“My son isn’t here right now. He is studying for a test at his friend’s house. I would ask you in but my husband is having his dinner. He likes to eat in peace. What do you want to know?”
“Could you tell me if Trent was home last night?”
“Of course he was home. We go to bed early and Trent goes to his room and sits at the computer. That’s all he does anymore because of all the homework he is given. He likes to read, too, which he does in his room, or when he goes to study with his friend.”
“What is his friend’s name, Mrs. Williams?”
“Danny something. I don’t know his last name, but he lives over by the Dollar Store. Trent usually walks there from here.”
“What time to you expect Trent home, Mrs. Williams?”
“He’ll be home before dark. I do hope you won’t be coming back here that late. There is no need. He doesn’t run with troublemakers or know their goings on.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Williams. We hope it will not be necessary.”
When they got back out to the cruiser, Farley made another call to Aura Lee. Aura Lee had no information about the boy, Danny.
Farley said, “Danny must have been the boy I saw Trent walking with. He probably lives in one of the homes near the highway. Let’s take a ride over there. We might be able to spot Trent when he heads for home. What was your take on the mother?”
“I don’t think she has a clue what her son thinks or does. They live in the same house, but merely exist together. I would guess that Trent has a very lively internal life that might be bursting at the seams. Puberty can start the process and imagination can take it from there. I am wondering what sparks his imagination, assuming he has one. I would have liked to take a peek into his room.”
“I didn’t want to press her yet, but we might have to. If we don’t catch him coming home, we’ll have to return to his house whether Mrs. Williams likes it or not.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
ZACK WAS RETURNING ONE OF the vehicles to the remote stunt car site. After arriving at the set each morning to check in for his assignments, Zack would drive the Ranger to the remote lot and report to the stunt crew. He would sometimes be told to take a car in for cleaning or servicing at a local garage and return it. If it wasn’t used again that day, he’d hold onto the car keys, as he had the night he’d visited Megan’s trailer.
That night, he had not left the compound with the others, because he hadn’t returned with the crew to the set. He had lingered behind at the remote site waiting until after dark, and then drove to the compound in a stunt car, which he parked in the compound parking lot. He’d gone to all that trouble to protect Megan’s reputation, and to keep his job.
He drove home fuming, not even bothering to circle the lodge again. He had a better plan, one that would be a nice surprise for her. It might take a couple days to make happen, but happen it would and the thought of it was the only thing that calmed him down. He couldn’t go home and vent his anger on Margaret again, now that she was back in the palm of his hand. No, he’d save all his rage for the one who needed to be taken down a peg or two, and she wouldn’t even see it coming.
Margaret was waiting at home for him. She’d been checking the mileage on the Ranger and knew he’d been out roaming again. He had a habit of doing this whenever preoccupied with a new conquest. His ritual was always the same: the furtive behavior, the explosive temper, unaccounted for time. The only tangible clue was the mileage. There was no need to follow him. She was sure his new interest was part of the film company, perhaps one of the extras or crew, a female grip, hairdresser or makeup artist, someone who had caught his eye, who had agreed to a secret rendezvous, most probably in the back seat of her Ranger, both worried about losing their jobs.
The film would be over soon and whoever it was would be on her way. Then he’d settle down for a while, until the next time, and there would always be a next time. Except this time something had changed in her. She’d always known he would leave her one day, but had spent so much time trying to hold onto him, the thought of replacing him had never entered her mind. When it did, it came in a flash, while staring at the Ranger’s odometer. The extra miles he had driven to cheat on her were nothing compared to the mileage he’d gotten out of her life. It occurred to her that someone else might like the situation she could offer. The idea of an audition sprung to mind. She should thank Zack for giving her the idea, but that wouldn’t be wise.
