Page 46 of M for Murder

‘Where do you want to be dropped, sweetheart?’ the driver asked.

‘Here will be fine.’ She saw his disapproving look in the rear-view mirror and added quickly, ‘I’m meeting a friend.’

‘Well… if you’re sure.’ He pulled the cab to a halt and she climbed out. ‘That will be twelve dollars.’

Catherine reached in her purse and paid the fare.

‘You sure you don’t want me to wait?’ he asked again.

She smiled her most confident smile. ‘I’ll be fine, thanks.’

Nodding at her, still seeming unsure, he pulled away. Catherine watched him go, his headlights becoming fainter, eventually disappearing amongst the blur of trees in the park. For a moment she could still hear the distant drone of his engine, but when that was gone she was alone, in silence.

Silence, except for the occasional lapping of water against the riverbank and the low whistling of the wind. She pulled her cotton jacket tighter, wondering if perhaps she should have dressed more sensibly.

Never mind, Catherine. Hopefully you’ll have someone to keep you nice and warm soon.

She glanced over her shoulder at the bridge. No sign of Aidan. She hoped he was definitely coming. She turned and started to walk towards the arranged meeting place, thinking about how it was supposed to be a girl’s prerogative to be late, not the guy’s. Arriving at the bridge, she looked at the rickety old planks and the rusty railings and wondered if she dare step on it. The old ruin was a danger and should have been pulled down years ago. Danger was fun, she reminded herself. Danger and mystery.

Taking a chance, she took a tentative step onto the bridge and attempted to steady herself by grasping at the railing.

Shit. I’ll probably fall in and drown before he gets here.

There was a possibility of it happening if she lost her footing.

Maybe he’ll get here just in time to save me.

Nice fantasy, but she knew it wasn’t realistic. Hearing footsteps behind her, Catherine turned to look over her shoulder, the corners of her mouth turning up into a broad smile ready to greet Aidan. The face looking back at her wasn’t Aidan’s.

Her mouth dropped open in surprise and the question formed in her mind.

What are you doing here?

Before she had a chance to say the words aloud, a heavy metal bar swung toward her, knocking her hard on the forehead. Letting go of the railing, Catherine stumbled forward, into darkness and into the arms of her killer.

17

MONDAY 28TH APRIL 1997

M onday morning was all paperwork. Although Rebecca was enjoying being a cop, she had already grown to dislike the parts of the job that kept her tied to her desk, and she especially hated it when the only company she had was Vic Boaz. Her worst suspicions had been confirmed when she had arrived on shift and found the files piled high on her desk. Although they had already been through all of the available evidence and information, Sutton was convinced they must have missed something important along the way. Hence it was Rebecca and Vic who got to do the dog work.

Rebecca had already made a start when Vic rolled in twenty minutes late. Surprisingly, he seemed to be in a pretty good mood, whistling and grinning broadly. She just hoped it wasn’t the kind of mood that was going to irritate her. She watched as he hung up his jacket and joined her at the double desk, a paper bag filled with doughnuts in his hand.

‘Want one?’ he asked, waving the bag in her face. ‘They’re nice and fresh. I only just picked them up.’

The smell of the doughnuts wafted in the direction of Rebecca’s nose, making her stomach rumble. She’d only had a couple of cups of coffee before leaving her apartment and now wished she’d had something more substantial. Although she was trying to keep her weekdays free of junk food so she didn’t have quite so many calories to burn off when she went running, she didn’t see why the hell she should have to keep sitting and watching Vic stuff his face.

‘Sure, why not?’

Digging her hand into the bag she pulled out one of the sugared rings. It was still warm and burnt her fingers. She quickly grabbed a tissue from the box on her desk and dropped the doughnut onto it. Vic, meanwhile, took out a doughnut for himself and proceeded to stuff it in his mouth, apparently not bothered by how hot they were. He glanced down at the files on the desk and grinned.

‘Hey, paperwork. My favourite.’

Rebecca raised her eyebrows, a little sceptical. ‘Really?’

She wasn’t used to seeing him in a good mood. Usually he spent the day bitching and coming on to her. To have him smiling and being nice was a little unnerving and made her wonder what he was up to.

‘Well, get stuck in, buddy,’ she muttered, ‘because there’s plenty of it to do.’