Blood and Justice (27 page)

“And the police?”

He was ranting and pacing. “The police won’t come. The police here are not very smart. No, they’re stupid, and if they come, I’ll shoot them too.” His voice got higher, more frantic. “Yes, I’ll shoot the police. I’ll shoot everyone. I don’t care. Father would shoot them all if he was here. Father would kill them all.”

He stopped and breathed in and out, quickly and heavily. His eyes were wild, frenzied.

She heard the whistle of the knife as he swung it back and forth in the air. Then, he lowered the knife and walked quickly to the barn door, and back again, and again, and again.

“I won’t let them catch me,” he screamed. “Never. Never. Never.”

He moved toward her, still frenzied. He held the point of the knife close to her face. “Sit down and shut up,” he snarled, “or I’ll have to cut you right now.”

She slunk down to the floor and sat quietly on the blanket, afraid to move.

He stared ferociously down at her a moment, and then turned quickly and strode from the barn, screaming obscenities as he went.

The barn door slammed, and he was gone.

Chapter 44

Monday, August 15th, 12:30 PM

JAKE was beginning to get worried. He looked at his watch again. Annie should’ve been back quite awhile ago. He’d tried her number many times, and each time, he was informed her phone was off.

He paced the living room floor awhile, and then called Hank again. No, Hank still hadn’t heard from her. He’d just said not to worry, she’ll show up soon, and they’ll laugh it off. He reminded Jake of the time she’d had a flat tire, and a dead phone, and was home late.

But that was before all of this, and something just didn’t seem right to him.

He tried to remember what she’d told him. He was pretty sure when he’d called her, she’d said she was on her way to Mortinos, and then would be right home.

She may have had to stop somewhere, but she surely would’ve let him know.

He tried her number again. Same result.

He called Chrissy. She answered on the first ring.

“Chrissy, it’s Jake. Have you heard from Annie at all today?”

“Nope. Not once, which is unusual for her. She must’ve been rather busy.”

“That’s the problem. I haven’t heard from her either, and I can’t get her on her cell.”

“Sorry, can’t help you Jake. I’m sure she’s ok, though. Maybe her battery is dead, or her phone is out of range of a tower.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

He hung up, but he didn’t feel as optimistic as Chrissy. Something is wrong. It’s just not like her.

He paced the floor a little more, and then stopped. He hurried into the office, spun the Rolodex, found the number for Annie’s mother and dialed it.

“Hello.”

“It’s Jake. Is Annie there?”

“No, she’s not here. I haven’t seen her today.”

He didn’t say anything.

“Is everything all right?” she asked, annoyed.

“I . . . I can’t find Annie.”

She gave a loud impatient sigh and spoke sharply. “I hope you didn’t get her into any trouble. Getting her involved in missing people, and murder. I told her it’s not safe.”

“I didn’t get her into anything. She has her own mind. Now please, if you see her, tell her to call me.”

He hung up abruptly. He could picture her staring at the phone, probably yelling, maybe cursing. He smiled grimly at the thought. That’s a woman I just don’t like. I can’t figure out how Annie turned out so good.

He called Annie’s number again. Still no answer.

He stood still for a minute, thinking, and then shoved the phone back in his pocket, grabbed a piece of paper from the HP printer, and scribbled her a note. He left it on the desk where she couldn’t miss it, grabbed his keys off a hook near the front door, and stepped outside, locking the door behind him.

He hurried to his car.

Monday, August 15th, 12:45 PM

JEREMY needed a listening ear again, or maybe a kind word. Just someone to talk to. He was so frustrated things weren’t going too well. His plans were all messed up and he didn’t know what to do any more.

It seemed like Jenny was the only one he could talk to. The only one who would listen to him, and maybe understand his mission.

He stopped pacing back and forth on the kitchen floor and climbed the steps to her room. He slid back the deadbolt, gently turned the knob and opened the door.

Jenny was in her usual place, sitting propped up on the bed, reading. The CD player was playing quietly. She looked up as he peeked in.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you,” he said.

