The Straight Crimes (27 page)

“This ain’t any of your business.”

“Stop sayin’ that. Nik’s well-bein’ is my business and it always will be ‘cause I love that man, hell, someone’s gotta. I feel sorry that you can’t see how incredible he is. One day you’re gonna wake up, Nik’s gonna be gone, and you’ll be all alone. 
Then
 you’ll really have nothin’ left, except for your ugliness…and your guilt.” She stood tall and pushed her chair in.

For a brief moment, Jett locked eyes with Harper and flashed in incredulous stare. Normally he would’ve emphatically denied everything, but he didn’t. He couldn’t even open his mouth.

Instead, he watched her storm out of the room. Then he slammed his head down against the table and grumbled, feeling remorseful for everything he’d destroyed.

TWENTY-FIVE

“I
really appreciate your assistance,” Tonya called over her shoulder, looking at Brielle’s reflection from the car’s rearview mirror. “And I’m glad you’re finally feeling better.”

“Oh yes, darling, thank you. I had an awful spat of flu. Thank goodness my niece, Daisy, was there to take care of me.” Brielle ran her fingers through her long, chestnut-colored hair and leaned forward. “I sincerely hope I’ll be able to help you again with your investigation. Admittedly, my visions have been quite hazy since my illness.”

“We’ll take all the help we can get. You’ve already been instrumental in the case. After all, it was your vision that led us to the remains of Mindi Jones.”

“Phony ass psychic,” Leland muttered under his breath.

“What was that?” Tonya asked as she slammed her fist into Leland’s arm.

“Damn, nothing,” he whined, rubbing his arm and looking out the window.

Brielle rolled her ice blue eyes. “I see you’re a skeptic, Officer Brown.”

“Don’t pay him any attention,” Tonya interrupted. “The man can hardly tell his face from his ass.”

“Real funny, Harris.”

Brielle raised her voice over their banter. “What’s the matter, my tip at Whispy Creek didn’t convince you?”

“The odds were stacked in your favor. Besides, I think psychics are just scheming opportunists.”

Tonya hit him again. “Fortunately, his opinion doesn’t reflect that of our entire police department. What Officer Brown should be doing is thanking you for your assistance. We’ve been working tirelessly on this case, but the killer is incredibly cunning. He hasn’t left many clues behind. We’re hoping he’ll slip up before he gets another victim. That’s why I want to bring you to Old Man Winston’s house.”

“He’s still your prime suspect, right?”

“At the moment, he’s our only suspect.”

“What, may I ask, lead you to that conclusion?”

“Shouldn’t you know that already?” Leland squawked.

“Enough, Brown,” Tonya ordered.

He chuckled to himself.

The detective continued. “Bill Winston’s been seen lurking around Faye’s property on numerous occasions before and after the fire. Since then, he’s disappeared. No one’s seen him in over a month. We’ve also learned he had a less than amicable relationship with Faye’s sister, Mindi Jones, and we all know what happened to her.”

“You expressed concern earlier that Mindi may have been involved in her sister’s death. You don’t believe that anymore, do you?”

“No, we don’t, Ms. Holloway. Forensics tests revealed Mindi was killed at least twenty-four hours before Faye. There’s no way she could’ve killed her sister.”

“I see.” Brielle wet her lips and closed her eyes, hoping she’d be able to see something.

However, it wasn’t until the squad car rounded the corner onto Old Man Winston’s street that the psychic was able to start feeling flashes of energy wash over her.

Tonya pulled into the driveway and opened Brielle’s door.

The autumnal chill was reminiscent of the unsettled feeling that had devoured the clairvoyant’s body.

Just as the officers began walking towards the house, Brielle stopped them. “Wait.” She placed her hand on Tonya’s arm. “I’m being pulled across the street, towards Faye’s place. I want to search the wreckage.”

“Be my guest,” Tonya motioned to the residence. “While you do that, we’re heading inside with our search warrant. I have a feeling this house has plenty of secrets.”

Brielle slowly shook her head in agreement. “I don’t doubt that for one moment. Excuse me.”

