Chapter 11

Arthur parked his car in the pharmacy's parking lot. It was almost empty. There were few cars with luggage on them. Hippies or road trip people maybe, buying their supplies for their journey ahead. The pharmacy was well lit. Arthur could see the customers inside through the glass window and Brian dealing with them. Packing their stuff in paper bags.

Who could think this helpful environment-conscious pharmacy guy was a serial killer and then who could think that this once upon a time best seller writer has joined hands with the same serial killer? 

Arthur went in through the backdoor. Arthur pushed it and it was open, either Brian had kept it open for Arthur or he never closed doors behind him. Arthur realized how he too had not locked his motel room that night. What if he had? Would he and Brian never meet? 

Arthur sat on Brian's wooden chair and waited for him to close the store. Brian came in a few minutes later and said, "Wait I'll just change." He went into the washroom with a bag and came out wearing a black tuxedo and was looking amazing while Arthur was wearing casual clothes. Brain laughed and said, "what are you wearing? We are going to a party, not to a morning walk". Arthur is quiet. He has nothing to say.

Brian opened a card box and took out a suit for Arthur. "This should fit you; I ordered a size smaller and never exchanged it," said Brian. The suit was identical to what Brian was wearing. Arthur thought of saying no but then he didn't know how Brian would react. He didn't want to feel a knife on his throat again so soon in life. Arthur took the suit and changed in the washroom. 

They left in Arthur's car for a local nightclub. While Arthur was driving, Brian looked around the car and checked the different dials and meters in the car. Every time Arthur applied breaks the car made a sharp noise. Brian looked at Arthur and said, "leave your car with me for a few days, I'll make it smooth again!" Arthur just shook his head. 

"Wear an identical suit, party with you, give you my car and what else? Introduce you to my family. Huh!" he blabbered mentally. But kept a straight face. 

Arthur stopped the car in front of the nightclub. Low bass came through the closed doors. Arthur couldn't even recall the last time he went to a place like this. "Do you come here often?" He asked. "Yeah! After every kill. I like coming here." Brian said casually.

Arthur and Brian walked in through the doors looking dapper. No one can even guess that these two handsome looking men can be killers. As they got in the music got light, lights were dim and the club was smoky. Laser lights illuminated space for a second and then went away to another spot.

Brian grooved to the music, while Arthur just straight went to the bar. "Don't you want to dance?" Brian shouted over loud music. "I need a drink," Arthur excused a little more loudly. Brian went to the dance floor and Arthur sat at the bar chair and started to drink. He grabbed a rum glass and looked around as he drank. Everyone was just lost in their world. Dancing, drinking. Arthur saw a familiar face. The lights were on the face for a second and then the face was dark again.

"No, it can't be," said Arthur. Arthur felt like he saw Nadia her wife dancing. But Nadia never went out much. It could be someone else. Brian came waving his phone. The local news channels had tweeted about the murder. Arthur read the tweet – Autopsy killer strikes for the seventh time. There was also the picture of the girl lying torn up on the dried river bed. Yesterday she was on the bed in Arthur's motel room. Alive. Now she was being packed in a bag. Arthur brushed these thoughts away.

"They think it's you?" questioned Arthur loudly. Brian patted Arthur's back, "You did a fine job, my friend. You and I are now the same for them!" Arthur did not know how to react to this statement. He gulped down the whole glass in one go. "Haha, that's the spirit, let's dance now!" laughed Brian and took Arthur to the dance floor.

And Arthur danced not out of the joy of killing the girl or fear of Brian harming him. He just danced, because there was nothing else that he could now right now. He just moves the way his body wants to. Right now, he is not an author, not a killer, not a husband, not a father just Arthur. Someone comes from behind and taps on his shoulder.

Arthur turns back it's Nadia. It was her. They walk out of the door to talk. Arthur brings a rum glass with him. Nadia stares at him in disbelief, "I thought maybe…maybe this time, you will take our relationship with our kid seriously. But here you are all dressed up. Partying." Arthur looks at her confused, "What are you doing here?" 

She points at her friends at the side, "one of our colleagues is getting married. It's her bachelor party. By the way, whose suit is this, it's not yours doesn't fit you. Looks borrowed."

Arthur gets super angry his grip tightens against the thick glass. Nadia looks at his hands. "Arthur don't!" Crack!!! The glass breaks in Arthur's grip. A shard pierces his hands, blood pours out. Arthur wince in pain. Nadia steps back, "You will never change Arthur, never!"

Everyone looks at Arthur. Brian comes and takes Arthur to the parking. Brian stops the bleeding by tying a handkerchief around Arthur's hand, "I'll properly bandage it when we reach the pharmacy."

"I do not want to go to the pharmacy," said Arthur with an edge in his voice. The Rum and her wife had given some courage. Arthur had done it again, embarrassed him and his family. He had pushed Nadia away again. He did not want to do this but it happened yet again.

 Brian stayed calm, "We have to go to the pharmacy, bandage you, pick some chemicals and clean your motel room. The police have started the investigation and there is a new cop in town!"