Concealed I: Repay Evil with Evil, #2

By Patrizia Sabrina Prudenzi

There are certain things that are best kept hidden forever.

Julia is young, beautiful and will soon inherit an immense fortune. But she carries a terrible secret inside her.

If David, whom she loves dearly, were to find out about it, they would have no future together. Worse still, she would be locked up for the rest of her life. What can she do but hide her secret from David and everyone else?

She succeeds well at first. Until someone tries to take her life.

Julia's adventure in London continues!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Oct 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667413280

Book preview

Repay Evil with Evil

Concealed

Part 1

Patrizia Sabrina Prudenzi

translated into English by Robert E Anderson

Concealed – Part 1 (Repay Evil with Evil Book 2)

Written By Patrizia Sabrina Prudenzi

Copyright © 2021 Patrizia Sabrina Prudenzi

All rights reserved

Distributed by Babelcube, Inc.

www.babelcube.com

Translated by Robert E Anderson

Cover Design © 2021 Timo Kümmel

Babelcube Books and Babelcube are trademarks of Babelcube Inc.

Repay not evil for evil.

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I Peter 3:9

Content

Chapter 1 – STRETCHING UPWARD

Chapter 2 – CHOSEN

Chapter 3 – MERCILESS

Chapter 4 – DETERMINED

Chapter 1

STRETCHING UPWARD

I'm dreaming again because of him.

You're losing track because of him.

That voice.

Hateful as ever.

Julia wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

Why was she crying?

Just because that slut was snuggling up so close to her David?

It's much too warm for an August evening in England. So she probably can't freeze either.

That malicious laughter.

Leave me alone!

Do you want me to kill them for you?

Stop it and just leave me alone!

She never stopped, especially when she realized that she was feeling really miserable. Julia turned out the light with shaky hands. It was unlikely that anyone in the garden would notice her at the window. The other guests at the guesthouse were enjoying the balmy summer evening to the fullest and were absorbed in their conversations and drinks. But safe was safe and she wouldn’t be noticed at all without a light.

She waited until her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, then cautiously approached the open window and leaned out. Laughter and snatches of conversation echoed up to her, but they didn’t interest her. Her gaze flew over all the tables, the chairs along with the people, until she spotted the long blond mane. They had finally sat down. The long hair shone like gold in the light of the paper lanterns that hung everywhere between the little trees.

She held her breath. The blonde tramp was sitting even closer to David than she earlier had been at the bar, which was much too close. They were far away from her now, and the wooden fence that bordered the garden was just behind their backs. Much too far from the house to pick up anything from their conversation. She was whispering in his ear the whole time. If he had turned his head slightly, he could have kissed her. Or she him. The familiarity of the two was impossible to miss, even from up here.

New tears burned in Julia's eyes. Why hadn't they stayed in London? Why did they absolutely have to come here for the weekend? Why had they been so sure that they wouldn’t run into a familiar face in this place?

Even though it hurt her, she had to admit that this woman was beautiful. Her great hair, her slender figure. She had known David since childhood. Why had she come to England without her husband? What was she up to?

She swallowed. Did she want to win David back? At least that's what it looked like.

And the most important question: What would David do? Stand by her?

Why should he? Remember: He doesn't know anything about you. Do you think he would stay with you if he knew the truth?

Why did the Voice of Reason have to be so painfully honest? She couldn’t take her eyes off him, even through the veil of her tears. She loved him. She had never loved anyone as much as she loved him.

You don't need him.

Julia clenched her fists.

Leave me alone!

You have a different destiny. Or do you want to end up a housewife with a couple of snotty noses on your cheek?

Shut up!

Besides, she is much more beautiful than you. You don't stand a chance against her!.

Julia pressed her hands against her ears. That was only a provocation, nothing other than a provocation. She couldn’t allow that.

Much more beautiful, much, muuuuch more beautiful!.

The childish voice laughed. The other joined in.

Shut up. You're just being mean.

But they didn’t stop. Her stomach began to ache like hell. The taste of the fish that David and she had eaten earlier by candlelight was suddenly in her mouth.

