College Curse Murder

by Candy O'Donnell

  “Hubert wasn’t a class act?”

  “No, he practically failed out of school, even high school. His father was a drunkard, and his mother left when he was twelve years old. She couldn’t take her husband’s beatings. Back then it was acceptable for the woman to leave with another man. I never saw it that way. His mother must have been disappointed with her own child to leave like that.”

  “Why do you say that?” Sandy pressed Samuel for more answers.

  “Hubert was a killer.” He said so matter of fact.

  “What does that mean? Did he kill a student?”

  “Heavens no. The rumor in high school was this: he killed his own dog.” Samuel nodded and drank from his glass.

  “That’s dreadful.” Sandy glanced around this man’s kitchen and noticed it was sparsely furnished. The whole house barely had anything in it too. No television and only a small pale pink sofa sat in the living room.

  “My wife died two years ago. My sons have a lot of this stuff. They wanted her treasured memories, and now when I die, they’ll get what’s left.” He set his glass down and almost spilled it.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Sandy went to fetch him a kitchen towel in case it did spill.

  “Me too, Sandy. My sons love me, but they rarely come by to see if I’m okay or anything.” He looked down at an orange cat sprinting into the kitchen searching for its food dish. He felt its way around slowly as if avoiding Sandy.

  “Mittens is blind, Sandy. Can you get her a small spoonful of wet food from the fridge?” He pointed it out.

  “Sure, Samuel.” Sandy went to the fridge and didn’t find it. “It’s not here.”

  “I forgot. It’s in the cupboard on your right.” He pointed to it.

  When Sandy opened up the cupboard and saw the last can there, she made a mental note to get some food for Samuel and his blind cat. “Here it is.” Sandy opened the cat food can and found a spoon to dish it out with. The cat purred loudly as it ate in peace.

  “Mittens must like you.” He grinned. “That cat was my wife’s cat. She’s a good old feline.”

  Sandy sat in silence with this man in his small kitchenette. His presence gave her a feeling of calm, yet unnerving all at the same time. She couldn’t quite explain it. “I probably should be going. Thanks for the water.” She drank it down and set the glass in the sink. “I hope Mittens is happy.”

  “If that cat is eating, she is happier than a clam.” Samuel thanked her for stopping by and helping him with the groceries. “You can drop by any time, Sandy.” He waved. When she left, she locked the front door for him.

