Don't Turn Around: A dark, thrilling, page-turner of a crime novel (Detective Jennifer Knight Crime Thriller Series Book 1)

by Caroline Mitchell

  ‘So, on a lighter note, are you going to the fundraising party?’ Ethan smiled.

  ‘Susie bullied me into buying a ticket so I’ll show my face. You?’

  ‘Can’t disappoint these desperate women you keep telling me about.’

  ‘That’s the spirit.’

  Ethan held the smoke in his lungs for a few seconds before releasing it through the crack in the tinted car window. Disguising his smoking habit at work was something he had begun to regret, but the image of a clean-cut probationer was something he thought would appeal to Jennifer. After all, she had taken her sister under her motherly wing, why not a naïve young officer, new to the area? He had thought long and hard about what kind of image to present, and his frustration grew as he realised that gaining her trust was more difficult than he’d imagined. He shrank back in his seat as Jennifer peered out through her bedroom curtains before pulling them shut. Even if she did notice his car parked on her quiet residential street, she would not be able to make him out through the tinted windows of his mother’s Saab. She would go crazy if she knew he was smoking in it, let alone using it to watch someone’s house. Ethan took one last drag of the cigarette and threw it out the window before closing it. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he craned his neck upwards. The bedroom light flicked off and the house lay in darkness. Watching Jennifer’s house was futile. It was not as if she went to the pub of an evening, where a chance of an encounter could lead to something more. The woman was a virtual recluse. He turned the key in the ignition and pulled off the kerb. Time was not on his side and he would have to work harder at gaining her trust.

  25 Chapter Twenty-five

  Frank - 1992

  ‘You’re not going to chicken out on me now are you?’ Frank's eyebrow inched upward as Sam returned from his third visit to the bathroom.

  ‘No man, I told you, I’m cool,’ Sam said, his hands trembling as he lit a cigarette.

  Frank folded his arms, his face stern. ‘Because I’ve already said, you’re either with me or against me, and if you’re against me …’

  ‘I’m with you,’ Sam said, trying to suppress the sick feeling in his stomach. ‘You must have been nervous the first time you did it.’

  ‘Killed someone? Nah. I enjoyed it.’ Frank smiled at the memory.

  ‘Weren’t you scared?’

  ‘No. Why would I be scared?’

  ‘I don’t know, in case it goes wrong. In case they fight back, or you get caught.’

  Frank clamped a hand to Sam’s shoulder. ‘They’re gonna fight back. Nobody gives up their life easily. That’s why you prepare. Or at least have the know how to deal with things when they happen. That’s half the fun. It’s a ride, enjoy it.’

  Sam nodded and took a deep drag of his cigarette, flaring puffs of smoke through his nostrils.

  ‘You’d better get going. It doesn’t matter if you’re nervous, just tell her it’s the first time you’ve had a lady like her. Be charming, they like that, it relaxes them. And I won’t come out until you’ve done it, so you may as well get a shag before we finish her off.’

  Sam nodded and loped towards the door, his shoulders slumped forward. Frank shook his head, thinking that Sam looked as if he was heading for the gallows rather than the thrill of his life. ‘Just remember everything I told you. And for Christ’s sake use a rubber johnny.’

  Shadows fell and the streetlights cast an orange glow on the single bed in Sam’s room. The kid didn't have much in the poky box room; a wardrobe, a lava lamp on his bedside table, and a couple of heavy metal posters drooping off the walls. At least he was graced with an en suite bathroom, which would provide a useful hiding place. Frank cracked his knuckles through his leather gloves as he ran through the scenario in his mind. Pity he couldn’t fit into the wardrobe, he would have liked to have watched. He lay on the bed and closed his eyes, enacting the scene in his head.

  Frank jumped as the key turned in the door. How the hell had he fallen asleep? He jerked forward, softly placing his feet on the floor as he crept to the adjoining bathroom, grateful the hinges didn’t creak just this once. Tina’s voice cawed through the next room, hoarse from years of smoking, grating on his senses.

  Frank’s heart pounded as a rush of adrenaline coursed through his veins. Licking the dryness from his lips, he was barely able to contain his excitement as he stood in the bath and pulled the makeshift shower curtain across.

