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

  ‘And there was no sign of forced entry here either? Just how are they getting in?’ Ruby said, wracking her brain for a connection.

  ‘Someone from Crosby’s Estate Agents came upon her when he was showing potential buyers around. Not something you’d expect to see during a viewing,’ he chuckled.

  ‘Indeed,’ Ruby said, although it was hardly the time to be cracking jokes. People like Chris seemed immune to the horrors of death, as it was thrust upon them day after day. Ruby strived to cling to that semblance of her humanity no matter how grim things became. Unease crept over her at the mention of the Crosby family name. Was it a coincidence that the victim had been dumped in one of their properties? Or was there something more sinister at play?

  ‘Are we pulling this duvet back, or what?’ Downes said, receiving the thumbs up from Emma, the crime scene investigator, as she turned to reload her camera. Taking a corner each, Downes and Ruby pulled the top half back, revealing Monica’s torso. Despite the questionable smell the long white Victorian nightgown was spotlessly clean.

  ‘Looks like Monica has been given a change of clothes too.’ Ruby peeped under the bottom half of the duvet to see that her feet were bare.

  ‘Well, they’ve gone to a lot of trouble,’ Chris replied.

  ‘This was the result of long-term planning,’ Downes said. ‘It wasn’t an act of impulse.’

  Chris turned to look at the mirror. ‘Very curious. I’ll do some rearranging, try to have this lady on the table this evening.

  ‘Best I’d be off,’ Ruby said, bemused, as she watched Emma walk DI Downes out to the front door. She was yet to finish photographing the scene, but as the young girl chatted happily about some pub she frequented, her mind appeared to be on other things.

  ‘Oh and Ruby, count me in the next time you’re organising a shift drinking session. All work and no play and all that,’ Chris said.

  ‘Will do,’ Ruby replied, wishing there was something to celebrate.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Ruby said, watching Ash frantically poke at his phone. Too engrossed in his task, he did not hear her come in, and he continued swearing under his breath as he peered at the screen.

  ‘He’s deleting his tweets,’ Eve said, striding past her with a wad of paperwork.

  ‘Tweets? You do realise we’re running a murder investigation here, don’t you?’

  ‘It’s of life-and-death importance apparently.’ Eve said, wearing a hint of a smile. ‘DCI Worrow’s following him on Twitter. It’s part of her new initiative to get to know us all a bit better.’

  ‘Not another one of her bloody initiatives,’ Ruby said, rolling her eyes. ‘It’s not as if she’s got anything better to do, is it?’

  ‘Just be glad it’s not Facebook,’ Luddy said. ‘Did you see that photo he posted last night?’

  ‘I’m not on Facebook for exactly that reason,’ Ruby said, stealing a boiled sweet from his desk. She had renewed her conviction to give up cigarettes yet again, figuring her bad habits would be her downfall one day. ‘Has anyone spoken to Monica’s husband, Adam Sherwood, yet?’

  ‘I did, just before the body was found,’ Eve said, raising her hand as if she was in school.

  Ruby made a mental note to speak to her about being more assertive. ‘Before they found the body? What are you, psychic?’

  ‘Well, I do follow the horoscopes, as it happens,’ Eve blushed under the strength of Ruby’s withering gaze. ‘Sorry. Erm… all missing person’s reports are highlighted to us now, particularly if they’ve given up a child for adoption in the past.’

  Ruby thought of the email address that she had used to contact Lucy. She would keep trying in case its owner activated it again. She had little choice. Not when there was a nutcase scooping up women from their homes. ‘What’s her husband got to say about it?’

  ‘Adam, her other half, said that she didn’t want children and never spoke about the adoption. I got the impression that she wasn’t the maternal type.’

  ‘So if someone came to her door purporting to be her daughter, she may not have given them a warm welcome,’ Ruby said, removing Ash’s phone from his grip and shoving it in the drawer.

  Eve rose from her desk. ‘I’m just popping out,’ she said, picking up her jacket from the back of her chair.

  ‘Can I have a quick word first?’ Ruby said, nodding towards her office.

  Eve faltered. ‘Sure. Would you like me to bring in a cuppa?’

  ‘Go on then, you’ve twisted my arm. Strong, three sugars… ’

  ‘And two teabags. Yes, I know.’

