Running into the Darkness

by D. A. Bale

  Time slowed as an unusual movement near the stairwell caught his eye. He’d expected it, figured it would only be a matter of time until she sought him out, but he didn’t think she’d arrive on this day. He’d actually allowed himself the luxury of imagining what she looked like after all these years, however the sight of her still caught him off guard. Though the hint of dark circles ringed her eyes, Sam had never looked more beautiful.

  When they were younger she’d been very athletic and way too skinny but he hadn’t really cared about that in high school. However, his tastes had matured over the years. Some guys liked stick figures, but Joe preferred a woman with some meat on her bones and soft curves. He admired Sam in the simple jeans, black t-shirt, and the familiar worn jacket as she spoke to his colleague across the room. Her brown hair was pulled away from her face in a ponytail, but he remembered the silkiness of her dark locks when he’d run his fingers through them while…

  Joe sat up and hunched over his desk to focus his attention back on the task at hand – the file, the pictures, his notes. Maybe this wasn’t the best file to have open on his desk with Sam in the room. With a flick of his fingers, he closed the file and glanced up.

  Into Sam’s brown eyes.

  “Hey, Joe.”

  “Good to see you, Sam.”

  A moment of awkward silence passed between them. How ridiculous. He’d never felt uncomfortable around her in all the years they’d known each other. No need to start now. Joe got up and came around his desk, then enveloped Sam into his arms. She melted into his embrace as if the years were mere weeks. He hated to break the silence but felt she needed to hear it.

  “I’m sorry about Gramm.”

  Her body stiffened. Joe recognized the sign as the tough girl stance, that Sam’s personal wall was being built high against the world to keep the hurt away from her heart. Some things never changed.

  “Thanks,” Sam finally responded and pulled from his arms.

  “I thought about coming today.”

  “Why didn’t you?” Her dark gazed pierced him.

  “Well I didn’t want to be…”

  “Bothered?”

  “A distraction.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself.”

  The girl could still get under his skin and irritate the living tar out of a rock if necessary. The most ridiculous part of it all, he let her do it to him. Nearly ten years had passed and still they so readily picked up right where they’d left off. Well his profession had also taught him how to build walls of protection.

  “I was here, you were there. I checked in on her occasionally. Your grandmother treated me like family.”

  “Is that a slam?”

  “Just the facts, ma’am.”

  The corner of her eye twitched, the only sign she allowed to let him know he’d gotten to her. For a moment she tensed as if she might explode, then her body relaxed. She closed her eyes and rubbed the scar on her chin.

  “She told me about your visits. Look, I didn’t come down here to start an argument.”

  The moment over, Joe returned to his chair and attempted to slide the file off his desk with practiced ease. The professional wall remained. “What can I do for you then?”

  Sam never missed much. “That’s her file.” Her strong grip tugged at the manila folder.

  Joe laid his hand over hers to keep her from opening the file. “It’s not pretty.”

  “You’re forgetting – I’m a doctor.”

  “Well, Dr. Bartlett, you’ve never had to work on family or friends, have you?” If there was any way to spare her additional trauma he’d do it in a heartbeat. He softened his demeanor. “There’s a reason Mr. Eddis requested a closed casket.”

  A lifetime of pain glistened deep in her eyes for a spare second before she released her grip on the file. The wall of protection wavered. Would the girl ever let anyone in?

  “Tell me one thing,” Sam continued as she sat down.

  “I’ll try.”

  “Was it really just a simple case of hit and run?”

  “It’s rather looking that way. Why?”

  “If that’s all, then why are you investigating it?”

  “I asked to, Sam.”

  He allowed her to digest the information. A myriad of questions played dodge ball in her mind – he could see it in her eyes, the twitch of her cheek, the purse of her lips, and the continued stroking of her scar. Even with her level of intelligence, Joe could still read her thoughts and know her mind by a mere glance at her face. It always drove her nuts. At times it drove them closer together.