  Sam shuffled into the bedroom, dragging his feet behind him. A streak of light sliced through the bathroom door and Frank strained to hear. Shoes being removed and hitting the floor. Good. Frank wanted her stilettos well out of the way when she entered the bathroom. And she would. The bedsprings bounced.

  ‘Nice place ya got here, for someone your age.’

  Sam mumbled in response.

  ‘Not the talkative type are you? Suits me. Money up front then, twenty quid like we agreed.’

  Frank stifled a snicker. Twenty quid! Who did she think she was? She was taking the kid for a ride in more ways than one.

  ‘What are ya staring at? Are you gonna get your clothes off or do you want me to do it for you?’

  Frank listened as Sam sat on the bed. He was hesitating too much. She would guess something was up.

  ‘Oh for Christ’s sake, give me regulars any day of the week. You kids just waste my time. Come here, let me get that tracksuit down.’

  ‘Get off me,’ Sam said as the bedsprings bounced.

  ‘C’mon now don’t be shy, let the dog see the …’ A rasp of laughter tore through the room. ‘Ha! What am I meant to do with that?’

  ‘I said get off me, you stupid bitch,’ Sam said.

  Tina seemed oblivious to the menacing tone in Sam’s voice as she laughed and hacked up a cough at the same time. ‘What are ya, queer?’

  Fist cracked on skin and Tina howled. ‘What did you do that for? I’m pissing blood you little bastard!’

  ‘You shouldn’t have laughed,’ Sam said, a touch of hysteria in his voice.

  Tina’s voice drew closer as she stumbled to the bathroom. ‘You’d better sort me out with some more money or I’ll be sending my fella to pay you a visit.’

  Tina opened the bathroom door and clicked the light switch. ‘Can’t you afford a light bulb?’

  She stared at the dim reflection in the mirror as Frank stemmed his breath. ‘Aw, will you look at that? Shit.’

  Frank tensed as Sam paced the bedroom. Things weren’t going to plan. But that was OK. He could improvise. Tina bent to unravel some toilet roll as Frank made out her form through the shower curtain.

  ‘Such a waste of time you kids, I don’t know why I …’

  Frank moved swiftly as he gathered up the cheap hard plastic and pulled it over Tina’s head. Shower hooks popped one by one as she garbled a scream. In one swift movement, he twisted the plastic around her head, and held her in a bear hug with his other arm. Lifting her kicking feet off the floor, he carried her into the bedroom. Sam froze.

  ‘C’mon then, this is your gift! What are you waiting for?’ Frank shouted in exasperation.

  Sam ran a hand through his hair and grabbed the open holdall from the wardrobe. He threw the ropes on the bed.

  ‘Help me tie her up.’ Frank said, a lecherous smile spreading across his face. Tina struggled for breath as she fought and splatters of blood hit the inside of the shower curtain with every muffled cry.

  ‘Sorry old girl, the Grim Reaper is knocking on your door.’ Frank laughed as he bound her hands together. She bucked and kicked as Sam held down her legs, desperately trying to breathe through the plastic wound tightly around her neck.

  ‘Shut her up! Get that pillow over her head.’ Frank said, breathing heavily.

  Sam froze. ‘I can’t.’

  ‘And what’s going to happen to you if you let her go now? She knows where you live. That pimp of hers will slice you to pieces.’

  Sam squeaked in a whiny voice, ‘I don’t think I can.’

  Fran
k grabbed the neck of Sam’s tracksuit, curling it up in his fist as he brought him nose to nose over Tina’s squirming body. A malevolent look spread across Frank’s face and he growled, ‘Just. Fucking. Do it.’

  Sam nodded and took the pillow in both hands. He straddled it over Tina’s face, exerting every ounce of energy into silencing her muffled screams beneath him. ‘Shhhh, shush now, don’t fight it,’ Sam whispered, desperately wanting the noise to go away. After a few endless seconds, the screaming resided and her movements slowed. Sam pushed harder on the pillow, wanting it to be over for Tina, so she didn’t have to suffer any more than necessary.

  Frank lifted up the bound wrists and they flopped back onto her body. ’About time,’ he said, coldly.

  Sam sat, hunched over, his face glistening with sweat as his shoulders heaved.

