by Deryck Jason
“Doctor MacNamee, I’m sorry for your loss but you have to stop this now!”
MacNamee continued his tirade on the door. It was only when Tim started to see the door loosen up on its old hinges did he take action. Swooping in he threw his arms around the doctor, using his weight to squeeze the air from the lungs of the furious doctor. Tim lifted MacNamee off the ground kicking and screaming, then with one big squeeze he let go, dropping the doctor to his knees, breathless. Panting on the floor, MacNamee spit as Tim stood above him.
“Tim…are you going to give me the key?”
MacNamee asked in one last attempt.
“No sir. I’m sorry sir.”
With that, MacNamee got to his feet and headed off down the corridor to a chorus of screams by the patients. Breezing down, he didn’t even notice Frieda despite the fact he walked right past him. MacNamee headed straight towards the exit. Frieda sheepishly walked up the corridor to Connor’s room. Tim decided there was no point in him hanging around, he had to go back to the office and sort out a work order to have Connor’s door repaired. Lord only knew how scared people would be if they thought the boy could escape whenever he wanted. Walking down the corridor he walked past Doctor Frieda also.
“Sorry about that doctor.” Tim said while Frieda simply nodded back, on route to 101.
Frieda looked through the glass at Connor who was still sitting up in bed. Connor, the boy alone in his room looked through the glass at Frieda and made a kiss motion. Frieda looked back at the boy, scared stiff as the lights started to go off around him. Turning, he ran back to his office, he didn’t feel safe here anymore, maybe it was time to go back home after all.
CHAPTER 31
“Sergeant Jacobs please.” The gloomy voice muttered at the precinct. Accompanied by disheveled appearance there was no way the cop was going to let this man past the desk.
“Is there something I could do for you sir?”
The condescending tone in the officer’s voice really pissed MacNamee off, he had had a horrible night, he did not need this.
“Yes there is something you could do for me actually; you could go get Sergeant Jacobs!”
“Now sir, there is no need to raise your voice.”
MacNamee started to lose his cool again, this man was talking to him like he was a child.
“Raise my voice? I’ll raise this fucking roof if I want to!”
“Now sir, I suggest you calm down!”
Before MacNamee could respond he caught his first break of the evening, Jacobs just so happened to be walking past from the vending machines. With a diet soda in hand he spotted the commotion and called over to the desk cop.
“It’s alright officer, let him through”
As MacNamee walked past, the young officer eyeballed him intently but MacNamee didn’t bother looking.
“Are you alright Doc? We weren’t supposed to meet till morning.”
MacNamee didn’t respond as they entered Jacobs’ office. Graham and Murdoch were sitting patiently; they had been discussing the trip with their Sergeant.
“Doctor MacNamee these are detectives Graham and Murdoch, they will be coming to Staunton with us in the morning...”
“My wife’s dead”
MacNamee blurted out dryly; he used up his emotions at the hospital. Jacobs stood for a moment, stunned.
“Sorry guys” he said to the detectives “Could you give us a minute…”
“No!” Interrupted MacNamee “They might as well stay and hear this, they’re coming with us after all.”
As the doctor moved past them, inviting himself to sit down on the couch in the office, the three cops all sat patiently, waiting for the him talk. Jacobs’ office, some might say was quite boring, though he preferred the term “functional.” The room simply had a couch, a desk and chairs, a filing cabinet to have hardcopies of the files on his hard drive and a couple of pictures on the wall. The color scheme was light blue walls with light green carpets, designed to stimulate ideas when really it just stimulated conversation on why anyone would put these two colors beside one another and call it decor. MacNamee sat looking down at the carpet, trying to control his breathing before telling the men what happened.
“Have you told anyone about this?” Jacobs asked MacNamee after he finished his story.
“Just one of the other doctors, and as for the cops, well, I’m telling you now.”
MacNamee omitted the fact he had just went to Hallcombes.
“Besides…” he continued “I would be locked up in my own hospital if I told too many people, even these guys are looking at me as if I’m nuts.”
MacNamee gestured towards the two detectives who then deliberately changed their expressions to look less judgmental.
“Sorry Doctor” said Graham “It’s just a lot to digest”
“Yeah” agreed Murdoch “We feel terrible for your loss and it’s not that we don’t believe you it’s just that it’s...”
Murdoch couldn’t find the words so Jacobs intervened.
“It’s hard to believe is what he’s trying to say, but I’m sure once we get to Staunton, they’ll come round. I’m pretty sure we’ll all get to see some shit there. Ok guys, thanks, go home and get some sleep; I’ll see you back here at seven thirty sharp alright.”
The two detectives acknowledged Jacobs and got up, offering condolences to MacNamee as they left.
“I’m going to head out too Doc, I can offer you a couch at my place if you like.”
“If it’s all the same to you Sergeant I’d like to sleep on the couch here.”
Jacobs nodded, he understood MacNamee’s wish to feel safe, and what better way to feel safe than in a closed room at a police station.
