Murder By Touch

By Karim Jorephani

A delinquent, sadistic and brutal maniac discovers a new way of killing. With his deadly method, his victims die in silence; none has breath to spare, to cry for help. All energies are devoted to one more gasp, one more breath and to one inner thought:the hope that it is only a horrible dream.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karim Jorephani
• Release date: Feb 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465857590

Book preview

A delinquent, sadistic and brutal maniac discovers a new way of killing. With his deadly method, his victims die in silence: none has breath to spare to cry for help. All energies are devoted to one more gasp, one more breath and to one inner thought: the hope that it is only a horrible dream.

MURDER BY TOUCH

By

Karim Jorephani

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

Karim Jorephani at Smashwords

Murder By Touch

Copyright©1988 by Karim Jorephani

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author's imagination and used fictitiously.

Please note: The novel is set in the United Kingdom, so the spelling used is that of United Kingdom's English.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

*****

MURDER BY TOUCH

Chapter One

It was a quarter to five when Colin excused himself and hurried down the stairs to the basement where the animal section was housed. He had waited hours for an occasion like this, a chance to find out the mystery, meaning, and above all the value of FORMULA Z100, TOP SECRET. He entered the brightly lit, foul-smelling basement and placed the Formula's fragile tube on the work table just inside the door, while a white New Zealand rabbit looked on curiously from its cage.

Colin took out a pair of surgical gloves and slipped them on. He checked the corridor outside once more, fearful of being caught inside without permission: quietly, he eased the door open just enough to peer into the silent corridor, listening for any sound that might disturb his experiment. Assured of safety for the moment, he closed the door and headed to the first cage in the row.

He knew how important it was to remember all he'd learned on the training course for this job as a laboratory assistant: check before you touch or smell, and so on. It had been drummed into his head from the very first day he joined the company. Soon, his curiosity would be satisfied, but Colin wasn't sure whether his find would be a blessing or a curse. A new window to the unknown, or just another disappointment among many? With this in mind, he lifted the top flap of the cage. The helpless animal must have sensed another dreaded ordeal. With nowhere to escape, the rabbit whizzed around the cage with a speed that baffled and worried Colin.

He was fascinated by the agility of this furry white creature and of its ability to turn corners at high speed. Easy boy, easy, Colin murmured as he waited for the animal to settle down.

Colin positioned his hovering hand over the circling rabbit, and with a deep breath swooped over and grabbed it by the scruff of its neck, only for it to slip through his rubber-gloved fingers. Losing his patience and most of his nerve he paused for a moment, turning his ears to the door and the corridor beyond. It was nearly five o'clock. The caretaker would soon be on his routine round, and Colin knew he could be locked, not only inside the building, but inside the basement.

He checked his watch: thirteen minutes to catch the rabbit and apply the test. He took off his rubber gloves, leaned over the cage as the rabbit crouched in the corner and grabbed the skin of its neck in one swift motion. The animal let out a piercing shriek, similar to that of a frightened young girl, which could have alerted anyone outside. Colin, holding the rabbit close to his chest, moved to the work table. He put the animal in a small, open-topped rectangular box, and positioned its head in the cut-out section. Then he placed two straps across its back.

Colin checked his watch again. Twelve minutes to go. His mind leapt between the possibility of being caught and the excitement of a new discovery. Facing the helpless animal, he slipped on the rubber gloves and lifted the small Formula tube. Hand stretched forward to avoid the unknown vapour; he used his thumb to push open the rubber cap. Colin concentrated on the colourless, odourless liquid as it swayed in its little container, still holding the tube with his arm fully stretched. Carefully, he took one step back, fearing any spillage or accident. He knew he couldn't take chances. He'd seen many dangerous compounds and chemicals here that he never thought existed. He also conceded that Formula Z100 could turn out to be just another polymer agent like so many listed, or another dye, or a drug, which would be very difficult for him to make use of.

With these thoughts on his mind, he presented the tube and positioned it under the rabbit's nose. Go on boy, have a sniff, he whispered. Colin kept the container close to the animal for a whole minute, then replaced the cap and waited anxiously for something to happen. One, two, three minutes ticked away, but the rabbit didn't show any reaction. Colin looked closely into the rabbit's eyes. They stayed bright and alert. Oh God, he sighed, did I take a risk for nothing? Colin decided to expose the animal for a longer period. He uncapped the tube and let the rabbit breathe another dose, as he commenced another watch. His eyes shifted between the rabbit and his wrist-watch. Two minutes to five and still no reaction.

Quickly, he unstrapped the animal and rushed it back to its cage and secured the flap. He pocketed the Formula Z100 tube and hurried upstairs to his desk. His consolation so far was that he hadn't been caught in the act. There'd be another day and another test. His worry now centred on whether he would be caught trying to smuggle the Formula out of the building. Were there any sensors at the exit that could detect chemicals? Could the long, narrow entrance be a security trap?