  Frank circled the body on the bed, pulling off the pillow to reveal Tina’s engorged face under layers of bloodstained plastic. ‘That’ll teach you, bitch. Hey Sam, you still got that johnny? I fancy giving Tina one last farewell.’

  Retching, Sam ran to the bathroom and threw up. His heaves mixed with choking sobs as he leaned over the toilet. ‘What have we done?’

  Frank reached for the knife from the holdall and stood in the bathroom doorway. ‘The bulb is in the cabinet if you want to put it back in.’

  Sam turned as the glint of the knife caught his eye. ‘Sure. Whatever you say, Frank.’

  Frank tapped on the door three times with the blade of the knife. ‘Like I said, I’m the Grim Reaper. Whose door do you think I’ll be knocking on next?’

  ‘What … what do you mean?’ Sam wiped his mouth and turned to face Frank, the walls of the bathroom closing in on him.

  ‘I mean are you with me, or against me?’

  Sam faked a smile, wishing he’d stop saying those words. ‘I’m with you man, all the way. It just takes a bit of getting used to, that’s all.’

  Frank shrugged his shoulders. ‘You need to grow some balls. Now give me five minutes. Tina and I would like a little privacy.’

  Sam nodded and screwed the bulb into the bathroom light before closing the door. The thought of what he had done made him want to throw up all over again. He just killed someone. He had brought her there in cold blood and killed her. What the hell had he been thinking? That Frank wouldn’t go through with it? That Frank had been bullshitting him all along? He liked Frank. It was more than that. He wanted to impress him. But deep down, he never really thought he’d go through with it. He bit into his fist as sobs wracked through his body. Frank was nuts. Simple as that. He had no remorse, no feelings. A complete psycho.

  Sam needed to skip town, and fast. But Frank knew where his family lived. He had him exactly where he wanted him. Thoughts raced in his head. Perhaps if he went to the police and said Frank had forced him into helping … He wiped the sweat from his brow. Staring into the mirror, he didn’t recognise the pasty face looking back at him. The face of a murderer. What had that poor slag ever done to him? And she was lying dead in his bed while Frank … Sam’s stomach heaved.

  Frank’s voice called for him from the bedroom. ‘C’mon Sam, we’re all done here. Time to make Tina disappear.’ Sam lifted his head from the toilet bowl, wishing he could make it all disappear.

  26 Chapter Twenty-six

  The mundane chatter of the TV show failed to dilute the unease that clung to Jennifer like a thick mist, carrying a heaviness that wore her down. It was not a good night to be alone in the house. She chewed on the skin around her nails – a habit she hadn’t fallen back on since childhood. Something was whispering, here with her, yet far away. Turning off the television, she strained to listen. Not that it made any difference.

  Jennifer glanced at her watch for the tenth time. But tonight minutes dragged like hours as Shelly’s warning gnawed its way into her thoughts. Nine pm, not too late to call her sister and invite herself around.

  Thick black clouds robbed the moon from the sky, drumming torrents of rain against the roof of her car. She admonished herself as the wipers fought to keep up with the downpour. Stop worrying, Amy would have called if there was anything wrong, she thought, twisting the heat dial as hot air blasted against the foggy windscreen.

  Her sister looked surprised to see her out on such a bad night. Taking Jennifer’s rain-splattered coat, she offered her the towel draped over her shoulder. Jennifer patted her face, inhaling the fragrance of dried baby milk. She peeped into the living room where Amy’s husband David sat with legs crossed, one slipper hanging lazily on his foot. A glass of red wine was nestled in his hand, and he nodded a greeting before returning his attention to the TV drama. The images flashed on the screen, and subtitles replaced sound in the unusually quiet room as Lily snoozed.

  Amy ushered her into the kitchen, keeping her voice low. ‘I’m glad you came, I was going to ask you around, but I wasn’t sure what shift you were on.’

  ‘What’s wrong? Is Josh okay?’ Jennifer said. She felt short of breath, and it wasn’t just the run from the car to the front door that caused it. An oppressive atmosphere enveloped the usually buoyant household, and she fiddled with the cross around her neck as her apprehension grew.

  ‘He’s been having nightmares. I was hoping you could have a little talk with him, he always settles better after he’s seen you.’

  ‘Yeah, sure, is he awake?’