Megan was too wrapped up in her personal triumph to give any thought to Zack. She had noticed him that morning, skulking around the entry gate, waiting for his assignment. Thankfully, he was gone most of the day with the stunt crew. Filming was moving along at a steady pace and Sherwood was ecstatic with her performance. After talking to Mamma Phoebe, her understanding of her character had intensified and she felt the spirit of Evangeline in every nuance of her being.
As a result, Buddy had released, unfettered, his tremendous talent into McCabe’s character with such frightening fury that everyone on the set stood back in awe watching her go toe-to-toe with him. She could see admiration and gratitude in Buddy’s eyes for enabling him to give the finest performance of his life. The bond between them personally and professionally gave her the stability she’d been searching for all her life. It didn’t seem possible that less than a week ago she’d acted like a whimpering idiot because of someone she could now barely stand to look at.
Her evenings were spent within the safe confines of her suite, studying her lines, preparing for the next day of shooting. The insatiable need that had driven her reckless behavior was now replaced with artistic passion. Her dressing room trailer was used only as a resting place during breaks instead of a refuge from the others or a hideaway for risky rendezvous. The dressing table in her suite had become a place of revelation, her reflection in the mirror one of startling change, heightened beauty, and eyes agleam with a glint of sapphire.
Trent and Danny were busy preparing. They were inside their hideout, planning another appearance. This time it would be Danny’s turn and less complicated than Trent’s venture to the Miller home. Danny had heard the buzz around school and was getting nervous about going out again so soon. With everyone talking about the sightings, he was having second thoughts about what they were doing. But Trent always had another plan. He got most of his ideas from their combined collection of comic books, reading about the Scarecrow and his means of terrorizing. Trent had picked a target for Danny and had already scoped out the location. His plan was to help Danny become the scarecrow, and then they would separate. Trent would go home to ensure an alibi while Danny made his appearance. Afterward, Danny would race to the shed to undress and then sneak over the ridge to home. His mother worked nights, so she wouldn’t know if he got home a little late. Trent had to be home before dark to keep from upsetting his parents’ rigid boring routine.
His nightly excursions had started two years previously and he knew his neighborhood well; homes with dogs, homes without pets, homes with security, homes with closed shades, and homes with kids, young and older. He knew every nighttime activity at the churches, clubs, and community center, like choir practice, Bingo, and meetings at City Hall. He didn’t roam long and didn’t stay out late because most people in town were home before ten o’clock. At least these people had lives, unlike his parents, but even they were caught up in their routines. He wanted to shake them all up, cause a stir, disrupt their mundane existence, and bring a little horror into their lives, like his comic book hero.
After finalizing their plan, they left the hideout. Trent crossed over the fence at the back of the property to head for home while Danny went in the opposite direction toward the main house, crossing the road, and then over the ridge toward the highway and back entrance to his home. Trent knew that Danny’s mother was working the night shift. On the nights she was off, Danny had to be home right after school. If she’d been off tomorrow, he’d have had an excuse. But Trent knew her schedule and had factored it into h
is plan. He’d thought of everything and hoped Danny would remember his instructions and not let him down.
Aura Lee had radioed Farley to let him know about a rental property that could be the residence of the boy, Danny. She’d heard it had been leased to a single mother with a high-school age son. He drove by the small blue house situated on Laurel Drive behind the Texaco Truck Stop. Laurel Drive ran along the back of the high ridge above town, coming out at the highway near where the Dollar Store was located. The house was dark and quiet and no one answered the door. If this was the house where Trent Williams was supposed to be studying with his friend, Danny, they either had the wrong address or the boys were somewhere else. Farley turned back onto the highway and headed for town. Farley and Dev returned to the Williams residence and once again received a cold reception. Mrs. Williams reluctantly invited them in and called Trent from his room. Mr. Williams had apparently retired for the evening. The interior of their home was bland and colorless, with an absence of decor. Trent entered the room with a curious expression on his face. Farley was certain this kid had something to hide.
“Trent, did your mother tell you that we were here earlier?” Farley inquired.
“Yeah, she said you wanted some information about some trouble in town.”
