The ordinary strangler - An original story part 6

  

He had his window replaced and then stopped at the car wash. It went quickly and before he knew it, he was on his way home.

Sylvia looked very relieved when he finally arrived home. She sat on the porch waiting for him and looked stressed out.  

“Are you okay love?” 

“I’m fine. For goodness sake Sylvia, I am a grown man.  I can look after myself. I haven’t been out on my own in a while and it did me good. It made me appreciate what I have more in life.” He said and kissed her full on the mouth. 

She laughed.  “What put you in such a good mood today?”

“Nothing really. I just enjoyed myself for a change, and I had a good night’s rest.” 

As they walked inside, the scene flashed back in his mind and a thrill went through his body. He wanted to tell her so badly but knew that this was his secret to keep forever. 

 “Come on, you can make the salad and I’ll cook the steaks. I’m starving.”

Within an hour they were each sitting with a glass of wine on the back porch with their dinner in front of them. Sylvia lit some candles and they watched the full moon appear over the hill. 

Peter felt extremely relaxed and it turned out to be an awesome evening.  Peter was far more talkative than usual. Between the two of them they finished a bottle of wine, and afterwards he poured himself a stiff whisky and a liqeur for Sylvia. 

While Sylvia washed the dishes, he sat outside pampering his drink and smoking a cigarette.  He was reminiscing about the thrill of his day and he wondered if he was losing his mind.  

Sylvia came outside with a cup of tea for herself and took a seat next to him. 

“You sound and look very relaxed Peter. Today was good for you.”

Peter turned to her and smiled.  “If you only knew…. I’m thinking of taking on a new hobby.”

“It might do you good. Did you see something interesting at the hobby shop?”

“No not so much. I just need something in my life that I can enjoy on my own.”

Sylvia nodded and smiled. She loved this man with all her heart, and he has been so good to them his whole life. He deserved something for himself.  

Peter finished his drink and helped Sylvia pack away the dishes. She went upstairs and he followed her a few minutes later after checking that everything was locked up. Peter was not very sleepy, and the scene kept on playing over and over in his mind. 

Somewhere in his unconscious mind he realized that what he did was wrong, but for some reason he had no regrets.  It was not so much the experience of the killing itself, but the after thrill that felt so extremely good. 

Peter fell asleep a little later and slept peacefully for a few hours.  Just before three he woke up startled after having a terrible nightmare, and all of a sudden, he remembered about the old man that asked for money.  What if he recognized him?  He had to do something to keep the old man from talking. He knew exactly what he had to do and when he felt more at peace, he fell asleep again.  

Sylvia woke him up early the next morning for church, but he told her he wanted to sleep in.  She didn’t object and went on without him.  The second she was out the door he dashed downstairs to his car. 

He locked the garage from the inside and took out the emergency kit from his car. He grabbed a pair of surgical gloves and removed the spare wheel to take out the stolen gun.  

He held the gun in his hands to get the feel of it. He didn’t know much about guns, but he was sure that this was a Beretta 9 mm pistol. He inspected the weapon from all sides and noticed that there were no visible serial numbers on the weapon.  

He felt as if he was in another world and laughed at himself. He was a murderer and in possession of a stolen gun, but it felt marvelous to hold the weapon in his hands. After he put the gun on safety he pointed at different objects and played a little cowboys and crooks with himself. He felt like a little boy with a new toy and it felt amazing. He could feel the adrenaline pumping again, and it gave him a wonderful rush. 

He took an old piece of cloth and wiped the gun clean, and then wrapped it and put it back safely in his car under the spare wheel. 

He quickly took a shower and went back downstairs to make breakfast. When Sylvia came back, he had prepared her a proper English breakfast and she was impressed.  

She brought the Sunday paper with her, and he sat reading it after they finished eating their breakfast.  Sylvia made coffee and carried it outside to the porch.  Peter was smoking again, and Sylvia just sighed and handed him his coffee.  He didn’t even look up and without thinking lit up another cigarette.  He was too interested in reading the newspaper and he could feel the rush coming.    

He found nothing except one article on page five referring to a major king pin drug dealer that was found strangled in a remote area outside town. Apparently, there were no suspects and the article just mentioned an innocent bystander drove by and found the body.  

“I think I found my new hobby Sylvia.” He said very nonchalantly while still clenching the newspaper in his hands.  

“Want to tell me about it?” She said while sipping on her coffee. 

 “Well after reading this article, I really want to learn how to shoot. want to learn how to shoot.  I’m thinking of buying a gun.”

“Why on earth would you want to buy a gun? I won’t allow it. We are not violent people Peter and I don’t know what’s wrong with you.  You have been acting differently since yesterday.  I still say you need to go and see a doctor.”

“There’s nothing wrong with me Sylvia. It’s just a precaution. I just want to protect my family. The crime rate is shooting up and you know that I’m not a reckless person. I’ll go for proper lessons at the shooting range.”

“Well I suppose so, but I still think it’s is a crazy idea.”

Peter smiled at her. “It’ll keep me out of your hair.” 

Sylvia looked a little more relaxed and smiled back. 

Peter knew he had won her over.