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

by Caroline Mitchell

  She had not felt this strongly about someone before. Not really. And it was why she had gone to the extra effort to make everything just right. The cinnamon and orange scented candles filled the room with the smell of Christmas, and the sound of the dripping pipe was drowned by the gentle lull of Nat King Cole. She could not bear for anything to wipe the smile from her mother’s face.

  Here was the one person who could fix her, make everything right. But Lucy was wary. She had to guard against the dark side of her nature: the side that relished power and control. Scarred by past experiences, she was unpredictable and angry, just as she had been all those years ago. The sexual high she derived in the aftermath of murder was proving to be an addictive drug.

  Anita stirred in her chair, a low groan emitting from her parted lips. She was so close, Lucy thought, but she had been close before. And now their bodies were lying in a morgue. But she had taken care of that. There would be nothing to trace those disappointments back to her.

  Everything hinged on Christmas. If she could get it right, perhaps she could be free, without the need for props. Maybe they could live abroad, she mused, somewhere snowy like Austria or Switzerland, where it could be Christmas all year around.

  Lucy reached out to Anita, pushing her wispy blonde hair behind her ear. A frown crossed her face as she wondered if the gag was too tight.

  Anita blinked, her head slowly rising in a drug-induced stupor. She carried the same confusion as the others, but her eyes were swimming with another emotion. Lucy leaned forward, peering into their depths. It was like looking into her own soul. Instead of terror, Lucy saw confusion, hurt and betrayal reflected back at her. Anita had come around twice now, each time gaining a little more recognition of her surroundings. But unlike the others, she did not cry out. Her chest rose and fell as she drew in panicked breaths, but her throat remained hollow, devoid of the screams that had led her predecessors to their deaths. And when Lucy told her of her plans she simply nodded and took it all in.

  ‘I’m going to untie your gag,’ Lucy said, her breath carrying a shudder of excitement. ‘But first, I need a hug.’

  Leaning forward, she took Anita in an embrace, inhaling the fading scent of her perfume. Anita did not stiffen, but relaxed into her embrace, resting her head on Lucy’s shoulder. Lucy pulled back to see tears trickling down Anita’s soft pink cheeks. Little pearly drops of emotion melting into the dirty blue cloth bound around her mouth. A pang of guilt enveloped Lucy. Anita was far too good a person to be wearing such a filthy gag. Slowly, Lucy untied the knot; whispering a warning to Anita not to spoil things, because she did not wish to cause her pain. Anita took a breath as a gag was removed, licking her dirt-encrusted lips.

  Lucy stiffened, closing her fingers around the material as she tried to read Anita’s expression. But Anita blinked, completely subservient as she waited for her to speak. Lucy’s heart swelled with the power and respect her new mother was affording her. ‘Please behave,’ Lucy said. ‘I don’t want to hurt you, but sometimes I get angry and I can’t control myself.’

  ‘I’ll behave.’ Anita’s voice sounded like marshmallows, and Lucy warmed inside.

  ‘Do it right and you’ll be freed. But everything has to be perfect. You’re my only chance,’ Lucy said; the words running out of her mouth before she had a chance to control them.

  ‘I’ll help you,’ Anita said, blinking against the strength of the bulb overhead. ‘I want us to be together too. But you have to help me in return. I need to know that Sophie’s safe.’

  Darkness crossed Lucy’s face at the sound of the little girl’s name.

  ‘But remember, you’re my daughter too, and I’m here for you. You can trust me.’ Anita’s voice was so soft and warm that Lucy forgave her indiscretion.

  ‘She’s asleep in bed,’ Lucy said, pointing above their heads. ‘I made it nice, just like in her bedroom. She’s just fine.’

  Anita nodded in understanding. ‘Thank you. And I want us to be together too. But I need you to do something for me so everything can be perfect between us.’

  ‘What do you want?’ Lucy said, her voice hardening. Anita’s gag had been removed for only a few seconds and already she was making demands. It twitched in Lucy’s fingers as she took a step back, distancing herself from the allure of Anita’s voice.

  ‘I need you to take Sophie back to my house, or leave her somewhere people can find her. None of this is her fault.’ She coughed as the words produced a scratchy sound. ‘She doesn’t need to get hurt. Do you understand?’

