Dark Mind

by Jennifer Chase

  Rick stopped. During the ride, he scoured his brain as to what kinds of clues were possible at the store.

  What was this guy’s motivation?

  Why Emily?

  The overhead fluorescent lights ignited in a progression of three sets at a time.

  “How’s that?” Jordan yelled. “I figure it’s better to search in the light than the dark so we can get the hell out of here faster.”

  Rick moved to the back of the store, through the back inventory room, where boxes of new merchandise stacked precariously waited to be unpacked, and along the back wall lined up eight employee lockers.

  He found the one on the end with the initials: M.C. It was locked.

  He rummaged through boxes and found a toolbox, inside he found a short crow bar that would do the trick.

  Crack.

  The locker opened and revealed several changes of clothes, but taped inside the door had several photographs of Emily taken since they had been on Kauai. Rick didn’t remember Matt taking any photographs of the group or Emily on their excursions.

  One photo showed Emily in her bikini stepping into her dive suit before their scuba adventure and another photo was a close up of Emily’s face with her hair blown back, looking out at the ocean from the boat.

  Jordan investigated all the noise Rick made and walked up behind him. “He’s been stalking her? That’s creepy…”

  “Double creepy, since we spent time with this guy.”

  “I wonder if he planned that we get caught by those pot farmers?” Jordan mused.

  “He planned it… but he didn’t expect for you and Emily to get caught instead. He wanted Emily all to himself.”

  Jordan edged toward the doorway. “C’mon let’s get out of here in case the locals catch us and detain us unnecessarily.”

  “Maybe Lani has some news.” Rick hoped because he wouldn’t be responsible for his actions if something happened to Emily.

  Both men retraced their tracks to the side entrance.

  Jordan stopped and stared at the big map fixed to the wall behind the counter that showed the entire island in an exploded view and marked destination points of interest. He hopped over the counter and tore the map down in two big pieces.

  Rick looked at Jordan in question.

  “We might need this.”

  * * * * *

  “Do it!” Lani ordered the patrol officers to kick in the door.

  The two young men rammed the front door, it popped open and splintered the flimsy doorframe.

  The cottage was divided into three housing units and Matt Compton lived in the bottom studio apartment. The neighbors said they hadn’t seen him for a couple of days.

  Lani stepped over the threshold behind the officers who cleared the apartment in a matter of seconds. The smell in the small dwelling permeated a stale stuffiness from fast food containers and empty beer bottles.

  The double bed, unmade with dingy sheets and one flat pillow, a small fold out table with two chairs nestled against the compact kitchen counter, seemed to be the only thing that resembled comfort. Nothing personal or inviting represented the apartment.

  A tall cabinet armoire stood in the corner, Lani opened the doors of the make shift closet. A few articles of clothing hung on plastic hangers. Several boxes of some type of pharmaceutical drugs sat at the bottom of the closet. A disturbing type of dream catcher with teeth and the husk of coconuts intertwined with jungle vines dangled from a single nail.

  Lani ordered to the officers. “Grab some plastic gloves and photograph this closet. Bag and tag everything.” He noticed a compartment on the inside of the door and quickly slid on a plastic glove. Gently pushing, several contents dropped to the floor in an envelope.

  He bent down to pick up the large mailing envelope without any writing on the outside. Several eight by ten photographs were tucked inside with small pieces of paper.

  One officer clicked several photos of the room and the closet.

  Lani moved to the other side of the living area and pulled out the snapshots. It was obvious the shots were taken with a telephoto lens of unknowing subjects. Lani stared at the faces of the two murder victims, alive and smiling. He assumed that the other photograph of an attractive brunette was the last victim from Waimea Canyon, but the coroner’s office hadn’t identified her yet.

  Lani’s hands wavered.

  In a clear plastic sleeve, several photographs of Emily taken at different locations around the island claimed the next spot of the victim list. Emily didn’t pose and was completely unaware of the photos taken; she looked troubled in some and carefree in others. Her beauty understated and alluring at the same time. Lani agonized for Emily’s safety and hoped that Rick and Jordan found more clues as to her location.

  Lani systematically moved around the small living space searching for anything that would indicate Matt’s next location.

  No cell phone or laptop.

  He pulled out drawers, kitchen dishes, and flipped the meager mattress.

  Nothing.

  Lani wasn’t giving up hope – yet.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Friday 2045 Hours

  Emily swam through waves of turmoil and gasped for air. She fought to get herself towards the safety of the shore in her mind. Her eyes stung and felt grainy as she struggled to peel her eyelids open. She stared up at the tall trees, leaves, and their slight movement from the warm evening breeze.

  The daylight dissipated and soon it would become completely dark.

  The steady flow of the ocean timed her thoughts in the background.

  Moisture was eminent in the air, but not wet.

  The back of her head felt cold against a hard, uneven surface. Blinking several times to gain some type of grounded existence, she turned her head to the left and then the right. Once she realized her wrists and ankles were securely tied to stakes, Emily fought to pull herself free. She looked for any gap in the restraints that would give her an edge for escape.

