Tag: <span>novel</span>

Forest (Secret Diary Of A Serial Killer)

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 6, which means letter F.

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: Examination Start from A: Anna

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Forest

We rode in silence, Capinski at the wheel and me looking out the window watching the landscape rush past. Even though it was less than 24 hours since I’d been out to dump Anna’s body, everything looked different in the light of day – the sun shining down almost as if to say β€œI see you”.

He pulled the car onto the dirt path heading towards the vacant cabins. A few officers were still there, keeping control of the scene.

β€œHave you been here before?” He said.

β€œI…no,” I stumbled over the words.

Before the last couple of days, I hadn’t been here. I silently thanked him for inadvertently reminding me to play the unknowing Detective.

I got out of the car, a carpet of pine needles gave a soft crunch beneath my feet.

β€œThis way,” Capinski said.

He started walking towards an area behind the cabins. Away from where I dumped the body. Playing the innocent new Detective on the scene, I followed him.

β€œShe was found over here?” I said.

β€œYeah.”

I stopped in my tracks. The serial killer had moved her? Why?

β€œWho found her?” I said, looking around casually, trying to see if anyone was checking out my actual dump site.

β€œA local hiker. There was supposed to be a…” His voice drifted off as he turned around the back of a cabin. After a few seconds he reappeared and frowned at me. β€œAre you coming or not?”

β€œUm…yeah,” I said, walking over to him. β€œI was just taking in the scene.”

He grunted.

β€œSo what was there supposed to be?” I said.

β€œOh, some kind of sponsored hike. About 20 people were going to show up. The organiser arrived early to get everything set up, and found her over here.”

Around the back of the cabin was a large dumpster. It had a lock, to stop wildlife getting inside, which looked to be still intact.

β€œHe dumped her here?” My eyes went wide with realisation. β€œHe literally dumped her, at the dumpster.”

β€œYeah,” said Capinski. β€œMaybe she did something he didn’t like.”

Yeah, I thought to myself. Maybe I did.

Next Chapter: Garbage


Examination (Secret Diary Of A Serial Killer)

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 5, which means letter E.

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: Descent Start from A: Anna

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Examination

Carly Clark had been the coroner for as long as I’d been with the police. She looked to be late-thirties, her hair cut in a short blonde bob, always very neatly styled and glossy. She wore heels that made her normal 5 foot 7 inches into at least 6 foot.

She pulled off her gloves and threw them in a trash bin near the back door.

β€œDetectives,” she said with a small smile, β€œHow can I help you?”

β€œWe’re hoping you can give us something – anything – new to go on from the latest victim,” I said.

She shook her head, the bob looking as perfect after the movement as it did before. β€œUnfortunately not. Her throat was slit, same as the others. Nothing under the nails, her body and hair have been washed with the same products as the other victims too. Dressed after, by the killer, as best as I can tell.”

I looked at the body on the table for the first time since I’d left it for the police to find. Sure enough, there was the new addition of my name written on her left arm in dark blocky letters.

β€œWhat did he use to write the name with?” Capinski said, taking a step closer to the table for a better view.

β€œMy best guess at this point is a Sharpie,” Carly said, β€œI’ve sent a swab for confirmation. I’d be surprised if he used something rare or traceable.”

I nodded and tapped my finger against my thigh while I thought of a way to track this guy down.

β€œWell, let us know any updates,” Capinski said. He turned and left quickly.

I wasn’t ready to leave yet, I needed more answers but wasn’t sure what else to look for. I stepped closer to the table and tried to memorise the handwriting of my name.

β€œHe won’t come back in,” Carly said.

I looked at her and frowned.

She nodded her head towards the door. β€œCapinski. We had a…rough breakup a few months back.”

β€œOh,” I said, feigning surprise.

Everyone knew about their breakup, he’d been a mess and had to take time off for a few weeks. He only came back to work because the Captain wanted him to work this case, knowing he was the best for the job.

β€œI better go then,” I said, feeling a little uncomfortable.

As I reached the door I stopped and asked, β€œAny identification of the victim?”

