Wrong Place: A gripping serial killer crime thriller. (7 page)

“Love is blind, Dad. At least it used to be—not anymore, I can assure you. Now please, can we leave it there and talk about something more positive, like having fun this weekend? Where are you planning on taking us? Do you know?”

“Can’t say I’ve got an exact itinerary as such. We’ll see where the old girl takes us, shall we? Whoops, I meant the boat, not your mother.” He leaned over and kissed his stunned wife on the lips.

Sally’s mum appeared mortified by his comment. “Bloody cheek. I’m glad you cleared that up.”

Sally laughed as the stresses of the week floated off into the ether. “I’m just looking forward to sitting down with a good book—I have Linda Prather’s latest,
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt,
on my Kindle—and drifting along. That is if you don’t mind driving, Dad?”

“You carry on, love. Enjoy your time off. You need to recharge your batteries after moving last weekend and dealing with a tough case this week. I’m happy to take the helm and lead you two ladies astray.”

Her mother gently cuffed her father around the head. “I think you’ll find you used the wrong terminology there, dear.”

Her father placed a finger to his lips. “Did I?”

Sally kicked her father’s shin under the table. “Yes, Dad. I’m with Mum on this one. Yummy, here comes dinner.”

They laughed and chatted like old times during their meal, which was exceptional and well worth the extravagant amount it had cost them. None of them had room for a dessert, which helped keep the costs down for the evening. They left the pub at around ten and drove back to the boat. Dex was eager for a wee, so Sally picked up the torch and walked him along the riverbank for about thirty minutes. She missed not having her dog with her full-time and intended to make sure they spent a lot of time together on and off the boat that weekend. When they neared the boat, she stopped and bent down for a cuddle with her pal. He moaned joyfully in her ear and turned over on the damp grass so that she could tickle his tummy. “Come on, you. It’s bedtime, and we have to make up the beds yet.”

Aboard the small cruiser, she found that her parents had already made the beds.

“Fancy a cocoa before you call it a night, love?” Sally’s mum asked.

Sally wrapped her arm around her mum’s waist. “Just like old times. Sure, why not?”

By the time six o’clock on Sunday evening came around, Sally and her parents had large grins stuck firmly in place, and the stress wrinkles embedded in their faces were less visible. It had been a memorable weekend for all of them. Even Dex was sprawled out, exhausted from all the attention and long walks he’d received in the past forty-eight hours. When they arrived back at her parents’ home, Sally insisted on carrying out a thorough inspection of the property with her father, just in case the neighbours had seen them go off for the weekend. But nothing at all seemed out of place, and there were no bodies impaled on the spikes in the back garden. After squeezing her parents tightly and saying farewell, she jumped in her car and headed back to her flat just as a patrol car came towards her. She waved at the two uniformed officers in the car, who returned her greeting and gave her a thumbs-up.

Once she’d arrived home and unpacked her bag, she had a bath. Then she fell into bed, feeling more relaxed than she had in over five years. She vowed to go on more trips with her parents over the coming months, to make up for the time she’d spent apart from them while she was with Darryl. She had so many wrongs to right, not only with her parents but also with the friends she’d lost contact with.
It’s time to start afresh, girl.

CHAPTER SIX

Scott pulled on his jacket and admired his reflection in the hotel’s full-length mirror. “She’ll be clawing at your shirt later on this evening. Who could resist you when you exude so much magnetism?”

He laughed at himself then went in search of his prey. He’d spotted a busy pub along the high street. He tended to zero in on those, where he had less chance of being recognised should the police come asking questions.

He strode confidently through the lounge bar of the Royal Oak and approached the young woman serving a couple of male customers. He could tell instantly that she was flirtatious in nature. However, he knew to play it cool for a while—like he always did, just in case one of the chaps at the bar was her significant other.

Settling on the stool, he glanced her way. Their eyes met, and an instantaneous spark of interest filled her stunning hazel eyes.

“Hi, I’m Alexina. What can I get you this evening?”

He flashed her a brief smile. “A pint of lager, thanks.”

“I haven’t seen you around these parts before. Have you just moved into the area?”

“Not really. I’ve been around, but you haven’t noticed me before,” he lied, playing “the- little-boy-lost” sympathy card that had served him well many times.

“Oh? I’m usually pretty good with faces, and yours is one of those I’d never forget in a hurry.” She laughed and placed the pint glass on the bar in front of him.