  Dressed in a bathing suit top and shorts, she shivered against the ground. It chilled her bones as well as her mind. Her chest and shoulders ached from the taser jolts as she tried to breathe deeper to maintain calmness. If she breathed too deep, she unconsciously tugged at her restraints sending an added pain to her body’s agony.

  She knew that the chance for escape was minimal, but she concentrated on her surroundings craning her neck in all directions. There had to be a plan and a way out.

  The darkness cast strange shadows in between the trees and played games with her peripheral vision. Emily could see smooth rocks piled on top of one another in some semblance of organization from human ingenuity.

  Her eyes became accustomed to the darkness and the layout around her; the landscape seemed familiar with the half stone walls and tailings of a prehistoric dwelling.

  Realizing, she found herself in a part of the ancient Hawaiian fishing village called Nu’alolo Kai they had visited on the previous weekend. It had a different impression during the daytime even in the rainstorms. Now, it looked grim and uninviting.

  Squeezing her eyes closed, she tried adamantly not to think of the crime scene photos of Carolyn Sax staked out at the plantation. The inevitability was obvious, but with every breath she would fight. She took another deep cleansing breath to keep the panic under control.

  Footsteps approached. A whistle followed, cheerfully hitting the notes of a familiar tune.

  Emily tensed her muscles in anticipation.

  Matt walked around her and dropped some things on the ground. Emily turned her head to the left and could focus on the items. There were kindling items from various dry plants and vines and an accelerant. Next to the pile were pieces of bamboo, pots, pans, and strings of beads.

  “What do you want from me?”

  “It will all be clear. I’m preparing for both of us to be together – forever.” He emptied his pockets with small tools, shells, and packaged power bars.

  “What i
s that?” Emily didn’t know what else to say.

  Matt looked down at her and replied, “We need to be prepared for the next life. Wouldn’t want to go empty handed and without any food to sustain us.” He busied himself with organizing the items in an obsessive-compulsive manner. “Don’t worry, I’ve thought of everything.”

  “Why me?”

  “We’ve already talked about this Emily.” Matt busied himself as if he were conducting some typical chore around the yard, moving items in a specific order of importance only known to him.

  “I think you’ve got the wrong person for the journey.”

  Matt stopped and gazed down at Emily. “Oh no, I’ve got the perfect person to take me to the next dimension. It’s kismet.”

  Emily blinked and could swear that Matt changed slightly in appearance, slumped over, hair lighter, and even his demeanor morphed. She knew that he believed he would become something else.

  “If you untie one of my hands, I can help you get ready.” Emily said evenly.

  “I don’t think you understand.”

  “I do. I know what it’s like to want to become something else, to move on, to get the next level of consciousness.” She watched his reaction and desperately wanted to reach him in his own twisted way.

  “I’ve never been destined to be here on this earth and in this hellish dimension.” He turned away from Emily, almost embarrassed of what he had said.

  “I don’t expect you to believe me, but I care about you Matt. I knew when we first met that you were different from anyone I’ve ever known. I want you to obtain your full potential and I can help.”

  “What about Rick?” He dared to look at her again. “You’re his, right?”

  “I don’t belong to anyone mortal. You should know that.” Emily concentrated on not breaking her soothing voice, but gritted her teeth between a small smile. She seemed to be reaching him.

  Matt dropped to his knees with his hands over his face, anguish and uncertainty struggled with the lucid side of his personality. For a moment, he looked young and naive.

  Emily continued, “I know you Matt, you can be free. I will help you, but you have to let me help you.”

  He crawled to her and the previous predatory look had diminished. Reaching inside his pocket he took out his hunting knife, he took Emily’s right hand and was about to cut the rope.

  He stopped. “How are you going to help me?”

  She remained quiet.

  “Should I untie your ankles too?” He asked.

  “I know you are right, you did pick the right person. Timing is important before midnight.”

  “After I cut your hands loose, then I’ll cut your ankles loose. And after that, I’ll give you a gun or maybe two guns and a cannon.”

  “No Matt, I can help you.” Emily tried to stay calm and reach him, but she was losing.

  “I was warned about you, deception would come by a beautiful woman.” He took the knife away. “You’ve deceived me! Why Emily? Why you?”

  Emily jerked her body out of fear and tenseness.

  Matt leaned into her, his breath against her chest. His lips grazed her cheek. “You are going to pay Emily.” He sat up on his knees, took the jagged knife and turned it to face Emily. A small beam of light gleamed off the blade as if a quick flash of light or shooting star.

  Matt looked up at the stars and seemed to search them for some type of answer.

  Emily calmly said. “You don’t want to make them mad.” She reached for anything that would touch him personally.

  He hesitated, but Emily could tell that his mind was already made up. The tip of the knife made contact with her skin. The blade grazed her skin at first, and then with slight pressure it punctured.

  First, he cut her arm and then her belly with a shallow incision. Blood seeped and trickled down her side pooling on the earth.

  “Stop! You don’t have to do this!”

  Matt’s crocked smile brightened as he slowly sliced down her neck.

