Descent Into Darkness

by Michael Cross

  The man apologized, “Oh, sorry – I had no idea. What can I help you with?” I fumbled around in my purse and pulled out the picture of Tamilla. I asked, “Have you ever seen this woman?” He looked carefully, tilted the angle, and then the words that followed caught me off guard, “Is this concerning the body in the park last winter?” I was unsure how I should have been feeling at that moment – I did know the feeling of adrenaline pumping in my system and I certainly could feel that! He then said, “I am only the coroner’s assistant, but her bone structure in her face is kind of unique…a bit like yours. The lady in the park, at least what was left of her face, had the same cheek bones and orbital, I mean eye structure.” He stared at Tamilla’s picture again and said, “The girl here has light hair. The body they brought in had black head hair but it was dyed. Her pubic hair was blond. I took note of that since it’s usually the other way around.” He chuckled and looked at me in a creepy sort of way, “I can’t say for sure but the girl in your picture looks like it could be a match. Of course if you have anything more revealing I could give you a more definitive answer.”

  I felt like stuffing this jerk into one of the plastic body-bags in the corner but I managed to maintain myself and asked, “So do you have anything like dental records that could help me know?” He responded, “It was an odd case. She had all of her teeth pulled out, like someone did not want any dental records to match up with her, and her fingertips had been cut off. Whoever killed her knew what they were doing if they wanted her to be unidentifiable. Oh, she also had been cut up around the neck, yet there was some sort of bruising that could still be detected – like a noose had been used to strangle her.” He then said, “I know I should not do this, but seeing that you are down here from Detective Sanger I can show you the file.” I remained quiet, professional, and maintained the assumption he had formed that this was in some way official business. He handed me the file and stated, “I have an important form to fill out but you can look at this; just don’t take it out of the room. Oh and if you know who she was I would like to get that from before you leave.”

  I opened up the folder marked “Jane Doe 45 – B – 221.” I skipped over the report and immediately focused on the picture. The guy was right; she was very messed up, but I could tell that in life she must have looked like Katja. I flipped to the next picture, which showed her nude body from the waist to her head. I then noticed that a chunk of flesh had been cut off her chest; the spot the tattoo would have been was gone. I then called to the man, “I assume you have DNA samples.” He shook his head in an irritated way and walked back to me. He looked at the folder and said, “That’s odd…there is no record of a DNA extraction. And usually we at least save a hair sample…I am unsure why this was not done, but here…Sanger’s assistant Craig Myers was the detective looking into the case; you might confer with him if you have any further questions.”

  I then asked, “So in case there was no DNA examination, then where would the body be now?” The man looked in his folder and said, “Oh, well it seems there is a ‘C’ listed in this little square – that means the body was cremated. That is pretty standard for these kinds of cases.” I thanked him and left the office – anxious in a way to contact the Russian girl and let her know that perhaps her search was over, yet also wondering what she would say when I told her. No matter, I had promised to help her and perhaps, as fate would have it, I could bring her closure. I then wondered if I should go up to Sanger and tell her of my findings. Yet…why, I wondered, had nobody bothered to investigate any further than they had? I mean these people were paid to find answers, weren’t they? And I had sometimes worried that the police would find something someday that would have tied me to a killing? What a joke! Was it incompetence, laziness or some other reason a case like this never received the attention necessary to solve it? I would continue to look on my own and keep any findings to myself; and the girl who I believed was the relative of the victim.

  Rather than going straight home I decided that Matt and Nicole could handle the children for a while. Perhaps a bit elated over my “amateur” detective skills I called Nicole and said that I needed to have some time to myself. She encouraged me to take all the time I needed and so, breaking one of my own rules of not being noticed, I took off to Rooster Rock so I could run and go for a swim afterwards. Fortunately I had a running outfit in the trunk and a pair of obnoxious sun glasses that when combined with a summer scarf, were ideal for concealing my identity.

  It was an intensely hot August day so I lost no time getting to the park. Being a weekday, only a few people were there. I went further to the long sandy shore extending for a mile or so along the Columbia River and decided to run first. As this was the state’s only official nude beach I took full advantage of the opportunity to shed all my clothes. I carefully hid my wallet and purse in a mound of driftwood and, carrying only my keys, I prepared to run. I took a few minutes to relieve myself of some of the weight in my breasts as I would not be using a running bra. I thought this would compensate but after a short distance I realized this wasn’t working. I gave up on that goal and instead I sat my keys on a nearby stump and jumped into the refreshing waters of the Columbia. The only sound was the little waves breaking in the wind and the motors of an occasional boat passing by in the distance. I felt at one with nature. To be alone and out of the confines of clothing on this spectacular day filled my mind with an ecstasy. I felt at once integrated with nature as well as connected to a divine sense of being and purpose. As I swam far out into the blue waters I looked around at the mountains that surrounded the gorge and pondered the almost incomprehensible realization that volcanic fires and glacial ice had carved this heavenly landscape. I stopped my swimming motions and, as if in a trance, I let myself sink below the surface of the waters. As I descended motionless I wished I did not have to breathe and could escape into this alien environment. Yet as I sank further into the depths I looked up at the bending rays of light mixed with the bubbles surfacing from my body and was hit with a sudden horror…the thought of encountering a body! I quickly surfaced, gasping for breath! I looked around at the beautiful landscape and suddenly began to laugh. I quickly swam back to shore, got out and looked over the picturesque scenery. Again I was filled with awe and thought it funny that I should be worried over encountering a corpse in such a huge expanse of water. Besides, by now any person I had thrown into a watery grave here would have long since returned to the elements.