  Lucy shook her head. ‘Time for you to be quiet now.’ She raised the gag, turning the slimy blue bandana so the dry side pressed against Anita’s face.

  Anita’s shoulders slumped, her eyes glazing in resignation.

  Lucy sighed, trying not to catch Anita’s hair as she carefully tied the knot at the back of her head. ‘I’ll think about it. But the next step – and Sophie’s life – depends on you.’

  CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

  ‘Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Mr Devine,’ Ruby said, introducing Eve as they entered his living room. Bodies lurked in the corridor: concerned family listening out for his best interests. ‘Can I close the door?’ Ruby asked, rising to do it anyway.

  ‘Please, call me Joseph,’ he said solemnly. His face looked numb, as if someone had injected an anaesthetic and he was waiting for it to wear off. A tall clean-shaven man, Ruby judged him to be in his fifties: at least a decade older than his missing wife. He walked slightly hunched, a habit which was probably picked up from being married to someone a good deal smaller than himself. Ruby met his gaze, and it seemed an effort for him to return it. ‘I don’t suppose you have any news?’

  ‘I’m sorry, we don’t; at least, not yet. I just wanted a quick word to see if you’ve thought of anything more since your statement.’

  Her visit was purely on instinct, as, when they spoke on the phone, she had felt a hint of reluctance in his voice. She took a seat on the sofa, nudging up to make room for Eve. Mr Devine had already provided the police with a full account, but Ruby could not settle until she had met him in person. Joseph’s missing person report had been taken extremely seriously, particularly when he spoke of a long-lost daughter who had allegedly turned up at his wife’s door.

  He glanced up at the family photo on the wall with puffy, red-rimmed eyes. A family of four, with two people missing; his anguish was evident on his face. ‘I told Tim to stay on at university. He’s studying journalism in Lincoln. His mum wouldn’t want anything interfering with his studies.’ He exhaled a long thin breath. ‘The police keep asking if Anita and Sophie could have gone to stay with friends. But we’re an insular couple, you know? We don’t need anyone else when we have our little family.’

  Ruby nodded, wishing Anita had not opened the door that day.

  Mr Devine picked up a newspaper from the coffee table, pointing at the headlines emblazoned across the page. ‘If it’s true what they say about this door-knocker killer, surely they wouldn’t have taken both Anita and Sophie?’

  Ruby could not answer his question because she did not know. ‘Mr Devine… Joseph, I do understand your concern, and as soon as we have any solid leads you’ll be made aware. Can you tell me a little more about how Anita felt about the daughter she had adopted? You said there was no trace of worry in her voice when she called.’

  ‘On the contrary, she was excited. The adoption was something she had come to regret. I thought that when we had Sophie it might help. For a while it did, until she told me that she felt guiltier than ever. I think it’s why she did so much volunteer work with the Samaritans. Don’t get me wrong, she adored Tim, her stepson. But the special bond she had with Sophie made her see what she had been missing out on all those years.’

  Ruby nodded, trying not to be drawn into thoughts of her own past. It was something she had been struggling with since the case came to life. She filled the void with work and worrying about her mum.

  ‘It’s all my
fault. I should have told her the truth.’ A desolate sob escaped Joseph’s lips. Bowing his head he failed to hold back the dam of tears welling in his eyes.

  Ruby swallowed back the lump in her throat, feeling like an intruder in his home. She dug in her pocket for a tissue, gratefully accepting one fresh from the packet as Eve pulled it from her handbag. ‘Here, take this,’ she said, handing it over. ‘What do you mean you should have told her?’

  Joseph blew his nose before scrunching up the damp tissue in his hand. ‘This is all my fault. I thought they’d be back by now and Anita wouldn’t find out what I did.’

  ‘Which is?… ’ Ruby said, exchanging a glance with Eve. Pen poised, she was leaning on the pages of her leather-bound pocket notebook ready to take down whatever revelation Joseph blurted out.