She shook her head. β€œNo, just as unknown as the others.”

So that was my advantage. I knew all about Anna.

Next Chapter: Forest


Descent (Secret Diary Of A Serial Killer)

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 4, which means letter D.

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: Captain Start from A: Anna

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Descent

The elevator ride to the coroner’s office was a quiet one. I was glad, it gave me time to think.

I was 13 when I first killed someone. It was an accident, I think. At least that’s what I told everyone, and everyone believed me. But the truth is more hazy.

I remember the before – playing in the woods. And I remember the after – a strange mix of panic and excitement. It’s the middle that slipped out of my memory.

But it was that moment which led me to become a Detective. Not the solving crime part, although that can be fun too, but the access to information – knowing how someone else had killed their victim, and why they did it.

As a rookie my first crime scene left me shaking from exhilaration. Being so close to death and finding out the specifics of who did it and how it happened. I knew right then, 10 years after the ‘accident’, that I would kill again – how easy it would be to copy someone else’s M.O.; to be able to experiment like that and pin it on them while I walk away free. Probably tasked with ‘solving’ the very murder I’d committed.

I felt a smile cross my lips and quickly looked at Capinski to make sure he hadn’t noticed. He was looking at the floor numbers, slowly cycling down to the sub-basement. I looked at the doors, mimicking his patient waiting.

How did this serial killer know what I’d done? I was always so careful to not be followed, nor to be seen when I plan out my crimes. Had I slipped up?

I fidgeted with my hands, rubbing one palm with my thumb.

β€œYou’ve seen a body before,” Capinski said.

β€œI’m not nervous,” I said, dropping my hands to my sides.

He grunted his obvious disbelief.

As far as he knew I was worried about a serial killer pulling me into an investigation. Yet the thought of that just made me want to smile, thinking about how fun this game of cat and mouse could be.

Then I remembered he has a serious head start knowing my identity, not to mention Capinski was a great Detective. My fidgeting came back.

The elevator doors opened with a faint squeal of protest and we made our way down the long corridor to the morgue.

I watched Capinski’s shoulders move under his shirt as he walked ahead, and thought about how I could take him down.

Next Chapter: Examination


Captain (Secret Diary Of A Serial Killer)

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 3, which means letter C.

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: Body Start from A: Anna

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Captain

β€œMyers!” The Captain’s voice rang out through the station.

I turned to see him storming across the room, a strange mix of emotions on his face. I backed up until my legs hit Capinski’s desk.

β€œHave you lost your goddamn mind?” Captain Hood came to a halt a few inches from me, one hand starting to reach out for my arm, then dropping to his side after he thought better of it.

β€œI…” I tried to speak but he cut me off.

β€œWe’ve been calling you all damn morning,” he said.

I reached in my pocket to show him I didn’t have any missed calls, but faltered when my hand found nothing but cloth and lint. I started groping at my other pockets.

β€œI must have left it in the car,” I said uncertainly.

β€œSit,” Captain Hood barked, pointing to a chair.

I did, everything suddenly sinking in. They found the body which fitted the M.O. of the serial killer Capinski was looking for. The body, for whatever reason, had my name written on her arm and I hadn’t been answering my phone all morning. Which made sense why the Captain was a mix of angry and relieved, but why didn’t Capinski seem to care?

β€œI’m sorry I worried you,” I said to the Captain, before frowning at Capinski.

β€œI knew you were Ok,” Capinski said with a shrug. β€œYou’re not his type.”

That was true. Other than being a woman I had nothing in common with the victims.

β€œMaybe it wasn’t even my name on her arm,” I said, grasping at straws to get me away from this case.

β€œYes, because there are so many Delaney Myers in this town,” said the Captain, taking a seat next to me.

Well, he had me there. I felt a cold chill down my spine and tried to push down the slow panic that was setting in. How would the killer have known me? Why would he do this? Has he been watching me? My eyes flicked around the room and I tried to see out the window if anyone was near my car or watching the building.

β€œWe don’t think he wants to hurt you,” Captain Hood said.

β€œPhysically,” said Capinski.

