“You’ve not mentioned this before,” said Debbie, when Karen finally paused for breath. “Has something happened recently to make you realise all this?”
“I’ve realised, recently, that I don’t have to be stuck with Pete for the rest of my life,” replied Karen. “I know I always make out that things are fine, that I’m happy, but I’m not. The kids are growing up, and it’s time to put myself first and find a new partner.”
“Umm, it sounds like you have someone in mind?”
“I don’t know. Maybe,” replied Karen with a wave of her hand. She looked away and took another gulp of wine.
Debbie looked at her friend and sighed. “Can I talk to you about something else?” she ventured and Karen nodded in return. “I’ve been thinking more about you know what.”
“What, the evidence you’ve rifled through and hidden in your house?”
“About everything. About Jan and Cait, about what ‘Princesses’ might be, and which colleague they suspected. I’ve got a theory.”
“Go on then, you’re going to tell me one way or another, aren’t you?” replied Karen with a roll of her eyes.
“OK, so I think someone at work is running a side business. Something dodgy that makes money. It could be selling drugs or something like that. Anyway, ‘Princesses’ is the name of the business and this person gets vulnerable people from the supermarket involved in it somehow.”
Karen raised her eyebrows and shook her head as she pulled her phone out from her bag.
“That’s not all,” continued Debbie. “What if Jan and Cait found out about it, and they were going to report it. So, this person silences them.”
Karen started typing a message on her phone, but Debbie pressed on.
“And they take Cait’s phone, to check nothing is incriminating them. Once it’s all clear, they put it in her bag in a random locker at work.”
“You think it’s Renee, don’t you?” guessed Karen as she looked up from her phone.
“Yes, I do. Think about the cat.”
“If she’d taken the phone and checked it, she’d have deleted the message you’re obsessing over,” argued Karen. “And as if she’d walk into the store with the bag after the murders, it’s so risky.”
“Sounds just like her. Anyway, Marie’s involved too, it must be how she’s getting all that money.”
“Mardie! Come on now, she’s hardly a criminal mastermind.”
“And I suppose Kevin’s involved or caught up in it too. Why else would he give Renee money?”
“Debbie, that is mad.”
Karen was still typing away on her phone, to Debbie’s growing annoyance.
“I don’t think so, Karen.” Debbie raised her voice to get her friend’s attention. “Jan’s message said they needed the final bit of proof to go to the police and protect people, and I’m going to find it. I’m going to finish what they started.”
Karen, engrossed in her phone and message, didn’t respond.
“Who are you texting?” asked Debbie, and she leaned over to peer at Karen’s screen. “Who’s Steph?”
Karen jerked her phone away from Debbie’s gaze.
“No-one,” she held her phone tight to her chest. “Now I’m sorry Deb, but whatever plan you have, I don’t want any part of it. I think you should drop it and move on.”
Debbie turned away from her best friend and sat back in her chair. She couldn’t believe how disinterested Karen was. After all, Janice and Caitlin had been her friends, too. But it was like she’d forgotten about them already. She was more preoccupied with her marital dramas and messaging ‘Steph,’ whoever that was.
Karen typed in silence, oblivious to Debbie’s moody glances, until Joe, Pete and the kids returned. They ate their fish and chips, as grey clouds started to gather above them. Debbie caught Joe’s questioning eyes a few times but shook her head in return.
After an hour, the clouds darkened and the wind picked up. Debbie had the excuse she needed to propose an early end to the day. No-one objected, so they all gathered their bags and walked silently back to the car park.
“Well, sorry again for being late,” said Debbie sheepishly, as they reached Pete’s car. “I’ll see you at the party on Sunday though, right?”
“What party is this?” asked Pete, looking from Karen to Debbie and back again. Karen rolled her eyes, and Debbie realised she’d put her foot in it.
“It’s the supermarket staff party, Pete,” said Karen. “I told you about it ages ago.”
“First I’ve heard of it,” retorted Pete, as he slammed the boot down.
