‘I would also suggest that this killer is male and that, depending on the results of the autopsy, the attack is driven by a sexual need. Opposites attract and in the case of a serial killer this normally happens, the male gender prey on the opposite and younger as it is easier for them to overpower and manipulate their prey’ he paused and scanned the room,’ This is good, this is what we call rooting the investigation, so now we have our roots…….lets grow and catch this bastard’.
The class stood and the sound of feet scuffing against the vinyl flooring drowned any chatter. Jack placed his hand on Nathans shoulder, squeezing gently.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen that Nathan, it brings back good memories’.
‘Glad it does for you Jack, any news on the autopsy yet?’
‘Nothing yet, they need to let the body fully thaw first. It was frozen stiff when she was found, any damage or identifiable marks wouldn’t show until the blood has returned to liquid…….it’s a waiting game old friend!’
‘Great, I’m going out for lunch’
‘Ok, hey, great work today pal……it’s good to have you on our side’
Nathan smiled as he left the room, he showed no sign of apology or sympathy toward Doctor Lime, he avoided him as if he weren’t there. Making his way back down the hall he found himself humming the song that the Wolf had used when slicing up the girl. It was then that he realised. The song was the one he had heard in his dream last night. He moved hastily toward the elevator, Jesus, this fucker has already worked his way into my head.
***
The loud voices could be heard through the slight gap in the open window as the car turned the final corner. Abby shifted in her seat as they neared the school. Her mum decreased the speed as they entered the twenty miles per hour zone.
‘Look mummy, there’s Katie……see?’
‘Oh yes, I see her baby’ smiling at the joy that came from her daughter.
The small Clio came to a stop on the opposite side to the front entrance. The hand break clicked several times as she applied it. She noticed her daughter edging closer to the door handle.
‘Abby’.
‘Ah huh’ her movements froze.
‘Wait for me please, you’ll see your friends in a second’ the young girl’s actions reminding her of an excited puppy. Lindsay climbed out from the driver’s seat and pushed her door shut. Moving around the front of the car, to keep an eye on her daughter, her steps placed lightly upon the snowy pavement, she checked the road for any oncoming traffic.
Abby’s door was pulled ajar and Lindsay leant over her to unclick the seat belt, the clunk told them both it was now free. She moved back allowing room for Abby to climb out of the car, her light brown hair blown to one side by a gust of wind.
‘Wait’ Lindsay warned her, the open hand placed on Abby’s shoulder. Lindsay could feel the tension building up in the little girl, she was like a cat, wriggling with excitement and preparing to pounce upon an un-expecting prey. Her hand a starting block, the girl was the runner and Lindsay’s mouth was the pistol.
‘Go on then babe’ and with the first word spoken she was off, the grey hound chasing the bunny. Lindsay laughed as she watched her daughter sprinting with such energy and enthusiasm. The pink backpack swayed violently from left to right as she crossed the road. She hoped that the girl would stay on her feet, the icy floor gritted for grip, her little legs moving rapidly.
Lindsay climbed back into the car, her eyes constantly fixed on Abby. The engine groaned to life and the mirrors were checked as she pulled out slowly. Clear both ways, the car was positioned into the left hand lane, the front wheels making contact with the zebra crossing. Lindsay noticed Abby waving from the playground. She fired an over-enthusiastic wave back with the silly Cheshire cat grin plastered onto her face. What both of them failed to notice was the black van parked opposite the play area. Within the van lay the animal, his eyes following his Abby as she moved along the fence waving. He waved back, it was less of an effort than her mother’s, but she never noticed him.
‘You will notice me Abbeeeeeeeee……I know you will!
***
The vibration caused the mobile phone to spin in effortless circles. Nathan could hear the dull sound as it seeped through the bedside table. He walked from the bathroom, toothbrush in mouth, and picked the small Samsung from its resting place. The phone had been given to him by Jack, communication was a must and Nathan didn’t own a mobile phone. He preferred to remain unreachable, when you have a mobile you are always unnecessarily reachable, he liked to say.
The screen displayed the name Jack. Knowing who it was he swallowed the mouth full of toothpaste and removed the brush that was lodged between the rows of teeth.
‘Hello’.
‘Nathan it’s Jack, are you awake?’ Nathan pondered slightly on the confusing question that his friend just asked.
‘Jack, firstly I know it’s you, your name showed up on the screen……secondly, I’ve just answered your call, so yes…..I am awake!’
‘Okay easy now, still not a morning person I see……….bad dreams last night?’
‘Yeah, another night of them………what’s up?’
‘Oh, right, well the coroner’s report will be done this afternoon. She just called to say that the body had thawed.’
‘That’s great Jack, when can we go?’
‘Now if it suits you?’ the answer was what Nathan had hoped for.
‘Ideal, send the car’ he ended the call and moved back to the bathroom tossing the phone onto the unmade bed. This was the type of news he enjoyed getting up for. Something may be found on or in that girl’s body that helps create a new stepping stone for the case, he decided to freshen up quickly as there was no time to waste.
Malcolm collected him from the front of the hotel, the car sat idling, awaiting the guest. He climbed inside, the warmth greeted him and his jacket was undone, his cold skin accepting the more ideal climate. The usual morning welcomes were fired between both men as the car pulled away.
He met Jack outside the old building. The brickwork dated back to around the 1800’s. The only thing that didn’t was the eye catching plaque by the entrance. The gold soaked in the sun’s rays and intensified it. Nathan squinted to read the name.
‘Doctor Sally Brough’ he spoke aloud.
‘Yeah, she’s a catch’
‘I’m married Jack!’
‘Yeah but you can look, not touch’ he joked.
Jack dug into his pockets and removed a small green tub of Vicks Nasal Rub.
‘Is it that bad?’ asked Nathan as he contemplated dipping his little finger in and smearing his top lip with the transparent goo.
‘Apparently so, due to the body been frozen and only just thawed out, the decomposition phase speeds up slightly. Bear in mind she has been dead several hours, maybe days Nathan……want some?’ the open container poised in front of his face. He decided it was best to apply a thin layer, just in case. The refreshing menthol aroma brought tears to his eyes. He loved the smell as it reminded him of his childhood. His mother would smear a large blob upon his upper lip and into the case of the pillow where he slept. His eyes would sting as he rubbed the sleeve of his pyjamas across his face. Jack placed the tub back into his coat pocket and both men entered the Morgue after inhaling deeply through their nostrils. The corridor before them was long and narrow, every ten feet or so a chiselled post protruded from the walls, the room had a Greek feeling to it and seemed different from the external appearance. To the left they noticed the Coroner’s office, the door was ajar and the room was empty.