Prince Charming (Behind the Screen, #1) (3 page)

‘I see.’

‘Don’t worry. We can meet again if you like.’ She smiled. She had him just where she wanted him.

‘Yes, that would be great! I would have loved to continue, but I’m a gentleman. I will not rush you.’

‘I like that.’

‘Is next weekend any good?’

‘I don’t think I can, but I do have Thursday opened, if that’s any good.’

‘Thursday’s good.’ He didn’t even have to think about it. All he knew is that he wanted her fast.

‘Then we have a date.’ She smiled. ‘Shall we meet here and then take it from here?’

‘Yes that sounds great.’

‘Perfect.’ She pushed back her seat and stood up.

Marcus stood up too.

‘It was nice meeting you.’ She held out her hand.

He took it and brought it to his lips. ‘It was a pleasure meeting you. Until Thursday.’

‘Yes until then.’ She pulled back her hand.

‘I’ll walk you to the car.’

She nodded, and they left the bar and walked to the car park above it. She stopped at a hot red mini cooper.

‘Nice set of wheels.’

‘Yes, well it’s put me in debt.’ She giggled.

‘Well, I’m sure you made the right decision.’

‘I did, it’s so me.’ She ran her hand over the red car.

‘Yes it is.’

‘Goodbye Marcus. I shall see you Thursday.’

‘I can’t wait.’

The red mini sped off.

‘Maybe Thursday,’ he said to himself.

****

D
erek stood up the moment he noticed her and waved her over. Harmony was impressed. Two gorgeous men in a row, what was she to do?

‘Thanks for meeting me,’ he said.

‘It’s a pleasure. I’m glad I did.’ she smiled and sat down.

Derek didn’t pull out the seat for her, but she was okay with that.

‘What can I get you to drink?’

‘I’ll have a red wine.’

Derek returned with a glass of wine and half a pint of lager.

‘Cheers,’ he said.

She lifted her glass and met his.

‘Hmmm nice.’ She took in the wine.

‘So how was your day?’ he asked.

Harmony wondered about the questions, they were as thrilling as cutting her toenails, but she went along with them anyway.

‘My day was great. Just sorting out a few lessons before Monday. Teaching can be exhausting.’ She laughed lightly.

‘I bet it is. The kids must love you though.’

‘Some do and some don’t. I’m strict. It’s the naughty ones that don’t like me.’

‘I can believe that.’

‘How about you? How’s work?’

‘It’s okay. A lot going on that I can’t discuss.’ He wanted to tell her about the online stalker, but it hadn’t been verified, so he couldn’t.

‘I get the sense something serious is going on.’

‘Not really.’

‘Yes it is. I guess when the police don’t want to alert the public they keep things under wraps.’

‘Not always.’

‘Don’t worry, it doesn’t bother me.’ She drank.

‘Good, so let’s stop talking about work.’ he smiled. He was delighted to be with such a beautiful woman.

‘Fine, what would you like to talk about?’

‘What made you respond?’ he asked.

She studied him a moment. ‘Well, for starters you look good. You’re a cop, that’s super sexy.’ She giggled.

He laughed.

‘A detective, meaning you’re super smart.’

‘Go on, I’m liking this.’

‘I can see that!’

‘Seriously though, thanks for meeting with me.’

‘I’m glad I did. I had a date yesterday.’

‘You did? How did that go?’

She knew she shouldn’t talk about other dates with her date, but she wasn’t one to follow some stupid rule. Harmony did what she wanted.

‘It was good, he’s a nice gentleman.’

‘Better than me?’

‘This isn’t a competition.’

‘Well it is for me. I want to win.’

‘I’m not something you win.’

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.’

‘I know, I’m kidding.’

‘Gosh, you’re a scary woman.’

‘I must be!’ she laughed. ‘Online dating isn’t for the faint hearted.’

‘I agree with you there.’

‘Yes well, that’s dating.’

They moved on to different things. After drinks, Harmony had enjoyed herself so much that she agreed to continue the date and have dinner with him.

‘Consider yourself lucky. I rarely extend my dates.’

‘Well, in that case I’ll make it super special.’

They’d chosen an Italian restaurant.

‘I’ll avoid the spaghetti! I don’t want to be slurping in front of my date.’

