Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
UNKNOWN
As I dig deeper into her life, I know that I have to finish what I started.
You get to a point in life where you don’t care anymore and that’s me.
I. Don’t. Care. Actually, I do care, too much, but I don’t care what happens to me.
This is all much bigger than me and the world will see that when everything comes out into the open.
My burner phone is tucked deeply in my pockets and I’ve just turned it off.
There is one more person I need to deal with, or should I say, there was one more.
I can’t leave a job half done. There is just too much injustice in the world, and so many do-gooders who can’t help but absolve bad people of the bad things they do.
Having nothing to lose is liberating. Knowing where this is all going to end makes it all worth it. I have nothing to lose and all to gain.
My insides tingle because I’m so close to her.
If only she knew. She sits alone on a kitchen chair and cries.
I wish I could say it breaks my heart, but it doesn’t.
She holds that pink teddy bear in her arms, hugging it like her life depends on it.
I had to give her something and the teddy seemed apt because why not?
It’s my gift to her, a warning of what’s to come.
I’m close enough to smell her and her sweat makes me feel sick to the stomach.
She makes me sick. They all make me sick.
She drops the teddy and heads to the fridge where she pulls out a can of kombucha.
Its scent escapes as soon as she opens it – sort of vinegary.
I can see her back door from here and I do feel safe because she never opens the cleaning cupboard.
Her cleaner comes on a Monday, same time every week.
I’ve made it my business to know everything.
She takes several swigs. She keeps scratching her wrist and then she takes her smartwatch off and leaves it on the draining board next to the empty drinks can.
In my excitement, I accidentally step back and tap the mop bucket with my foot.
She glances in my direction so I stay back.
I don’t think she can see me through the tiniest hole in the wooden grain of the door but the last thing I need is her opening it while I’m in here.
It means my plans for her will have to come forward.
Her footsteps get louder as she steps closer towards me. The scent of her jasmine perfume hits my nostrils.
Quickest way to drown her? Think!
Option one. Smash her head against the wall to instantly stop any screaming. Fill the kitchen sink up and finish her off.
Option two. There’s a bag in front of me and it’s stuffed with tea towels.
I could ram one into her mouth, drag her into the garden and plunge her head straight into the water butt next to the back door.
I’m wondering if she’ll fit into it if I break a couple of bones.
That’s a better idea, more befitting of what she deserves.
These options weren’t what I’d meticulously planned for her but I might not have a choice. I had a better plan that lies in wait which is why I’d rather do this later.
My heart is banging ten to the dozen as she stands outside the door, then her phone goes. Saved by the ringtone.
Great, I don’t have to compromise. The plan still stands and my mantra never fails me.
All debts must be paid in full.