Darren chuckled lightly. He was eating while making notes in a journal he always kept with him.
“So what are you writing?” Kalli asked.
“You wouldn’t find it interesting.” He took a huge bite of chicken and continued with his notes.
“Why not?” she asked. “Do you have something to hide?”
“Because you believe in facts, Kalli,” he said, looking up at her. “And I think there is more at work here than what we can see and touch. There is more at work here than some serial killer. I know you say you accept my theory that Robyn is a warning to us, but I also know the profiler in you. The years of studying psychology of killers and having counselling yourself, that little scientist in you will not believe everything I have to say.”
He shut his journal and focused on his food.
Kalli was about to snap something, but she met Mike’s eyes and he shook his head. She took a deep breath. “I’m full,” she commented, standing up and putting her plate in the fridge. “I’ll be upstairs,” she added before walking out of the kitchen.
She went up and looked at the various boards. Each of the victims was represented, except two. She stared at Jacqui’s picture, and then the ones Darren had placed next it.
It dawned on her then. Most of the victims were near or around this area.
She went to the board that still had sixty suspects up and started to remove their pictures based on whether or not they lived within a ten kilometre radius of the neighbourhood. Down they came, one after another, each and every one that was no longer a suspect for her. She nodded as she did this, working carefully.
When she was done, she was left with forty. Forty was better than the hundreds she had started with. She sighed in relief and then went to every board, going over her notes carefully to find anything that would eliminate more suspects. She reached Robyn’s, and paused.
She stared at the photo of the beautiful girl, her blonde short hair kept back with an elastic band. She was in her cheerleader uniform. Her parents’ pride and joy, she had a radiant smile but mischievous eyes. Kalli felt she would have liked her, if they had been in high school together, that they would have been friends.
Kalli touched the photo lightly before pulling away and preparing to move to Roger’s board. As she pushed Robyn’s board out of the way she heard a sniffle. She looked around quickly for the source, but didn’t see one. She shivered slightly as the temperature in the room dropped, and goosebumps erupted on her skin.
She heard the sniffle again, almost like a small child beginning to cry, and realised it was coming from the first board. She swung it around to stare at the photo of little Morgan.
Kalli froze as she saw bloody tears pouring from the eyes in the photo. Nothing else in the photo moved, but the blood dribbled down the board and dripped to the floor.
She heard a different cry and saw that the board for Kyle was also dripping blood. Then Stanley’s started. She quickly looked at Robyn’s, but there was nothing, literally. No notes, no photos, no anything. She spun around and, standing in the centre of the room, was Robyn, dressed as she had been the night her life was taken, except she had bloody tears running down her face.
Kalli backed away slightly, but as she didn’t want to touch the boards crying blood, she was stuck. Robyn advanced towards her slowly. She opened her mouth and blood gushed out, causing Kalli to shriek.
She heard the scraping of chairs in the distance and before she knew it Mike was behind Robyn with his gun drawn. He lowered it, his eyes wide with fear as he saw the boards dripping blood, as he saw Robyn advancing on Kalli with blood gushing. He couldn’t see her fully, but the splashes on the floor were evidence enough.
Darren also entered, looking around and then at Kalli. “I don’t think she wants to hurt you. Don’t be afraid.”
Kalli yelled, “That’s easy for you to say. She’s not coming for you.”
She felt like crying herself. The sight of Robyn freaked her out. She could already feel an anxiety attack coming on. The lights started to flicker and a wailing sound filled the room.
“Don’t be afraid, Kalli!” Darren shouted.
He attempted to close in, but Robyn flicked her wrist and he went sailing back into Mike. Kalli watched as they scrambled to get up. Mike raised his gun again, but Darren put a hand over it.
“Don’t! It will pass right through her and hit Kalli.”
Kalli was finding it harder and harder to breathe the closer Robyn got. It was as though they were in a bubble and all the oxygen was being sucked out. Robyn opened her mouth and shrieked, spraying Kalli with her blood.
Suddenly the light became really bright - they all shielded their eyes - and with a pop it blew.
Darren said, “It’s okay, it’s over.”
She opened her eyes, trying her best to catch her breath. Mike was by her side instantly, encouraging her to breathe. Once she was again taking regular lungs full of air, she looked around.
There was no longer blood dripping from the boards, and Robyn was gone. All that remained were a set of bloody footprints where she had last been standing, and even those were now fading.
“I don’t understand what she’s trying to tell me.”
Mike wrapped his arms around her. “We’ll figure it out, don’t worry.”
Darren moved to leave.
“Where are you off to?” Mike asked.
“Need to make notes.” Darren replied.
Kalli looked up at Mike. “The scientist in me has nothing.”
Chapter 13
The Butcher
The shattered pieces contained inside Tatum were so desirable that it took all his willpower to not take her head off in the middle of the school corridor. Dejected, slumped, empty; he would sculpt her into his finest piece yet. Every time he caught sight of her shivers ran through his body.
