Blood Red Sundown: Evil Begins

by Allen Gates

  Cassandra obviously agreed and throwing all caution to the wind she gave in to a bawdy side of her she didn’t know existed.

  “I’d love it,” she answered and turned and ran toward the bedroom undressing as she ran.

  He followed, but in his mind he was thinking of his next move with Anne while he played with the emotions of this very gullible woman totally lost in his persuasive desires. He did not hear what she had asked him as he neared her bed due to his distant thoughts, so he took a chance and answered yes as he removed his shirt.

  97

  “A FEMALE OFFICER approached Anne and informed her that patrolman Leo Trent was at the front desk talking to some of the guys and was there to see you at your request.

  Anne walked out and greeted him and led him back to her desk. She watched his eyes for any sign of nervousness, but he remained stoic looking directly into her eyes.

  “I need you to sit and relax for a sec, Leo, while I find Lon. I want him to be in the room with us. The coffee room is around the corner if you’re interested.”

  As they started towards the door Lon appeared and they followed him to the coffee room.

  “How are you Leo? How are things out on the patrol front?”

  “I’m sure you can remember, Lon. If we could eliminate homicides like this one, old Santa Barbara’s patrol unit would be a snap.”

  “Amen to that. Listen, we brought you in to go back over the events of the night we were there with the lady discovered by the hitchhiker.”

  “I need you to take a minute and picture the scene from the beginning and try to recall everything about that night. Did you bring your notebook?”

  “Oh yea, I never leave home without it.”

  “First thing I want you to do is to put the hiker in your mind. I want you to see him and recall as much about his actions and demeanor as you can. Maybe there was something you saw but felt was unimportant and didn’t write it down.”

  “Well, it all started when he flagged me down. I pulled …

  “Hold it Leo, he flagged you down? So, no one actually summoned a patrol car?”

  “No, I was on coast patrol and I saw him in my lights. As I approached, he turned and waved for me to stop. I pulled over and he informed me of finding the body.”

  “So, you were heading up the coast out of town; is that right?”

  “Yes.” He paused for a second remembering and looked at his notebook. I have written here that he was headed away from town.”

  “My notes say he was heading home, Anne said. Where is home?”

  Lon checked his notes.

  “He lives in Summerland.”

  “That’s south of Santa Barbara. Now I want you to picture the moment when you were through with this guy. You release him. He gets out of the car and you prepare to leave. Which way did he walk?”

  “I offered to drive him to town, but he declined. I rolled up my window and as he walked away he turned north. Yea, his back was to me as I pulled on to the highway. He was walking north.”

  “The question is why if he was heading home?’

  Anne surprised both of them with her theory;

  “He could have lied about hitchhiking. He could have been walking back to a car parked further up the road.”

  Lon realized she could be right and knew they should have been a little more suspicious of the guy and pressed him a little harder.

  Leo responded with, “As I recall there aren’t many places to park along there, but what are you thinking he was doing, Anne?”

  “There are a couple of possibilities. First if he parked his car and really was just taking a walk for exercise then every other part of his story fits.

  “Another possibility is that he was with this girl and they were parked back up the road. Things began getting too hot, she said no jumped out of the car and walked away. He decided to scare her by giving her plenty of time to be out there in the dark alone and then go after her. He found her in the condition we all saw her in and Leo happened to be going by and the guy flagged him down. After his release from our questioning he walked back up the road to his car.

  “The final possibility would have to be that he brought her out here and is her killer and probably killed all the others. How is that for three differing theories? That last one came out of nowhere and if it proves to be true, we should lose our shields.”

  “I would agree with the loss of shield, but thinking of him as the serial killer is pretty far reaching. But the first two are real possibilities. When are you patrolling that section of roadway again, Leo?”

  “I’ll be in that area tomorrow on my rounds. I’m off today.”

  “I would like you to check out the terrain north of where the girl was found and determine if there are areas where someone could or even did pull off the road and would be unseen from the road.”

  Anne moved over and sat on the edge of the desk where Leo was sitting and asked, “Can you think of anything else about that night that seems more important now?”

  “I have arrived at a new conclusion now that I have gone over the original questioning of him in my mind and I recalled he seemed a little more reluctant than most. Usually when someone has made a discovery like finding a body, they are excited to show you and describe how and what they found. He was exactly the opposite and even seemed scared at first.”

  He expected a quick response from one of the detectives, but when none came he said, “That’s about it guy’s. I need to get going. I’m meeting the prettiest girl in town and then out to dinner. I’ll let you know sometime tomorrow about areas around the scene. I hope something from this discussion will bring you some good luck on this case.”

  “Thanks for coming in on your day off and Leo, this will be off the record, but I’d like to hear details on your date tomorrow.”

  He said exiting the door, “No way, Lon.”

  The two detectives sat quietly after he walked out until finally Lon asked, “What’s your prognosis, Anne?”

