The Swap Skills Killer Page 11

  “The bastards, did they catch them,” Jake said angrily.

  “Yes they caught them on another job a couple of months later,” Amelia responded.

  “So what happened to you then?” Jake said.

  “I was taken into care, had a shit load of psychiatric help, although I still get nightmares now and again. It just left me with the fact that I am scared of men. I’ve not actually experienced a proper relationship, merely a few dates, I’m too scared to let a man near to me,” she stated, “and I often think would a man want damaged goods.”

  “Amelia, I know you are scared but just let me hold you close, let you see that all men are not the same,” and “If a man really loves you he would not think of you as damaged goods, he will love and cherish you.”

  Amelia moved in close to Jake and let him wrap her in his strong arms.

  He would ask her more questions another time. She had the guts to tell him her secret; he would wait for her to be ready to talk again. This woman was growing on him, he wanted to keep her safe and warm, covet her, just as he had with Emily, right up to the end.

  Jake decided at two o’clock that it was time for them to go to bed. He helped her up off the floor and showed her to the spare bedroom and en suite bathroom, and he gave her one of his pyjama tops to sleep in as well as a spare toothbrush and toothpaste.

  She turned her face up to his and gave him a kiss; it was the sweetest kiss he had tasted. He found it hard to walk away, he wanted her to spend the night with him, but did not think that she would feel the same way. She had been hurt in the past and kept men at a distance and now he knew why. He had not caressed her, but she tantalized him without even knowing it. It would take time for her to trust him fully but he knew he wanted her with all his heart and soul.

  CHAPTER 27

  The next morning Amelia woke up groggy and had a pounding head, as if a brass band were playing in her room. She climbed out of bed, went into the bathroom and gazed at herself in the mirror; she scrunched up her face and turned it over in her mind what a mess she looked. She had no clean clothes and no make-up, and didn’t expect to be staying out all night. Never mind, she had to make the best of what she had.

  She took stock of the shower and assortment of oils, soaps and large fluffy towels and they looked good so she jumped in the shower and freshened herself up and it was blissful. The soap had the hint of almonds and honey, funny the same soap as she used, that was stimulating and refreshing and made you feel so alive. She grabbed a towel, extremely large and fluffy and the best quality, and wiped herself dry, lavishing in its softness.

  “Amelia I have placed some clothes on the stool outside the bathroom, they belonged to Emily, and if you don’t mind wearing them they are fresh and clean,” Jake said.

  Emily opened the door and grabbed the clothes, a clean pair of knickers, a powder blue pair of cropped cotton trousers, and white gypsy top, which she would have bought from the shops herself, and a slip on pair of white sandals that fitted perfectly.

  The smell of bacon and egg wafted up the stairs and she quickly got dressed, and followed the delicious smell downstairs to the kitchen.

  “Oh there you are, I was going to bring you breakfast in bed as its weekend. I always treat Emily to breakfast in bed at weekends, with the morning newspapers.”

  “Thanks for your kindness Jake, but the wonderful smell brought me downstairs.”

  “Thanks for the clean clothes, were they Emily’s?”

  “Yes, you don’t mind do you, I just considered you might want to freshen up,” Jake suggested.

  “No, not at all, they’re lovely clothes, ones I would have chosen myself, if I’d gone shopping,” Amelia replied.

  “Well, there is a wardrobe full up there, some beautiful clothes, designer dresses, trousers, jackets, shoes, handbags. Rachel does not like them because they are too young and trendy for her. I have now come to terms with things and can throw them out or take them to the charity shop,” Jake queried.

  “Well if you’re sure it won’t upset you seeing me walk round in Emily’s clothes. I will come and look another day, and give you a contribution to go to the charity shop,” Amelia said.

  “Amelia, I would rather see you in Emily’s clothes than anyone else, she would want to see her beautiful clothes worn than be hung in a wardrobe, anyway come on grub up,” he said.