Colin had no way of knowing just yet, but he surely would find out soon. He must think of a way to check the security arrangements but for today the small secret tube must be left behind. He wrapped it in tissue paper and looked around the room for a place to hide the Formula, then glanced out of the window and saw Judy, his girlfriend, crossing the road on her way to meet him for her usual lift home.

Colin decided to hide the Formula at the back of his desk drawer. He was sure no one would look there, not during the night in any case. His newness, the mere few weeks he had been with the company, had already shown his insignificance among the many scientists and highly qualified technicians employed there. His five 'O' Levels including chemistry couldn't have impressed anyone, not even among the junior staff, many of whom already performed real work in research and data gathering, compared to his glorified tea-boy function, dressed up as Laboratory Assistant.

Colin ignored the lift, rushing down the stairs and into the lobby.

You're still here? shouted Bill Turnball, the caretaker.

Sorry, mate. One forgets the time when writing a letter, Colin replied deceitfully.

You know, I can't remember your name. Is it Kevin?

Colin. Colin Ransome.

Oh yes, nodded Bill, it takes time for a new name to sink in. He ticked Colin's name on the register, then went on to say, Your lady is waiting.

See you tomorrow, said Colin, hurrying through the glass swing doors and into the corridor. Without attracting Bill's attention he glanced around, surveying the walls and ceiling for hidden probes or lenses, but he couldn't distinguish between the variety of vents and holes that festooned the ceiling right up to the door. Any of these could hide a sensor or a lens, and he knew that he couldn't ask questions about security. He didn't want to attract attention or plant suspicion in anyone's mind. His police record had taught him to keep his eyes open and his mouth shut. He had tonight and tomorrow to think of a safe way to smuggle the Formula out, but first he had to find out if it was worth smuggling at all.

You look fed up, Colin greeted Judy. Had a bad day?

Judy, a modestly attractive girl of nineteen, dragged herself towards her boyfriend. She was wearing the dull pink overall that she had to wear as a shop assistant.

What do you expect? I've been on my feet all day. The words struggled past her lips, You're late coming out.

Colin seated himself on his ageing motorbike and fiddled and twisted the bike's throttle bar. Get on, he ordered.

You must be kidding, hesitated Judy. Honestly, I haven't the energy to go through the starting-up ritual.

Colin kicked the starter pedal a few times. He pumped the carburettor and tried again, but all the old bike could manage was a faint sneeze and a whiff of smoke.

You see, shouted Judy. Why don't you get a car, any car to start with?

You know why, snapped Colin. There's only one car for me and one day I'm going to get it.

Sure, said Judy. Thirty thousand quid just for the car and goodness knows what the other things cost. I suppose you're going to save the money out of this job?

Don't be stupid, he replied, desperately kicking at the starter. You wait and see. This job holds more promise that I first thought.

Been promoted already, have you? asked Judy as she slipped a bar of chewing gum into her mouth.

Better than that, Colin replied, the noise from his reluctant engine drowning his words. Come on. Let's go, he shouted.

Judy pulled up her skirt and overall and straddled the bike's rear seat. She handed Colin his helmet as she slipped on her own.

The ageing bike seemed rejuvenated by its own combustion, leaping and jerking through the car park in anticipation of a long, hard and fast burn to the council estate in Staines where Colin lived with his parents. Judy lived in the same street, a few doors away. He'd known her for most of his nineteen troublesome years. He couldn't remember for sure when he first met her, she had always been there. They'd played together in the back garden and on the street since they were very young and had developed a love-hate relationship that neither was eager to change. Judy's modest ambition of marriage and a home of her own contrasted sharply with Colin's love of money - the easy type - and with his passionate love for fast cars, although he had never owned or driven such a car. He'd promised himself many years ago that the first car he'd buy would be his dream one, a Ferrari.

Judy's arms locked around Colin's waist as he drove out of the car park and on to the road. His love of speed outweighed his road sense. With contemptuous ease he weaved through the heavy, slow traffic as Judy rested her head on his back. Nothing she could say or do would make any difference to the way he rode. She could only close her eyes and endure the thirty-minute drive to Rotherham Road. Only then could she thank her luck, to have survived another ride.

What was it you said earlier, asked Judy as she took off her helmet, about the job I mean?

I don't know whether I should tell you, replied Colin, not yet anyway.

Come on, Colin. Don't keep secrets from me, pleaded Judy. Tell me what's happened.

Nothing's happened, replied Colin as he pushed his motorbike up the short garden path and into a wooden shed at the back of the house. I'll tell you later. Coming in?

Judy followed and put her hands around Colin's neck, stroking his wavy, and collar-length hair. Why don't you come to my place tonight? she asked. It's bingo night for mum and dad.

Oh, I forgot, it's Thursday, Colin said as his face lit up with anticipation. All right, you go on and I'll see you later.

They'll be back at ten, remarked Judy, as she walked away from Colin. Don't be late.

Not Thursdays, Colin shouted back.

It was eight-thirty that evening when Colin walked into Judy's house. She was sitting in an easy chair wearing a pyjama top. One leg flung over the chair arm revealed her brief black panties. She looked at Colin angrily as he stood by the living-room door admiring her slender body.

