Journeyman

by Heather Atkinson

  While everyone else went upstairs One Eye headed into his room on the ground floor. He slumped onto the bed to undress, feeling like a tired old man. Yes he’d killed Silas but Kurt would come for him. He hadn’t ended this stupid feud at all, he’d only exacerbated it because Kurt was even more dangerous than his younger brother. He was growing so weary of all the fighting.

  He looked down at his hands as they started to shake again, his useless hands that could barely hold a weapon anymore. They’d let him down tonight. Thank God for his children.

  Usually he was very particular about hanging up his clothes but he was so tired he simply dumped them on the chair, pulled on his pyjamas and climbed into bed. He turned out the light and lay there, fighting sleep.

  It wasn’t yet time to rest.

  A killer was coming for him.

  Again.

  It was just after one o’clock in the morning when One Eye’s bedroom door slowly swung open. He was ashamed that he’d actually drifted off, it made him feel old. Fortunately he’d woken up twenty minutes ago, so he was alert when the killer made their move.

  “Hello Helen,” he smiled as she padded in.

  The figure came to a halt. “How did you know it was me?”

  “After the announcement I made, only the killer would have concentrated more on me than Luke while he was telling his goat story.”

  “Clever Nik but then that’s you all over.”

  “I still don’t know why though. I mean, obviously Frederick took incriminating photos of you and tried to blackmail you. I realised all those wildlife photos he’d taken were from earlier in the year. The shadows and lighting were all wrong. I even suspect some of his pictures were taken by other people. Instead of photographing local wildlife he was creeping about the village, spying. A couple of times I saw him leave the B&B in the middle of the night, off on another of his reconnaissance missions.”

  “Right again Nik,” she said, her voice a flat monotone. “He was like a locust, going from place to place, seeing what he could drain out of the locals before moving on. If he hadn’t been stopped he would have kept on doing it.”

  One Eye glimpsed a flash of silver in the light cast from the hallway. The blade she held looked sharp and nasty. “Is that what you used to kill Bess and Frederick?”

  “Yes,” she replied in that strange tone so unlike her usual way of speaking. “It just sank into their flesh like it was butter. It was so very easy.”

  “Bess was asleep and Frederick had his back turned to you. I won’t be such an easy prospect.”

  “You’re obviously strong but you’re a middle-aged man with a bad ankle. You won’t be too much trouble.”

  “There’s half a dozen people right above our heads. If I shout they’ll come running.”

  “I don’t think so. I spiked the hot chocolate I made for everyone when we came back from the pub.” Her breathing quickened and she gripped the knife tighter. “Shout and yell all you like, they won’t hear you.”

  “Then why aren’t I asleep right now?”

  “Because I want you to be aware of what’s happening. Bess was asleep, Frederick had no clue. I want to look into someone’s eyes when they die. I need more now.”

  “You’re a complete psychopath, aren’t you?”

  “I’ve always known I was different, right from being a little girl.” Her lip curled with disgust. “Everyone else seemed so stupid, so weak. Obsessed with their precious little village, unable to see there was life outside it. So many times I begged Mum and Dad to move back to the mainland but they wouldn’t, they were too wrapped up in their precious B&B. So short-sighted it was pathetic. I always said that as soon as I could I’d leave here, go to Aberdeen or Inverness, somewhere with a bit of life.”

  “I live in a city and trust me Helen, they’re not all they’re cracked up to be. Constant noise and people.”

  “I wanted to find out for myself but they wouldn’t let me. Then, when I was old enough to move away they guilt-tripped me into staying, saying they couldn’t run the place without me as they couldn’t afford to employ someone.”

  “Come now Helen, I’m quite sure you’ve never felt a moment’s guilt in your life.”

  “You’re right there,” she said, dark eyes vacant and glassy. “The bloody place could have burnt down with them in it and I wouldn’t have given a shit. So many times I thought about starting a fire while they were asleep and letting them burn…”

  She trailed off as she lost herself in this fantasy. One Eye thought she made Silas look positively sane. His wild rage he could deal with but this young woman was intensely creepy. “So how did Bess offend you?”

