The Ultimate Selection: Be Careful Who You Talk To by S. J. Wardell Page A

Greg tried to lift the conversation by sending a wink Karen’s way.
    Karen responded by sticking her tongue out then winking back at him. They took turns using the shower, Greg shaving whilst Karen showered. When they were both ready to face the outside world, Greg kissed Karen.
    â€˜See you soon,’ Greg smiled.
    â€˜OK. Thanks again stud. I had a great night!’
    â€˜Go on then, you’d better piss off,’ he said whilst her gave her a kiss on the lips.
    Karen gave Greg a knowing look – the kind of look that confirmed she was at ease with things.
    The door closed and she was gone.
    Greg concentrated on doing his normal Sunday morning domestic chores and then he spent the whole of Sunday afternoon on the internet. He had found a website that allowed you to download aerial maps of whatever area you wanted. This would prove to be invaluable, as he would be able to plot his getaway route.
    Greg’s mobile bleeped. It was a text message from Karen:
    Thanx Pee Wee xx
    He laughed. Deciding not to reply and returned to his work.
    Greg needed to set up some kind of timeframe. He had thought about this quite a lot. Though he would not be wearing a watch, he would still need to keep it militarized. It was a time governed exercise.
    Greg was astonished when he glanced at the clock. He had been sitting there for hours. He could not understand where the time had gone. It had flown by. He quickly set about choosing what he was having for dinner. Lunch had passed without notice. He put two large potatoes in the oven and decided to have another shower to clear his head. He needed to think of a way to commit his first crime and be sure that his alibi was completely watertight. He could not think of anything else.
    â€˜That’s it,’ he said to himself whilst looking at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, ‘I’ll invite Karen over for dinner, slip some sleeping pills in her food and Bob’s your uncle!’
    He decided that he would have Karen stay over for the night. That way, he could drug her and have enough time to slip out, put his plan in to action and return home. If questioned, Karen would swear blind that he had been with her all night.
    â€˜You’re a genius, and handsome too,’ he told himself.
    Karen was a deviation from the original plan. Now he was seeing Karen, a few things would have to change. Progress dictates change.
    Greg had also decided, during doing his internet research, that he was going to get most of the tools he needed from eBay. By doing this he could cover his tracks. There were account settings where he could keep his purchases private – allowing him to bid anonymously.
    ***
    During the following weeks that passed, it appeared to the outside world as everything was normal but, behind the scenes, things were ticking along nicely for Greg. He had obtained a number of necessary items and also been able to do a few dummy runs and accurately time them. Everything was now in place, he felt ready. He was ready.
    He thought about the French serial killer and tried to imagine how he felt. Greg knew his crimes were premeditated but the Frenchman’s had not started that way. Greg imagined himself as nomadic; a truly individual vigilante. He tried to think and cover every angle, every eventuality that he thought might happen.
    â€˜Not long now,’ he told himself, as he looked at his masked reflection in the mirror.

Chapter Nine
    Greg pressed the speed-dial on his mobile and waited for the person on the other end to answer.
    â€˜Hello,’ said a feminine voice.
    â€˜Hello, Karen. What are you up to this Saturday, any plans?’
    â€˜Nothing solid planned, only shopping with Mum. We’re going up Oxford Street during the day. Why? What do you have in mind?’
    â€˜So you’re free in the evening?’
    â€˜I most certainly am,’ her fake casualness barely concealed her eager anticipation.
    â€˜I was thinking of