Twisted Tales from a Murderous Mind (eBook)

Does the insect know, when it steps lightly on the first silken strand of the spider’s web, what the future holds?

The slamming of the back door startled Karen. She quickly dropped her book and turned towards the sudden sound.

“It’s me Mom,” shouted Lori.

“Oh, I just sat down and started reading a new book. I’ve been hearing so much about it, I thought I’d see what all the fuss was about.”

“What book?”

“The Woven Web.”

“Sorry I interrupted, but I wanted to talk to you about a few things, and see how you’re doing.”

Karen smiled and kissed Lori, her only child, who’d grown into a beautiful and competent woman.

“Now that you’re here, I’m fine.”

“That’s not the answer I was hoping for, and it’s why I came over.”

“Are you ok?”

“I’m great, it’s you I’m concerned about. I think it’s time we had a talk.”

“Uh, oh, I’m not in trouble am I?” teased Karen. It had been a family joke. Anytime her parents wanted to “have a talk”, Lori knew she was in trouble. Even though it had been years ago, they both still laughed about it. But Lori wasn’t laughing now.

“Well, in a way, I think you are in trouble. Daddy’s heart attack was almost two years ago and since he’s been gone I don’t see you really getting on with your life.”

“I don’t know about that. I started reading the book so I could talk to the people at the library about it, you know to be part of the group.”

“Volunteering to read to kids once a week and having a little conversation with the other volunteers hardly makes a life.”

“What would you have me do, become an explorer?” She wanted to keep the conversation from getting serious. Lori would not cooperate.

“I’m serious, you wanted to travel for years, and Daddy always said ‘next year.’ That was his motto. Mom, there is no ‘next year.’ Only you can make it ‘this year.’ You always put him and me ahead of yourself. There’s no purpose to that anymore. Daddy’s gone, and the sale of his business left you and me with enough money to last both our lifetimes. You have no responsibilities. You’re overdue to start having the fun you deserve, while you’re still young enough to enjoy life. At fifty-two, you could have forty years left. You know how long people live in your family. It’s time to get out and take a starring role in your own life.”

Karen’s eyes filled with tears. She blinked them back and turned her head to hide from Lori’s insistent gaze. Lori was right, of course, but the truth she hid, even from herself for so many years, was that she had become afraid to leave her familiar comfortable surroundings. She was terrified of the unknown.

“Listen”, Lori persisted, “Nick and I think you should go to London. You remember how much fun he and I had there last year. It’ll be an easy trip. No language problems, lots to do and see. We loved it!”

“Of course you did, sweetie, you were there with your husband.”

“Yes, but you could still have an incredible time on your own. We want to give that trip to you as a gift. We also want to give you this.” She reached into her pocket, removed a small velvet box, and handed it to her mother. Inside was a beautiful diamond star shaped pendant.

“Wearing it will remind you to be the star of your own life. It’ll bring you luck.”

“Good or bad?” quipped Karen.

Lori’s face voiced her disapproval.

“I know, no negativity.”

Karen’s tears fell freely, but now they weren’t all from fear.

“Can I say no?”

“No!” Lori shot back.

Karen hesitated, thinking of her therapist’s advice. The grief counselor she went to after Andy’s death recommended a psychologist, Dr. Salwyn, who was also urging her to travel.

“It’s not a lifetime commitment. What have you got to lose?” She could still hear him saying that now.

Karen relented, “ok, ok, I give up. You win.”

“No, Mom, hopefully you win.”

Karen wouldn’t have had the courage to agree without Dr. Salwyn’s help. He had gently guided her to open the door to her past. “It will only help you make better choices in the future.”

In their sessions he encouraged her to talk, and at last, someone listened.

She couldn’t tell when she had changed from a young bride, eager to experience a life of love and adventure, into the woman she had become.

When they were first married there was no money to go anywhere. Besides, whatever little they had, Andy saved to start his business. Then she became pregnant with Lori. Andy begged her to quit teaching to take care of their baby. “I can take care of the both of you now”, he said. His idea of taking care of them was to spend more and more time working. “I want you and Lori to have everything.”