“Yes, we’ve had a several incidents of someone in costume scaring children. Have you heard about this, Trent?”
“No.”
“Trent did you just come home? Your mother said you were studying with a friend?”
“I was at the library tonight, downstairs in the computer room. I’ve got a test tomorrow.”
“What about your friend, Danny, what is his last name?”
“Foster. He’s just a kid I study with sometimes, but not lately.”
“Your mother said you were with him tonight.”
Anger flashed in his eyes while his face remained expressionless. “She wasn’t paying attention. I told her I was going to the library.”
“Do you mind if we look in your room, Trent?”
“Why?”
“We’re checking out everyone we question.”
Farley was surprised that Trent acquiesced so easily and led them into a room as barren and spartan as the rest of the house. The only spot of color was coming from the screen of an outdated desktop computer. There was no sign of other interests, hobbies, collectibles or even disarray. It was as though no one lived in the room. Farley did notice the large casement window across from his bed and imagined the temptation it held.
There was nothing tangible to go on, except an unusual lack of belongings related to Trent’s interests. If he had any, where were they? Farley looked at Dev and knew he was thinking the same as thing; Trent fit the profile. There was no more they could do that night. Further questioning would get them nowhere. Farley thanked Mrs. Williams and gave no indication to Trent that he was under suspicion.
Dev agreed with Farley that Trent should be watched and watched closely. Farley planned to put Purdy on it in the morning, starting with a visit to the high school, followed by late afternoon and evening surveillance. Farley planned to check Trent’s alibi with Jim Boyle, the head librarian, and then pay a visit to Danny Foster’s home. If Trent was transforming himself into a scarecrow, he’d have to leave home to do it. Catching him in the act would be the most expedient way to put an end to his escapades. Their home visit may have scared him into stopping, but Farley doubted it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
PANDEMONIUM SET IN BY MID-MORNING the next day. Mary Beth Hausfeld was the first to call. Someone had taken the decorative scarecrow she’d put on display in front of her flower shop and placed it on the bench in front of the market on Main Street. She’d found it by following a trail of straw from the shop to the bench. The scarecrow, depleted of innards, would have to be re-stuffed and re-sewn. She’d made the scarecrow a friendly fellow but his mouth had been ripped and altered to look hollow and mean. She said the vandalism must have happened before nine o’clock when the shop opened. She suggested Deputy Purdy be posted on Main Street until Halloween to deter such distressful antics.
A call from the elementary school brought more news of scarecrow madness. Tales of sightings abounded, one for every classroom and age group. The now infamous Scarecrow had been seen behind bushes, around corners, behind haystacks, hiding in the barn, peeking through windows, hiding in basements, attics, cupboards, and even in the shower stall. It was rumored to be in the school or gymnasium, lurking in the hallways, ready to jump out at anyone alone. The children couldn’t concentrate on their schoolwork, the tales so shockingly exaggerated.
The faculty was bewildered by the phenomenon and no amount of reassurance dispelled the frenzy growing from these invented stories. Fiction melded with fact, fantasy with reality, creating a combination of fear and excitement in the children that intensified their anticipation for Halloween.
Farley heard from Purdy that news of the Miller sighting was the talk of the high school. He wondered what ideas might be brewing in the minds of some of the thrill-seekers on his rejected suspect list. This would be too good an opportunity to pass up. They could act out and everything would be blamed on the perpetrator known, according to Purdy, as the Scarecrow Peeper. Purdy also reported that Trent Williams did have a test and was busy attending classes. He planned to observe him during the lunch hour and then report back.
After talking to Deputy Purdy, Farley was tempted to return to the compound to check on Zack Tanner, although he had heard nothing as yet from Joyce Crenshaw. Something about Trent Williams brought back the nagging question he’d had after talking to her about Tanner. If Trent was the Scarecrow, where was his disguise? If Tanner didn’t come out of the access road to the compound the night Purdy was watching for him, and his vehicle was nowhere in sight when Purdy drove back there, where was his vehicle? It had to be in another place, because it was not in the place they looked, just like there was nothing in Trent’s room.
