Silent Scream: An edge of your seat serial killer thriller Book 1

  ‘Yeah, but sometimes you need to just stop and take a minute to think.’

  ‘Tell you what. You stand there and think on my behalf while I get on with doing my job.’

  She walked away from him and headed towards the professor. Doctor Matthews came hurtling across the site like he’d been shot from a catapult.

  ‘Detective, I can’t allow this. What the devil do you think you’re doing?’

  ‘My job.’

  ‘It’s not your job until you have authorisation to excavate.’

  ‘Who said anything about excavation? We’re just going to dig a bit.’

  All parties had converged and seven of them stood staring at the machine.

  ‘You could damage the entire investigation by acting too hastily.’

  ‘Doctor, if a body is discovered I will adopt the correct protocols immediately but at the moment all we have is an anomaly. For all we know it might be nothing more than a dead dog.’ She instantly realised what she’d said. ‘Sorry, Professor.’

  ‘This is a potential crime scene,’ Matthews argued.

  ‘Which could have been dug by any old metal-detecting enthusiast by now, in which case no protocols would have been followed at all.’

  That was her logic and she was sticking to it.

  Matthews’ mouth tensed when he realised that she was not going to be dissuaded.

  His eyes travelled the circle of people and then came back to her. ‘Your impetuousness is going to jeopardise the careers of all these people.’

  Kim nodded her understanding. She turned to Bill and Ben. ‘Pass me the shovel.’

  ‘Guv ...’

  Bill and Ben looked to the professor, who was looking at her.

  ‘Jesus Christ,’ she growled, grabbing a shovel. ‘Doctor Matthews, please feel free to return to the car until authorisation comes through. The rest of you, do whatever the hell you like.’

  She lifted her arm and dropped the spade to the ground. Her right foot pushed the blade down as far as it would go. She removed the lump of earth and placed it to her left. She wielded the shovel again.

  Doctor Matthews humphed and turned away. ‘I cannot be a party to this. Come on, Cerys.’

  ‘In a minute, Doctor,’ she said, without looking at him. She caught Kim’s eye. ‘I’d just like to observe for a while.’

  The doctor hesitated before shaking his head. He walked back towards the car.

  Kim smiled her thanks to the forensic technician. Her presence offered some protection and she knew it.

  She threw down the shovel and repeated the process. The ground was hard and this would be a long process but it was better than standing around doing nothing.

  ‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ Bryant said, reaching for the second shovel.

  He stood opposite her, about six feet away and dropped the shovel into the ground.

  The professor looked pained. He shook his head. ‘No, no, no. Look if you’re going to do this, at least do it properly.’

  For the next two hours she and Bryant formed a tag team with Bill and Ben taking turns at digging the feature as directed by both Cerys and Professor Milton.

  Cerys had continually circled the area, consulting the data from the magnetometer. She had advised where to dig next and how deep they should go.

  Cerys leaned down close to where Kim was digging. ‘Detectives, I think you should step out now. Professor, can you pass me your bag of hand tools?’

  Kim stepped out of the pit that was now six feet wide by eight feet long and a foot and a half deep.

  Kim tried to dust herself down but spatters of damp mud and clay had dried into her trousers up to the knee.

  Cerys and Professor Milton consulted over the data and pointed to areas in the pit. The boys entered the pit with gardening hand tools and took direction from Cerys.

  Bryant stood beside her. ‘There’s never a dull day with you, is there?’

  ‘At least you’ve burned off that bacon bap from earlier.’

  ‘And then some.’

  Her own stomach was beginning to rumble. The half slice of toast she’d eaten at six thirty was long gone.

  ‘It’s almost two. Not much daylight left,’ Bryant observed.

  Bill or Ben motioned for Cerys to enter the pit. She knelt down and used something which looked like an oversized blusher brush to dust at a particular area. Kim noted that she cared nothing about the dirt and mud that was now caked to her light blue jeans.

