by Ink Blood
Water ran down the path towards the street where it met the water already running down the side of the street to the storm drain dragging a few paper and rubbish with it. Normally the streets were clean, but the wind blew over some rubbish bins that were standing close to the sidewalk ready for collection.
Andrew rang the bell again.
No response.
Impatient by waiting and getting more annoyed with the rain, Andrew was about to call it a day and head back to the vehicle. Davis paused, perking Andrew’s curiosity. What did he hear through the rain hammering on the windows, roof and paving?
Davis started to move around the side of the house and noticed movement in the garage. “Sheriff, he’s here in the garage.” He reported.
Andrew joined him and headed into the garage.
“Good day sir, I was wondering if it’s possible to ask you a few questions.” Andrew asked as the drunken man named Len popped his head out of the hood of his old Chevy vehicle.
“What can I do for you sheriff. I believe we sorted that little incident the other days out.”
“Yes, it is. But I’m here to ask you about the accusation you were making towards me.” Andrew said stepping further into the garage to get the rain off his back.
“I’m sorry Sheriff Foster, but I can unfortunately not recall much about that day.” Len said lifting a wrench and fiddled in the engine again.
“If you could please just spare us a moment of you time.”
Len stood up and placed the wrench on the radiator. He grabbed a cloth out of his pants pocket and wiped his hands.
“I hope this won’t take too long, I‘d like this car on the road before I go to work tomorrow. I don’t have the privilege of gallivanting around for days without worrying about work.”
“It won’t take too long. The day of your arrest you told me that I didn’t deserve to be sheriff and that I had run Martin out of town after messing around with his wife. Do you remember that?”
“I don’t remember telling you that, but I do remember hearing something like that almost three month before that. Long before Martin left town, although I’m sure you had something to do with that.” Len admitted.
“Where did you hear it?”
“Some time ago I was in the bar when Sheriff Parker came in. He was upset about something he heard.”
“Did he talk to you about it?”
“A few days earlier some of the men in the bar were talking about you and Janet having a long time affaire and that Christopher was your son.”
“What did Martin say?”
“He didn’t believe it at first but the night I’d seen him he had a chain that he found in your house.”
“What chain?” Andrew asked shocked.
“Some piece of jewelry that he bought for Janet some time earlier.” Len assured.
“But it still doesn’t make sense.” Andrew looked at Davis that was only standing one side saying nothing.
“After he found the chain he started to believe the stories I think.”
“How was his mood when he left?”
“He was ranting and raving the whole night. Shouting and being loud, cursing at everyone and picking fights. Naturally no one would fight him of course. They just stayed out of his way as much as they could. It was in the early hours of the morning when he left. By the time he left he had way too much to drink. How he got home I wouldn’t know, but apparently he got home and it was that same night Janet fled with your whelp.” Len said and took oil from the shelf against the wall.
“Did you know Martin’s back?”
“I heard you arrested him for the murder of his wife and that kid.”
“Yes.”
“Well if you ask me, I don’t think he would’ve done it if you didn’t mess around with his wife.” Len was cold and angry.
“I didn’t have an affair with Janet, neither is Christopher my son. DNA tests proved that. Maybe you should find something else to gossip about when you’re drunk. If you ask me it’s your gossip that has killed Janet and Christopher.”
“Well whatever, I’ve got work to do.” Len said picking up the wrench.
“Thank you for your time.”
Andrew left the garage and instantly the rain soaked him. The sky was darkening early than he had expected. The wind’s brisk and cold. He walked fast to his vehicle and drove back towards the office while Davis followed.
Soon the divers would be here then he could start searching for Janet and Christopher’s’ bodies. He started to doubt that any of the residence would help him taking in consideration the rain, wind and cold. The last time he had dragged them out in this conditions they came up empty-handed and with two injuries, one that resulted in a death.
Andrew headed down the main road and stopped at a diner. It would be wise to eat first, considering that he had nothing to eat the whole day. Davis parked next to him and took up the opportunity himself.
*~*~*
*VIII*
As twice before, Janet appeared in the upstairs passage of Helen’s house. Christopher was walking behind her quietly, his head hung and he wept softly. Janet issued a spine-chilling mourning scream that sent Helen to her feet in the living room. Christopher stopped weeping and looked up excitedly. He darted down the passage and into his old room. He stopped and looked around. He walked to the toy box and flung the top off. Silently he started to play.
Janet walked into her old room and sat on the bed. She kept looking towards the door and then to the bathroom door still half opened. She stood up, pacing the room and walked out towards Christopher’s old room. She glanced down the stairs as she passed it. She looked straight at Helen who had now moves to investigate the chilling scream she had heard moments ago. She moved slowly towards Christopher and stopped at the doorpost.
Christopher called out and stood up. He dropped the toys he was playing with and walked past his mother into the passage and ran into the bathroom. He stood a moment and turned back towards his mother weeping softly. He called out loudly again. He was looking for someone, but he couldn’t understand why she was gone. He stood beside his mother for comfort.
