16th prompt from Domina Temporis: Holmes against a serial killer
The Kill
He had killed before…
deliberately and meticulously, mapping out method and circumstance to suit each victim,
sometimes not without regret.
He killed for money,
for recognition, for the joy of seeing his crimes read about, talked about, speculated over
and he wasn't done yet.
He didn't need to kill…
he had the talents and training and opportunity to make a decent honest living;
a respectable profession, a good name,
but…going in for the kill,
there was something about the thrill of the chase, the false trails, the buzz of excitement…
almost like playing a game.
He had killed in many different ways;
poison, staged accident, crushed skull, drowning, suffocation, a bullet, a noose, snake venom, a flying hoof…
So many choices.
He killed almost indiscriminately;
husbands and wives, daughters and sons , mothers and fathers, servants and masters.
So many voices.
The next person he had to kill?
That damned detective! A thorn in his side, interfering in every case, casting a shadow on all he had achieved,
his name becoming more talked about than his own.
He should have killed him sooner,
before his every word, his every mannerism and method, even his address and habits
became so inexplicably well known.
He planned the kill to the last detail;
perfect timing, catch him off guard with a worthy opponent, a dramatic and unexpected end far from home.
There would be shock and mourning , no doubt,
but the killing could stop.
He raised the murder weapon, smiled, and, with a flourish and a growing sense of freedom, pen connected with paper,
and Sherlock Holmes was written out.
~0~
