* Rose stood rooted to the spot gasping, one hand on the kitchen bench for support, adrenaline surging through her body. A part of her brain, the detached part, knew what was happening. The man in front of her was the man from the beach, the man with the cute little Westie. Now, without his sunglasses, his intense blue eyes bored into her, just as Juliana had described. Judge Nyss.
She had been tricked by him, the nodding acquaintance, the dog. She had done the unthinkable, invited evil into the sanctuary of her own home. Wave after wave of shock and fear pounded in her ears, made her hands and legs tremble. The scientist in her knew her body had released adrenaline in huge amounts. The ‘fight-or-flight’ response. The adrenaline surge was meant to increase blood flow to her muscles, increase oxygen to her lungs, make her able to respond quickly. None of those things had happened. She was immobilised with fright. The judge was here. He’d come to kill her. She couldn’t have moved if she tried.
‘What’s the matter, Rose?’ He smiled, his eyes clear and captivating, his voice gentle and lilting. ‘Surprised I found you?’
He waited for her to answer. ‘Come on now. Surely you haven’t lost the ability to speak. What happened to all the bravery Edwina talked about? She thought very highly of you. A brave little thing, she said. It was because of you, she decided to find me. Did you know? After all these years, it was you who pressed
the button.’
The menace emanating from the man was as intense as a physical force. Rose stumbled backwards, swallowed. She tried to moisten her mouth. Her mobile rang. It must be Alex calling her again. She felt a sharp sense of loss. Her perfect day ruined, her night with Alex never to be. She wondered if it was possible he could sense her fear. Pick up on her distress. But how? She was not going to be rescued by a white knight named
Alex Cameron.
That thought released Rose from her prison. The next moves were hers to make. Her brain jerked into action. She couldn’t fight him, not this strong man with fever in his eyes. She’d have to try and run for it, but she’d have to be quick.
It seemed like minutes before the phone stopped ringing, the air stopped quivering and the last traces of noise disappeared, leaving the two of them alone in the silence of the house.
The judge smiled. ‘Just you and me, Rose.’
This time she was ready for him. She took a deep breath and focused on keeping her voice strong and steady. She smiled. ‘No Judge, not only you and me. There’s a whole group of people who know about you. Judge Edward Albert Nyss, older brother of Trudi Nyss who died age twelve. It’s over. You might have got away with it for all these years, but you shouldn’t have killed Edwina. You shouldn’t have been so obvious.’
She watched his eyes widen, the arrogant smile disappear. A small triumph.
‘Well, well, well … I was right all along. Edwina told you everything. I thought she must have confided in someone. It’s why I’m here, Rose, to tidy up the loose ends. I picked you as the troublemaker and I was right. I’m always right.’
Rose swallowed, tried to work up some saliva, flexed her toes. Any second, she’d have to run, faster than she’d ever done. The path she must take flashed through her mind—to her right, down the stairs to the utility room, around the corner past the washing machine, the dryer, unlock the back door, out and along the side of the house and onto the street. With luck, she should be able to make it. First, it was time to talk.
‘No. You’re not always right. This time you’re very wrong. The police know about you,’ she lied. ‘They know you’re a murderer. They’re putting the case together. In fact, I was talking to Detective Cameron when you arrived. He’s on his way to see me. Now. Should be here any moment.’
‘Good try, Rose,’ the judge said, smiling. ‘But I don’t believe you. I can’t imagine the police popping in to say hello. Honestly? Even if they have an inkling about me, thinking something, my dear child, is a long way from proving it. I’m a judge, I know the law.’ He laughed. A deep fanatical sound.
‘Trudi’s death was an accident. True, I might have helped it along, but it was monstrous that Edwina thought I should be held accountable.’ He took a step towards her. ‘But now is not the time for
talking.’
Rose’s mobile rang again. The harsh incessant sound froze them both. Their eyes locked as they listened, waiting. Silence. As the judge moved again, the landline rang.
‘They’re on their way,’ Rose managed to say before her tongue stuck to her palate. She wished it was true.
* ‘She’s not answering her phone,’ Alex barked at Marion.
‘She could be outside.’
‘No.’
‘I’ve checked on the Armed Offenders. They’re mobilising. I’m going to ring off now. I need to talk to the station again. Stay with it. Concentrate, Alex.’
Alex sucked in deep breaths. His heartbeat steadied into a strong pounding rhythm. Everything around him disappeared except his hands gripping the steering wheel and the road ahead. The traffic cleared and his focus narrowed, settling on the task ahead—get to the judge before he killed Rose.
* When the judge made his move, Rose was ready. She grabbed the bag of tomatoes from the bench and flung it at his face. He stumbled as he dodged. She leapt to her right, grabbed a chair and hurled it behind her as she pelted down the stairs. She was fast, but so was he. He swore as he tripped over the chair. She wove through the utility room, past shelves of her children’s treasures, collided with one and
