“I know, Williams, but we can’t let our personal feelings get in the way. The evidence points directly at her, and only her. There were some long gray hairs also found tangled in the rope, and even inside Tom Green’s backpack.”
He continued, “We’ve taken DNA samples of all the sisters, and they will go through testing by tomorrow morning. If Mother’s hair matches the ones that were found, then we have all we need to get an arrest warrant signed. We are holding Mother Superior for questioning at the station in the meantime.”
Sitting at his office desk and pressing a phone to his ear, Sheriff Johnson used his free hand to pick up the photograph of Timmy’s corpse. He studied it a moment as he said, “Deputy Williams, you’ve had a long, hard day. As soon as Deputy Kent comes to relieve you, you can go. Tomorrow morning, I want you to go to the monastery and assist the forensics team. Hopefully, the power will be back on by then.”
“Of course, sir. What time do you need me to be there, Sheriff?”
“Meet them there at 08:00 hours, and report to me if they find anything noteworthy.”
Feeling confident, Deputy Williams was more than ready to take on his new task. “I will be there first thing in the morning.”
“By the way, I’ll be on my way to talk to Tom Green’s parent in Sanger about exhuming their son’s body.”
Williams perked up. “You found them? That’s great, sir.”
“I’m happy about it. I need to get Tom’s body exhumed as soon as possible, so we can see if he was murdered too.”
“All right, Sheriff. Is there anything else I need to be aware of?”
“I can’t think of anything, other than making sure that the sisters know not to leave.”
“I’ve already instructed them, sir.”
“Good! You may want to get a good night’s rest after your replacement arrives. You’re gonna’ need it.”
“Thank you, Sheriff. I’ll look out for him. Have a good night.”
“Night, Deputy. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
“Of course, Sheriff. Talk to you then.” Hanging up the phone, Deputy Williams got up and walked down the hallway toward the front desk.
Looking at him from behind the desk, Nancy Jones stood there smiling as she held a telephone to her ear. Intrigued by this petite redheaded beauty, the deputy returned a smile as he approached her. Patiently, he waited for her to finish her conversation as she typed some information in her computer. Concluding the call, she hung up the phone and looked up. When her blue-gray eyes met his blue ones, he was immediately drawn in.
“May I help you, Deputy?” the woman asked, immediately interested in the handsome, blonde man in uniform. He stood close to a foot taller than her, which made her feel almost like a child.
Deputy Williams noticed the delicate curves of her face. Wow! She is hot. I had better not mess this up, he thought. Her eyes almost seemed to sparkle as she looked back at him.
“Look, I don’t want you to think I am coming off too forward. Are you seeing anyone?”
“Not at the moment, Deputy,” she giggled like a school girl.
Williams smiled as he said, “I’m about to get off of work, and I haven’t eaten yet. I’d love for you to join me for dinner.”
Raising her eyebrows, she leaned a little forward. “You want to take me out?”
Smiling, he said, “Miss Jones—”
Grinning she interrupted him, “Call me, Nancy.”
“Nancy, I would love to take you out.”
Pursing her lips, she said, “I bet you have a bunch of girls waiting in the wings.”
“No, not at all,” he said nervously. “Nancy, this is a small town. There aren’t that many women available, much less as pretty as you are.”
Nancy blushed as she looked directly back at the deputy giggling.
Deputy Williams smiled dropped, “Oh, I see. You’re making fun.”
She immediately replied, “Oh, no. I would never tease a lawman, especially one as intimidating as you are. I wouldn’t want to be arrested.” Or, do I? she thought.
Deputy Williams looked down at his beige uniform shirt. As he lifted his head, he tried to steal a glance at her small, curvy figure. Gazing back up to her beautiful eyes, he was lost in the pools of blue-gray. He thought to himself, She is so sexy. I hope she says yes.
“I would love to go to dinner with you.”
Williams stood completely silent for a couple of seconds without saying a word.
Staring back at him, Nancy asked, “Deputy, are you okay?”