Leland and Tonya watched her cross the gravel road to Faye’s property line.

“She’s frickin’ loony. I don’t know why I have to keep telling your ass that,” Leland laughed while he pounded on the door.

“Think what you want Brown, but until you can provide me a shred of evidence nearly as helpful as she’s provided, I’ll take her word over yours any day.”

“Okay, gimme a minute.” He put his hands out in front of his body, bent his knees, and closed his eyes. “I see it, somethi
ng real unbelievable…it’s, uh—” he paused. “It’s a big pile of bullshit. Do ya smell it?”

Tonya reached out and slapped Leland upside the head. “Shut the hell up, Brown.”

Suddenly Gage appeared shirtless at the door, standing with a blank expression on his face.

“Good evening, Mr. Black.” Tonya stood tall.

Gage half-smiled and walked through the screen. As the cool air hit his exposed chest, he rubbed his strong hands on his arms. “Detective Harris—how nice of you to stop by again.”

“A pleasure as always.”

“What can I do for you both this evening?”

“Going somewhere?” Leland asked.

“Yeah, getting dressed then heading to the Silver Tavern for a couple of beers. I just finished hauling the rest of the pumpkins out to the stand for Halloween. If you want a couple, help yourselves.”

“I see.” Tonya said, motioning to Old Man Winston’s vegetable stand. “Sounds like you’ve been a busy guy. What else have you been up to?”

“What’s this about now? Are we doing this again? If you’re bringing me in for more questioning, you’re wasting your time. I’ve already told you everything I know about Pops.”

“Are you saying that you
 
still
 haven’t been in contact with Bill Winston?” Tonya asked.

“Nope, he was supposed to check in within the week of his arrival, but I never got a call.”

Tonya stepped closer. “And you’re sure he hasn’t been back here at all?”

“Positive. I’m a little uneasy about things, especially with how strange he was acting after the fire. I’ve been keeping the doors bolted ‘cause he usually leaves the entire house unlocked. I don’t suspect he even has a key if he wanted to get back in, but no, I ain’t seen him.” Gage looked down and spit. “It looks like you’ve got another suspicious person on your hands.” He pointed at Brielle.

“Don’t worry, she’s with us.” Tonya assured him.

“Ah, got it.” He carefully watched her scour through the debris, certain not to take his eyes off her. “So you’re just looking for Pops, again? Sorry to disappoint you.”

“We didn’t expect to find him here.” Tonya handed Gage the search warrant. “We’re here to search his house.”

“Oh, of course.” Gage scratched his chin. “Absolutely, whatever you need to do. Come in.” He motioned to enter, closing the door behind them while watching the psychic.

Meanwhile, Brielle fell to her knees and shut her eyes. Her mind spun in overtime as the telling visions rushed to the forefront of her attention, overlapping each other in fast succession.

She ran her hands through the ashes, letting the tiny cinders fall through the spaces of her fingers. Unexpectedly, the blurred visions started becoming clearer…

She saw Faye Jones, racing away from the masked intruder inside her home. The defenseless woman had been screaming at the top of her lungs, desperately battling down the hallway.

The intruder was relentless, maniacal in his pursuit. He was completely dressed from head to toe in black, carelessly shooting bullets into the wall.

He grabbed a hold of Faye’s foot and dragged her across the carpet against her will.

She reached down and clawed her nails into the back of his neck, anxiously pulling away.

Faye sobbed and pleaded to have her life spared as she was tied down on the floor.

That’s when he wrapped a plastic bag around her head, hysterically snickering. Moments later, he pulled the trigger and fired the shot into the back of her head.

After that, he raced across the room with his deadly axe and used it to sever off her hands.
 

His wicked banter filled the silence as he doused Faye’s mangled body in gasoline and left a trail out the back door.

Then the sadistic killer struck a match and tossed it down. In no time at all, the intense flames devoured the house—and the arsonist slipped away.

He raced into the woods and disposed of the old gas can, waiting for the coast to clear.

Meanwhile, all of Faye’s neighbors charged to the scene, shrieking in horror over the devastation.