  In the end it drove them apart.

  “Well is there some reason the FBI would be involved?”

  That question came out of nowhere, and completely surprised him. “There’s no reason for them to be.”

  “You still have friends there, yes?”

  “Yeah, but what does that have to do with your grandmother?”

  “There was a guy at Gramm’s funeral today who looked the part, that’s all. I thought afterward maybe you sent him to question me, but he never did.”

  Odd – no reason for his buds at the Bureau to be involved, and they certainly had more tact than to show up at a funeral for questioning. No one had called him for copies of reports or pictures from the accident, and if they had an angle on anything he’d be the first they’d contact. They knew he was worming his way toward the Bureau, the ultimate professional goal in his line of work.

  “Maybe he was with the funeral home,” Joe offered.

  Sam sighed. “Probably.”

  The phone call startled them both. Joe picked it up and spoke with the chief briefly before settling the receiver back in its cradle. When he stood Sam followed suit.

  “Chief Snowe needs to chat. Was there anything else you wanted to check on for now?”

  “No, just wanted a rundown, that’s all.”

  “If anything comes up you’ll be the first to know.”

  “Sure – thanks, Joe.”

  He caught her hand as she turned to go. “It was good seeing you, Sam.”

  She smiled half-heartedly. “You too.”

  Sam’s shoulders sagged, as if any hope she’d carried into the precinct had bled out. The girl really needed to relax and let her hair down instead of carrying the entire world on her back. Maybe she’d consider dinner with him, just old friends catching up. First thing in the morning he’d call his buddies at the Bureau and find out if they were working cases with any possible connection to Gramm’s accident. Then he’d call Sam and see about dinner.

  But Joe didn’t hold out much hope of success – on either front.

  Chapter 6 – Give and Take Away

  Warner moaned with pleasure as he continued thrusting hard and gripped the carved headboard of the canopied bed for support. The girl was so tight, far too long since he’d had a virgin. Most girls these days were so loose he could ram them up to their eyeballs, but this young thing he’d only get to those mountainous tits that glistened with his saliva. They hardly jiggled with each thrust – the real things, not those gelatinous implants so common among women these days.

  Tits had always been his weakness. Warner always had to concentrate to stay focused on the face of the well-endowed and maintain decorum in public. However, he hadn’t had to keep his hobby a secret from the old crone for more than twenty years, the only stipulation being never to use their bed. That thing hadn’t seen action in so long he considered it a jinx, and they rarely slept together in it. He was happy to romp about other rooms throughout the mansion.

  Sated and spent, Warner collapsed between the mountains and massaged their peaks once more. With a farewell suck he withdrew from the girl’s spent casing and robed himself, glancing in the mirror momentarily to smooth his speckled gray hair before slipping on his glasses. He winked to the reflection and flashed a smile. Even at sixty-four, he was still a handsome devil with stamina to boot.

  Seating himself on the bed’s edge, Warner took the girl�
�s hand and kissed it. “You have been such a pleasure to me this evening, and I will reward you accordingly, my dear.”

  She stared back at him with dark haunted eyes and replied, “Thank you, sir.”

  The eyes caught him for just a moment, and a spark of guilt twitched his cheek. Her parents had practically laid her in his lap as they sought his attentions and concessions for their contract bid, dangling their daughter’s virginity like bait – and he’d bitten. Well what could he do? As a man, he had certain cravings that begged to be fed.

  Warner strode from the room, pausing only to speak to his assistant stationed with the security detail. “Clean her up and give her the usual obligatories. Make sure she takes that blasted pill then escort her out of here.” As an afterthought Warner followed up, “Make no promises to the parents, Forsdale.”

  “Yes, Mr. President.”

  With that said, U.S. President Frederick Douglas Warner left them to their business of cleaning up after his conquest.

  ***

  A flash of his badge gained entry to the raging Alexandria, Virginia nightclub, joining the press of bodies writhing in rhythm to the throbbing techno beat. Scantily clad women and men slid their sweating bodies against him and pressed groins to his in seductive invitation. But he hadn’t come to dance.