  Hubert’s name raced through Sandy’s head, and she didn’t know what to think now. That man needed her to pay him a visit next.

  ~~~

  Sandy started walking down Hubert’s street when a car raced past her with its music full blast. The driver inside the car wore a Jason mask and yelled at her in a scary voice. After that incident, Sandy turned around and made her way back to the college at a jog. She didn’t want to look over her shoulder at who that might be or if they were coming back.

  Not far from Hubert’s street the rear park entrance revealed itself to her. She headed into it and made her way past other runners, hikers, and dog walkers. Sandy headed back to her college. Once at the pond, and definitely not out of breath, Sandy slowed her pace to a walk and watched a group of college kids toss rocks into the water where small waves overflowed its banks.

  When she turned around and almost ran into someone, she apologized. “I’m so sorry.” She looked up at him and saw that it was Robert Fry.

  “We didn’t get to chat at the police station, and I was hoping to run into you somewhere.” He held his arms at his sides and stared across the pond at a group of young teens laughing with one another. “I used to be one of them. Now, I’m an outcast because I messed up once.”

  Sandy listened to his words. “What do you mean messed up?”

  Robert exhaled. “I did something really dumb, and now nobody believes me anymore.” He began to walk away when Sandy caught him by the arm.

  “We all do stupid things, Robert.”

  “Not like this.” He gazed down at her with his hand held above his eyes as he shielded them from the sun.

  “I’m beginning to believe your family had nothing to do with these murders here at the pond.” Sandy relaxed when she noticed him resting.

  “I’m glad. My father is a good guy. He lives with my grandpa and helps him out whenever he needs it. I know the college curse was laid upon them, but they are not responsible for that dumb curse.”

  Sandy cocked her head to the side and nodded.

  “Every year since this town was erected, a body has turned up in this pond. It was a lot larger back then, you know.”

  “I heard it encompassed the entire college campus at one time,” Sandy responded.

  “Yeah, my grandfather used to tell me stories about the pond. Stay away from it, he’d say. Never go near that water, it will swallow you whole. I thought he was joking, but when a body cropped up when I was at University, everyone pointed at my family. It was automatic, you know.” His voice turned solemn.

  “People do things out of the ordinary when they don’t understand. They point fingers and go to great extremes to unburden their own minds.” Sandy stretched her legs out a bit while standing there.

  “You must be a Psychology major.” Robert smiled.

  “Yeah, how did you know.” Sandy looked up at him.

  “I just know these things. I studied it for a semester and couldn’t seem to wrap my brain around the concepts. Besides, I had enough psychology crop growing up in my own wayward family.”

  “Sounds familiar.” Sandy mulled over what had taken place within her family. With a head shake, she relieved herself of its tragedies for a moment.

  “I saw you at Samuel’s. What did he have to say?” Robert looked down at her and she at him.

  “Are you following me?” She questioned.

  “No, not at all, Sandy. I was tracing through the neighborhood on my way to my grandpa’s place. He lives down the road from Samuel.”

  “Sam lives with his dead wife’s cat and doesn’t seem to know your family well, but he knew Hubert well. It seemed that way.”

  “Sandy, be careful with him. He might seem old and nice and all. He has things in his past that would make your toenails curl. Check him out and see what he’s all about. Hubert is not an angel either. He has his issues too.” Robert nodded at her and took off down the path in the direction of his grandpa’s house.

  Singing birds overhead told her that evening was about to lay its foundations and she should head back to the safety of the dorm.

  “Thanks.” Sandy was confused now. Which one of those men was capable of killing young women decades ago? Why would they do it and how did they do it? Sandy looked up and saw the group of young college students heading her way. She turned around and began to walk back to the college where homework suddenly penetrated her mind.

  ~~~

  Rena shut her science book and closed her eyes with hands held over them. “I’m so tired tonight. I need a vacation from this place, Sandy.” After opening her eyes and noticing Sandy writing frantically, Rena leaned over to see what she was jotting down. “Psychology stuff, huh.”

  “Absolutely. I need to finish this paper tonight, and if I don’t, I’m in trouble.”

  “I put stuff off all the time too, Sandy. Get to it, and I’ll see you at the dorm later.” Rena was on her feet and leaving the library with her book held in one hand. “Night.”

  “Have a good evening, Rena.” Sandy dove into her paper, finished it and inputted it into her laptop. When she noticed it was running low on battery, Sandy plugged it in and continued to complete her work.

  Another student was packing it in for the night and left. Sandy barely saw his blue jacket out of the corner of her eye. After all, it was chilly out, and when she went to feel for her coat, she didn’t have it on her.
With an exhale, Sandy scolded herself for not bringing it with her.

  Sandy corrected her work and closed down her computer for the night. Her hand slipped it and her book into her pack where she hurried past hanging cobwebs and fake paper pumpkins now taped to various walls of the library. Her mouth turned upward as Sandy rushed from the library and off campus where she headed to the store under illuminating street lights.

  After purchasing a package of wet cat food and a small pumpkin, she raced to Samuel’s house and set them on his front porch, then hurried back to the dorm. Along the way, the quiet of the night pushed in on her and fear slowly crept up her spine. After stepping into her dorm and heading upstairs, Sandy felt comfortable with what she had done for an elderly gentleman.

  Chapter Five

  The following morning, Sandy raced through her classes for the day before she dressed for her run that afternoon. The air was crisp, and rain clouds threatened to drop its load onto unsuspecting people below. Sandy didn’t care when she pulled on her waist length, clear plastic raincoat. Along with her running shorts, shoes, and jacket, she was ready to take on the world.