It wasn't the food's fault, she was getting too upset. Even as a child, she had vomited when something went wrong. She put one hand on her stomach and one on her throat. The laughter died away.

Good, I want to help you. Do you want me to kill him for you?

The Warrior laughed, even more venomously than before.

What's there to laugh about? You're not going to kill anyone else either. Do you understand me? Or else ... or else ...

Julia again wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

Or else what? Whoever hurts us deserves to die.

No, you don't touch him! He's coming back, he has to talk to her so she won't suspect anything.

Yes, yes. You're the only one who thinks that.

She slammed her fist on the windowsill. The nausea forced her to swallow her saliva again and again.

He feels partly responsible for her brother's death. He's never said it that way, but I can feel it, that he still blames himself.

I'm in tears!

This was no longer nausea. She was now far too hot and cold at the same time. The pressure in her stomach had become unbearable. She breathed in and out several times with her mouth open. She had to calm down.

That’s your problem – now shut up!.

Her stomach seemed to want to explode. She ran into the small washroom and just managed to lift the toilet lid before the contents of her stomach shot out of her mouth in a stream. Sweat broke out of her every pore. She propped herself against the wall, swaying, and choked out everything she had eaten that day.

This man makes you weak! You must be strong!.

The Warrior never stopped.

Shut up!

She slammed the toilet lid shut. The noise in the small washroom was deafening.

Julia, my darling, are you all right? Why is it so dark in here?

David. He had come back and she hadn't heard him.

She pressed her forehead against the wall. That cooled her a little.

Yes ... yes, everything's fine.

She flushed the toilet, washed her face, drank some water and rinsed out her mouth. In front of the mirror, she tried to fix her short hairstyle with her fingers. Then she went out.

The small lamps on the night tables were lit up. He stood in the middle of the room, in his white shirt. His dark hair was a little too long in front and fell on his forehead. She liked that so much.

Beautiful, I'm very sorry it took so long. If I had known that Hellen and her friends were here of all places, we would have gone somewhere else, even though it's so nice here.

David's hands closed around her waist. She breathed in his smell. It was so arousing! She had never liked smelling another person as much as she did David. He looked simply tasty tonight. No wonder that this Hellen only had eyes for him.

He grabbed her by the hands and eyed her challengingly. Then he smiled and tried to kiss her. She deliberately turned away from him. She didn't want to make it that easy for him either.

Actually, I should be mad at you. We were supposed to be dancing, and you talk for hours with a strange woman and leave me up here all alone. This is our weekend.

He thought about that. He took her into his arms.

I'm sorry that it went down this way, Julia, but Hellen won't take no for an answer. I never expected her to show up here: it was dumb coincidence. And today, of all days, she had to tell me all about her divorce. She and her husband have started a real War of the Roses. He has another, a very young wife, and is trying to get rid of her without having to pay her alimony. She's pretty much a nervous wreck, and I feel sorry for her.

He lowered his eyes. So he still had a guilty conscience because of Hellen's brother Steven. He therefore felt obliged to support his sister. Julia laid her head on his chest and snuggled closer to him.

David, you are not responsible for Steven's death. It was tragic circumstances, you were just doing your job. I'm convinced that my family is behind all of this, so stop spreading ashes over your head.

She raised her head and looked him in the eye. I would have liked to dance with you, despite everything. I guess that’s not possible now, Hellen is sitting down there, the evening is over. Still, thanks for letting me know via the text message. If I hadn't known who she was, I would have come downstairs and killed her!

David laughed. An Argentine tango sounded from downstairs. She loved tango more than anything and now she wasn’t allowed to dance! Besides, she would have loved to float across the dance floor close to David. She pulled a pout and tried to remain serious.

That's the kind of girl you are! And you want to dance? His eyes shone dangerously. Then let's dance!

Where should we dance?

Here, where else?

He turned around, grabbed her by the hand and pulled her away from the bed and the other furniture towards the window.

Come on, Miss Walz, get into position.

