Page 28 of The Serial Killer's Sister
regret being the one who fled,
up losing your head.
shall be slit
town shall have a little bit.
The first letter of each spells out TRUST. The last line, which is now underlined –All the dogs in town shall have a little bit– is suddenly meaningful, too. ‘Dogs In Town’ is the name of a café in Torquay, where outside there is a large garden for dogs to run around in while their owners relax and have a coffee. Not long ago, Ross mentioned that he’d had a meeting there – I can’t rememberwhy. It didn’t strike me as odd at the time – after all, he quite often meets up with prospective clients. But now I think about it, we don’t currently have a dog and usually meetings are held in the properties or office, and together with the highlighted wordtrust, I begin questioning myself all over again.Is this riddle suggesting I shouldn’t trust Ross?
Taking the stairs two at a time, I rush up to the bedroom and clamber into jogging bottoms and a sweatshirt, then fly back down and sit on the bottom stair to pull my trainers on. I have to go there right away. I should call DI Walker to let him know. With my head in my hands, I run the conversation over in my mind:
Hi, Detective Walker, I got another letter and I opened it.
You did what? Are you mad? I told you to call me immediately if he made further contact, Anna.
Yes, I’m sorry about that, I was overcome with the need to know.
So? What have you learned?
I’ve worked out the next location.
Stay where you are, the team will be right there.
And that’s a problem. I need to go alone. This is between me and Henry.
My mind made up, I snatch my keys and phone and rush outside. At least the next place is close – I’ll be there in ten minutes, plus I won’t have to lie to anyone to get in. My tummy knots. I might not be lying to gain access, but by failing to inform the detective in charge of the case about my progress, I’m still deceiving someone. But I can’t think about that now. I give a quick, cautious glance to the doorstep as I go past. The likelihood of somethingbeing there so soon after the new envelope is slim, but I don’t put it past Henry to be bold. He’s already shown how brazen he can be.
My spine sags as I reach the pavement.
‘Oh, my God! Those damned seagulls.’ My car looks as though a hundred birds have defecated on it; the windscreen resembles a piece of Jackson Pollock’s art. I close my eyes, not to block the sight of it so much as to block the tears from coming. Everyone, and everything, is against me. I’ll have to get a bucket of hot water to clear that lot. Anger bubbles in the pit of my stomach. ‘Why, why, why?’
‘Not your week, is it?’ I look up to see the same man who witnessed my previous seagull encounter from the other afternoon, and I huff loudly.
‘It would appear not.’
‘You should get some hot, soapy water on that quick smart. It’ll erode your paintwork if you leave it too long.’
‘Thanks.’ I smile, tightly. ‘I love being mansplained to.’ I stomp back to my front door, but something makes me turn around. He’s still standing on the kerb of the pavement opposite, watching me. His hands are jammed in his jeans pockets and he’s bouncing on his heels. What’s his problem? ‘Did you happen to see anyone hanging around here about half an hour or so ago?’
He shrugs. ‘Just the fella that lives with you – your … husband?’ he ventures.
I narrow my eyes at him. I don’t remember seeing him around Shaldon before this Tuesday; how on earth would he know who lives here with me? I’m about to ask, but my ringing mobile diverts my attention.
‘Don’t forget what I said,’ the man says, as I retrievemy phone from my bag. A lurching feeling gives way to nausea as I read the display – Seabrook.Great. I look back up, but the man’s gone. The ringing continues and I stare at the phone, deciding if now’s a good time to talk to someone from school. It’s only been a couple of days, and I very much doubt this will be Craig Beaumont calling to apologise and saying I’ve been immediately reinstated. But perhaps it will be worse for me if I don’t pick up. I jab the button to accept the call.
‘Hello,’ I say.
‘Anna. Craig. I need you to come in for a meeting.’
I recoil at his abruptness and am about to politely decline his offer, but he doesn’t give me the chance. ‘Right away if you would. It’s urgent.’
‘Er … actually—’
The line goes dead.
I hold the phone away from my ear, staring at the display. No mistake – he terminated it. ‘Really? Arsehole.’ I ram the key in the lock and go back inside the house, whack a bucket under the sink tap and wait for it to fill. Just how much shit do I have to deal with today?
Chapter 18
