Salt

by David Chambers

  ‘Fuck, I hadn’t thought about that. I guess he could of but I don’t know. It seems a bit farfetched though.’

  ‘Farfetched? It’s science. They start as rapists and then end up killing. I thought about it more and he’s got perfect victims. All these young girls hiding their tracks and coming to his house in secret, you know?’

  ‘Jesus Dan, you really think there are more?’ Emma asked.

  ‘Of course there are. No way he spent a load of time chatting to you and then thought. ‘Hey I don’t enjoy fucking girls.’ There’s no way you were the first and I’m sure you weren’t the last.’

  ‘Oh shit, I should have gone to the Police or something.’ Emma said.

  ‘Nah. Doesn’t matter now. It’s in the past like you said. What matters now is the future. We’ve got to do it to stop him. It’s like some kind of sign or something that we met like we did and fell in love and I have a boat.’

  ‘Why the boat though?’ Emma asked.

  ‘Because it’s the best place to hide stuff. The gangsters in London used to use the Thames to get rid of bodies and weapons but if they had a boat they could have come out here and done it properly.’ Dan said.

  ‘Why didn’t they then?’

  ‘I guess they didn’t have a boat or couldn’t be bothered. There wasn’t the DNA and stuff they have now but there’s still bodies they find in the Thames and can’t identify. There was some kid they found that was used in some Voodoo shit.’

  ‘Voodoo? Are you kidding?’ Emma asked.

  ‘No. They reckon they brought him over from Africa and killed him but nobody knows anything else.’ Dan said.

  ‘Jesus, that’s horrible. A kid?’

  ‘Yeah but that’s what I’m saying. Water washes away evidence even if they do find the body and the Thames is nothing compared to here.’

  ‘True.’ Emma said.

  ‘You ok?’ Dan asked.

  ‘Yeah just thinking. Like if he’s done more.’

  ‘Don’t feel bad about it though babe, we just need to fix it. Don’t we?’

  ‘Yeah, I wasn’t sure before but now I think he might be doing this to other girls. It makes me feel sick.’

  ‘We’ll do something, we’ll stop him. Then he can’t get to you anymore.’ Dan said.

  ‘I know. I’d like that. Not to be worrying about bumping into him again. But do you think we could get away with it? Really?’ She asked.

  ‘Once when I was a kid I was on a beach with my dad we found a dog. It had no head but was clearly a dog.’

  ‘That’s gross. Why didn’t it have a head?’ Emma asked.

  ‘I don’t know, my dad said it must have fallen overboard and a propeller hit it. I believed him at the time but later on I just started to think it couldn’t be. I started to think someone killed it.’

  ‘That’s horrible, poor dog. What kind of dog was it?’ Emma asked.

  ‘Brown. I don’t know, it didn’t have a head. But the point is that it was all bloated and stuff had been eating it and whatever. There was no way there was any evidence on it, none of the shit you see in CSI. There was no way anyone could find anything on it.’ Dan said.

  ‘So you want to chop his head off now?’

  ‘No way. Too messy and I don’t know if I could do it. I’m not ISIS.’

  ‘Good, I don’t think I could cut something off someone.’ Emma flinched at the thought of it. ‘Eww no.’

  ‘Definitely not up for that, don’t worry babe. Just dump him out here where nobody can find him.’ Dan said.

  ‘But what if someone does find him? I couldn’t see you go to prison for this. I’d be gutted and you’re too pretty for prison, you’d be all bummed up.’

  ‘Nah. I’d be fine. You might have to go les though.’ Dan said.

  ‘Shut it you, I’d not go lesbian.’ Emma said

  ‘You might but we wouldn’t get caught anyway. I’ve been doing some research and something like ten percent of murders go unsolved in the UK each year which doesn’t sound a lot but if you think most murders are probably domestic violence or gangs where the killer’s more obvious, it adds up. If half the killings are easily solved then the ten percent becomes more like twenty percent of the total going unsolved. Then you’ve got all the people who go missing and aren’t classed as murders, that’s even more that could be unsolved. Pretty much the police don’t solve as many killings as you’d hope.’

