Beyond the Shadows

by Kira Chase

  “I still can't reach Johanna, George,” Frankie cried. “I need to get to the house.”

  George exhaled loudly as he looked at her. “I need you to promise me that you'll stay here. I've got a team of officers here to protect you.” He motioned in the direction of the four officers who stood behind her.

  “Hell no,” Frankie shrieked. “I need to get to the house. If that son-of-a-bitch has done anything to Johanna, I swear—” She broke down in sobs.

  George took her arm. “No, Frankie. I have to insist that you stay here with these officers. You're not a cop anymore, remember? Now let us do our job.”

  “Here's the plan, Deputies,” he announced turning his attention to Kate and Arlan. “I'm sending you two along with the swat team up to the house. We now suspect that since Fellows was in a policeman's uniform, that he slipped through undetected when the first units arrived.” He shot a steely look at Kate. “Probably when the gate was first opened. He had ample opportunity to head, undetected, to the house. I'd like to bring him in alive, but—” His jaw tightened. “Do whatever is necessary to protect Johanna and yourselves. Let's go, Deputies.”

  “No, I'm coming,” Frankie shrieked. “I'm not staying here.”

  George cocked an eye at the officers. “Don't let her out of your sight. And whatever you do, don't let her come up to the house unless you are given a direct order by me.”

  “No!” Frankie screamed.

  Chapter 15

  Johanna watched the tail lights of Kate's car grow dim and then finally disappear. She looked up into the pitch-black sky. Not a star in sight. In fact, it was so dark that the only visible light was the light spilling out onto the front porch from the living room windows. How many warm summer nights had she come out here to sit enjoying the solitude, relieved that Frankie and she had found their own private piece of paradise far away from everyone.

  A chill crept up her spine. She'd always felt safe here, but tonight the seclusion unnerved her. She hugged herself as she hurried back into the familiar safety of her home. She was terrified. Fellows was out there somewhere. Why had Frankie gone with Kate? She should have insisted that she stay put in the house. Was Frankie walking into a trap? A deep foreboding seeped into her bones. She had to believe that Frankie would be alright. But what Fellows had done to those other women only made her more terrified for Frankie's safety. No, she'd stop this. Frankie was safe. George and Arlan were on their way. In a little while they'd all be here in the house enjoying steaming mugs of coffee.

  She shut and locked the door. Then she walked through each room turning on lights. The house was soon swathed in brightness, but still that didn't ease her mind. Who was she kidding? Until Fellows was captured, she'd be on edge, walking on eggshells, always looking over her shoulder. He was out there somewhere…waiting. She didn't know how she knew it, but only that she did. Frankie and Kate were both walking into a trap. That was it! Her hands trembled. She took several deep breaths to calm herself. It didn't work. George and Arlan should have surely arrived by now. Maybe Fellows had already been taken into custody. She let out a loud shaky breath. Everything would soon be over. She had to keep telling herself that. If she didn't the worry would drive her crazy. Maybe they could finally get a good night's sleep with their security restored. They could get back to their normal lives.

  But would anything ever be normal again? Maybe Frankie had called while she was turning on the lights. She hurried to the kitchen, picked up her cell phone, and flipped it open. No message from Frankie. She glanced at the two cups sitting on the island counter. Frankie and Kate hadn't even taken a sip from the now cold cups of tea. She sighed as she ran her hands through her tangled long hair. She picked up the cups, brought them to the sink, and poured them out. She remembered that Frankie had asked her to make a pot of coffee. After she put the coffee on, she walked to the bedroom and threw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.

  When she returned to the kitchen she checked her phone again. No message. She glanced at the clock. She chewed her bottom lip. If Frankie didn't call in ten minutes, she'd call her. But would that be wise? What if Frankie and Kate had come upon something and were hiding? Frankie's ringing phone could put them in jeopardy. She was being silly she told herself. They'd be back in a few minutes. She poured herself a cup of coffee, brought it to the island, and sat down. As she stirred some cream and sugar into her coffee, she debated driving down to the gate. She picked up her cup of coffee and with trembling hands brought it to her lips.

  * * * *

  Frankie's attention was drawn to a swarm of officers pointing to something at the edge of her driveway. She ran, with the assigned officers at her heels, over to where their flashlights were aimed. She squinted and focused her eyes to where they were now moving quickly. Hidden behind a tall thicket of brush and trees was a white car. The top of the car had a police light attached to it. She moved closer to get a better look. She watched as the officers shined lights into the vehicle and then moved to the back of the car. She sucked in her breath as several officers, guns drawn, waited while the trunk was pried open. She wanted to get a closer look and started towards the car. What were they looking so intently at? She could read nothing in their expressions.

  One of the four officers grabbed her arm. “Stay here,” he ordered. “Let them do their work.”

  Frankie shrugged him off and before he could stop her, ran to where the officers were still peering into the trunk. Whatever had caught their attention was covered by a large faded canvas tarp. She watched as the officers cautiously, with guns aimed, removed the tarp.