  Ruby pulled her chair into her desk. She had five minutes to look into Worrow’s agitated caller because of the workload threatening to engulf her whole. Something was going on with Miss Prissy Pants and she would make it her business to find out what. As Nathan used to say, there were two things in life that got people into the most trouble: money and sex. She clicked on the form to request a credit check. It was time to do a little digging.

  * * *

  ‘Sorry,’ Eve said, mopping up the spillage from the mug of tea she had just placed on Ruby’s desk.

  ‘That’s OK,’ Ruby said, switching off her computer screen as she gratefully accepted the beverage. She blew the steam before taking a sip. ‘Blimey, has the milk been rationed?’

  ‘Sorry,’ Eve said. ‘Will I go and get some more?’

  ‘Sit down,’ Ruby said, ‘and for God’s sake, stop apologising.’

  ‘Sor—’ Eve stopped suddenly, swallowing the apology she was about to deliver. She took a sip of coffee, most likely to shut herself up. Placing the mug on the desk, she twiddled with her fingers.

  ‘I just wanted to check you’re okay,’ Ruby said. ‘You haven’t seemed yourself lately. Not working you too hard, are we?’

  ‘No, I’m fine.’ Eve peered out the window in a manner that suggested she would like to be anywhere as long as it wasn’t in Ruby’s office.

  ‘It’s just that… ’ Ruby said, wishing she had rehearsed the words. Everything was so politically correct now; say the wrong thing and you would find yourself up in front of a tribunal. It was a far cry from when she joined, when she was patted on the bottom and told to stay out of trouble.

  She brought her attention back to Eve. Their impromptu meeting was the last thing she needed with everything else going on, but she had watched her for some time now and her behaviour was beginning to grate. ‘I know it’s tough working in an office full of men, but is something wrong? Your confidence seems to have nosedived in the last few weeks.’

  Eve’s glance fell onto her lap, where she pulled at a loose thread from her knee-length skirt.

  In the absence of a response, Ruby continued. ‘You’re a good detective, but if you want to progress up the career ladder, you need to be more assertive. Don’t let them take the piss out of you. Even DI Downes treats you like a lapdog.’ She sighed, wondering if her words were sinking in. ‘He grew up in an age when sexism was accepted, but it’s no excuse and shouldn’t be tolerated now. ‘Things will be a lot easier if you learn to stop apologising and grow thicker skin. Does that make sense?’

  ‘It’s not easy,’ Eve replied, in a quiet voice.

  Ruby strained to listen. ‘And that’s another thing: you’ve got to speak up. Talk with authority; say it loud. Don’t apologise unless there’s a very good reason for it. Banter is fine, but don’t let them treat you like you’re a second-class citizen. You can help them with their workloads as long as it works both ways.’ Ruby sighed as she watched Eve withdraw into herself. ‘I’m not having a go at you; I’m just trying to help, because sometimes I see you when nobody’s looking and you don’t seem very happy. Are you being bullied? Is that what it is?’ Silence fell, and Ruby’s gaze lingered on Eve as she waited for her response.

  ‘No, but it’s not easy for me. If people knew… ’ Eve blinked twice, her blue doe-eyes filled with sadness.

  ‘Knew what?’

  �
�I can’t say,’ Eve sniffled.

  ‘You can tell me to mind my own business, but if something’s affecting your work then we need to discuss it. Is it something at home? Family problems? Finances?’

  Eve bit her bottom lip, a scarlet hue rising up her cheeks. ‘I told you. I can’t say. I’ll take on board everything you said; I’ll try harder. Now can I go? My shift ended half an hour ago.’

  Ruby frowned. Since the discovery of another body it was a given that the investigating team would be in for another late finish. But there was something about Eve’s demeanour that made Ruby uneasy. Eve had changed from being calm and composed to someone ready to snap.

  ‘OK. But my door is open if you want to talk.’

  Eve stared at the floor, her eyes swimming with tears. Ruby got the feeling that the young woman had not listened to a word she had said.

  ‘Just remember, you can’t afford to be taking on other people’s workloads as well as your own. If any of them lot give you grief, then just tell them where to go.’