As the crowd grew, the murderer slipped in amongst them, watching in disguise. His spirit was truly malevolent. He’d killed before, and he’d kill again…

Brielle frantically scanned the image in her mind, desperately trying to make out the faces, but her head began to swell. The image was so strong that the smell of fire infused her nostrils, making her physically ill from the thick smoke. The image quickly faded and Brielle fell back to the ground.

The experience was surreal. She ran her fingers over her arms, relieved they were as cold as death. During the vision, it felt like she was being incinerated, as if her own flesh had been scolded by the rampant heat.

After resting a while longer, Brielle returned to Old Man Winston’s house.

As she walked up his sidewalk, the tiny hairs on the back of her neck slowly began to rise. There was dark energy looming nearby. His property was far more sinister than Faye’s. She didn’t like the feeling. It was clear that her presence was unwelcome.

The premonitions grew stronger the closer she got. A wave of sickness washed over her, almost like she’d been stricken with the flu again—but she persevered.

“Brielle,” Tonya called as she entered the door. “You don’t look well.”

“I’m a little warm. May I sit down a moment?” she asked.

“Of course, please.” Tonya took her by the arm and gently helped her into Bill Winston’s plush recliner. She pulled the beaded scarf away from Brielle’s neck and fanned her with it.

Gage quickly raced into the room and handed her a tall glass of water.

“So attentive,” she noted. Brielle grasped the tall cylinder with her shaking hands and desperately tried to force back a couple hard swallows. She finished the glass and let out an orderly breath. In that moment of uncertainty, she kept reminding herself that she was in control of the situation, not the visions…and certainly, not the darkness.

“Are you all right?” Tonya asked.

“Yes, thank you, darling. Forgive me if I frightened anyone. And thank you for the water, Mr.—”

“Black,” he smiled and offered his hand. “Just call me Gage. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Brielle slipped her tiny, frozen fingers into Gage’s large, rough hand.

From the moment she touched his flesh, another vision instantly shot into her head…

Gage’s strong hands abrasively grasped the wooden handle of an axe and swiftly swung it down.

Brielle was so surprised that her entire body flinched.

Gage cautiously turned his head. “Are you okay? Here, drink some more.”

“Yes, sorry.” She ran her hand across her mouth. “You’re quite skilled with your hands, right?”

“Of course. I’m a farmhand,” Gage reminded her.

Leland piped in, “Wow, she’s good.” He chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Your powers amaze me. Quick, gimme the winning lottery numbers. I wanna retire.”

“That’s enough, Brown,” Tonya snipped.

“You chop wood?” Brielle asked.

Gage’s baby blue eyes looked directly into Brielle’s haunting glare. “Yes, I do everything around here. Are you all right?”

“Yes, I suppose I’m still a little jittery, forgive me.” Brielle threw back the rest of her water and looked down. More visions were coming forward, flooding her senses.

“Look, no sweat.” Gage sensed her uneasiness.

The imagery wouldn’t stop.

Again, chop, chop, chop
…
the slamming of the axe nearly shattered her eardrums.

“You sure nothing’s wrong?” he asked, trying to see beyond her troubled eyes.

“You do a lot of labor in Old Man Winston’s workshop out back…”

Gage ran his hand over his unshaven face and exchanged uneasy glances with Brielle. “Yeah, lately I have. It’s almost November. It’s too cold to do much in the yard right now.” He looked to Tonya and back to Brielle, disturbed by the way she stared at him in eerie silence. “Look, I’m gonna finished getting dressed. My buddies are waitin’ on me at the tavern. Help yourself to whatever you need.”

“Thanks, Gage,” Tonya shouted as he returned to his bedroom.

Brielle watched the attractive man leave, but nothing could pull her attention from him. She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes again.

Then the images grew stronger, finally revealing Gage’s face…

He had been walking through the living room with a trash can, quickly emptying several items into it, including Bill Winston’s inhaler.

Suddenly, Brielle put her hands to her throat as if she were choking. “I need air,” she whispered. “I can’t breathe!”

“Ms. Holloway!” Tonya grabbed her by the shoulders. “Are you okay?”