He avoided eye contact, pretending that her comment had embarrassed him. He’d refined his act to perfection over the past year or so. Only for the latest batch, he’d travelled to another area.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you any discomfort. Don’t mind me. My mouth tends to run away from me at times.”

“No problem. I’ll just sit here quietly and have my drink, if that’s okay.”

“Sure. I apologise again.” She walked to the other end of the bar and served another customer, who laughed and chatted with her as if he’d known her for years.

A jealous grip took hold of his insides.
How dare she! Is she trying to make a fool out of me? I’ll punish her for that later.

Every time she looked around to see if he was watching her, he let his gaze drift off to the side. When he’d finished his drink, she returned to refill his glass.

“I’m not sure I want one just yet.”

“That’s a shame. You’re not thinking of leaving us, are you?”

“That depends,” he told her quietly.

“On what?” She furrowed her brow.

“On whether you want me to stay around or not?” His gaze latched on to hers. He kept his expression blank while he watched hers twist with what he perceived as awkwardness.
Surely not! She’s too outgoing for that. The colour rising in her cheeks is because of me turning her on. Her blood is boiling as she imagines us together in bed. Oh yes, I have her hooked, all right.

She leaned toward him, exposing her heaving breasts for him to ogle—but he kept his eyes on her face. This was a ritual of his; he knew how girls reacted to his intense stare. She was no different from the others. “I knock off in a couple of hours, if you fancy seeing me after.”

He cocked an eyebrow and suggestively ran his tongue across his lips. She watched the movement and shuddered a little.
She’s hooked. Now reel her in, boy. Reel her in.
“You do? I’m sure your boyfriend will be keen to have you home.”

She chuckled. “I don’t have a boyfriend, silly. Do you really think I’d be giving you the come-on if I had one of those hanging around?”

“Is that what you’re doing? Giving me the come-on? I wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t told me.”

“You’re winding me up, right?”

He sensed hesitation in her tone. He laughed, cutting through the sudden tension, then smiled at her. “Yes, I was joking. What did you have in mind?” he asked quietly, so the other customers couldn’t hear him.

A middle-aged man at the far end of the bar called her name. She swore under her breath and fixed a smile in place before she turned to the customer. “I’ll be right back. Hold that thought.”

Oh, I have every intention of doing just that, my dear.
He watched the beautiful brunette walk away from him and wondered why she didn’t have a boyfriend or husband.
Their loss, not mine.
He knew she had the hots for him—and he revelled in that knowledge. Her amenable nature would make his mission so much easier when he got her in the back of his car, unless another more appropriate place sprang to mind in the meantime.

He spent the next hour teasing her. One minute, he was making out that he would be leaving, then the next, he was questioning her about what time exactly she finished work.

She flipped between being confused and showing real signs of interest at his hints. She approached him for the final time in the bar that evening. “I’ll be ready to leave in twenty minutes.”

“Okay, I’ll finish my drink and meet you outside in the car.”

“Wait across the road. The boss always sees his staff off the premises for safety reasons.”

“He’s a wise man. You can’t be too careful these days. There are some really twisted souls walking this earth.” He fixed a concerned expression firmly in place.

“Too right. Only last week, there was a murder up the road from here.”

His eyes widened, and he covered his chest, pretending to be mortified. “Goodness, I can understand your reluctance to come with me. Maybe I could come back next week, get to know you a little more.”

“Nonsense. We’re like old friends now. I feel like I’ve known you for decades.”

“Oh, that’s nice to know. The feeling is mutual. It’s been a while since I’ve met anyone as beautiful and as like-minded as you.”

“What a flattering thing to say! I appreciate that more than you’ll ever know. I’ve obviously been dating the wrong kind of chaps. You’re adorable.”

He snorted. “I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of being called that before.”

“I’d better get on with clearing up. I’ll speak to you soon.”

“Okay, I’ll call out when I leave just like the other customers.”

She nodded then got on with her work. Before long, he noticed her humming Madonna’s song
Like a Virgin
while she cheerfully washed and wiped the glasses as she arranged them on the shelves behind her.

His groin started to twitch, until finally he could take no more. “Goodnight, all,” he shouted as he headed towards the exit. He received a few mumbled responses from the few stragglers sitting at the bar. He suspected they were hoping for some kind of lock-in.

