Mother Knows Best (Novella): A Psychological Thriller Novella Read Online Free

Grundy?”
    “Yeah, old Bill Grundy. Do you know him?”
    “I did—he died last year. I used to run errands for him as a kid.”
    “What a small world. I worked with him at the steelworks. He was my supervisor and mentor. I owe a lot of my skills to him.”
    “He never told me what he did for a living. He had been retired for as far back as I can remember. A lovely man though—always told lots of stories.”
    “He did that—he had a tough life—his wife died of lung cancer when his two kiddies were no more than knee high,” he said.
    “Really? I never heard about that.”
    “I have something here—look at this.” Steve jumped off his chair and opened a cupboard door above the sink. All of a sudden, several trays and tins toppled out and fell to the floor, each one hitting him on the way down.
    Ruby wasn’t sure if it was surprise from the noise or delayed shock from the evening’s events, but she came over all woozy.
    Cody burst through the door as if ready for a fight—then stopped—relief flooding his face. He said something to Ruby then laughed, but she couldn’t focus. What the hell was wrong with her?
    She tried to get to her feet just as the kitchen floor fell away.
     
    ***
     
    Her head thudded. She tried to open her eyes, but couldn’t. She couldn’t move at all.
    She heard voices, but not the words. Her limbs had a heaviness she’d never experienced before—her eyelids too.
    She eventually managed to open her eyes, but the stark white light-bulb above her head blinded her.
    After a few moments her eyes adjusted to the light. Still thick-headed and confused, she tried to make sense of the cold whitewashed breezeblocks and the boarded up window. She still couldn’t move, but this time, she realised why. Her hands and feet had been tied.
    Sheer terror flooded her system and her screams filled the silence.

 
    Chapter 6
    “She’s awake. Have you decided what we’re gonna do?” Cody’s dad said.
    “Yes. We need to go back into town in two vehicles.” Cody held up Ruby’s keys and phone. “I’ll sort it.”
    “I can’t go out—there’s Kyle to think about and not to mention ...”
    “It’s just a car-ride, Dad. You won’t have to do anything else, I promise, and you’ll be back before you know it.”
    “But what will you do? Once she’s reported missing your name will be given to the police.”
    “I’ll go to Jed’s bar and make sure I’m seen by everyone. Then I’ll go back to my flat—there’s always a load of people there on Friday night, so at least I’ll have an alibi.”
    “Don’t come back here until it’s sorted—the last thing we need is for the police to follow you.”
    “What do you think I am? An idiot? Course I won’t lead anyone back here, but you’ve got to promise you won’t touch her ‘til I get back. Swear to me, Dad—not one finger, you hear me?”
    “Loud and clear.”
    “And do you swear? She’s mine first—I found her—them’s the rules.”
    “Right! Stop fucking moaning.”
    Cody gripped the back of his dad’s t-shirt and yanked him back, pushing his arm into the older man’s throat. “I’m serious,” he snarled.
    His dad gulped and pushed at Cody’s arm. “Alright, son—knock it off.”
    Cody released him. “Anyway, you still didn’t tell me what you think of her?”
    His dad nodded, brushing himself down. “Aye—you done good, son.”
    “She’s perfect,” Cody said, rubbing at his crotch. He had a good mind to go in there now and give her what for—but he couldn’t—the first time had to be slow, so he could savour every second. No, he’d waited this long, another couple of days wouldn’t make any difference. “Get Kyle to keep an eye on her while we’re gone—I’ll check she’s properly tied—we don’t want her to escape like the last one.”
    His father went inside the house and Cody into the garage.
    Ruby twisted her whole body as he entered—her eyes reminiscent of a wild animal caught in a