Page 1 of Slaying for Santa
CHAPTER 1
BELL
I jerk forwardin my seat as the driver hits the brakes to see flashing blue lights up ahead.
“Uhhh, Miss. I think the police are at your destination.” The driver’s eyes flick up to his rearview mirror to lock with mine.
I just nod as the newsreader on the radio speaks of another victim being found in a Melbourne hotel room, pinning it on the serial killer they have dubbed,The Seduction Slayer.
Jesus, could they think of something with a bit more creative flair?
“I’ll get out here,” I state, unclipping my seatbelt and opening the door.
The driver rushes out too, popping the boot and retrieving my suitcase for me, standing it on the path.
“Have a good day. Enjoy your Christmas in Sydney.” He smiles, and after enduring the crappy budget flight from Melbourne to Sydney, all I can manage is another nod.
And there it is. The frown.
I could tell him I’m smiling on the inside, but I think that willjust confuse him more. People don’t tend to understand people like me.
I’m too blunt. Too emotionless. Too honest. Too scary.
I actually don’t mind that last one.
They should be scared.
The driver hurries back around his car, slipping in, and I glance up the road to the flashing lights.
Not exactly the welcoming I was expecting, but hey, I’m supercurious now.
As the share car speeds off the way we came, I slowly approach the house I’m meant to be spending Christmas in.
“Get off me!” a woman screeches, and other voices start yelling.
I can’t see past the huge hedge that lines the boundary, but my ears pick up sounds of a scuffle. A grunt, and then feet running.
As I move in closer, I pop my head around the hedge to see a police officer chasing after a dark-haired woman as she runs around the back of the house.
Fucking hell. What am I about to walk into?
Taking out my phone, I ignore the rideshare notification asking me to leave a review, and open up my message thread with Tillie. If she’s inside and there’s some sort of drug raid happening, she should have at least given me a heads up.
I might be clean now, but one search on my name, and the cops will assume I’m tied up with whatever is going on in that house, given my long rap sheet of drug-related charges.
I frown when my eyes land on a message from Till that has nothing to do with why the police are here.
Sorry, Bell. Still in Germany. Blizzard has grounded flights and shut down the airports. We are bloody snowed in! Can you believe it? Dale is pissy as hell and driving me up the wall. I won’t be home for a few more days, but Kit is expecting you. Give Libi a million hugs for me!!!
Great! How didn’t I see this message earlier? It’s time stamped six hours ago.
I haven’t seen my best friend for a few months since she’s been travelling. I only agreed to come here for Christmas so I could spend some extra time with her.
“Ouch, Mummy! You’re hurting me!”
The high-pitched screech of a little girl has my head snapping back towards the house to see the mane of black hair that was fleeing from the officer before, rushing down the front steps, her hand fisted around the thin wrist of a beautiful little girl.
Libi.
