Shadows in the Night

by J. J. Franck

  “I wasn’t sure you’d come,” Avery said.

  Looking at Jake, she couldn’t help but be reminded of Kirt, and it angered Avery how a brother could turn on his brother as he did. She wondered now if once this was settled if Kirt would finally be able to pass to the other side. That thought saddened her because she liked having him in her life and would miss the bantering.

  “What’s this about?” Jake asked with a coy smile on his face. He was somewhat confident he had the upper hand in this situation, but still was a little unsure and just wanted to make certain there were no loose ends.

  “You tell me. You’re the one who has been a busy little boy this evening.” Avery snapped.

  It annoyed Avery the condescending smile that crossed Jake’s face. Avery thought back to that night that Kirt was killed. A chill went through her thinking how senseless it all seemed. A brother callously murdering his brother, all in the name of the selling of illegal drugs.

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Jake slowly moved closer to Avery as she kept backing up to the fountain. He was not leaving the park until he was sure that what she knew couldn’t come back to harm him.

  When Avery backed up to the fountain and could go no further, she was uncomfortable for a moment knowing the distance between them was narrowing. But then she saw Kirt behind Jake, and her confidence returned. Even though he was just a specter, Kirt wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

  “First Kirt, and then poor Nathaniel.”

  Jake shook his head as he raised his hands. “Avery, I can explain.”

  Avery just pointed an accusing finger at Jake as she just shook her head. “You can explain?” she snapped, tears welled up in her eyes. No amount of explaining could justify what he had done.

  “Just listen to me.”

  “He was your brother!” she yelled finally.

  “It wasn’t supposed to go down like that.”

  “But he ended up dead just the same,” Avery said shaking her head while staring at Jake.

  It was hard for her to understand how a brother could do that to his flesh and blood. Someone he shared a life with. It was just too hard for her to comprehend the justification for what Jake did.

  “I tried to warn him off, but he just wouldn’t listen.”

  “What about tonight. That was you in the car.”

  Jake’s face showed the guilt he was feeling. But then he suddenly changed, realizing there was no way for her to know this. It was at that moment just before he was about to run Avery over that the vision of Kirt came to him. Jake thought he hallucinated it but now wondered if there was more to the vision that he saw. It apparently shoved Avery out of the way as a cold chill ran through Jake when he relived that moment in time.

  “And why Nathaniel. Explain why you had to go after him too?”

  “You have got to understand.”

  Jake took a step even closer to Avery. She was now leaning up against the fountain with nowhere else to go. Jake had her pinned no matter which way she ran. Avery quickly glanced around, but there was no one close to help her.

  Jake broke the long silence with his never-ending excuses for the things he did. “Kirt was always the good son. Why can’t you be more like him everyone kept telling me.”

  “So that gives you the right to play God with him?”

  “It wasn’t like that.”

  “The drugs being sold at the library. You’re involved in that, aren’t you?”

  “When I found out Kirt was undercover there, I warned them to move their operation,” Jake argued in his defense. “But I didn’t know they would put a contract out on him.”

  “And me?”

  “I got scared,” Jake said trying to justify his actions with Avery.

  “So I’m expendable,” she snapped and then pointed the finger at him. “And Nathaniel too?”

  “He’s been talking crazy, calling me Gemini. I think he saw me in the park that night.”

  “You were there and didn’t stop it?”

  “I couldn’t. It was already too late.” Jake said in his defense but it was useless.

  “So you did nothing, just let them kill Kirt? You might as well have pulled the trigger yourself,” Avery snapped.

  Jake reached for Avery. “You don’t understand,” he said.

  She quickly tried to move back but couldn’t. Avery raised her hands as if to fight him off. “Oh yes I do, all to well.”

  “Everything came easy for him.”

  Avery shook her head not believing what she was hearing. She had expected more loyalty from Jake. But his whole defense was making it out like Kirt deserved what he got because Kirt followed the rules.

  “You would just sit back and let his name dragged through the mud?” she snapped.

  “He would have been cleared eventually.”

  “But your parents, how could you do that to them?”

  “It was always Kirt this, Kirt that. Why can’t you be more like Kirt?” Jake quipped.

  Avery could tell by the expression on Jake’s face that there was a lot of resentment that had built up from years of being compared to his brother. But that was no excuse for Jake’s inability to stop the senseless murder of his brother, causing excruciating pain for his parents during a time that should have been spent consoling each other.

  “You got your money,” Avery said as if to chide him into admitting his involvement in the drug trade. He already admitted his involvement in Kirt’s murder. “What more do you want?”

  “Your silence!”

  “You’re going to finish the job you started earlier,” she shook her head.

  Avery laughed for a moment and wondered if Jake only knew just how close to dying she was, then maybe he would just leave her alone, let her die naturally. But he couldn’t take the chance that she would live long enough to make things right for Kirt’s reputation. She had enough stamina to get that done.

  Jake pulled out his gun and aimed it at Avery as he stepped back a moment. He stared at Avery for the longest time and then whispered.

  “Nothing personal,” he said. For some unknown reason, he found it difficult to pull the trigger. He had never killed anyone up close and in cold blood.