  “Prognosis, Lon? Wow! My prognosis is this, we basically are at a standstill. So, let’s put the hiker’s name in the system and pray we do not find something that will make us look worse than we already feel. Meanwhile there are questions we need answered, like distinguishing differences and similarities between the motel killing and the other victims. Where and even more important, why is this idiot taking their clothes? Serial killers always take souvenirs, but never their entire outside clothing.”

  “That question makes our conundrum even more confusing. Hey, did you notice the ring on Leo’s hand? It reminded me that we have been slack on that potential clue. I do remember that the senator wore a good size gold ring. We need to get custody of that ring and get it into a lab to check it for DNA. I wonder if he would agree to it if we asked without a warrant.”

  “Man oh man Lon, you are obsessed with proving the Senator’s guilt. I remind you we have absolutely nothing to tie him to any crime. Let’s concentrate on other possibilities.”

  “Okay I get your point. I am disappointed you did not comment on my new word; conundrum.”

  When she just shook her head he stood prepared to leave.

  “Grab your gear or whatever else you need and let’s roll.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “We’re going to pay a visit to that magical place everyone is in love with.”

  “I need you to check in with the big guy and explain our purpose in heading to the coast and I’ll enter the hitchhikers name in the computer log. Meet me at the car in five minutes.”

  Lon was growing impatient as he sat waiting thinking she was taking way too much time. When she appeared he decided against voicing his displeasure and smiled as she entered the car. He was proud of himself for his new found control.

  She asked, “What do you expect to find at this Garden of Eden?”

  “Well, if someone is really watching the doctor on her daily visits, we should be able to determine where he hides and his entry and exit route.
Who knows we may see someone we know there.”

  “Like your favorite senator, Lon?”

  “That would be interesting; don’t you think?”

  98

  CARRYING A TRAY with a French Merlot and two glasses the senator moved carefully up the stairway. Setting the tray on a table beside the door he turned the knob and pushed the door with his hip as he picked up the tray. He looked at her and immediately felt the love that he had never known with any other. She sensed his emotion immediately and held her arms out to him. Placing the tray next to the bed, he lay down beside her.

  “I missed you William. Have you taken care of our problem?”

  “Not yet Mother, but it will be over soon. I have it worked out in my head. I’m making sure that I cannot be tied to it in any way.”

  “You have done very well in that department in the past. I have complete trust in your judgment.”

  “Mother, may I raise your veil.”

  “Yes, my love, but I want you to lie on the other side of the bed. I know my facial scars are not offensive to you, but for tonight I want you to remember me as I was without them. You are in contact with young beautiful women every day and I have always approved of you attending to your natural desires. Even if you marry again, I will still be here to love you as we have always loved.”

  He handed her a glass of wine before moving to the opposite side and sat on the bed and raised his glass. “I raise my glass to our love that has endured many difficulties through the years. We, my beautiful mother, have fooled a great many people.”

  Clicking her glass, he sipped and then placed the glass on the stand next to the bed turned and raised her veil. She turned slightly away and said, kiss me.”

  The kiss lasted and then taking her glass he sat it on the night stand next to his. She pulled him down beside her and lay on his arm as he reached with the other and turned her face toward him. He looked into her eyes and smiled. She knew by his eyes and tender smile that this was the way it should be right or wrong. She raised her lips to his and they became lost in the sensual feelings that they had shared through the years and had pledged to each other they would die sharing that love.

  99

  RETURNING TO HIS hidden position off the roadway, he again brought the envelope out and leafed through her photos. He placed them in the order she seemed to be most lost in the surroundings and unaware of his closeness to her as she walked. He had been so close to her so many times. There were times he knew that she felt him looking at her and had searched the area with her eyes trying to see if someone was really there.

  She often looked right where he was standing and watching her through the bushes. The dog always sensed him when he was near.

  “She’s lucky, I didn’t dispose of him, when I had the chance,” he thought.

  He looked at his watch and determined there was still quite a bit of time before the sunset she loved so much. He settled back in the seat, closed his eyes and held her photos against his chest.

  100

  “SLOW DOWN LON, this is it,” Anne offered as they approached the turn off.

  Lon made the turn and drove along slowly observing the area as he prepared to find a spot to park. From where he stopped they were able to look out over the ocean.

  “So, this is the paradise that they all rave about? It’s a little obscure with a very pretty view, but certainly not the earth shattering views they had created in my mind.”

  They parked and began walking down the trail toward the ocean.

  “It is beautiful. I can see why they get all passionate and stuff. I can see myself coming to a place like this for a getaway.”

  Lon looked at her and appreciated her special look when she was anxious or deep in thought.

  “I agree it’s beautiful, but listen, this is important partner, do not get it in your head that with all that passion you’re exuding that I’m going to be an easy mark for your sexual advances because we’re here all alone. I have my morals and …”

  “Your morals are as low as the sand we’re walking on.”