  ‘That’s fucked up. But what if someone sees you looking at all this crime stuff? Then they would think you were up to something.’ Emma said.

  ‘That’s the clever part, well the first clever part.’ Dan smiled proudly. ‘I’m writing a book.’

  ‘What do you mean you’re writing a book?’ Emma asked.

  ‘That’s what I’ll tell them. I’m doing research and it’s easy to start knocking up some notes and stuff. So, they see a bored business man who travels and decides to write a book about serial killers and there you go. All my research is explained.’ Dan said.

  ‘You sneaky shit bag. That’s clever. But what if they notice you haven’t published anything? Then they’d be on to you.’

  ‘People take years to write books, all I’ve got to do is show I’m working on it. If it never gets done it never gets done. Loads of people want to write a book and never do it. There’s probably thousands of unfinished or unpublished books shoved in people’s bottom drawers.’ Dan said.

  ‘That’s true, everyone does seem to want to write a book.’ Emma said. ‘But what would you do, you can’t just invite him out for a cruise.’

  ‘I know. I haven’t figured that bit out yet but I’m getting there. Do you want to see my notes?’ Dan asked.

  ‘You’ve got notes?’

  ‘Of course I’ve got notes, I’ve always got notes.’ Dan said.

  ‘Jesus, even your crimes are nerdy.’ Emma said rolling her eyes.

  ‘Cheeky bitch but yes I’ve got notes, a few pages of them now actually. If I don’t I can’t plan and it won’t work.’

  ‘Do you have notes on me?’ Emma asked.

  ‘I’ve got a whole file on you.’ Dan said smiling.

  ‘My own file. I’m impressed. What’s in it?’ Emma asked.

  ‘I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you and then I’d need to make more notes.’

  ‘Don’t kill me, I’d haunt you if you killed me.’ Emma said.

  ‘Well you’re hardly Freddy Kruger but I’m not going to kill you. Honest.’

  ‘Promise?’ Emma asked.

  ‘I promise.’ Dan said.

  ‘Good.’

  ‘Now do you want to see my notes?’ Dan asked.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

  ‘When would we do it?’ Emma asked.

  ‘I don’t know to be honest, it’s waited this long so there’s no big rush.’ Dan said.

  ‘I guess, I’d just want it over and done with you know.’

  ‘Yeah, I know, we want it done quickly but we can’t rush it. We need to get him at a good time.’

  ‘What like? Are you sure you really want to do this?’ Emma asked.

  ‘I’m sure. Keeping asking me won’t change my mind. I want him gone so he can’t hurt you or anyone else again.’ Dan said.

  ‘Ok, it’s just a big thing you know?’ Emma said.

  ‘I know it is and there is no going back once it’s started but we both want it, well I know I do. Do you?’ Dan asked.

  ‘I do. I’m just scared and nervous. I haven’t done anything like this before.’

  ‘Neither have I but I’ve never needed or wanted to. It needs to be done and I need to know you are with me in this. Are you?’ Dan asked.

  ‘Yes. I’m with you. I’ll be nervous though, until it’s over. Then maybe afterwards too.’

  ‘That’s fine, I think not being nervous would make us psychopaths. We just need to have it planned out, that should make the nerves go a little.’ Dan said.

  ‘I guess, I’m just no good at planning. Never have been.’ Emma said
.

  ‘That’s why I’m here. So we just need to decide when. I think it’s got to be at night so we stand less of a chance to be seen or interrupted.’

  ‘That makes sense, like burglars.’ Emma said.

  ‘Pretty much, just we’re stealing a person rather than a TV. Special forces always attack at four in the morning, apparently because it’s a surprise.’

  ‘How do you know that?’ Emma asked.

  ‘I read it in a book. It’s something to do with sleep cycles or something.’

  ‘But if everyone knows they attack at that time why don’t they just have everyone ready at that time?’ Emma asked.

  Dan hesitated. ‘I don’t know really. It’s not a secret anymore so I’ve got no idea. Maybe they work on the theory that having everyone on guard at that time every morning isn’t going to happen so they keep doing it.’

  ‘Maybe. It just seems silly to write it in a book.’ Emma said.