  Eve nodded vigorously as she rose. Pulling a tissue from under her sleeve, she made it past the door before bursting into tears and running out into the corridor. Ruby walked out of her office, and all eyes turned on her.

  ‘What did you say to her?’ Downes asked, biting off a chunk of Mars bar.

  Ruby rolled her eyes before she turned to face him. He never had been blessed with a sense of discretion. ‘Nothing. I think she’s a bit stressed.’ She turned to the rest of the team. ‘So ease off on her, guys, okay?’

  Heads nodded and murmurs rumbled in an acknowledgement of her request. Ruby was not going to chase after Eve. But she would be keeping a close eye on her.

  Downes scrunched up the chocolate wrapper and threw it in the bin. ‘Oh and Ruby? Briefing’s in ten. Crime scene investigators have picked up specks of blood in Monica Sherwood’s hallway, and DCI Worrow has made the decision to bring in her husband for questioning.’

  ‘I thought our sights were on Lucy as a suspect for this case?’ Luddy said. He stretched his arms in a yawn. Sweat patches dampened the underarms of his shirt. He looked tired. They were all being pushed to the limit.

  ‘Think about it,’ Ruby said, pre-empting her boss’s reply. ‘If you wanted to bump your missus off it’s a pretty clever tactic to piggyback another killer’s method. Just say you’re going away, then come back early and set it up. There was no sign of struggle in her home which means either it was someone she knew, or was happy to allow inside.’

  ‘Or someone that had a key,’ Downes piped up, sucking the melted chocolate from his thumb.

  ‘It’s a leafy suburb and quite private. Most of the people that live in that area work during the day.’

  ‘What about the property where the body was found?’ Ruby asked Luddy. ‘Have you picked up anything?’

  ‘It was burgled last year, and they changed the locks straight after. It’s a high value property worth in excess of two million.’

  Ruby frowned as something clicked in the back of her brain. A high value property. The ones Nathan’s estate agency dealt with. She shook the thought away. Why would Nathan, or any of the Crosbys, be involved in this? It was a ludicrous idea. She sighed, knowing police would check it out just the same. ‘Early examination at the scene suggests Monica wasn’t killed at the dump site,’ Ruby said. ‘She could have spent time elsewhere, possibly the same place as Emily. I know it’s difficult, but we need to continue working with the adoption agency to obtain details of women who have given their children up for adoption in the area. Then we’ve got to offer safeguarding; at least until we get this person behind bars.’

  ‘Getting information from the adoption agency is like pulling teeth,’ Luddy said. ‘They’re insisting it goes through the courts.’

  ‘And that will be fast-tracked now another body’s turned up on our patch. Luddy, I want you to oversee all dealings with the adoption agency and report back to me. We need to delve deeper with them, find out how our suspect is getting this information so readily.’

  ‘Will do,’ Luddy said. ‘I’ll follow up with them today.’

  ‘Good,’ Ruby said. Not because she thought he would help solve the case, but because of what he had heard. If the courts authorised the police to view a list of local women who had given their children up for adoption, Ruby knew her name would be among them. And the fewer people who knew about that, the better.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Lucy swiped her cheekbones with the dampened cotton wool, removing the last layer of make-up. Staring at her pallid reflection she wondered where she had gone awry. Why did she keep picking the wrong mother? All she had ever wanted was somebody to love her, to say the magic words and bring her home. Tilting the bottle of toner, she dabbed it onto another cotton wool pad. Lucy dragged it across her skin, shedding her persona as she returned to real life. But she could not leave her troubles behind. Her potential mothers were selfish bitches. They screamed and whined about how they wanted to get home, without even a thought for her. Nobody ever apologised, or asked her how she was feeling. And when they begged… why weren’t they pleading for forgiveness? Why weren’t they saying what a terrible mistake they had made? Time and time again she overlooked their hurtful comments in an effort to make things right.

  Picking up the paddle brush, she eased it through her hair, staring unblinkingly at the mirror. She didn’t recognise the blank-faced person gazing back at her. She was a nobody, with no real identity or persona. Stepping out of real life had become a practice which made her feel real again. As if she mattered in the world. When she eased on her dress and wore her blonde curls a calmness spread over her. It was nice to be a child again, without boundaries or cares for the adult world. In the confines of the basement she was safe, and all attention was on her. And if pain was to be inflicted, she would be the one doing it. But all she wanted was to be graced with the life she deserved.