What kept you? she snapped. You shouldn't have bothered.

What's got into you? We've got over an hour, replied Colin as he moved towards her. I had to have a bath, didn't I? He leaned over the chair and kissed Judy's neck, slowly and passionately moving up to her lips, as she leaned back against the chair. Colin hand's roamed over her curves and caressed her body expertly.

Come over to the settee, he said.

I won't until you tell me what happened at work.

I don't understand you women, remarked Colin, easing himself away from her, the way you turn yourselves off and on.

We women have a switch, said Judy with a smile.

I bet you have.

Well? she demanded.

Colin moved across the room and switched on the television set. He realised that if he told her his real motive, she wouldn't approve. He thought for a few moments as Judy's eyes followed him across the room. He knew that he had made a mistake by mentioning the subject in the first place, so he must tell her something, just to satisfy her curiosity.

Something interesting happened today, said Colin, as he sat on the settee opposite her.

Judy leapt from her chair and settled beside him. Go on, the suspense is killing me, she urged.

Don't get excited, Colin continued, it's just that I was allowed to enter a very restricted room today.

Is that all? she said, disappointed.

Listen, Colin pointed a finger, that's a big thing with them. Only a handful of people with security clearance are allowed in.

They trust you, then? she sighed, relaxing and stretched herself. I thought it was something more. A rise or something more interesting.

It was something, murmured Colin, his eyes glued to the television set and wondering whether he should reveal more.

Did they give you a special pass? she enquired.

No chance of that.

How did you get in then?

It was during the lunch hour, Colin explained. I was sitting by my desk just before going to the canteen, and this man, he is very senior there, a scientist I think, was struggling with two trays full of tubes, bottles and goodness knows what. His hands were shaking as he passed me and I thought he was going to drop them over my head.

Why didn't you help him? asked Judy.

I'll come to that if you just let me finish, he snapped.

Sorry.

So I called out to him, 'Excuse me,' I said, 'can I give you a hand?' The old man turned round and said, 'You're very kind,' and handed me one of the trays. 'I'll carry both if you want,' I told him. 'Thank you very much,' he replied, 'I see you have noticed my clumsy hands. Please follow me', so I followed him.

To that room? asked Judy, showing more interest.

Yes, he said, then went on, Right at the end of the corridor there's a door which is always kept locked. The old man took a key out of his pocket and opened the door. I followed him through to another door marked 'Very Restricted - Authorised Personnel Only'. This time the old man fiddled with two sets of keys. It took him ages to get the door open.

So what was in there anyway? asked Judy.

The room we went in had stacks of shelves. It was full of containers, bottles of all shapes and sizes, test tubes. Then I followed him to a large safe at the far end of the room. He opened the safe and started sorting and storing the trays. Suddenly he said: 'Oh my God, I've forgotten the file in the lab. It's a very important file', then he rushed out, telling me to wait a minute.

So you were alone in there?

Yes. But the good bit's still to come, Colin said.

I thought as much.

Well, as soon as the man left, I put the trays on the floor and had a good look inside the safe, and there on the top shelf was this large container about the size of a milk bottle marked 'Formula Z100 - Top Secret'.

Getting more exciting by the minute, remarked Judy, just like spying. What was inside it?

Clear liquid, just like water, replied Colin, so I couldn't resist pinching some.

What on earth for? asked Judy. She sat up and looked at Colin, amazed. Won't you get caught doing that? How about your probation?

Calm down. No one is going to miss a few drops.

If it's that secret, they're bound to know how much was there in the first place, she reasoned.

Don't worry about it. I know they won't, he insisted. Anyway, soon I'll find out if it's worth keeping.

And how are you going to do that? she asked.

I know how. I tried today, but I ran out of time.

You be careful, for God's sake. You don't want to break your probation.

I said don't worry, Colin assured her. He looked at his watch, and then gasped. Half past nine. He grabbed Judy's arm and rushed her up the stairs, Just a quickly, before ten? he whispered in her ear.

Chapter Two

Colin was bright and cheerful when he arrived at work the next day. The first thing on his mind was to check on the hidden Formula. He sat down at his desk and turned his back on Simon, humming an indistinguishable tune that irritated his colleague.

You sound cheerful this morning, said Simon. Getting married or something?

'Me? replied Colin. No fear. I just feel okay today. I wouldn't mind doing anything. I ..."

Don't say that, Simon interrupted, they change the duties today.

What duties?

Work. The daily rotas for next week.

I've never had one! Colin shrugged his shoulders.

I think your days of just helping around are over, Simon assured him.

How's that?

Well, you don't expect just to continue messing around, Simon explained. They usually give you six weeks to familiarise yourself with the place, and then 'bang'.

Simon's words worried Colin. You've spoilt my day, he remarked. Could that mean, he thought, losing the chance to try his experiment again? He was thoughtful for a while, and then he turned to Simon, What do you have to do today?

Simon didn't hear Colin's