Dr Kate Moloney felt unnerved when she got off the phone with Maggie.
Something in the way Maggie spoke didn’t feel right and she had counted down the hours waiting for her to arrive. She checked her locks and looked out of the window so many times her neighbours probably thought she was up to something. But she couldn’t help herself.
Although they seemed to have stopped now, Kate wondered if the creepy notes on black paper and the unwanted gifts of dead flowers, pig-skinned rings and vials of liquid that looked like blood had been a message or just a harmless prank. She had no doubt Maggie would be giving her a good bollocking for leaving her phone at home and, given her situation, she should know better. It reminded her of some unpleasantness she’d had in London. Although nothing had come of the harassing calls, they had really affected her emotional wellbeing. She had worked hard to forget that time in her life and she wasn’t going back there again.
The truth was, mobile phones and social media were two things that Kate tried to avoid. She’d never liked the idea that she could be reached or should be available at any time day or night, and she absolutely despised the negative vibe she felt from social media most of the time. Kate only had a small circle of friends and she wasn’t interested in knowing about other people’s day-to-day goings on, just as much as she was sure they weren’t interested in hers.
She felt restless. Looking at the clock again, she knew she still had to wait a little longer before Maggie arrived. She plonked down on her couch, picked up the remote, and flicked through the channels until she reached the news.
More politics. Something else Kate couldn’t be bothered with. Just as she was about to turn off the television a reporter mentioned the next village over, Hartley. Kate turned up the volume.
‘Early this morning two teenagers discovered the body of an unidentified female. Police have not released many details at this time, but the woman is young, described as goth-like in appearance and was found face down in Granger Park, Hartley. Police have confirmed that they suspect foul play and have launched a murder inquiry. We’ll bring you news on this story as soon as more details come to light …’
Kate switched off the television and threw the remote as if it was on fire. A shiver ran down her spine.
Was this why Maggie was coming over? Is that what the panic was about? Had Maggie thought the victim had been her? It sounded ridiculous, even with what had been happening with the strange gifts she had been receiving and she dismissed it immediately.
But Kate’s fear soon turned to fury. She was angry that Maggie hadn’t given her more details over the phone. Although Maggie was a work colleague, Kate had felt a friendship was growing. Wasn’t that what friends did? Keep each other in the loop? Tell them if they should be worried? Kate could feel her insecurities return as she went around and checked the locks again.
She quietly opened the door to her bedroom. She double checked that Salem, her cat, was in, as he’d have to use his litter box tonight. Kate wasn’t going to risk leaving the window open for him.
What am I doing? This probably has nothing to do with me. She clenched her hands as she realized she was letting her paranoia take over. The last contact she’d had from her stalker had been an email to her work account. He knew she had been to the police about the items and wasn’t happy. Was he punishing others until he could get to her? No, that couldn’t be it. There was nothing to say the murder was even connected to her and now she was drawing ridiculous conclusions. She needed a distraction and headed to the kitchen to make sure Salem’s litter box was clean.
So focused was she on her task that she jumped when she heard the thumps on her door. She walked down the hall and peered through the peephole. Maggie. Kate unbolted the door, removed the chains and before her friend could say anything, Kate spoke what was on her mind.
‘Why didn’t you tell me that a female was murdered today – who just so happens to look a lot like me? What are you playing at, Maggie?’ She stood firm in the doorway.
Maggie didn’t respond. Instead she pulled Kate into a tight hug, and Kate immediately started to laugh before gently pushing Maggie away.
‘Christ, we’re a dramatic pair, aren’t we? Come in, sit down, and tell me what the hell’s been going on.’