Girls Of The Dark by Katherine Pathak Read Free Book Online

probably know, Jamaica lies within the hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean. The island has suffered from severe storm damage over the years. In 1955, Hurricanes Charlie and Gilbert hit the island directly, causing terrible damage and many deaths. Near to Montego Bay is a rocky configuration of low-lying cliffs and coves.
                  A group of young women were fishing from the beach there in ’55, when the worst of the hurricane struck. They must have sought shelter in one of the caves. Local villagers discovered them the next day. All the girls were drowned, their bodies left washed up in the dark cave. The whole area was in mourning for weeks.’
                  ‘Calvin would only have been five years old when it happened.’
                  ‘Yes, but the story was probably passed down through the years, perhaps becoming more gruesome with each telling. For a young impressionable boy, it could have left an indelible mark.’
                  Dani frowned. ‘I still think it’s a stretch. We’ve no idea how well Calvin knew the story of what happened to those girls. The murders in Ayrshire were of an entirely different nature.’ She ran a hand through her dark hair. ‘Everything in this case appears to be circumstantial. It’s hard to pinpoint any solid evidence one way or the other.’
                  Rhodri nodded. ‘But in my world, there are no absolute truths. It’s amazing what apparently trivial events can leave a powerful imprint on a young mind. It might be that there was another, more violent and sexual motive for the killings, but in the method of disposal, the story of those girls in the dark cave, at the mercy of the Atlantic, had given Calvin the seed of an idea.’
                  Dani shuddered. ‘And the man gets out tomorrow?’
                  ‘Yes. In fact, I shall be there at Garwood Park to greet him myself. The gate will be opened at three.’              

Chapter 10
     
     
     
    ‘T hanks for coming with me,’ Alice said awkwardly.
                  ‘Not a problem. I’m as unhappy with the situation as you are.’ Andy slipped on his Ray Bans, as the late autumn sun bathed their faces in brilliant gold.
                  ‘We’re doing this in our own time. I can’t see how the DCI can be upset about it.’
                  ‘It’s not Bevan we should be worried about - it’s DCS Douglas.’
                  ‘Either way, we aren’t really doing anything wrong.’
                  Andy Calder could understand her reluctance to keep digging into the Lisa Abbot investigation. Alice had much more to lose than him. He’d heard on the grapevine that she wanted to go for DI in the next round of exams. The woman had only been a DS for a couple of months. Talk about fast stream promotion.
                  The pair approached the front door of the unassuming house in Anniesland. It was still sealed off with tape. Andy stepped over the garden wall and pressed on the neighbour’s bell.
                  A small, neatly dressed woman in her mid-sixties opened up.
                  Alice held aloft her warrant card. ‘We’re from the Glasgow Division, madam. Would it be possible to come in and have a chat?’
                  The lady shuffled backwards. ‘I suppose so. But I’ve already spoken with an officer, several days ago now.’
                  ‘That’s okay. We’re just making sure that nothing’s been missed.’
                  The woman led them into a narrow sitting room at the back. Andy noted how similar it was to the Kerrs’ place. It made him shiver at the memory.
                  ‘I’m Kath.’ She held out a veiny hand. ‘Janet was a good friend of mine. I’d like to help. Any news on when we might be able to hold the