Helen walked up the stairs slowly, she expected Janet to run down the stairs and knock her down. She stopped midway and looked up at Janet standing at the top of the stairs.
Janet issued a moaning, humming sound and looked down at Helen.
“Where is he, find him and make him pay.” She sang in a ghastly whisper.
“We did find him. He’ll pay dearly for what he has done.” Helen insured.
“Find us. Find us soon.”
“We’ll find you soon. I assure you that.”
Janet turned and walked back the way she came, Christopher wept behind her as they left and disappeared at the end of the passage.
*~*~*
Chapter Eight
*I*
Arriving at the office Andrew walked down the passage to the holding cells. He met with Mel who’s in charge of the cells. Andrew had shed his wet jacket but his shoes still squeaked as he walked over the tiles in the passage leading to the cells. His mind’s focused on the events to follow. With only a hand full of people to help him, he wasn’t sure how the night would end. He was walking deep in thought and didn’t see water droplets on the floor. He slipped, and grabbed for the nearest wall and paused, waiting to regain his balance. He turned to see what he’d slipped on.
It was dry. Nothing appeared out of place.
He didn’t think much of the slip. Only shook his head and headed through the door to the cells. The officer accompanied him down a long passage that houses a few cells on either side.
“Good evening Mel it’s nice and cool tonight.”
“Good evening Sheriff. Yes it is. Do you want to take Martin out now?”
“Yes. It‘s time for him to go down to the lake. Is he ready?”
“Well I’m not so sure.”
“What do you mean? It’s not a difficult question.” Andrew said started towards Martin’s cell.
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“No it’s not that sheriff.” Mel said scratching his head.
“Come on spit it out. What’s the problem?”
Mel seemed unusually nervous. He was tall and skinny, in his late thirties and clean shaven. He had dark hair and overgrown eyebrows that made him look harder then he really was. He was a soft spoken kind of guy with little dimples on each cheek. Tall, dark and handsome, his uniform fitted perfectly and he always looked too neat and tidy.
“I took a walk, when I got back Martin was laying on the ground. I first thought it might’ve been withdraw symptoms for the alcohol abuse. But since I woke him up he‘s been rocking and mumbling weird kind of stuff that sends shivers down my spine.” Mel started slowly down the passage towards Martin’s cell with Andrew close behind.
Andrew stopped in front of the cell and looked hard at Martin who didn’t even notice him standing at the bars. Martin was pacing up and down in the cell mumbling something that sounds like gibberish. He seemed out of place and confused like a wild animal trapped in a cage. He was looking, waiting for a way out.
“What do you make of this?” Mel asked.
“Maybe some sort of break down.” Andrew said stepping in closer. “Martin.” He called.
Martin didn’t respond.
“Martin!” Andrew called louder.
Martin looked at him coldly and hard, he was looking right through him. He grunted and started to pace again. Andrew wondered if it’s wise to open the cell releasing something he might not be able to control. Should he get Doctor Scotts out here to check on Martin first?
“Do you think this is a trick?” Andrew asked turning to Mel.
“Do you think you should take him out?” Mel asked concerned for Martin’s state of mind.
“He’s declared fit, but I think this is just a small set back.”
“What do we do?”
“Get him out this thing’s dragging for too long. It’s now or never. Maybe he’s trying to block us from taking him to the lake. I think you’re up for baby-sitting duty, Brat Russell can help you, and he was kind enough to offer his help tonight. Before we leave, there’s a stun gun in my office just in case. You can get it on the way out. It doesn’t look like you have anything better to do, do you?”
“Sure.” Mel said.
Mel stepped in against the bar and produced a ring of keys from his belt. He unlocked the cell and stepped in. He walked up to Martin and took him by the arm. Martin snapped out of his trance with a jolt. He looked up at Mel and smiled. It’s more of a cold heartless smile like someone that was about to pull out a can of whip ass.
“You’re not going to give us a hard time now are you Martin?”
“No.” Martin said between mumbles.
Mel placed the handcuffs on his wrists and cuffs his hands behind his back just for in case. Martin was cooperating. In the back of Mel’s mind he knew Martin was planning on pulling something out of his sleeve. He might even try to make a run for freedom. Something he wouldn’t let happen.
“Are you ready to show us where you dumped Janet and Christopher?” Andrew asked.
“They’re in the lake, near the rock face.” Martin said and exited his cell with Mel holding firmly onto his arm.
They left the cell door open and walked down the passage. Andrew walked behind Mel and Martin. He stopped off at the counter and ran to his office and collected a thicker jacket and three raincoats from the storeroom. Andrew also grabbed the stung gun. He realized that if Mel had gone for it, it might take longer for him to search. Mel was bigger than Martin and the chances that he would pick a fight with Mel were smaller. They left the office and walked into a lighter rain than when Andrew arrived. He dressed quickly and handed the other raincoats to Mel and Martin. Mel dressed into his and just hung Martin’s over his shoulders.
“Let’s get this over with there’s a storm coming.” Andrew said walking out to his vehicle.
