Love You to Death: An Absolutely Gripping Thriller with a Killer Twist

by Caroline Mitchell

  Lots of love, Lucy x’

  Ruby lowered the paper and glanced around the room. Her eyes rested on Ash as she wondered which second-hand shop he’d bought his crumpled blue tie from. At least it proved someone had listened to her request to smarten up.

  ‘Right, I’m opening this up for discussion: what do you think?’

  ‘Creepy psycho,’ Ash said.

  ‘Why?’ Ruby replied.

  He ran his hand over his thinning hair. ‘Reading between the lines. I’ve come to find you… I’m looking forward to being a member of your family, then signing it lots of love. She doesn’t know this woman. It sounds desperate.’

  ‘Maybe,’ Ruby said, ‘but are you making this judgement with the beauty of hindsight?’

  Eve fanned her face with her paper, her voice reminding Ruby of a small chirping bird. ‘I don’t think she’s crazy. She sounds sad, lonely. It’s not been easy for her, but she’s writing the letter to protect herself from rejection. She’s hoping that by introducing herself gradually she’ll spare herself the embarrassment of being turned away.’

  ‘Fair point,’ Ruby nodded. ‘Anyone else?’

  ‘I think the person behind this letter is very bitter but trying to hide it. “The daughter you gave away”, it doesn’t sit easy with me,’ Luddy said.

  Ruby nodded, giving him a knowing look. She had yet to inform the team that they had located Emily’s daughter, and wanted them to view the letters with an open mind. ‘We don’t have Emily’s response, but I think we can guess given the tone of the second letter.’ She fixed her glasses back on the bridge of her nose before continuing.

  ‘Mother.

  I was surprised to receive a reply so soon. At first I thought it was an indicator of your enthusiasm, until I read it through. I understand that you are concerned about how your husband will react, particularly given that you never saw fit to tell him of my existence. However, I would like to reassure you that I am not here to cause trouble. I have been able to put my childhood behind me. All I want now is for us to be a family and have a future together. I am sorry you have reservations, but our meeting is a necessity. The only thing that has kept me going all of these years is the thought of being reunited with my true mother. I look forward to seeing you very soon.

  Lucy XX’

  ‘Told you she was psycho,’ Ash said as he nudged Eve.

  ‘Well, I think it’s sad,’ Eve said. ‘She’s built up an idea of her mother in her head, and Emily has basically told her she’s not interested. Granted, she’s forthright, but perhaps that’s because she’s always had to be that way. What she said about putting her childhood behind her, it doesn’t sound like she’s had things easy.’

  Ruby slid the paperwork back into the folder. ‘I think we can all agree that Lucy has become forceful in her suggestions that they meet. This is someone who is not going to take no for an answer. We can only imagine that when Emily replied she was perhaps apologetic and pleading by nature, refusing to meet Lucy on the grounds that her husband knew nothing about her. Intelligence now suggests that Emily was a victim of domestic abuse.’

  ‘Surely the question is: where’s Emily’s daughter? If you find her, you have our murderer,’ Ash said.

  ‘Not quite,’ Ruby replied. ‘We’ve already located Emily Edmonds’s daughter.’ She paused for effect, allowing the rumble of voices to echo around the room. ‘Unfortunately, she’s deceased. Emma Wilson died in a car accident two years ago, when she was twenty years old. So whoever wrote these letters is not Emily’s real daughter. Which leads us to ask: who is responsible for writing these letters? And also: what’s the connection with the ribbon tied to the door?’

  Eve raised her hand. ‘I’ve checked with Bones – it’s crepe. It’s a tradition which stems from the Victorian era. It means there’s been a death in the family when it’s tied on the door. It’s usually tied around the door knocker or bell so callers don’t knock loudly and disturb the grieving people inside. Black crepe looped with white ribbon signifies the death of a child.’

  ‘Right,’ Ruby said, feeling very tired. She should be thrilled to have so many clues, but with nothing to link them to they were being made to look like fools. ‘Make a list of these traditions and pin them on the board. See if you can find any connections, past cases, anything of value. But don’t spend too much time on it. We’ve got a lot to get through.’

