Spoilt (4 page)

“
The cuts were all made over the period they were missing and
there are signs of multiple sexual assaults. This guy is patient.”
Maggie paused. “The question still remains about the ID too. How is
he getting his hands on it when their handbags are left at
home?”

“
I still think he is knocking them out first or threatening
them with a weapon, and then takes the ID with him.”

“
Yeah, maybe or he somehow gets his hands on it before.
Something we need to consider. So where do we go from here - Kate’s
friends?”

“
Yeah, I think so. Libby’s friend. What was her name?” he
asked Maggie, who looked over Libby’s report in front of
her.

“
Kelly Bradshaw.”

“
What did she say about Libby’s new man?”

“
Kelly told me according to Libby he was charming and handsome
but shy and that was why she hadn’t introduced him to anyone. She
thought Libby seemed pretty keen.”

“
Maybe Kate met the same guy and he used the same excuses.
Obviously he didn’t want anyone to meet him so no-one could
identify him.”

“
Looks that way. I’ll go through missing persons now and find
all girls around twenty-five who match the victims’ description. If
our man is true to form, he may have already grabbed
another.”

Lucas nodded in agreement before returning to Kate’s file. He
looked up suddenly.

“
Did Libby have trace evidence on her body which came back as
flour?”

“
Um,” replied Maggie once again scanning the report. “Yes, a
flour substance from transference, either from his hands or the
location.”

“
I’ll check out all abandoned warehouses and factories that
would’ve used flour.”

Lucas began his search hoping there would only be a few to
check out. The database located four possible warehouses within the
metro area but spread out over the city. Two were in bread and
baked goods production, the other two were flour mills. None of the
locations was in close proximity to the two scenes where the bodies
had been dumped. It would take a while to conduct a
search.

“
Lucas, I’ve found two possible missing girls who fit the
description. Maybe we should talk to the people who reported them
missing, see if they had a mystery guy. We might get a description,
something.”

She proceeded to tell him their names and last known
address.

“
One of the factories is nearby. We can check it out on the
way. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

* * *

When it came time for Chelsea to leave on Monday, Sarah
started with her standard lines.

“
You should come home more often.”

“
You work too hard.”

“
We just miss you so much.”

The more Chelsea protested the more it continued. After a
final goodbye, she headed off on her journey back home. She used
the drive to reflect on the last three days and how much better she
felt. It was time to move on, to stop wallowing and wipe away the
painful memories. Was it pure loneliness that caused her to dwell
in the past? Was this why she couldn’t let go? Did she miss Wesley
or just the idea of him? If only she could forget his beautiful
face.

Three and a half hours later, after a delay getting back into
the city, Chelsea pulled into her drive to discover the house dark.
She decided Elle was probably asleep and forgot to leave the light
on or, more than likely, she was out. Elle spent many nights away
from home so Chelsea wasn’t concerned.

After lugging her suitcase up to her room, she decided to sit
and reflect on the balcony, her favourite haven. While gazing at
the lights over the city and listening to the hum of city
commotion, she vowed to give herself a new beginning.

Chapter 5

Missing

Tuesday

Chelsea woke feeling refreshed and ready to make some changes
in her life, starting with Bloom. Naturally, she would continue to
work with diligence, as she always did, however, she resolved to
open her life to new opportunities and stop burying herself in
work.

After showering, she swept her hair up into a neat pony tail
and wondered whether Elle was home. She looked out towards her room
to discover the door still closed.

She's probably asleep.

Chelsea hurried through breakfast and a kick-start coffee,
knowing there was a lot to get through today. She walked into the
garage to discover Elle’s car parked next to hers.

She must be home - her car’s here. Was it here last
night?
Chelsea couldn’t remember.
Of course, she’s in bed, don’t
worry.

On the drive over to Bloom, she tried to go over the
arrangements to be completed but her thoughts kept drifting back to
Elle. Should she have checked on her?
I’ll ring when I can.

When she pulled up at the back of the shop, her delivery
driver, Gavin, arrived in his van.

“
Morning, Chelsea,” he called as he hopped out. “Did you have
a nice weekend?”

“
Very relaxing thanks, Gav. How was your weekend
away?”

“
Great. It was nice having the extra day off with my family,”
he replied with a grateful smile.

“
They all well?”

“
Yes, they’re growing up fast. I’ll start unloading so you can
get started.”

“
Thanks.”

While Gavin loaded the van, she prepared arrangements for sale
and display. Bloom, her home away from home, filled Chelsea with
contentment. It was a quaint shop with displays lining each wall
and a counter in the rear. Although the lighting was low, it didn’t
detract from the overall visibility. It merely set the ambiance.
The walls, painted in cream, were adorned with hanging baskets
containing flowering plants which were also for sale.

The large front window displayed her favourite collections of
the day. ‘Bloom’ was painted across the top with artistic flair and
bordered by a creeping vine. In the back storage area were two
large industrial fridges to keep all her flowers fresh. Being
surrounded by the wonderful aromas and colours always soothed and
lifted her spirits. As she opened the front door, Mrs. Nelson, a
regular customer, breezed through the door.

“
Good morning, dear,” she said. “What have you got for me
today?”

“
This one over here,” Chelsea replied collecting an
arrangement from one of the vases. “I had you in mind when I put
this together.”