  I stood there on the sand letting the sun’s rays dry off my body. I knew I could not stay all day but I desperately desired to do so. I did not want this taste of freedom to end. I retrieved my keys and decided to go for a leisurely stroll along the isolated beach. I knew I was tempting fate leaving the hat and sunglasses hidden away; if someone left the main sunbathing beach and decided to walk along this area I risked being exposed as the naked senator. Yet I could not resist the feeling of freedom – and as it had been almost a year since I had gone on one of my survival adventures in the mountains, what with pregnancy and all, I really enjoyed my walk along the shoreline.

  Upon returning to my things, I got dressed, including my hat, scarf and sunglasses, and headed back to the main beach. It was just in time as a few Hispanic guys wearing bright white briefs, and carrying fishing poles, suddenly entered my area. I passed them, happy I had decided to leave when I did. Upon entering the more populated zone, I sort of missed the old times of not having to worry about maintaining a public image.

  On the way home I pondered how to inform Katja. No, I did not know for sure that the woman the police found in the park was her sister, but it seemed to me that chances were good that it was. She was the right age, her remaining facial features seemed to match, and there was the chunk of skin removed where her tattoo would have been. The hair color, according to the little creep matched as well. I finally decided I would contact Katja and set up a time for lunch. She deserved to know.

  When I got home it was dinner and then we all played
games with the children. I took Matt aside for a moment and we discussed my idea for Nicole’s birthday present. He suggested we get her a very expensive ring since we had both neglected it for so long.

  I had been in the sun too long, and decided to go to bed early – even though technically I would have been with Matt that evening. I took Nicole aside and asked if she would like to take my place which of course she eagerly agreed to. However, before going to bed I was compelled to write Katja and ask her if she was free on Monday for lunch. Sadly, I had to erase even more harassing emails; mails that now included images far beyond the limits of acceptable perversion. I was starting to become angry to the point of rage for this inconvenience, but I would have to wait a few days before searching for assistance on this matter.

  The rest of the weekend was just normal family life. It was not until Sunday afternoon that Katja responded to my mail and asked for my cell number. Soon afterwards she called and we arranged a lunch meeting for Tuesday as she said she had to fix some details of her visa on Monday. That was perfect for me as I wanted to be free Monday to go shopping with Matt.

  After lunch we left the children with Nicole and started going from one jewelry store to another until, after several hours we found the perfect ring – it was gold with a very elegant Celtic pattern and four small, beautiful diamonds. The clerk must have been confused as we both had wedding rings on, and there we were buying another.

  On the way home I turned to Matt, “Thank you.” He was at the wheel but stole a quick glance and asked, “What did I do?” I put my hand behind his head and gently caressed his neck, “I appreciate your being so loyal to Nicole and me.” He laughed, “You know, some people would say I was anything but loyal – they would see me as an adulterer.” I reached down and took his hand, “And those people mean what to us?” He squeezed my hand and said, “It is funny how life works out. For a long time I thought I might never be blessed with love again, or a family. And here I am now.” As we stopped at a light I looked at him and said, “God blessed you with seven beautiful children and you should never doubt my love and devotion to you. And I know Nicole feels the same.”

  At that, Matt brought up the same topic as Nicole on the bike ride – Nicole’s growing interest in religion. He asked, “Melanie, you know…Nicole would really like to be with us on Sundays. Do you think that is too much to ask?” I took a deep breath and looked out the window, “I don’t know. I am aware of her desire, but you know how people gossip. And with me in the public eye, is it worth the risk?” Matt asked, “Could we just say she is our full-time nanny, or maybe say she is your cousin?” I thought for a moment and asked, “Maybe. Could we talk about this later?” Matt was okay with it but I feared the issue would not go away. Yet at that moment that was not really at the top of my priority list. I was anxious to get home and be with the children, and hopefully be able to put on my exercise bra and go for a run before bed.

  That evening I had a lot of thoughts in my mind as I was running. I figured that maybe I should just tell Katja what I had discovered and then I no longer had to deal with her. I wondered how she would take it – I did not like people getting emotional and all but I had learned how to try to show interest in their pain. She could not possibly know that it had taken years of Matt and Nicole showing me total devotion that had allowed me to really connect when they were hurt. As for my children that was different as I found myself worried over every scratch, every cough, that either my children or Nicole’s, experienced. Yet connect to a total stranger? I would have to think about how to act.

  The next morning Katja called and I asked her if she could meet me at the Mexican restaurant by the Mormon temple. She said to name a time and I suggested noon. She promised to be there. So that morning I decided to try to get things picked up around the house. I hoped that Nicole would appreciate the effort since I had not protested over her being with Matt the last two evenings.

