
“Police...I’ve been attacked...”
“One moment, I’m putting you through.”
Her attention stayed on the two men. Kyle, forced back under the blows, managed to get one or two in of his own. The knife waved dangerously close to his face.
“Police. How may I help you?”
She gave them her name and address. “There’s a man in my house. He attacked me. He’s got a knife...” She broke off and screamed as Kyle fell, clutching his arm. She ran towards him. An arm snaked around her waist, the knife pressing against the wound in her throat.
“Die.”
The single word hung in the air.
Kyle pushed himself up and rushed toward them. He twisted Holly free and knocked Woon to the ground. Woon kicked out with his left foot, sending Kyle flying.
Holly stood, hardly able to breathe as they fought. She ignored the tinny voice coming from the phone. All that mattered was Kyle. She knew without a doubt now that she loved him. She had hidden the feelings behind her distrust of men. Scared she would lose him before she could tell him, she stood rooted to the spot as the two men fought, the blade flashing in the air.
Then, suddenly, it was over.
Woon was face down and unmoving on the floor and Kyle was by Holly’s side. His breath came in gasps as he wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her close to his heaving chest. Tears of relief poured down her face, and she clung to him as tight as she could.
Kyle took the phone from her hand and spoke into it in a rapid clipped tone. “This is Kyle Stevens. She’s OK, I managed to stop him. No, he’s still here, he’s unconscious. Thank you.” He hung up and cradled her, his hand moving over her back to comfort her. “It’s OK, Holly. It’s over. The police are on their way.”
Kyle hugged her tighter as the shaking increased. “I got you, you’re safe now.”
She looked up to find his eyes filled with tears. “Kyle?”
He shook his head. “Just thinking about you...and Jayne.”
Holly wrapped her arms around him, holding him as tight as she could. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I couldn’t help her, but when I saw him hurt you... I’d lost one girl I cared about. There was no way I was going to lose another. I had to act.”
“I’d be dead if you hadn’t.”
Sirens echoed outside, getting closer. Blue lights lit up the sky outside, feet thudded up the path and the doorbell rang with urgency. A voice called through the door. “Miss Carmichael? It’s the police.”
****
Holly opened the door and within a minute the house was swarming with police officers. A paramedic tried to lead her to the ambulance, but she refused to let go of Kyle. She was safe with him. If she let go, he might get her again.
Kyle looked at her. “Holly, you have to let them check you over.”
“I’m OK.”
“You’re not, you’re bleeding. At least let them look at that cut on your neck. It looks nasty. Do it for me, please. Please with sugar and cherries on the top.”
She nodded. “Just for the cherries though. But in here.”
Keeping his arms around her, Kyle led her to the kitchen and put her on one of the chairs, the remains of dinner still on the table. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Dinner seemed a lifetime ago, but it was barely an hour. Holly gripped Kyle’s hand tightly as the paramedic checked her over. Glancing down at herself, she noticed her tights were in shreds, her knees grazed, her shirt torn.
She grimaced in pain as the gloved fingers touched the edges of the wound.
“It’s a nasty cut. You really should let a doctor look at it. It might need stitches.”
“I don’t want to go to the hospital. I’m fine. Just put a dressing on it.”
Kyle squeezed her hand. “Holly—”
“Please...That’s how he found me. I don’t want to go back there.” Panic tinged her voice.
“OK, hon.” He looked at the paramedic. “Just put a dressing on it. If it’s still bleeding in the morning, I’ll bring her in myself.”
The paramedic took a deep breath. “It’s against the regs, but if you’re sure?”
“Yeah.”
“OK. I’ll fill in the paperwork to say we’re not taking you in, but discharging you into the care of someone else.”
Kyle turned to the paramedic. “That will be me. Kyle Stevens.”
Holly looked at Kyle. “You called me hon.”
“Did I?”
“Just now. You said ‘OK, hon’.”
“Sorry,” he whispered. Then he tilted his head. “Oops, apologizing again.”
“Can you sign here?” The paramedic handed Holly a form. “And Mr. Stevens will need to sign it, too.”
Holly nodded and they both signed the form. Holly glanced up as one of the detectives came over. Recognizing him from church she managed a slight smile. “Hi, Pete.”
His smile did a poor job at hiding his shocked concern. “Are you OK, Holly? Couldn’t believe it when dispatch said it was you that called.”
