Spoilt (6 page)

Chelsea didn’t intend to open the shop today. However, after
her encounter with the uncaring detective, and with Elle missing,
she needed somewhere she could relax and find some comfort. The one
place she could do that was at Bloom.

Sick with worry and anxiety she drove towards her
sanctuary. On the way she considered going home. What if Elle were
to phone or return home? But would sitting around waiting for her
to return really help?

Having tossed the issue this way and that, Chelsea eventually
decided to drive on towards Bloom and resolved to check in over the
day. What else could she do?

* * *

After investigating the other three warehouses and finding
them vacant, the detectives decided to finish up for the day and
start over in the morning. On the drive home, Lucas wondered which
direction to take. The lack of evidence intensified his
frustration.

The report on Kate Miller’s house would be completed by
morning and he prayed for a fingerprint match or perhaps some kind
of trace evidence, anything that would lead them somewhere closer.
They needed a suspect, and fast, before they had another victim.
Could this missing girl be the next one? He sincerely hoped not but
as there weren’t any other missing women who fitted the description
it was a possibility.

He decided they would have to go over everything again. They
were missing something. Where were they meeting this guy? How were
these girls connected? Lucas needed to refocus and obtain a clear
head for the morning so sleep was his number one
priority.

* * *

When Lucas walked into his apartment, a sudden sense of
loneliness overcame him, something which was occurring more and
more often lately. His home, small with sparse furniture, suited
his needs as he spent little time here. After having a quick shower
in an attempt to free his mind of circling thoughts and haunting
visions, he collapsed into bed. He closed his eyes and attempted to
block out the memories tormenting him. He tossed and turned but the
images remained and sleep became impossible.

As he pushed aside his demons, milky soft skin and big green
eyes swept over him. What was it about her that had him so
stupefied? He conjured up briefly in his mind a parade of some of
the many beautiful women he had known, and even slept with, but
there was something more about this girl, something much stronger
which tugged at him and he didn’t know what it was or why. He
couldn’t allow these feelings to push through. He didn’t get close
to anybody, especially to anyone related to a case. He’d made that
mistake in his first year as detective and he had paid a heavy
price. Anyone linked to an investigation in any way was off limits.
Even if this hadn’t become his cardinal rule from all those years
ago, the painful reality of losing loved ones deterred him from
making any sort of commitment. He never wanted to love and then
grieve again.

Giving up on rest, he grabbed the victims’ files from the side
table and began to read. The flour trace was important. He could
feel it, but how? Was it being transferred from where they were
being held? It didn’t appear to be coming from the locations they
had searched and there weren’t any other abandoned warehouses that
fit the bill. So the killer could be taking them out of town or to
a house filled with flour, but who has that much on their premises?
Lucas didn’t want to think about the endless
possibilities.

The other option could be the perp was a baker or chef of some
kind and transmitted it with his hands. How many bakeries, cafés
and restaurants were located in the city? Far too many to interview
every person in every possible occupation. He grunted in
frustration, there were too many options to consider and
investigate. Time was what they needed to follow all the potential
leads and time was what they had little of.

This wasn’t the only troublesome thought. The words
SPOILT
BITCH
,
why those words? Envy could be a contributing factor and
driving force but both victims weren’t wealthy. Were they spoilt in
another way? How?

He threw the folders down on the bed. Going in circles wasn’t
getting them any closer. It all came down to Kate’s autopsy report
and search of her house. They needed more evidence, something
new.

Sleep was fitful for Lucas that night as he dreamed of emerald
eyes, milky skin and bloody throats.

* * *

Maggie walked into her snug two bedroom cottage. The simple
furnishings and quiet ambience suited Maggie and Steve. Being busy
cops, and seeing the horrors they did, enhanced their need to come
home to a sanctuary.

Maggie was welcomed by a delicious aroma emanating from the
kitchen and knew Steve was preparing something
mouth-watering.

“
Hey, I’m home,” she called out.

“
In the kitchen.”

“
Smells great, babe. I’m famished.”

“
Please sit down, my lady, and I’ll bring dinner to
you.”

“
Oh well, thank you, Sir,” she grinned.

Steve could always sense when she needed looking after. Her
knight in shining armour, the most gorgeous man alive, was tall
dark and handsome.

“
Tough day, Mags?”

“
You could say tough week. We’re getting nowhere with this
case.”

“
You’ll get him, you always do.”

He kissed her tenderly before placing her dinner and a glass
of wine on the table in front of her. “I love you.”

She smiled.

She started to tuck into the meal he had lovingly prepared.
“Speaking of love, some girl got to Lucas today.”

“
No way! That man is made of steel.”

“
It appears he isn’t after all. He questioned a girl whose
roommate is missing and it might have helped with our investigation
but he froze up instead. It was like he couldn’t get her out of
there quick enough.”

“
He’s so thorough.”

“
Not today,” she grinned.

“
Well I guess everyone needs a bit of love.”

“
Oh, you’re such a romantic, Steve.”

“
I know,” he said lifting her out of her chair. When he kissed
her again it was with absolute passion. “That is because I’m
married to an amazing woman,” he told her before guided her toward
their bedroom.

* * *

When Chelsea walked into the house, she immediately checked to
see if Elle had been home. Finding Elle’s room eerily untouched,
Chelsea walked towards the kitchen, her heart heavy. She remembered
Mrs. Sheridan and how worried she would be, so she phoned her to
tell her about reporting Elle’s continued absence to the police.
Hearing the fear in her voice only intensified Chelsea’s anxiety.
She sighed, wondering what to do next.