Her soft voice broke his trance. “Oh, I’m sorry. What did you say?” he asked.
“Of course, I would love to go to dinner with you.”
Deputy Williams smiled broadly at hearing her response, unaware that Deputy Joey Kent was standing at the front entrance watching his successful invitation.
“Great! It shouldn’t be very long. I just need to wait until my relief gets here.”
Deputy Kent chuckled quietly just before clearing his throat making his presence known.
Embarrassed, Deputy Williams could feel the heat from the color flushing his cheeks. “Deputy Kent ... I’m so glad you are here. I’m starving. This is Nancy Jones; the front desk clerk for the inn.”
Nodding his head, he said, “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
“Pleased to meet you too, Deputy.”
Turning her attention to Deputy Williams, she said, “I’ll be right back. I need to make sure I tell the manager I am clocking out for the night.”
As Nancy left the counter and went to another room, Deputy Kent faintly smiled as he whispered, “You may have been getting a little toooo friendly while you’re on duty.”
Deputy Williams smirked, “I didn’t do anything wrong. Just made plans for dinner after my shift. I did finish all of the nuns’ interviews before I spoke with her about it. I already reported in to Sheriff Johnson, so all you have to do is make sure to keep an eye on the inn while they’re here. I hope we can finish up at the monastery quickly so we can take them back there soon.”
Just as he finished speaking, Nancy walked through a doorway near the front desk with her coat and scarf already on. “I’m ready to go.”
Deputy Williams grabbed his coat and hat from the coat rack and smiled. “Wonderful! Let me get my coat on and we can go.”
Turning towards Deputy Kent, Nancy said, “Deputy, I assisted the nuns in getting settled in their rooms for the night while Deputy Williams was doing the interviews earlier.” Handing him a list, she continued, “I made a list of names to correspond with their room numbers, in case you need to know.”
“That’s very helpful, ma’am. I’ll see you in the morning then.”
“My pleasure, Deputy. Make yourself at home in the sitting area. There’s a television in there for you to watch and a nice fire going. You can also find some drinks and snacks in the employee break room down the hallway.” She pointed towards a doorway. “It’s the last door on the left. The restrooms are located across the hall. The night manager, Jane Whitney, will be here all night if you need anything. I get back at 8 a.m.” She smiled.
“Thank you, Miss Jones.” Turning to Deputy Williams, he raised his eyebrows and smiled, “Go and have fun. I’ve got this covered.”
With her purse dangling from her shoulder, she approached Deputy Williams as he stuck out his elbow. Inserting her hand into the opening, she took hold of his arm and smiled up at him with a coquettish glint in her eyes.
“I’ve told the sisters that they can’t leave the inn without talking with the deputy on duty. Hopefully, we’ll be taking them back tomorrow, if forensics can finish up by then. If they need anything, they are instructed to ask you.”
Deputy Kent nodded his head. “I’ll take care of everything here. Don’t keep the lady waiting.”
Deputy Williams smiled and turned to Nancy to ask her, “Are you ready?”
“Yes, Deputy. So, where are you going to take me to dinner?”
&n
bsp; Reaching the front entrance, Deputy Williams opened the door as he replied, “So, do you like seafood? I know a quaint place down by the docks.”
Passing through the doorway, Nancy took his arm and said, “Of course. I live in Maine; don’t I, Deputy?”
The couple laughed as the door closed behind them, leaving Deputy Kent all alone in the foyer.
CHAPTER 34
Headlights sliced through the eerie darkness as Sheriff Johnson drove down the desolate two-lane highway early the following morning. Over and over in his mind, he kept rehearsing what he would say to Tom and Helen Green. In the distance, a large animal was standing in the middle of the road. The sheriff slowed his car and pulled towards the side of the road, making a complete stop. Right in front of his car, a large moose stood in the middle of the road with her offspring.
In frustration, he exclaimed, “Oh, for the love of Pete!”
