Naked Souls: A thriller and suspense series Read online

  “I don’t see why time is such an issue. Those people are dead whatever happens. It doesn’t matter how long it takes.”

  “Are you a complete idiot?”

  Huh? Did he just call me an idiot? I take a moment and catch my breath which is fast and light. Now that I have a moment, I notice the sweat dripping down my side from under my arms for the first time. “No, I am not an idiot,” I manage.

  “Well, you’re acting like one.” He’s sulking, not looking in my direction, eyes downcast, concentrating on a screen I know he’s not seeing.

  “Why so?” I say after another pause, my tone soft and my volume much reduced.

  “Because whoever did this killed one hundred people. People like you and me. People just going about their business before being rudely plucked from society and left in an abandoned warehouse to rot. Whoever did this had a plan. They must have taken some pleasure from it. How do you get to one hundred deaths without gleaning some entertainment value? What’s stopping them from doing this again? From killing more people? And the sooner they are found, the less time there is for them to do that.”

  Hmm. He may have a point, but I don’t see why I should end up being one of their statistics. I turn on my heel and head to the lounge to collect my handbag. It’s time to leave.

  Adam

  I’m in the office and Todd is sitting at the opposite side of my desk. We’re picking up the meeting I had to cancel in favour of seeing Eric. Todd has been nothing but gracious about me blowing him off and I have to admit, I have a lot to thank him for.

  He bailed me out when I was in danger of losing the business after... what was it? A run in? Yes, that will suffice, a run in with my original partner. It’s taking time I don’t have to brief him on everything he needs to fly solo. Having also lost my Financial Director in that same, ‘run in,’ my time and knowledge is being pulled in more directions that I care to think about. But, Todd is a good guy and an asset I didn’t realise was missing, so I’m happy to carve out the time where I can.

  It’s funny, when you start a business organically, it’s usually with friends as they’re the ones you bounce your ideas off. But, when that all goes wrong and you’re presented with no alternative but to accept new players on your team, who come with new systems, skills and advice, all of a sudden, a business which was stagnant, is reignited. I had been planning to sell out, but with my energies re-fuelled, I’ve discounted that option. At least for the foreseeable future. I’m back in love with the multi-million pound business I started. Quite the opposite effect to what my previous business partner and Financial Director were hoping to achieve. That’s karma.

  Todd is getting to know our whales which sounds like more fun than it actually is. He’s in charge of making sure every aspect of their experience is the ultimate in perfection, such that they will continue to lose their money with us. Having no FD means being aware of the fine line between enticing lucrative gamblers versus us spending more than our clients are losing, is sa challenge.

  “I’ve tried to make sense of these old accounts,” Todd drawls in his South Carolina accent. He points a finger to the presentation board in my office. “I’ll put them on the wall, stop y’all straining your lovely neck.”

  I smile. Don’t get me wrong, Todd is in no way a pushover. In fact, he’s uncompromising to the end, but his manner is so easy, you have no choice but to warm to him. Satisfied with the accuracy of his projection, he runs through the numbers.

  “So, that leaves us in a huge hole with these three whales.” He circles his mouse on the screen. “So, we need to decide whether we dump them, or pull back on their service and see whether they leave of their own accord. If we manage to keep them, then that’s all good.”

  “Sounds like the sensible solution. If they go then, it will be quietly. We don’t want to cause a stink amongst the high rollers who are making us a profit.”

  “We’re agreed then. I’ll send you my plan and you can look it over, as it’s the first one I’ve put together, and we’ll go from there.”

  “Perfect.” We shake hands. Not because we’ve agreed a massive business venture, but as a sign we’re working in harmony. It’s a huge step forward for me and for the first time in too long, I start to relax about the future of the Bright Nights casino.

  “Now, on to matters of more importance,” Todd pipes up.

  “Oh, OK.” I thought we were done.

  “Yes, I’m having a games night on Friday. I’d very much like it if you and Lucy could attend. All work and no play makes Adam a very boring man.” As he laughs at my expense, his eyes sparkle and I can see why men and women fall for his charisma. Not one to be choosy, Todd makes no excuses for being not only bi-sexual, but actively so in all departments. He’s a huge flirt but is renowned for following through. Famous for his nocturnal arrangements and NEVER committing, Todd has a reputation which precedes him.

  “Why haven’t you settled down?” I asked him before we started working together.

  “Well Adam, there’s absolutely no need to tie oneself down for no good reason. I mean, how could I be so cruel to all the other lovely available men and women out there all clamoring for a slice of the Todd pie?”

  I laughed. He did seem to make a valid observation; it’s not like he struggles for bed partners. It was one of my concerns when he joined Bright Nights; that he’d go chasing after all our big spenders and then we’d risk losing them. I wasn’t in a position to give him more than a cursory questioning though, being on the brink of financial destruction. It seems to be working out well, though. He’s smart. Turns his charm on when it suits him and gets away with murder in so doing. So far, so good, as far as his behaviour in the business goes too. I’m not sure he’s so much as blinked at anyone inappropriately. Yet.