He drove out of the pub’s car park and into the smaller car park belonging to one of the shops opposite. He didn’t have to wait long to see the last customers leaving the pub. Alexina and her boss followed soon after.

Alexina waved goodbye to her boss and headed across the street to where Scott was parked. When Scott pushed open the passenger door, she jumped in and surprised him by leaning over to peck him on the cheek.

“That was nice. Thank you.”

“That’s nothing compared to what I have in store for you,” she sniggered.

He gave her one of his looks that said,
Hey, baby, anything you can think up in that department, I can do better.
“Sounds promising. Where shall we go?”

“My place is out of bounds; I share with a friend. What about your place?”

He shrugged. “I’m staying in a cheap hotel for a few days. Not the kind of place a beautiful young lady like you should be seen in.”

She flicked her hand in a playful gesture and caught the top of his arm. “Smooth talker you. I don’t mind—just drive. I’m sure we’ll figure it out soon enough. Why are you staying in a hotel?” she asked.

He thought fast, and another lie tumbled easily from his mouth. “I’m having some work done on my house. It’s easier if I move out for a few days to avoid the mess.”

“How exciting. I live in a crummy two-bed flat with a mate of mine. Every now and then, her boyfriend stays over, and the walls are that bloody thin I might as well be in there with them.”

“Now there’s an idea—a threesome!” He laughed, in spite of thinking the idea was in fact an excellent one, ever one to push the boundaries.

“What work are you having done?” she asked as he pulled out of the car park and drove up the high street.

“An extension to the kitchen. By the time the builders have finished, it will hopefully be double the size it is now.”

“Bigger is definitely better.” She laughed.

“So I’ve been told. I know just the place. It’s a little way out, if that’s okay?”

“Sure. I’m in your capable hands.”

They chatted for the next fifteen minutes, and his heart rate escalated as their destination grew ever nearer.
I’m going to have a little fun with this one before I kill her. She seems up for something new, but only time will tell.

He pulled into the wasteland that loosely resembled a car park. He manoeuvred the car around the large potholes and piles of rubble dotted around the area. “What’s this? Home from home for you?” she joked, running her hand up his thigh.

“I was going to drive out into the country and thought, ‘Sod it!’ I just want to get to know you better, and quickly. Are you objecting?”

“Definitely not. Pull over, and I’ll show you what I mean.”

He drove close to the warehouse and stopped the engine. She had already unclipped her seatbelt, and she lunged for him in a flash.

He pushed her away gently. “Eager, aren’t you?”

“Too bloody right, mate. It’s been months.”

“Do you think we’ll be more comfortable in the back?”

She climbed between the front seats and sat in the middle, staring back at him. “What’s keeping you?” she asked seductively.

He joined her, and they got down to the business of ripping each other’s clothes off, their lips moulded together. Once they were naked, he could see her beautiful figure in the bright moonlight that filled the car.

She looked at him shyly for the first time that evening. “Have you got something with you?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his rubber friend. “Of course, I never travel without one.”

“That sure of getting laid, are you?”

“One lives in hope. Are we going to chat all night or get down to business?”

She grabbed him round the neck and pulled him on top of her. “Less talk, more action. You’re my kind of guy.”

The sex that followed was a mixture of guiltless pleasure and frantic possession. He had every intention of using Alexina to the fullest extent. She was an enthusiastic and very willing participant, after all. Not long after the couple had climaxed, his strength started to return, and the wobbliness in his limbs subsided. He started to play with her breasts, giving her the unspoken message that he was eager to go a second time. She wriggled beneath him, inviting him to take her again. His hands went on a journey of pleasing her until they came to rest on her neck. He played with it, tickling the sides, and she moaned as her eyes fluttered shut. Then he struck. He squeezed with all his might with his hands while using his splayed-out legs and his extra weight to prevent her from struggling free from his grasp.

The last words he spoke to her as she gasped for breath were: “Thank you, but you were nothing special.”

Her lifeless eyes stared up at him. He discarded her, pushing and pulling at her body in his eagerness to get dressed. Once he was fully clothed, he tugged her body through the back door, lifted her still-warm frame into his arms, and made his way into the building. He saw no need to bother concealing her body—the police had no clue who he was. He went back to the car and retrieved her clothes and handbag, which he piled close to her head. Then he emptied the contents of the phial across her thigh, just as he had with the others. Calmly and without looking back over his shoulder, he left the girl and jumped back into his car.