  She came back with, “The truth is all I would have to say to you is, I’m really turned on being alone with you Lon and you would be on me like a bee on honey.”

  “Try this imitation for authenticity.”

  He raised his arms and flapping them like wings walked toward her. “Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”

  “Stop it right now, you idiot. Let’s get to work before someone shows up.”

  He nodded in agreement.

  “The Doctor described in her talks with us walking this way toward the more wooded area of the beach.”

  Anne began walking in that direction. She looked back at him and saw that he was only half listening and was deep in thought and then as if coming to some conclusion began following her.

  The sun was getting lower, but Lon figured there should still be ample daylight to complete their purpose for being there. As they walked, they could not help being impressed with the beauty of the water as it broke over the rocks and the magnificent skyline highlighted by the setting reddening sun.

  “How could you not want to come here as often as was possible, Lon?”

  “Yah, yah. Look, I’m going to walk in the tree line for a distance, partner. You stay close by in case I need you.”

  As he entered the woods, Anne walked closer to the shoreline and became engrossed in the magnificence of what was spread out before her. Why had she never become a lover of the coast and the ocean? It was all around her and yet, she chose to spend most of her evenings talking to a bartender with a drink in her hand.

  “I have to admit, Johnny, she said into the air. I do like talking to you, but I could be persuaded to take a little time off from our time together.”

  Someone was calling her name. It was Lon. Turning and breaking into a run she headed toward the voice and arriving at his location, he gave her a peeved look and asked where she had been?

  “Look here,” he said, pointing to the ground. “It’s obvious that someone has been standing here and quite often.”

  He headed up the wooded incline toward the road. Anne followed for a distance then veered off to the left searching for a separate path or trail someone might have used.

  On top of the hill, he had just left the car, and was walking toward the beach when he caught sight of the woman detective below walking toward him. He wasted no time hiding behind a tree confident she had not seen him. He remained totally still, as she walked past and then circled quietly around the tree using it as a shield.

  He had recognized her immediately, but was confused as to why she was here. Was her partner there with her? His question was answered as he heard someone moving further to his right and surmised that it must be the other detective. He knew his best defense was to remain calm, stay hidden and wait for the appropriate time to get back to his car.

  Anne walked out of the tree line and saw the parked car. She approached carefully with drawn weapon and finding no one in the car retreated immediately to search for Lon, not wanting to yell for him and alert whoever the car belonged to.

  He watched her careful movements back down the hill searching for her partner and the possibility of running into him. He remained still waiting until she was out of sight then stepped from behind the tree and broke in to a run for the car, started the engine, and drove out on to the highway.

  When she found Lon and explained what she had seen they hurriedly moved to where Anne had made her discovery. As they cleared the hill the car was gone. Anne became angry and apologetic for her un-professional decision to let the car out of her sight.

  “I should have remained with the car and waited for you.”

  “Forget it. I want you to take some time now and replay the entire scene in your mind, Anne.”

  “Picture yourself looking at the car as you approached it. Try to remember the position it was in, the color, then try to remember the make, was it a sedan, anything else that comes to mind.”r />
  As she related everything she could recall Lon recorded her words in his notebook. “We were close to him,” he thought. He looked at Anne and knew she was disturbed over her actions and decided to let her off the hook.

  “Listen partner, we can’t assume that it was our man, it could have been somebody enjoying the scenery.”

  101

  THROWING ALL CAUTION to the wind, Stephanie decided to take her nightly sunset tour. She had been warned to take extra precautions and keep alert to what was going on around her and if possible be sure someone is there with her.

  In the car she checked the gas gauge; it was low, but she decided there was enough for the short trip. Before pulling away from the curb she was surprised to see a man stepping out of his car just a short distance ahead and leaving the door open. It brought back the warnings to be mindful of potential dangers the detectives had given her. He was leaning against the car and smiling at her as she drove past.

  When she checked the rear view mirror he was continuing to stare in her direction. A sense of, “I have seen him before crossed her mind.” Searching her memory, it hit her. He was the man she had encountered on the beach and she remembered they had spoken briefly. Something about him had made her feel uneasy as he stood in front of her that night. It was his eyes that had made her uncomfortable. His eyes, she remembered, projected something evil.

  Her mind became deluged with questions. Why was he parked there near my residence? Did he write the notes? Is he the killer? Should I still go to the shore knowing he could follow me?

  She was lost in the moment and didn’t realize that she had let the car slow down well below the speed limit A horn sounded and a car was very close to her bumper, so she sped up and waved hoping they would accept her wave as an apology.

  “His being there could have just been a coincidence, Stephanie,” she said to calm her nerves. She had made a pact with herself when this mess began she would never give in to hysteria. Get a grip and get to the beach.”