Darkness of Her Soul

This novel contains:

1.) Strong language.

2.) Some graphic lesbian sex. (It’s not Erotica genre.)

3.) Graphic scenes on how the victims are murdered.

4.) It contains the words butch, dyke, and dildo.

If any of the above mentioned offend you, don't buy the book.

Dedication

Thanks to Marié who believed in me. She is still standing by me telling me to keep on writing no matter what.

Thank you everyone for purchasing and reading my titles.

E♥

Table of Content

Cautionary Advice from the Author

Dedication Page

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Also by Elle Anor

Elle Anor on the Web

About the Author

Chapter 1

Captain Laura Gooding’s face turned crimson when she read the article on the front page of the Daily News SA. She scrunched up the newspaper and hurled it into the corner of her office, missing the dustbin. She stood up and paced up and down in front of the window, while biting her lower lip. Oh, she could kill for a whiskey now.

She came to a standstill and threw her hands in the air, before she turned around to Detective Sergeant Kate Bloom, one of the detectives working on the case with her. How can I confirm we have a serial killer on the loose? It is only the second victim killed this way.

Kate picked the newspaper up from the floor and glanced over the main article. They’re always looking for a piece of sensational news, Cap. You shouldn’t get worked up like this.

Detective Dean Oliver entered the office with a newspaper in his hands. Jeez, can you believe it? He glanced at Laura. Cap, do you think this is the work of a serial killer?

She glared at him. Don’t you start, too? She moved in behind her desk and glanced at the two detectives before she sat down. Don’t you have a case to solve?

They glanced at each other and scurried out of the office.

Why is she so tense? Dean asked.

This is the second butch dyke to be murdered in two months. Wouldn’t you be tense if you were a dyke too? Kate replied.

Laura jumped up and stormed into the corridor. Would you stop using that word? I hate it. Call me lesbian or butch, but stop calling me a fucking dyke. She stepped back into her office and slammed the door shut.

With her strong manly face, short light-brown hair and men’s clothing, Laura Gooding was a butch lesbian indeed.

The police force had an issue with it before, but now everybody accepted her as one of the guys. She became the third gay women in charge of a police station in South Africa, and in 2010, she became the Captain in charge of The Reeds Police station.

The phone rang after she took a seat behind her desk. Captain Gooding, she answered. Her eyebrows rose. Tell me you have something, anything.

Fred Martins, head of the forensic lab in The Reeds, discovered another clue on evidence they found on the body and asked Laura to come down to the lab.

Thanks, I’ll be there in a few minutes.

Detective Sergeant Bloom and Detective Oliver were already there when she barged through the doors.

Fred nodded when she glanced at him.

He picked up a purple sex toy in plastic bag and held it out to her.

She grinned and shook her head. You’re very kind, but I’m not into that.

Fred’s face flushed when the lab filled with laughter. He couldn’t help to smile as well.

He silenced everyone, before he continued. Look here. The same words as on the previous one, but instead of the number zero, there’s a number seven written on it.

Laura took the sex toy from him and read aloud. She must be punished seven. She frowned when she gave it back to Fred. What the hell does it mean? She glanced at the two detectives, then back at the medical examiner. Did you find any DNA or fingerprints?

Nope, Cap. The killer either wears gloves or wipes everything clean, Kate said.

And the only DNA was the victim’s found on the sex toy, Dean remarked and glanced at Fred when he confirmed it with a nod.

Anything else? Laura asked.

The medical examiner shook his head. I’ll let you know as soon as we find something else. I will complete the report and bring it to you later.

She nodded and left the lab followed by her two colleagues.

***

Laura strolled into the living room with the pizza she ordered for dinner and switched on the TV. The second murder victim made news headlines, and she turned it off again.

With a slice of pizza in her hand, she entered the study and sat behind her desk. She glanced at the two case files and picked up the first victim’s file.

