Spoilt (16 page)

“
On it.”

“
Call me if you get anything we can chase up.”

“
No probs. I’ll leave a copy of the log on your desk either
way.”

“
Great, thanks.”

Lucas knew it was probably going to lead nowhere but they
needed a break, a slip-up, and he hoped this was it.

* * *

After he knocked on his sister’s door, he heard a loud
chirping sing-song voice from inside.

“
I’ll get it.”

She opened the door and he automatically smiled. Mabel with
her long straight blonde hair and big blue eyes always brightened
his day.

“
Uncle Lucas.” She leapt into his arms.

“
Hello, Mabe Babe.” She giggled.

“
Now, what have I told you about answering the door?” he asked
her before giving her an affectionate cuddle.

“
Always ask who it is first.”

“
That’s right.”

“
Look,” she said. “I lost another tooth and got two dollars
from the tooth fairy.”

“
Well it has certainly gone up since I lost a
tooth.”

“
I was drawing a picture. Do you want to see it?”

“
I would love to.”

At that moment Carrie walked into the hall.

“
Well, hello, little brother,” she teased. “About time we saw
you around here.”

“
I know, I know, I’ve been busy but I had to come and see
you,” he said kissing Mabel on the nose.

“
Mabel honey, can you go and finish your drawing so I can talk
to Uncle Lucas?”

“
Okay,” she said reluctantly. “I’ll draw you a picture,” she
said directing her gaze towards him again.

“
That would be great, Mabe Babe.” She giggled again and ran
off to do her uncle a picture.

“
Where are Tommy and Nathan?”

“
Down at the park doing some male bonding thing.”

He grinned happily and Carrie eyed him for a
moment.

“
You need a haircut.”

He followed Carrie into the kitchen and while she got her
scissors and brushes organised, he got comfortable in her makeshift
salon. She wrapped a gown around him and proceeded to give him what
she thought was a much-needed haircut.

“
How’s your investigation going?” she asked.

“
Nowhere, unfortunately. We have hardly any leads or suspects
and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down.”

“
Are you handling it ok?”

“
Like I’ve told you numerous times, Carrie, I can handle
it.”

“
Alright, I’ll drop it,” she said before starting on her next
line of questioning. “So, who is she?”

“
Who is who?”

“
The girl who’s making your eyes glow.”

“
Chelsea.”

“
Is she the same one from the other day?’

“
Yes.”

“
Do you love her?”

“
Bit soon for that isn’t it? Besides I don’t do the love
thing.”

“
No it isn’t. I knew from the moment I met Nathan he was the
one. Once you feel it you can’t shake it.”

“
Well I don’t know. All I know is she’s on my mind constantly.
When I’m around her I can’t think and struggle to keep my hands to
myself.”

Carrie smiled. “Sounds like love to me.”

“
I’m definitely crazy about her and she … I …. I can’t explain
it.”

“
Love cannot be explained, Lucas.”

“
I’m terrified.”

“
You can’t go through life being scared of what could happen.
I believe I have told you this before”

“
Yeah you have, but this is so new for me. I don’t think I
could lose anyone again.”

“
So you would prefer to be without her just in case? Life is
not that simple, Lucas. God forbid, something could happen to one
of us at any time. You can’t control these things. No-one can. What
happened to Mum and Dad was devastating and I miss them every day.
You also know how grateful I am that you weren’t there as
well.”

“
You don’t understand. This investigation is leaning towards
Chelsea being the killer’s real target and it’s like he’s using
these other girls as …. practice,” he paused. “I can’t lose her the
same way.” His voice broke.

“
Well then protect her. She needs you. Don’t run
away.”

“
How did you get so wise?”

“
I’m a hairdresser. I listen to and solve people’s woes every
day.” She smiled. “There, finished.” She brushed his face and
removed the gown. “Much better,” she declared, checking her
work.

“
Thanks, Carrie, for everything, but I really have to go home
and get some sleep.”

“
Not sleeping well?”

“
With the case and … other things. I’ve had a lot on my mind
and after last night well … my imagination didn’t
compare.”

“
That explains the grin.”

“
What are the kids doing tomorrow?”

“
Nothing much. We don’t have any plans.”

“
I might come and pick them up, take them to the carnival by
the beach.”

“
They would like that, Lucas. They miss you.”

“
I know. I miss them too and it will give you guys a bit of a
break.”

“
More like some much-needed together time.”

“
I understand. Don’t tell me anymore.” He went off to find
Mabel to say goodbye.

At the front door, Carrie hugged and kissed him.

“
Take a chance, Lucas.”

“
Bye, Sis.” He waved, jumped into the car and drove
home.

When he arrived home he climbed into bed as planned and went
straight to sleep for the first time in weeks.

Chapter 17

Taking Chances

Saturday

Chelsea stirred and it took a moment for the memory of the
previous evening to urge its way through the fog. She reached
sleepily over, only to find herself alone. Did she imagine the
whole thing? No, there was no ignoring the masculine scent which
clung to her sheets. She smiled as she thought about the night
she’d just spent with Lucas and realised no-one had ever had this
impact on her before. For a split second his absence panicked her
but she felt wonderful and allowed her worries to slide
away.

I think I love him.

She shook it off. It had only been a couple of days. Surely it
doesn’t happen that fast. Nevertheless, there was no denying her
feelings. He was the most incredible man she’d ever met. Falling in
love was a journey and the thought of taking the ride with Lucas
thrilled her.

