He pulled back to look into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. What a dumb question.” She giggled and began to pull at his shirt.

Scott slapped a hand over hers. “I have a rug in the back. Fancy taking this outside?”

She shrugged and nodded. “Why not?”

He got out of the car and swiftly moved to the rear of the car to retrieve the tartan rug. He heard the passenger door open, then she joined him, still giggling like a teenager.

“Ready?” he asked.

“I haven’t done anything like this since I was in my teens.”

“I haven’t, either,” he lied. Scott spread the rug on the flat riverbank by the edge of the gently lapping water. “I used to paddle in this very spot when I was a nipper. Leap across those large boulders, slipping and falling into the water more times than I care to remember.” His mind drifted back to his childhood visits. His days were far less complicated back then, before his marriage. When did everything go wrong? Was it the baby? That’s hardly fair!

She ran a finger down his cheek. “Penny for them?”

Scott shook the images away and concentrated all his attention on her. He had a feeling she would prove to be a feisty minx. His seduction commenced again, and she willingly accepted the attention he lavished her with. As their passion intensified, they discarded their clothes. A garment of hers even ended up in the river, but she didn’t seem to notice. When both he and his prey were naked, he ran his eyes over her lithe body, admiring the peaks and crevices. She squirmed beneath his stare.

“Hurry up! I’ll catch my death.” She wriggled beneath his hand caressing her upper thigh.

He claimed her mouth with an even deeper urgency than before, then covered her body with his. She pushed against his chest.

He frowned. “Is something wrong?”

“Umm… no not really, except I wouldn’t want to end up pregnant.”

In his haste, he’d forgotten his protection. That was pretty stupid of you, boy! “Of course, I’m sorry.” He ripped open the wrapper and placed the rubber over his large erection. “There, he’s all safe and neatly tucked away now.”

“Come here.” She pulled him to her, and their hips brushed together.

There was no turning back. After their steamy session was over, he lay back on the rug, her head resting on his chest, catching his breath. A breeze struck up, and she shuddered. “I’m cold. Can we get dressed now?”

“I’ll warm you up. Here, turn this way. I want to show you a trick I learnt years ago.”

Her brow wrinkled as he twisted her body ninety degrees so they were both lying with their heads inches from the water. “How’s this going to warm me up?” she asked.

He sat up, straddled her, and played with her firm breasts until he felt the heat of her body warm his hands. Then he placed his hands around her throat, smiling down at her, warding off any suspicious thoughts that might have entered her mind. As soon as she closed her eyes and he heard her moan her surrender to his touch, a green light went off in his head.

“Keep your eyes closed,” he whispered seductively in her ear. Then he lifted her body and positioned her head above the water. Still, her eyes remained closed, and her body was compliant to his touch.

Smiling, he dropped her head into the river and prepared himself for the thrashing that would follow. Their intercourse had been strenuous, so he was confident she wouldn’t be able to fight him for long. Her fists pummelled his chest, and he thought how lucky he was that he’d chosen a victim who bit her nails. Scott pushed her head in deeper and held it under as the water lapped more vigorously because of her exertions. Her efforts proved to be a waste of time, though. Her life ended in the most undignified way.

He took a moment to catch his breath a second time and to reflect on what he’d done. He felt little remorse for the woman who had willingly parted her legs to a complete stranger after only knowing him a couple of hours. That’ll teach you!

Finally, disgust brushed across his skin, and he cast her body aside as he stood up. After dressing, he went to the back of the car again and removed the petrol can he kept there. He returned to her naked body and set the can beside her. He removed a phial from his pocket and knelt alongside the dead woman. He inserted a substance into her vagina then straightened, pocketing the phial once again. He poured the contents of the petrol can the length of her body then struck a match and aimed it at the woman’s body.

Seconds later, her torso was completely engulfed in flames. He checked the immediate area to make sure he hadn’t left anything incriminating behind, other than what he’d placed inside her, then he jumped back in the car before the flames drew attention.

He drove back to the hotel, wearing the smuggest of grins. This is just too damn easy. I wonder if the next one will be as easy as the last two. He had a feeling they would be just as easy and eager to get laid.

CHAPTER FOUR

Sally followed the rising sun into work that morning. Keen to get on with Brenda’s case, she wanted to start her day an hour before the others arrived.

“Morning, ma’am,” the desk sergeant greeted her the second she stepped through the door to the station at Wymondham.

“Morning, Pat. Quiet night, was it?”

He sucked in the air between the gaps in his teeth and shook his head. “Nope. I was going to give you a ring but knew you’d get in early this morning. You always do when there’s a new case on the go.”

Her heart sank. “Damn. You should’ve still rung me. What is it? Another murder?”

“Yep, within striking distance of the case you’re already working on. I’m guessing both crimes will end up being linked.”

“Really? How far from Acle?”

“About five miles. The body was found at another beauty spot down by the river, too. You don’t have to be a genius to join the dots on this one, gov.”

“That’s as maybe, Pat. Let’s see what the pathologist and his team have to say first though, eh?”

“Yes, ma’am. I rang him myself not an hour ago. He should be down at the scene by now.”

“Damn. Thanks for using your initiative. It’s a shame you never thought to ring me at the same time.”

The sergeant’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“It doesn’t matter, what’s done is done.”

“Sorry, ma’am,” the sergeant replied, genuine guilt evident in his voice.

She accepted his apology, turned on her heel, and sprinted up the stairs. On the way, she dialled a number on her mobile. “Jack, get in here right away. We’ve got another one.”

“Shit! I’m on my way.”

“Grow a pair of wings if you have to. I want to get to the site in the next twenty minutes. Got that?”

“Jesus, no pressure, then. Don’t go complaining about my excessive BO in the car, will you? I haven’t even had a shower yet.”

“No, dear. Get your arse into gear, pronto.”

She hung up as she reached the top of the stairs and almost bumped into DCI Green, her superior officer. “Morning, sir. Must run, I’ve got a murder scene to attend.”

“Not so fast, Inspector. I’m sure you have time to fill me in before you go.”

“I suppose I can spare you five minutes while I wait for my partner to arrive, sir. Do you want to join me in my office?” Sally resigned herself to spending the next fifteen minutes recounting the case of the first victim. DCI Mick Green always insisted on hearing every miniscule detail of a case once he cornered her on the hop. That was why she did everything in her power to avoid him whenever possible. Of course, she had to fill him in with every case that crossed her desk, but usually, she tried to avoid doing that until the case was either nearing completion or fully solved. DCI Green enjoyed his role as a paper-pusher—that was all Sally had seen him do in the three years he’d been her superior. Unlike DCI Joan Cradley, his predecessor, Green had not once ever accompanied Sally to a crime scene. Joan, who was also a very close friend of Sally’s, had cited boredom as her reason for taking an early retirement. Not everyone was cut out to file papers and carry out surveys on how to improve the police department every day. Sally knew she would go insane if the higher-ups ever forced her into the same position.