“I’m just reading.”

He stepped inside and sat on the bed opposite her. It seemed to him she was content to be here now. He looked at her, a weary expression on his face.

She cocked her head. “Who was that woman?” she asked.

“She was just snooping around.”

“I saw you take her to the barn.”

He shrugged. “I had no choice.”

“What did she want?”

“I told you, she was just snooping around.”

She looked at him a moment and then asked, “Does she know what you did?”

He sighed heavily. “Yes, she knows.”

“So you locked her in the barn?”

“Yes, I had to, and then I hid her car in the garage.”

“So now, what will you do?”

“I don’t know.” He hung his head, and sighed again.

“You aren’t going to . . . hurt her are you?” she asked cautiously.

He looked up. “I might have to.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t let her go, and I can’t keep her here. I can’t afford it. I have no job, you know.”

She nodded.

He studied her. She really does seem to understand me. “She’s a private detective,” he said.

Jenny looked surprised.

He continued, “I don’t know what to do. She told me her husband knows where she is, and he’ll come looking for her. She also said the cops know where she is, and they’ll come too.” He dropped his head.

A sudden glimmer in her eyes indicated she seemed pleased, maybe a little excited, to hear that, and smiled slightly. The smile disappeared as he raised his head and said, “I think maybe I’ll have to kill him. If he comes, that is. Maybe she’s just lying.”

“What if he kills you?” she asked carefully.

His eyes blazed as he said sharply, “He can’t. It’s impossible.”

“Impossible? Why?”

“Because, the good guys always win. You know that.” He motioned toward the bookcase. “It’s in all those books you read, and always on TV, and in the movies. The good guys always win. So . . . in the end . . . I will win.”

“Because you’re the good guy?”

“Of course.” He sounded annoyed. “You know that.”

“Yes, I know that,” she lied.

Monday, August 15th, 12:48 PM

ANNIE was afraid. Afraid the crazy, insane little man would come back and kill her.

She knew Jake would be frantic, but she was optimistic he would find her. She’d been able to piece it all together, and was confident Jake, or the police, could do the same.

But would it be in time?

She sat on the blanket, leaned against the wall of the barn and looked about her gloomy surroundings. High above she saw a beam, a piece of rope still attached. She shuddered when she realized what it was. Where Annette Spencer had hanged herself. She forced her eyes to look away from the dreadful sight.

She had struggled with the leather strap around her neck, but had been unable to work it loose. The chain holding her was securely fastened to the post. She had studied it for some time, and could see no way to remove it. She had tugged and twisted, but it remained solid.

She thought about Jenny, looking from the upstairs window. She was thankful Jenny was still alive, and appeared to be ok, but Jeremy was insane, and she couldn’t predict what he could be capable of.

She stood and moved across the barn floor, testing the length of the chain. About ten feet long. She searched every square inch of the floor as far as she could reach, brushing back the straw, looking for something that might help her cut through the collar around her neck.

Her search turned up nothing.

Maybe a weapon? She tugged at the floorboards, looking for a loose one. Something she could use for a weapon if he came back. She pulled and strained for a long time. Her fingers felt sore and her arms were aching.

She dropped back onto the blanket in frustration.

Suddenly she stood to her feet and picked up the chain. She held it at either end, swinging it, testing it, looping it around, practicing. Perhaps if she used it as a sort of lasso, she could catch him with it, maybe wrap it around his neck if he came close enough.

She kept at it, over and over.

She was determined to protect herself, if . . . or when . . . he came back.

Chapter 45

Monday, August 15th, 12:55 PM

THE Walmart in Midtown Plaza was busy as always. Parking spots were scarce and Jake didn’t have time to wait. He pulled up in front of the store, parked under a no parking sign, and swung from his vehicle.

He didn’t know where on earth he would find the manager’s office in such a massive store, so he approached the greeter and asked her.

The greeter pointed vaguely toward the left side of the store. “Over there,” she said.

Jake strode to where he’d been directed. He dodged serious shoppers, casual browsers, and kids, as he went.

