Prince Charming (Behind the Screen, #1)

by Iris Deorre

  ‘I’ll send you for an x-ray, see what’s going on.’

  The man’s file was given to the nurse and they left for x-rays. The day didn’t get better, from children with mild coughs, to open wounds and everything in between. As always it was busy. Later that afternoon Harmony had surgery.

  ****

  He was up at the crack of dawn. He carried a tray into the first bedroom. Rose was still asleep.

  ‘Wakie wakie.’

  She opened her eyes and gazed at the man in the black dressing gown with a tray in his hand.

  ‘Breakfast.’

  ‘I’m not hungry.’

  ‘You have to eat. I need you alive, not dead.’ He sat down.

  ‘I don’t want to eat.’

  ‘This isn’t a request, it’s an order.’ He picked up the spoon that was in a bowl full of oats. ‘You will eat.’

  Rose had gone past caring. If she were to die, so be it, but she wouldn’t let him force her to do something she didn’t feel like doing.

  ‘Things didn’t go to plan as you may have noticed. The third piece to my painting is a little difficult. Not like most girls I date. She’s stronger, tougher, which makes her more attractive. It’s strange she’s a receptionist.’ He spoke more to himself. ‘Anyway, perhaps Thursday things will change. If they do, well, it’s progress.’

  He held the spoon out towards Rose’s mouth so she could eat, she looked away.

  ‘Eat!’

  ‘I’m not hungry, and you can’t make me!’

  ‘Eat!’ He pushed.

  She kept her face away from the spoon. He put down the tray and with his free hand grasped her chin, pushed his index and thumb to force her mouth open and tried to force the spoon into her mouth. Like a toddler, Rose gritted her teeth.

  ‘Eat god dam it!’ He hit against her teeth, but she wouldn’t let up.

  Anger rose, without thought he slapped her across the face. That snapped her out of the tantrum quick. Rose burst into tears and as soon as her mouth opened, he pushed the porridge down her throat.

  The bowl was clear in a few minutes. Rose felt sick to the stomach, but kept the porridge down. The orange juice helped wash it down.

  ‘You need a shower,’ he said a matter of fact.

  He disappeared into the on-suite, the sound of water travelled through the room. Rose lay afraid of what might come next. He walked back into the room. Fiddled for the key in the gown pocket and unlocked Rose from the chains. But that was short lived.

  ‘Hands forward.’

  She put her hands forward and he handcuffed them, and then led her to the bathroom.

  Rose stepped into the shower. The warm water felt good. He slid the door shut.

  ‘Sort yourself out. Shout me when you’re done.’

  ‘How am I supposed to do that with these on?’

  ‘You’ll figure something out.’

  She leaned into the wall and cried silently. Rose wanted to go home.

  ‘I’m not a fool you know. This is the best way.’

  Rose did the best she could to get clean with limited use of her hands.

  ‘I’m done,’ she called ten minutes later.

  The door slid open and he stood with a towel in his arms. He wrapped it around her and let her walk back into the room.

  ‘Here, put this on for now.’

  Rose took the dressing gown.

  ‘Don’t try anything silly.’ He took off the handcuffs a moment, she slipped on the gown. It felt nice to be clothed. ‘Get back in bed.’

  ‘Please don’t tie me up, I promise I won’t do anything stupid.’

  He laughed. ‘I’m sure you won’t, but I can’t take any chances.’

  The same treatment happened with Zara. Zara was a more willing participant. Eating the oats without a fuss and taking a shower. It was easy and fast. By eight o’clock he was ready to face his world.

  ‘Soon,’ he told himself. ‘My painting will be complete.’

  Misty was at the gallery to greet him. They were preparing for a showing soon and so it was busy. It took his mind off Harmony, but only just. The more desperate he wanted the picture complete, the more annoyed he became. But Thursday was around the corner. Things could soon change.

  ****

  ‘Good morning, Derek. Looks like someone had a great date!’ said Yasmina.

  ‘Is it that obvious?’ He pulled off his jacket before sitting down in their office.

  ‘You’re glowing.’

  ‘Well, she’s a stunning woman, more so in person.’