  ‘I don’t think they wanted it writing down, there are loads of books now since Andy McNab started writing books. Anyway, it doesn’t matter, he won’t be expecting a team of Special Forces breaking into his house so we should be fine.’

  ‘Yeah instead of Andy McThingy he gets you and me.’ Emma said laughing. ‘All dressed in black and stuff.’

  ‘McNab, Andy McNab. I think we’ll look good in black though.’ Dan said.

  ‘It is slimming, so if anyone sees us they’ll think we’re super skinny anyway.’

  ‘Yeah nobody wants to be a fat criminal.’ Dan said.

  ‘Exactly.’ Emma said smiling.

  ‘Anyway, fashion aside. We need to decide on when to do it. We need a night when he won’t be alert. Does he drink?’

  ‘Yeah, he’s always posting on Facebook about going to the pub on a Friday night. I think it’s work people he goes with.’ Emma said.

  ‘Every Friday?’ Dan asked.

  ‘Yeah I think so. I can check later.’

  ‘That’d be good. If he’s had a drink he might be deeper asleep so less likely to wake up. It would be better if we could drug him but I don’t see how we could.’

  ‘No, I don’t either.’ Emma said.

  ‘That’s good. He should be sleeping nicely when we get there in our ninja suits and then we grab him and get out of there.’

  ‘Ok you make that sound easy.’ Emma said.

  ‘It should be easy if we plan it properly and know what to do if something goes wrong. I don’t want to be there longer than quarter of an hour and then back on the road. The less time we’re there the better.’

  ‘That sounds good. Are we really going to do this? Are you sure?’ Emma asked.

  ‘I am. I want him gone. It’s what he deserves. Are you sure you’re going to be ok?’

  ‘Yeah. I’ll be fine. It’s just something I’ve thought about but never thought would actually happen and we’re really going to do it, aren’t we?’ Emma asked.

  ‘Yes. I need to think it through and buy some stuff but yes, we’re really going to do it. Then we can be together without a worry of him ruining everything.’ Dan said.

  ‘I’d like that. I really would. Do you think it will work out?’

  ‘Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t be doing it. Once it’s over and done with then we can forget all about him. It’ll be good.’ Dan said.

  ‘It’ll be very good. I love you you know?’ Emma said.

  ‘I know you do and I love you too.’

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

  The morning was overcast, one of those days where it looks like the day hasn’t decided if it wants to start or not. Dan drove alone. There were fields either side of the road, a ditch and hedgerow separated the tarmac from the field. He passed a sign thanking him for driving carefully through Newton Longville and resisted accelerating in defiance, a speeding ticket now really wouldn’t help his cause.

  He was driving without GPS today, one less thread connecting him to the plan. It wasn’t too difficult, he was young enough to use technology but not too young to remember a time when every car had a map book and selection of A to Z’s wedged in the seat pocket. He wondered why cars still had seat pockets but pushed the thought from his mind. He had a job to do and needed no distractions.

  Dan slowed as he saw the railway bridge come into view, he pulled onto the curb when he saw the house.

  He opened the door and stepped onto the pavement. The non-prescription half rim glasses had arrived three days ago, they almost felt comfortable. The website had described them as retro-cool but retro or cool hadn’t been high on his agenda, he just needed to look like he wore glasses and these did the job perfectly. He had spent the last few days working from home cultivating his stubble so he now looked like he took shaving tips from an eighties George Michael. Very retro-cool.

  He smiled to himself as he stepped onto the block paved drive, there was an old silver BMW saloon parked there with room for another two vehicles. The entire property was shielded from the road by an overgrown hedge and trees to the front and side while the railway embankment blocked off the nearest house. Even the nosiest neighbour would find it impossible to see the house, especially at night.

  Dan walked across the drive, he stopped when he saw a security light but then continued to walk. The light didn’t turn on and he reached the front door, the doorbell chimed when he pressed it and he stepped back onto the block paved drive.

  The door opened and there he was. ‘Yes?’ He said.

  Dan felt a rush of warmth run through his body, surging to his fingers and then back to his head, where it burned. Mr Sneer now had a face and it was pudgy, soft and dark around sunken eyes.

