Free The Killer Inside: A gripping serial killer thriller (Detective Jessica Daniel thriller series Book 1) by Kerry Wilkinson Page A

mini-argument over who should tell the story in full. If it had been anyone other than her best mate – and if they hadn’t looked so happy – Jessica would have felt sickened by their show of affection. There was nothing more annoying, she felt, than happy couples.
    It was Caroline who spoke. ‘He did such a good job fixing them, and they are my favourite going-out heels.’
    She smiled and squeezed her boyfriend’s hand.
    ‘Didn’t it just take a bit of glue?’ Jessica asked.
    Randall laughed. ‘Well, yeah. You take the names, addresses and phone number if they’re cute, wait until they’re gone, get the old superglue out then charge ’em for the privilege.’
    ‘Wait, you only get the phone numbers if they’re “cute”?’ Caroline asked, with mock indignation.
    ‘I got yours, didn’t I?’
    ‘True… That’s all right, then.’
    ‘At least you’ve got a story for the grandkids,’ Jessica said. ‘Grandma fell over and broke her shoes, then Grandpa fixed them for her.’
    ‘Whoa,’ Caroline replied. ‘Who said anything about grandkids?’
    ‘Or kids!’ Randall joined in.
    ‘And as for getting married…’ Caroline added.
    They were already finishing each other’s sentences and, despite the public display of sentiment being a bit too much, Jessica was pleased that her friend seemed happy.
    Still, she would prefer a lot less of that happiness to be happening in front of her.
    The conversation fizzled out as Caroline began yelping due to Randall tickling her. Jessica went back to half-watching the television. The game-show contestants were definitely not getting any cleverer.
    ‘Are you single?’ Randall asked Jessica during an advert break.
    ‘Yep.’
    ‘I’ve got some mates – I could hook you up with someone.’
    ‘I’m all right.’
    ‘It’d be fun, the four of us going out.’
    Jessica didn’t feel comfortable with the conversation. ‘I’m okay. I’m busy at work.’
    ‘If you change your mind…’
    ‘I won’t – but you’ll be the first person I call.’
    Jessica had enough on her plate without complicating things with dates or boyfriends.
    A short while after, Randall stood and asked if he could get a glass of water.
    ‘Lightweight, are we?’ Jessica asked playfully.
    ‘I’ve got a bit of a headache coming on.’
    ‘There are painkillers in the drawer under the sink if you want some?’ Jessica said, but Caroline cut in.
    ‘Oh, no, he’s allergic to aspirin and things like that.’ She stood up, pushing her boyfriend back to the sofa. ‘I’ll go for the water, you explain.’
    She left the room and then Randall shrugged. ‘Yeah, I’m allergic. You get used to it.’
    ‘Everyone’s got an allergy to something nowadays,’ said Jessica.
    ‘My throat swells up. Some people can’t breathe after a few minutes. With me, it takes an hour or so. I have to tell anyone I know well, in case anything happens and they need to call an ambulance.’
    Jessica was glad she didn’t have such an allergy. ‘Must be hard getting over hangovers,’ she joked.
    As Caroline returned with his water, Randall clambered up, saying he had to go to the toilet. He left the room and, as soon as they had heard the bathroom door close, Caroline wasted no time.
    ‘What do you reckon?’ she whispered.
    ‘Seems nice. Bit young for you.’
    ‘ Young ? I’m only thirty. He’s twenty-three!’
    ‘That’s toyboy territory. Mrs Robinson and all that.’
    ‘It is not .’
    Both women were now laughing. ‘You should take him up on the offer of going out with his mate,’ Caroline said. ‘It would be fun with the four of us, and it’d take your mind off the job, too.’
    ‘I’m all right.’
    ‘Go on…’
    A shake of the head. ‘Not now. I’m busy. Maybe in a few weeks.’
    Caroline sank into the sofa. ‘I’m glad you like him,’ she said.
    ‘He seems like a good laugh.’
    ‘He is. He said he was quite shy as a kid but says I’ve brought him out of it. He’s quite