Ann Willer (56), a Councilwoman for the DA party in Centurion. Short spikey blonde hair and blue eyes. Last seen in a gay bar in The Reeds on Saturday January 19, 2013 according to her friends. Her naked body was found on a bed in the West Hotel, The Reeds by the cleaning staff the following day. The carotid artery, on the left side of her neck, was slit with a sharp object. In her left hand was a purple sex toy with the words – She must be punished 0 – written on it with a black marking pen. No DNA was found. No fingerprints, except those of the victim were found.

Laura put the file down and strolled to the liquor cabinet. She poured a whiskey and took a mouthful, before she sat down again to open the second victim’s file.

Elaine Scholtz (55), a Matron at Medi-Centre in Centurion. Short blonde hair and blue eyes. Last seen in a gay club in Centurion on Friday February 15, 2013 according to her friends. Her naked body was found on a bed in the Lucky Star Hotel, Centurion by the cleaning staff the following day. The carotid artery, on the left side of her neck, was slit with a sharp object. In her left hand was a purple sex toy with the words – She must be punished 7 – written on it with a black marking pen. The DNA of the victim was found on the sex toy. No fingerprints, except those of the victim were found.

She closed the file and stared in front of her. Why did the killer pick older blonde lesbians? Was it a woman taking revenge because her partner cheated on her? Perhaps it was a man taking revenge because his mother was gay.

She sighed and gulped down the last bit of whiskey in her glass before she headed off to her bedroom.

Chapter 2

Diane Stark had the same routine every day. Washing, dressing and feeding her mother before going to work at half past six in the morning.

Already dressed in her nurses’ uniform she sat in front of her mother. Mom, would you please swallow your food. I have to go to work.

The bag, her mother mumbled.

Yes, yes, I know I have to empty the urine bag. I have only two hands.

After she dumped the dirty dish in the kitchen basin, she went back into the room and emptied the urine bag. Are you satisfied now?

Mary glared at her daughter before she nodded.

Diane kissed her on the forehead and rushed off to work.

She popped in again at noon to give her mother something to eat and drink, and returned to work.

Diane was only seventeen when she started to take care of her mother. After matric, she qualified as a registered nurse and became Head of ICU in one of Pretoria’s finest private hospitals, the Deon Wasserman Memorial Hospital in The Willows.

Every morning after she received report from night staff, Diane started her rounds. She moved from bed to bed and spoke to every patient even those who were unconscious.

All of them connected to monitors, tubes and machines.

***

After Diane made supper, she entered her mother’s room with a plate of food. She pulled up a chair to sit down and glanced at her mother while feeding her. Do you remember it is Daddy’s birthday tomorrow?

Mary looked up and nodded.

Shall we bake him a cake?

Her mother shook her head. You’re a fool, she mumbled, drooling while glaring at her daughter.

Diane wiped the saliva off her mother’s chin and helped her into bed. She tucked her in and switched off the light.

After tidying the kitchen, she headed up to her room.

She yawned and stretched her arms above her head. It was still early, but she crawled into bed anyway and while staring at the ceiling she fell asleep.

A loud noise woke her.

She glanced at the clock radio. It was quarter past twelve. She jumped out of bed and rushed downstairs to her mother’s room where she found her on the floor. For god sake Mom, what did you do? Look at your head, it’s bleeding.

You… didn’t hear me, Mary mumbled.

Diane rushed up to her room and grabbed the first aid kit. She hurried back to her mother and stopped the bleeding from the gaping wound on her forehead.

With a struggle, she picked her up from the floor onto the bed. She inspected the wound to see how deep the cut was.

Mary jerked her head aside. You’re hurting me.

Hold still, I have to stitch you up. She injected lignocaine around the wound and waited ten minutes before she put the sutures in.

Thereafter she gave her mother a drink of water and reprimanded her to lie still in bed.

***

Diane straightened her strapless tight-fitting sequins dress before she left her room and headed off to her mother’s bedroom. The door squeaked when she pushed it ajar and peeped into the room. I won’t be here tonight. She paced towards the front door and before she opened it, she returned to her mother. Don’t fall out of bed again. Please.