“Ok well I’ll be back early in the morning to get you then. Don’t worry about Greta, I’ll call from the car tomorrow, have her picked up when we’re on our way to Staunton, It’ll be easier to answer questions when we get back with more information.”
“Won’t people be looking for us?”
“Don’t worry, the Captain owes me one, I’ll get him to keep a lid on it until we get back.”
“What if the media get a hold of it?”
“I’ll make sure they don’t.”
MacNamee was eased by Jacobs’ confidence in the matter.
“Thanks Sergeant, I appreciate what you’re doing.”
Jacobs looked at MacNamee sympathetically.
“You’re welcome, now get some sleep, I’ll collect you in the morning.”
Jacobs turned and headed out as MacNamee lay down on the couch. Tonight, the fetal was his position of choice.
Jacob’s office, tucked half way down a narrow corridor was the perfect place for an attack. The entire floor was deserted and dark. No cops could be seen at reception or on the stairs, in the break room or in the bathrooms. There were no cops in the station at all. The door to the office was open a crack. Respectful as Jacobs was, he left it open a little so MacNamee could heard the officers just outside the door, so he would know he was safe in there. The door opened slowly, whoever was pushing it was careful, not to wake up the sleeping doctor. Then, equally quiet feet made their way across the carpet, slowly, steadily. Moonlight slinked in through the blinds, forming a large square, striped with shadow on the carpet. As Bear stepped into the moonlight, claws started to protrude, showing four inches of gleaming steel. Using the claws to effortlessly climb the couch he stood over MacNamee who, at some point in sleep decided to turned over onto his back for more comfort. Bear stood on the arm of the chair and flexed his claws; tilting his head, he looked for the quickest spot to achieve a kill. MacNamee’s throat was exposed; the doctor had no chance here.
Subconsciously MacNamee could feel eyes on him so he slowly woke, but this would not save him; Bear had the upper hand already. Fixing a gaze on the scowling Bear just moments before it lunged at him, claws primed for the strike; he knew he was done for. As the first four claws sunk deep into his jugular he tried to cry out but no-one
heard him, the station was empty. The second set of claws plunged deep into his ribcage causing an involuntary muscle contraction. The poor doctor jolted up on the couch, sitting up straight, soaked in blood. His brain was running furiously as he sat up. Breathing heavily he forced oxygen into his body at an impressive rate. As his brain calmed, logic crept in, it wasn’t blood, it was sweat. The police station wasn’t empty, it was bustling. Looking around quickly, his eyes fixed on the clock “6:66?” MacNamee closed his eyes tight then wiped the saline water away. “6:16: That’s better” he thought to himself. MacNamee patted himself where he thought he had been stabbed to double check that he hadn’t been. His breathing was still heavier than normal. There was no Bear, but the dream was vivid, more so than dreams were supposed to be. Connor must have been behind this, the boy was toying with them and he was he wasn’t the only one going through this. As he lay awake for the next hour or so, afraid to go to sleep, he wondered which of the others pawns in this tale were getting the same torturous treatment. He knew that the ones who were not getting it, soon would be.
Jacobs filled up the tank and got in the car. MacNamee had been dozing off while they were getting gas despite the fact he was trying hard not to. He did get a few hours’ sleep in before his nightmare woke him up but the trauma he experienced the night before had taken a huge toll on his mental state, causing him to feel more tired than normal. Jacobs handed the doctor a coffee.
“Here doc, this will help.”
But the thankless MacNamee was grouchy through fatigue.
“You actually like gas station coffee?”
“No” Jacobs retorted “but it’s better than the muck at the precinct.”
Jacobs pulled out the forecourt, straight onto the highway on route to Staunton.
“Did you get a car outside Crass’s house like we agreed?”
“I did, yeah.”
“Did you also get the list of toys from him?”
“Yeah. I sent Murdoch and Graham round to get it this morning.”
MacNamee took a deep breath.
“Did you send a car round to my house, to take care of Greta?”
“It’s all taken care of Doc, let’s just worry about what’s ahead of us.”
MacNamee did worry about what was ahead of them. As they passed the sign letting them know they were leaving the city, he tried his best not to fall asleep, but it was a losing battle.
CHAPTER 32
Sheriff Oates was a lot more optimistic when he woke up this morning. He still looked over at his wife, but today she didn’t bother him as much as usual. There were no murders in Staunton last night so his whole office breathed a little easier. Oates came down the stairs after his morning routine, well aware he would be having visitors today. As he organized breakfast for himself he decided he wanted something a little special. The cold realization had already hit him that any one of these mornings could be his last so he knew should be making the most of them. Into the fridge he went, taking out some eggs and milk. A creature of habit for the most part, French toast wasn’t too far a stretch from his regular normal toast, but then it was just fancy enough to convince him he was spoiling himself. He made the coffee as the egg soaked bread in the pan crackled, cooking slowly. His breakfast-for-one was topped off with some sliced strawberries and a dusting of icing sugar. Eating in the quiet kitchen, the sweetness of the ripe farmers’ market strawberries brought his taste buds to life. The flavor reminded him how much he enjoyed living in Staunton but he wondered how long this feeling would last. With each bite he pictured how the plan to catch these killer dolls would play out. He knew it would not be easy. He knew the peace of mind he had already lost was trivial compared to the peace of mind he was going to lose. But still, he did enjoy those sweet strawberries.
