A plan and model for murder

The Model – Thursday

Her beauty shone as the light caught her hair as she moved for the camera. Being a model was what she was destined for.  All her life she had felt that her calling was to a top magazine. Young and successful, the world loved her.

As Paul clicked his camera, he secretly admired the woman in front of him.  Lustful thoughts that he would never discuss with his loving wife of ten years.  His job was to photograph and capture, anything more would lead to his dismissal and maybe the end of his marriage.  Some days were torturous and others he could just relax into his day.

Charlotte – Friday evening

As Peter arrived home, he was excited about the evening ahead.  Diamond ring in his pocket, he knew that Charlotte was the one. Letting himself in, he shouted, expecting her to appear as she always did.  Hearing crying his heart sank, he wondered, what was wrong?  Sitting on the bed next to her, she sniffed,

“Peter, it’s Suzie, she’s dead, someone shot her”.

Charlotte and Suzie had been friends since school. They had then started modelling together.  If someone was out killing models then she was in danger too.

“I don’t want you doing this anymore, it’s not safe.”

“Peter don’t be silly, of course it’s safe. She must have upset someone.”

“She’s a model, what has she done to deserve being killed? “

Charlotte sat up and thought,

I don’t know.  Why Suzie?

The police

Hearing the door bell, Peter rushed to answer it, he was relieved when he saw a man and a woman, holding up their police ID badges.   He wanted questions answered and Charlotte safe.

“Hi, DI Keith Marsh and DS Wendy Charles.  Is Miss Hampton here?”

“Yes of course, come in?”

Calling for Charlotte he guided then to the clean, uncluttered living room. Motioning for them to sit down, he was nervous about what might be asked.

As Charlotte walked in, wiping her eyes, DI Marsh stood up.

“Hello, Miss Hampton, we are here about Miss Suzie Mills.”

“Yes, a friend phoned me. Any news?”

“Not at the moment, we just have some questions for you?”

“Okay.” Wondering what she was about to be asked, she lowered herself into the armchair.

“When did you last see Miss Mills?” Looking at the DI she answered,

The Photographer

“I saw her Wednesday but we last spoke yesterday evening after her photo shoot.  She seemed alright but she commented on the leering looks from the photographer.”

“Have you had any problems with him?  Has he leered at you?”

“I’ve never thought about it, I just do as I’m told and he clicks his camera.  Paul seems nice enough, I don’t think he’s a killer.”

“We’re just considering all angles”.  DS Charles started to scribble in her notebook.

“So, what next?” Peter asked, “Is Charlotte safe? Are you going to protect her?”

The murders

DI Marsh, looked up. “We are being cautious.  Miss Mills is not the only dead model.”

“Who else?”

“Sorry Miss Hampton, can’t say, but we are investigating in a different county as well. We are looking into all the cases further.  You are both going to be put into protective custody until this is over, and no modelling work.  A police car will be by in the next couple of hours to drive you to a safe house.  All phones and laptops need to stay here.  If the killer has any means of tracking you, they will”.

Peter squeezed Charlotte’s hand, “We need to keep you safe”.

“Were there any similarities in the murders?  Anything that suggests a serial killer?”

“There is, but I’m saying no more than that.”

As the DI and his colleague got up to leave, Charlotte and Peter just remained holding hands.  This was bad, and Charlotte did not want to be killed.  She was terrified of needles, let alone a speeding bullet.

Letting themselves out, hoping that the model would stay safe and not do any amateur sleuthing, they returned to their car.  With plans to investigate the photographer, he was their number one suspect.

Thinking about her colleagues, Charlotte remembered that Clara was modelling today.  Picking up her phone, she dialled her number.  Did no answer really mean tragedy? She hoped not, leaving a message she willed her to call back.

Clara – Late Friday afternoon

Clara signed with relief, after a long photography session, she had been relieved to say goodbye and start walking home.  The rain had cooled her down, it had been hot and humid and all she wanted to do was jump in her shower.  Walking along the river path, she was oblivious to the man behind her.  Feeling sudden pain in her head, she cried as her world turned to darkness.

Barry stood, his cold eyes staring straight at Clara.  Bound and gagged, she was pretty.  He could see the attraction for these women.  His sister would be heartbroken if she knew. These models had to die.  Sat in the old barn by the lake, he carved the familiar X into both arms.  X marks the spot, and now shot her point blank in the head.  Model number four gone. Suzie, Bernice, Greta and now Clara. Charlotte was next.  Knowing she had a photography session tomorrow afternoon, his plan was to follow her too.  These women were stupid, easy to catch and completely clueless.  He laughed to himself as he rubbed his gun.  Time to move on.

Paul and Christine – Friday evening

Paul started to cry as the officers told him about the models deaths.

“They were beautiful ladies, who would want them dead?”

“Oh my god, oh my god. This might be a leap, but a couple of months ago, my brother was making comments about your job.  Said you couldn’t be trusted.”

“Oh Christine, he wouldn’t kill, would he?”

“Years ago, remember, dad had an affair.  I caught Barry holding a gun to the woman’s head.  He was so angry, it was why he was admitted to the rehab facility”.

Picking up pen and paper, she wrote down his address.  “Sorry I think you need to check him out.  He possibly isn’t stable.”

“But why?” Paul was confused.

“You spend your day photographing models.  Maybe he’s trying to protect me.”

“How long have you photographed them sir?”

“Only about three months.”

“Hmm, okay that ties in nicely.  Sir, we are going to need your full client list.”

The clients

Paul stood up, reached for his brief case and found a copy of his list, their appointments and their locations. He passed them to the DI.

“I can see here that you cover a large area.”

“Yes, one day I could be in Essex, the next London and the next Kent.”

“Would anyone else have access to this list?”

“Only Morton Photographic, who organise my work.”

“Thank you Sir, this is helpful.  For now we are cancelling your work, the models  will be informed. Its too much of a risk.  Come on Wendy.  Thank you, we might have more questions for you soon.”

Christine looked at Paul.  “Sorry I should’ve thought about Barry when you took this job.”

“Christine, those ladies are attractive but they are not you.  I wouldn’t ever touch or cheat with them. You also never told me that Barry’s dangerous.”

“Yes, sorry, scary family stuff. Barry is not trusting.  Also notice it was the woman he wanted dead, just like now it’s the models not you.”

“This all sounds too simple, murders aren’t usually solved this easily”.

Barry – Friday night

Arriving home Barry was pleased with himself.  Remembering William, his face had been pure delight as he saw the dead girl alone in the barn.  He thought about Charlotte and putting a bullet through her pretty head.  One model after another, bang bang..

Written for Write the story on Writers Unite!

For more see, Strangers in the Sahara Desert