Page 69 of First Blood
‘I’ll see you at 4p.m.’
‘So soon?’
‘Slow day on the suspicious deaths front but of course if that’s…’
‘We’ll be there,’ she said, turning to Roy.
He held up three bags.
‘Debit card, phone and a five pound note.’
Kim took all the bags and looked them over.
She handed two back. ‘I’m keeping this,’ she said, holding up the phone.
‘But, it needs to come to the—’
‘It’s coming with me,’ she said, turning on her heel and heading back towards the car.
‘Guv, I’ve got a question,’ Bryant said, catching up with her.
‘You don’t have to warn me of that fact. Just ask it.’
‘Where does she live? Where are the keys to her home?’
That wasn’t the most urgent thought in her head. It wasn’t even her first question. There was something far more precious that Hayley had taken with her everywhere. And that now had to take priority above all else.
‘Not the only thing missing, is it, Bryant? Where is her nine-year-old daughter?’
Chapter Sixty-Two
I knew I would find you, my Queen. And your death matches that of your King. Your reign of terror is over for ever and that child will not know the fear you inflicted on her ever again.
From the very beginning I knew that my actions were right and just. I knew I had approval from above. That if there is a God He is watching, waiting for your soul to be dispatched so He can give you your final judgment and send you to Hell for eternity.
It’s His way of saying sorry for letting me down despite all my prayers.
Oh no, it’s not happening again. I won’t go back there. I refuse to relive that pain. I have my proof and that is enough for me.
It’s time to mark it done.
I take out the book and the thick black marker pen. I can now put a line through the page. I can mark the duo as complete.
I hesitate and wonder why I’m not filled with the same elation and triumph at your death that I felt with the King.
I wonder if it’s due to the circumstances of the kill. I had no time to prepare as I’ve done with all the rest, but when God presented you to me like a mirage of an oasis in the desert there was no choice but to get it done.
No, it’s not that. I had time to make my plan while I watched you eat, while you talked to me as you already had when we first met. I knew where I was going to take you, where I could leave my message. You talked of Mia and the actions you’d finally taken to ensure her safety. Too little too late.
You spoke to me of a cryptic message you’d received and that your fear had not been only from Luke. I kept the smile to myself at the knowledge that the threat was sitting right in front of you.
You got into my car with trust. You accepted the meal I offered easily. You got back into my car with the promise of a bed for the night, somewhere to get your head together, excuse the pun.
I began to anticipate your fear once you realised that I was the one you’d been running from.
I parked the car and turned to you, my true feelings for your actions showing on my face and you finally understood.
A slight sad nod of acceptance.
