This month I’m taking part in the A-Z Challenge! Which means I’ll be writing 26 posts (on set days through the month) each one corresponding to a letter of the alphabet. Today is day 14, which means letter N.

My theme for the month is: Secret Diary Of A Serial Killer. Each post will be a new chapter in the story – I’m really excited to finally get this novel idea out of my head and into words. I hope you enjoy it! πŸ™‚

Previous Chapter: Motive Start from A: Anna

Β 

Noticed

The moment the doors closed Capinski was on me, pushing me against the wall. My hand reached for my gun but before I could draw it, he kissed me.

It was the briefest moment – his lips touching mine, then he was across the elevator pressing against the far wall.

I left my hand resting on my gun.

β€œWhat was that?” My voice an angry whisper.

β€œI’m sorry,” he said. Something flashed across his face; he was a mix of emotions. β€œI’m sorry. I-” He shook his head not knowing what to say.

I pointedly looked at the camera in the corner of the elevator then said, β€œOutside?”

He nodded.

My own emotions were tumbling around as we walked across the station, through the doors and into the parking lot. Capinski went to the far corner, away from cameras and out of earshot.

I leaned against the wall, looking casual but my body was so tense. Ready for whatever he was going to do.

When he didn’t speak, I raised an eyebrow. β€œI know you’ve been killing the women,” I said.

His face was back to it’s usual restfulness, not giving anything away.

β€œAnd I know it was you who called the tip line. You who moved Anna’s body.” I lowered my voice to a whisper, β€œI know you saw me.”

He nodded once.

β€œEverything you’ve done the past 24 hours has pointed to you being pissed off. That you wanted me caught, or to pin it all on me,” I said. β€œBut then you kiss me? What game are you playing?”

He ran a hand through his hair. I could tell he was choosing his words carefully.

β€œI did see you, in the forest,” he said. β€œIt was pure accident. I was out there…” he paused and put his hands in his pockets. β€œYou made me have to choose a different location.”

β€œWhich made you angry,” I said, prompting him to continue.

He nodded. β€œNot at first,” he said. β€œAt first I was curious who was out to do the same thing that I was. I parked my truck further away then walked back to get a closer look. There was a light on in one of the cabins so I went to check that out while you were posing her.”

I relaxed a little. He hadn’t been following me the whole time, it was just a weird coincidence.

β€œThat’s how I found her name,” Capinski said. β€œHer I.D. was on the kitchen counter. I could tell you’d be coming back to clean up so I didn’t look around too much. I hid outside until you came back and that’s when I saw your face.”

I smiled. β€œQuite a shock, huh?”

He laughed. β€œYeah!” His laugh died down and his face became more serious. β€œBut then I went to see the body and realised you were a copycat. I thought you were trying to pin it on me, to leave some evidence behind pointing to me because you’d already figured out I was the killer.”

β€œOh,” I said. β€œNo, it wasn’t like that at all.”

Ok it was a little bit like that, I thought to myself. Except I didn’t know he was the killer, but I definitely was trying to pin it on him.

He nodded. β€œI got angry at first and wanted to make you pay, but after we spent the day working the case I realised you didn’t have any clue that it was me. Well, until now.”

β€œSo the kiss was…” I let the question hang in the air.

He smiled. β€œI finally realised you were copying my work as a compliment! You didn’t want to pin it on me, you wanted to be like me.”

Oh boy, I thought to myself.

Next Chapter: Oversight