  ‘Can I help you?’ His body hidden behind the door.

  ‘Sorry.’ Dan paused. ‘I’m from eBay. About the table.’

  ‘Ah cool, no problem.’ His face changed from suspicious to friendly as he stepped back and opened the door. ‘Any problems finding me?’

  Dan hesitated. He was expecting someone different. He didn’t know who but not this. The man standing in front of him didn’t look capable of harming anyone. His head was large, round and chubby while his body looked too weak to be able to hurt anyone. Then he remembered he specialised in hurting teenage girls, hardly a fair fight for a grown man. ‘No, no problems at all. It’s an easy enough route.’

  ‘Excellent, well the table is in the back room if you want to come and take a look at it.’ Jaz turned and walked deeper into the hallway. ‘Follow me.’

  Dan stepped forward. The heat burned in his hands urging them into action. He was right here in front of him. The blank image now replaced by a fat face that had been taunting him for months, his puny body was right there and there was no doubt that Dan could overpower him in the hallway and choke the rape right out of him or maybe punch it out through his ears. He took a deep breath and stepped into the hallway closing the door behind him. He stopped again, his back to the hallway as the heat welled in his chest.

  ‘Are you ok? Do you want a drink?’ The voice from the hallway sounded genuinely friendly.

  Dan turned. ‘Sorry, it’s just been one of those days.’ He smiled as he looked at the hallway. It was plainly decorated with a carpet his mother would have described as busy, all the better for hiding stains she would have explained. It had every colour from green to brown in patterns he hadn’t seen since he was a child. The walls were beige painted woodchip paper with no decorations apart from the shadows cast by tacks and clean rectangles where pictures once hung. The same carpet ran upstairs to a landing decorated in the same bland colours. There was no hook holding keys but Dan noticed a bowl with a BMW key inside, sitting on top of a doily covered table.

  ‘It’s my nan’s house.’ Jaz said.

  ‘Sorry?’ Dan said.

  ‘It’s my nan’s house, well it’s kind of mine now. She moved into a home and I’m looking after it.’

  ‘Oh, it’s a lovely house. It just wasn’t what I expected when I saw you.’ Dan said.

  ‘No, I need to decorate
it but I haven’t got past clearing out her old things yet. There’s a lot of stuff here she’s kept for God only knows, but then every now and then I find some pictures or something.’ His voice caught in his throat and Dan thought he saw a tear form in the corner of his left eye. ‘Old people eh, never mind, the table’s through here.’

  ‘Excellent. Is it one of her old tables?’ Dan said following Jaz into the front room.

  ‘No, no. I buy and sell antiques from time to time. This one came from a guy I know who does house clearances, odd jobs and that kind of thing. He lets me know if something I might like comes up.’ Jaz said.

  The same interior designer had been at work in the living and dining room except this time the carpet was a blue swirl. The three-piece suite was a matching shade of blue broken up with white doilies on the arms and back of each seat. It looked like the same person had taken care of all the house’s doily needs.

  ‘Do you know much about the table?’ Dan asked following Jaz into a conservatory.

  ‘Nothing more than the advert on eBay really. It’s from the twenties or so and it’s been with the same family since then, until I got it. Oh, and its mahogany of course.’

  ‘Very nice. How long have you had it?’ Dan asked.

  ‘Just a few weeks. Here it is.’ Jaz said pulling a greyed dust sheet from the table.

  ‘Oh wow. It’s perfect.’ Dan said. There it was, a 1920’s mahogany drop leaf lamp table. To many people it was gorgeous. To Dan it was a table, a nice table but not one suited to living on a boat.

  ‘You like it then?’ Jaz asked.

  ‘I do but it’s for my girlfriend really. She loves antiques and this is a kind of anniversary gift for her.’ Dan regretted mentioning her in his presence. The memories of what he had done rushed back into his mind.

  ‘Oh nice, have you been together long?’ Jaz asked.

  ‘A few months, well six months. This will be for our six months anniversary which sounds a bit daft but I think she’s the one.’ Dan said.

  ‘That’s nice, good women are hard to find nowadays so if you find one it’s good to keep hold of her.’