were life threatening. It wasn’t to him, but it would mean a great deal to the person who received it from him. He had little time, his departure gate would be opening shortly. Nathan asked Malcolm to find one of the shortcuts he mentioned previously, he needed to grab some personal belongings from the hotel, his clothes he wasn’t fussed about, he had plenty more at home. He searched for the number in his phone, the car rocked slowly as it rounded a corner, the accelerator forced closer to the ground. The number was ringing, he waited for the answer.
‘I have something for you mate, meet me at the hotel room, I’m on my way now!’ the call ended.
His heart beat increased; he placed a hand upon his chest. The thudding caused his hand to shudder, he was nervous but excited. The information he had right now could be the thing that nails the killer. The work he had done, with all other members of the police and his close friend, it all amounted to this one little text message. He hoped for a result, if it came through, he knew Jack would be happy, whatever happened he was sure Richard would be happy too. The night closed in eagerly, as if it were taunting him, reminding him that time was short…… time was precious.
The Mercedes came to a sudden halt outside the front of the hotel. Nathan asked Malcolm to park up and wait five minutes whilst he grabbed the necessities from his room. He ran to the lift and tapped the button rapidly, as if it made the large container move quicker. The doors pinged open and he moved inside, ordering them to close, slapping the close door button. He ran from the half open doors, his body tilted sideways to avoid connection with the metal slabs. His door slammed open as he pushed it hard, it remained open as he began looking for his wanted items. Clothes were thrown from one spot to another, his pockets filling with loose change and identification. He stopped, the wall caught his eye. He stood in front of the case file, the girls he had tried to help and failed, the methods of kill that the Wolf enjoyed, the picturesque environments in which their heart-less bodies were left, frozen by the chilling winds and snow. The little red cloaks they donned, pulled across their naked and beaten bodies for warmth, pools of life absorbed by the brilliant white carpet below them. He hoped for a needed result, he hoped.
The tapping of a fist upon the open door startled him. He turned his head to face the visitor. They nodded to each other, an acceptance of the risk they had made, the bond they now shared.
‘Come in’ greeted Nathan.
Richard entered the chaos of the room, he stood at the foot of the bed next to Nathan, and they gazed upon the cluster of paper and photographs.
‘I believe I know why I’m here, and if that’s the case, then I thank you’
‘It is, I have an address, possibly the killer’s location. It may not be, but it’s the best piece of information we have yet!’
Nathan handed the small brown envelope to Richard. His friend took it and gripped it tightly.
‘That envelope is to be opened once the job is done, the contents have instructions, you’ll understand when it’s opened’ briefed Nathan. Richard stood, slightly confused by the gift. He watched as Nathan removed his mobile phone and showed him the screen. He typed it into his own phone and saved the details.
‘What happens now?’ quizzed Richard, curious to his new friends plans.
‘Now, I go home Richard. I leave all this fucking filth behind and I go, as fast as I can’
‘Home eh, to the safe surroundings and comfort of your wife’.
‘Exactly!’ he smiled at the thought. They faced each other and their hands gripped, the shake had a meaning, their energy passed through each other. It wasn’t a good bye; more of a take care and see you later. Richard pulled him close and embraced him. They hugged; the moment gathered an emotional atmosphere. No words were exchanged, they parted ways, Richard onto his next task and Nathan back to the airport. He gave the wall one last look over before leaving, he willed Richard to succeed. He double checked his belongings and walked from his current home, on to his real home.
***
The girl awoke as he entered, the door creaking her from her slumber. He approached quickly and smothered her aching mouth with the cloth. The drug that had been soaked into the rag began to fill her lungs, her head became dizzy. He waited until she was fully unconscious and untied the binds. He noticed the rubbing on her flesh, the rope had chewed through her skin, reddening it and causing some bleeding. He knelt down to her level and pulled her limp body into his arms, he cradled her up the stairs and out the rear door. The night was nearly at its blackest, the shadows forming around corners, harbouring the evil he brought. He climbed into the driver’s side and looked behind him, checking on the sleeping passenger. The red cloak draped over her body, her naked legs tucked up to her chest. The engine started and he rolled the van from its parking place, the journey began.
Chapter Twenty Four
Richard began filling a bag with some clothes, mostly Megan’s. He rushed about the house, knowing that the monster would be ready to take her life when the moon was full. He ran outside through the back of the house and opened his shed. From inside he removed a length of rope and some more accessories, just in case. The envelope given to him by Nathan was placed on the dashboard of the Pajero, he longed to know its contents. The items he had collected were thrown into the boot, the centre seats had been folded down to make room for the vehicles current package, the blankets hid it from view.
He started the engine and sped from the curb, the headlights flicked to life and guided his way. The snow began to fall and the temperature dropped several degrees, the dark sky above him swallowed the stars, the moon fought to appear, blocked by the soot filled clouds. His foot pushed the pedal down harder and the vehicle growled as the engine forced it down the empty streets.
‘I’m coming Megan…….Daddy’s coming for you!’
The house was hidden by the overgrown foliage, the drooping branches hugged the walls of the building, the bushes blocked its windows from sight. He brought the car to a steady stop, he hoped they were still inside. He climbed from the driver’s seat and removed the wheel brace from under it. He didn’t need to torture the monster yet, he just needed him alive for the punishing. He stalked the front of the dark building, the windows were obstructed by thick curtains. He tried to peer through any gaps to spy for light inside, it appeared dark. He moved around the rear of the building, he spotted the large garage as it sat deep in the forest of the garden, he headed for it, deciding to check the inner of the structure. The padlock sprung from its home as the wheel brace was forced against it, he didn’t care about being subtle, he just needed to get inside. The shadows surrounded him and the smell of ageing urine struck his nose, the door was pushed open slightly, allowing him to enter. He removed the mobile phone and selected the torch icon, the beam emitted to the floor, he scanned the room. The occupants scurried around their cages, terrified as to who would be next for the beasts feeding. Their small eyes glowed under the light, twinkling in Richard’s direction. He walked the walls, checking from top to bottom. The smell caused his eyes to water, he wiped them free with the sleeve of his coat. He found the large table at the rear, a box of tools underneath it, that was all. He followed the opposite side back to the main entrance, only rabbits and their homes.
The snow fell stronger, the large flakes obstructed his vision slightly, the cold substance landing upon his bare head. The back door was locked, he stepped back and checked the rooms, no light from inside. His foot crashed through the entrance and he moved into the kitchen, the smell of cooked meat engulfed him.
‘Fuck me’ he spat. The torch revealed several carcasses upon the side unit, the blood appeared old, dried and clotted. He moved the light from left to right rapidly, covering all areas of the room as quick as he could. He patrolled through the bottom floor, no sign of any occupants yet.
The stairs offered several creaks as he moved up them, the cobwebs clung to the corners of the ceiling, the labyrinth of web created long ago. He searched the rooms quickly, they were untidy but held no evidence to his daughter being there. He moved with speed back down the stairs, his footsteps echoing below him. He stopped at the last step and stamped his foot, the noise bellowed underneath.
‘Fucking Cellar’
He searched the wall of the stairs for the entry point, he located it in the kitchen. He paused to get his breath
