STRANGE BODIES (a gripping crime thriller) Read Online Free PDF Page A

wearing rings, watch, gold bracelet … and I think I recognise that ring on her right hand.’
    Jacobsen picked his way around the other side and squinted up, ‘He’s still wearing a watch, an antique, by my guess, gold wedding ring and a heavy gold dress ring. I think you’re right, Holly. And their hands look black … can’t quite make it out. Their feet are black too.’
    ‘Looks like that rope was slung over the tree, then they’d have tied them together … see the ropes, or is it some sort of tape? I can’t make it out from here. You can see the deep scoring on the branch … they must have brought the rope around the tree beside it and hauled them up, then did a few rounds on that other tree and tied it off. A lot of strength needed.’ He continued.
    ‘Maybe they tied the rope to their vehicle and used it to hoist them up,’ suggested Marino. ‘That’d be the easiest way to get them up.’
    ‘We’ll leave that to the forensic team.’ Jacobsen said. ‘Let’s go back. Those bloody flies are driving me nuts and there’s nothing more we can do here for now.’

Interlude
    He watches the vid on his giant wallscreen, not for the first time, never tiring of the scenes of torture, the savage violation of their bodies and the almost orgasmic pleasure it gave him to leave the treacherous pair dangling. And almost as good was the control he had over his accomplice, now as deeply committed to the cause as he.
     
    ‘Grab that rope. No, the thin one. Toss it over. Now give me a hand to lift them.’
    ‘How do we do this?’
    ‘We tie them together first then hoist them up there.’ He points to the sturdy branch of a fig tree.
    ‘Up there. How the hell…?’
    ‘Shut the fuck up, for God sake, I can’t think with you blathering on. I’ll roll them … get her arms around him then tie them as tight as possible. Now do the same with his.’
    ‘This rope’s too long.’
    ‘Use a bloody knife to cut it, idiot … in the toolbox.’
    ‘What about their jewellery? It must be worth millions.’
    ‘We don’t need it; we don’t touch it. It’s dangerous. Those watches are all numbered and custom-made. That ring … the stone’s famous.’
    ‘Can’t we at least take …?’
    ‘No, no, and no.’
    ‘We don’t have to sell them. What about the gold ring?’
    ‘I said no, and I mean no. You’ll be able to buy as many bits of gaudy glitter as you want once this is over. Let me check those ropes. Good ... that’s tight enough. Here, take the rest of that rope. Now hold their legs together while I tie the ankles. … No, no, can’t you do anything right?.’
    ‘Is this okay?’
    ‘Good enough. Now give me that plastic bag.’
    ‘What are you going to do with their tongues?’
     
    He switches it off at that point, best to savour the rest later. It is all the incentive he needs to keep going, to fulfil his destiny, to keep the promises he made.

Chapter 7
    They made their way back to the small clearing, stripped off the suits and packed them away. Vaughan grabbed a container and took a few steps down to the little creek to scoop up some water. They all dipped their hands in turn and splashed some on their faces.
    ‘Now, let’s see what we’ve got. One of you like to tell me who you think they are?’ said Jacobsen. ‘Just to confirm my gut feeling.’
    ‘A Mis Pers bulletin came through yesterday about a missing couple, a rich guy called Gerald Richardson and wife, Roberta. They own day-spas,’ said Marino. ‘Their housekeeper called in on Saturday when the couple didn’t come home after some charity do last Friday night. They told her to ring back if they hadn’t turned up by Monday. So she did.’
    Holly Vaughan cut in. ‘And that massive diamond she’s still wearing is called the Ice Queen . It was featured in Circe magazine a few weeks ago. Apparently it’s got a history.’
    ‘Is this relevant, Holly?’ asked Jacobsen, frowning.
    ‘It may confirm their ID, sir. I read that they