David grabbed her right hand, put his left just above her rear and pulled her to him. He pressed one leg between hers and took a step towards her. Her face was pressed roughly against his chest, she had no choice but to follow him. He could move beautifully, not like the awkward boys at the dance school in Germany. After the first steps he put his hand on her rear. She laughed, but the warmth of his palm on the thin fabric of her summer dress excited her.

Hi, what dance school did you go to? That wasn't allowed in mine!.

That's the English version, Miss Walz. You people are much stiffer in Germany, no doubt about it.

He pulled her to him jerkily, embraced her and kissed her briefly and wildly on the mouth, then threw her back expertly, only to pull her towards him again. She felt dizzy, but she didn't care. She could collapse in his arms, he would catch her.

I didn't know you could dance so well!

Her skin felt as if it was about to burst into flames. The tango was an erotic dance, but a tango with David was like dancing on a red-hot volcano.

There's a lot you don't know about me, little one.

He grinned mischievously and took a step back, then forced her to do a turn and wrapped her tightly in his arms again.

David, I can't do that, she protested with a laugh.

You don't have to do anything, you just have to be guided.

Again he pushed her away in order to pull her back towards him again. His hands clasped hers, they were warm and gentle. He could really guide her in this wild confusion of steps and turns.

His dark eyes sparkled wildly. With the beautiful mouth, the small dimples on the chin and the dark, rebellious hair, he looked like a pirate.

Julia smiled at him, then pressed him away from her with her left hand.

He stopped in surprise. She pushed him further back until he landed backwards on the bed. She threw herself on him and kissed him on his mouth. Her desire for him was unstoppable. She opened his shirt, then his pants. He moaned and pushed his hands under her dress.

You're not wearing panties?, he asked, surprised.

Haven't all day: why, do I have to? she lied expertly.

Just you wait, you little minx!

He grabbed her by the wrists, pulled her to him, then pressed her back against the bed. She felt her lust flood her in warm waves and surrendered to the feeling. With a few movements of his hands, he freed himself from his trousers and shorts. His eyes were dark as night, his lips slightly parted. He felt the same desire as she did herself.

When he entered her, the room spun around her.

***

David woke up when someone slammed the front door loudly downstairs. Someone slurred something, then everything was quiet again.

A diffuse brightness entered the room through the window. The crickets had stopped singing and a light breeze cooled his skin. Julia moved next to him. She turned in her sleep and moaned slightly, as she often did. Sometimes she talked, and she had once even spoken in a strange, dark voice that didn’t fit her at all. He hadn't told her in order to not worry her. He had read on the internet that people who had suffered traumatic experiences often talked in their sleep and that this was nothing worrying in itself. That had reassured him, even though he had gotten goose bumps listening to it that night. The dark voice hadn't fit her at all and had frightened him.

He turned to her and tried to catch a glimpse of her profile against the dim light coming in from the window. She was breathing calmly now.

David sighed. He was certain that Doctor Sullivan still believed in Julia's mental illness. But he couldn't do anything more to her, that was the main thing. The investigation was as good as over, even if she had not yet been officially exonerated. He expected this to happen within the next few days. Vincent's DNA had been found at all the crime scenes, there was no longer any doubt about that. To believe that a six-year-old girl could slaughter her parents was pure madness. Vincent had been a teenager at the time and he had been at the scene of the crime, very demonstrably. Fortunately, nothing had happened to Julia. Just the thought of the danger she had been in made him shiver.

She turned again in her sleep, but this time she paused mid-motion, her face turned towards David. He felt her breath on his cheeks. A pleasant, warm wave of contentment seized him.

Was this what was meant by happiness? Having a home and loving a woman like Julia?

Why aren't you sleeping? Aren't you tired?

Julia's voice sounded rough and deep. He loved this dark tone in her voice, which she also had when they made love and she surrendered to her lust like a predatory cat.

No, I'm too happy to be able to sleep. I'm lying next to the most beautiful woman in the world, how can I think about sleeping?

She laughed. Her hand felt its way from his chest over his neck to his chin. Her fingers expertly caressed his lips, then abruptly pulled away. He held his breath.

