by M A Comley
“Oh, what’s that?” Uncle Sam asked.
“The last thing I want is for you to feel pressured into sharing your home with me. On the flip side, at my age, I should be craving my independence.”
“But you’re not. I can tell you’re wavering. Coming around to our way of thinking. No pressure from us, love, you take your time. Weigh up the pros and cons and let us know what you decide. Right, who’s for dessert?”
“Sounds like a good idea. What’s on the menu?”
“Chocolate gateau.”
Megan groaned. “Oh my, ten thousand calories, here we come. If I did succumb and move in, I fear I’d be thirty stone before long.”
Auntie Gail stood while her husband gathered the plates. “Get away with you.”
The couple left her to be with her brother who was still dozing in his wheelchair. She mulled over their suggestion again. Tempted to finally give in to their wishes. She nodded, silently agreeing to put her notice in on her flat at the end of the following month when her rent was due. But first, she had a daunting mission ahead of her. She would need to take her time. It had taken her months to locate the men and she’d had them under surveillance during the evenings for the past few weeks. It had been an eye-opener for her as each of the different elements of her plan had formed. Her intentions were to hit them all swiftly, within a few days of each other so none of them cottoned on to what was happening and warned the others.
The second hit was due to take place that evening, once she’d said farewell to her family. She had to time her departure correctly. If she left too soon, there was a danger someone might spot her hanging around while she waited for her next victim to leave work. She smiled at the thought of killing another of her enemies, part of the gang who…
“Here we go. Shall we wake Daniel up or do you think he should sleep a little longer?” her aunt asked. She placed a large portion of gateau in front of Megan.
“Crikey, that’s huge. I’m not sure I have enough room for that amount.”
“Get away with you, it’ll do you good to have some wholesome food in that tiny stomach of yours.”
Megan shook her head and suggested, “Why don’t we leave Daniel for now? He might wake up once he hears us eating.”
Two hours later, it was time for Megan to make a move, despite her aunt pleading with her to stay the night. She kissed her sleepy brother goodbye.
“Bye, Me, Me.”
“I’ll see you at the weekend, sweetheart. Be good until then, okay?”
“Good, Me, Me.”
She circled her finger around his cheek, something he always appreciated, and made him smile.
Her aunt hugged her and remained with Daniel. Uncle Sam saw her out to her car. He squeezed her tightly. “Think about what we said, no pressure either way, love.”
“Thank you. I’ll consider it, I promise.”
He stepped back to allow her to get in the car and remained by the gate, waving goodbye until she turned the next corner on her way into town. She felt blessed to have such a compassionate couple in her life.
She eased through the traffic, aware she had ten minute’s grace to get to the store before closing time.
The orange sign drew her towards it like a beacon. Megan parked her car next to another and then realised her mistake—it might belong to a member of staff. Consequently, she moved to the centre and switched off her engine. Hunkered down in her seat, she watched and waited, grateful that it was already dark at this hour, although the clocks were due to go forward in a few weeks, which would alter things considerably.
The staff left the rear of the building, a few at a time. As each group appeared, her heart lurched a little. Finally, Bobby Simmonds appeared. Dressed head to foot in Lycra, he wheeled his bike out of the building and locked up behind him. He punched in the number for the alarm and mounted his bike.
Megan waited until he cycled past and then started her engine. She kept a gap between them and followed him into the traffic which had calmed down considerably since her arrival. Bobby cycled hard and fast. He was a fitness freak, who liked to push himself whenever and wherever possible. It was a ten-mile trek out to his house. He accelerated and slowed down regularly during his journey, blissfully unaware that he was being followed.
Megan bided her time before making her move. The spot she’d chosen was a couple of miles away now. All she needed to do was to keep a safe distance behind him, for now.
Bobby sped up again. This time his stint at pushing himself was extended. Before long, they’d reached the spot Megan had selected. His tempo slowed once more, and Megan prepared herself for the attack. Squeezing her foot down on the accelerator, she moved right up behind him.
He motioned for her to overtake. She had no intention of doing as he suggested. She revved the engine and the car surged forward, she braked and then dropped back. He glanced over his shoulder, an angry expression chiselled into his features. He was shouting at her, urging her to go past him.
Again, she slammed her foot down hard and propelled forward. She hit the rear wheel, the bike swerved violently and ended up rebounding out of the hedge. Megan glanced in her rear-view mirror, pressed her foot on the brake and reversed at speed. The car bounced over the bike and Bobby. She paused to see if there was any movement from him. Peering through the windscreen, she saw his fingers move.
“Die, you bastard, die!”
She thrust the gear stick into first and drove forward a second time. The car humped over the obstruction. Another glance in the mirror and all was still this time. Just to make sure, she drove backwards and forwards another five times. Overkill? Maybe, but it’ll be worth it. He shouldn’t have been involved in their deaths. Revenge will be mine.
Two down, another two to go.
