The door of the annexe that led into the yard presented no problem to him. He had been breaking into buildings from the time he was in short trousers, at first under the tuition of his father who had been an accomplished burglar and then, when his father had been mortally injured in a fight with other ne’er-do-wells, on his own.

Once inside the annexe he stood looking around Ruby’s workshop in the dim light from the window. Thick rolls of expensive cloth and several beautiful outfits on wooden mannequins stood out among the paraphernalia. He walked over to one, gazing at the classic two-piece costume in a rich blue fabric edged with ermine and felt it between his fingers, running his hand over the swell of the dummy’s breasts and down into its waist. Just the sort of outfit Lady Muck would wear. Perhaps she’d even made it for herself?

Once he had slashed it to ribbons he stood back, panting slightly. He’d take great pleasure in setting fire to this lot as he left, he thought, but that wouldn’t be for a good few hours yet. He was going to make his fun last tonight; his Christmas present to himself. He smiled, pleased with his little joke.

Once in the small square of hall beyond the annexe he stood for a moment. The door that opened onto the stairs leading to the flat was ajar and he hadn’t expected that, not that he was complaining. He looked upwards, anticipation of the night ahead making him as hard as a rock. He’d always enjoyed inflicting pain on his sexual partners – it enhanced his pleasure ten-fold – but until now he’d never contemplated the satisfaction of torturing a woman to death and he found it intoxicating. Once she was gagged and bound, he’d start on her face first. Unconsciously his hand touched the eye patch. Aye, he’d take his payment for what she’d done to him before he moved on to other things. An eye for an eye. Wasn’t that what the good book said and who was he to argue?

He crept up the stairs without making a sound. The landing was in darkness but a shaft of light was showing from under the door. He paused for a moment with his hand on the door knob, thinking he heard something from inside the room, but as he waited all was quiet. Slowly, very slowly, he turned the knob and when it opened, again it was unexpected. She clearly didn’t bother with locks and bolts, thought herself invincible no doubt. Foolish, very foolish, as she was about to find out. The element of surprise was always a distinct advantage.