The itch burned within him. It was almost time. He knew it from the tips of his toes to the top of his head; soon he would have his fingers around that pretty little neck and choke the life out of her.
He had to calm himself and decided to distance himself from her for a few days, not wanting to give in to temptation impulsively. He focused his efforts on his menial job, trying to keep his thoughts away from Tatum and how perfect and ripe she was.
Once he caught her leaning into her locker looking like she was half asleep. Ceasing his mopping, he leaned heavily on his mop, keeping an eye on her from the corner of his viewpoint.
That was when Barker Wild saw him.
He went on mopping.
“What’s wrong?” Barker asked, approaching him.
Barker eyed him, and he could see the disgust and disappointment in his eyes. Everyone looked at the janitor like that, as though there was no worse job in the world someone could do. Ironic though, since Barker had assisted him in getting this job.
“Nothing,” he mumbled, staring at the mop as he worked. “Why would something be wrong?”
“I was just asking,” Barker said, running a hand over his hair. He saw Tatum then and moved away to her.
He watched as Barker put a light hand on her shoulder.
“Are you okay?” Barker asked her.
He witnessed Barker question Tatum and his blood boiled. She wasn’t his to touch. He couldn’t make out what Tatum replied, she spoke so softly, but Barker rubbed her shoulder gently and offered to escort her to her next class.
Barker glanced back at him and shook his head. He shrugged and continued to mop as though nothing in the world mattered to him.
He had some repairs to do and that kept him busy for the next few days, but every time he saw Tatum his heart felt like it was beating out of his chest. Then Barker would appear out of nowhere and escort Tatum to her next class.
Barker was suspicious of him.
This was a problem.
He couldn’t have Barker standing in his way. When they were in school together he would always be in his way and now, as adults, he was in his way again. It was time Barker was dealt
with.
He had never killed an adult before, but he was looking forward to it. It was time that he truly challenged himself. If he was successful, then Tatum would be his reward.
This would take careful planning; Barker was not a child. He lacked the naivety, the blissful ignorance and the blind faith that younger people had. He would have to do this in such a way that Barker would not see it coming. He would have to be covert about it.
It felt like the greatest challenge yet.
He changed his focus from observing Tatum to observing Barker. He needed to know his habits, his obsessions, his favourite places; he needed to know everything. He had never paid Barker much mind because he had never mattered in the grand scheme of things, but now he was all that mattered.
Beginning with waiting until all the staff had left the administration building, he saw Barker’s sign in and sign out times. He needed to check if Barker was always home at the same time and if he arrived at the same time every morning. He was tempted to kill the idiot in his classroom, but in his gut he knew that was the wrong choice. He wanted to exhibit Barker somewhere delightful.
Every day he followed Barker as the teacher stopped by his father’s house. He realised it would be the perfect location to exhibit his body. He recalled Barker explaining to him that the house was in a Trust, so could never be sold, or auctioned off, but everyone knew Barker came here - supposedly alone.
He waited inside once. He had gotten there before Barker and could hear him tinkering somewhere. Eventually, he heard the back door open and close, and from the window upstairs he saw Barker working on the garden, naively trying to keep the garden his father so prized in order.
Barker would never see it coming. It was time.
Having decided on a location for Barker’s demise he understood he would need to keep a low profile for a few days after the event. He wouldn’t stay at home, that would be too telling; staying at a motel until the death blew over would work better. So that no one missed him or questioned his sudden disappearance, he would still go to work, and then, when the time was right, he would claim his ultimate prize. He would claim her.
The day he chose as Barker’s day, he went to work as he normally did. He avoided Barker as he normally would and kept an eye on Tatum. During the last period of the day, he hung around Barker’s class, fixing a light.
He heard raised voices and it was clear that Barker was having an argument with Darren Blackwood again. They argued often. He once overhead Barker tell another teacher that he had a soft spot for the boy, that he just needed guidance to turn into the young man Barker knew he could be. This resulted in him having more fights with Blackwood than any other student.
Then he saw her walking down the corridor. She looked like she had lost a lot of weight and that at any moment she would fall over. He had to reel himself in and not prematurely satisfy the recurring itch.
She approached the classroom and stopped, staring through the window in the door. He assumed she was waiting for the fight to stop so she could speak to Barker.
The thought suddenly crossed his mind that perhaps she was in love with Barker, and that thought made him even angrier. How dare Barker take advantage of her like that! How dare he defile her! He was going to make him pay.
She fell backwards and he watched curiously. He stepped a little more into the shadows behind some lockers and saw the door open. Blackwood stormed out and Barker knelt to assist her. He clenched his fists. This would be the last time Barker got to see her.
He left directly after that to head to Barker’s father's house. The game was over. This wasn’t just an itch; it was personal. He would satisfy both his itch and his need for revenge at the same time.
Letting himself in, he went upstairs to where he had stored his supplies. He dressed in an overall and donned his gloves. After tying his katana around him so it would be easily accessible, he clipped his handcuffs and knife into position. He was ready for this.
