Free Waves of Murder by J B Raphael Page A

They had found a luxurious apartment in a block in Belsize Park, close to where Vicky lived. He’d left the furnishings etc., to Lorna, her taste was very good and their new home looked marvellous. She was very happy. Baker Street Travel Agents beckoned to Jon one sunny morning, with a window display that announced a new luxury ship and a cruise to the Carribean, the ‘Carribean Star’ certainly looked luxurious. Three weeks to the West Indies from Southampton, £5,500 all included. He entered the shop and recieved a print-out and itinerary of the cruise, saying that he would show it to his partner, and think about it.
    “Can you better this price?” Jon said, as he showed her the print-out.
    She studied it, and her blood ran cold, “Jon, not again, please. Isn’t the car business enough, you’re doing well,” she almost pleaded.
    “Look, I don’t want to be shlapping second-hand motors around for the rest of my life,” he said, as he gently took her shoulders, “just one more run, and that’ll be it,” he begged.
    “Okay, okay, but you’ll have to go alone, I don’t want to be there,” she cried.
    “Why?” he asked, “I need you there.”
    “No, no, no,” she shouted, breaking free, “I’ve had enough, enough, enough,” she shouted.
    “Okay Lorns, I’ll go on my own, all right, I’ll go on my own,” he repeated. This girl has got to go, he thought, but one thing at a time.
    Lorna came back with a 20 per cent discounted price, “Okay,” Jon said, “book it for me, I’ll give you cash. I’m sorry you won’t be coming, but perhaps it’s for the best,” he leaned forward and kissed her, “let’s have a drink,” he said, and took a bottle of Merlot from the rack. Pouring her a large glass, he said, “Oh by the way, I’ve found the car of your dreams, a Lexus 250 convertible, in white. They’re quite rare I’m told.”
    Her face lit up, “Really?” she said, “when will I have it?” she asked, smiling.
    “In two days, it’s being showroomed as we speak.”
    “Oh, thank you Jon,” she said, and kissed him hard on the mouth.
    “Now, let’s forget about all the business, and enjoy each other,” he said. But he had further plans for Lorna. The car was delivered to her on time .... she loved it.
    He loaded his cases into the Golf, which he still had as a runabout, an airport car, a docks car, a station car, what a work-horse it was. He had bought, to trade on but fell in love with, a Mercedes Sports SLS 6.3 super car. He kept it in the garage at home, it was his piece of mechanical magic, his trophy, his metallic love. When he drove it, all the dreadful things that he had done melted into insignificance, he was in charge, tha main man, no one could ever take these feelings of superiority away. No Novak, who failed, not Scotland Yard, nobody. He probably knew by now that he was a homicidal maniac, who enjoyed killing women for their diamonds and wealth.
    He arrived at the parking shed to begin his embarkation, exactly one hour before sailing, at 4 o’clock. Once again he boarded the devil’s transport, he knew he would kill, he knew he would, once again, sell his soul to Satan for a handful of diamonds.
    He found his stateroom, and his bags were soon brought in by ‘Rikki’, a short, skinny, but pleasant Asian boy with a perfect smile and teeth. He tipped him £5, and got the bowing and thanking treatment. He knew the programme well by now, the ‘Carribean Star’ was a very large liner, 90,000 tonnes, 3,000 passengers, 8 bars, 6 restaurants, 2 theatres, a shopping mall, 2 pools etc etc. He was sure that amongst all these people he would find what he was looking for, a huge killing, in more ways than one. He chose a blouson in navy, and a pair of white slacks, white shoes, no shirt. With the silk and cotton jacket unbuttoned to mid-chest, he went down to the shopping mall, just to have a look around. It was early, and the ship had only just sailed, the mall was almost empty