He found the manager’s office finally, close to the huge double doors leading to the warehouse behind. He stepped aside to avoid a motorized dolly, speeding carelessly through the doors.

He tapped on the manager’s door and it swung open. He peered inside. A middle-aged woman with a well-curved business suit looked his way.

“Yes?” she asked.

Jake stepped in. “May I sit down?”

She motioned toward a classy chair that looked more expensive than it probably was. He sat.

She raised her brows and looked at him.

He leaned forward, and offered his hand. “Jake Lincoln,” he said, “from Lincoln Investigations.”

She shook his hand and sat back. “What may I do for you, Mr. Lincoln?”

He cleared his throat. He hadn’t prepared a speech, but no use to give her all the facts. “I’m investigating the murder of Chad Bronson. His car was found parked in this lot last Tuesday, August 9th.”

“Yes?”

“I was hoping you might have some security camera footage from that time and going back to August 2nd. It may show us how the car got here, and when it was picked up.”

She frowned. “We can’t give our security video to just anyone.”

Jake pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to her. “It’s very important. It may be related to the disappearance of a young girl, and we’d very much like to find her.”

The manager studied the card, then looked at Jake thoughtfully. “I think I’ve heard of your organization, but it doesn’t seem likely we would have footage that old,” she said, as she picked up the phone. She touched a number and waited. “Give me security.”

Jake’s foot tapped the floor as he eagerly waited.

“It’s Ms. Stanley. Do we have security footage from August 2nd on?” Silence. “From outside, in the parking lot.” More silence, then, “Ok, hold on.”

Jake waited.

She looked up. “I’m sorry Mr. Lincoln, but any recordings beyond seven days would be long gone. However, there are cameras in front of the store covering much of the lot, and we have digital recordings for August 10th, if that would help.”

August 10th may show Benny taking the car, but Jake was interested in finding out who dropped it there on the 2nd.

He said, “That would be a help.”

Ms. Stanley spoke into the phone. “Bring me what you have from August 10th, Brian. As soon as possible.” She hung up.

“Mr. Lincoln,” she said, “you might want to check with the plaza management office. They have cameras in the lot as well, and may be able to help.”

Jake brightened. “That would be great. I’ll check there immediately.”

She motioned toward her left. “Just go down here past two or three stores, then, you’ll see the door. Management is on the 2nd floor. I’ll call up there and let them know you’re coming.”

In a few minutes, Brian appeared. “Here it is,” he said. He held up flash drive and handed it to Jake as she motioned toward him.

Jake stood. “Thank you, Ms. Stanley. You’ve been a big help.”

She smiled at him, and Jake nodded slightly at Brian as he left.

He half ran through the store and out to the sidewalk. He turned left, and soon he saw the doorway. He went in, took the stairs two at a time, and knocked on the door below a sign that said, “Midtown Plaza Management Office”.

He turned the knob and went in without waiting. A pleasant-looking girl looked up and smiled as he came in.

“Hi,” he said. “I’m looking for the security office.”

She pointed behind her. “Just tap on that door and Gene will help you.” She smiled again.

“Thank you,” he said, as he hurried past.

He tapped on the door and it was opened by a rather plump man, maybe in his thirties.

“Yes?” He sounded way too cheerful.

Jake explained who he was, and what he needed.

Gene looked at him and frowned. “Do you have a warrant?”

Jake was stunned. “Uh . . .”

Gene almost fell over laughing. “Just kidding,” he said. “They always say that on TV. Just kidding. Just kidding. Come in. Sit down,” he said, as he hooked a chair with his foot and swung it over towards Jake. “Ms. Stanley called me and vouched for you.”

Jake forced a laugh and sat.

“You’re in luck,” Gene said. “We used to erase everything after a week, and reuse it, but last winter, some guy said he slipped on the ice and hit his head. He decided to sue us. We didn’t have the footage and it was a big headache. We finally won, though. But memory is so cheap these days, we put in a bunch of new servers and now we keep everything for a month. Just in case, you know.” Gene laughed again.