Mary glared at her daughter without saying a word.

She walked back to the front door, grabbed her car keys and hurried out to the garage.

Thirty minutes later, she arrived at the Dungeon gay bar in Waverley. She parked in the alley and checked her hair and make-up in the rearview mirror before she got out.

Heads turned when she walked into the bar.

Diane was a beautiful woman. The tight dress she wore showed off her slim figure and huge breasts. Her reddish brown hair covered her bare shoulders.

She sat down at the counter and ordered a cocktail.

"I’m sorry you will have to explain to me how to make a Fallen Angel. I’m not so good with mixing cocktails."

Diane smiled the barman. Advocaat, cherry brandy and top it all up with lemonade.

He nodded and turned away to whip it up.

She turned around in her chair while she waited for her drink. Her emerald-green eyes gazed at everyone in the bar. No one fancied her and she turned back to check on the barman.

He put the cocktail in front of her. I will remember this next time you show up here.

She smiled at him knowing there wouldn’t be a next time. She took a sip of her drink before she turned around again.

A blonde butch woman entered and strolled up to the counter. She took a seat next to Diane while glancing at her. Wow! Who is this gorgeous lady? she asked.

Hi, I’m Jenny, Diane replied. Can I buy you a drink?

No lady buys me a drink. Let me rather buy you one. I’m Dee please to meet you.

Diane ordered another cocktail and again she had to tell the barman how to make a Chivas Manhattan.

After they received their drinks, Dee took her by the arm and led her to a small table in the corner of the bar.

The two women laughed and enjoyed each other’s company.

Two cocktails later Diane whispered in her ear. Dee’s face lit up. She grabbed her drink and finished it.

The two of them left the bar and strolled down the dark alley towards the black Fiat.

Give me the keys, I’ll drive, she demanded.

Diane scoffed at her. You don’t know where I want to take you.

She drove through the quiet back roads until they reached the Waverley Hotel and parked in the alley. She turned to Dee. I’ll wait here. Book us a room and come and get me when you’re done. She threw her arms around the woman’s neck and kissed her passionately before she pushed her away.

Dee gaped at her and sighed before she jumped out of the car.

Ten minutes later, she returned with the key dangling from her finger. Come with me gorgeous. Room’s ready.

They took the elevator up to the second floor.

Dee undressed before she hopped onto the bed. Come here. She held out her hands. I can’t wait to feel that gorgeous body of yours.

Diane raised her hand. Wait, I’ll be with you in a minute. She rushed to the bathroom and locked the door.

When she glanced at the mirror, it was not her image reflecting but that of a little girl with tears running down her cheeks. Diane moved closer. Hush, my darling. I’m doing it for you, she whispered. She brushed her fingertips over the mirror and shut her eyes. When she opened them, her naked body reflected in the mirror, the little girl gone.

She turned the key to unlock the bathroom door and whispered before she exited. For you, Daddy.

Chapter 3

Kate phoned Laura after she and Detective Oliver arrived at the crime scene at the Waverley Hotel. Cap, it’s the same as the previous two. The only thing different is the number next to the sentence on the sex toy. She shook her head. No, Cap that’s all I could find out. They don’t want us in there because it doesn’t falls under our jurisdiction. She ended the call and turned back to her partner. Cap is on her way to Waverley police station. We just have to hang tight.

Dean nodded and continued with a conversation he had with one of the female constables.

While pacing up and down Kate noticed the white van of Waverly forensics lab stopping in front of the hotel and rushed over to them. Excuse me, but you can’t take the body. It’s ours, I mean The Reeds forensics will collect her, I’m just waiting to hear from my captain.

The medical examiner glanced at her, then at his partner before he scoffed at her. Sorry Detective, I’ve already received orders from Captain Brooks. Take it up with him.

The two men strolled to the back of the van, took out the stretcher and wheeled it into the building.