  ‘Details.’

  ‘We started with drinks, and then extended the date and went out to eat.’

  ‘Sounds promising.’

  ‘Yes, we meet again on Friday. She has another date though.’

  ‘Oh, you’ve got competition.’

  ‘Yes, but I think I’ve got a good chance.’

  ‘Confidence. I like it.’

  They spoke a few more minutes. A file was handed to them and it took them away from the conversation. It was back to work.

  ‘Hmmm, another girl missing,’ said Yasmina. ‘I think we’re looking for the same person.’

  He studied the picture of the woman. Zara was twenty six years old, Indian and a pharmacist.

  ‘Do you think the same person took these women?’

  ‘I think so. Two women missing in the space of...’ She looked up the date Zara was last seen. ‘Two weeks.’

  ‘What do we have here?’ He pulled more information from the file.

  Yasmina studied it with him. They went through the information they had on Rose and compared notes. Two hours later they gathered in the meeting room with the chief of police and other team members working on the case.

  ‘What do we have?’ asked the chief of police.

  ‘Both victims were on dating sites,’ said Derek.

  ‘Same sites?’

  ‘Yes, but Zara was on two dating sites, whereas Rose just the one.’

  ‘Do we think it’s the same man?’

  ‘We’ve looked at locations. Thought that maybe it was to do with that. Zara is from Huddersfield and Rose from Harrogate,’ said Yasmina.

  ‘Not too far apart. You’ve spoken to Rose’s parents?’

  ‘Yes, and a close friend too. Rose was last seen the day before her date.’

  ‘What about Zara, any more information on her?’

  ‘The report states she was last seen the night before the date,’ said Derek.

  ‘Hmmm.’

  ‘Looking at their photos, there is nothing similar about them, except that they’re beautiful women. Both have long hair, both are of medium height and slim,’ said Derek.

  ‘If this is the same guy, there has to be a pattern. Beauty? Career women?’

  ‘Zara is a pharmacist, Rose a sale assistant,’ said Yasmina.

  ‘Totally different careers. Anything that stands out?’

  ‘Rose has a butterfly tattoo on the left side of her stomach, but nothing that stands out. Nothing that stands out on Zara.’

  ‘Right. What about reports from the dating sites.’

  ‘Still being looked into,’ said Derek.

  ‘Great, we also need a record of every email conversation they had online.’

  ‘Yes, we should have it soon,’ said Yasmina.

  ‘We needed it sooner than soon!’

  ‘Yes sir, I’ll get right on it.’

  They spoke a little more, tried to pick up anymore common denominators. Finally it was time to get to work again, the group broke up and got straight back to work to find the man who had taken the women.

  ****

  ‘What are you doing here?’ Harmony asked her best friend Gareth.

  ‘James threw me out.’

  ‘He didn’t!’ She laughed and searched for the key.

  He stood up from the front steps with a case of Peroni.

  ‘You know I can’t drink tonight!’

  ‘These aren’t for you, there for me.’

 
‘Ha!’ she let him in. ‘Seriously, what are you doing here?’

  ‘Well, since you wouldn’t answer my calls, I took it upon myself to see you.’

  ‘Oh yes. I haven’t checked my phone in ages. It keeps pinging with messages. I just don’t have the energy to answer them back.’

  ‘Dating is going well for you then?’

  ‘Yes, it’s good.’ She walked into the kitchen and he followed.

  Gareth made himself at home. Pulled a beer from the pack, opened it and took a sip.

  ‘Do tell.’

  ‘Let’s order Chinese first,’ she said.

  The menu was on the fridge door.

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘What do you fancy? Should we go for our usual?’

  ‘Yes, sounds great.’

  Harmony ordered sweet and sour pork, chow mein and spring rolls. They moved to the living-room.

  ‘Come on.’ He pulled the footstool, sat down and picked up her feet. ‘Let me give those feet a massage.’

  Gareth was a massage therapist and gave a great foot massage. She leaned back into the sofa.

  ‘That feels great.’

  ‘Good. Now tell me about these dates.’

  She smiled. ‘Saturday’s date.’

  ‘Which one is that one?’

