“So, what are you saying? I’m insane?”
“No, what I’m saying is, your defense will be an accumulation of traumatic events that led to this crime. You will still be sentenced for murder, but—”
“No, I don’t believe it,” Maria protested. “You’re asking us to just accept this and send him to prison? If you’re as good as your reputation makes you out to be, then you should be able to convince a jury of Cody’s innocence.”
“Mrs. Sanders, please.”
“What would you do as a mother? Not as a lawyer.” Maria crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrows. “If your son was accused of murder and he insisted he didn’t do it, what would you do? Would you just accept the evidence or would you try to prove his innocence?”
“The prosecution has more substantial evidence to prove his guilt than we have to prove his innocence. Keeping this out of the hands of a jury is the best course of action. It’s in Cody’s best interest.”
“No, it’s in your best interest.” Maria jerked her right index finger at the attorney. “It sounds to me like you’re more interested in a quick closure, so you can move on to your next high-dollar client. Maybe you should be working for the prosecution instead.” Maria grabbed her purse. “Cody is innocent. It’s your job to prove that.” She turned to Aaron and said, “This is a waste of time. We’re finding another attorney.”
Maria exited the room and left the door open. Samantha was seated in a chair just outside the door with her phone in her hand.
“Let’s go, Sam. We’re leaving.”
“Do something,” Cody said to Aaron, his eyes wide and desperate.
Aaron leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling for a moment. He then widened his eyes and said, “Tell her.”
“Tell her what?”
“The truth, Cody.” Aaron got up and shut the conference room door. “Tell her everything. And I mean everything.”
“Um… Do you mean—”
“Yes.” Aaron tilted his head towards the attorney, who lowered her chin and gazed at them with curious eyes.
“Okay,” Cody said and hesitated before he turned to his attorney. “I wasn’t lying when I told you that I didn’t hurt anyone. But it is my fault those people are dead.” He paused, but the attorney didn’t say anything. She just listened. “Um, so… I was never at the park where Randy’s body was found either, but I… I was there.”
“You were there, but you weren’t there?” Mrs. Slaughter shook her head in confusion.
Cody nodded.
“That makes no sense, Cody. What do you mean, you were there, but you weren’t there?”
“I was at home in bed when it happened.”
“So, you weren’t there. You were at home.”
“Yes… but… I dreamed I was at the park.”
“Son, dreaming about being there is not the same thing as physically being there.”
Cody leaned forward and said, “It is for me.”
The attorney sat back in her chair and glanced at Aaron. “I don’t understand. What are you saying?”
“I dreamed about killing them… and now they’re dead.” He placed his right hand over his chest. “But I didn’t kill them.”
“Is this some kind of a joke?” She stood and set both of her hands on the table. “Do you really expect anyone to believe this nonsense?”
“Just listen to him,” Aaron said.
“Things happen when I’m dreaming,” Cody explained. “It started when I was living in Austin… when my parents and friends were killed. I saw what killed them. My friends thought I was with them, but I wasn’t. Not really. I was at home asleep when they… when that thing killed them.”
“So, you believe an animal killed those people in Lost Maples? The evidence is clear that they were butchered with an axe.” She pointed to Aaron. “His axe.”
“I didn’t say an animal killed them. I’m telling you what happens when I have nightmares. Sometimes, what I dream really happens. So, in a way, I was there when those people died.” Cody pressed his hand over his chest again. “But I didn’t kill anyone.”
“Cody, the prosecution is going to present evidence that you were involved in the death of Daniel Corbin. They have your fingerprint on a flash drive with a video of his murder and DNA evidence placing you in his apartment. Plus, you had a motive to kill Randall Cunningham.”
“Why would I want to kill Randy? He tried to help me.”
“You confessed to killing him. Why would you do that?”
Cody narrowed his eyes. “If I had a motive to kill anyone, it would be that fat slob Peter Slavic, for everything he did to me. I hated him. And I’m glad he’s dead.”