  ‘Yes, although I put him to bed ages ago. It’s a bit dark on the landing, the bulb’s blown.’

  Jennifer frowned. Experience told her the extinguished light was not a faulty bulb but a precursor to something else, and she fought the urge to take the stairs two at a time.

  She approached the stairs, jumping as Amy grabbed her arm. ‘Oh, one more thing. Don’t make too much noise.’ Amy lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘We’ve only just got Lily asleep and David’s had a really tough day at work. People from head office descended on him today and had a go at him about his shop floor.’

  Jennifer resisted the urge to roll her eyes. David was a good provider but an old fashioned husband who left the bulk of the childcare to Amy. ‘And I dare say you’ve had a pretty tough day yourself too. Don’t worry, I won’t make a sound.’

  ‘Do you want me to make you a coffee?’

  Jennifer’s eyes flicked up to the dark landing and back to her sister. She didn’t want a drink but needed some time alone with Joshua.

  ‘Yes that would be lovely, I’ll go straight up.’

  Jennifer padded up the darkened stairs, the gloom relieved only by the slanted shards of light slipping through each banister. Her senses dictated that she take things gradually. The words filtered through her mind as a gentle breeze caressed her face, and her instincts told her to trust it. Listening intently, she placed her hand on the doorknob, resisting the urge to pull away from the shock of freezing cold metal. Slowly she rotated the handle, her heart beating hard at the thought of what she might find inside the small box room. She peeped through the glow of the caterpillar nightlight to see Joshua sitting in bed bolt upright, his open mouth releasing a thin wisp of frosted breath. Toys were littered across the soft blue carpet, but somehow she reached him without making a sound. Goosebumps prickled her arms as she sensed a cocktail of manifestations in room. Whispering his name gently, she waited for a response, but his glassy eyes stared into the distance. If Amy sees him like this she’ll freak, she thought, moving some Lego aside to kneel beside his bed.

  His shallow breaths were barely audible, and Jennifer gently touched his arms, willing life into him. ‘Josh, it’s me, Jenny.’

  Like a wind-up toy springing to life, Josh inhaled deeply, blinked twice, and smiled.

  ‘Auntie Jenny, you came to see me.’

  She exhaled a sigh of relief and hugged him close to her chest. ‘Yes sweetheart, I did. Where were you?’

  Joshua frowned and stared down at his Fireman Sam duvet cover. ‘The bad man told me not to say.’

  Jennifer’s chest tightened as a fire of fury ignited
in every cell of her being. The entity … that evil bastard … How dare he? Joshua’s blue eyes stared at her for reassurance and she threaded his fingers through his as she nestled onto the side of the bed. ‘Sweetie I know you’re scared, but I’m stronger than any bad man and you can tell me. I’m the police remember?’

  ‘He was in here,’ Joshua said, pointing to his forehead.

  ‘Can you be a brave boy Josh, and keep him out?’

  Joshua’s bottom lip trembled as his eyes filled with tears. ‘He said he’d hurt you if I didn’t let him in.’

  Jennifer’s heart ached for the little boy she so desperately wanted to protect. ‘Josh, I need you to be strong, do you hear me? Like a policeman, or Fireman Sam. You remember when we spoke about bullies, don’t you? They tell lies to get what they want.’

  Josh wiped his eyes and nodded.

  Jennifer forced herself back into police mode. She could shout and scream later, but for now she needed to find out as much as she could to keep him safe from the entity threatening its way into their lives. ‘This bad man is a bully too. Can you tell me what he looked like?’

  ‘He came from the dark. He’s scary.’

  ‘Sweetheart, did you see his face?’

  Joshua scrunched his face as he tried to find the words. ‘No. He hurts people.’

  Another flash of anger surfaced. The ‘bad man’ had wormed his way into the sanctity of Joshua’s mind and communicated images to him. She gritted her teeth. If he wants a fight, he’s got one, she thought. She kissed the top of his blond head and looked deep into his eyes. ‘Do you know how to keep him out?’

  ‘Yes,’ Josh said, pointing to the end of the bed. ‘The lady showed me. I close my eyes and make a wall. The light keeps him out.’

  ‘What lady is that?’ Jennifer asked gently, the answer creeping into her mind along with the faint smell of apple blossom that floated in the air.