Sheriff Johnson could see heavy vapors rising from her nostrils, as the moose exhaled in the freezing temperature. He knew that shouting through the windshield would have no effect on the moose, but his irritation was growing by the second. The pair continued to stand firmly in the center of the highway, snorting as they looked back at him. The sheriff knew better than to get out of his cruiser, especially since the mother had her offspring nearby.
“Oh come on, moose! Get the hell out of the way, why don’t ya’!”
At that moment, a loud crack resounded through the woods as a nearby tree snapped. The heavy snow had become too much of a burden for the large branch; and the splitting wood could be heard echoing throughout the valley. The perfectly timed thunderous sound startled the moose, which quickly turned around and headed in the opposite direction. The sheriff could hear the heavy hooves on the asphalt as the mother and her calf walked to the edge of the road. Together, they disappeared between the heavily wooded evergreen trees covered in snow.
Once Sheriff Johnson felt it was safe to cautiously proceed, he put his cruiser back into drive and continued down the highway. He especially watched out for any more animals that could cross his path.
* * * *
The heavy wooden door closed behind Deputy Williams as he entered the monastery. He had gotten there a little early and the forensics team had not arrived yet. Recalling the years he had spent on campus throughout his school years, he began to look around as he headed through the foyer. With every step he made on the cold stone floor, the resounding echoes filled the hallway.
The rumblings of thunder from the storm vibrated throughout the building, while strong winds were heard rushing through the bell tower. Outside, an unusual clashing of winter pressure fronts was providing a natural light show as the snow turned into a cold rain. Turning on the lights, he gazed all around and lifted his eyes up toward the large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
Williams thought to himself, Wow! There’s been a lot of thunder this week. Turning his attention to the intricate hand-carved designs in the ceilings and walls, he thought, I wonder how many days of work, it took to take a piece of wood and make it look that amazing. This place is definitely better than the ones I’m stuck at usually.
He wondered the age of the poor man’s rug, with white and black diamond shapes covering the floor. Little did he know that the same style of floor covering had been used in most cathedrals and structures as far back as the eighteen-hundreds. to either side of the doorway Looking towards the main cathedral entrance, he saw another set of rustically ornate, wooden doors. On both sides of the doorway, small tables held bowls of holy water for ceremonial washing.
The deputy reverently walked over towards one of the large bowls filled with sanctified water. With the tips of his fingers, he touched the surface of the water and made the sign of the cross, starting at his forehead. Moving his hand down to touch his stomach, he then reached to his left chest and finished his sign of the cross on his right side.
Reaching the arched doors of the sanctuary, he gently pushed the massive doors open. Dark shadows played and danced along the tiles of the ancient stone floor, as the weathered slab of wood swung silently on well-greased hinges. The deputy’s gaze was instantly drawn to the riot of colors cast on the floor. The faint light beautifully refracted through the broken glass of the stained glass windows. At the far wall, he focused on the huge wooden crucifix that hung above the main altar of the sanctuary. At Christ’s feet, small red candles burned in homage to him.
In the stained glass windows on both sides of the cross, two figures looked at the other. Mary, the mother of Christ, gazed lovingly at Jesus from the left side. Halos hovered over their heads as they reached out towards one another. Suddenly, lightning struck loudly and the lights flickered.
Treading softly up the center aisle, his heavy footsteps were muffled by the thick carpet. A deep boom resounded throughout the empty sanctuary. Stopping suddenly, he turned around in time to witness the door shutter as it closed.
At the rear of the sanctuary, two golden angels peered down at him from the railing of the balcony. He could almost hear the young tenor voices singing in unison as their beautiful hymns emanated out, while they praised God above the audience arena.
As Deputy Williams pivoted and walked toward the front, he let his hand drift over the top of each pew. The handcrafted, red wood pews had been placed in the monastery during construction over a hundred years earlier. Even the prayer books and hymnals that lined the back of the pews were decades old. Many parishioners had used them for generations as they said their prayers on the kneelers. Looking to the back of the room, he could see the intimidating confession booths waiting for those who sought forgiveness of sins. I’ve made a lot of confessions in there, he chuckled to himself.