‘I bet you look cute though.’

‘Well you won’t see it tonight.’

The conversation flowed. It was easy to speak to Derek. He seemed like the winner so far, but she still wanted to see Marcus on Thursday.

They shared a pizza. Harmony wasn’t too hungry and Derek just went along with whatever she wanted. The meal was relaxed. They talked about favourite books, movies the theatre. Derek gave her the low down on his job, only the good parts. She did her best to keep up her lie as a teacher.

Finally the meal ended, Derek walked her to her car.

‘I enjoyed tonight,’ she said.

‘I did too. Would you like to meet up again? Next weekend?’

‘I’d love too, but next weekend is fully booked. Is Friday any good for you?’

‘It depends what time. I’m at work.’

‘Evening is fine or whenever you’re free.’

‘Okay, let’s meet Friday. I’ll confirm time later this week if that’s okay.’

‘That’s fine. I look forward to it.’

Derek moved forward, and she gave him her cheek. He kissed it lightly.

‘See you soon.’ She moved away, unlocked the mini and slid in.

‘Yes, see you soon.’ He watched as she sped away.

****

S
he put the keys to the side table. Harmony felt great. Both dates had gone well. Things were looking good, and everything was going to plan. She moved towards the kitchen, switched on the light and stood by the window. The outside light was on. The perfect garden was something she was proud of. She had her mother’s green fingers. The green lawn and the colourful row of flowers made it a good reason to always look outside. It warmed her heart when she looked out there. It was a place where things were made right. Flowers gave light and joy.

She smiled, and then left the kitchen. Satisfaction was a great feeling and something to hold onto. There was time for a shower and reading, and finally at twelve Monday morning sleep took over.

T
he alarm went off at five. It was another quick shower, downstairs for a cup of coffee, back upstairs for light makeup and sorting out hair. Harmony was back downstairs and ready to leave at six.

The shift started at seven. It was busy right from the start. Work was escapism. It allowed her to get away from it all. It occupied her mind pushing away other things for the time being.

A man was brought into the A&E with a swollen ankle. He’d been checked by the nurses, and because of the injury they forwarded him onto Harmony to make sure the ankle wasn’t broken.’

‘How did this happen?’ she asked.

‘Wet floor, tripped and twisted my ankle.’

‘Hmmm, it’s bruised and swollen.’ She slipped on a pair of gloves and examined the man’s ankle.

The man winced when it was rotated. She asked him to wiggle his toes, but he found it difficult.

‘I’ll send you for an x-ray, see what’s going on.’

The man’s file was given to the nurse and they left for x-rays. The day didn’t get better, from children with mild coughs, to open wounds and everything in between. As always it was busy. Later that afternoon Harmony had surgery.

****

H
e was up at the crack of dawn. He carried a tray into the first bedroom. Rose was still asleep.

‘Wakie wakie.’

She opened her eyes and gazed at the man in the black dressing gown with a tray in his hand.

‘Breakfast.’

‘I’m not hungry.’

‘You have to eat. I need you alive, not dead.’ He sat down.

‘I don’t want to eat.’

‘This isn’t a request, it’s an order.’ He picked up the spoon that was in a bowl full of oats. ‘You will eat.’

Rose had gone past caring. If she were to die, so be it, but she wouldn’t let him force her to do something she didn’t feel like doing.

‘Things didn’t go to plan as you may have noticed. The third piece to my painting is a little difficult. Not like most girls I date. She’s stronger, tougher, which makes her more attractive. It’s strange she’s a receptionist.’ He spoke more to himself. ‘Anyway, perhaps Thursday things will change. If they do, well, it’s progress.’

He held the spoon out towards Rose’s mouth so she could eat, she looked away.

‘Eat!’

‘I’m not hungry, and you can’t make me!’

‘Eat!’ He pushed.

She kept her face away from the spoon. He put down the tray and with his free hand grasped her chin, pushed his index and thumb to force her mouth open and tried to force the spoon into her mouth. Like a toddler, Rose gritted her teeth.

‘Eat god dam it!’ He hit against her teeth, but she wouldn’t let up.

Anger rose, without thought he slapped her across the face. That snapped her out of the tantrum quick. Rose burst into tears and as soon as her mouth opened, he pushed the porridge down her throat.