Her hand lightly caressed his hip, then she grabbed his rear and squeezed hard.

Inspector Nyomda, you are naked, how horrible!.

She pushed her tongue into his mouth brashly. She did this with a roughness that excited him beyond measure.

I'll have to punish you for that, Inspector, she murmured in his ear.

With a sudden movement, she took off her T-shirt. It flew through the air in an arc and disappeared into the darkness.

I surrender, he whispered and pulled her towards him. Sometimes she was really wild, but he loved her for it.

***

David broke away from her embrace and gave her another wistful look.

I have to go or I'll be late. What are you doing today, beautiful? Are you going to the university?

Julia laughed. This topic was very important for him, as often as he brought it up.

The semester hasn't started yet, David. She stretched and kissed him on the chin. Would you like me without a university degree? Or just with one?

No, where are you thinking of going? I just want you to go on with your life as it was before ... He lowered his eyes. Before everything started.

That’s all right, David, please not now. I don't want to be reminded of it every day.

He opened his eyes again. They were full of sadness.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. Besides, you're right, the semester hasn't started yet. He kissed her fleetingly on her lips. My darling, the weekend with you was nice, despite Hellen. See you tonight – I love you.

He turned and hurried out, quietly pulling the front door closed behind him.

The emptiness she knew so well came over her. It had always been like that, if she was honest with herself. Even as a child, before and after the death of her parents. She had been under the illusion for years that she had had a beautiful childhood until she was six years old. But that was only before she could remember it in detail. The memory had burst the illusion like a soap bubble. The illusion was gone, but the emptiness had remained. Only he, David, was able to fill that void. She stroked the door delicately. She already missed him. He would probably be late today, too. He was working way too much and he was trying to close the ongoing investigation against her in order to exonerate her completely. Sometimes she couldn't even imagine how they could then live. They would be able to walk hand in hand through the streets of London, sit in cafes and visit pubs without being afraid that someone would recognize her and that their picture would be in the newspaper the next day. All of this would be possible if she were proven innocent.

You are not innocent, the Voice of Reason admonished her.

She held her breath. That was really nasty.

I didn't do it. You know that very well. The Warrior did it.

Are you sure about that, Julia?

Her lower lip quivered. She pressed it against the upper row of her teeth. She wasn't sure of anything, but she still had no direct memory of the event itself. It hadn't been her. She had only found the two bodies.

So? For you, I'm the only one to blame all of a sudden? ... Not because I wanted to help you?, the Warrior growled.

She wouldn’t start discussing it now. Each of the others had her own view of things and was in no way willing to deviate from it.

Just leave me alone. Don't you have anything better to do?

Julia went to the kitchen and cleared the breakfast dishes. Every day she got up with David and drank her coffee with him. He had told her that that wasn’t necessary, but she wanted to share these moments with him in the morning, when she already had nothing from him all day.

Her eyes fell on the daily newspaper, which was still open on the table. A colorful ad promoted a company that delivered groceries to people's homes. A man and a woman were removing vegetables, fruits and other ingredients from a colorful box. The woman was gracefully holding a wine glass in her hand and smiling a little bit too moronically for Julia's taste. But the food looked delicious, fresh and appetizing. She skimmed the text. It was an advertisement for a delivery service that brought ingredients for cooking to peoples' homes.

Shopping. She could easily go shopping and cook something delicious and surprise David tonight. Maybe with a German dish he didn't know.

You don't know how to cook and you don't know any recipes, Little Julia scoffed, giggling loudly.

I'll look it up on the internet, you smartass!.

***

Julia folded up the newspaper. That was a good idea. Grocery shopping had always been fun for her and this would bring some normalcy into her life. But first she had to check how much money she still had left. Her meager savings would soon be depleted and she no longer had much room to maneuver.

How pathetic are you? Are you going to give up your whole life for him? Cook for him? You weren't like this before. What's wrong with you?

The Warrior sounded as spiteful as usual.

She's in love, replied the Voice of Reason. People in love do stupid things.