  * * *

  Ruby knew that when the post-mortem was over she would need a stiff drink. Which is why she had arranged to meet Luddy at the Well and Bucket at eight. She loved the vibe of this pub, with its distressed tile-work and shiny copper bar. Pictures of creepy Victorians graced the walls, giving it an eccentric feel. She sipped on her luminous cocktail as Luddy tucked into a burger and chips. Ruby didn’t want food. It interfered with the absorption of the alcohol which was nicely numbing the guilt she felt for not visiting her mother that day.

  ‘That bone saw… I can still hear it now. I mean, Chris Douglas seems like a nice guy, right? But how can any normal young man want to work in a job where you saw through someone’s skull and crack it open like a boiled egg? And don’t get me started on the smell… ’

  Luddy gently laid his knife and fork to one side.

  ‘Are you not having that?’ Ruby asked, oblivious to the effect of her words.

  ‘Funnily enough, I’ve lost my appetite. But do carry on with your vivid descriptions.’

  ‘Oh yeah… sorry,’ Ruby chortled, stealing a chip from his plate. ‘Anyway, I managed to keep my lunch down long enough for him to examine the contents of her stomach. And do you know what he found?’

  Luddy sighed. ‘The remains of a cucumber sandwich?’

  ‘No; good guess though.’ She swivelled her head left to right before dropping her voice. ‘Christmas decorations. In her stomach. At least that’s what we think they were. She had lacerations inside her mouth. Apparently she was force-fed baubles. You know, the ones you hang on a tree?’ Ruby knew that Ash would retort with a dirty joke but Luddy just nodded, allowing her to babble on until he suppressed a yawn with the back of his hand. It was then that Ruby realised she was rambling, which was usually a sign that she was drunk. ‘Sorry mate,’ she said, ‘I’ve been going on a bit, haven’t I?’

  ‘No, I’m just a bit tired, that’s all,’ Luddy said, crunching his ice cubes with his back teeth. ‘Can I get you another drink?’

  Ruby shook her head. ‘Best I be off. Early start and all that. Sorry for ruining your dinner.’

  Luddy rose, his hand on her forearm. ‘Would you like me to walk you home?’ He flushed, probably realising how lame it sounded. ‘I mean, you’ve had quite a few. Do you want me to see you to your door?’

  ‘Nah, I’m only around the corner. Thanks for keeping me company though; there’s nothing sadder than drinking alone.’ Ruby bent down to pick up her bag from where it had fallen on the floor. ‘See ya tomorrow!’ she said, cheerily, before disappearing onto the streets of London.

  A lungful of night air brought her back to her senses, and she mentally admonished herself. Drinking on a work night was hardly setting a good example, particularly with a murder case on the go. She strode down the narrow streets, taking the shortcuts that would lead her to her flat. It was good to walk things off. She passed the smokers, the revellers, and the toothless drunk on the corner arguing with a scantily clad woman about his dog.

  Ten minutes later, Ruby was wishing she had stayed on the main drag rather than the dark allies which cut time off her journey. The footsteps that had been echoing behind her halted as she swivelled her head, and a shadow darted from her vision. She briefly considered a confrontation, but she was too unsteady on her feet to guarantee she would come out of it unharmed. She straightened her posture, focusing hard on walking with more confidence than she felt. Whoever was behind her obviously did not want to be seen, which was just as well as Ruby was in no hurry to meet them.

  She slid her hand to the light switch as she opened the door,
unable to shake off the creeping sensation clinging to her spine. Under the gloom of the forty-watt lightbulb, she slipped off her shoes and padded around her flat. Something wasn’t right. She picked up the framed photo of her with her mum that now lay face down on top of her television. Wandering into her bedroom, her gaze fell on the open wardrobe doors. Had she left them open? And her clothes – they were now neatly folded on the chair. A frown burrowed into her forehead. Was she being paranoid or had someone been here? After checking the rest of the flat, she reluctantly slipped into bed. But sleep did not come easy, carrying nightmares fuelled with fear and regret.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Ruby yawned. A restless night had left her with four hours’ sleep, and yet, here she was viewing a property at seven in the morning. But she had to get away. She was feeling increasingly uneasy in her flat, and this was too good an opportunity to miss. She pushed open the door, and her first thought as she gazed around the beautifully designed surroundings was that she had come to the wrong address. Situated in Dalston, it was far more upmarket than anything she could afford, yet the letting agent had claimed it was within her price range. It had that fresh new carpet smell, which was an improvement on the scent of cannabis wafting from the neighbouring flats in her current abode.