The bowl was clear in a few minutes. Rose felt sick to the stomach, but kept the porridge down. The orange juice helped wash it down.

‘You need a shower,’ he said a matter of fact.

He disappeared into the on-suite, the sound of water travelled through the room. Rose lay afraid of what might come next. He walked back into the room. Fiddled for the key in the gown pocket and unlocked Rose from the chains. But that was short lived.

‘Hands forward.’

She put her hands forward and he handcuffed them, and then led her to the bathroom.

Rose stepped into the shower. The warm water felt good. He slid the door shut.

‘Sort yourself out. Shout me when you’re done.’

‘How am I supposed to do that with these on?’

‘You’ll figure something out.’

She leaned into the wall and cried silently. Rose wanted to go home.

‘I’m not a fool you know. This is the best way.’

Rose did the best she could to get clean with limited use of her hands.

‘I’m done,’ she called ten minutes later.

The door slid open and he stood with a towel in his arms. He wrapped it around her and let her walk back into the room.

‘Here, put this on for now.’

Rose took the dressing gown.

‘Don’t try anything silly.’ He took off the handcuffs a moment, she slipped on the gown. It felt nice to be clothed. ‘Get back in bed.’

‘Please don’t tie me up, I promise I won’t do anything stupid.’

He laughed. ‘I’m sure you won’t, but I can’t take any chances.’

The same treatment happened with Zara. Zara was a more willing participant. Eating the oats without a fuss and taking a shower. It was easy and fast. By eight o’clock he was ready to face his world.

‘Soon,’ he told himself. ‘My painting will be complete.’

Misty was at the gallery to greet him. They were preparing for a showing soon and so it was busy. It took his mind off Harmony, but only just. The more desperate he wanted the picture complete, the more annoyed he became. But Thursday was around the corner. Things could soon change.

****

‘G
ood morning, Derek. Looks like someone had a great date!’ said Yasmina.

‘Is it that obvious?’ He pulled off his jacket before sitting down in their office.

‘You’re glowing.’

‘Well, she’s a stunning woman, more so in person.’

‘Details.’

‘We started with drinks, and then extended the date and went out to eat.’

‘Sounds promising.’

‘Yes, we meet again on Friday. She has another date though.’

‘Oh, you’ve got competition.’

‘Yes, but I think I’ve got a good chance.’

‘Confidence. I like it.’

They spoke a few more minutes. A file was handed to them and it took them away from the conversation. It was back to work.

‘Hmmm, another girl missing,’ said Yasmina. ‘I think we’re looking for the same person.’

He studied the picture of the woman. Zara was twenty six years old, Indian and a pharmacist.

‘Do you think the same person took these women?’

‘I think so. Two women missing in the space of...’ She looked up the date Zara was last seen. ‘Two weeks.’

‘What do we have here?’ He pulled more information from the file.

Yasmina studied it with him. They went through the information they had on Rose and compared notes. Two hours later they gathered in the meeting room with the chief of police and other team members working on the case.

‘What do we have?’ asked the chief of police.

‘Both victims were on dating sites,’ said Derek.

‘Same sites?’

‘Yes, but Zara was on two dating sites, whereas Rose just the one.’

‘Do we think it’s the same man?’

‘We’ve looked at locations. Thought that maybe it was to do with that. Zara is from Huddersfield and Rose from Harrogate,’ said Yasmina.

‘Not too far apart. You’ve spoken to Rose’s parents?’

‘Yes, and a close friend too. Rose was last seen the day before her date.’

‘What about Zara, any more information on her?’

‘The report states she was last seen the night before the date,’ said Derek. 

‘Hmmm.’

‘Looking at their photos, there is nothing similar about them, except that they’re beautiful women. Both have long hair, both are of medium height and slim,’ said Derek.

‘If this is the same guy, there has to be a pattern. Beauty? Career women?’

‘Zara is a pharmacist, Rose a sale assistant,’ said Yasmina.

‘Totally different careers. Anything that stands out?’

‘Rose has a butterfly tattoo on the left side of her stomach, but nothing that stands out. Nothing that stands out on Zara.’

‘Right. What about reports from the dating sites.’

‘Still being looked into,’ said Derek.

‘Great, we also need a record of every email conversation they had online.’