Aaron grabbed Cody’s arm. “That’s not something you should—”
“What?” Cody shot an angry glare at Aaron. “You wanted me to tell the truth. That’s how I feel.” He turned back to the attorney. “But it doesn’t mean I killed him. And neither did Aaron. Motive doesn’t mean anything. But I can tell you exactly how he died, because I saw it happen. And so did that kid Jonathan.”
“Who claims he witnessed you killing Peter with an axe.”
“Yeah, exactly. But how the heck could I have killed him if I was in San Antonio?”
The attorney sat back down and rubbed her forehead. “How would you know the details of Peter Slavic’s death?” She nodded towards Aaron. “Did he tell you? Or are you going to tell me you saw it in a dream?”
Cody rolled his eyes and slouched with his head resting on the back of the chair. He gazed up at Aaron and jerked his hand towards the attorney. “This is who you hired to defend me?” He sat back up and said, “Have you been listening to anything I’ve been saying? It’s my fault Peter is dead, but I didn’t kill him, even though Jonathan said he saw me do it.”
“He’s obviously mistaken.” Mrs. Slaughter stepped towards the door and waved Aaron over to her. “May I speak with you outside for a moment?”
As soon as they stepped outside, with a lowered voice she explained that she no longer wanted to pursue a plea agreement.
“So, you believe his story?”
“I didn’t say that, but I believe I can have him back home soon. I’d like to have him examined by a psychologist and—”
“You want to go the insanity route?”
“No, not exactly, but I’m convinced he had nothing to do with these deaths. The FBI is involved in this investigation, right?”
Aaron nodded. “Yeah, and they’re looking into the DNA and fingerprints. Agent Kelson is supposed to be in contact with DPS about that bullshit record in JJIS.”
“The one that matched Cody’s prints on the flash drive?”
“That’s the one.”
“Have you heard anything from this agent?”
“Not yet. He told me he was going to call DPS today to try and find out when the record was created.”
“Do you have Agent Kelson’s contact info?”
“Yeah, I do.” Aaron handed her Agent Kelson’s business card. “You can keep it. I’ve got his info in my phone.”
“All right.” She slipped the business card in her pocket. “Let me see what the FBI uncovers at the DPS. In the meantime, you need to tell the DA exactly what Cody told me.”
Aaron laughed. “Yeah, okay. He’s going to think I’m nuts for even bringing it up.”
“Just trust me, Mr. Sanders. Cody won’t be locked up for long. And if the FBI and DPS find evidence of falsified records in the JJIS, then the DA will have no choice but to drop all charges against Cody.”
“And if they don’t find any evidence of tampering?”
“You let me worry about that.” She placed a hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “That’s what the psychoanalysis is for.”
They stepped back inside the conference room and sat at the table.
Cody frowned. “So, what was so secret that you couldn’t talk in here?”
“I was explaining that I’m going to be getting you out of here ver
y soon.”
“Yeah? How?”
Aaron slapped Cody on the thigh. “Just trust us. You’re going to be fine.”
“But, I just told her the truth. How is that going to get me out of here? I’m guilty.”
“Son,” Mrs. Slaughter consoled, “the only thing you are guilty of is having a vivid imagination that will surprisingly be the one thing that helps me get you back home.”
†
Cody walked through the dark halls of Lee Hauser Middle School towards the boy’s restroom. The distinctive sound of something swinging through the air and hitting the ground echoed through the halls. It sounded like it came from the boy’s restroom. Cody widened his eyes when he stepped inside. Someone in a black hooded tunic swung a medieval axe at a plump body on the floor. There was so much blood. The axe-wielder turned around, holding his weapon dripping with blood. Cody gasped as he stared into his own eyes.
Cody glimpsed at the body and recognized who it was. Peter’s head and arms had already been chopped from his body. Cody’s other self grinned with narrowed eyes. He held the axe out to him.
“Take it, Cody. You know you want to.”
“No,” he said. “I won’t do it.”
“You fucking coward!”
“No, I’m just not evil like you are. Why did you do it?”
Cody’s other self shrugged. “I’ve only done what you’ve desired in your heart all along. We couldn’t just let that asshole get away with everything he’s done to you.”