  “Oh, this looks a real treat,” Amelia, said, her mouth-watering in anticipation.

  “Do you want everything on your plate; there’s bacon, scrambled egg, sausage, mushrooms, and tomatoes and fresh coffee on the side,” Jake said.

  “Yes please I will be a pig and have everything. It might get rid of this damned headache,” Amelia said.

  “I’d better get you a couple of painkillers too,” Jake suggested.

  Jake poured her a coffee, and passed her a plateful of his slant on Full English Breakfast. He passed her the brown sauce and two Anadin and a glass of water.

  As they leaned over devouring their breakfast Amelia asked, “Have you got anything planned for today Jake?”

  “No, have you got anything in mind?” Jake replied.

  “Well, what about me take you a run to the coast on my bike? We could take some sandwiches and drinks, and perhaps have fish and chips at some point, what do you think?” Amelia chirped.

  “Sounds like an offer I can’t refuse, I don’t think I have a helmet though,” Jake replied.

  “I always carry a spare one strapped to the top of the bike box, so you will be OK. Just throw some warm clothes and jeans on, as it gets a bit breezy up your kilt if you’ve not got leathers,” Amelia scoffed.

  They finished their breakfast and Amelia washed the pots, placed everything tidily away, and wiped the work surface clean.

  “Can I make some sandwiches up for us, as the fresh sea air makes me ravenous?” Amelia said.

  “Me too. Sure, help yourself to anything out of the fridge. There’s also bottles of water and juices, crisps, fruit etc. just pack what you want,” Jake said.

  An hour later, they were ready to go. Jake felt a bit apprehensive, not having been on a motorbike for years. Her mouth curved into a smile as she saw his worried face.

  “Come on Jake don’t be a scaredy cat, I am a very good handling motor bikes, and I have been doing it for years, perched on my daddies’ knee when he was mending the bikes. I got all my knowledge from my dad, taught me everything I know. You can hold onto the back bar or wrap your arms around me, I do not bite, unless I’m riled,” she mocked.

  They got onto the A158 and she went like lightening, the green fields passing them by. He loved the feeling of the sun’s warmth on his skin and the wind blowing in his face. Fresh air filled his lungs and he felt refreshed, exhilarated, and glad to be alive, in fact better than he had felt in a long time. Perhaps it had something to do with the company he was keeping. He had to admit he was getting to like socialising a bit more.

  The landscape kept changing from green fields, yellow rapeseed, to wooded areas. Amelia excited him, arousing his senses with the thrill of being on a motorbike with his arms wrapped around her. It was making him feel like he was sixteen again.

  “Only about ten minutes now and we will be in Skegness,” she shouted over the noise of the engine.

  He did not care how long it took to get there, he was happy to have her enveloped in his arms, it felt like heaven.

  They arrived in Skegness and decided to walk along the sea front, taking in the view of the sea and fresh sea air. They sat astride one of the picnic benches sipping water, enjoying the spring sunshine, watching the birds twittering and pecking on the newly seeded planters and seagulls crying and flapping on the beach.

  They carried on walking and as they approached the amusement arcades, they could hear the music getting louder. Amelia was shimmying along doing a little dance to one of her favourite songs, singing along “You are the Dancing Queen…” Jake placed twenty pounds in the change machine, and the jingle of change coming
out of the chute sounded like he had won the jackpot. They wandered around trying the different machines, and Amelia was pushing him forward, she wanted to go on the pinball machines. She loved the thrilling sound of the pinging when the balls hit the targets, and another ball coming down the chute. She slid her sensual body across the pinball machine, enveloping it while she was playing, her body leaning into it as though she was provocatively caressing it.

  “Hey, take it steady, remember you’re a police officer, using that scandalous behaviour, it’s damned too sexual. We usually give the punters a warning when they abuse the machine like that, behave yourself girl, you are being very naughty and I might have to spank you. You definitely have a wild streak in you, and I think it becomes you,” he said teasingly.