She continued down the country lane to the next village and turned right. The road led back into town. Her adrenaline was pumping fast. That was two men she’d killed in the last twenty-four hours; she should at least feel some form of remorse, shouldn’t she? Instead, she was buzzing, the thrill of the kill seeping into her nerve endings. I could get used to this! Do I want to get used to it? That’s the question!
She didn’t, that was the answer, pure and simple. She said it over and over again. Once the plan is complete, I’ll hang up my killing gloves and get on with my life. She repeated the mantra several times as if trying to convince herself.
A niggling doubt crept in for the tiniest of moments. What if they catch me? What will happen to Daniel then? How will he cope without me?
However, the doubts weren’t strong enough for her to reconsider her plan. As far as she was concerned, these men deserved to die and she would see to it they suffered in their deaths, too, just like her parents had.
4
“Oh, what a joy! Another weekend shift to look forward to. What have we ever done that was so wrong to be dealt this hand?” Katy complained. They were en route to yet another crime scene.
Charlie groaned. “Maybe someone up there is trying to tell us something.”
“Perhaps you’re right. All I know is that I was enjoying my morning cuddle with AJ a little too much this morning, in fact, between you and me, I almost picked up the phone and rang in sick.”
Her partner shot her a sideways glance and gasped. “You would never do that. You’re far too professional to sink to that level, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, you know me too well. It’s just, some mornings, especially when you have a sexy, hot blooded male in your bed, it’s more difficult to leave than others.”
Sniggering, Charlie said, “Crikey, I bet AJ would be all of a dither if he ever heard you talk about him in that way.”
Katy cringed and conceded, “You’re probably right. Hey, I’m still classed as a newlywed, so maybe it’s acceptable, for now. Enough about me. You haven’t raised the subject lately, and I haven’t felt inclined to push you on the matter, but how has Brandon been since your promotion? The last I heard, he was giving you some grief.”
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br /> “One day he’s as good as gold and the next he doesn’t even bother speaking to me. I don’t understand it. We used to be so close, you know, before, when I lived at home with Mum and Tony.”
“By the sounds of it, you’re saying that since you started living together, he’s changed.”
“Either he has, or dare I say it, I have. Heck, if I have, I haven’t noticed.”
Katy cast her a quick glance before averting her gaze back to the road ahead. “I doubt if you would. Want my opinion, for what it’s worth?”
“Here we go. Go on then, you might as well let me have it, now we’re on the subject.”
“Don’t say it like that. If you’d rather I keep my mouth shut, I will.”
“No. Go on. Let me have your valuable insight.” There was no sarcasm in Charlie’s words and she chuckled.
“You’re guilty of growing up, and maybe he’s yet to catch up. Every day, I notice a change in you. You’re becoming far more confident. Now, whether the change has been down to your recent promotion, I don’t think it is.”
Charlie fell quiet and glanced out of the side window. She watched the fields passing by for a moment and then turned her way. “I haven’t really thought about it. Working with you has definitely brought me out of my shell. If that means I’ve grown in confidence, I’m not so sure.”
“I am, because it’s true. I’ve seen it happen so many times over the years. Not just in this job, but amongst my friends who had big ambitions. Their partners, most of the time, took umbrage at their success.”
“Really? Maybe it’s a male ego problem, although I couldn’t aim that at Brandon, he’s so inoffensive, most of the time.”
The traffic came to a standstill and Katy drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. “He’s a sweetheart, from what I’ve seen of him. But men are strange creatures, maybe that’s why AJ felt the need to start up his new business in the end. Who knows what’s going on in their heads, unless they come right out and tell you?”
“You two have a fabulous relationship. Not every man would have put his career on hold and chosen to be a househusband.” Charlie lowered the window to rid the car of the stuffiness that had descended.
The car behind beeped, startling Katy into action. She slotted into gear and pulled away. “I know. I’m indebted to him for being a super dad and caring for Georgie so well. I could never stand in his way in the future, I will always be conscious of the sacrifices he made for our family. Sorry, I didn’t mean to turn the conversation to me, that wasn’t my intention.”
“You didn’t, at least, I didn’t take it that way. Maybe the situation has highlighted a flaw in our relationship that I hadn’t realised was there. I adore my job, yes, I might complain about it now and again, but on the whole, I find it exhilarating. To go home every night and not be able to share how my day went with him is extremely hard.”
“Wait, why can’t you do that, within reason of course?”
“Because he just stares at me as though either I’ve lost him or he’s plainly not interested in what I’m telling him.”
“Ouch! That’s not very nice. Not casting aspersions on Brandon or anything, but I reckon he needs a good shake-up. Any man who loves his woman should find her interesting, whether she’s stuck at home looking after the children, baking all day long, or the opposite, at work, and in our case, putting our lives on the line every day. Maybe you’re going to need to sit him down and thrash out what he expects from your relationship.”
“Looking back, I think his attitude changed when I joined the K9 team,” Charlie admitted after a few minutes of silence.
“He’s always worked with dogs, hasn’t he? Perhaps he might have been a touch envious or jealous of your achievements in that department then, is that what you’re saying?”
Charlie sighed. “This is the first time I’ve really sat down and considered what’s wrong. It’s hard to tell what’s happened. Maybe I need to take the bull by the horns and thrash it out with him.”
