The Lonely Heart Killer

‘I saw a young woman this morning -Ingrid Fernsby -, a clean cut just below her jugular down to her pubic symphysis. Her ribs were pulled by what we’re guessing are shears, giving the killer a clear view to carve out her heart. No signs of hesitation. No mistakes.' Josie took a short nip from her coffee mug.

Across from her was her brother-in-law, Anthony. They were having lunch in the outdoor seating area of Classified. Casually dressed waitresses served tiny cups of hot beverages and snacks that you can find at any bakery in town for half of what they charged you.

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Josie leaned back in the chair, looking at her buttery croissant despondently. ‘The four murders are connected. I know they are. It’s the same M.O with their killer. Dismembered bodies, hearts cut of their chests…I just wish we had a lead.'

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Silence clung to the air like fresh dew to flower petals. Josie stole a glance at Anthony, whose attention was already captured by something else. Across the bar was a slender figured woman in a pinstripe suit. Her sharp green eyes imprisoned Josie like a bear trap. Complimenting them was the glow of a pendant, one she, unfortunately, caught a momentary glimpse of when Anthony reached over the table to entwine his fingers with hers.

'You work too hard, sweetheart. You should let Michael take the lead on this case,' Anthony said.

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Josie was about to respond, but she heard a voice.

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'Josephine, darling, are you sure everything's alright?' Michael's voice brought Josie back to reality.

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He laid a hand on top of her own and stared at her through concerned eyes. She had almost forgotten that she and Michael were having tea in the dining room. By now, she was sure the lumpy mashed potatoes and meatballs were cold.

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'I'm alright. I just have a lot on my mind,' she answered.

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'It's the Fernsby case, isn't it? I know things seem grim now with no suspects, but we can figure this out.'

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Josie didn't look at him. Instead, she picked at a fuzzball on her jumper's sleeve. The story is consistent with all the women who met an untimely end with the lonely heart killer. They were unhappily married, met a man in their most vulnerable state and turned up dead by morning. A situation Josie was almost familiar with.

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Michael shook his head, 'It's a shame. Some women don't know when they've got a good thing. I'm glad my wife is safe at home with me every night.' His thumb stroked the back of her hand.

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Josie pulled away, 'Perhaps they don’t receive enough love at home. A lonely heart is liable to do most things. Even seeking attention elsewhere.'

 

Michael slightly tilted his head and knitted his eyebrows. A knock arrived at the door. 'Are we expecting anyone?'

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Josie sighed as Michael left to answer the door. Her hands vibrated in her lap, and she sucked in her lower lip. You’re doing the right thing, she thought. He deserves to know about the affair. Moments later, Michael appeared, with Anthony trailing behind him like a shadow. Standing next to each other, Josie realised that they were different as day and night. Anthony was wrapped in a trench coat; underneath was a plain t-shirt with a scarf loosely wrapped around his neck and trousers that had more wrinkles than a shar-pei puppy.

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On the other hand, Michael wore a silk shirt with trousers you would expect a man to wear for a special occasion. There wasn't a wrinkle in sight. 'Looks like we’ll be dining for three,’ Michael said.

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'I couldn't possibly stay at home, brother. It's a special occasion.' Anthony waved around a rectangular gift box in his hand.

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'Special occasion?' Michael echoed.

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'You have a think on that little brother.' Anthony clamped a hand on Michael's shoulder in a way that was more of a slight shove that nearly knocked him off his feet.

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Anthony towered over Josie and lifted the box's cover to reveal an emerald teardrop pendant. The necklace appeared familiar to her, but she couldn't figure out why. Anthony latched the necklace around Josie's neck and planted a lingering kiss on her cheek.

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‘A gem for a priceless gem.'

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'What’s going on here?' Michael seethed.

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Anthony slithered to the bookcase behind him, which provided a resting place for Josie and Michael's framed wedding picture. ‘It was such a beautiful ceremony. The flowers, the music’ he sighed wistfully. ‘The girl in the wedding dress…there’s only one problem.’