  She brushed a second time and then stopped. ‘Okay, I need anyone who is not forensically trained to step out of the pit, immediately.’

  Cerys remained in the pit alone. She turned and met Kim’s gaze. ‘We have bones, Detective and unless it had five fingers, it isn’t a dead dog.’

  No one spoke for a few seconds as they all contemplated the discovery.

  Then, as though the newly exposed bones had emitted some kind of siren two squad cars screeched onto the gravel and her mobile began to ring.

  It was Woody. Thank God.

  ‘Stone, get back here and bring Bryant with you,’ he barked.

  ‘Sir, I need to let you know ...’

  ‘Anything you have to say can wait until you get here.’

  ‘But there are bones in this ground.’

  ‘And I’ve already told you to get back here immediately and if that’s longer than fifteen minutes don’t bother coming back at all.’

  The line went dead. She turned to Bryant. ‘I think he knows.’

  Bryant rolled his eyes.

  ‘Go on, I’ll see you there.’

  Bryant nodded and headed back to his car.

  ‘Listen folks, thanks for your help but if anyone asks, Bryant never touched a thing, okay?’

  They all nodded.

  Kim sprinted to her bike and donned her helmet and gloves. She pulled away from the site and prepared to face the music.

  Twenty

  There is something within her that compels me.

  She is surrounded by activity; sirens, vehicles, movement, and yet my eyes never leave her. She stands out from the crowd. A three-dimensional image in a two-dimensional film.

  There is unruly energy within her. Like a demon driving her on. It is dark and it intrigues me. Even amongst the crowd, she is alone. Even when she's still, she moves. A hand clench or a foot tap keeps in time with a brain that never rests.

  Although I've never seen her before, I know her. I know her intelligence, her restlessness and that natural suspicion in her gaze. She has a sense that is hidden from most. It is indefinable and without name but it is attuned to everything around her. And I've seen it before.

  Aaah, Caitlin. Dear sweet adorable Caitlin ...

  All too soon, she is gone. A film without its star. My interest wanes but I remain where I am, lost momentarily in my thoughts.

  What came first, the chicken or the egg? It is a question I have asked myself often. Did I feel nothing when my mother rejected me, or did she reject me because I felt nothing?

  It is a question pored over by many a scholar. Is a psychopath born or made? They have no answer and neither do I.

  There was a time when I battled against it, fought it, even tried to understand it but that was a long time ago.

  My journey began with a fish. Just an ordinary anonymous goldfish won at a travelling fair by my father. I carried it home. It lived in a bowl for two days and then died.

  My sister was inconsolable. I was not. She mourned its loss but I felt nothing. I wanted what she had. I wanted her pain, I wanted her grief. I wanted to feel.

  Next came the kitten. Its fur was soft and warm. It was supposed to be ours but it loved her more. It didn't really struggle as I covered its mouth. And after its last breath I waited but still nothing came upon me.

  The children at school all had puppies and I wanted one too. But this pet would be all mine. I fed it, I walked it and it lived in my room. This time I was hopeful but the snap of its neck did not pain me. It only fuelled my curiosity. My ne
ed to know how far I could go.

  The death of three animals brought an embargo on pets. This limited my options for further research and then I realised that the ultimate test had been before me all the time.

  Everyone said she was cute; adorable, angelic, perfect. So that was my goal. I knew that she would not come to the pond without tempting. There was a look in her eye. She saw things that others did not.

  So I told her there were bunnies; a mummy and her babies. I pointed to the bush, right on the edge. She peered inside. Her back was towards me. I pushed her face down and straddled her neck. She coughed and she spluttered and then she lay still.

  Oh, Caitlin, Caitlin, Caitlin. You gave me a gift.

  As I dismounted her small body, I finally had all the answers. My condition was not a curse, but a blessing. The sacrifice of my sister finally set me free. Since that day I have been liberated to take what I want and destroy what I don't, without the restraints of guilt or remorse.

