Page 122 of Silent Scream

The skin was silent against my fingerprint.

I threw her over my shoulder and carried her outside to the waiting hole.

Unlike the other two, I felt nothing for the flesh that I dropped to the ground. Melanie's neediness had made me feel sick. Her obsequious face had made my skin crawl.

Tracy had inspired desire in me. It was her own greed that had led to her end.

But with Louise there was nothing. She was a means to an end.

She was insurance.

The manner of her death would be misdirection.

So I opened her legs and reached for the saw.

Sixty-Two

Kim walkedthe corridors of Russells Hall hospital for the second time in as many days. Because it was outside of visiting hours, she announced herself as a police officer at the intercom.

The first priority of the medical personnel was the care of their patients but they tried to be accommodating to police officers.

Kim walked past the small waiting room at the top of the ward. Bryant stood when he saw her. She motioned for him to sit back down.

She paused at the nurse’s station. ‘Richard Croft?’

The female in dark blue was short and round. An elasticated belt searched halfway down the uniform for a waist and failed miserably.

‘Detective, I don’t think he’s quite ready for your questions.’

Kim nodded her understanding but wanted some of her own. She leaned forward and spoke quietly. ‘Sister, this week I have more than six bodies behind me and they all need answers. Richard Croft was very nearly number seven and may be able to help.’

The frown on the woman deepened.

Kim held up her hand. ‘I assure you I will not do anything to upset his condition.’

That was no lie, because Kim had no intention of doing anything at all.

The sister nodded towards the third open doorway off the main ward. ‘Just a few minutes, okay?’

Kim nodded her understanding and moved quietly along the corridor,

Kim stood in the doorway and looked not at the inert form in the bed but at the figure of his wife in the easy chair, currently engrossed in the contents of her mobile phone.

As Kim leaned against the doorframe, the head of shiny black hair raised. Nina

Croft’s fixed expression was politely tolerant. Clearly the look she reserved for the staff. When her eyes rested on Kim, any remnant of tolerance or politeness fell away.

Kim was momentarily surprised at how such an attractive face could be affected by the venom within. Suddenly, the beauty faded and was replaced by narrowed eyes and a thin, mean mouth.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’

‘Mrs Croft, your husband needs to be questioned.’

‘Not now, Detective Stone, and most definitely not by you.’

Nina Croft stood. Just as Kim had hoped.

Richard Croft moaned from the bed. Kim took a step towards him and Nina instantly blocked her path.