The rainbow of lights began to dim and fade, giving a sinister feel to the already cold and eerie atmosphere that made the deputy’s hair stand up on the back of his neck. His breathing waned as he had the distinct sensation of someone staring at the back of his head.
An intense flash blazed throughout the room as a bolt of lightning hit near the monastery, causing the lights to flicker. Williams was startled as the deafening sounds rolled through the immense building. Get a grip, Williams, he thought. He stopped for a moment and turned around to find a shadowed nun standing at the closed wooden entrance.
Recalling old horror movies of his youth, fear overwhelmed the deputy for a moment. Instinctively, he stepped back in recoil, and tripped over the end of a pew. He looked back at the door just as the nun vanished before his eyes. Trying to determine where the nun had gone, Williams shot his gaze in all directions and placed his right hand over his pistol. Unfastening the strap, he was ready to defend himself if necessary.
Making his way towards the front, Deputy Williams slowly walked up some steps leading to a short marble table. On each end, candlesticks adorned with crowns of small flames stood diligently against the encroaching shadows. In the center, a small tray was gently draped with a white linen cloth.
Lifting the hem of the fabric, Williams revealed an ornamental wine goblet with small flower motifs and etched vines, which stood on a matching golden plate. Removing the cloth, he closely examined the delicate engravings as he set the goblet and cloth to the side. Picking the plate up, he was mesmerized by the intricate designs. The polish was so shiny that he could see his reflection on the finish.
In the reflection, Williams saw the nun staring back at him. He froze for a second, unsure of what to do, but still keenly aware of his surroundings. Focusing on the plate, he watched as the nun vanished once more. Turning around quickly, he saw nothing but empty space. Who is that?
Out of the shadows, a creaking noise caught his attention. Stopping dead in his tracks, he listened for where it came from. Pulling out his pistol and holding it in front of him, he cautiously began to walk down the steps, heading towards the sound.
Upon hearing another creak, Williams looked around and whispered to himself, “Is there someone here, or am I going crazy?”
His heart raced as he proceeded over to the small shrine of candles that normally flickered with soft bursts of light onto the walls. Almost daily, parishioners would light the candle to honor God with prayers in remembrance of loved ones.
As a chill seemed to pass right through his body, the hair on his arms stood up on end. Looking around to make sure nothing surprised him; he took a match and lit one of the candles.
“For Timmy Fields and Tom Green,” he whispered.
As the flame suddenly went out, Williams felt another chill run through his body. Turning around immediately, he found a nun with long, wavy blonde hair staring back at him. Clothed in a white apron with a black dress, she wore no habit.
The ghostly nun looked at him and asked, “What about me? My soul needs prayer too. My life was taken from me.”
Lightning flashed outside again, filling the room with a loud clash that vibrated throughout the monastery. Rolling thunder rumbled throughout the building as the spirit suddenly disappeared. Lights flickered from the chandelier as it swayed from side to side. There was no wind and no draft, yet the chandelier continued to swing.
Deputy Williams quickly prayed that he wouldn’t see her again. He flinched as he felt a touch on his left shoulder.
“Get away from me!” he shouted as he stepped back.
“Christopher...” the voice whispered again. “Christopher, I am not going to hurt you. I am here to warn you. Please listen to me.”
“Warn me about what?” he asked, still holding his gun ready to shoot.
“Christopher, the murderer is going to strike again if not stopped. The murderer is not finished,” the voice warned faintly.
“You aren’t real!” the deputy shouted. He flinched again, as he felt another touch on his shoulder.
“God, make her go away!”
Deputy Williams turned around to scan the room again. Right in front him, the nun stood solemnly quiet.
“All right, Christopher. I’ll leave you alone,” the nun said as she turned and walked toward the altar, vanishing right before his eyes.
Secrets in the Shallows (Book 1: The Monastery Murders) Page 25