“When I married you,” she cried, “you were everything I wanted.”

“Do we have to go there again? You know a business doesn’t run by itself.”

Neither does a marriage, she thought, but gave up trying to change him. His response would have been more extravagant gifts for her and Lori. She wondered if what he really enjoyed was showing off the proof of his success. When she’d dress to go out, wearing a new outfit or piece of jewelry, he’d say, “That looks great, Karen.” Never, “You look great, Karen”.

Cats bring their owners dead mice to show off their hunting skills. Karen got dead minks to wear to show off Andy’s.

People gravitated towards her charismatic husband. “You’re so lucky to be married to Andy”, they’d say to her, and turn their attention back to him. She stopped trying to engage anyone when he was around. It became easier to find comfort in her familiar routine, living in her beautiful home, raising Lori. She didn’t want the world to reach in and hurt her. Out there she was a reflection of his success. But even in here, as she looked in the mirror, she felt she was just a reflection of herself.

Dr. Salwyn and Lori had convinced her it was time to start a new chapter in her life.

Karen sipped her second cup of coffee slowly, reluctant to leave the cheerful hotel restaurant. The lunch crowd was mostly gone, leaving the room empty, except for her and one other person. This was the afternoon of her third day in London and she was already regretting her decision to come. She had gone on a tour yesterday and had no particular schedule for the rest of the day. The view of London from the tour bus was overwhelming. The streets were a confusing labyrinth, many were centuries old. Often modern life was set on ancient bones. The noise and exhaust competed for spaces clogged by traffic and pedestrians. How could she possibly find her way on her own? She was trying to be fearless, and it wasn’t working out as she had hoped.

The waiters were too polite to rush her, but she sensed they were anxious for her to leave. But as soon as she’d leave, she faced an empty afternoon and an equally empty life. The other diner, a distinguished looking man about her age, also appeared to be in no hurry to finish his cup of tea or his newspaper. That gave her the courage to linger a bit longer. She glanced over at him, planning to leave when he did. He put his paper aside and turned in her direction. A look of shock momentarily flashed across his face. He regained his composure, but now was staring at her. She couldn’t believe such an attractive man was looking at her like that, but it was not her imagination.

Why had she attracted his interest? She never dressed for attention, preferring simple understated clothing. It would require an educated eye to realize she had an expensive wardrobe. Today she had added the diamond star.

Karen finally put down her cup and signaled for the waiter. The staring man, as she had nicknamed him, abruptly got up and approached her table. Handing his credit card to the waiter, he said “This lady is my guest, please put it on my card.”

Karen involuntarily clutched her star.

“Oh that’s not necessary,” she burst out, but the waiter was already hurrying to do as the stranger had ordered.

“I hope you don’t think me too forward, but when I saw you I said to myself, who is that terribly attractive woman? I must meet her. Please allow me to introduce myself, Nigel Craxford.”

She offered her hand, which he took in both of his, accompanied by a warm disarming smile.

“Karen Miller”, she managed.

“I’m not going to pretend I haven’t been staring at you. It’s not only that I find you terribly attractive, but I also thought we might have met before.”

“Maybe I just have a common face.”

“There’s nothing common about you.”

“Unless you’ve been to Allentown, Pennsylvania, not exactly a tourist hotspot, we haven’t met. I must remind you of someone else you’ve met, somewhere else in your past.”

“Well, I’m not really so interested in the past, rather the future. Do you have any plans for the rest of the afternoon?”

Oh God, Karen thought, this can’t be happening to me, especially at my age. As usual, Karen underestimated herself. Years of neglect had made her unaware of her quiet beauty.

“Not really,” she said, amazed that she was able to answer in a normal voice. Her mind was racing, her heart pounding.

“I’m here on business, by myself. I live in a little village, Shincliffe, right outside Durham. It’s north of here. Anyway, I thought since I love London, I’d come a few days early and treat myself to a holiday. There are a lot of places, walking distance...