She considered dinner but the thought turned her stomach,
so she went upstairs instead. She sat out on the balcony and
thought about Elle. This only agitated her all over again recalling
that detective and his lack of … anything! He
was
sexy though, and those eyes, so
enticing. He definitely sent her heart fluttering. His rude and
unsympathetic manner, on the other hand, was inexcusable. First
thing in the morning, she would go back to the station and make
someone listen to her this time.

Worry consumed her as she remembered happy times with Elle.
Chelsea prayed her disappearance was like all the other times when
she’d spontaneously spent days with a man or stayed with a friend.
Doubts undermined her fervent attempts to believe in every positive
scenario. Chelsea couldn’t remember Elle being without her handbag
and phone during any of those absences. Hot tears crept down her
face as she tried to push aside her worst fear, that Elle was gone
forever.

Oh Elle where are you?

* * *

It’s now time for her to say goodbye to her life. Nothing
personal, Blondie, but I need to make it perfect.

Will she fight like Libby or will she accept it like Kate? She
is feisty this one so I guess she’ll fight to the end.

* * *

As I thought, she fought death. She kicked and hit out as far
as her restraints would allow until she gurgled her last breath. I
know this one will hurt her and she will understand loss. Just like
my loss.

She will soon know what it’s like to have nothing, like I had
nothing. She would never have known what it was like to wear old
dirty clothes that were too small and have everyone laugh. To
understand how it feels to eat little and always be alone. To have
a father who hates you and a mother who left you. What it’s like to
live in the worst house, in the worst neighbourhood.

She never had to do anything for what she had. No, not Daddy’s
Princess.

I cannot wait to see her blood flow but I have to wait, more
to rehearse on yet. I can hear the next one now in the other room.
She’s awake and calling for help. There is no-one here to help you,
Lindsay.

Now I need to take Blondie to her final resting place. When I
come back, I’ll have to start on you, Lindsay. Listen to your first
screams and see how much of a fighter you are. Scream all you want,
just like the others because no-one can hear.

Ah, there she is sitting out on the balcony. Is she wondering
about her friend? Well she is watching the night sky now too just
like you but unlike you, Blondie’s eyes are sightless
forever.

Chapter 8

Gone

Thursday

The sound of the phone woke Lucas from another restless night.
He bolted upright and rubbed his eyes before grabbing the
phone.

Oh shit, what now?
“Hudson.”

“
Well he lives.”

“
Morning, Carrie. It is morning, isn’t it?” he grumbled,
picturing his sister on the other end of the phone, her auburn
chin-length curls bobbing as she spoke, the same hazel eyes as his
own filled with concern.

“
Yes, grumpy, it’s just after seven. I haven’t heard from you
for a week and was wondering if you were still with us.”

“
I’ve been busy.”

“
All work and no play, little brother.”

“
Yeah I know but this case has been tough and we’re getting
nowhere fast.”

“
Are you ok? I saw the news and was wondering—“

“
I’m fine,” he cut her off.

“
Ok, Lucas, but I know how hard this must be for
you.”

“
It was a long time ago, Carrie. I can handle it. I believe
I’ve told you this too many times before.”

“
You know, I can’t help it. I worry about you.”

“
You don’t have to, I’m all right,” he replied his voice
softening. “How are the kids?”

“
Same as always. Mabel lost another tooth. Tommy decided he
could fly again so he took a leap off the kitchen bench and split
his head.”

“
Ouch, is he ok?”

“
Yeah he’s fine, just like his uncle.”

“
Ha ha, I miss them. I promise I’ll do something with them
soon, when this case is over.”

“
They miss you too and I’ll hold you to it.” Not finished
grilling her brother she continued. “So, what else is bugging
you?”

“
Nothing.”

“
No fooling me, brother, spill.”

“
Ah, ok, I let someone get to me yesterday and didn’t do my
job properly.”

“
A girrrl,” she taunted.

“
Shut up.”

“
That’s not like you. She must have been
something.”

“
Look it was nothing. It won’t happen again.”

“
There is nothing wrong with letting someone in Lucas. Nathan
and the kids, they’re the best things that have ever happened to
me, you know that.”

“
Yeah well that’s you. My job keeps me busy. I don’t need
anything else.”

“
Oh Lucas …”

“
Carrie, I’m fine. Please, it really is alright.”

“
Very well, I’ll leave you alone.” She paused. “For
now.”

Lucas laughed. “Thanks for your concern but I gotta get up and
go to work.”

“
Don’t work too hard. Love you.”

“
Love you too.”

As he readied himself for the day, Lucas wondered if they
would catch a break or find a lead today.

Maggie was at her desk when he came in and had a coffee
waiting for him.

“
Thanks, Maggie, what have we got?”

“
CSI’s found little at Kate’s house, apart from fingerprints
but there were no matches in the database and nothing else that
seemed significant.”

“
Damn.”

“
But the ME found a blond hair on Kate, in one of the wounds
on her chest.”

“
Tell me we can use it for DNA comparison.”

“
We just need to find someone to match to because, once again,
we got no hit.”

Lucas’ phone interrupted them.

“
Hudson.” While listening, he looked at Maggie and she watched
as he paled. “We’ll be right there.”