  ‘The art gallery owner.’

  ‘The tall blond with the green eyes.’

  ‘No that’s Derek the police guy. How many times must I tell you that?’

  ‘Oh I’m sorry. So he’s the tall dark with blue eyes?’

  ‘Yes, his name is Marcus.’

  ‘Nice. He sounds like the last guy you dated. What was his name?’

  ‘Oliver?’

  ‘Yes. What happened to him? One minute you were so in love the next he was out of your life.’

  She was quiet a while. He worked on her feet and it took her away from her thoughts for a moment.

  ‘He left me. One day he just walked out of my life.’

  ‘Just like that? I remember that, but you never said anything, you didn’t even shed a tear.’

  ‘You know me, I’m onto the next guy.’

  ‘I wish I had your balls.’

  ‘Ha. No you don’t, you’re happy without any.’ She laughed.

  ‘That’s true, James has the balls.’

  ‘So who do you like the most?’

  ‘You mean between the cop and the gallery owner?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Right now they’re both my favourites.’

  ‘Nah, you’ve got someone at the top.’

  ‘Well the second date will determine that.’

  ‘I look forward to the new man in your life.’

  ‘Don’t get ahead of yourself. Its early days.’

  He was just about to open his mouth when the doorbell rang.

  ‘That’s our food.’ He got up and headed for the front door.

  He grabbed some plates from the kitchen and soon they devoured the food.

  ‘How’s work?’ he asked.

  ‘Busy as usual.’

  ‘I don’t know how you work those long hours.’

  ‘It’s my job, you get used to it.’

  ‘I guess. So what do your new fellas think about you as a doctor.’

  She stopped mid chew. He waited.

  ‘Erm... impressed I guess.’

  ‘I bet they’re glad they met an intelligent woman like you.’

  ‘What I know is all they see is my face. What I do, doesn’t thrill them.’

  ‘You think?’

  ‘I know. Men love what they see, you could be an astronaut or just a receptionist, it wouldn’t make a difference. What they see, well, that’s a different story.’

  ‘Not all men.’

  ‘Speak for yourself. The men I meet, like what they see, and that’s about it. They pretend to show interest, it’s to get you to give over the goods.’

  ‘You’ve got a strange idea on what men want.’

  ‘Not really, just a realistic one.’

  ‘If that’s all they want, then why date them.’

  ‘Well that’s were I change it. I’ll keep them hanging on long enough, then when they least expect it, they’ll fall head over hills for me.’

  ‘I see. You have it all figured out.’

  ‘I do. And I love dating. It’s fun.’

  ‘Just be careful. I’ve heard some really horror stories about online dating.’

  ‘Oh don’t worry about me. I know what I’m doing.’

  ‘I guess so.’

  They moved from topic to topic and finally Gareth had to leave.

  ‘As always, it’s been wonderful,’ he said at the door.

  ‘Thank you for coming, even though you weren’t invited.’ She hugged him.

  ‘I don’t need a bloody invitation!’ He laughed.

  ‘True! And thank you so much for the massage.’

  ‘My pleasure.’

  She watched him as he walked away.

  Chapter Four

  Smoke and Mirrors

  They met at a fancy restaurant. Harmony insisted she make her own way there, even after Marcus had offered to pick her up. The waiter directed her to the reserved table. Marcus stood up, kissed her cheek and then pulled out the chair for her to sit.

  ‘It’s so good to see you again. I was counting down the days,’ he said.

  ‘It’s good to see you too.’

  ‘Can I get you a drink? Wine?’

  ‘Oh no, no wine today. I’ll have an apple juice.’

  ‘Okay, apple juice it is.’ He called for the waiter.

  He ordered a glass of red and an apple juice.

  ‘Good week so far?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes it’s been fine. Busy.’

  ‘A lot of ringing phones?’ He laughed.

  ‘You could say that. You? Busy week?’

  ‘Yes, I’m having a showing this weekend. Fancy coming?’

  Harmony knew she was on call on the weekend. ‘I’m sorry I can’t make it, maybe next time.’

  ‘Not to worry.’ He smiled.

  ‘So.’