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‘Anthony…’ Josie attempted a strong voice, but even she heard it waver.

The picture frame slid from Anthony’s hands and landed on its face on the hardwood floor. The glass shattered upon impact.

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‘You. You’re my problem. I should’ve received that bursary for criminology and attend that fancy university. I should’ve been the one flaunting my-’

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‘If you really wanted it, you would’ve worked harder for it,' Michael growled. The veins on his hands bulged.

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Anthony chuckled and took a step on the damaged picture-frame making a crunch sound.

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‘What’s so funny?’ Michael asked.

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‘Your job is solving crimes and yet you couldn’t see the biggest one right under your nose. Your wife is married to the wrong man. You see, she should’ve been Josephine Wright. Perks of leaving the other half bother is that you get to be with the better half without the shame of carrying his last name. You agree with me, don’t you Josie?’

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‘I…’ Josie struggled to find the words.

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Michael’s face faltered as a look of realisation settled on his face. ‘How could you do this to me?’

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‘I know how’ Anthony interjected with a playful raise of his hand. ‘Over and over again while you’re asleep.’

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Michael's gaze flickered from Anthony's smug face to Josie's uncomfortable one. He lunged toward Anthony, sending them both flying to the ground. They scrambled about until they were an entanglement of limbs. Josie stood up suddenly, pushing the chair back.

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'Stop it! Stop fighting!' she screamed.

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Josie's third-place trophy from a beauty pageant she entered five years ago fell from the top of the bookcase. Anthony grabbed it. Michael futilely attempted to push Anthony off him. Josie gasped. Blood pooled from Michael's head as Anthony repeatedly bashed his head in.

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Anthony rose to his feet. With his body out of the way, Josie had a crystal view of Michael and the lovely pageant lady lodged into his mouth. Her first instinct was to rush to his side, but Anthony whisked her outside to his car.

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With Josie barely strapped inside the passenger seat Anthony steered them onto the motorway. Josie didn’t have to look at the speedometer to know he was just above the normal limit.

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‘What the bloody hell was that?’ She breathed.

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‘Thought I’d just get to the point and tell Michael –’

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‘I meant murdering your brother’ She blurted. ‘We have to go back and call 999.’

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Anthony doesn’t respond.

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‘So now you don’t know how to talk?’

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Josie searched Anthony’s face, but he was a blank canvas.

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‘Pull over I want to get out’ She reached for the door, but they automatically locked before her hand touched the handle.

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Josie’s body tensed. She slowly retracted her hand and settled into her seat. She gulped. Josie took a moment to assess the area surrounding them. Nothing but fields and a cottage or two.

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‘Throw your ring out the window,’ Anthony commanded.

‘What?’ She stammered.

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‘Your ring. Throw it out the window.’ Josie’s window rolled down. A chill shot through her body, it wasn’t from the night air.

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Josie twisted her wedding ring around her finger a few times before tossing it out of the window which immediately rolled up again. At the corner of her eye Josie saw Anthony’s hand reaching out. She flinched only to see him reaching for the dial on the radio.

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‘Earlier today, Essex Police have confirmed that the body found in the dumpster of Classified is that of local journalist, Rachael Basset. The shocking discovery was made by an employee taking out the bins before closing. The body was said to have been dismembered and without a heart. A trademark belonging to –’

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Anthony suddenly switched to a pop music station. Josie didn’t need to hear the rest to know what the reporter was going to say. She had seen a similar crime happen. Four specifically, and over the span of six months. In fact, Josie was sure she heard a similar report last week when she got home from her lunch date with Anthony. Only, she had barely paid any attention to it. The picture they provided was a mere blur in her memory. Although, she distinctively remembered seeing dark hair and the colour green. The same colour green as…the necklace worn by the woman Anthony was staring at. The puzzle finally came together in a clear picture for Josie as she touched the necklace around her neck.