  She took no notice of his warning whatsoever. He watched her hips swaying and banging against the machine, loving it, caressing it with her body. Sensual thoughts were rushing through his head. Jake was thinking to himself.

  This woman does not have to do anything to drive me crazy. What is it about her that gets to my senses? I have never felt like this about a partner before.

  After the excitement of the amusement arcade, they then went and settled down on bench in a grassed park area near the sea front and ate some of their sandwiches.

  “You do like cheese and tomato, or you can have ham salad.”

  “Course I like them I wouldn’t have it in my fridge if I didn’t like it would I you Muppet. Give me one of each please, and a sausage roll.”

  They ate all the sandwiches, the sea air making them hungry.

  “We will have fish and chips later, if you’d like that. I know where you can buy the best chips in Skegness. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but they’re certainly the best,” Jake said.

  “Sounds like a treat, can’t wait,” Amelia said.

  CHAPTER 28

  Bank Holiday Friday 3 April

  Harry Mason lowered himself onto the bench opposite furtively watching them. Yes, it was Jake Hammond, the one Becky surreptitiously pointed out at the Forum offices. At the time, he tried to hide himself, by bending his head and stuffing envelopes with flyers, so Jake would not see him, it was better that way as he was a copper. Who was the woman with him? She was very attractive, his kind of woman. The type he would like to play mind games with, the stronger the better, as he liked to break them.

  They were flirting with each other over lunch, lots of eye play and over the shoulder glances typical of flirting. Perhaps he ought to investigate who this eye-catching woman was.

  He was feeling a bit maudlin because he had not managed to lure anyone into his trap today; his magnetic charm was not drawing them in, which was strange because it was usually a good day Friday. It was worth coming anyway because of the fish and chips and he was almost out of his aniseed rock and needed to buy more.

  Amelia turned an eye on Jake and whispered, “See that man across from us, the one with the humongous nose, I am sure he is sneakily watching us, he keeps looking this way and every time he sees me looking he surreptitiously looks away.”

  He smirked “Bloody Hell. Don’t be stupid, you’re imaging things again. You cannot stop that investigative brain from working overtime. Chill, we are having a weekend off,” Jake scolded.

  She fixed him a dirty look “Don’t patronize me Jake Hammond, I know my own hunches and they’re usually right,” Amelia replied angrily.

  “Aww come on Amelia let’s not fall out over a silly thing like that,” Jake said sheepishly.

  Harry Mason saw them looking his way, and took heed that it was about time he moved on. He would have a look round the fairground to see whether he had a better chance there, though it gave him a bad head having to listen to all the different music from the rides.

  “See crisis over, he’s gone now. Does that make you feel better?”

  She shrugged and giggled. “Yes, he was a right smarmy character and I would not want to meet up with him on a dark night. Mind you, I’d see him coming with that schnozzle wouldn’t I?”

  They decided to stroll along the front and head for the fairground to take a ride on the big wheel. They could hear snatches of conversations carried by the wind, and the sound of the music from the attractions as they approached the fairground.

  The wheel started up, the clanking of the machinery made her jump and she squeezed her eyes shut. Jake wrapped his arm around her to give her a bit of confidence.

  “I don’t really like heights, but I always pluck up the courage to give it a go. Anyway what made you scared of rats?”

  “I don’t like rat’s because one sprang out of a fishing basket when I went fishing with dad when I was about ten, it must have gone after the bait, but it scared me shitless at the time, and I have a phobia now,” Jake snapped.

  “Any other phobias that I should be aware of, as you’re my partner and all,” Amelia imparted.

  “Liver and kidneys, all wibbly wobbly, with bits of fat and veins popping out, yucky – can’t touch them, makes me a bit green around the gills chopping them up. Don’t you have any fears or phobias?” Jake asked.