Underneath the gruff exterior lived a passionate man who
craved to be loved. Being aware of how terrified he was about
becoming close to anyone after the way he’d lost his parents, and
knowing he could be taking a chance on love, only intensified her
growing feelings.

She would never have the internal fortitude to cope with such
a loss and she believed this showed Lucas’ true strength of
character. How courageous to join the police force and deal with
dramas so similar to his own. How he was persevering through these
murders, so similar to his parents’ fates, was amazing.

Filled with a renewed vigour that she hadn’t experienced in a
long time, she got dressed and went downstairs to find Lucas. She
found instead Sarah and Charlotte in the kitchen cooking breakfast.
Worry gripped her chest. Did he leave? Would he come back? She’d
never been in this position before and had absolutely no idea what
to do now.

“
Morning, Sleepyhead,” greeted Charlotte. “Bit tired, are we?”
she noted dryly with a raised eyebrow.

“
I haven’t been sleeping well since Elle
disappeared.”

“
I’m sure that’s not the only reason.”

“
I’m not sure what you mean,” she replied.

“
Mum knows, Chelsea, you don’t have to act coy. She saw his
car when she went out for her walk this morning. He’s gone by the
way, if you were wondering. He left about an hour ago.”

Chelsea blushed.

“
If you really like this man, dear, I think it’s wonderful.
It’s been too long since you were happy and if he’ll be the one to
do that, then I think it’s a good thing,” Sarah said.

“
I hardly know him and by the way, Charlotte, I’m not acting
anything.”

“
You obviously know enough because you’re not the kind of
person to jump into anything,” Sarah continued.

“
Yeah, like his bed!” Charlotte quipped. “Or in this case
yours.”

“
Charlotte! I know this is totally unlike me but I just …
couldn’t help it.” She smiled.

“
He is very hot,” Charlotte stated.

“
Hands off.”

“
Wouldn’t dream of it, sister dear. Does he have a
brother?”

Chelsea laughed. “No, an older sister. Are you coming to help
me at the shop today?”

“
Yes.”

“
Well, I guess I’d better go and get ready then.” Chelsea
grabbed a slice of toast. “I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.” She
hurried up the stairs.

“
What do you think?” Sarah asked her daughter.

“
I think she’s in love!”

* * *

The girls were busy all day at Bloom and didn’t have much time
to chat. Charlotte tried to drag the details out of Chelsea but she
was tight lipped.

“
I don’t kiss and tell like you do, Charlotte.”

Chelsea was happy for the distraction of a busy day. It gave
her little opportunity to think about who could be stalking her, if
that was actually what was happening. She knew that Lucas thought
so, but he was a cop and was suspicious of everything, as he had to
be. This didn’t reduce her anxiety. When Gavin came in at lunchtime
to collect the deliveries, she couldn’t help but look at him
differently. Could he be the killer? She shook her head - of course
not. It had to be someone else. But who?

And then there was Lucas. Where were they going? She didn’t
want to fall too hard too soon. She wasn’t going to make the same
mistake again. Her heart skipped too fast when she thought of him.
Chelsea hoped again he hadn’t run out on her this morning. She
wished she knew what was going on in his head. Regardless of her
concern, a smile crept back and she hummed as she
worked.

Her mind wondered to Elle as she finished her final
arrangements of the day and her smile dropped. Here she was walking
around like a starry-eyed teenager and there was a vicious killer
on the loose who had murdered her best friend. How could she be
happy so soon after Elle’s death, especially when her friend was
never going to experience anything again? There was nothing she
could do about Elle except help Lucas in any way she could with the
investigation. She couldn’t help falling in love and Elle would
have been excited to see Chelsea ‘out there’ again, like she used
to push for her to do. Elle constantly tried to set her up with her
male friends. Chelsea smiled at the memory.

I miss her so much.

She really hoped they would catch the bastard that took away
her best friend.

* * *

Lucas awoke with a start and looked at his watch to find it
was almost six. He had slept for six dream-free hours and felt
refreshed. He got up, showered to shake off the sleep and realised
he was hungry. Discovering nothing appetising in the kitchen, he
threw a few things in an overnight bag, grabbed his keys and headed
out the door. It was time to take a chance.

* * *

The moment Chelsea and Charlotte walked in the door they were
greeted by the aroma of their mother’s cooking. Mouths watering,
they located Sarah in the kitchen.

“
You don’t have to cook, Mum. You’re my guest.”

“
Nonsense, you were at work all day and I needed something to
do. I went and did some shopping.” She pointed to an opened bottle
of wine. “Help yourselves. I did your laundry and tidied up – not
that there was much to do – but it kept me busy. You know I can’t
sit idle.”

“
Thanks, Mum.” She kissed Sarah’s cheek, then filled their
glasses.

The phone rang making them all jump. Chelsea walked to the
bench to answer it and cast a worried glance to her family before
picking it up.

“
Hello.”

“
I know you had the detective over all night. Whore! You’ll
get what’s coming to you soon, spoilt bitch.” The line went
dead.

Chelsea’s face paled and her hands started to
shake.

“
Chelsea, what is it?” Sarah asked, rushing over to
her.

“
He knew Lucas was here and he called me a spoilt bitch, which
is what he has been leaving on his victims. Lucas was right. I am a
target. Who would do this?”

The knock at the door startled them and they all yelped in
surprise.

“
We’re all a bit jumpy,” said Sarah, trying to calm her
daughters. “I’ll go and see who it is.”