  He had a job to do.

  The strobe effect gave him a headache until he passed into the hallway and through the elevator doors. Even two floors below he could feel the music’s pulse through the elevator shaft as he pulled the weapon from his pocket and the doors opened. The attendant never knew what hit him.

  After tucking the body away in an alcove, he followed the horseshoe-shaped hallway and counted off the closed doors in the scarlet infused low light. A quick check of his watch outside number nine, and then he made his move. With an almost imperceptible click, he entered the dim room and closed the door.

  She rode her john hard, neither one immediately aware of his presence. Damn shame she was on top because he’d have to take her out with him. Then lady luck smiled.

  Recognition flashed in the man’s eyes the moment his target rose up and glanced over the prostitute’s shoulder. He took aim.

  “Eric, what the…”

  “Time’s up, Congressman.”

  The spit of the weapon silenced the public servant forever. Together they rolled the body from the bed before the stream of blood stained the sheets. Then the prostitute enveloped his mouth with hers and drew him to her naked and sweaty form as she clawed at his jacket and shirt buttons. He couldn’t get out of his suit fast enough.

  “I got your message,” he panted in her ear and pressed her down to the bed.

  She responded, “I thought you weren’t coming.”

  “Give me a few minutes and I will.” He smiled.

  Their undulating bodies pounded against the mattress in increasing fervency, the scent of fresh blood heightening the passion. Too damn long since he’d gotten a good piece of her heated action. The other girls could never get him to the unending fever pitch and change it up often enough to maintain his interest. But she hurled her pelvis up to match his – their rhythm in perfect sync – until his pleasure liquefied.

  She nestled up to him as their breathing slowed and bodies cooled. Eric curled a finger around a strand of her red hair and sighed before he spoke.

  “Next time make sure you’re not on top when I arrive.”

  She sat up, her stare boring into his green eyes. “You wouldn’t.”

  “You know I’d have no choice.”

  Her shoulders slumped in resignation. “What about him?” She nodded toward the Congressman’s body.

  Eric slipped into his pants and gathered his shirt and jacket. “Your responsibility this time.”

  “What?”

  He paused at the door. “Oh, and don’t forget the other one in the alcove.”

  She glared at him then licked her lips. He’d leave her wanting more.

  Eric smiled. “Don’t wait so long until next time.”

  Chapter 7 - A Discovery

  “You’ll get a much better price for the house if you get it on the market now. April is the biggest residential home sales month of the year.”

  Faithful Mr. Eddis puffed on a stogie while he urged Samantha along the steps necessary to process Gramm’s estate and move on with life. The scent of tobacco soothed, a familiar part of Mr. Eddis’ ways – like the grandpa whom she’d never known.

  Daily Samantha struggled with torturous thoughts of selling Gramm’s house and going back to New York City. Once the house fell into another family’s hands, she’d truly have no place to call home. Part of her missed New York. The hustle and bustle had breathed into her at a time she’d needed it – or so she’d thought. Selling the house would sever any and all connections to Kansas, but most of all to Gramm.

  “I know, Mr. Eddis, and you’ve been so patient with me through all of this. I truly don’t know what I would have done without you and Mrs. Eddis this last month. It’s been nice having home cooked meals.”

  It reminded her of the meals Gramm had prepared for her without fuss. Once again she berated herself for the times in high school when she’d skipped out on meals without calling. Gramm had eaten alone many a night after waiting and worrying. No wonder she’d be so upset when she finally shuffled in after midnight.

  Mr. Eddis came around the walnut desk and sat beside her on the chocolate leather divan, taking her hand in his and patting it comfortingly just like Gramm used to do.

  “Forgive me, dear. My lawyer hat sometimes gets in the way. I think we’ve discussed enough business for today. You hold onto the house as long as you need, and I’ll take care of the taxes out of the estate until you decide the time is right to move on with things. That way you can scuttle on back to New York and finish up that medical residency.”