  While Jake hesitated Avery glanced around nervously looking for a way to escape. But it was useless, no matter which way she ran Jake would shoot her in the back. If he were going to kill her, he would have to do it up front and personal. She was not going to make it easy for him.

  The trees rustled overhead distracting Jake. Just then Captain Elliott stepped out of the bushes just out of Jake’s line of vision.

  Jake tightened his grip on the gun and was about to pull the trigger back when a thunderous sound reverberated through the night air. Kirt stepped in front of Avery as if he could do anything to save her. Kirt stood there looking for the bullet impact, but it wasn’t her who got hit. He turned quickly and saw the look on Jake’s face as he collapsed to his knees and then fell to the ground. Kirt quickly rushed over and bent down over his brother. Jake looked up at Kirt.

  “I’m sorry,” Jake whispered.

  “You should have listened,” Kirt said as tears welled up in his eyes as he watched the life dissolve from the body beneath him.

  Captain Elliott walked over to Avery. He reholstered his gun and then took hold of Avery and held her in his arms to comfort her.

  “It’s a shame it had to end this way,” Captain Elliot said patting Avery on the back.

  Avery had wondered what took Captain Elliott so long. She had hoped that he would be able to arrest Jake. It never occurred to her that it would have come down to having to shoot him instead.

  “I don’t think he would have shot me.”

  “That chance I wasn’t going to take.”

  Kirt stood up and looked at the two in front of him. Avery opened her eyes and saw the pain in Kirt’s face.

  “Are you all right?” Kirt finally asked.

  Avery nodded her head. It went unnot
iced by Captain Elliott. The Captain released Avery and looked down at her.

  “Now what?” he asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “You don’t look good.”

  “Can I go home?”

  “No. After they take the body, I’ll have to take you in and get your statement. For now, why don’t you just go over there,” Captain Elliott said pointing to the bench near the fountain.

  Captain Elliott could see there was something more wrong with Avery than she was letting on. He knew from seeing his mother whittle away from cancer that was the malady that afflicted Avery. Captain Elliott respected Avery enough not to probe. He felt better about the fact he would not have to visit her parents to give them the news that no parent wants to hear from a police officer. It was bad enough having to tell his friend, that he had to kill their son in order to save a life.

  CHAPTER 20

  The nightmare of the past week never seemed to end. It had played over and over again in Avery’s head in the time they waited for the paramedics to arrive.

  Avery’s thoughts had been filled with Kirt’s last moments. She wondered now if that had a lot to do with why she had seen his vision. Kirt hadn’t made his presence known since his brother took his last breath, and Avery feared that was what it took for him to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and eventually pass to the other side.

  Avery was in a world full of hurt. A part of her wanted Kirt back but knew Kirt was not real, and in time it all had to come to an end. He may have only been in her dreams, but somehow she doubted that. The key was real and even though she no longer had the briefcase full of money she knew that too was real. Avery only hoped that in the end it put a stop to the drug dealings at the library, but knew, in reality, there was too much money to be had for the dealers to give up so easily. Their operation would only move to another part of the city because as long as people were willing to pay for the drugs, there would be a never-ending supply coming into the city. No matter how hard authorities worked to rid the city of this plague.

  All Avery could do now was watch the two paramedics jump out of their vehicle as they had done the night Kirt died. But there was no need to rush this time. She turned around at the fountain and ran her hand into the water. Then Avery rubbed her cold wet hand across her forehead to ease the nausea she was feeling while taking a few deep breaths. Captain Elliott had been at Avery’s side the whole time. He knew Avery would have to start filling him in on what transpired but could sense there was something physically wrong with the woman in front of him, so he gave her time. But by the end of the night, he would need answers from her.

  The one paramedic glanced over at Avery, he recognized her from the call they responded to the evening Kirt was shot. When he saw Jake lying on the ground, he looked up at her again. It was even too coincidental for him and seemed like a bad movie being played out all over again, but he said nothing. It was in the fact the paramedic recognized Captain Elliott standing next to Avery. Granted, he didn’t understand what had just happened, but if Avery were indeed the perpetrator, she would have been in cuffs by now. The fact Captain Elliott seemed to be consoling the woman put credence that she was not the person responsible for the man lying on the ground.

  Avery had had enough. She slowly walked past the men as they quickly put the black plastic body bag on the stretcher as they did that other night. Avery didn’t have it in her to watch as they put Jake’s body into that bag. Once it was quickly zipped up and secured to the stretcher, the men started maneuvering it to the waiting ambulance. So much reminded her of that night she wanted to just scream out for it to all stop. All the senseless selling of drugs that ruined lives on campus and the needless deaths to cover it up. Nothing made sense and no amount of caring would stop it

  Slowly, Avery started walking down the path leading to the street. She wandered aimlessly at first, but then she quickened her pace. Avery could no longer stand being in the park that had caused her so much pain lately. She thought about Kirt and the senseless way he died. And it all came down to money.

  Avery stopped when she saw the two squad cars parked near the curb. In the back of one was an unsavory looking man who Avery had seen at the library numerous times recently. Her only guess was he was part of the drug ring that had set up shop at her library. Kirt had gotten his wish even in death.

