AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A cold chill spreads across my chest. No, no, he didn’t. I grab my phone, searching the internet for the cemetery’s website. I cross-reference the names of Paul’s other three victims and discover they are all buried there, in adjacent plots to Gwen’s. I must have stepped over them to reach her grave. He’s not just visiting his mum when he comes here; he is visiting all of them. He watches over their graves, keeping an eye on them in death as he did in life, his trophies close at hand. Every time I think I have him figured out, he moves the goalposts.
Just what am I about to get myself into by playing games with this man? It’s not too late to back out. There’s no shame in admitting defeat.But I just can’t. I’ve come this far, I’ve got to see it through, for the sake of myself and every one of those women buried under his gaze. So I ignore common sense, regroup and slowly make my way over to Sue’s open wardrobe. I reach up to the top shelf and remove a pillow. This is where they’re always storedin places like this. I carry it towards a completely oblivious Sue. I turn to look at the teddy bear one more time before I lift the pillow towards my chest and then lower it. Now it’s hovering just above her face. Then I gradually lower it further so that it touches the tip of her nose, her lips and forehead.
I apply more pressure until I feel her skull against the palms of my hands. She offers no resistance. Whatever basic survival instinct she once possessed has been eaten away by her dementia. Or perhaps, if a tiny shred of her old self remains locked inside, it realises death is her means of escape.
Her face is now smothered. With no resistance, it won’t take long now.
Suddenly my phone rings. I turn to look again at the teddy bear and count to three before I lift the pillow back up again and take my phone from my pocket. The number has been withheld, but I know who’s calling.
‘Hello Paul,’ I begin calmly, before he has the chance to speak. ‘I think it’s time we sat down and talked. Properly.’
CHAPTER 44
CONNIE
I arrive at the pub an hour early to give me the upper hand. In truth, it’ll also allow me time to calm my nerves. I place the Reserved sign face down on the table and wait. This is actually happening.
I chose a village a twenty-minute bus ride away from home, so I didn’t have far to travel. And it’s not the first time I’ve been here. I visited two days earlier to check the floorplan and book a table. It had to be somewhere private enough for our conversation not to be overheard but where there was sufficient lunchtime footfall for us to be seen at all times. It also needed to be positioned next to the window overlooking the car park so I could see when his van pulled in. I don’t want Paul to have any element of surprise. This place ticked each box. If he tries to hurt me today, I’m not going to make it easy for him.
I’m eyeing up the shelves behind the bar, which are stacked with dozens of bottles of wine. I’d kill for a glass or five of Merlot right now to take the edge off. But the sharp corners will help me keep my wits about me. I order a sparkling water instead. I’mtempted to go outside for a cigarette to calm my anxiety but I can’t risk it. And it proves a wise decision, because five minutes later and approximately forty minutes ahead of time, Paul’s vehicle enters the car park. My heart beats like a kettle drum when I catch sight of him making his way to the entrance.
He’s dressed in a similar manner to how he was when I saw him in Gwen’s house months ago, smart but casual. He doesn’t scan his surroundings like I did. Instead, he saunters to the bar, pays for a bottle of beer then turns directly to me and makes his way over.
‘You’re early,’ he says as he sits.
‘And so are you,’ I reply.
He looks at my chair, the table and window. ‘It’s where I would’ve sat. I told you last time, you and I are the same.’
‘And I told you we are nothing alike.’ But we both know there are similarities and I’m disgusted by them all. At least I want to be a better person. I doubt Paul can say the same.
‘So Rachel, you got my attention with your little stunt at the nursing home.’
‘I wouldn’t have hurt her. I don’t kill people.’
‘You don’t know what you’re capable of until you’re pushed.’
‘I do, and it’s not that. The plan altered when I saw the toy bear. It’s one of those nanny cams parents put in nurseries to spy on the help, right?’
I don’t explain how one got me fired from a hospice when the family of a patient on a life support machine caught me unclasping and pocketing a bracelet from her wrist. It was another error of judgement to add to my tally.
‘So now I’m here, what do you want?’ Paul asks.
‘I want what’s rightfully mine. Gwen’s house and the money in her bank accounts.’
‘That old chestnut, eh?’ he sighs. ‘You know that, by law, they’re not rightfully yours.’
‘She wanted me to have them. I cared about her, but you didn’t give a damn.’
‘Not strictly true,’ he says. ‘We had our moments. She was a game old bird. Surprisingly ... uninhibited.’
He gives me a wink, wanting a reaction from me. But I won’t bite.
‘If you cared that much,’ I say, ‘then why did you kill her?’
He looks me up and down. ‘Pass me your phone.’ I hesitate, then do as he asks. ‘Unlock it.’ I type in my code. I assume he’s now checking it to ensure I’m not recording our conversation. Eventually he slides it back and takes a swig from his bottle.
‘How do you know I’m not wearing a wire?’ I ask.