  Nicole crept into the room, half asleep and wearing nothing but one of Matt’s long exercise shirts. She looked around and seemed to notice how neatly things were arrange. She smiled and walked over to me. Without saying a word, she put her arms around me and gave me a long kiss. She pulled a little away and then asked, “Want a few days alone with me? Matt suggested he watch the children and we can take off and do whatever we please next week.” I looked in her eyes and said, “It’s a date!”

  The rest of the morning was ideal. I suppose I should have asked why she was in such a good mood, but I was thinking about the meeting I would have in a couple of hours. I still had no idea how to break the news to Katja. Yet the clock does not stop for whatever our tasks might be so before I knew it I had to rush out of the door and promise everyone that I would be home soon.

  As I pulled into the parking lot I noticed that I was already five minutes late. I rushed to get inside and saw Katja sitting in the corner. She stood up and smiled. As I approached she thanked me for meeting with her. Yet the next twenty minutes of my explaining what I had discovered seemed to destroy the beautiful aura that had surrounded her. When she burst into tears I tried to comfort her. I put my arm around her and held her. She then stopped and sat up, defiantly posturing herself as to do battle with an unseen force and vowed, “You are my witness, I will kill the bastards who did this or I will die in the attempt!”

  I cautioned her and said that maybe she should ask the police why they closed the case. She then said, “I never trusted police in my country, and I do not trust them here! In my country people often have to solve problems on their own.” I cautioned her that we could not be sure it was her sister but then she said, “I can feel it! I know I can feel her spirit here. She is on the other side. I knew it in my heart, but my brain would not accept it until now…now that you have given me this information.” I admired her attempt to appear strong, but I could see she was fighting back the urge to cry again. I wondered what I should do so I thought I would reach out and take her hand to give her a sense that I felt her pain. She grasped my hand tight while choking back her tears and smiled as she looked around the room, almost appearing to want to escape.

  I expected us to depart and never see each other again but she then asked, “What do you want for lunch? I am buying.” I was hungry, and I did not want to be rude, so I agreed. She then told me about her childhood, and how close she and her sister had been. When I told her I was an only child she sighed, “That is so sad. I guess I am an only child now as well. I just have to make sure about Tamilla before I tell my parents.” Then she asked, “Is there any way you could help me? My visa is almost expired, but if you tell the INS that I am doing research on politics and you are my mentor then I think I can stay longer.” I did not really know her but I said I could consider it. We ate lunch and talked until she finished and said, “I must go now. I will call.” She got up and gave me a hug and then rushed out the door.

  On the way home I did feel pity for the girl. I remembered how it hurt when Bethany died. I was also curious as to what she planned to do for her investigation. However, I had to get home. It was already Tuesday and Matt and I had to make plans for Friday. And since it seemed Nicole and I would be going somewhere the next week I would let her have Matt again.

  The next day I awoke early when my son Alex came in to my room. Nicole and Matt had probably locked their door as a precaution with kids. Alex crawled into bed with me and asked the strangest question, “Who was the man with the kitty?” I rubbed my eyes and asked, “What man Alex?” He said, “I woke up last night and was looking at the moon in my window. That is when a man with a kitty came by. Is the kitty for us?”

  I suddenly got a really creepy feeling. I asked Alex, “Hey, would you like to play tickle monster with me?” He laughed and said he would. I told him, “Wait here under the covers and make sure not to wake Magdalena. I have to use the bathroom and then I’ll be right back.”

  It appeared as if nobody else was awake so I did not even bother to throw anything on as I went down to look out the
window. Nothing seemed unusual in the yard. I figured he had maybe experienced a bad dream. I decided to open the door and quickly retrieve the newspaper before any neighbor got a view of me. Yet when I tried to push it open something was blocking it. I forced it open and glanced around the corner of the door and to my utter shock was a large, orange dead cat sprawled out in front of me!

  I did not scream out – but I wondered what kind of sick person would leave a dead animal on my doorstep! I then noticed an envelope next to the cat with a rock on top of it. I picked it up, examined it for any traces of poison powders, held it up to the light to make sure there was no explosive in it, and then stood up to see what was in it. There were two articles – one was about the efforts of a US senator who was being praised for his fight against sexual slavery and trafficking. The next article was about the same senator dying in a mysterious plane crash. At the bottom of the article someone had drawn a big question mark and a smiley face in green ink. I knew immediately what this was all about.

  As I stood there looking over everything I glanced up and noticed an elderly man walking his dog. I suddenly realized I was standing on my porch with nothing on! I gave him a little wave, to which he smiled and waved back, and I crept back inside the door. I would have laughed at that incident, but the cat consumed my thoughts. I rushed into the kitchen to wash my hands. Then I noticed Nicole looking at me. I was waiting for her to chastise me, but instead she came over and smiled, “Melanie, don’t bother packing. Where we are going next week that is all you need to wear. You and Matt cannot be the only ones getting to go to that California resort.” Normally, I would have been ecstatic to hear that news, but instead I had to inform Nicole of the cat. Her face went pale before she ran up to check on the children. After rushing in and out of their rooms she ran back down and screamed, “Where’s Alex?” I comforted her by letting her know he was hiding under my sheets.