“
Oh, it’s perfect darling. The Watsons are coming for dinner
tonight and Susan is always envious of my table arrangements, but I
never let her in on my little secret - you.”

“
Thanks, Mrs. Nelson, I think.”

“
Oh, but if I told Susan, it could bring more business for
you. Well sorry, dear, I’m keeping you for myself.”

“
I’m flattered.”

“
Well must rush, lots to do.” She went out the door the same
way she came in.

Chelsea’s day kept her busy, preparing the deliveries whilst
serving new and regular customers. Each time she went to ring home,
someone came in or the phone rang. For once, she wished she wasn’t
so busy. The only welcome relief was that it allowed her no time at
all to think about anything.

Stop thinking about him, Chelsea! He’s gone! Like Charlotte
said, it’s been a year!

She nodded her head to conclude those thoughts once and for
all and finished up for the day. It was on the way home that she
began to wonder again about Elle and chastised herself for not
finding the time to call her over the course of the day.

When she arrived home and entered the garage, Elle’s old beat
up car - suiting her unfussy lifestyle - was still parked in her
spot.

She ran up the stairs and called out to her friend.

“
Elle,” she called again. “Are you here?”

The door to Elle’s room was closed as before. She knocked
before entering. Her room was empty, the bed made, and the blinds
closed.

This is strange…

Chelsea fished her phone out of her bag and dialled Elle’s
number. She heard the familiar upbeat tone coming from the room
she’d just left. This is when she noticed Elle’s much-loved and
much-used handbag sitting on her dresser.

Maybe she went for a walk or something. I’ll give her an hour.
Maybe her mum picked her up and she’s forgotten to ring. She’s done
that before.

After the hour passed, Chelsea located Elle’s address book and
decided to call everyone she knew, starting with Elle’s
mum.

“
Hi, Mrs. Sheridan, it’s Chelsea. How are you?”

“
Well, dear, and you?”

“
Good. Um, I was wondering if Elle’s with you.”

“
No I haven’t spoken to her since around nine on Saturday
morning. I was surprised she called so early.”

“
Did she mention if she was going anywhere?”

“
Yes, she told me a young man was picking her up to take her
to breakfast. I guess this was why she was up. What’s the matter?
You’re beginning to worry me.”

“
It’s nothing, I hope, but I don’t know if Elle came home last
night. I’m sure she’s fine, just forgotten to ring.”

“
Hmm, she
has
been known to do that ...”

“
I’m sure that’s all it is, that she forgot to call, you know
how she is?” Chelsea joked. She felt a little uneasy
now.

“
Unfortunately, yes, this is not the first time she’s
forgotten to ring but she’s always been alright so far,
thankfully.”

“
I promise I’ll have her call when she gets home. I didn’t
mean to worry you.”

Chelsea called her other friends, the ones Elle usually went
out with - Chelsea didn’t go out much - however no-one had seen
her.

It was quite late now and she considered going to the police
station to report her missing but thought better of it. There was
probably an explanation. Elle had done this before. Chelsea
recalled the time when she met a backpacker from overseas, France
she thought, and had disappeared for an entire weekend with him. At
first, Chelsea was sick with worry but, after being absent two
days, Elle had turned up glowing and happy. She told Chelsea she
wouldn’t worry her like that again but, Elle being Elle, Chelsea
knew she quite possibly could. Her vivacious energy and total
absorption in her latest mission or conquest determined that she
mostly didn’t keep her promises.

Chelsea never begrudged Elle for this. Her passion and zest
for life made her who she was. If she didn’t turn up by morning,
she would go to the police station. She could open a little later
than usual tomorrow. Chelsea decided it best to go to bed as there
wasn’t any more she could do right now, but her unease didn’t
lift.

* * *

I think it’s time to go and see what the spoilt bitch is up
to.

Does she know her friend is gone yet?

Does she care?

She doesn’t care about anyone but herself, with all her
luxuries.

I watch her every day.

Ah here she is now. Well, we look a little concerned
today.

Don’t fret. You won’t have to wait long. Soon you’ll know
where she is.

It’s almost time to go and collect up my next practice
run.

They are sooo easy. All I have to do is turn on the
charm.

They always open the door for me, they know and trust me.
Desperate fools!

* * *

Perched on a stool at ‘Clive’s’, Lucas nursed his third beer
and considered ordering another shot. The pleasantly numb feeling
that followed the buzz began to spread through his veins and he
welcomed it. The thought of returning to his empty apartment after
work held little appeal, so he’d decided to bury his troubles at
the bar.

It had been several years since any case had affected him this
way. The familiarity of the murders stirred up buried memories.
Even after all this time, a simple reminder caused the pain to
return. Not being able to sleep and having an empty apartment
weren’t helping. A drink-induced stupor could solve that problem,
for at least tonight anyway.

“
Excuse me,” a female voiced invaded his melancholy. “Is
this seat taken?”
Very original, sweetheart.

“
No,” he told her, his eyes not leaving his near-empty
bottle.

“
Why so glum?”

Lucas turned and found just what he needed to occupy his mind.
Long dark curls, small trim figure, large brown eyes and a pretty
smile.

“
Tough week,” he told her.

“
You’re way too cute to be sad or even alone for that
matter.”

He groaned internally. She knew all the lines. This would be
too easy.

“
Thanks.” He offered her his winning smile and sealed the
deal. “You’re way too pretty to be chatting up men in
bars.”

Chapter 6