Holly nodded, deliberately understating how she felt. She didn’t want anyone to insist she went to the hospital. “Just shaken and a small cut. Thanks to Kyle; he’s the real hero. He fought him off.”
Pete looked at Kyle. “You did a good job.”
Holly took a deep breath. “It’s him, same guy who got me last time. He came after me again. He wanted me dead because I recognized him.”
Kyle’s eyes narrowed. “That’s the serial killer? I was right?”
Pete stiffened. “What do you mean you were right?”
“I had a hunch I knew who the killer was. Holly said something about recognizing the doctor on Sunday when she was in the ED, but put it down to having been there three weeks before the first attack. Jayne was in the ED a couple of weeks before she was murdered. She saw the same doctor. Dr. Ian Woon.” He glanced up and nodded to the doorway. “Him.”
Holly shivered as Dr. Woon, hands cuffed behind his back, was escorted through the hallway and outside to a waiting police car.
Pete let out a deep breath and pulled out his notebook. “I would say you were both lucky, but I don’t believe in luck. I need brief statements from both of you, now. You can both come down the station and give a full one on the twenty seventh. You first, Holly.”
After they’d both given accounts of what happened, Holly took a deep breath. “I don’t understand how he got in. I was here all the time, with the exception of church this morning.”
“Your garage door is unlocked.”
Holly’s eyes widened. “I garaged the car last night. I was sure I’d locked it this morning when I got the car out.”
Pete shook his head. “No, we figure he got in that way at some point. OK. Holly, if you remember anything else, give me a ring. Otherwise I’ll see you down the station on the twenty-seventh.”
Pushing herself upright, she took a small step, finding her legs unwilling to move.
Kyle wrapped an arm around her. “It’s OK, Holly.” His voice was calm and soft. “I’ll see them out. You just sit there. You don’t look too steady.”
To prove his point, her knees buckled and she would have fallen had his arm not been around her. She leaned into him, wondering about the hiss of pain that had escaped his lips. She pushed it from her mind for the moment, wanting nothing more than to be safe. “OK. You’re right. Again.”
“Can I have that in writing? Kyle was right.”
“Sure.”
She sat there as the others left. She could hear their voices in the hall and heard Kyle promise not to leave until she was all right. Would she ever be? She felt as though she would throw up any second. She couldn’t even think, never mind speak.
Kyle came back into the kitchen. His stiff demeanour was indicative of pain, but then he was the one who had
been fighting. He was bound to be stiff.
“Do you want some coffee?” Her voice was no more than a whisper.
“Sounds good. Thank you.”
Holly stood, her stomach threatening to eject its contents on her feet. She looked at Kyle. “I’ll go and change first.”
“Sure, I’ll make the coffee.”
“Thanks.” Holly ran upstairs, getting to the bathroom just in time.
****
Kyle watched Holly go, and he leaned against the wall. He cautiously moved his arm. It was beyond painful. Glancing down he saw the rent in his sweater sleeve. It was ruined, but it was a small price to pay for someone’s life. Taking a deep breath, he lifted it and pulled a face at the bruises already forming on his chest and stomach.
He tugged it down and touched his fingers to his injured arm. Pain shot though him and he had to stifle the involuntary gasp. He closed his eyes, trying to bring it under control before Holly came back down. She had enough to deal with right now. He withdrew his fingers and realized they were bloodied.
Moving into the small cloakroom, he washed his hands, and then splashed water on his face. He looked at himself in the mirror and closed his eyes. Thank You, Lord. I can’t believe I did that, just charged in there like that. Thank You that I got there in time, that Holly is safe and this bloke is now locked up. Be with Holly right now. Comfort her, and calm her. And when she comes back down, give me the words to tell her how I feel without upsetting her.
He heard the water running upstairs and moved towards the kitchen. He grabbed his jacket and slid it on, grimacing in pain. Last thing he wanted was for her to worry about him. He’d make the coffee and stay long enough to calm her nerves. Then he wanted to go home and take a long shower himself, before crashing into bed.
It took about ten minutes to work out how to use the coffee machine. It would have been quicker to put the kettle on, but he wasn’t about to admit defeat. Especially not in front of Holly. Her light footsteps ran down the stairs and jitters filled his stomach. He was shattered, but the tiredness evaporated as the smell of shampoo and shower gel preceded her into the room. Coconut. He adored the scent of coconut.