  “Nothing really. She just drew the short straw. Literally.”

  “Enlighten me.”

  “I wanted to know what taking a life felt like. I’d read about it so many times in books, watched lots of documentaries. For a while killing the small animals my parents thought I’d rescued was enough but soon the urge got too strong. I had to try it with a human and she was the easiest target. She got pissed most nights so I knew it wouldn’t be any trouble. I helped Arthur out in the shop when Bess was on holiday. They didn’t give me my own key but I got one cut. Arthur’s a lazy bastard and would usually skive off, leaving me with time to get spares cut not only to the shop but to Bess’s flat too. I was a little disappointed actually that it was so easy. Perhaps I should have gone for Duncan instead? He might have proved more of a challenge.”

  “That’s what you get for attacking someone in a drunken stupor.”

  “Frederick was more entertaining. He didn’t even know I was there,” she said with a humourless chuckle. “He showed me the photos he’d taken of me exiting the back of Bess’s shop that night. He wanted to meet up away from here, so no one would overhear.”

  “What did he want? I mean, you’re not a rich family.”

  “He wanted what any pervert would want. Sex.”

  “Really? I thought he got all his kicks from watching the local wildlife.”

  “No you don’t. You know he was a peeping Tom and it seemed the only way he could get a woman was by blackmailing her into sleeping with him. That’s what he did to his female victims who didn’t have the cash to pay. Like I was going to do that.”

  One Eye suddenly found himself feeling a lot less sympathetic towards Frederick. He could have taken his photos to the police and this woman would be in custody now and not standing in his bedroom holding a knife. In his opinion, Frederick had deserved everything he got. “But you were here when Frederick was murdered.”

  Her eyes twinkled. “Was I?”

  He decided to leave that for now. “You saw the perfect opportunity to commence your grand plan when you stumbled across me lying injured in the middle of the road.”

  “Of course. Everyone was bound to blame the stranger in the village with no memory of where he’d come from. It was a fun experiment, watching their reactions to you.” All expression dropped from her face. “But now the fun’s over. Give me the proof you have against me.”

  “There isn’t any. It was just a lie to get you all riled up.”

  Anger sparked through her, lighting up her eyes with a maniacal rage. “A fucking lie,” she snarled, gripping the knife tighter.

  “Oh yes. I only realised it was you because the night Bess died was the same night your mother came into my room. When she opened the door you were standing there in a dressing gown holding a glass of water. Looking back on it I realised you had trainers on your feet, not slippers. It didn’t register at the time as I was too busy trying to get rid of your mother. Fortunately I have an excellent memory. I’m guessing you kept your pyjamas and dressing gown on under your coat so you could make a quick change when you got back here in case anyone was up. After all, the sleeping habits of strangers are unpredictable. When you returned you heard your mother and I talking. The glass of water you fetched from the kitchen was a cover, a reason for you to be downstairs but you didn’t have time to remo
ve your shoes.”

  “That’s it?” she exclaimed when he went silent.

  He nodded. “If you hadn’t come here armed with a knife I would have had nothing on you. You would have got away with it.”

  “I still will,” she hissed, marching into the room and closing the door behind her. “I’m going to fucking kill you. I’ll leave the window open so it looked like an intruder snuck in that way. Then I’ll drink the sedative I gave the others. I made sure to choose one that will show up in the bloodstream. It’ll show in mine and the police will know I couldn’t possibly be responsible.”

  “Tell me before you do away with me, does Simon know about all this?”

  She snorted. “Of course. He’s willing to do anything I say. He’s pretty to look at but thick as a brick and easy to control.”

  “So it’s not love then?”

  “What do you think?”

  An idea occurred to One Eye but he needed to think it over and now wasn’t the time. “You seemed jealous when he was eyeing up Raven,” he said instead.

  “Because he’s mine,” she spat. “No one else’s. Mine.”

  One Eye decided not to even attempt to reason with her. She was completely unhinged.