  Sandy was alone racing along the college campus. Going through the park was not an option now. The fear of it being slippery turned her off, and after rounding the corner of the science building, Sandy saw Jared leaning against the bricks talking with another girl. She ignored him and kept going.

  “Hey, Sandy wait up.” He hollered and raced after her.

  Sandy didn’t stop jogging, and when he reached out and took hold of her jacket, she stopped and faced him with a pink face. “Hey, what’s up, Jared?”

  “That wasn’t what you thought it was.” His eyes were searching hers.

  “I’m just getting a run in before it rains. It’s okay.” She moved her feet quickly beneath her. “I need to get going before…” she pointed at the sky.

  “Sure, I’ll see you later.” Sandy nodded and smiled back at him.

  Jared watched her leave, and Sandy felt his eyes piercing her again. She shook it off as the rain began to fall. When the storm was dropping hard and fast, she escaped into the library when it came into her view. Sandy looked out the glass doors and saw others finding places to hide and wait out the rain.

  “Hey, Sandy.” A familiar voice startled her from behind.

  She turned and saw Robert standing there with a couple of books held in his right hand. She looked him up and down, but he was dry.

  “Are you waiting this out too?” Sandy watched him nod.

  “I was working on my math. Trig is difficult.” He backed up and sat on the bench facing the front door.

  “I suppose it would be. Math is not my strong point either. Psych is.” Sandy moved to the other side of the bench and sat down.

  A few brave kids raced outside through the pouring rain. Droplets pelted down over them and pools of water were beginning to form in and around the large planters near the library doors. Sandy jumped when thunder clapped overhead.

  “It’s just noise, Sandy.” Robert’s voice tried to soothe her.

  “I know that. It was so unexpected.”

  “Kind of like those bodies found in the pond.” He glanced over at her with hands clutching the bench.

  “Exactly. I can’t put my finger on who is involved.” Sandy seemed lost in thought for a moment or two.

  “My money is on Samuel. Dad used to tell me he was a shady guy back then. I’m not sure about now. He could have changed.” He looked up and stared through the glass panes before them.

  “People don’t usually stop murdering because they grow old unless they teach a younger generation their craft. Murder doesn’t leave a person’s psyche. It ingrains within it and at times the target changes and how they perform it changes, but once a human has a taste of murder, it usually continues.” Sandy stared over at Robert.

  “I couldn’t agree more, Sandy. You’re really good at this psychology stuff.” Robert complimented.

  “I’m trying to understand the roadmap of the human mind, and when I sense something, I feel the need to spit it out. Murder is like your favorite food. Once you taste it, you want more of it.”

  “Sounds unsettling.” Jared’s voice clapped Sandy’s ears. That was when Robert made his getaway from the library. Sandy watched him go without even a good-bye.

  “Making new friends I see.” Jared slid in next to her. The scent of his cologne weaved to her nostrils where Sandy inhaled silently.

  “Yeah. We’ve run across each other here and there. Robert’s a good guy.” Sandy thought about their conversation.

  “I just hope there’s still room for me in there.” Jared pointed to Sandy’s head.

  “Yeah, of course, there is, Jared. I have a lot on my mind. The school takes up a lot of time and…” Sandy looked up and saw the rain had slowed down a bit. “I need to get back to my dorm and get some homework done. I’ll see you later.” She was on her feet with him by her side.

  “Absolutely. We should plan another date.” His face lit up when she looked at him.

  “I agree. Next week sometime, Jared.” Sandy took off out the door as thunder cracked over her head once again. The rain sprinkled down lighter than before. With fingers crossed, Sandy wished it wouldn’t pelt her until she was inside her dorm.

  Just as she was about to climb the steps to her floor, Ralph’s voice clapped her ears from the small sofa sitting nearby. She turned around and stared at him.

  “Hey, Ralph. What are you doing here?”

  “I popped on by to talk.” He looked around him. “Do you have time now?”