The excitement that normally bubbled up before it was time was different now. He had to clear his head or he was going to make a mistake that would get him caught.
He called the motel he had chosen and made his reservation. He had his bag packed and by the front door. Barker wouldn’t notice it. He never noticed anything. He was so wrapped up in his perfect little world that he thought he had everything under control. He was going to show him exactly how out of control he was.
Waiting patiently, he sat on the bed. This was once Barker’s bedroom, kept untouched after he had left. All his trophies, his awards, photos of all his accomplishments, remained on proud display. Being that amazing had its consequences, though; you were known and people recognised you, and you couldn’t get away with anything without ruining your reputation.
He heard the front door open and close. It was time. He stood up, arms at his sides. He didn’t care about being seen today. He wanted Barker to know. He wanted Barker to see what had been right in front of him this entire time.
He walked down the stairs silently. Barker was busy tidying the dining room. From the door, he watched him. Barker stopped what he was doing and looked up.
“What on Earth are you wearing?” he asked, turning back to his cleaning. “You look like a dork.”
He clenched his fists; he hated it when Barker spoke down to him like that.
“I thought it was time you saw me for who I truly was.” He approached.
Barker scoffed quietly and shook his head. “A lazy asshole who couldn’t be bothered to amount to anything more than a janitor?”
The man’s eyes just managed to widen before the blade cut cleanly through his neck. He was frozen there, his eyes blinked for a few seconds, and then body and head hit the floor. His eyes were still wide open and, to his delight, they looked around before the light finally left.
He had decapitated Barker’s head so quickly that the oxygen that remained in his brain was sufficient for his eyes to look around and register shock. He had read about the phenomenon, but none of his victims had ever achieved it. He felt giddy; excited as though he were a young child and it was Christmas morning.
Breathing in his excitement and closing his eyes, he paused to enjoy the moment for a little longer. He didn’t have to fear being seen here. No one was coming. Not until they started looking for Barker.
He knelt and pulled out his knife, got Barker’s mouth open and pulled his tongue out. The knife sliced through the muscle easily and he put it in his pocket. There was a jar of vinegar in his bags waiting for this latest addition.
Picking up Barker’s body proved harder than he thought. Barker Wild had been athletic his whole life and he was heavier than anticipated. He set the body down and went to get some rope.
Using the rope to hoist him to the stairs and get him positioned, he tied the ends off to keep the body there while he handcuffed it to the staircase. He decided to leave the rope there, in case the railing couldn’t hold the body.
He retrieved Barker’s head and put it at the feet. He stepped back and admired his work. He had forgotten about his revenge and just revelled in satisfying the itch for now. It would carry him through until it was Tatum’s time.
Checking his watch, he realised it was dark already and no one would be around. He picked up his bags and walked out of the house, leaving the door slightly ajar.
After disposing of his clothes by burning them in an empty field, he went to his motel to check in. He thought he would have to wait days for the news to appear, but Barker was loved more than even he realised. He was missed immediately, and the news of his death was reported early the next morning. There were numerous reports and suspicions and he was pleased with how people were reacting to his latest masterpiece.
He went to work as usual and pretended to be upset about Barker’s death. Many people approached him, thinking they had been so close, and offered their condolences, and he acknowledged them, telling them he wanted the police to find the killer and deliver him to justice. He knew they n
ever would.
Then, the best news of all.
The police had a suspect they were looking for and soon his face was on every news channel across town.
They believed that Darren Blackwood was the murderer, following in his father's footsteps. They were asking if anyone had any information on the whereabouts of the troubled teen to contact the police immediately. He was dangerous and shouldn’t be trusted.
He could go home, and home he went. He could finally keep an eye on Tatum again.
The only problem was that Tatum wasn’t at school and it didn’t look as if she was coming back anytime soon. Some eavesdropping quenched his curiosity; Tatum was under house arrest and being guarded all day and night in case Darren tried to get to her. The police had guessed correctly - Tatum was the main target - but had the wrong artist.
They didn’t appreciate the art. They would. They would appreciate it when he created his masterpiece. Tatum would be perfect. Tatum would be the greatest masterpiece ever beheld by mankind.
Chapter 14
Kallista
The incident with the blood from the photographs triggered something in Darren that caused him to announce he needed to leave town for a few days. He wouldn’t explain why he had to go, but insisted it was important that he look into certain avenues, and reiterated that Mike had to protect Kalli while he was gone, which Mike readily agreed to do.
Darren climbed onto his motorbike early the next morning and roared down the road, leaving Kalli and Mike to plough through the next part of the case without him.
Barker Wild was the next victim.
They immediately set up a board for him and the first big note Kalli made was to question ‘why an adult?’ Barker Wild had been the only adult The Butcher had targeted and it struck her as odd.
Mike went over numerous theories with her, theories he and his partner had at the time, and they went over all the forensic evidence collected.
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