  Mulling this over reminds me that, when Lucy and I first got together, I was in that gloomy place of financial despair and I reflect on our row. When we became an item, I was slap bang in the middle of pending financial destruction, so, it was silly of me to assume she was only with me for my money. Even more stupid to call her out on it. I’ll wait until I arrive home later, and if she’s not there, I’ll call her. I don’t like sleeping without her by my side. I waited so long to catch Lucy, I’m not about to blow it now by demonstrating the petulance of a school child.

  Coming back into the room, I focus on my diary. “I’d love to attend. You’re right, it’ll be great to meet in a more social setting. I’m not sure about Lucy though, I don’t know if she has anything planned, but I’ll ask and let you know.”

  ”Excellent. I’ll send you over a diary invite then with all the details.” Todd stands, runs a flat palm against his bleached blonde quiff, pivots on his heel, and is gone.

  Paula

  “Paula!” Mo shouts across the office. “Everyone, it’s catch up time.”

  It’s only midday, our scheduled meeting is 3pm, so the spontaneity of Mo’s request means there’s been a development in the case. Hopefully a breakthrough, but there’s no telling. His face is grim and his attitude antsy. He’s already stalked off in the direction of our team briefing room with his shoulders back and head held high. He’s either excited or pissed off. I’m not holding my breath.

  Chairs are still being scraped under desks when Mo announces, “There’s more.”

  I catch my breath, “More?”

  “More deaths.” He spits. “Another warehouse has just been called in. Only five bodies in it at the moment, but it looks like it’s the same killer.”

  “Well, what are we doing sitting here, then?” I ask before I’ve had a chance to check myself.

  “We’re going over there now, Paula, but I wanted to brief the team first. You need to check anything and everything about this place. Paula and I will send across details as we discover them, but see if you can draw any similarities between the two scenes. Is there anything at all that will help us? Hopefully these bodies will be in a better state, help forensics, so liaise; and dig.”
/>   The team is quiet, nodding. “Right, sort out the responsibilities between yourselves but make sure everything is covered. Paula and I are leaving now. We’ll be in touch. And don’t hang about. This chap is on the rampage. We need to stop him - and soon. If Paula is right, there’ll be another body tomorrow if we can’t stop him before.”

  “Come on Paula, and bring everything you need, we’re off to Yorkshire.”

  “Whoa, Yorkshire?”

  “Yeah, the bodies are up in an old mill. It’s a similar location by all accounts though. By the side of a canal up there, totally ramshackle and hidden. They’re not only dumped down a dirt road, but it sounds like it’s pretty overgrown up there too.”

  The SAT NAV fortunately has no problems in locating the area. The police officers up there thought to give us the GPS location. Guess they’re used to hunting out scenes in the middle of nowhere. The weather is much colder than it was in London and I wrap my cardigan round me to protect against the biting wind. I tuck the loose sides under my arms before placing my jacket over the top. The stone grey of the walls is reflected in the sky and the whole place has a dismal feel. It’s perhaps not the best time of the year, being right at the start of spring, but my experience so far, suggests some truth to the north-south divide.

  A thick-set copper in a suit caked with mud, comes out to join us. He holds out a hand. “DS Roberts. We spoke on the phone.” I shake his hand first and introduce myself, followed by Mo who has walked around from the driver’s side of his car. “Come with me. You’ve had a long trip, I expect you’ll be chomping on the bit to see the scene.”

  His accent isn’t as strong as I’d expected. I’ve heard Lucy’s parents speak and they are broad compared to her. Lucy has lost much of her twang over time, just holding onto her flat vowels. I guess this DS Roberts has travelled around the country and ended up back home prior to retirement.

  “I’ll let yer get on with it, you don’t need hand holding by me. Shout if yer need anything.”

  “Thanks, we will,” I say.

  Mo smiles. “Thanks.”

  We didn’t chat much in the car. Without many details, we were lost in our thoughts for most of the four hour motorway trip. I tried to doze by resting my head against the window, expecting a long night ahead, but the potholes in the road succeeded more in giving me a huge headache than restful sleep. So, when I walk into that warehouse with a heavy heart, the sense of déjà vu is intensified by a tired brain.

  Thankfully, this time, there are only five bodies laid out. Two to the far side of the building next to each other, another more central, lying alone. But the rest was a replica of what we’d seen in London.

  “He’s planning more then,” Mo mumbles.

  “Looks like it. We need to find him.”

  “Get Jim to see if there are any more cases like this around the country.”

  I can’t believe he’s asking me this. “You know we’re professionals, right? We’ve already done that!”

  “Oh, sorry,” he mutters.

  “Guess you’re not used to having me as your sidekick yet then.” I nudge him.

  “Hey, I was only saying. No need to get sassy with me.”

  I laugh. The remains of five more murdered individuals in front of us and I laugh as though I don’t have a care in the world. My immunity must be on the rapid increase.

  We wander around the building. Like the last, it’s pretty clean. No evidence that is likely to help, that’s for sure. Just the odd stalk of hay.

  “The homeless could have been using this to keep warm in the night, but it looks like they were long gone by the time our murderer arrived,” Mo says.