  Like a missing limb, compassion is simply not there. It cannot be replaced or transplanted and nor would I wish it. It is a shackle that binds lesser mortals to morality and an ethical code. But I have no code to follow.

  So, what came first, the chicken or the egg? The answer is, I couldn't care less.

  As the sound of the motorbike fades, I turn and walk away.

  She would be a worthy adversary.

  She will make discoveries along the way which will lead her exactly where I want her to go.

  She will uncover secrets of Crestwood but she will never uncover mine.

  Twenty-One

  Despite the head start, Kim pulled into the car park a moment before Bryant. He parked beside her.

  ‘Go and get cleaned up. I’ll go see Woody.’ She started walking towards the entrance.

  ‘I’m more than happy with my own decisions so don’t ...’

  ‘I’ve got seven minutes to get to his office so hurry up.’

  They sprinted up the stairs together and entered the office.

  Dawson’s eyes widened. ‘Jeez, looks like you two had some kind of mud fight.’ He chuckled. ‘I’d like to have seen that. My money would have been on the Guv.’

  Bryant sat down. ‘Hell, Dawson, any smart money would have been on the Guv.’

  ‘There are bones,’ Kim said, removing her jacket. She ran her fingers through her hair. ‘Bryant will fill you in.’

  She headed to the door.

  ‘Guv,’ Bryant said, stopping her. ‘Tell him the truth.’

  ‘Of course,’ she replied and headed to the stairs.

  By her reckoning she had a minute and a half left by the time she knocked on his door. She waited until he called before entering. It wasn’t going to help if she infuriated her boss any further.

  She took the four steps to the chair and noted that the stress ball remained on the desk. Okay, now she was in trouble.

  ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing, Stone?’

  ‘Err ... could you be more specific?’ she asked. She would hate to be apologising for the wrong thing.

  ‘Don’t play games with me. The antics of you and Bryant could seriously jeopardise ...’

  ‘Not Bryant, Sir. He just watched.’

  Woody glared at her. ‘I’ve got someone who saw him in the hole.’

  ‘And I’ve got the four people closest to the hole who say he wasn’t.’

  ‘And what would Bryant say?’

  Kim swallowed. They both knew the answer to that.

  ‘Sir, I’m sorry for what I did. I know it was wrong and I would like to sincerely ...’

  ‘Spare me the speech. It is nauseating and won’t do you any good.’

  He was right. Kim wasn’t sorry at all. ‘How did you know?’

  ‘Not that it’s any of your business but Doctor Matthews—’

  ‘Yeah, I should have known that he ... ’

  ‘ ... was absolutely right to call me,’ Woody said, raising his voice over hers. ‘What the hell did you think you were doing?’

  ‘Sir, I had to get started. My gut said there was a body down there and the idea of waiting for the correct paperwork to come through was ridiculous.’

  ‘Ridiculous or not, there are reasons why we have procedures to follow, not least so that in a court of law we can defend our actions at all times. You would be well served to remember that my instructions are not optional.’

  ‘I understand.’

  He sighed heavily. ‘The only thing saving your skin right now is that your gut was right and the focus will now change to damage limitation.’

  Kim nodded.

  ‘However, at this point I am no longer convinced that you are the right person to lead this investigation.’

  She sat forward. ‘But, Sir, you can’t ...’

  ‘Oh yes I can and at the moment I am seriously considering your removal from this case.’

  Kim closed her mouth for a second. Her next words would be important. She decided on total honesty.

  Her voice was low. ‘Sir, you’ve seen my file. You’re aware of my past, so you have to know there is no one better to head this case.’

  ‘That’s as maybe but I need to rely on someone who can follow instructions. If the bones found today are those of a child within the care of social services this case will explode in the media. There will be many individuals trying to distance themselves and I will not give anyone a legal loophole caused by a member of my own team.’

  Kim knew he was right. But she also knew she was the right person for the job.

  ‘Now, I suggest you and Bryant get off home and clean yourselves up. You’ll have my decision in the morning.’

  Kim knew when she was being dismissed and she counted her lucky stars that she’d escaped a full disciplinary.