“I wouldn’t worry Pete,” said Joe. “I’ve been a few times, but this year I’m avoiding it and you should do the same. It’s messy.”
“I’m not worried about going,” replied Pete. “I’d just like to see my wife for an evening at some point.”
Debbie smiled weakly and steered Marco and Abbie away from Pete’s car, and gestured at Joe to follow them. The last thing they heard as they walked away was Karen shouting, ‘Just get in the effing car, Pete!’
“Wow,” said Joe, looking at Debbie as he started the ignition. “Did something happen with Karen while we were gone?”
“We had a little disagreement, yes. Karen wasn’t interested in my theory about, you know, Jan and Cait. Said I should move on.”
“Well, she might have a point, love,” he replied. “But I know it’s hard. They were your friends.”
“They were hers too, though,” Debbie pointed out. She looked out of the window and watched the rainfall over the beach. “I want to do right by them, why doesn’t she?”
“I know love, but Karen seems like she’s got a lot on her plate.”
“She might divorce Pete.”
“Wouldn’t blame her,” smiled Joe, “I bet she’d prefer someone who takes a long time to get ready.”
Debbie smiled and pushed him gently on the shoulder as they joined the motorway and headed north towards home.
12: Old Killer Karen
Saturday 20th October 2018 - Marie
“Caught!” Renee’s husky voice sounded over the top of the Supervisor’s desk, and her face beamed down at Marie. “Talk about slacking, Marie!”
“I’ve been working!” replied Marie as she hauled herself up from the floor. She’d perched down there to take some painkillers, after a sudden rush of customers.
“Yeah, yeah,” smiled Renee as she adjusted the staff schedule. She chewed on the end of her multi-coloured pen, leaving bright red lipstick marks around the top. Her hair was loose, which Gillian didn’t usually allow, and it shimmered brown and gold in the bright supermarket lights.
“Oh, at last!” muttered Marie. Karen had appeared from one of the aisles and was strolling towards the supervisor desk.
“Karen!” exclaimed Renee, wiping her forehead dramatically. “We were about to send out a search party for you.”
Marie giggled at the sight of Karen’s narrowed eyes and frown.
“I was taking my tea break. I’m sure you both coped without me,” grumbled Karen. She’d been miserable all morning and no help to anyone.
“Well, we’ve seen off the rush now,” said Marie, as Karen looked over Renee’s amendments to the schedule.
“So,” added Renee, “If you don’t mind, Marie and I will go on a break together now. I’m sure you can hold the fort now it’s quietened down, and I’ve fixed the schedule.”
Marie had some misgivings about leaving the department in the hands of Karen. But then, Gillian wasn’t around to check-up on them, and she loved taking her breaks with Renee. She grinned at Karen and strolled away from the desk, after Renee.
“So then,” whispered Renee mischievously, as they sat down in a private booth in the canteen. “What’s the big deal with the party tomorrow? Is it fun or tragic?”
Marie shifted in her seat. In truth, she always found the annual party to be an uncomfortable and awkward affair. But she didn’t want to put Renee off from going with her.
/> “Well, everyone goes. Even Dawn went last year. There’s a free bar, and often there are rows, and people kissing each other on the dance floor by the end of the night. I sit and watch it unfold.”
“That sounds brilliant,” grinned Renee. “You know I love a bit of drama.”
“Of course, it might be a bit different this year, after, you know, what’s happened.”
“Of course,” mused Renee, as she ripped up a croissant. “Especially as there have been no arrests, and the police are still talking to people here. You know what that means, right?”
There was a silent pause as Marie tried to work it out, and Renee rolled her eyes.
“Well they think it’s someone here, don’t they?” whispered Renee, between bites of her croissant.
“I know it’s mad, but they must have a reason for thinking that, right? Has anyone said anything about it to you?”
“Not really,” replied Marie, and she saw some disappointment in Renee’s eyes. She urged herself to say something interesting. “I do have some suspicions myself.”
“Go on,” urged Renee, her eyes widening.