  ‘The truth is Anita’s been trying to find her daughter for years, by making enquiries in the area. I told her it was a bad idea, but she wouldn’t listen and they always reached a dead end. Then I got a letter from Samantha. That’s her daughter’s real name. She said that she didn’t want to hear from Anita. That she had a new life with parents she loved. She said she was glad Anita gave her up for adoption because she couldn’t have had better parents.’ Joseph’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he tried to regain his composure. ‘But the tone of the letter was bitter, and I wrestled with my conscience for a long time before burning it.’ Joseph glanced up at Ruby before returning his gaze to the tissue knotted between his fingers. ‘I know it sounds terrible but… I didn’t want to upset her. Sophie had started school and Anita was feeling depressed. I didn’t want any more setbacks.’

  Ruby frowned. If there was one thing she hated it was having men make women’s decisions for them. ‘But wouldn’t she have been happy knowing that her daughter was with a good family? Didn’t you think she had the right to know?’

  ‘I realise that now. I shouldn’t have done it. It was pure selfishness on my part. I was angry with Samantha, and I didn’t want Anita knowing how bitter she was towards her. Besides, you don’t know what Anita was like. She would have pursued Samantha until she heard the words in person. She had just started accepting she would never find her. I was loath to start things up again.’

  ‘And then you got a phone call from Anita saying her daughter had turned up at her door. Why didn’t you say anything then?’

  ‘She was so happy and excited, I thought maybe Samantha had changed her mind. I was taken aback; I didn’t know what to say, and the letter wasn’t something I was willing to discuss over the phone.’

  ‘Anita hadn’t received any letters prior to Lucy’s visit?’ Ruby said, thinking of the letters she found taped to the bath panel.

  ‘No, not at all. She wouldn’t have sounded so surprised if she did. Anyway, I offered to come home early, but she insisted I didn’t need to because she wanted some quality time with Lucy.’ Joseph shook his head as if delivering an internal admonishment. ‘I should have told her about the letter from Samantha. If I had, she might not have asked this Lucy woman inside.’

  ‘From what you told me, I think she would have opened her door anyway. It sounds like Anita was desperate to hear from her, and sometimes when you want something really badly you’re willing to put aside any reservations you have in order to make it happen. Don’t blame yourself. The only person to blame is the woman who turned up at her door.’

  ‘And what about Sophie? She’s just a little girl. You don’t think they’re involved in one of these… ’ his face creased in anguish as he tried to deliver the words, ‘paedophile rings, do you? You hear about these things on the news: children being bought and sold.’

  ‘There’s no evidence to suggest it. We’ve got almost a hundred officers working around the clock on this case in different capacities. But if you hear anything, I mean anything at all, let us know.’ Ruby reached into her blazer and pulled out a dog-eared business card. Here’s my mobile number; you can catch me anytime, day or night.’

  Joseph grabbed Ruby’s hands as she passed over the card. His fingers dug into her wrists, and it took all of her resolve not to pull back. ‘Promise me you’ll bring my wife and little girl home safely.’

  But it was a promise that was not Ruby’s to make. ‘I promise that I’ll do everything within my power to find them.’ But she did not say she would find them alive. It was as near a reassurance as she could give. Exchanging a glance with Eve, she rose to leave. Safeguarding had already been completed with Joseph and his son, but leaving them gave her an uncomfortable, itchy feeling. ‘It may be a good idea if you stay with family or friends for a few days, and you should urge your son not to go out alone.’

  Joseph nodded as he bit into his trembling bottom lip. He emanated grief, and his features contorted with the need to keep a brave front.

  Ruby wished she had answers to give, and her heart blazed with the need to find his wife and daughter alive. Her suspicions ignited a fear that Lucy was mentally deranged, fuelled by a hatred risen from a perceived betrayal. But how many more people would suffer at her hands?

  * * *

  ‘I feel like I owe you an apology,’ Eve said, balancing her milkshake and carton of fries on her lap. The Drive Thru at McDonald’s had been a welcome respite from a heavy day, but it was not over yet. Eve had looked pale and drawn, and a small pit stop was needed to get them back on their feet.

  ‘Forget about it,’ Ruby said, referring to their chat in the office. ‘I shouldn’t have been sticking my nose in. I just wanted to make sure you were OK.’

  ‘It’s not about that… well it is, but there’s more to it.’ Eve sighed. ‘I’m babbling aren’t I? I always babble when I’m nervous, people say that—’

  ‘Eve,’ Ruby interrupted, in between a mouthful of burger, ‘don’t be nervous. I promise not to bite your head off. What’s wrong?’