Kate took out her cell phone and stared at it as if she wanted to make it ring. She sighed and paced up and down again.

***

Laura arrived at the Waverley police station and marched to the Captain in charge’s office. He invited her in after she knocked, but didn’t sit down when he offered her a seat.

She crossed her arms and pushed her hip against his desk. Captain Brooks, I understand how this works, but can’t you see we probably have a serial killer on our hands.

No need for you to raise your voice, Captain Gooding. The crime happened in my area. The body stays here.

Laura raised her hands before she explained again. She convinced him after a while and almost sighed aloud after he agreed.

Captain Brooks picked up the phone and arranged for the releasing of the victim’s body.

She rushed back to her car and phoned Fred before she made a call to her sergeant waiting at the crime scene. You and Dean can go in. It’s been arranged. She rolled her eyes. Calm down, I know they took the body but Fred will collect it as well as the evidence from Waverley. Go in and sweep for more evidence, I’ll send help. She exhaled loudly after she ended the call and drove back to The Reeds police station.

A reporter stood in front of her office and rushed up to her when she approached.

Captain, Captain Brookes sent me here. I’m from the Daily –

She held up her hands. Don’t waste your breath. I’m not going to give you a statement before we notified the victim’s family. So, take your little notebook and pencil, and fuck off.

The reporter raised his eyebrows while a smile formed in the corner of his mouth. People told me you were one foul mouth police woman. I’m not scared off that easily, Captain.

She walked past him to her office and glanced over her shoulder. You can have your interview tomorrow.

Thanks, Captain. See you tomorrow morning at eight.

She glanced back at him and snorted when she unlocked the door.

He smiled while trotting down the corridor to exit. Rude people and bad language never bothered Manny Brown. If he wanted a story for his paper, he would get it no matter what.

***

Laura shook her head while driving to work Wednesday morning. Posters broadcasted news headlines on every lamppost.

Lesbian killer on the loose!

She bought a newspaper from a paperboy at the next traffic light. Curious to read the article she stopped on the side of the road.

‘Captain Gooding confirmed a rumor, Tuesday morning in her office at The Reeds’ police station, where she is in charge. We have a serial killer on the loose. The killer is targeting butch dykes –’

She stopped reading, chucked the newspaper on the seat next to her and drove off. How could Manny quote her like that, she hated that word and never used it in the interview.

She arrived at the police station and slammed the car door after she got out.

Kate stood in front of her office and glanced at her captain marching down the corridor. The look on your face tells me you saw the article in the paper?

Laura nodded while unlocking the door. She collapsed into her chair and stared at the file in Kate’s hand. What’s that?

Fred brought the full report on the third victim. You weren’t here yet so he dropped it off with me. She gave the file to her and glanced at her captain’s flushed face. I’ll bring you some strong black coffee… It seems as if you need it, Cap.

A damn whiskey is what I need. She opened the file and read it.

Deidre (Dee) Smith (55), the CEO of Corporate Wear in Sandton. Short, blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen in a gay bar, in Waverley, on Saturday March 30, 2013, according to her friends. Her naked body was found on a bed in the Waverley Hotel, Waverley by the cleaning staff the following day. The carotid artery, on the left side of her neck, was slit with a sharp object. In her left hand was a purple sex toy with the words – She must be punished 6 – written on it with a black marking pen. No DNA was found. No fingerprints, except those of the victim, were found.

Kate returned and put a mug of coffee on the desk. Are you okay Cap, you look pale?

Laura bit on her lip before she gave orders. I want results and I want it fast. Go to the bars and clubs where the victims were last seen. Get information, Kate. We can’t let another one be killed.

We did question everyone, Cap. No one can remember a thing.

Sergeant, do you want me to do your work for you? Go back and ask the same questions again and again!

Kate paced out of the office and turned around when Laura called her back.

Even if you have to go to these clubs and bars at night. Do it.

***

Friday nights at the Dungeon in Waverley, were always busy,