  “Enough questions,” she said, raising the knife above her head. “Now it’s time for you to join Bess and Frederick.”

  “I don’t think so,” he smiled, looking expectantly at the door.

  Helen’s grin was macabre. “Expecting someone? One of your friends, or your precious daughter? Well she won’t be bothering anyone again.”

  Anger punched through One Eye like a fist. Helen staggered back, startled when he leapt out of bed, grasped her by the throat and slammed her back against the door, knocking the knife from her hand. “What the fuck have you done to her you mad bitch?” he bellowed in her face.

  It was so at odds with how he usually behaved Helen was thrown, her mouth opening and closing, eyes wide. He was allowing her to see the very lethal individual who dwelt beneath the debonair exterior.

  There was a knock at the door. “One Eye, it’s me.”

  “Raven,” he breathed with relief.

  He yanked Helen away from the door and pulled it open to reveal Raven and Aidan. “Thank God,” he said.

  Raven glanced at Helen struggling in his grip. “Looks like you’ve got everything under control here.”

  “I do. It was no problem after all.”

  Helen coolly looked from one to the other, her body relaxing. Satisfied she had herself under control, One Eye released her.

  “Dad,” screamed Helen, managing to inject a lot of fear into her voice. “Dad, help me, please.”

  “I thought you’d drugged him,” said One Eye flatly.

  “Obviously you switched the pot containing the drugged hot chocolate.” She glared at Raven. “I know it was you, you bitch.”

  “Actually that was me while Raven distracted you by knocking over the sugar pot,” said Aidan before yawning, bored by events. The only thing he was interested in was being in bed with his wife.

  “Dad,” Helen screamed again. “Help. Help.”

  “He probably can’t tear himself away from Saskia,” said Raven.

  Helen smiled triumphantly when there was the thump of footsteps from above. “Dad,” she wailed.

  “I’m coming baby girl,” called Alan’s voice.

  A minute later he tore into the room, skinny body wrapped in a dressing gown, large feet bare. He was followed by Saskia in a pure white wool dressing gown, Cherie and Luke hot on their heels. The latter was covered in Cherie’s lipstick, his flaming hair sticking up.

  “What on earth is going on?” demanded Alan, pushing his way into the room.

  “It was horrible Dad,” wept Helen, doing a very good job of displaying emotion. “N…Nik attacked me. He’s crazy. He tried to rape me.”

  “I beg your pardon?” frowned One Eye.

  Alan embraced his daughter, holding her close as he rounded on One Eye. “You dirty bastard. Get the fuck out of my house right now. I’m going straight to the police.”

  One Eye opened his mouth to object but before he could speak Cherie slapped him across the face.

  “Ooh,” chuckled Luke, grinning at the sight of his reddening cheek.

  “Oy,” said Saskia, dragging Cherie towards her by the front of her dressing gown. “I pull your arms off. No one hits Nik.”

  “Luke get her off me,” cried Cherie, struggling in her grip.

  “Why? It’s so very amusing,” he smiled, leaning against the doorframe.

  “I thought I was special to you.”

  “Why on earth would you think that?”

  Her lower lip wobbled. “The lot of you are sick, rotten,” she yelled. “I’m calling the police.”

  “You’re going nowhere,” said Saskia, maintaining her grip on her.

  “If everyone would just calm down,” said One Eye. “I didn’t attack anyone and I can prove it.”

  “A likely story,” said Alan. He looked down at his sobbing daughter. “It’s alright sweetheart, you don’t need to be afraid anymore. I’ll make sure he goes to prison for what he tried to do.”

  “I was so scared,” she breathed, gripping onto him. “He grabbed me by the throat, I bet I’ve got bruises.”

  Alan peered at her neck when she tilted back her head. “Yes, there is a small bruise.” He glared at One Eye. “You animal.”

  “This is all lies.”

  “He’s the liar,” sobbed Helen. “He hurt me.”

  “It must have been so awful,” he soothed, stroking her hair. “Daddy’s here now, no need to be afraid.”

