Page 16 of The Serial Killer’s Sister (The Serial Killer’s Daughter #3)

DI Walker gives an apologetic smile. ‘If you’d let me in on it, I’d have followed at a safe distance. Disappearing in the early hours trying to avoid detection makes you look a little guilty, don’t you think? I had no choice but to follow you.’

‘I didn’t see anyone when I left. No car followed me.’

‘Kind of the point of covert operations,’ he says.

Although his tone is light-hearted, almost humorous, I catch a hint of smugness.

I’m not going to fall for it and laugh or offer a comeback.

I’ve had enough of games. As DI Walker is finally about to stick the Tamagotchi in the bag, he stops.

‘What have we here?’ He carefully pops the battery compartment open. ‘There’s something inside it.’

He takes the toy to a nearby picnic table. With his still-gloved hands he unfolds the paper inside it. ‘Here,’ he says, pushing his chest towards me. ‘Take my notepad out of my pocket.’ I do as he asks. ‘Write down what it says.’

My hand shakes as I grip the pen. The words of the new riddle swim in front of my eyes and I have to blink a lot to focus.

You’re not the only one with something to hide,

You’re not the only one that’s cheated or lied.

You’re going to regret being the one who fled,

You’re going to end up losing your head.

Tell-tale tit, your tongue shall be slit;

All the dogs in town shall have a little bit.

My heart gallops as I attempt to write it down legibly, and when I finish, DI Walker bags it along with the toy.

‘Your new clue.’ He looks at me, excitement evident.

‘I don’t get it.’ I stare at it, read it a few times. Each time it sounds more threatening. My memory, though, refuses to recall anything to help it make sense.

‘Come on, Anna. This is important. Think.’

‘I am, Detective Walker. Christ. Sorry if I’m a bit freaked out by all this. You might be used to this stuff, but I’m just a bloody teacher.’

‘And a good one by all accounts, so I’m told. Logical thinking and emotional intelligence is your thing, and this is someone close to you.’

‘I’m not close to Henry,’ I say, forcefully.

‘Yesterday morning everything was normal; my life was as expected. Then you show up and throw my world into chaos; I get suspended from my job and now I’m being stalked by a serial killer and the fate of another woman’s life rests in my hands. I can’t think straight.’

‘Okay. Okay. You’re right, I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t be putting all this pressure on you. I don’t want to let Henry create another victim, Anna, that’s all. I’m determined to save at least one life in this whole mess.’

‘I understand that. Of course I do. The clock’s ticking.

But just so you know, I don’t usually cope well with stressful situations; I’m prone to panicking and making rash decisions.

’ I don’t know why I’m telling him this, but I can’t seem to stop.

‘If you want my help, I have to put the clues together in the right way. There’s no time for me to jump to the wrong conclusion and send you – us – on a wild goose chase.

I have to be sure the solution is correct first time.

This first one took me three hours to get to.

If I’d been wrong, that’s a lot of time wasted. See?’

‘Yes. Fine. I’ll give you some space.’

‘Thank you.’

‘But Anna?’

‘Yes?’

‘You have to share everything. No disappearing and trying to figure out a clue on your own. I can’t allow you or another woman to be the next victim.’

‘Don’t worry – I’m really not intending to lose my head, DI Walker.’

‘No, but then I’m sure his other victims didn’t intend to lose parts of their bodies either.’

I can’t hold my alarm back – my sharp intake of breath is instinctive.

‘You never mentioned that,’ I say, aware my words are wobbly, like I’m in a car driving over a cattlegrid.

‘Sorry. I didn’t want to give you the gruesome details if there was no need.’

‘You told me the first victim had her lips sewn shut. Did she also have something removed?’

The detective sighs, seemingly annoyed at himself for having let that information slip. ‘No. That started happening with the second and subsequent murders.’

‘Oh.’ I massage my throat, trying to dispel the lump of anxiety.

‘Look, I’m going to organise protection—’

‘No.’ I’m shocked at how quick, and firm, my rejection of his offer is, and judging by his gaping mouth, so is he.

I give myself a shake. ‘Sorry, thanks, detective, but I don’t need it.

If an officer is posted outside my door, it could stop Henry making contact and I’ll be forced to withdraw my co-operation.

I’m sure you don’t want that, because as you rightly pointed out, we’re running out of time. ’

‘And if his ultimate goal is to kill you? That line in the riddle isn’t exactly ambiguous.’

‘I disagree. But regardless, while I’m happy for you to come to my place alone, I think the rest of the team should keep their distance.

’ I’m not happy for him to be around me either, but I have to be realistic – it’s a murder case and whether I like it or not, I’m involved.

I look back to the home and see Natalia emerging, her hands firmly on her hips as she scans the area.

‘Er … I think we’ve outstayed our welcome,’ I say.

I couldn’t be more relieved to walk out of this place again.

And this time, it really will be forever.