This was worse than living in a small village! Not only she, but also the others, were bored and watched her all the time. She occasionally missed the times when she had no memory of her past. But on the other hand, she hadn't had to share her most intimate thoughts with so many.

Hush, all of you, I don't want to hear any more!.

The doorbell rang. She was startled. The thing was excessively loud and still too foreign to her to not be startled every time. That could only be David, who had perhaps forgotten something. She ran to the door, then thought better of it and glanced down the hallway through the peephole. David would use the key to their apartment, he wouldn’t ring the doorbell.

No one was standing in front of the door.

The bell rang again. She picked up the intercom handset and pressed the connect button.

Yes?

David had told her to avoid saying her name.

Am I speaking to Miss Walz?

She hesitated. Her name was not on the door.

Who is this?

I have a message for you from your notary, Mr. Rothert. Would you please let me in?

A message from the notary? She stared at the wall, puzzled. Didn’t he trust the mail or didn’t he have a phone any longer? How strange was that? When she had been with him in the office, he had made a normal impression on her. It was only when David had afterwards explained to her the entanglements between the Ashburys and the Rotherts that she had become quite upset.

Miss Walz, will you come down or how else am I going to deliver this letter to you?

She stared at the button that unlocked the downstairs front door. David had told her to not let anyone in when she was alone. At best, a paparazzo could seek her out, at worst ... who knows.

Hello, please just put the letter in my mailbox. I just got out of the shower, I'm not socially acceptable. I can't open the door for you. Thank you and have a great day!.

She hung up without waiting for the answer and pressed the door opener for the front door. She didn’t press the button for the second door that led to the stairwell and elevator. To play it safe, she put the chain on the door, locked it and went to the living room window. From there she could see the entrance of the house from above.

A red Royal Mail van was parked in the second row directly in front of the entrance. A man wearing a light blue short-sleeved shirt and dark blue pants got in and started out. The van drove away with screeching tires. So the mailman was for real.

Should she call David now? She glanced at the clock. He wasn't in the office yet; her new apartment was even farther from the MET than David's. That was silly! She could walk all the way to the mailbox and read the letter by herself. Maybe something had changed in her situation and the notary had informed her about it. Perhaps there was good news regarding her inheritance. She needed money soon and she didn't want to ask David for it.

Heart pounding, she unlocked the apartment door, tucked the stun gun David had gotten her into the side of her waistband, put on her denim jacket and opened the door. The hallway was empty and deserted. She carefully descended the stairs. No one but her used the stairwell, she had already noticed. She reached the mailbox on the first floor without any problems, took the letter and ran back upstairs.

She felt silly herself, but she had no desire for nasty surprises. Upstairs, she first leaned against the closed and locked door and took a deep breath. She had become a prisoner.

With trembling fingers, she tore open the envelope with the Rotherts' crest, a lion bearing a red dragon on its back. Very appropriate! Apparently, both the Ashburys and the Rotherts had a sense of drama.

She unfolded the light blue stationery that smelled like a strong man's cologne.

Dear Miss Walz:

Please contact me immediately. Please do not call. This is primarily a question of your securities in Germany. It is best to come in person; I will expect you in my office around noon.

Please be careful. You are not yet safe. Your freedom, if not your life, is still being sought. I am not only the manager of your assets, but a friend of your family and I want to help you.

I will of course be happy to answer all your questions, but please maintain absolute discretion in this regard. Not even your friend can protect you from this danger.

Your faithful friend,

Oliver Rothert

The letter fell out of her hand. She was in danger? Why? She didn’t know anyone who wanted to harm her. Except maybe her Aunt Betty, who would so love to be her guardian so that she could get her hands on her inheritance.

Did the notary see dangers where there were none? Maybe he had a tendency to exaggerate, she didn't know. But what did Rothert mean by 'your friend'? David? And how did the notary know that she had a boyfriend?

She shuddered. How had he found out?

She lifted the sheet again and read the letter again.

Securities in Germany? How did he even know about those? She had only talked about it with David when he had visited her in the clinic.

I had the notary sell them, the Voice of Reason said meekly.