  Emily’s piercing scream shattered the tranquility of the island jungle.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Friday 2200 Hours

  “We’re never going to be able to find her in the dark.” Rick vented as he paced in the parking lot. He felt a pang of fear in his stomach after viewing the photos that Matt took of Emily. The reality of the dire circumstances hammered at his soul.

  “I’ve made sure that we have boats and the coast guard at our disposal.” Lani unfolded a large island map and pressed it on the hood of his patrol car just outside of Matt’s apartment. He turned to Jordan and asked. “What’s your gut on this? Where would he take Emily?”

  Jordan joined Rick and paced back and forth as he rubbed his forehead in anger.

  “Think!” Rick ordered.

  “Look, we were on different pages with the profile. Emily, as usual, nailed it with a person who knew the island well and fit in with society. Bingo – Matt Compton.”

  “I don’t want excuses. Where would this island guide take her?” Lani pushed.

  The light in the apartment parking lot flickered almost on cue as if it was a sign.

  The three men looked questionably at one another.

  Jordan jumped. “Wait a minute! No way, it can’t be that simple.” He jogged to the Jeep and snatched the map from the scuba store.

  “What?” Lani said.

  With a dramatic bang on the hood of the cop car, Jordan rolled out the map he took from the store; the large folded paper was well-used with torn edges. “The answer is here.” He pointed his index finger to the map with all of the red marks of hiking trails and campsites. “Don’t you guys see?”

  “His hunting grounds right out in the open.” Lani surmised.

  Rick followed Jordan’s thinking as it breathed new life into finding Emily.

  Jordan took a deep breath. “He knows all these trails blindfolded.” He searched for the crime scene sites squinting his eyes in the dim lighting. “Okay, the first vic was at the abandoned plantation… here.” He pointed.

  Matt marked the area with a scribbled star symbol with three dots.

  Lani searched the surrounding areas. “And there’s the south beach areas with the second vic and... Waimea Canyon.”

  The next two crime scene areas were marked with a star symbol and dots as well.

  “There’s a star just out of Princeville.” Lani said.

  Shaking his head, Jordan explained. “No, it’s too crowded in that area. It would be in a deserted area, he has something special planned for Emily and wouldn’t want to be disturbed.” He looked at Rick. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry, Emily’s time is running out. Where?”

  Jordan chewed his lower lip and ran his hand over the hiking trails and campgrounds. There were different notations highlighting each area. He shook his head and kept searching. “Here!” He looked at Rick and Lani. “Don’t you see it? He’s taken Emily right here at the old ancient fishing area.”

  “Why?” Lani asked.

  “He’s already taken us there before to test the waters and it’s perfect, deserted, with easy access for a boat, plenty of rainfall to cover up any forensic evidence. He’s mocking us now.”

  Rick remained quiet.

  “She’s there, I know it.” Jordan insisted.

  Rick looked at Lani. “How long before we can get there?”

  “About an hour maybe more.”

  “You sure Jordan?” Rick stressed. His didn’t want to think about the consequences if they were wrong.

  Jordan stood up straight, looked off in the distance before he answered. “It fits the behavior and motivation of his profile.” He looked at the two men. “That’s the spot.”

  Lani took a step back and dialed his cell phone. With a firm tone, he effortlessly coordinated the boats for the search.

  Jordan grabbed the maps and quickly rolled them up. “Don’t worry, you know Emily, she’s a survivor.” He tossed the maps into the p
atrol car and headed to the Jeep to get a few supplies.

  For the first time since he had known Emily, Rick teetered on the unknown and felt his legs and arms tremble in fear. He didn’t want to lose her, not now or this way. She had sacrificed everything, family, children, career, friends, to hunt down the most heinous killers. Even her own life, anyone who knew her thought she was dead. It kept her safe and able to continue her work anonymously.

  Jordan placed his hand on Rick’s shoulder. “We’re going to find her… safe.”

  “Okay, everything’s in place. The boat is waiting for us. It’ll be faster to get to the marina with the lights and sirens.” Lani instructed.

  Rick and Jordan didn’t waste time and got in the patrol car.

  The engine gunned and backed out of the parking lot, lights flashed, and the siren sounded.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Saturday 0020 Hours

  Emily remained quiet, eyes closed, her body motionless as the evening breeze stalled and the moon radiated brightly through the trees. Dried blood on her arms and legs left behind the grisly remains of her attack. In a wide outline around Emily’s form were crushed native leaves and strange smelling herbs.

  As quickly as the breeze stopped, it increased in velocity and drifted between each palm leaf, shuttling single branches with deliberate care. The Na’Pali surf pounded against the rocks and along the shoreline in the distance as the moon rose to a higher level.

  The moonlight tricked the senses and aroused the psyche in one of the most deserted parts of the ancient island.

  A weak murmur escaped Emily’s lips, her body weak and exhausted. Matt went back to the boat to prepare his own departure as he put it before he finished Emily’s fate. She knew that the odds of her rescue were less than five percent and her last few moments were important and somewhat poignant. It was only a matter of time before one of her investigations ended up completely futile and deadly for her.