β€œYes thank you,” the Captain shot a look to Capinski before turning back to me. β€œWhat he means is,” he began, but I cut him off.

β€œHe means the killer is hoping to pull me into the investigation. That he has a thing for me,” I said, quickly adding, β€œFor whatever reason.”

β€œExactly,” both men said at the same time.

β€œSo what does that mean for me?” I asked.

There was no way I was getting out of this. No way they’d let me walk away from this case. If the killer wants to make it personal with me they’ll want me close to keep an eye on, in case he makes contact again.

β€œMeet your new partner,” said Captain Hood pointing to Capinski.

Capinski’s eyes went wide.

β€œNow both of you,” Hood said pointedly, β€œGo and check out what the coroner knows.”

Next Chapter: Descent


Body (Secret Diary Of A Serial Killer)

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 2, which means letter B.

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™‚

If you missed the start of the story (day one/letter A): Anna

 

Body

The day after a full moon is never fun. Extra calls to the station all night and mayhem through the city often bleeds into the next day for clean up. I was glad I’d had the night off, but as I walked through the station doors I could see the rush was still going strong.

β€œMorning”, I said to the desk clerk. Inching my way between some slowly sobering drunks.

He started to nod in reply, holding a phone to his ear and jotting down notes from whatever call was coming in, then he recognised me and started to point the phone in my direction. I waved one hand over my head for him to forward the call to my desk, I hadn’t even had my coffee yet.

As I made my way to my desk I could see a uniformed officer standing next to it, looking uncomfortable. She saw me coming and stopped fidgeting with the paper in her hands.

β€œYes?” I said. Looking warily at the paper she now held out for me.

β€œMorning Detective. There was a body found this morning.” She didn’t sound as unsure of herself as she was acting.

I pulled my chair out and sat down. β€œYes, that tends to happen,” I said and sighed, taking the paper from her hand.

She waited while I read through the notes.

β€œThis isn’t my case,” I said. β€œYou want the desk over there.” I pointed to the corner where Capinski was looking exhausted after last nights shift.

β€œNo,” said the uniformed officer. β€œI was told to bring it to you.”

I frowned at her. β€œOk, but this isn’t my case. Capinski, over there,” I pointed again, β€œHe’s the one running this serial. Who told you to bring it to me?”

β€œCapinski did,” she said. Looking more uncomfortable by the minute.

β€œOk fine,” I said. β€œYou can head out, I’ll sort this.”

β€œI’ll let the Captain know you’re in,” she said as she walked away.

Before I could ask why, she’d already gone. I turned my attention to the problem at hand – there was no way I was going to take this case from Capinski.

I made my way over to his desk and dropped the paper next to a stack he was looking through. β€œThis came to me by mistake. Looks like another body for your case,” I said.

He grunted. β€œNo mistake,” he said. β€œI told her to bring it over to you. Seems like you want to shove your nose in my case, you might as well make yourself useful.” He stopped flicking through the papers and looked at me.

β€œWhat?” I didn’t like where this was heading.

He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. His dark hair looked just-got-out-of-bed messy from a long night, and his shirt had creases on it’s creases.

β€œI know you were asking around about the case,” he said. When I didn’t answer he continued, β€œAnd I know you took the file a few weeks ago to read up on it.”

I put my hands in my pockets to stop them fidgeting.

β€œI’m new, I wanted to know more about the case,” I said.

Capinski grunted again, then leaned forward. β€œWell, now you get to know all about it, up close and personal like.”

β€œNo,” I said. This was not happening.

My panic must have shown because his face softened. β€œLook, this isn’t what you wanted,” his voice told me he didn’t think that was true. β€œAnd it definitely isn’t what I wanted.”

No shit, I thought to myself.

β€œBut here we are,” he said, picking up the paper and shaking it slightly.

β€œWhich is where, exactly?” I took a step backwards and cursed myself for doing so.

β€œThe body last night, it’s definitely the same killer. But he left a little something extra this time.”

No, no, no, I screamed inside my head.

β€œYour name, written on her arm.”

Next Chapter: Captain