What? Why is that?

You do need money. I meant well.

This was maddening! Her life was that of a tamer of a bag full of fleas! She used to have blackouts, repeatedly missing periods of hours, sometimes even entire days. That didn't scare her anymore, she knew someone else had taken control. But now she was being informed about all sorts of things after the fact, and that didn't make her situation any better.

Great, but thanks all the same!.

That was annoying, but much more pressing was the question of how Rothert knew about her boyfriend. She didn't like that at all. Had Rothert had her followed? Why? What did he want? To blackmail her? But he had to be pretty rich himself, that couldn't be it. Or was it?

And now, what do I do? Do you want me to go?

Yes, the Dragon replied.

***

David sank into his chair and sipped his coffee. The Blackwood case file lay open on his desk, as it often did. The first and only paragraph of his report jumped out at him from the computer's monitor. It would take him days to put it all together reasonably and convincingly. After that, he could only hope that the Superintendent and the prosecutor's office would follow his interpretation and let him close the investigation. Jones could have done a good job helping him, but she was on sick leave for two more weeks.

Someone knocked on his door. He didn't even manage to call out 'Come in' before the door was opened. Peter Sullivan gave him a cold and disapproving look from the threshold. David tried to suppress his distaste at the doctor's arrogance. He struggled to manage something like a smile.

Good afternoon, Doctor Sullivan. What brings you here?

Good afternoon, Inspector. Or would you rather I call you 'Aspiring Chief Inspector'?

David immediately felt like sending the man packing. The death of his boss, John Marrik, was not so long ago that it was tolerable to talk about succession with such sarcasm. He preferred not to respond. He was not the only candidate for the position, and there was no way he was going to discuss the issue with Sullivan. His grin widened.

What brings you to me unannounced, Doctor Sullivan?

The doctor smiled coldly at him. May I come in?

Please do, you're already here. Feel completely at home. What can I help you with?

Sullivan closed the door behind him, crossed the room with long strides, and took a seat in the visitor's chair in front of the desk. Despite the summer heat that had plagued London for days, he was wearing a gray suit and vest. His shirt was closed to the last button, his tie was fitted perfectly. David's tie hung over his desk lamp. He hadn't bothered to put the thing back on. Sullivan adjusted the already flawless tie knot with one hand and cleared his throat slightly.

You can already imagine on your own why I am here.

David just raised his eyebrows. When this man appeared, trouble was on the agenda. But he couldn't possibly say that.

No, help me out here, please, he replied, trying hard to put on a neutral expression.

It's about Julia Walz. I've have had the examination material that I obtained during her stay at St. Mary Hospital reviewed by two other independent physicians. Both expert reports are now available.

Sullivan pressed his lips together as usual. Both confirm that Miss Walz may suffer from split personality, meaning that she has multiple personalities. This means that a part of her could well have committed the murders without her being aware of it.

David leaned forward and propped his forearms on the desk. Sullivan shouldn't notice that his hands were shaking.

And?, was all he said. He knew full well that Sullivan hated not being treated with the reverence he felt he deserved.

Sullivan's Adam's apple moved up and down nervously.

I've already spoken with Superintendent James Ciepley. I would like to do another set of clinical tests done on Miss Walz.

David just frowned. He couldn’t talk yet.

We need to find out more about this woman. If she was the one, then she needs to be committed. I know your opinion of the lady. But before you start listing all the points why she couldn't have done it to me, I'll tell you that the investigation may also exonerate Miss Walz.

David tried to take a deep breath. He had to keep himself together, especially in front of Peter Sullivan.

And why are you coming to me with this?

You're in charge here now on an interim basis, and I'm going through the normal channels. That's what Ciepley suggested to me.

David's heart pounded in his chest. This couldn’t be true! What should he do now? He leaned back. His palms were wet with sweat. He wiped them dry on his pant legs. For a split second, he imagined how nice it would be to give Sullivan a resounding slap in his face.

So, as for this story. Doctor Sullivan, I am just a police officer, I know little or nothing about psychiatry. But there must be something that leads you to your conviction, right? He pressed his lips together. Please enlighten me.

