There was a man, he was pacing up and down a basement far away from the LA Maxwell hotel. He was very upset by the news he just received. He needed to act now or he would risk losing his legacy.

The man was tall and thin, he wore a black hoodie over his greying hair and wore black pants tucked into rubber boots. The boots were covered in blood and so were his hands. He then picked up the bloody sack from the old autopsy table in the middle of the room and heaved it towards the carefully installed incinerator and in one swift motion, swung it into the flames.

As the bag burnt, he watched. A plan forming in his mind. It wasn't as cruel as what he just did. But he knew it was more important.

The man suddenly turned away and began to spray away the blood from his hands, boots, table and floor. When he was done, he removed his hoodie and put on a clean white shirt. He then changed his pants and boots to another clean pair and good shoes. After a final look in the mirror, he combed his dark hair back and stepped out of the dark basement to the bright and grand living room.

With a flick of a switch behind the bookshelf in his living room, the entire heavy bookcase shifted, sealing the opening to the basement immediately.
Moving to the dining room, he planted a kiss on his wife's forehead. She was busy writing a letter. He sat down next to her, ready to be served his dinner.

********

William was back home with the ring carefully tucked into his jacket pocket. Every minute his hand would jump to his pocket to check if it was still there. He decided to hide the ring at home before heading to work. He could not risk loosing it. It cost him every bit of his savings but it was worth it.

Pulling out the house keys, he heard someone arguing from inside the apartment. He opened the door to find Leah arguing with herself in front of the mirror.

He was not surprised. It wasn't the first time he came home to a very different Leah. She used a particular acting method to help her perfect the character before auditioning. She was very good at it too. Often William would find himself trying to guess what kind of character she was playing so that he could get around the strangeness and play along.

"Hey honey!" He said cautiously, walking towards her.
She must have just woken up because she was still in her night suit and her hair was in a messy bun. She was holding a script in her hands, an open envelope was lying on the ground. William understood that the script came in the mail this morning and she immediately phased into character.

Wondering what kind of character she was playing this time he said "I just went for a run, gonna take a shower and then head to work."

"Whatever." She said turning back to the mirror coldly. She did not seem to notice his clothes were not suitable for a run.

Checking to make sure she was still in the hall looking at the decorative mirror, he slipped the ring box into the locker where he kept his gun.

Taking off his clothes he tossed them into the laundry basket like he was playing basket ball. Perfect shot.

He got into the shower and turned on the hot water. The glass and mirror fogged up so he dint see a silent figure slip into the shower with him. "Sorry babe, I got the script for the movie I was telling you about. Was so excited I couldn't phase out of the character." She said, helping him soap his back.

William turned around and put her hands around his shoulders and said "I think I know you well enough to know when you are not you." He said, pulling her in for a long kiss as the hot water soaked then both.

It took everything in him, not to rush out and grab the ring and propose to her. But he knew it had to be special. She had to remember that moment for the rest of her life.

His mind on the ring, he left for work, planning the perfect proposal. He dint have much time after all, their anniversary was tomorrow. He wondered if she remembers. Her mind was on her auditions so she dint mention anything all morning. But it dint matter because one he reminded her, she will never forget it.

The day went very slowly, he wanted to go back to Leah. But he noticed something very unusual. Robson wasn't there. On enquiring he found out that he had taken the day off. But it was very unusual for him to do that, especially considering they were both fighting for the promotion. He went about his day normally and when he left he earned an approving nod from the captain.

The next morning, he woke up before Leah as usual, he showered and gave her a kiss on her forehead before leaving. He had packed a change of clothes and the ring so that he could meet her at the restaurant  directly. He told her to dress nice and meet him there. He did not mention their anniversary yet.

Carefully putting his ironed cloths and ring in his locker, he looked around. No sign of Robson. Now genuinely worried he went up to Captain Fields and asked "Sir, did you tell Gibbs he was up for promotion too?"

Captain Fields looked surprised, "No Will, just you." When William dint say anything he asked "Robson is on leave for a few days. Family emergency. This of course leaves your path clear for the promotion."

Still suspicious of Robson's absence, William turned to go back to his duties but the captain wasn't done with him."While I have you here, I need your opinion on something important." He said.

"The Grand Maxwell hotel in Lanchester is in need of more guards. Who do you suggest we send this time?."

William felt a sense of pride inside on being asked his opinion. He knew Captain Fields wanted him to be promoted, Rodgers made it easy by stepping aside for a few days. Bringing himself to the task at hand he then remembered something.

"But sir, dint we send them two of our men just last month?"

Captain Fields sighed." Unfortunately one of them resigned and now they need another. This is the third time I'll be sending men I trained and find that they have quit after going there. Something is not right." He added looked troubled.

"We could send Jack Bolton,sir." William said. "He is a good man and could try and find out why people keep quitting."

Captain Fields scratched his stubble beard. That was actually a good idea. This is why he wanted William to be his right hand man and not Robson, but now he just had to convince the management.

"Good man Will." He said. "I'll talk to Jake Bolton then."

It was now 7pm and his shift was over. William went back to the locker room and changed. Tomorrow some of the guys were planning to take the day off and watch the big game. They had just come out of the showers and were wet while wrapped in a towel. Laughing and having fun they suddenly began like shaking like dogs when they got wet, spraying water all over the place getting William wet.

"Damn it, you guys!" William yelled, looking down at his wet clothes.

"Oops.... Sorry man. Dint see you there." laughed one of the guys.

"Yea very funny." said William shaking off his jacket. "Great! Now I need to change."

Quickly, he rushed back home. He knew he was going to run into Leah so he picked up a bouquet of roses and climbed up the apartment stairs. He never took the lift unless he was with Leah.

Finally he reached his floor, he turned the corner to reach his apartment when he stopped dead. Heart beating fast.

No! This is not happening.

The flowers in his hand fell to the ground as he stood there in shock. Looking down the corridor he saw his apartment door was open. Leaving it was Robson with-

"Leah!" He whispered to himself.

Just as he said her name, she appeared at the door. She was wearing a beautiful red dress with an open back, her hair was up leaving a few strange trailing down her back. She faced Robson, so her back faced William. He could not see her expression but Robson looked very happy. He put a hand on her face and then gave her a long kiss. William stood there the whole time unable to move. Then Robson turned to leave, Leah watched him take the lift before going back into the house.

********

So I finally got to the part about the serial killer. What do you think about him? Leading a double life ? Rich guy with a family and a basement with dead bodies!

William's heart is not as strong as the rest of him. Will be posting his heart breaking chapter soon!

Please comment and vote if you liked his chapter. If you don't like it... You can let me know that too!

<3 <3