“You didn’t have to kill him!”
“Ha! Of course I did. You wanted him dead. Now he’s worm food.”
“I didn’t want him dead… I just… You’ve got to stop. I didn’t want any of this!”
“Cody, Cody, Cody. Poor little Cody.” His demonic twin rested the axe over his shoulder. “After everything you’ve been through, you still want to play the victim card. You know this is your own doing, right? If you would have stayed away from the 666 Rights of Demon Summoning, we wouldn’t be having this conversation now, would we? If you would have listened to your instincts, you never would have summoned Enlil.” The demon apparition laughed. “Oh, sure, everything was great at first. Your stepdad was treating you better, stopped beating your mother, and even stopped abusing you. He turned out to be a pretty swell guy. But that wasn’t enough for you. You just couldn’t resist the power you held, could you?”
“It wasn’t my fault! It was a mistake! It was Robert Smith. He’s the one that tricked me into—”
“Bullshit! You knew exactly what you were doing. You are such a fool. And don’t act as if you’re sorry those people are dead. They deserved it, each and every one of them.” Cody’s evil self laughed again and swung the axe into Peter’s chest. Blood splattered onto Cody’s shirt and face. “You should have seen the look on this pathetic piece of shit’s face before I put this spike into his head. Oh, wait. You did see it. Priceless.”
“They’re all dead now. Let me live in peace,” Cody pleaded.
“Oh, I’m just getting started, Cody boy. So you’d better get used to me. That chimera was only the beginning. And it didn’t have the very special bond you and I have. Well, you, me, and your new family.”
“You stay away from them, or—”
“Or what?”
Cody ripped the axe out of the butchered body and held it with both hands like a bat.
The evil Cody laughed and extended his arms out wide. “Go ahead,” he challenged. “Take a swing at me. Put it right into my skull. Do it! Do it like you’ve wanted to personally kill every one of those bastards that ever harmed you.” The evil Cody morphed into his stepfather. “You worthless piece of shit! You fucking queer! You don’t have the balls to do it!” He morphed into Joseph Michaels and accused Cody of killing his mother. “It’s all your fault she’s dead. But that’s okay, because she never loved you anyway.”
“Shut up! Shut up!” Cody yelled, tears welling up in his eyes.
Joseph morphed back into the image of Cody, who held a white rabbit with black spots in his arms. He stroked the rabbit’s fur and said, “Everyone and everything around you dies. You belong to Satan now, and there is nothing you can do about it.”
“I’ll kill myself.”
“Right. You tried that before. A lot of good that did you. Do you honestly think the Master is going to let you off that easily?” The evil manifestation twisted the rabbit’s head, snapping its neck, and tossed the dead animal at Cody’s feet. “He chooses who lives and dies. You didn’t have any control when the chimera was the Master’s bringer of death, and you’re not in control now. Accept his presence in your life, and he will bring you peace.”
“Peace? You call this peace?” Cody motioned to the mutilated body. “This isn’t peace. This is nothing but suffering and acts of evil.”
“You don’t understand, Cody. The Master has given you a precious gift, and all you do is shit all over it.”
“Gift? What gift?” Cody cried. “All I’ve gotten is one nightmare after another. My mom is dead, the only friends I had are dead, and now more people are dying because of me! Because of you! Why doesn’t this master,” Cody made air quotes with his fingers, “just kill me and be done with it?”
“Because he loves you.”
“Well, I don’t want his twisted, messed up love. I just want my life back.”
“A life where you were physically and emotionally abused by your stepfather? That life? Yeah, it was swell, wasn’t it?”
Cody frowned and lowered his brow. “Better than being brainwashed by Robert Smith and getting introduced to that stupid demon summoning book.”
“No one forced you to read from it.”
“I didn’t know what I was doing.”
“You knew exactly what you were doing. You just feel guilty because you didn’t consider the consequences.”
“I didn’t really believe that demon crap.”
“You didn’t believe reading from a book called 666 Rites of Demon Summoning would actually summon a demon? You didn’t think you could summon one of the most powerful demons in Satan’s kingdom?”