  The waiter returned with the drinks. Marcus took a sip as did she.

  ‘Can I ask why you picked me?’ she asked.

  ‘Well.’ He sat back. ‘I found you interesting. And after your wink, how could I resist.’

  ‘Really? I winked to see if you’d be interested. There isn’t much interesting about me. My profile barely has anything on it.’

  ‘That was the fun part. The mystery about you.’

  ‘What did you think I did for a living the first time you saw me.’

  ‘I’m not sure.’

  ‘I didn’t put that on because I wanted to see if the men who wrote to me would at least ask.’

  ‘And I did. I past that test.’

  ‘Yes you did. Being a receptionist isn’t that great.’

  ‘Oh there’s nothing wrong with it.’

  ‘I just thought I’d be so much more, that’s all. Sometimes I feel embarrassed about it.’

  ‘Oh don’t be. There’s nothing wrong with your job.’

  ‘Maybe, but with time I will move on.’

  He nodded.

  ‘Do you know what you’d like to eat?’ he asked.

  She studied the menu. ‘I’m not sure, I’ve never been here before. What would you recommend?’

  ‘Do you fancy a starter?’

  ‘Not really. I think I’ll have a main and a dessert. Will you have a starter?’

  ‘I think I might. If you don’t mind.’

  ‘Why would I?’ she laughed.

  ‘I don’t like eating while the other person isn’t.’

  ‘Oh don’t mind me. I’m okay with it.’

  ‘Okay. I’ll go for the slow roasted tomato soup for a starter.’

  ‘That sounds nice.’

  ‘I’ll have the double breasted chicken breast with the rocket salad for main.’

  ‘Hmmm, that does sound delicious,’ she said.

  ‘
What do you like?’

  ‘I’m not fussy. I eat anything.’ Her eyes were drawn to the bottom of the menu. ‘I might try one of their specials.’

  He had a look at the specials. ‘Which one are you thinking?’

  ‘Porcini Risotto.’

  ‘Good choice.’

  ‘Yes, I think so.’

  He called for the waiter and placed the order. The conversation flowed from then. They laughed a lot, Marcus turned out to be a man with a great sense of humour. The humour put them both at ease. Later that evening they shared a board of cheese and grapes and ended the night with a cup of tea.

  ‘This was so much fun,’ she said finally.

  ‘Yes I enjoyed it too.’

  He walked her to the car. He leaned forward and their lips met. The kiss was soft and tender. It took her breath away, not how she’d expected. He pulled back.

  ‘Would you like to come over to mine for a drink?’

  She looked at the time. ‘I don’t think that would be wise.’

  ‘Perhaps our next date? I could cook you something.’

  Harmony studied him a moment. A few things danced about in her head.

  ‘How about we make a deal?’ she said.

  ‘I’m listening.’

  ‘How about I make you something to eat, you come round to mine. And then the next date, I come to yours. How does that sound?’

  His shoulders tensed. ‘Sounds like a plan.’

  ‘I just like to be in my own environment the first time.’

  ‘Yes of course that’s fine.’

  ‘Great, what day are you thinking? I know I’m available next Tuesday evening, if that’s any good.’

  ‘Yeah, that should be fine.’

  ‘Great.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘I’ll text you my address.’

  ‘Fantastic!’

  ‘Is there anything you don’t eat?’

  ‘I’m easy. I eat everything.’

  ‘Great. So I’ll see you Tuesday, say seven o’clock?’

  ‘Yes great.’

  He watched her jump into the mini and drive off.

  ‘God dam it! Dam it!’ It didn’t go to plan.

  The drive home was rushed. The doors slammed, there was a dark energy in the house. He pushed things off tables and swore over and over. Tonight was supposed to be the night! The other two women had been taken by his charm, they’d trusted him from the word go, but this one. This one wasn’t biting! What a bitch!

  ‘And I have to endure a dinner! Dam it!’

  He stormed upstairs and into Rose’s bedroom. The anger in his eyes wrapped her in fear. He unlocked her, dragged her by the arms into Zara’s room. The two women cried! He pulled off their gowns and forced them to lie together. Their hands were cuffed together.