“Do you think Karen has been acting suspiciously lately? I know she’s always been rubbish at her job, but at least she used to try. Now, she’s always late, she disappears all the time and her mood is up and down. One minute she seems happy, then miserable the next.”
“True,” said Renee, as she spooned yoghurt into her mouth. “But what’s her motive?”
“I don’t know, maybe Janice and Caitlin found out something about her. Do you remember how the two of them froze out Debbie and Karen towards the end? Why?”
“I tell you what Marie, why don’t we have a little fun this afternoon,” suggested Renee with a grin.
“Let’s ask around and find out what the police have been saying to people and see if anyone has the same suspicions as you.”
It sounded like a terrible idea to Marie, as it involved her making conversation. But under Renee’s excited gaze, she replied, “OK then.”
“Marvellous! What a way to spice up a Saturday afternoon!” Renee jumped up from her chair, prompting Marie to do the same.
“Cigarette before we go back down?” asked Marie, as she removed a new pack from her fleece pocket.
“Oh, not now, thanks,” replied Renee. “One of us had better go and check on old killer Karen, make sure she hasn’t dumped Edith behind the chiller!”
“Renee!” Marie shook her head as Renee strolled back towards the shop floor, laughing to herself.
That afternoon, Renee floated around talking to customers and staff in hushed whispers. When Karen was present, she cast furtive glances at Renee and tried to listen in on her conversations. Marie wondered, ominously, whether Karen had some inkling about the subject matter.
As awkward as she found small talk, Marie didn’t want to let Renee down. She took a quiet moment to prepare herself for it. Edith shuffled towards her, pushing a stack of baskets.
“Hi Edith,” began Marie, and she tried to force a smile.
“Marie,” replied Edith in her low croak. “Don’t ask me to do anything else, Renee’s just told me to do the baskets.”
“Oh, no I won’t, I thought I’d see how you were.”
“I’m fine. Now tell me what you really want to talk about,” replied Edith shrewdly.
Marie sighed; how did Renee find this so easy?
“Well, I wondered whether you’d spoken to the police yet. I’ve noticed they’ve been around a lot. Do you think they suspect someone?” The words tumbled out of Marie’s mouth.
“Well, as you’ve asked, I have spoken to the police, yes,” beamed Edith. “I’m helping them out a bit if you must know. Because unlike some, I am not a suspect.”
“Helping them how?” asked Marie.
“They want to know the inside track, of course, on who hates who, who’s screwing who, who might be capable of murder etcetera. So, you better not get on the wrong side of me,” finished Edith with a cackle, that turned into a cough.
“Interesting,” nodded Marie, “and have you given them any serious leads yet?”
“Couldn’t say,” replied Edith, with a wide grin that exposed her stained teeth. “Only things I’ve noticed. Like certain people acting strangely, and secrets I’ve discovered. You supervisors don’t know it all, you know, even among yourselves.”
“Right,” continued Marie, “and this secret you discovered. Wouldn’t happen to be about a lanky, blonde, stuck-up supervisor, would it?”
Edith took a deep breath and looked over Marie’s shoulder with a grimace. Marie turned to follow Edith’s gaze.
“Talking about someone?” Karen’s voice had a discernible edge to it, and her hands had curled into fists.
Marie closed her eyes and willed the ground to swallow her up. She looked up at Karen and tried to arrange her features into an apologetic glance.
“What’s that smirk for, Marie?” demanded Karen, shaking with rage. “You and Renee always complain about me gossiping, yet here you are bitching about me on shift.”
Karen grabbed Marie’s arm and pulled her away from Edith.
“And how dare you suggest that I had anything to do with what happened to Janice and Caitlin! They were my friends.”
Marie wrenched her arm free and stared back at Karen. Months of tension and conflict were bubbling to the surface.
“If you don’t want people to be suspicious, Karen, then stop behaving so weirdly. You always get here late, disappear, get cross at the smallest things.”
“None of that gives you the right to call me a murderer,” Karen raised her voice. “You know Marie; some people have actual lives outside of here. Husbands and children that cause stresses that you wouldn’t know anything about.”
