Page 40 of M for Murder

Jill shook her head. ‘There was a second guy?’

‘Yeah, Rufus Lind,’ Vic explained, only too eager to share the information.

‘Jeez! Two murders. That’s kind of a spooky coincidence after everything that happened at the college before. Do you think it’s the same guy?’

Vic shrugged. ‘It’s doubtful. More likely we have a copycat. They’re not the only victims either. There’s a girl as well.’

‘A girl?’

‘Yeah, some pianist called Emma Keeley.’

‘You’ve found her body?’ Lawrie spoke suddenly.

Kylan noticed his voice sounded strained.

Vic nodded. ‘Well, we haven’t actually found her body yet, but the Feds are pretty sure she’s dead.’

Kylan swallowed hard, starting to feel nauseous. She looked to Lawrie for reassurance as the conversation between Jill and Vic became a blur. His attention, though, had returned to the glass in his hand and he looked a million miles away. Trying to block out what Vic was saying, she focused on her husband’s face, curious about his reaction to the news that Emma Keeley was missing. Right now she needed him, and he didn’t seem to be there for her.

You’ve found her body?

The way Lawrie had asked Vic, it was as though he already knew Emma was missing. If that was the case, how come he hadn’t said anything to her? The thought struck her that maybe Lawrie knew more about what had happened to Emma Keeley than he was letting on. She could think of no other reason why he would intentionally keep the news from her. So much for sharing. That was what a marriage was supposed to be about, wasn’t it? Sharing and honesty and remaining faithful to one another.

Emma Keeley had been a big temptation. There had never been any doubt about that.

Beautiful, clever, popular and graceful, she was by far the most stunning girl on the campus and it was down to that fact alone that every single student knew her name. She was the perfect catch for any guy.

Quit beating yourself up and being so suspicious. Lawrie doesn’t know anything and the only reason he hasn’t told you that Emma Keeley had disappeared is because he wouldn’t want to worry you.

Her attempt to reassure herself wasn’t really working, and Kylan found herself watching Lawrie, studying his dark eyes and expressionless face and wondering just how much she could trust the man she had married.

The house wasn’t difficult to find.

Aside from looking up the address at college, Justine had followed Lawrie home the previous night. Not having a car of her own, she had had to take a cab and a small surge of excitement welled in her stomach as she remembered climbing in the back seat and instructing the driver to follow the car in front. Just like in the movies: close enough to ensure they didn’t lose him but keeping enough distance between them to make sure they weren’t seen.

The driver hadn’t asked any questions. That had surprised her a little. Maybe he was used to strange requests. That, or perhaps he just wanted his money. When he had dropped her off at the end of the road, he’d offered to wait for her, but Lawrie didn’t live too far away from the college and Justine decided that walking was better than paying the return fare. Besides, she wanted to check out where Lawrie lived, and she wouldn’t be able to do that very well with some cab driver hanging around.

Justine had cautiously made her way down the road she’d seen his car turn into, hoping that he wasn’t still outside. After all, she didn’t want to risk running into him. Fortunately, the road had been empty and Lawrie’s house easy to find, standing right at the end of the row. The front porch light was on and two windows had light coming from them.

So, this was where he lived.

Justine had ended up hanging around the house for close to an hour. Desperate to get closer, but too scared of being seen. It was then she’d decided she would come back when the place was empty. She’d already overheard Lawrie discussing a dinner date that he and Kylan had planned with friends for Saturday night and figured that it would be as good a time as any to pay a visit. Now she was here though, she wasn’t so sure.

There were two lights on inside the house. One that came from the hall, the other from what was probably the living room. The same two lights that had been on the previous night. Maybe they were still there or perhaps the date had been cancelled. A lot of people left lights on when they went out, though, to deter people from breaking in.

To deter people like you.

Justine pushed the thought from her mind. It wasn’t as though she was planning to steal anything. She only wanted to look around. She returned her attention to the house. Aside from the two lights, there was nothing else to indicate anyone was home.

On the other hand, there’s nothing to indicate anyone isn’t.

A chance she was going to have to take. Now she had paid another cab fare to get here there was no way she was turning around and going back. Slowly she began to edge towards the driveway, her eyes cautiously checking the houses either side. Although they were separated by bushes, there was no way of telling if someone was watching her through a crack in the curtains. Maybe even calling the police.

Maybe. Maybe not. If she walked away now, she knew she would later regret it.

What if I get caught?

The thought was scary. If Lawrie found out what she was doing she would die of embarrassment.