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

the tram ride back home she fought the urge to cry. Fuckin’ two-timing prick.

As the train pulled into her stop, she switched off the phone and headed to the exit.

Whatever, Chris, I’m done, she thought as she made her way home.

After a short walk she, took the steps two at a time to her flat, slid the key into the lock, opened the door, and then slammed it so hard, the single glazed windows shook from the impact.

She took a deep cleansing breath, kicked off her boots, then flopped on the sofa.

Men who needs them! Just focus on work.

Later that evening, Madeline sprawled out on her sofa, watching a Dutch comedy show, eating ice cream.

Her phone range twice, and she glanced down at the unknown number.

“Hello.” She spooned another bite of cookies and cream ice cream.

“Hi, this is Stacey.”

“Stacey who?”

“Don’t play dumb, Chris’ girlfriend, who else. We need to talk.”

Madeline rolled her eyes. “I don’t have anything to say. I had no idea he had a girlfriend. In fact, he offered to meet up with me.”

“Yeah, I know. You’ve been in contact. He leaves his phone unlocked. But I didn’t know you two had a date today. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you need to back off.”

“Back off? You really think I’m interested in some two-timing low life. Love, you’re welcome to him.”

“So, are you one of the girls he met online too?”

“What? No, why?”

“Just asking. Anyway, like I said, back off. He’s my daddy, okay.”

“What the actual fuck are you talking about? You think—”

“Just back off okay, or else,” Stacey warned, then ended the call.

What the holy fuck?

She shook her head, still trying to process the conversation.

He’s got some nerve. I’ll give him that. She was really put off that Chris had the cheek to cheat on his so-called girlfriend.

He made me the other woman.

She seethed with anger, and it didn’t help that Stacey had the nerve to warn her off. It’s not as if she wants him after this stunt.

Daddy. She had called Chris, “her Daddy.” I’m a grown-ass woman. I don’t need a man to support me, and I most definingly don’t need a so-called Daddy.

Madeline chewed on the words from the conversation, as well as a swirling flood of thoughts about the ongoing murder cases. She set the phone next to her, and a chill ran up her spine, making the hairs on her neck stand on end. Sitting up straight, she glanced at the screen.

Why’d she ask if I found him on line. All the prior emails from before flooded her mind.

Panic moved through her, causing her to jump to her feet.

Feeling naked and vulnerable, she ran to the window facing the main road. Hands on the blinds, she peeked out. Her eyes darted up and down the street, looking for the police presence that Janssen had told her would be there.

Damn, I should have asked who to look out for.

She closed the blind, turned around, and her gaze landed on the hallway.

Slowly, she made her way through the small living area and entered it. In a flash, she made her way to the door and double checked it was locked. Turned around, she pressed her back against the door.

A frown tugged at her lips, the penny had just dropped, so to speak.

He’s my Daddy, Stacey had said. What’s that all about? She pondered why the woman referred to Chis as ‘her Daddy.’

25

Sleepless Night

Madeline Sloane

The next morning, Madeline woke feeling groggy. Barely able to sleep last night, she tossed and turned in bed, and her mind raced.

Paranoia had set in over the received emails, the missing girls, and the newfound worry that she could be next. Not to mention, her little conversation last night.

He’s my Daddy, Stacey’s words hit her. They really left her with an unsettled feeling. What hell does she mean? My daddy?

She looked up at the cracks in the ceiling above her bed, counting them for the hundredth time.

Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, it was only eight.

Oh, my God. Can’t sleep.

Madeline threw the covers off, then headed to the living room.

At the front door, she glanced around the drab space, unimpressed.

Damn. It’s Sunday morning, regardless, she opened her laptop and pulled up her work email.

Phew. No new threatening messages!

She glanced over the mail that had come in since she left work on Friday.

Ten more responses to the appeal published the week before, sat waiting in her inbox. All of them from women who thought they had information or had used the Sugar Daddies website and now wanted to come forward.

Nervously, she clicked on the email she had opened last week and read through it once more.

Oh my God, she has a date!

Madeline panicked at the response from one of the women she had been in contact with. She pulled up the email sent last week to the woman who confirmed she had a date with one of the sugar daddies.

How did I forget about this? Her heart hammered in her chest.

Hi Ma’am,

I’ve used that site. I am still using it now and I’ve made arrangements to meet a man for dinner. I work in Dam Square I’m one of the window girls please don’t judge me I need to change my life!

Thanks,

Lucy Hanssen

Lucy never responded to the email she had sent to follow up with what she had disclosed about the date.

Madeline picked up the phone and dialled the contact number the woman gave, but the call didn’t go through.

“Shit.” She slid the phone across the table, looking at it as if it would strike her like a pit viper.

I gotta do something. She snatched it back up and dialled Detective Janssen’s number.

“Hello,” Janssen’s groggy voice answered. “This better be good.”

“Detective, it’s Madeline.”

“In that case, it better be really good.”

“I was just going through my emails.” The more she spoke, the faster the words fell out of her mouth. “A woman, Lucy I think, responded to the article I wrote