The doctor tugged at his tie again.

Miss Walz kept speaking in a different voice while talking to me. There are records of this. Moreover, the different personalities – as we suspect – spoke completely differently and differed considerably in their behavior. A little girl was even active at one point and ...

David shivered. She had also spoken in a dark voice that he didn't like. But that doesn't mean that ...

And? Perhaps Miss Walz was trying to play a prank on you. Would you even notice?

Sullivan's face turned chalky white. He opened his mouth, but David didn’t give him time.

Doctor Sullivan, assuming that you are correct in your assumptions, it is still true that a multiple personality does not make Miss Walz a criminal. In addition, the DNA of Vincent von und zu Kornberg was indisputably secured at all crime scenes. We have even been able to clearly match the traces on the objects from the crime scene in Blackwood Hill from the archive. Vincent was sixteen years old at the time, when Julia Walz was only six. That, as you yourself must admit, is a very young age for such a gruesome double murder of one's own parents, don't you think? Or are all people who supposedly have multiple personalities automatically criminals? As far as I am aware, the split personality theory is very controversial in psychiatry, that is to say, among your own colleagues.

Sullivan held his gaze. One corner of his mouth began to twitch slightly.

Of course, not every patient who suffers from a split personality is automatically a criminal. And it is also true that she was only six years old when her parents were murdered. However, she could have put her cousin Vincent up to it. He wasn't exactly a brainiac, that's common knowledge by now. She would have had an easy time with him.

David frowned. Did the doctor really believe in what he just said?

Doctor Sullivan, suppose a six-year-old had incited her cousin to commit murder, who must stand trial, the child or the one who committed the murder?

The doctor gave him a stern look, but didn’t answer. David felt uncomfortable. This thought alone seemed to him like betrayal of Julia.

Assuming that the first murder was as you describe, what about all the other murders? Can you explain those?

Inspector, what's your theory on the other murders? I know most people think all the murders were committed by Vincent, right?

Sullivan glared at him until David nodded hesitantly. The doctor grinned triumphantly.

Why? What reason would Vincent have had to kill all these people?

Doctor Sullivan, Vincent wasn't all there, that's for sure. Personally, I think he was jealous of his cousin. He thought that the other people would stand between him and the woman he wanted. We now know for certain that he was eager to marry his cousin in order to continue the family tradition. Whether that's logical or not remains to be seen, but it is an explanation.

His visitor shook his head.

You're letting this woman blind you too much, Inspector. I think that Vincent was almost moronic, but his cousin is more dangerous. She is a psychopath, there is no doubt of that in my mind and I will do everything to prove it. I am firmly convinced that she is at least involved in all the murders, if not the main perpetrator.

David scratched the back of his head. He glanced at his monitor again. Discussing this with the doctor was just a waste of his time.

And this woman does it every time with her left hand! Doctor Sullivan, we are talking about the murders of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Collins, the deliveryman, and this Joe Simons. Do you really trust her to do that? And most importantly, why?

Sullivan narrowed his eyes.

What's your IQ, Inspector?

Me? What does that have to do with it?

Answer me please.

I don't know, I think it's normal.

What is normal for you?

David leaned back in his chair and glanced at his monitor. The whole conversation had slowly become ridiculous.

One hundred? I don't know.

Your personnel file says one hundred and twenty. You are already more intelligent than the vast majority of people.

David preferred not to comment on the fact that Sullivan knew his personnel file. He gave him a cold smile and replied only Thank you.

Sullivan leaned forward.

Julia Walz has an IQ of at least one hundred and eighty. Do you know what that means?

David ran his hands through his hair.

There's no law against that, Doctor Sullivan. That doesn't prove anything. Except maybe that she can become a brilliant scientist.

Sullivan continued to lean over the desk.

It that this woman could put you and me in her pocket at any time and we wouldn't even know it. She may have psyched her cousin into committing the murders. Vincent was somewhat retarded in his mental development, she may well have used him to murder her parents even as a six year-old child. I also don't think her cousin really killed himself in the castle. It was her! She orchestrated everything and gave us a believable story. Why would a man who has the mental level of a schoolchild kill himself?