Marie flushed, but she held Karen’s gaze.
“If I ever catch you talking about me like that again,” warned Karen. She took a step closer to Marie and looked down at her.
“You’ll what?” asked Renee, who had run across the department to join the fray.
Karen stared at Renee for a few seconds and then, to Marie’s relief, she stormed off without saying another word.
“Oops!” snorted Renee, once Marie had given her the lowdown.
Marie avoided Karen for the rest of the afternoon and decided against talking to anyone else about her suspicions. Just before 5 pm, Gillian arrived to cover the evening shift. Marie approached her at the Supervisor’s desk, where she was deep in conversation with the Store Manager, Steve.
“Not like you to work Saturday evening,” Marie said to Gillian, as she handed over the Manager’s keys to her boss.
“I suppose not, but I’d rather keep an eye on Jade and Ethan for their first few Saturday nights,” Gillian replied in a smug tone, with a glance at Steve. Perhaps she’s hoping for a gold star, thought Marie.
“What happened today, with Karen?” asked Steve, before Marie could walk away.
“What do you mean?” replied Gillian, as her beady eyes swivelled between Marie and Steve.
“Karen seemed upset. She said she’d had a row with Marie on the shop floor. I’m sure they’ll sort it out though,” he added with a wave of his hand.
“Oh, they will,” replied Gillian, with a stern look towards Marie.
Marie could think of nothing to say, so she turned away from her two bosses and trudged towards the staff area.
As she entered the staff area, she saw Renee talking to someone by the storeroom. Renee held out her hand, indicating that Marie should stop and wait.
“Are you sure you’re OK?” asked Renee. “You’re looking worn out, and I’m worried about you.”
Marie shuffled forwards to hear the response.
“I’m OK,” muttered Jade. “I’ve got a lot on with my Mum, you know. My Dad is in trouble too.”
“I heard. But Jack will bounce back, with all those businesses. His name means something in New Grange. Now, what about Ethan?”
“Oh, he hasn
’t bothered me since the meeting, I think he’s got the message. Anyway, I’d better go and start my shift. Thanks for the chat though.”
Jade emerged from the storeroom and walked past Marie with a weak smile.
“Sweet of you to check in with her,” commented Marie as they walked up the stairs to the staff area.
“She’s a good girl from a bad family, same as me,” replied Renee. “I want to make sure she’s OK.”
“I kept an eye on Ethan as you asked,” said Marie, as she quickened her pace to keep up with Renee.
“The other night, he followed Louisa to the staff area after her shift, and then he kept trying to talk to Stacy. I think he asked her out.”
“Interesting. Well, we had better keep a close eye on him for the foreseeable. Starting with the party tomorrow,” replied Renee. She grabbed her coat and bag from her locker and checked her phone.
“Fancy a quick drink at the pub?” asked Marie, hopefully.
“Sorry, Marie, I can’t tonight,” whispered Renee with a smile.
“Oh, OK, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
Marie watched Renee’s expression soften as she scrolled through messages. Marie could guess who they were from. As much as Renee didn’t like to admit it, her feelings for Kevin were obvious. Marie wondered what on earth would happen to the team when he finally left Gillian for Renee.
“Tomorrow,” said Renee, breaking Marie’s chain of thought. “The party. Yes, of course, I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Oh, great,” replied Marie, as she left the store, finally with a smile on her face.
13: Party Time
Sunday 21st October 2018 - Renee
Renee stood in front of her full-length mirror, admiring her outfit. She twirled her hair and hummed to herself, as she thought about the night ahead. She wore fitted, ankle-length dark trousers, stiletto heels, and a V-neck pastel-shade cashmere jumper. It hung from her shoulders and chest and clung to her waist. Her hair was poker straight, and her make-up carefully done. Her eyeshadow was slightly more dramatic and her lips looked a little fuller than usual.
Killer Princesses: Gripping and gritty, a twisty and tantalising thriller... Page 9