Page 21 of The Serial Killer's Sister
His question sounds judgemental, like I’ve done my friend a disservice by not keeping in contact. DI Walker has no clue what it’s like – I shouldn’t expect him to, but knowing he is judging me is hurtful and I’m immediately on the defensive.
‘As I said, everyone scattered. We all had our histories, DI Walker. Had pasts we didn’t like to talk about and wanted to run from. She was no different. Some people don’t want to be found.’ I cough to clear my throat – expel the emotion that’s threatening to choke me. ‘None of the women, Henry’s victims, were named Kirsty, were they?’ DI Walker stares at me – through me – and my stomach twists.
‘No,’ he says, standing and turning to look over the lake. ‘Have you thought more about the date – the thirteenth of May?’
‘I didn’t find anything in my diaries.’ I blush, despite my attempt at being blasé. I get up too, hoping he won’t notice my lie if I’m moving rather than sitting next to him.
‘And it’s not the date you finally stopped playing and Kirsty was hurt?’
I don’t answer straight away, and he looks hopeful.
‘No. That was autumn, leaves everywhere. Cold. We’d been talking about Halloween. So, definitely not May.’
‘Why does your brother want to ruin your life now, Anna?’
‘That’s the question going over and over in my mind, too.’ I shift uncomfortably, redistributing my weight from one foot to the other.
‘Well, where to next?’ he asks.
‘I don’t know.’ We walk off the bridge, back towards the main house. DI Walker is still holding the Tamagotchi in his gloved hand – he hasn’t placed it into an evidence bag.
‘What’s the clue?’ he says, turning the toy over.
‘It was just that. The same, or at least similar to the Tamagotchi he left in the dorm after he hurt Kirsty. I assume it’s him just letting me know it’s not over.’
‘I don’t know. It seemed to me like the riddle was important – like, a starting point. He sent you here because it’s somewhere you both know. Seems strange he wouldn’t continue his game – send you off in another direction, keep you playing.’
‘Perhaps he’s watching us now.’ I shudder, turn my head this way and that, checking every inch of visible ground. There are no lurking figures that I can see. ‘It could be a test, to see if I’d come on my own, not involve the police.’ I huff. ‘Which I did try to do, but now you’ve ruined that.’
DI Walker gives an apologetic smile. ‘If you’d let me in on it, I’d have followed at a safe distance. Disappearing in the early hours trying to avoid detection makes you look a little guilty, don’t you think? I had no choice but to follow you.’
‘I didn’t see anyone when I left. No car followed me.’
‘Kind of the point of covert operations,’ he says. Although his tone is light-hearted, almost humorous, I catch a hint of smugness. I’m not going to fall for it and laugh or offer a comeback. I’ve had enough of games. As DI Walker is finally about to stick the Tamagotchi in the bag, he stops. ‘What have we here?’ He carefully popsthe battery compartment open. ‘There’s something inside it.’
He takes the toy to a nearby picnic table. With his still-gloved hands he unfolds the paper inside it. ‘Here,’ he says, pushing his chest towards me. ‘Take my notepad out of my pocket.’ I do as he asks. ‘Write down what it says.’
My hand shakes as I grip the pen. The words of the new riddle swim in front of my eyes and I have to blink a lot to focus.
You’re not the only one with something to hide,
You’re not the only one that’s cheated or lied.
You’re going to regret being the one who fled,
You’re going to end up losing your head.
Tell-tale tit, your tongue shall be slit;
All the dogs in town shall have a little bit.
My heart gallops as I attempt to write it down legibly, and when I finish, DI Walker bags it along with the toy.
‘Your new clue.’ He looks at me, excitement evident.
‘I don’t get it.’ I stare at it, read it a few times. Each time it sounds more threatening. My memory, though, refuses to recall anything to help it make sense.
‘Come on, Anna. This is important. Think.’
