The Red Light Girls (Unsolved Mysteries Book 2), Kim Knight [old books to read TXT] 📗

“Okay, can I get you anything to drink?” Madeline asked.

“I’ll take a coffee, thanks.”

“How do you take it?”

“Black, one sugar. Thanks.”

Madeline headed into the kitchen and started the kettle. In the background, the local news was on the television.

“Breaking news,” the presenter announced. “This is just in…”

Madeline snapped her head up. As a journalist herself, ‘breaking news’ was music to her ears. Pouring hot water into the coffee mugs, she listened.

“The police have just confirmed the body of a woman has been found in the Amsterdamse Bos woodland area,” the female reporter announced.

“Oh my, God!” Madeline yelled and dropped the spoon. She left the kitchen, then headed toward to small television in the living room to turn up the volume.

“Is everything okay?” Chris called out from the bathroom.

Madeline didn’t respond. She focused on the pretty Scandinavian looking news reporter. In the background, she heard the clank of tools, then the squish of Chris’ heavy work boots as he made his way toward the living room.

“The body was found by a dog walker last night,” the reporter continued. “The woman in her thirties has been identified as one of the working girls from the Red Light District area. Please stay tuned for further details.”

“Jesus, not another one.” Madeline glanced at Chris. She noticed his eyebrows were raised toward the screen.

“Man, this is getting serious, huh?”

“You’re telling me, I don’t like it one bit.”

The reporter moved to a weather report, and Madeline reached for the remote to turn the volume down.

“This is the second body in a week. It’s scary.”

“Tell me about it.” Chris headed back to the bathroom. “But they’ll find whoever it is,” he called over his shoulder.

Madeline frowned at his back.

Easy for you to say, she thought. It’s not like men are dropping dead all over the city. She got to her feet.

“I sure hope so,” she whispered to herself. “I don’t think I can take much more of this.” She made her way to the kitchen.

Once the coffee was made, Madeline headed to the bathroom.

“Here you go.” She sat the mug on the vanity.

“Thanks.” He continued to work on the pipe in the shower.

She lingered in the doorway for a few minutes, then left him to work in peace. In the living room, she slid onto a chair, laptop in front of her. Palming the mug, she warmed her hands.

That was another peeve about her flat. It was freezing and not well insulated.

It was well after 3.00, and she had done what work she could from home. The breaking news report about the girl’s murder replayed on her mind.

She closed down the article she was writing, then pulled up the details of the last few murdered victims in a new report.

In the background, Chris banged and knocked around in the bathroom.

Into a Google search field, she typed, ‘missing and dead women in Amsterdam.’ Within seconds, a list of cases still unsolved, popped up.

As she read, she noted that women had gone missing, or had shown up dead around the city in large numbers—most recently, the bulk of them, over the past six months.

Madeline clicked on the first link and read through the article by a Dutch newspaper. It was a call for witnesses or information regarding Ana De Jog’s disappearance.

Wow. She’s been missing for over eight months, she thought.

Leaning back in her chair she took a deep breath.

A loud bang, coming from the bathroom, made her jump.

“Chris,” she called out. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Sorry about that. I’m nearly done.”

Madeline craned her neck toward the bathroom, she couldn’t see anything. All she heard was loud banging noises. Water chugged through the old pipes.

Turning her attention back to her screen, she continued reading about Ana De Jog. She scanned the article and pulled out a pen to make some notes.

Hmm. Seems Ana’s friend and co-worker last saw her when she left work at the club. She penned the information down. But she never made it home or into work the next day.

The next case she pulled up was Lotte Van De Berg’s. Her body was found in a dustbin behind a café in Dam Square—a month after Ana’s disappearance. Lotte had also been known as a ‘window girl’ around the city. Shortly after Lotte’s body turned up, Fenna Bakker was last seen talking to a man in Dam Square, and hasn’t been seen since.

Zoe Van Dyk is also still missing.

Her eyes widened, it appeared to her that possibility, a maniac was on the loose in the city she had just relocated to.

Madeline clicked through the Google search.

“Holy shit,” she mumbled.

She read an official Dutch police statement. It confirmed Tess Van Dijik was reported missing just two weeks ago, the case was ongoing and still unsolved.

“Damn.”

Clicking out of Tess’ case, she pulled up the report on the news that broke this afternoon. She read over the article, disappointed the Politie still haven’t disclosed the woman’s name.

“Looks like we’re done,” Chris called out.

“Cool. That’s great, thanks.”

Madeline left her laptop and research to move over to where Chris stood in the bathroom. The sound of running water put a smile on her face.

“I descaled the shower for you too,” Chris said. “That should make the water pressure a lot better.

“You’re amazing! Thanks. Finally, a decent shower.” Madeline giggled.

“No worries, my pleasure.”

As Chris bent down to pack away his tools, Madeline watched him closely while he organised himself.

“How about another coffee before you go?” she asked spontaneously.

Chris glanced at his watch. “Sure, why not. I’ve got about forty minutes to spare.”

“I’ll meet you in the living room with a fresh cup.”

Madeline picked up Chris’ empty mug from the sink to refill it, then left him to gather his work tools.

Inside the kitchen, she grabbed some more hot water, making a cup for each of them.

“It’s a real shame about these murders and missing women, don’t you think?” Madeline called over her shoulder.

She set the refilled cups on the table: one for her and the other for Chris.

“Sure is,” his voice sounded.

Behind her Madeline heard