13 CHAPTER THIRTEEN: ISABELLE AND TONY

Alex's Residence

July 14, Monday, 08:34

Isabelle had just had an early morning bath and was busily drying herself when she heard the phone ring. She padded wetly to the living room and picked it up.

"Hello? Uzezi's residence."

"Belle?"

The hairs at the back of her neck rose. She recognized the voice.

"It's me Vera. We need to talk.'

"Talk? Talk about what? We have nothing to talk about. What is in the past is in the past. Just leave me alone."

"It seems you don't understand what is going on. We're in danger, Belle. Someone is trying to kill us. Ejiro, Julie, Amelia, Sandra, Agnes, Angela, Judith and all dead. All of them! It's just you and me left."

"I don't believe it!" Belle whispered her voice shaking, "Maybe they've left town. Who says their dead?"

"You know as well as I do that they are those victims, Belle. There isn't any doubt whatsoever. We have to talk and figure this out."

"No way, Vera. Nothing is happening and stop trying to scare me. I'll be fine on my own. And don't you ever try to call again."

She slammed down the receiver and with her body shaking violently began to cry.

Blessed Mother Girl's High School, Kebby Creek

10:23

" Do you know these girls?" Caesar asked handing the picture over to the Principal of Blessed Mother Girls High School. She collected the photo apprehensively. Caesar was posing as a member of the State CID which was just one of his many covers. He had a ready selection of fake ID cards to help authenticate his claims whenever necessary.

She stared at the photo closely.

"Yes, I do know all of them. As you can see from their uniforms they were all students here. But I'm afraid that I had to expel each and every one of them from this school."

" Why?" Caesar asked suddenly alert.

"They were all members of a secret cult they formed. They were into prostitution and other diabolical practices."

" My word. Did.. er.. this cult have a name?"

" Yes. Their name was Messalina."

" I see. Did this cult have some sort of symbol or identification?"

" Yes" said Mrs. Musa expressionlessly, " A tatoo of a black widow spider on the left breast of each member."

" Can I have their names please?"

" Sure."

She wrote the names down on a piece of paper and handed it over. Caesar scanned the list expectantly. Yep. Her name was Vera Ixan.

Alex's Residence

12:04

Isabelle had to ask who it was before she could let Tony in. She was that scared.

"Hi, darling" he said cheerfully as he gave her a hug "What's eating you?"

"Plenty" she replied vacantly, "sit down."

Tony chose an armchair and flopped into it.

"So what's the problem?" he asked.

"Tony" she began, staring hard at him she was still standing, "What happened to Venus?"

Tony raised his eyebrows.

"I told you she didn't make it. She had lost a lot of blood."

" So where was she buried?"

"I left her in the marsh. The crocodiles must have had her."

"Something's happening Tony. Many of my old friends have disappeared into thin air. Vanished. And now there are bodies of young women being found mutilated beyond recognition. Am I to take it that it's just coincidence?"

"How should I know?" protested Tony, "I'm just a cop"

"Listen Tony. I'm frightened. In fact I am terrified. I cannot continue to live in fear without knowing whether I'm next or not. I know these killings have to do with Venus. I'm sure of it."

"Well what can I say?" said Tony softly, "Just know that the police are doing their best to find the killer."

She made a dismissive gesture.

"They are incompetent. What can they do?"

" Why are you asking what happened to Venus. Even if she was alive she can't be the killer. The victims were raped."

"God." She shivered violently.

"You have a wild imagination, Belle. I'm sure they're just victims of random ritual killings."

"Alex tells me you think it's a serial killer" she stated flatly, "why are you now telling me about ritual killings"

"I was just trying to make you feel better. Just avoid dark places and lock your windows at night."

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"Easy for you to say."

"Hey give me a break will you " He stood up and went to join her as she stood with her arms wrapped round herself.

He held her shoulders and brought her close. Their lips met and they began to kiss passionately. Suddenly the living room door opened and Caesar walked in. The couple jumped apart and stared guiltily at him. Caesar returned their embarrassed looks, his face as expressionless as the back of a new frying pan..

"Sorry", he said cheerfully, "I should have knocked. I'II just pop into my room then."

He left them looking flustered and bewildered and whistled his way to the guest room.