Sins of Red #1 - Abandoned in a Basket

It’s not every day you discover your first boyfriend is the notorious serial killer still at large

I’m sharing my twisty, crime serial - Sins of Red - here on Substack before I copy it over into a novella.

Every other Wednesday, paid subscribers get two audio episodes read by me, with some close up and personal thoughts on the characters and story. Then on the weekend, I share one written episode with everyone.

I’m open to feedback — feel free to leave a comment if something hits (or doesn’t).

The whole series is told in the first person - the narrator is a young woman called Rosie Redmond.

Here’s the very first episode.

Rose Redmond — Deposit Photos Standard Licence by dekazigzag

Abandoned in a Basket

I was in the hospital for nearly a week. Luckily, I wasn’t physically hurt. Just shocked and shaken. I needed to be sedated. It’s not every day a person is abducted by their first lover, before being freed, only to find out he’s one of the most notorious serial killers—and still at large.

Clive would never have hurt me. Not me—I’m pretty sure of that. And even though I’d rather avoid the spotlight, I had to report it to the police. Now that they have a name, they can actually start searching for him. Still, I honestly don’t know how I can help them find him.

From the moment we met, when I was only seventeen, he was captivated by me. To others, it appeared he was clingy and obsessive. Yet he really didn’t treat me like a possession. More like he was struggling to control his own intense passion while wanting me to also have what I desired. But looking back, somehow, everything always seemed to go his way. Until, it didn’t!

When the police Inspector visited the hospital, staff made it clear I was not to be disturbed. However, the very day I was discharged, a cop car was waiting to drive me directly to the station. Apparently, it was for my own protection, and they said there would be surveillance on my home too.

First off, a psychologist wanted to find out what I could tell them about Clive’s background. We spent some time chatting, Miss Watson scribbling notes all the while. Then she handed me my statement and left me to look over it before signing.

I read it aloud. It sounded rather formal. She had missed out all my “likes,” “you knows” and “erms.”

Ms Redmond’s Statement page 1

Clive was found abandoned in a wicker shopping basket outside the library. He was only a few weeks old. It was thought he may have been there some time. Apparently, the second assistant librarian opened the doors for the start of the day and spied a container — which looked like clothes — in the corner by the entrance. Assuming it had been mistakenly left there, rather than at the charity shop next door, Miss Darling made a mental note to drop it round to the Red Cross staff during her lunch break. Indeed, that is exactly what she attempted to do. She carried the basket a good few moments before realizing there was a child snuggled deep within the fabric.

Once, Clive showed me the newspaper clipping detailing his discovery. The police had spoken to Miss Darling, who was quoted as saying something like,

“Well, I can tell you. I was proper surprised to find such a warm bundle of joy. Silent as a mouse, he was.”

Ms Redmond’s Statement page 2

Clive spent his first year with foster carers until the adoption papers went through and a permanent family, the Burkes, were found. But he never felt like he belonged. His new mum only had enough love for her husband. If Mr Burke’s dinner was not on the table, he would land a swift slap across her face and she would scurry off to prepare the meal. So, Clive learned very early on to keep out of his father’s way. Spending many hours in his room alone reading. His home was not a happy one.

Even now, as I read back on my statement, it is difficult not to feel sorry for Clive. He had an appalling start. It isn’t surprising that when I came into his life, willing to give something of myself, he held on to me with both hands… and a little more.

'Abandoned in a Basket: Sins of Red #1' - original Fiction by May More

Part two next weekend. Find the serial - and any posts about it - by clicking this link.

If you are a premium subscriber and would like to hear me read this episode, then check out the post below:

Finding Rosie's Voice

Thank you for reading - I appreciate your time.

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