“I would. It could go two ways, either pull you back together or break you apart. It’s got to be worth a try, you can’t go on living the way you are, hon. Everyone deserves to be happy in their life. Hey, think about what your parents went through during your childhood, do you really want to go down the same route?”
Charlie raised a pointed finger. “Now you’re making me see sense. I always said that I would avoid emulating my parents at all costs. I’ve been an idiot, I should have had it out with him sooner. Thanks for helping me see the light, Katy.”
“Hey, just bear in mind that we’re old friends and not just colleagues. Umm… let me correct that, I’m old friends with your mother, but well, I’m always here if you need to bounce ideas off me, Charlie. Sometimes, we’re too involved and need to take a step back to see things from an outsider’s point of view.”
“I hear you. I’m grateful you’re not a self-absorbed tyrant of a boss, that’s really working in my favour.”
“Thanks, I think. We’re almost at the location now. I wonder what we’ll find this time.”
“This is right out in the middle of nowhere, I hope it’s not too gruesome, whatever it is.”
“I’m with you on that one. I’ll let you into a secret.”
“What’s that?”
“I detest attending a scene first thing in the morning, it’s not good on the stomach.”
Charlie laughed.
Katy saw the Scene of Crimes vehicles blocking the road up ahead and parked behind the final van. She and Charlie togged up and then headed into the melee. They found Patti crouched next to the victim, talking into her phone and describing the scene on a recording app. She glanced up and stood.
“Hello, you two. No rest for the wicked, eh? Had I known you were on duty over the weekend, I would have rung you direct.”
“Thought I’d keep quiet about it just in case you felt the urge to ring me at a godawful hour of the morning. It has been known in the past, Patti.” Katy grinned broadly at her pathologist friend.
“Touché, I suppose you’re right. Anyway, it’s nice to see you both so soon after our last encounter, and don’t ask, I haven’t got around to doing the PM on that victim yet.”
“Too charred or what?”
“No, I simply haven’t had the time. I had a two-car pile-up to deal with yesterday afternoon.”
“Sorry to hear that. Many deaths?”
“Three, let’s just say that kept me busy most of the day. I didn’t get home until midnight, then I got the call to attend the scene at seven this morning and well, here I am.” She spread her arms wide and slapped them against her thighs.
“So, what have we got? Apart from the obvious, before you fling that one at me.”
Patti bared her teeth and then pointed at the victim. “Poor man was run over, several times.”
“Several times, as in different cars or the same one?”
“My initial assessment, judging by the tread marks on his body, would be by the same vehicle.”
“Bloody hell.” Katy surveyed the area. “We’re out in the sticks, do you think he was intentionally targeted?”
Patti shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe someone accidentally knocked him off his bike and decided to drive back and forth over him to ensure he was dead, rather than suffer the consequences of being hauled in for dangerous driving.”
“That’s some imagination you’ve got there, Patti,” Katy replied, dumbfounded by her suggestion.
Patti raised her eyebrows. “Tell me I’m wrong. You can’t. Therefore, until we know what went down, that’s my input right there. Do with it what you will.”
“All right, there’s no need for you to get snarky.”
“I’m not. It’s the only explanation I can muster that has any legs, at this time.”
Katy winced and stared at the bone which had broken through the victim’s Lycra leggings. “That was terrible, just saying.”
Patti smiled. “I know, sorry. I did f
ind his ID in his rucksack. I’ve placed it in an evidence bag over there.”
“Charlie, can you get that for me?” Katy asked, seeing that her partner was standing the closest to the area Patti had indicated.
“His name is Bobby Simmonds. I’ve got an address. It’s on this road, only a few more miles.”
“Great news. Who found the body, Patti, do we know?”
“Yes, the man was still here when we arrived. He was shaken up, so I told him to head home. He was with his wife and children, sorry, I should have said that first. They were going to the swimming pool. I think they turned round in the end. Now, where did I put his name and number?” Patti dug into her jacket pocket beneath her protective suit and withdrew a piece of paper. Which turned out to be an old envelope. “Excuse the mess, it was all I had on me and he was eager to get going. Trevor Wardley. To be honest, I doubt if he’s going to be able to give you any further details. He rang nine-nine-nine, the control told him to remain here, your lot showed up, taped off the area, called me and bingo bango. I arrived, took down his details and sent him on his way.”
“As simple as that, eh? Okay, I’ll chase it up once we’ve had a word with the victim’s next of kin. I suppose we should make a move and get that over with just in case they’re missing him and set off to find out where he is.” Katy searched ahead of them. “I take it the route is blocked?”
“Yep, I’ve been informed if you go back the way you came, there’s a lane on the right about a mile down the road, it circles us and joins the main road at the end.”
“Thanks. Is there anything else you can give us before we go?”
“Not really, no. Another point I’d like to make is he was dressed as if he’s an experienced cyclist. In my opinion, they don’t tend to take any risks, not on roads such as this. That might be worth bearing in mind as well.”