*~*~*
*II*
According to prior arrangement Andrew arrived at Helen’s house and the nearest access point to the rock face. Andrew met a larger group than he had expected. Six small moored rowboats were at Helen’s private pier. Amazed Andrew found the diving team did arrived and was already in the water. Mr. Craft and Tom were already in a rowboat off the pier directly above the position of the searching divers. They were slowly making their way towards the rock face. Tom and Mr. Craft stayed close by and kept a watchful eye out for Janet or anything that might complicate the search.
Andrew placed the volunteers in the rest of the boats. Andrew, Mel, Brat and Martin drove by vehicle to as close to the top of the rock face as possible. Walking the rest of the way Andrew and Brat led the way. Martin and Mel were close behind. Fighting through dense bushes and a curtain of rain Andrew kept looking back to see which way Martin was pointing. Following their flashlight they reach the rock face where Martin pointed to an area just to the side of the rock face.
The area Martin pointed to was very overgrown and hard to walk through. It led to a high drop to the water below. Andrew anchored him rope and inched forward until he got through the bushes and looked over the edge to the water far below. The wind was ripping through his ears and the rain almost blinded him. He could barely make out the boat far below and shone his spotlight down towards the water. He found a space where he could stand comfortable without the aid of the rope holding him up. Brat Russell followed the rope to where Andrew stood guiding the volunteers and Tom to the most likely place where the bodies might be. Brat anchored himself with his own rope to prevent him from slipping on the wet and slippery traitorous rocks under foot. He stood next to Andrew and shone with another spotlight into the murky water far below.
The night was dark, wet and cold. Minutes passed like hours before the first of the boats arrived at the area Andrew and Brat was indicating from above. The wind hallowed through the forest and their ears bringing conversation to a grinding halt. Occasionally Andrew would point out to Brat when he needed more light.
*~*~*
*III*
The diver’s inched forward slowly and with great caution. There was no need to tell them how dangerous their little venture was. Once under water the darkness and murky, muddy water was denser and just as impossible to see through. Their visibility’s reduced to feeling their way as they went. More mud’s kicked up from the bottom and between the rocks jotting through the water like sharp shards of glass. Roped attached the divers to a buoy. The ropes were long enough to move through the water without getting them entangled. If trouble brewed Tom would pull on the rope and hoisted them up to the boat. So far they were making progress without incident.
Small bubbles popped on the surface a distance away from the divers. It moved in from the area where Andrew and Brat were scanning. It came to meet the divers head on. No one noticed the bubbles as the rain dancing on the water. It’s hidden from the boats fast approaching.
The boats reaches the area first leaving Tom and Mr. Craft in their boat behind as they kept a watchful eye on the divers. Mr. Craft recorded every angle above the water with his equipment.
Boats arrived at the site where spotlights shone from above. Volunteers dumped ropes with large hooks into the water. They tried to hook anything that they could pull to the surface. They needed do this before the divers were too close to their hooks.
The bubbles neared the boat in which Tom and Mr. Craft was.
Two of the sensors on the boat sounded.
The temperature dropped.
Mist formed on the water, swallowing the small rowboat.
A gloomily light appeared under the water.
Water splashed and rippled as something moved through the water at a great speed.
More splashing water and a ghastly moaning sound ripped through the area.
A scream deafened their ears and water splashed into the boat.
Tom and Mr. Craft ready themselves for a fight.
The scream faded.
The water calmed.
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br /> The light faded as it dove into murky water.
Bubbles popped around the boat, something’s under it.
Something was moving fast, moving downwards deeper and deeper into the murky water.
Tom and Mr. Craft started pulling the buoys, trying to get divers to move away or get them out of the water. It felt tiring and like there was no response from the divers. The divers didn’t pull back on the ropes, neither did they surface.
The divers felt the pull on the ropes but it’s too little too late. Janet broke the water for just a moment and she was angry. A muffled scream echoed as she dove and her mysterious light cut through the water, shooting down in the diver’s direction. A diver yanked the rope. He started to swim upwards in a panic. No aid came from above.
It was too dark to see the surface.
He started to hyperventilate, almost spitting out the mouthpiece giving him air from the tank.
He felt something brush up against him.
Something grabbed the rope and dragged him into the wrong direction.
An underwater sort of scream reached him.
It wasn’t a normal under the water kind of scream. It was ghastly and outraged right next to him. It was hair-raising and horrid.
Janet was drawing near.
He searched for his rope, couldn’t find it.
He searched for a light. He saw some kind of a light coming his way. His friends had come to his aid.
He felt another yank on the rope.
He waited, trying to calm his breathing. His head was spinning, he felt dizzy.
The light was close, but it wasn’t a spotlight.
It was bright, misty and came out of the murky water like a phantom.
The diver tried to escape the light. He knew more than sensed its danger. He felt the anger engulfing him. He panicked again.
He couldn’t flee.
His rope’s held fast.
He reached for his knife strapped to his belt. He released the clip and pulled it from its pouch.