  ‘Luddy said you had a go at him the other night for complaining to Ma’am Worrow.’

  ‘I don’t see how that’s anything to do with… ’ Ruby’s eyes widened. ‘Was it you?’

  Eve nodded, dropping her gaze to the car footwell.

  Ruby stared until she lifted it again. ‘Why? What did I do to deserve that?’

  ‘I was angry. It was after you called me into your office. I bumped into Ma’am Worrow in the hall. She asked me what was wrong and… ’

  ‘Encouraged you to have a moan about me.’ Ruby sighed. ‘Why are you telling me this now?’

  ‘Because I feel I should explain. It wasn’t about you. Worrow just got me at a bad time, and I couldn’t tell her what was really wrong.’

  ‘Which is? C’mon, spill the beans; you owe me that,’ Ruby said, despite apologising for prying before.

  ‘I’m pregnant,’ Eve said, tears springing to her eyes.

  Ruby reached out and gave her shoulder a squeeze in an act of solidarity. It was a mannerism she had picked up from Jack. Eve had been married less than a year and had just taken out a joint mortgage on her home. ‘I take it this isn’t welcome news?’

  ‘Scott’s over the moon,’ Eve replied, using her napkin to dab her tears. ‘He hates my job, and now I’m pregnant he wants me to leave. He says it’s too dangerous for the baby.’

  ‘What are you going to do?’ Ruby said, at a loss for what to say. She was in no position to give advice given the state of her own personal life.

  ‘I don’t know. All I’ve ever wanted is to be a detective. It’s so unfair. If I was a man I wouldn’t have to choose.’

  ‘I’m not disagreeing with you there,’ Ruby said, keenly aware of the sacrifices she had made to keep her job. ‘But you should be on restricted duties at the very least. I can speak to your husband if you like, reassure him that you’ll be taken care of.’ At least now she knew why Eve had refused to fight at the raid, and sworn off alcohol during their night out.

  ‘I’m not sure he’d listen,’ Eve sniffed. ‘I’ve been a right cow lately. My hormones are all over the place. One minute I’m fine, the next I’m angry for no reason at
all.’

  ‘Hormones, who needs them, eh?’ Ruby said. But things had changed between them. It would be some time before she would trust Eve again.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Ruby, you’re a good sergeant. I shouldn’t have said what I did.’

  ‘What did you say? Worrow was very vague.’

  ‘Luddy confided that you’d visited Goldie that day. He told me not to say anything, but I had to go and blurt it out, didn’t I? I told Worrow you were visiting known criminals and not following procedure. It was a stupid thing to do, and I’ve felt terrible ever since. I can go back to her if you like, tell her it was all a mistake?’

  ‘It couldn’t do any harm,’ Ruby said, exhaling a sigh of relief. ‘Best not to mention we had this chat, or she’ll think I coerced you.’

  ‘Of course. Thanks for being so understanding. I’m happy to go on restricted while I sort things out.’

  ‘Just do what’s right for you. And if you ever need to chat, my door is always open… literally.’ Ruby popped a chip into her mouth. She should have been happy, but she was feeling betrayed. The knowledge that Luddy had been gossiping behind her back felt like a punch to the gut. What else had he been saying? Was there anyone in her team that she could trust?

  CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

  Ruby stripped out of her suit and threw it on the bed. There was no soft music or candlelight for the meeting she planned with Downes. She wondered if he had really wanted to come at all. He had looked so tired at work. A good night’s sleep would be more beneficial than a night of rampant sex. She gave her leggings a quick shake before pulling them on. There was no need to dress up for what she had planned, and Ruby was pretty sure he would not want to stay when he discovered just how far she was entrenched with the Crosby family.

  The deceit had wrapped itself around her like a cocoon, and the longer it went on, the stronger the lies became. Why was she doing a U-turn and telling him anyway? To ease her guilt? To allow him to take on the burden and decide what to do with her? Was she being selfish? She could peel off her clothes right now and forget about her full confession. Her encounter with Worrow was still playing on her mind and she needed someone in her corner in case the shit hit the fan. The doorbell emitted a weak whine. The batteries were going again. It was not as if she had many visitors. Pulling on her sweatshirt, her heart began to pound as she pulled back the latch on the door.