  ‘Hello,’ she called out, ‘anyone here?’ Her voice echoed as she entered the room. She slipped off her heels and enjoyed the luxurious deep pile carpet underfoot. Rays of soft morning light flooded in through the window, and she admired the view of the city until the scent of a familiar aftershave brought her the identity of the man standing behind her. ‘I should have known it was you,’ her voice was silky as it betrayed her. Her body always did that when it came to Nathan, and the only way to resist him was never to be in his presence.

  ‘Hello, Ruby,’ he said, pulling back the strands of her hair and stroking the nape of her neck.

  He’d always loved her neck. He said it was like a swan, elegant and graceful, stark white against the darkness of her hair. A million shivers ran down her spine as he breathed into her earlobe. His hands were on her forearms now, laying claim, as he always did. She stood her ground as she tried to contain her arousal. What was it about this man that made her brain turn to mush? It had always been that way, for as long as she could remember.

  She closed her eyes and pulled away. Her hand found her throat, and she made space between them before turning to face him. He looked well. More than well. His muscles were defined; his face tanned, with a light stubble. He regarded her, unsmiling.

  She cleared her throat. ‘Why have you brought me here?’

  ‘You weren’t answering my calls.’

  ‘I threw away the phone.’

  ‘Hmm,’ he said in a deep voice.’ It was his signal of displeasure. Ruby had recognised it in his father, whose hardened frown was always followed with silence. ‘What happened to your face?’ he said, touching her cheekbone.

  ‘I ran into someone’s fist.’ She pulled away.

  Nathan’s scowl deepened; Ruby’s attempt at humour falling flat. ‘You know what date it is today?’

  ‘Of course I do.’ She was not likely to forget. It was ingrained on her brain, and kept her and Nathan together, no matter how hard she tried to keep away. She had known that when the date came around he would be back to see her. Why? What was the point? It wasn’t going to change anything. It was time to move on – walk away from the ghosts of their past and begin again.

  ‘I should go,’ she said, her brief glance turning into a lingering gaze. His presence was hypnotic. She found herself stepping towards him as if she was in a trance, her body calling out for his touch. Nobody gave her as much pleasure as he did. Yet nobody caused her as much pain.

  ‘So, you’re growing a beard?’ she said, wondering why she was engaging in conversation when she’d said she was leaving just seconds before.

  Nathan ran his fingers over his chin. ‘And your hair has got long,’ he said.

  Ruby had considered cutting it short, but she couldn’t. Even now he had a strong hold over her, and she found herself wearing clothes he liked, his favourite perfume. She had given into it a long time ago, unable to completely let him go. ‘You’re still a criminal then?’

  ‘I’m still in the business of making money. You still in the filth?’

  Ruby nodded, killing the smile as soon as she realised it had crossed her lips. ‘Why have you brought me here?’

  ‘You needed a flat; I’ve got you one.’

  ‘Why? Your last floozy move out, did she?’

  Nathan folded his arms, his biceps straining against the constraints of his shirt. His eyes darkened and he gave her the look. It was the look which told her he knew everything that had been going on in her life since she left him the year before. Such was his power. But she never promised to be celibate, and she knew it wasn’t fair of her to expect him to be either.

  ‘There’s only ever been you,’ he said, his words thick with emotion.

  In that second she saw the young man she had fallen in love with all those years ago. Running through the night, their laughter echoing down the rain-streaked alley as police sirens cut through the air, then later, sitting on the bare floorboards of a derelict building as they got stoned in each other’s arms; the curls of smoke carrying their words as they dreamt of future plans.

  Ruby blinked, bringing herself back to reality. To the present day. She wasn’t that girl anymore. And he was not that boy. Yet she knew that even if fate had not intertwined them, one with the other, she would never have forgotten him. ‘It’s too much; I can’t live in this place.’

