Excerpt: All I want for Christmas

Kyle hung up the phone and pulled open the drawer. From it he pulled a bulging file, full of news clippings. He carried it to the table and spread it open. His father said his fascination with the case was unhealthy. But he was involved. Personally involved and it didn’t matter what anyone said. Seven photos of women stared up at him. Six murdered and the one who got away.

Holly. Same name as this no show of a chief bridesmaid.

He ran his finger over Jayne’s picture before looking at the photo of this man’s first victim. She carried an alarm which she managed to set off, thus she’d escaped with her life. Badly injured according to this, but she was alive.

Why her? Why her and not Jayne? The thought sprung into being before he could stop it, followed by more guilt. Forgive me, I should not wish the way I feel on another family. No doubt she feels guilty for surviving when so many others have not. Be with her, help her recovery. And, Lord, please let the police catch this bloke before he hurts anyone else. No other family should have to go through this.

****

The wedding was due to start at midday. By twenty past, nerves were beginning to show. Kyle sat with Phil at the top of the aisle. He gave him a wry smile as he asked the same question for what was the umpteenth time. “She’ll be here. Maybe the traffic’s bad.”

“Or she changed her mind.”

“She’ll be here.”

“Have you got the rings?”

Tempted to pat down all of his pockets and pretend he hadn’t, Kyle took pity on his panicking best friend and nodded. “Yes, I have them.”

“Good.” Phil turned and looked back down at the door. “Why isn’t she here?”

“She will be.” Kyle smiled. “Want me to go outside and see if they’re here? Maybe the photographer’s having a field day like he did with us.”

“Please.”

Kyle nodded and got up. He headed down the aisle. If I ever get married I’ll give her what for if she’s late. It’s the height of bad manners.

Outside the air was crisp and Kyle rubbed his arms and smiled at Pastor Jack. “Phil’s getting twitchy.”

Pastor Jack smiled. “Mr. Jones rang a few minutes ago. The traffic is solid at Cemetery Junction, but they should be here soon.”

Kyle nodded. He turned to go back in just as the cars turned into the church. He leaned against the door as the cars came to a halt. The driver got out and opened the back door. Mrs. Jones and two bridesmaids got out. The smaller one, Phil’s niece, he knew and he waved to her, rewarded with a beaming smile and a twirl.

He glanced at the older bridesmaid, the no showing woman from the night before. The red velvet dress with white trimming on the cuffs suited her slender figure and brown hair. He caught his breath as she straightened up and he got a good look at her face. He turned back quickly, wanting to control the sudden burst of emotion that flooded him. There was no mistaking it. She was the woman from the paper. The one who got away from the serial killer responsible for so many deaths. The one who survived when his Jayne didn't.