“You have reached your destination!”
The satellite navigation system in Jacobs’ car was a godsend. As if he had used all his memory pathways to remember every road, street and landmark in the big city, he was pretty much useless when it came to directions anywhere else. But in this modern day, he didn’t have to worry; technology could guide him wherever he wanted to go. Pulling up in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s office the two men looked at the building through the window. They noticed that for a town that wasn’t very big, the Sheriff station was unusually so. Both men thought this strange but, at the same time they were pleased they weren’t going to be working out of some little country shack.
“Let’s do this.”
Jacobs said as he exited the vehicle, followed closely by MacNamee who was quietly annoyed at Jacobs’ action-movie clichéd statement. The southern air was warm with a slight breeze, it was clear that a cool morning was trying to make way for a better afternoon. Dora looked up from her horned-rim glasses at the two strangers approaching her desk.
“Can I help you?”
“We’re here to see Sheriff Oates” said MacNamee.
“One moment please.”
Dora picked up a phone and dialed Oates. After a moment of conversation she looked back at the men before her.
“Go on through, his office is in the main hall on the left hand side.”
The two men walked through a door into a small hallway. Then, they opened another door into the main room. The first thing MacNamee noticed was there were only eight desks in this room despite its size. The first thing Jacobs noticed was the lack of security features here; it would be so easy for anyone or anything to get in. Not one security camera was visible and (if he was being honest) he didn’t imagine Dora the receptionist would be able to stop anyone from forcing their way in. In the main room Oates stuck his head out his office.
“I’m in here gents.”
Both lost in their own thoughts while sizing up their soon-to-be fortress they were startled by Oates’ interruption.
“Is it just you two? Where’s the other doctor?”
Oates knew Crass’s name full well, but he was still sore over their earlier run in and tried to act like he didn’t mean much to him.
“We had an incident last night Sheriff”
Jacobs said, answering for MacNamee.
“Doctor MacNamee lost someone very close to him in the city; we believe it was one of those dolls that did it. Doctor Crass has stayed behind to protect his family.”
Oates was visibly taken aback.
“I’m sorry Doctor. Who did you lose?”
“My wife.”
“Jesus Christ!”
Jacobs quickly changed the subject back to the backup.
“But I have two other officers coming down, they should be here momentarily.”
“Can you trust them?”
“Yes. Implicitly.”
Something out the window caught Oates’ eye. He spotted two strangers in an unmarked car pulling up outside.
“I believe that’s them now.”
Silence passed between the three men for a few moments. Oates studied MacNamee, he felt terribly sorry for him even though they didn’t know each other that well. Like a chainsaw in the forest, the Sheriff’s desk phone cut the silence. He didn’t have to ask who was calling, it was almost always Dora.
“Send them in.”
Dora acknowledged and a few more silent moments later Graham and Murdoch were approaching the office. In the silence, Jacobs’ eyes rolled around the office, he could not believe how big it was, and, just like everything about the building he had seen so far he could not believe there were no security cameras.
“Quite an office you have here.”
Jacobs said, unsubtly masking his disapproval of it. Oates rolled his eyes.
“Don’t even get me started! Poor planning since the beginning, such wasted space!”
His door knocked; apparently the two detectives had an easier time finding the office than the previous two visitors did. Jacobs opened the door which quietly irked Oates. This was his office and although they knew who it was, it was the principle of the matter that bothered him.
“M
orning fellas” said Jacobs. “Sheriff Oates, this is detective Graham and detective Murdoch.”
Oates came round from his desk and shook both their hands.
“Thanks for coming detectives.”
“No problem Sheriff” said Graham. “To be honest, we’re not really sure what to expect.”
Oates smiled.
“None of us are son. Doc, do me a favor and go into the closet just outside the door there, grab us a couple of chairs.”
Oates knew that if MacNamee did not keep busy he may shut down, and he needed the manpower today.
“I’ll give you a hand” said Murdoch.
The office was half empty, only the area where the Sheriff’s desk was had some objects of use, the rest was barren. “Wasted space” as Oates was fond of repeating. Sitting down at his desk he watched the four organize the chairs and sit down, with Jacobs naturally choosing his spot closest to the desk beside MacNamee.
“Now, where do we start?”
Oates spoke softly, clasping his hands together. A moment passed before Murdoch responded.
“Well, we have the list of dolls we picked up from Doctor Crass; it might be a good idea to get a clear picture in our heads of what we’re looking for.”
“Ok good, can I see it?” Oates asked.
Murdoch walked over and handed him the note, then sat back down again. Oates scoffed loudly.
“Somehow I don’t think this will be much help to us fellas.”
“Why?” asked Jacobs.
“Look for yourself.”
Jacobs took the note from Oates and suddenly understood what he meant.
“What is it?” MacNamee enquired.