  “Sure.” She sat a foot from him and listened to what he had to say.

  “You must have already investigated the Fry’s, right?”

  “Yeah, and I believe they’re innocent until proven guilty. Robert seems to be upright about what his family is about. I don’t think Richard or Damian is responsible for these murders. I actually think Hubert might have something to do with them.”

  “Okay, what else?” He encouraged.

  “I also think that Samuel is just a poor old man who lost his wife not long ago. I cannot imagine him associated with murder either.” Sandy shook her head.

  “I remember Samuel. His wife had a heart attack a few years ago. It didn’t look like foul play.”

  “He has his wife’s cat. Sam can barely feed the two of them. It’s sad, Ralph.” Sandy looked up and saw two girls giggling as they raced up the stairs.

  “I don’t know who else could have harmed the two girls from the pond. There’s always a girl that goes missing around this time of year. Just be careful, Sandy. I don’t want you to fall victim to this curse—or so they say.”

  “I’ve heard about the curse and Rena is frightened by the whole thing. Me, I’m keeping my eyes open to everything around me.” She closed her eyes, then looked up at Ralph. “I just want the person who killed those girls to serve time in jail, Ralph.”

  “We know a few things by the recovery of those bodies.” He gritted his teeth.

  “What do you know or can you say anything?”

  “We were able to identify one of the girls. Her necklace was still around her neck.” He glanced around him when he said, “Patsy Avery was her name.”

  “I wonder if her parents are still alive.”

  “Patsy’s mother is alive, and I contacted her earlier today. That woman has been through a lot during the time her daughter has been missing.” Ralph rolled his eyes up to look at the lower steps. A couple of girls were leaving the dorm and heading out.

  “What about her father?”

  “Sandy, her father, died late last year. He went to his own grave not knowing what happened to his daughter. It’s sad. Mr. Avery was a hard-working man who wanted the best for his daughters. Patsy has a younger sister who’s an attorney with the DA’s office. Her work helps those who are underprivileged and poor. I’ve run across her a few times.” Ralph appeared lost in thought. “Her name is Patty Avery. She’s married her
job.”

  “That’s understandable. I feel married to what I do.” Sandy couldn’t help but look bothered by a sister who missed her sister due to a tragedy.

  “You and Patty have a quite a lot in common, Sandy.” Ralph rubbed his leg and looked out the door. “I really should get out of here. My work is never done.” He stood on his feet nodded at her and left through the door.

  ~~~

  Sandy circled Hubert’s name and Samuel’s name. After chewing on the end of her pencil for a short time, she gagged. “You two have something in common, I can just feel it.”

  “Are you talking to yourself again, Sandy?” Rena stood just outside her room. The door had been left open.

  “I’m good at carrying on a conversation with myself, Rena. This whole mystery has me stumped. I just cannot figure it out. These two men have something in common, and I cannot put my finger on it.” She snapped her fingers together and jotted down Patty Avery’s name. After looking it up, she dialed her number and had to leave a message.

  After hanging up, Rena clicked her tongue on her teeth and made such a noise, Sandy looked up at her. “Sandy, you are getting into this way too deep. Let Ralph handle this one.”

  “I get the feeling Patty’s sister would want me to help find her sister’s killer.”

  “What, you didn’t tell me who Patty was.” Rena hurried in and dropped onto Sandy’s bed. “Who is she?”

  “Patsy is Patty’s sister. Patsy Avery was found in the pond. Ralph told her they identified her by the necklace she had on. It was still there, Rena.”

  Rena sucked in her bottom lip. “And you think Patty will open up to you.”

  “I’m not sure. I hope so.” Sandy looked down at her phone when it rang. She quickly answered it. It was Patty Avery. After putting her on speaker, she closed her bedroom door so no one else could hear.

  “Thank you for getting back to me, Patty.”

  “Yeah, no problem, Sandy. What’s this all about? You mentioned my sister, Patsy.” She paused and waited for Sandy to respond.