The Red Light Girls (Unsolved Mysteries Book 2) by Kim Knight (most romantic novels TXT) 📗

to do was kick himself.

“What about you?” She glanced up from her food and held his gaze. “No girlfriend?”

“If I had one, I’d not be here trying to get to know the beautiful woman in front of me.” Chris smiled.

Madeline chuckled again at his response, then shyly moved her eyes away from his.

Two hours later, Chris and Madeline stood face-to-face outside her building.

“I had a wonderful time, Chris.” Madeline broke the ice. “Thanks for dinner.”

“You’re welcome. Me too.”

A light rain started to fall. Madeline glanced up at the dark sky, then back over at Chris.

“I better get inside. Thanks again.” Madeline tiptoed and placed a light kiss on Chris’ cheek, which made him flush.

He had hoped for more, but he’d take it. At least it’s something.

“No problem. What’s your plans this weekend?” He hoped she’d see him again.

“Nothing much, TV dinners, more research, write a few articles the usual really.”

“Let’s go for lunch or coffee tomorrow, if you want?”

Chris noticed Madeline shift from one foot to the other, then look up and down the empty road before she met his gaze. He held his breath in anticipation.

“Okay, coffee sounds good,” Madeline finally said.

“Great.” Relief washed over him. “I’ll meet you outside Amsterdam Centraal at about one tomorrow.” He felt a warmth travel up his neck, flushing his skin. “How’s that?”

“Perfect, I’ll see you then. Good night.”

21

Do the Math

Madeline Sloane

The next morning, Madeline, hard at work, kept her fingers on the keys of her laptop, typing away. Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen.

Hmm. It’s an unknown number. She took note.

“Hello.”

“Madeline, it’s Detective Janssen.”

“Oh, hi, what can I do for you Detective?”

“Late yesterday evening, we did some work on your computer.”

“And?”

“Those emails you received were sent from a blocked IP address. My tech guys said this person’s not an amateur. They think they’re a computer geek because they seem to know what they’re doing.”

“Damn. So, there’s no way to trace it?”

“Exactly. But that’s not all. We’re still monitoring your account. And another email came in this morning.”

“What did it say? I’ve not logged into my work email yet?”

“Basically, it’s warning you to stay away.” She paused a moment. “Otherwise, you’ll be next.”

“What? Why me?”

“And to make matters worse, another body was found during the early hours of this morning.”

“Shit! You’re kidding me.” Madeline got to her feet and started to pace her living room.

Instinctively, she headed to the front door and locked it.

“Who was the girl?” Madeline moved back to the living room, and her eyes darted around the room in panic.

“We’ve not put out a statement yet, so keep this to yourself. Another female was found in the Amsterdamse Bos woodland area.”

“Do you know her name?”

“I can’t give you that information. A police report will be announced through the media this weekend.” Detective Janssen paused and breathed heavily down the line. “Do you remember anything else. Something from anyone you spoke to at the district clubs the other night?”

“Nope, I gave you everything.”

“Okay, well, stay safe. We’ll continue to receive all the emails you get in your inbox. If anything else comes up outside of this, get in contact, okay.”

“Sure, thanks.” She felt both numb and frightened. “Detective, you’ve got to close this case. These girls can’t keep being targeted like this.”

“I know. Don’t worry, Madeline, we will. You just stay safe and enjoy your weekend. I’ve organised some surveillance of your home.”

“Wow. Is that really necessary. Do you—”

“Madeline, you want the police to take this seriously, right?”

“Of course, I do.”

What kind of question is that?

“Well, this is part of the process.”

“Do I need to send you my address?”

“No. We already have it.”

“What? How?”

“That information comes with the territory.”

“Oh,” was all she could think of to say in response.

“Call if you think of anything, or if you need something.”

At the sound of the dial tone, she stood in the middle of the room, trying to digest the detective’s words.

Madeline’s attention then went back to her computer screen and the research she was in the middle of. It hadn’t turn up much on the missing or dead Red Light Girls.

Disappointed, she headed back over to the table, closed the device and sighed.

I’m better off heading down to the clubs to see what else I can find out. She sighed, then checked the time. Oh shit, Chris. I’m due to meet in him in an hour.

She pulled out her phone and dialled his number.

“Hey, Madeline.” Chris answered on the first ring.

“Hey,” she replied. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. I can’t wait to see you. We still on for this afternoon?” An awkward pause followed. “You’re not calling to cancel on me, are you?”

Madeline could sense the disappointment in his voice. She bit down on her lip, contemplating her words for a second.

“About that, Chris, uhm, something’s come up. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, I see.” Chris sighed down the line. “So, what’s up? Why do I get the feeling you’re pulling away from me?”

“No. It’s not like that. I, well—”

“Look, if you don’t like me, or don’t want to date anymore,” he said. “Just say it. It’s better to be upfront with these things.”

“It’s not that at all.”

“Then what?”

“I probably should wait until it’s announced on the news but…” Madeline paused again and looked around her in disbelief. “Janssen called again. Another body turned up.”

“What? When?”

“I don’t know, exactly. But sometime in the last twenty-four hours.”

“Where did they find her?”

“Janssen didn’t say much.”

“So, why can’t we meet this afternoon? What does this have to do with our date?”

“Well, I want to head down to the District, and see what else I can find out about these girls.”

“Oh! Miss Detective, right. So, you’re Janssen’s right hand girl now, huh?” Chris teased. “Is that how it is?”

“Stop it, Chris. This is serious stuff,” Madeline yelled down the line. “And I’m getting threatening emails. Another one came through this morning from what Janssen said.” She felt herself spiralling out of control. “I could be next. So, I need to do what I can!”

“Oh, shit.