The man had bitten off more than he could chew. For some reason that eluded him, the doctor truly believed that Julia was behind it all.

Doctor Sullivan, so far you have reported to me the results of psychological testing. It's all well and good, but that's not enough for even circumstantial evidence. Julia Walz has an IQ of one hundred and eighty? Perhaps she'll win a Nobel Prize for a breakthrough discovery some day. Or she'll becomes an executive or a writer and write bloody thrillers. But that is not yet proof. No one gets a warrant for arrest or forced admission to a psychiatric ward for this. I need facts, not assumptions.

Sullivan pressed his lips together.

But you can talk to her and convince her to get a voluntary examination. Julia Walz seems to be listening to you.

David laughed. This conversation was more than bizarre.

No, I won't do that.

Sullivan stood up. He stuck a thumb in one of the pocket openings of his vest and looked at him patronizingly.

Inspector, why would this woman be innocent? Just because she provided a whiny story about her childhood? This precise story can also justify the first murder, have you ever thought of that? But you don't seem to want to see it, or am I wrong? I'm just wondering why.

David felt the blood rush to his face. He stood up as well.

Doctor Sullivan, I would like to remind you that Harry Preston is under investigation for sexual battery of a ward. Although Julia Walz has decided not to press charges, the public prosecutor's office will continue to pursue the case. I would like to point out to you that you are very much being asked about this. Without your help, Harry Preston would never have been placed in this clinic. And that's even though you knew what Preston's criminal record was. So, now I can ask you: what are your interests in this case?

Sullivan gave him an angry look. At first, he seemed to want to say something. Then he dispensed with it, pressed his lips together even more forcefully than usual, turned around and walked with long strides to the exit. The door was slammed shut after a few seconds.

David sat down again and took a few deep breaths in and out. What the hell did Sullivan want anyway? Why was he so set on Julia? He propped his head in his hands. That was really exasperating! He would have noticed if there were something was wrong with Julia. They had been more or less living together for weeks. He had never had the impression that something could be wrong with her. She suffered from the consequences of the terrible events, but otherwise she was completely normal. Sullivan's thoughts were absurd, quite simply absurd.

He suddenly felt powerless and weak. All the evidence pointed to Vincent as the perpetrator and the case was actually closed, except for a few minor details. He never suspected that Sullivan would now launch a personal crusade against Julia.

The elation that had accompanied him for weeks, ever since Julia and he had discovered their love for each other, was gone.

He had to be afraid for her.

A damnable fear, if he was going to be honest.

***

The Underground train stopped at the platform opposite. The warm and fetid air blew into Julia's face and tangled her hair. She glanced behind her. The letter from Rothert had unsettled her. She had already turned around dozens of times to be certain that no one was following her. She would have preferred to take a cab, but that was currently too expensive for her. She was also reassured by the presence of the many other people. By now it was lunchtime and a large number of people were moving around London.

No one was paying attention to her; all the other people waiting on their crowded platform were looking towards the tunnel. Their train had to come soon. The display board above her head switched to 'Immediately'. The tracks began to vibrate and a hiss came from the underground passage. The crowd surged forward, simply swept along. An elbow dug into her ribs. That was incredible! Where had the fine English manners gone? She tried to push against it, but she had no chance, the pressure of the crowd was too strong. Under her shoes, she felt the grooves in the ground that marked the danger zone. Someone behind her was pushing her further forward. The tracks began to sing loudly, a wave of hot air blew across her face. The red front of the train had already appeared at the entrance of the tunnel. The pressure on her back increased abruptly. Suddenly, something bumped into her from behind with full force. She lost contact with the ground and fell forward. Suddenly, no one was standing in front of her.

Hey you, are you insane? The woman is falling down! someone shouted next to her.

Hold on!, the Dragon roared.

Julia flailed her arms. She couldn't take her eyes off the red training coming towards her. Two strong hands grabbed her arm and pulled her back. The train passed within inches of