  Barefooted, she hardly made a sound as she padded into the kitchen, pausing to gaze out the window to the streets below. She had truly believed Monica was the one, and she could have been had she not cracked her skull. She had not meant to hurt her, but a hysterical snapping woman would hardly qualify as the mother she had longed for all her life.

  Her eyes strained against the daylight, and she wished she didn’t have to go outside. Lucy loved her underground space and the feelings it invoked. Her Christmas tree, the twinkling lights. From the minute she forced her way through the cobwebs and decay she had seen potential in the dank space.

  Finding her mother had become an addiction which absorbed the pain inflicted by her past. And as for Ruby Preston? Lucy was enjoying their little game. Somehow it made real life more bearable as she integrated with the outside world. She smiled as she picked up the black-edged envelope, running her fingers over the rim. She was looking forward to her next contact. She had lots more in store for her.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  ‘Please, Mummy, can we have these ones? They’re my favourites in the whole world,’ Sophie said, jumping up and down in an effort to reach the chocolate-coated breakfast cereal on the top shelf.

  ‘No, love, they’re full of sugar. How about Rice Krispies instead?’ her mother replied, placing the blue box into the shopping trolley.

  As Lucy watched Anita placate her child in Tesco she realised where she had been going wrong all this time. She involved herself with women who did not know the value of nurturing. Selfish women, like Emily and Charlotte, who lacked the maternal instinct and therefore could not accept her as their own. Watching Anita with her daughter was a joy to behold, and immediately Lucy knew it was meant to be. With her plaited dark hair and pink summer dress, Sophie was obviously the focus of her mother’s adoration. This was a child who was happy, secure and loved. Lucy smiled. This was her mother too. Her true mother, who would take her in without a moment’s hesitation. Lucy imagined turning up at her doorstep. Anita would probably be overwhelmed that her first-born daughter had
come home. Just like in the movies.

  But what had been an advantage would also turn out to be something of an obstacle. She could not have her perfect family with another child in the way. A six-year-old would have to be disposed of, but she could not drop her off in a housing estate as she had done with Monica’s dog. The murder of a child would bring a whole new side to the police investigation which was getting increasing media attention. They were already painting her as a monster. But it was simply not true.

  Lucy told herself that sacrifices would have to be made. Of course there were other options; she knew people who would pay well for such a pretty little girl. But those sorts of people were ill-intentioned, and she could not have such a transaction on her conscience. No. It was kinder to end it: allow Sophie to die in peace with fond memories of her family, knowing that she was always loved. And Lucy would be there to take over in assisting Anita with her grief. But it would take serious planning, especially now that the police were on the lookout. Monica’s death had raised their attention, but nobody understood.

  She had gained a lot of satisfaction from wiping out the unworthy candidates: Harry, Charlotte, Emily, Monica – just thinking about their murders sent a delicious shiver down her spine. But she was not sure how she felt about taking such a young life and struggled to justify it in her mind. Yet she could not waste another moment. It would be Christmas in a few months and everything hinged on that perfect day. There would be no more rehearsals. Everything had to be perfect.

  Lucy walked between the aisles of the shopping centre, staring at the products on display. She wanted this meeting to be special, comforting. Plucking some cleaning products from the shelves, she popped them in her basket. She had much stronger stuff at home, but the gentle-scented air fresheners and candles were kinder to inhale. She wondered what Anita liked the best. She would have to make a note of her favourites the next time she visited. She already knew that Sophie liked Coco Pops for breakfast, and Ribena instead of tea. She came to the end of the aisle, turning right for breakfast cereals. Her thoughts brought a frown. Just how long would Sophie be staying there? Lucy wasn’t very good with children. Sophie seemed a bit like one of those exotic pets that she wasn’t quite sure what to do with. A bitter voice rose from inside. It knew exactly what to do if she wanted to have Anita all to herself. But there was another side to Lucy: the side that did her food shopping in Tesco and checked the weather forecast for rain. She was the sensible one and was worth listening to because she didn’t want to end up in prison. Her whole childhood had been a prison. No, there must be a way to compromise. But if Anita came, then Sophie was coming too. She would sort out the finer details later.