“I didn’t do that on purpose. I just thought—”
“Oh, you didn’t do much thinking, Cody. But that’s okay, because your stupidity is my reward. I’m really enjoying tormenting that sister of yours. Maybe I’ll leave her a keychain with Lucky’s foot on it.” He laughed. “Perfect name for that rabbit, eh, Cody? You think it’ll give Samantha any luck?”
“Screw you!” Cody yelled, and swung the axe into his demonic twin’s face.
At that moment, Cody woke up in a sweat. Rain slapped against the small window in his cell while thunder rumbled outside.
“Best of luck to you, Cody,” someone whispered into his ear.
Cody darted out of his bed. Several flashes of lightning revealed that he was the only one in his room at the detention center. He felt something soft in his hand. He rubbed the object with his thumb and index finger before lifting it to his face. Another flash of lightning revealed a rabbit’s foot keychain. Cody tossed it across the floor and sat against the bed with his feet tucked to his chest. He wrapped his arms around his legs and lowered his head.
Cody recited the Lord’s Prayer repeatedly until the storm passed and daylight shone through the window.
†
“Get up, Sumner.” The juvenile corrections officer shook Cody’s bed with his foot. “Time to go.”
Cody rolled over and rubbed his eyes. “Hmm?”
“You’re going home, kid. Now get up, so I can get you processed.”
“Really?” Cody’s voice lacked enthusiasm. The news did come as a surprise, however. It had only been two days since he’d met with his attorney. “What time is it?”
“Five-thirty. Now get your butt out of bed.”
“All right, I’m coming.” Cody yawned and rubbed his eyes as he got out of bed and followed the corrections officer into the common area.
He led Cody to the showers.
“You have five minutes.”
†
Maria gave Cody a long hug and kissed him on top of his head after the director of the juvenile facility released him into her custody. “I’m so glad we were able to get you out so soon. Are you okay?”
“Aside from that shrink probing me like I was a freak yesterday, I’m fine.” Cody pulled away from Maria’s incessant affection. “Where’s Aaron?”
“Back home in Lost Maples. He and Agent Kelson are meeting with the district attorney this morning.” She placed a hand on each side of Cody’s face. “That therapist played a big role in helping you get out of here.”
The director of the facility held out a clipboard and pen to Maria. “Mrs. Sanders, I need you to sign this.”
“Oh, yes. I’m sorry.” She grabbed the pen and clipboard. After signing the form, she handed it back to the director and thanked him for taking care of Cody.
“We didn’t treat him any different than any of our other guests. I’m glad everything worked out for him. Tell Sheriff Donovan I said hi when you see him.”
“I will. Thank you again.” Maria placed her arm around Cody. “You want to get some breakfast?”
“Yeah, sure. So, what happened? Why did they let me go?”
Maria sat on a bench with Cody and explained what she knew. Agent Kelson and the authorities at the Texas Department of Public Safety had discovered a security breach into the Juvenile Justice Information System, just as Aaron had suspected. The record claimed a Travis County deputy had arrested him in 2011 for assaulting a student at school in Austin. Cody did have a record on file with the Austin Independent School District for getting into a fight with another student around the same time. However, the entry into the system had a date stamp of October 10, 2014, three days before Daniel Corbin’s murder. What it did not have was a record of who made the entry.
Allison Slaughter used this new evidence to expedite Cody’s release. She’d also utilized the expert opinion of a child psychologist that examined Cody. In his report, he explained his theory on why Cody confessed to the murders and why he believed he saw them happen while he slept. The psychologist felt that Cody truly believed he was responsible, and suggested that he suffered from night terrors. He believed Cody had difficulty separating reality from fantasy because of the night terrors and past traumatic experiences dating back to the Saint Hedwig Massacre in Austin. In his professional opinion, the psychologist believed Cody suffered from schizophrenia and recommended testing for a more positive diagnosis.
Devil's Nightmare: Premonitions (Devil's Nightmare, Book 2) Page 36