Little Boy Blue

105

He didn’t have to wait long. The front door opened slowly and moments later she emerged, hurrying off down the street in the direction she’d come from. From his elevated position, she seemed so small, so vulnerable, that for a moment he almost felt sorry for her. But it was only a fleeting emotion – the rage that had sustained him for so long devouring this brief spasm of pity.

What was she thinking now? She had been at the scene for a short time, but had reaped a bitter harvest. By contrast, he had enjoyed himself enormously. This murder had been the most meaningful. And the most satisfying. Angelique had begged for mercy once she realized what was happening – as much as you can beg when you’ve got a plastic ball clamped into your mouth. But he had barely heard her as he went about his business – it was so much noise in the background. She was just an offering – an offering to lay at the feet of Helen Grace.

Helen had almost reached the end of the road now. Had she left her bike out of sight to avoid drawing attention to herself? If so, she was wasting her time. This was about her – this had always been about her.

Suddenly she slipped from view, disappearing around the corner and away from him. But their meeting was not far away now.

You can run, Helen. But you can’t hide.