Behind A Twisted Smile (Dark Minds Book 2) by Faith Mortimer

assess the damage. I decided to ring Neville, my landlord, and get him to give me the number of his decorator, David. He would do a far better job than I and in less time. I had to get it removed as soon as possible, as it was distressing.
    Neville was sympathetic as well as outraged that someone could do such a thing. He sent David round, who agreed to start removing the offensive paint that day.
    I wasn’t going to mention it to any of my family or Jon because I felt so humiliated. I cringed when I left the flat for work that day, wondering what my neighbours must have been thinking. I decided to return as late as possible, thankful that dusk fell early in autumn.
    The post always arrived late morning at my workplace, and it was usually mostly junk mail. That day, I received a couple of bills from suppliers of my essential oils and a third envelope, unstamped and with my name and address displayed in the little cellophane window. Ms M Waterford…
    I assumed it to be a cheque from a client and eased the slit on the back. Inside, I found a single sheet of paper and instead of a cheque a message.
    I enjoyed seeing you cry
    I gasped and felt my heart hammer against my rib cage. What? Who? I immediately guessed who had sent it. It had to have been Martyn. Surely, he had sent the other message on my mobile...now this.
    I didn’t know what to do. If I confronted him, he would deny it and was just as likely to complain to Evie and possibly my mother. If I went to the police, I had no proof. Would they interview him?
    I sat down heavily in a chair. What about fingerprints on the paper and envelope? I’d deleted the phone message ages ago.
    I dithered as I made up my mind. Mum and Evie were out of the question. I didn’t know Jon well enough, and I didn’t want him thinking I was a fruit cake and frighten him off. That left Faye. We had known and trusted each other since junior school.
    It was all so bizarre. I couldn’t believe a person could do such awful things to another. Every fibre of my body shook with anger, but at the same time, at least, I didn’t feel afraid. It was a small mercy, I suppose.
    ***
    “Are you sure?” she asked.
    I thought for a few seconds. “It has to be Martyn. First the text message, now this. I told you he was a creep.”
    “Yes, but this is horrible if true. The phone call…well, he might just have been trying to get back at you in some weird way, but graffiti and dog mess? Yuk. You’ll have to do something.”
    “But what?” I wailed. “I can’t confront him—he’ll deny it.”
    “Then your only option is the police.”
    “I’ve tried that. It’s ridiculous. I don’t want him, you know. Evie’s welcome to him.”
    “I shouldn’t think he wants you if he’s done all this. Anyway, he’s engaged to Evie now, so you’re out of the picture. Are you sure you haven’t upset anyone else?”
    “Absolutely. No, I’m telling you, it’s Martyn. There must be something wrong with him. I told you it was me who ended it all, and he went around saying it was the other way round.”
    “Yes, yes, so you’ve said. Moya, if you’re really worried, then go to the police. At the very least, they can haul him in for questioning and caution him. Would you like me to come with you?”
    Faye had moved back to England now and was taking the rest of her paid leave. It felt good knowing she would be around for good.
    I shook my head. “No, it’s okay.”
    “Ring me if you change your mind.”
    After ringing off, I came to a decision. I would go to the police to see what they could do. I would tell them of my suspicions, including the text message. The renovations were due to commence at work soon, so I would have time to kill. Neville was right. I hadn’t been away on holiday for a couple of years. I would scout the internet for a bargain in the sun and make myself scarce for a week or so. If Martyn were approached by the police, I didn’t want to be around afterwards. I wasn’t a coward,