  Avery glanced back into the park as Captain Elliott started walking up to where she stood but got sidetracked by an officer who needed his assistance. It was then Kirt suddenly appeared. He turned to Avery.

  “What’s wrong? You don’t look good.” Kirt asked.

  Avery slowly glanced up at Kirt with tear filled eyes. “What did you expect,” she snapped.

  “Not what happened if that’s what you mean.”

  “Now your parents have two dead sons.”

  Kirt stopped at the realization of Avery’s words. He hadn’t given much thought as to what all of this would mean to his parents. Kirt knew Jake had to be made accountable for his involvement in all of this. He just didn’t think it would come down to this. Quickly, Kirt tried reaching for Avery, but his hand went right through her arm.

  “You have to help me,” he said with a pleading look of determination.

  All Avery could do was look up at Kirt and just shake her head. She didn’t know what Kirt was getting at and wondered why he was still there. It was evident Captain Elliott had the people responsible for his death, and yet Kirt hadn’t passed on to the white light that should have guided him to wherever he was meant to go. Outside of seeking out a medium, Avery had no clue now how to rid herself of his presence. It was evident nothing she had done so far was helping. Avery quickly glanced around. Captain Elliott was still distracted talking to one of the officers. After being sure no one was watching, Avery finally answered Kirt.

  “What can I possibly do now?” she said in frustration, not knowing if Kirt would be haunting her the rest of her days. “Shouldn’t you be on your way to the after life, wherever that is?” she snapped hoping it would be a reminder for Kirt.

  Avery didn’t know if Kirt was in control of his departure from this life, or was it something that just happened. But somehow his determination to make things right seemed to be keeping him here. It had nothing to do with catching the people responsible for his death. And granted the selling of drugs at Bobst would stop, but that didn’t mean the dealers wouldn’t find another venue to sell their wares. It was never ending so that certainly couldn’t be the reason Kirt was still there.

  “I have to see my parents.”

  Avery just stared at Kirt for the longest time, not believing what he just said. “Don’t do this to me,” she whispered while shaking her head.

  She didn’t need to witness the pain his parents were experiencing at losing their children knowing full well it would be reminiscent of the pain her parents would be feeling in a short time.

  Kirt hadn’t realized what he was asking of Avery. All he knew at that point, was the sincere desire to see them before he passed through to the other side and Avery was the only means for him to do this feat.

  “Please.” Is all Kirt could muster up to say hoping it was enough for her to change her mind.

  As Avery walked down the street and before turning into the alley, she glanced back at the park. She could still see the flashing lights flickering into the night. Avery was never good at confrontation and to see two people who probably suffered the worst possible pain any parent could experience, the loss of their two children in a week span of time was not something she wanted to endure. But Kirt was not letting up with his request.

  * * *

  By morning Avery had reluctantly agreed to visit Kirt’s parents. She knew Captain Elliott was going to see them first thing in the morning to give them the news about Jake, so she gave them enough time to suffer from their pain before she made her visit. She had thought about calling first, but Kirt begged her not too for fear they would decline her visit, and he sensed time wa
s of the essence because Avery’s condition was deteriorating fast. Kirt was determined to see his parents one last time before it was too late.

  The taxi pulled up to the brownstone in a quaint part of the city that Avery never actually ventured to. The funeral wreath was still on the front door from Kirt’s funeral. Avery wondered how parents could ever get over the loss of two sons in such a short period.

  Avery slowly got out of the taxi and handed the driver the fare and then quickly added.

  “Wait for me. I’ll only be a few minutes.”

  “The meters running.”

  Avery laughed to herself thinking how much money she had spent on taxis this past week. More than she had paid since she left home for college, but it didn’t matter now, she had nowhere else to spend her money on, and it beat taking the bus or walking the fifteen blocks. Avery had always been frugal with her spending and now wondered why given the short time she had left.

  Kirt was halfway up the stairs and then turned to Avery. “Hurry, I don’t know how much time I have.”

  Avery rubbed her head as she quickly followed Kirt and then whispered. “Promise me, this is it,” Avery said with a look of determination.

  Avery slowly walked up to the door and then quickly pressed the doorbell. She turned to see the grim expression on Kirt’s face as he patiently waited for one of his parents to open the door.

  Kirt gasped when the door finally opened to reveal a haggard looking Nancy McFarley, his mother. She was in a nightgown, her eyes red and bloodshot from crying. Kirt’s mothers’ hair was in complete disarray contesting to the fact she must have retired early that evening only to be awakened with terrible news.

  Avery stepped forward. “Mrs. McFarley?” she asked.

  “If you’re a reporter,” the woman started to say but then stopped.

  Avery put up her hand up and then cut her off. “No, I knew your son Kirt. I just wanted to say how sorry I was,” Avery said quickly.

  Avery felt awkward for a moment. She didn’t know what else to say and was angry with Kirt for putting her in this position. Why Avery let him talk her into making this trip she never would understand. Except for the fact she was trying to help him make peace in this life and pass on to the other side.