  We meander through the SOCO team over to DS Roberts. “What’s the CCTV coverage like in the vicinity?” I ask.

  He shakes his head. “They do have some at the end of the lane, but they caught nothing. A few cars coming and going, but they look like they had prostitutes inside. Stayed a minute or so, then drove out. Not long enough for a body to be dragged inside there and laid out with such precision.”

  “Hmm. Nothing in London either. So, how did he get them here?”

  “There’s the river,” I suggest.

  “Indeed there is, my dear. Does that tie in with where you found your hoard?” DS Roberts asks.

  “Actually it does, but we’d assumed with the mass of bodies, and no roadside CCTV, that roads were the murderer’s primary access point,” Mo explains.

  I’m already walking off, phone in hand, on speed dial to Jim.

  Lucy

  I’m bored. I don’t like being here on my own. I don’t mind being in my house. I love it even though it’s smaller than Adam’s and less glamorous - way less glamorous - but it’s mine, and I cherish it.

  The space isn’t quite my own as it used to be. As I’ve been spending so much time at Adam’s fabulous place I’ve taken in two lodgers. The house is more than big enough for two other people. They’re barely at home themselves, anyway. My explanation to Adam was that having lodgers rather than renting out the entire house means I’m able to pop inside between the private clients I still see in my garage conversion. Plus, I’m not worried about the place being left empty and therefore vulnerable to break-ins and damp.

  I did keep to myself that it also settles my qualms to maintain a bolthole for situations like today where I need my space. I’m no longer willing to throw myself at another relationship without a backwards glance. I prefer to keep my living arrangements flexible, so as not to be caught out, if this still-new relationship doesn’t work out as I hope.

  It was all going so well, until last night. But now I’m thankful for my smart decisions. I’m upset with Adam and it’s not only for suggesting I place myself in danger. Quite frankly, I don’t think he knows me at all if he feels OK about me planting myself at the heart of another dangerous set up. I’ve experienced quite my fill of that over recent years and I am flabbergasted that he would even consider suggesting it, let alone open his mouth and let the words flow right out with absolute sincerity.

  But, I’m also upset that he would consider for even a second that I am only with him for his money. And that, again, is another sign that the man doesn’t know me as well as I’d perhaps convinced myself he did. Wishful thinking can be a dangerous game, and so, I’m ringing the time out bell and taking stock with some distance between us.

  My phone breaks my thoughts. It's a text.

  Paula: ‘I’m in Yorkshire. More dead bodies like those in London up here. The man is on a frenzy.’

  I’m still in a mood with Paula, although having not spoken to her, she won’t realise it. She’s another one, happy putting me in danger for the sake of strangers. And now she’s in bloody Yorkshire.

  Me: ‘Pop in and say hi to my family whilst you’re up there.’

  I deliberately ignore her reference to more bodies. Then I feel bad.

  Me: ‘Where are you? How many bodies?’

  Paula: ‘Near Halifax. Five, all recent.’

  Shit! I shouldn’t have asked. Why did I ask? Adam was right, this guy is continuing a killing spree and I could be the one to help. But isn’t it about time that I put myself first for a change?

  Ugh.

  Me: ‘Any leads?’

  Paula: ‘None yet, we’re looking into a few, but nothing concrete.’

  She wants my help, that’s what she’s getting at.

  Me: ‘Hope something opens up soon x’

  That’ll do it. I’ve said no, but put a kiss on the end. Works every time.

  If I didn’t know better, I’d swear Paula and Adam had co-ordinated as my doorbell sensor alerts the bluetooth on my phone that he just pulled into my drive at home. I check out of my window.

  Here we go.

  I relax my shoulders as I release the breath which was gripped within my lungs and turn my attention to my visitor. He’s only prepared to give me space until he’s finished his day at the casino then!

  Grr.

  I have a word wi
th myself. There’s no point getting arsey – at least he cares. With that positivity in mind, I push my frustration with him aside, and open my front door.

  He leans in to kiss my cheek as I step aside to let him enter. Without even realising it, I turn my head, causing him to catch the blonde strands of my shoulder length hair instead. His eyes open wide, but he lets it pass.

  I back up further, closing the door with my left hand whilst ushering him with my right into my bedroom, away from the lodgers.

  He picks at his fingers. “I was going to call, but I missed you, so I thought I’d drive round. I was hoping you’d be back at mine when I got home.”

  “I’m not going to be there when you’ve accused me of only being with you for the money, Adam. The last thing I’m going to do then is be at your luxurious home on its private country estate.”

  “I’m sorry, I just said that in the heat of the moment. I don’t think that at all. It was just one of those things that you spit out in the middle of an argument. Will you forgive me?”

  He takes a step forward to hug me. I linger in my position for no more than a millisecond, but it feels like a lifetime, and consider my options and feelings towards what he’s just said. I step away from him.

  “Adam, how can you know so little about me? It’s not just that. It’s that you just assumed it would be fine for me to go and work with your, no doubt, criminal friend, to unearth facts about a really fucking big mass murderer so that Paula has an easy life in her first week back as a bloody murder detective. Had it even crossed either of your minds that if she wants to be back on the force so much, she should go undercover?”