  Just then Jake saw the strange man with the big nose lurking around the popcorn machine leering at two girls, he approached one of them and showed her something, she nodded her head from side to side as if to say no and hurried away. Then he sauntered across to another girl and was chatting with her too, she said no and took flight too. He just carried on watching all the girls.

  “Amelia, I think you could be right about the man with the big nose sitting opposite, he is a bit strange, he’s down there look,” Jake pointed out.

  As she peered over the edge of the seat she quaked “I can’t look down there, I’m having to look straight ahead, daren’t look down, makes me dizzy,” Amelia stammered.

  He took a look heavenward and tutted “For goodness sake Amelia, why didn’t you tell me you were scared to go on the big wheel reassuring her that it was OK.”

  “There’s lots of things I’m scared of, I don’t like fairground rides much,” Amelia said.

  “I think I am going to have a word with that man if he’s still hanging about. He keeps approaching the teenage girls. When we go down I am going to talk with him, there is definitely something strange about him. No, changed my mind, actually I’m going to ring it in to see whether DSupt. Blackwell can get someone out to question some of these girls to see why he is approaching them. He could be a pervert,” Jake announced.

  Harry had not had much luck with the young girls, but he had seen the bald headed man on the fairground rides chatting with the girls in a suspicious manner again. He had already followed him when he took the other girl, and guessed that he was up to no good. Perhaps this man needs watching, as he was a serial killer in the making, takes one to know one he thought. He then made his way back into the town centre to buy more rock and have his fish and chips.

  “Anyway what other fears do you have, as you had the bottle to interrogate me? Come on spit it out!” Jake growled.

  “Oh, if we’re going to start delving into past secrets then I want more back in return. My fears are few, but I’m scared of heights, and public speaking, and you know why I’m scared of men and I’m not willing to discuss that further as I blurted it out yesterday when I was drunk. When I get up to talk or do a presentation my legs turn to jelly and I start stuttering. So there you are. Does that make you feel better knowing you have got one over on me?” Amelia spat.

  “You don’t have to keep secrets from me Amelia. I am your governor so you can talk to me about anything. Moreover, you know what they say about being scared of public speaking, you have to imagine all the audience sprawled there stark bollock naked.” Jake scoffed.

  “Now you’re making fun of me, I’ve never heard of that one. They say you should practice in the mirror, and read it aloud. I tried that and I felt rather stupid.” Amelia blurted.

  “Seriously, you want to try the audience nakedness bit, it really does work, and I
added my own slant to it imaging them all as ‘The Muppets’,” Jake said.

  “As for men, I would rather not chance it, I am better off on my own, I would rather have my bikes. Men tend not to not like a woman that is a bit of a ‘Tom Boy’. Dad didn’t have a son to pass his mechanical and engineering skills on to so he taught me. I can repair all kinds of bikes and take many a car apart from these newer cars that have computerised brain box gismos. The mechanics today have laptops that they plug in that tell them what’s up with the car, far too easy,” Amelia said.

  “Well I find it rather endearing and it would not bother me that my woman knew more about bikes and cars than myself, after all it’s a partnership isn’t it, we live in modern times where things are equal,” Jake said.

  CHAPTER 29

  Sat 4th April Bring & Buy Sale

  On Saturday, it was Harry’s day to volunteer for weekend duties at the Bring and Buy in the local school hall. There were all sorts of stalls including books, bric-a-brac, toys, haberdashery, clothes, and home baking.

  He stood there for a while and the bald headed man with a big mole on his forehead who was on the next stall asked whether he would watch his stall whilst he went to the toilet. As he was on a bookstall with just a few other items on the end of the table and the books were all a set price, a pound for a hardback book or fifty pence for a paperback, it was not too hard to shove them in a carrier bag, so he agreed to watch the man’s stall.

  When the man with the mole came back, he thanked Harry and asked him whether he has sold anything.

  “Hi I’m back, that was a relief, thanks and much appreciated, did you manage to sell anything?” the man with the mole said.