  ‘You know, Kim ...’ he said as she reached the door. Damn, she hated it when Woody called her by her first name.

  She turned.

  He removed his glasses and met her gaze. ‘One of these times your gut is going to be wrong and you will have to face the consequences and that is your choice. But you need to consider those around you. Your team has great respect for you and will follow you into any situation to protect you and gain your approval.’

  Kim swallowed. She knew he was talking about one team member in particular.

  ‘And when the day comes that your reckless actions endanger the career or even the life of those around you, it won’t be me or even the police force to which you will have to answer.’

  Kim felt the rising nausea that had nothing to do with an empty stomach; as she closed the door behind her she found herself wishing for the disciplinary.

  The one thing about Woody was that he sure knew how to hit her where it hurt.

  Twenty-Two

  The doorbell sounded and Kim didn’t even ask who was at the door as she undid the chain. It would be Bryant and he would have Chinese.

  ‘The chow mein fairy has entered the building.’

  ‘You can only stay if there are prawn crackers.’ It wasn’t a joke.

  Bryant removed his outer jacket to display a polo shirt and jeans.

  ‘Love what you’ve done with the place.’

  Kim ignored him. He said the same thing every time he came. To others, her house appeared sparse of personality and adornment. She didn’t enjoy personal embellishments. If she chose to move tomorrow she’d need a dozen bin liners and a couple of hours and she’d be ready to roll. Her years in the care system had taught her well.

  She served up the beef noodles and egg fried rice. Two thirds for Bryant, one third for her. She passed the plate to him. He took one sofa and she took the other.

  She put a forkful of food in her mouth and tried to ignore the disappointment. The theory of food was far more exciting than the practice of eating it. In her mouth it turned into a source of fuel; energy. She pushed in a few more forkfuls and put the plate down.

  ‘Jeez, slow down, you nearly filled a hollow tooth there.’

  ‘
I’ve had enough.’

  ‘You make a sparrow look like a greedy bastard. You need to eat more, Guv.’

  Kim shot him a look. Here in her home she was not Detective Inspector and he was not her subordinate. He was just Bryant; the closest thing to a friend she had.

  He rolled his eyes. ‘Yeah, sorry.’

  ‘And stop fussing. I’m a big girl.’

  She took her plate to the kitchen and made a fresh pot of coffee.

  ‘So, tell me, I bring you a handsome, affable man and food you don’t eat. Remind me again what I’m getting out of this relationship?’

  ‘My dazzling company,’ she deadpanned. She was nothing if not self-aware.

  Bryant laughed. ‘Hmm ... I’ll just leave that hanging without comment ‘cos you might be Kim now but eventually you’ll be Guv again.’ He finished eating and brought his empty plate to the kitchen. ‘No, I had something else in mind.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘A date.’

  ‘With you?’

  He guffawed. ‘You wish.’

  Kim laughed out loud.

  ‘You know, that’s a great sound. You should do it more often.’

  Kim knew what was coming. ‘The answer is no.’

  ‘You don’t even know who.’

  ‘Oh yes I do,’ she offered, in pantomime fashion. She’d caught a glimpse of Peter Grant as she’d headed out of the station. As a prosecutor with the CPS their paths still crossed but she had avoided a full conversation since the break-up.

  Bryant sighed. ‘Come on, Kim. Give him a chance. He’s miserable without you. And you’re even more miserable without him.’

  Kim weighed it up and answered honestly. ‘No, I’m really not.’

  ‘He loves you.’

  Kim shrugged.

  ‘And you were different when the two of you were together. I wouldn’t say happy but perhaps more tolerable.’

  ‘I’m happier now.’

  ‘I don’t believe you.’

  Kim poured coffee for both of them and they returned to the lounge.

  ‘Look, Kim, I’m sure he’s sorry for whatever he did wrong.’

  Kim doubted that; because the truth was, Pete hadn’t done anything wrong. It was her. It was always her.