  ‘I’ll let you pay, if that’s what you want.’

  ‘Yeah, at half the market value.’ Ruby would have loved nothing better than to leave her grotty little flat. But she knew where the money came from and her pride would not allow it, much less risk the implications if her superiors found her accepting gifts from criminals.

  ‘They won’t trace it back to me,’ Nathan said. ‘Besides, you don’t have much choice. The lease on your flat is expiring soon.’

  ‘How do you—?’ Ruby said, stopping herself before she finished the sentence because she knew the answer. Nathan could find out whatever he wanted. ‘I’ll just lease it again for another year.’

  ‘Nope, no can do. I’m selling it to the council.’

  ‘You’re selling it? You’re not my landlord.’

  ‘I am now.’

  ‘No… you can’t be.’ Ruby paused, knowing that if Nathan wanted to buy her dingy flat he would have no problem in doing so. ‘Well, that’s fine, I’ll just rent somewhere even shittier. Is that what you want?’

  ‘You won’t.’ The words were firm.

  Ruby should have treated him with disdain, but she couldn’t. In her heart she knew that Nathan was a good man who took the wrong path. He could have been anything, but his upbringing dictated his direction. She had turned her back on him to go her own way, but, despite it all, they kept finding themselves thrust together. ‘How have you been keeping? You okay?’

  ‘Good.’

  Another step closer. She could see the hurt in his eyes. He thought she was moving on, away from him. He couldn’t have been more wrong. ‘I don’t love him, you know. I’ve just been so lonely.’

  Nathan reached out and touched her cheek, and she gave in to the moment, closing her eyes as she leaned her face into the warmth of his palm. His lips brushed against hers, and she welcomed it. She could so easily melt into him – forget her job and the world outside. Her arm reached around his waist, but he broke away, leaning his forehead against hers as he clasped her jaw in his hand. His breath had become heavy, and he closed his eyes before stepping away.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘That was goodbye, babe.’

  Ruby frowned. ‘Goodbye? Are you playing games with me?’

  ‘No… I… ’

  Ruby shrugged off his touch. ‘You got me here on false pretences and now you’re saying goodbye?
Are you getting off on being cruel? Is that what it is?’

  ‘I can’t keep going like this… watching you… I gotta move on with my life. You’re not gonna change, any more than I am. So I’m letting you go.’

  ‘You don’t get to do that. I let you go a year ago.’

  ‘You didn’t. Not really. We’ve both been holding onto the past. This is the last time you’ll see me. But I want you to take two things.’ He shoved a phone into her bag. ‘This mobile is untraceable. If you get into trouble just leave a message and I’ll be there. Secondly, you’re taking this flat. I used to lie low here sometimes but I’m moving on. I don’t need it anymore. I’ve never brought a woman around here, Ruby. I wouldn’t do that and expect you to move in afterwards. But you’re free to do with it what you will.’

  Ruby stared at the key he pushed into the palm of her hand. It was blurred from the tears forming in her eyes. ‘I can’t.’

  ‘Yes you can. As far as anyone else is concerned you were left it as an inheritance from that aunt of yours that died last year. The legal documents are in the bedside dresser.’

  ‘Why? Where are you going? Are you in some kind of trouble?’

  ‘No, but I need you to know I won’t be there to look out for you anymore. You’re on your own now.’

  ‘I’m on my own? How dare you! You call me around here then talk to me like I’m some fucking kid trying to find my way in the world?’ Ruby flared. ‘I’m not the sixteen-year-old you shacked up with, Nathan; I’m thirty-eight years old. I have a good job and I run a tight team. Don’t talk to me like you’re some cocaine dealing superhero who watches from the shadows every night. I can get by just fine without you.’

  Nathan grabbed her wrist as she tried to fling the key across the floor. ‘I’m not some low life street dealer and you know that. So have a bit of respect.’

  Ruby saw the flash of anger in his eyes but she didn’t care. It was a trait he inherited from his father. A trait that served him a brutal childhood and gave him the respect of his peers. His cold, hard face pressed close to hers. Pulling her wrists away, she turned to leave.