  Helen cast One Eye a smirk from beneath her father’s arm.

  “Let me tell you that girl is afraid of nothing,” said One Eye. “She doesn’t feel the emotion. In fact she doesn’t feel any emotion except self obsession and narcissism.”

  “Don’t add insult to injury,” yelled Alan. “After all the kindness and hospitality we’ve shown you this is how you repay us. Cherie, call the police.”

  “I don’t think so,” said Saskia, maintaining a grip on her.

  “I can prove I didn’t attack Helen,” said One Eye. “In fact, I can prove she came in here to kill me.”

  “Oh that really is pathetic,” spat Alan. “Not only do you attack a young girl you try to put the blame on her…”

  “Raven, if you wouldn’t mind,” said One Eye.

  She stepped past him into the room and pulled out a chair. They all watched as she stood on the chair to fiddle on top of the wardrobe before climbing down.

  “What’s that?” said Alan, nodding at the tiny black device she held in her hand.

  “A camera,” said Raven.

  Helen went rigid and looked to One Eye. He was gratified that she actually looked worried.

  “It’s very small,” said Alan doubtfully.

  “That’s life,” said Aidan, yawning again.

  “Everything that camera recorded was sent to my phone,” said One Eye, producing it from the drawer in the bedside cabinet. “Here’s the truth about your daughter.”

  He held the phone out for them to see.

  “Oh my God,” gasped Cherie when Helen appeared on screen holding a knife, her face clearly illuminated by the hallway light. They all listened with mounting horror as Helen described what she’d done to Bess and Frederick. As he watched, Alan slowly relinquished his grip on his daughter and unconsciously shifted himself away from her, appalled. One Eye ensured he stopped the footage before it showed him leaping out of bed and pinning Helen up against the wall by the throat.

  When it had finished the only thing that kept Cherie upright was Saskia, who was still gripping onto her.

  “My God,” said a white-faced Alan, turning to his daughter. “You killed two people.”

  “What is wrong with you?” cried Cherie, tears coursing down her face. “How could you do that?”

  The coldness returned to Helen’s eyes. She folded her arms
across her chest and shrugged. “It was easy, ridiculously easy in fact. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

  “You don’t see what the big deal is?” spluttered Alan. “Are you completely insane?”

  “Looks like it,” said Aidan.

  “I’d better call that detective,” said Alan sadly, tramping out of the room, head bowed.

  CHAPTER 30

  “Oh God. My daughter, the murderess,” wailed Cherie, tearing herself free from Saskia and running to Luke, throwing her arms around his neck and sobbing on his shoulder. “Oh the shame.”

  “I bet you’re just loving all this, aren’t you Mum?” sneered Helen. “Another drama for you to take centre stage in. That’s all you care about.”

  Cherie raised her head, make-up streaked down her face. “That is not true.”

  “Yes it is. All my life I’ve had to put up with you embarrassing and humiliating me, your horrible rows with dad until one day I came up with the perfect solution - I couldn’t be embarrassed or humiliated if I didn’t feel any emotion. So I stuffed it deep down inside myself until all the pain went away.”

  “Along with everything else,” said One Eye. “All the joy and happiness and love.”

  “That sounded a bit daytime soap opera Nik but yes, those feelings too. At least I don’t feel the bad stuff anymore.”

  Cherie regarded her daughter with huge, scared eyes. “Who the hell are you? I don’t know anymore.”

  “You never did.”

  Cherie held her daughter’s gaze for a few seconds before bursting into tears again and clutching onto Luke’s front.

  “Err, a little help here,” he said.

  “Don’t look at me,” said Aidan, folding his arms and leaning against the doorframe. “I just want to go back to bed with my wife.”

  “That’s all you ever think about,” he retorted.

  Alan tramped back into the room looking ten years older. “I called Connell. He’s on his way with Campbell.”

  “This is a big misunderstanding,” said Helen. “It’ll all be straightened out, you’ll see. Then I’ll be able to come home.”

  Cherie took a step back further from her daughter when she flashed her a bizarre grin.