This type of subterfuge required strategy indicative of a devious calculating mind and intent to do something that could result in consequences if caught. Trent was in the minor leagues compared to Zack, but if he had created a disguise that had to be hidden in order to continue to do harm, he had to be a priority over Zack. It further rankled Farley that his investigation was at a standstill while an urban legend was growing that could end up causing more trouble than the unsolved murder of Willis Gaither.
Farley left Aura Lee to handle the calls and walked down to the library to talk to Jim Boyle. He found him in the reference section, concentrating on a leather-bound volume of actuaries. He regarded Jim highly and knew him to be astute and trustworthy.
Jim seemed delighted with the interruption, but soon realized the seriousness of the inquiry and replied, “I did close the library last night, but I couldn’t tell you if Trent Williams had been here or not. I had to make a run down to the county library to pick up some books on order and didn’t get back until almost closing time. Trent could have gone into the computer room and left before I returned. Hold on a minute, Chief. I’ll call Jennie Baker. She was here the whole time.”
Farley waited while Jim made the call. Jennie remembered that several students had been there, but hadn’t paid much attention to them because they’d gone into the computer room and hadn’t come to the desk to check out books.
Jim thought for a moment, and then added, “Come to think of it, Chief, I’d forgotten about Trent. He used to be quite a reader when he was younger and became a regular when we updated the computer room. But I haven’t seen him lately and that is odd. The library is like his home away from home. He’s quite an introvert, but very bright.”
“Can you recall if he had any special interests?”
“I do recall that he loved comic books, among other literary interests. He’s probably found a new hobby, something to keep his nose out of books and off the screen. After all, he is a teenager now.”
“I think you may be right, Jim.”
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br /> Farley thanked him and walked back down Main Street to the Grill. The early crowd had left a few stragglers behind seated at the counter sipping coffee. Farley ordered breakfast and thought about what he’d learned about Trent. Then he put in a call to Dev.
Dev put down his trowel and went inside. He’d kept his cell phone handy waiting for Farley’s call. Kate had left an hour before to take Eleanor shopping. She’d explained to Dev and Farley that she recognized in Eleanor a similar vulnerability she had once experienced and wanted to help her beyond a professional exchange. Eleanor had started responding to Kate’s kindness, sharing more about her life before marriage and dreams she once had for the future, almost forgotten. Dev felt uneasy about Kate visiting Eleanor at her home, even if it was just to pick her up and drop her off. There were many unanswered questions and an ongoing investigation with Eleanor at the center.
When Dev entered the Grill fifteen minutes later, Farley had moved from the counter to a booth. The place was almost empty by then, which gave them a window of opportunity for privacy. After Dev’s coffee was poured, Farley brought Dev up to date on the growing momentum of craziness regarding the fabricated sightings reported by children, and what he had learned about Trent from Jim Boyle. Farley suggested that Trent might think himself clever enough to pull off another one, despite being under suspicion. With Purdy on the lookout, he would most likely be caught, but there was another potential problem brewing.
Farley explained, “Serena hasn’t had the problems other cities and towns have had on the night before Halloween. In many places it’s common for kids to do minor acts of vandalism, like throwing toilet paper onto neighborhood trees, egging doors and windows, and smashing pumpkins set out for display. The scarecrow sightings have Serena’s younger children doing something they haven’t previously done; telling a flurry of outlandish tales about seeing the scarecrow. As a result they’ve gotten lots of attention from their peers, parents, and teachers. If the sightings have had this effect on the young ones, imagine the influence they have on the older ones, particularly with the peeping element added. I can think of a few who’d be impressed and might want to imitate the scarecrow. What better night than the one invented for mischief, only two nights away.
The Silent Scream of the Straw Man Page 13