  Samantha took the offered tissue. “Oh, I don’t have to worry about getting back to New York right away.” She shrugged sheepishly. “Truth be told, there’s been some issues with my residency placement, but they’ll hold my status for up to six months.”

  “Perhaps something local? I could make a few calls.”

  “I’m really not ready to think about my future yet.”

  Mr. Eddis stared. “I suppose this also has to do with your desire to find the culprit responsible for the crash?”

  Too many evenings spent at the Eddis home allowed him a hint at her purpose. Regardless of the starting topic, most of their dinner conversation ended up centered on the investigation.

  Mr. Eddis continued, “How ‘bout I call Mrs. Eddis and tell her to set another place at the table tonight, hmm?”

  The man could be so sweet and understanding. How on earth did he end up a lawyer?

  “I appreciate it, as always, but I just need a little quiet time.”

  “Which is it tonight – swinging by the precinct or the hospital?”

  Samantha couldn’t stifle the laugh that erupted. “Have I become that predictable? I thought I might stop in at the hospital to hold some babies.”

  To see new life entering the world even when others passed out of it gave her a sense of joy in the midst of the heartache. Some of the older nurses remembered Samantha from the summers when she’d volunteered as a nurse’s assistant. They welcomed her willingness to hold and cuddle the drug-addicted newborns for hours on end, their wails of agony screaming life to Samantha’s ears.

  Several hours of crying babies passed before Samantha continued her weekly ritual and headed to the cemetery. After a brief stop at Gramm’s grave to restock the flower cup with fresh pink roses, she took up residence at the now familiar headstone of her mother, leaning against it as if it were her mom’s steady shoulder. She sighed, remembering the warmth of her mother’s arms but having to make do with cold hard reality.

  “Still nothing new to report, Momma. I’ve worked ‘em over pretty hard, but the police have come up as empty as me. Joe just won’t cooperate. You know, forensics was
pretty interesting when I took that course during medical school, but when it’s your own family?”

  Lightning flashed off in the distance. She’d waited for a Kansas thunderstorm since she’d arrived. Gramm used to come out and sit with her on the front porch to enjoy the sound of the downpour and the roar as the wind tossed the rain and misted their faces. A pleasant shiver passed up her spine as she noticed the familiar scent of approaching moisture.

  “Looks like we’re going to get a thunderstorm tonight. It’s funny, I don’t remember having them in Washington. I do remember it rained a lot but not a thunderstorm.”

  The sun dipped behind the clouds and the wind increased. As Samantha finished up her musings, the sky deepened with the approaching storm and thunder rumbled. A flash of lightening brightened the sky momentarily as she said her goodbyes. Something caught her eye as she turned.

  The next flash illuminated a man in the distance standing beside a lonely tree. His outline appeared just visible after Samantha’s eyes readjusted to the gathering darkness.

  Pull it together, girlie. Just a man visiting family like you.

  She was too jumpy. Must be the storm.

  ***

  The manila envelope burned against his flesh, as if reminding Joe of the dishonorable duty he undertook. If the chief found out, all hell would break loose across the City of Wichita – maybe even the entire state. He’d probably get demoted back to street cop too, but the potential disgrace did nothing to deter him as he pulled out of the precinct parking lot and flipped on the headlights.

  At first Sam had been the one to stop by the precinct or call him every couple of days to see if anything new had shown up on the radar. In the beginning she’d remained subtle, but as the weeks went by and her frustration grew, demands for copies of the file contents were nothing short of blatant. She had to know he couldn’t just hand over investigative material, but in Sam’s case emotion always outweighed logic.

  Apparently the logic disease had infected him too. When he’d first started the duplicate file, it was under the auspices of running it over to his buds at the Bureau to see if there were any connections between his case and one of theirs. But if he were even a hint honest with himself, this plan had been percolating in his mind all along.