  Her body tensed as she waited to see what lay beneath it. It was probably a decoy Fellows had set up to throw everyone off his trail. She turned her head and looked back at the officers who were peering at whatever had been covered by the tarp. She couldn't get close enough to see what they were looking at, but whatever it was, it was causing a flurry of action. She couldn't stand here doing nothing while Johanna could be…she couldn't finish the thought. She didn’t even want to think about what may have already happened to Johanna because of her damned stubbornness. She'd left her alone. Even with her gun, could Johanna take on Fellows…especially if he had an accomplice?

  Her heart pounded. Oh my God! No! She looked frantically around herself, saw that the four officers' attention was focused on the car trunk, then made a mad dash to the gate. Two officers grabbed her arms and held her back. “Johanna!” she screamed.

  * * * *

  Johanna swallowed hard. Her tension mounted as she waited for Kate and Frankie. She looked toward the window. The piercing darkness unnerved her. They were safe here. Frankie had made sure they were safe. She had nothing to worry about. Besides, she had her gun. She reached for it. It wasn't there. Dammit, she'd left it in the bedroom when she'd changed into her clothes. She slid off the stool and hurried toward the entry to the kitchen. As she made her way to the living room, she heard footsteps on the porch. Relief flooded through her. Frankie and Kate must be back. Should she open the door? No, Frankie had said only open when Johanna heard her voice. She peered through the peephole. Her blood ran cold. A police officer stood on the porch. Had something happened to Frankie and Kate? She tried to get a better look at him. His hat was shielding a good view of his face. She didn't recognize him, but then with all the units called in on the Fellows case, there was no way she would. He knocked. She debated opening the door. Had he come to deliver bad news about Frankie and Kate? Her lips trembled.

  He knocked again.

  She took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself for whatever news he was delivering. “Yes?” she called through the door.

  “I'm Officer Bradley, Ma'am. Sheriff George Ryker sent me.”

  “Are Frankie and Kate safe? Have they caught Fellows?”

  “Not yet.”

  “What about Frankie and Kate? You haven't answered my question. Are they okay?” Her heart thudded erratically. If something had happened wouldn't George have come to tell her?
If he couldn't come himself, he wouldn't send a stranger to deliver the news.

  “They are both fine. Could I come in? Something has happened down at your security gate and Sheriff Ryker has sent me to let you know what's going on. He's in the process of questioning the women.”

  Reassured, she unlocked and then threw the door open. “I was—” her voice trailed off and her eyes grew wide. She tried to scream, but it died in her throat.

  Large calloused hands grabbed her shoulders and flung her backwards. Before she hit the floor, her eyes locked with the cold dark eyes of Carson Fellows.

  * * * *

  “We've got a body in the car,” an officer called out. “Female, approximately forty-five years old.”

  Frankie's heart constricted. He'd murdered Lisa Michaels, his accomplice. “Let me go,” she pleaded. “Fellows must have gotten through the gate. He's probably in my house. I need to make sure Johanna's safe.”

  “We've got it covered,” one of the officers said. “If he's there, they'll get him. There's no way Fellows can escape.” He slowly shook his head. “Look, Frankie, I don't know you and Johanna personally, but I do know that you two were police officers in Philly before moving here and becoming private investigators. You know how this works. You're not a cop anymore. You're a civilian and now you have to stand back and let us handle this.” His voice softened as he looked at her. “I am sorry because as a cop I know exactly what you want to be doing. I'd be feeling the exact same way you are now. But, please, just do what Sheriff Ryker asked you to do.”

  Frankie knew the officer was right, but she couldn't just stand here and do nothing. Somehow, she had to sneak away from the group of officers. She had to create a diversion. All she knew was that she had to get to the house and see with her own two eyes that Johanna was safe. Why had she been so bullheaded and insisted on coming with Kate? If she'd done what she was told, then she would have been there if Fellows had indeed showed up. And she would have enjoyed putting a bullet through his sick brain.

  * * * *

  Fellows stared down at Johanna. “Get up!”

  Johanna's head throbbed, but she quickly pulled herself to her feet. She stood facing the monster who had hurt so many people and destroyed so many lives. He was thin, thin to the point of almost looking emaciated. His cheeks were sunk in and looked like two hollow holes in his face. He'd removed the policeman's hat and black wig the moment she'd opened the door. They lay in the middle of the entry hall where he'd tossed them. Most of his hair was gone, but what he had left were dark gray, wiry looking tufts around his temples. He was an ugly man inside and out. Now she knew how he was getting to the victims. He was posing as a cop…someone they would trust—just as she'd done.

  “What are you going to do to me?” She tried to keep the fear out of her voice. His type got off on fear. If she showed the panic she was feeling, he'd most likely end her life quickly, but if she could convince him that he didn't frighten her, then that could buy her the time she needed for Frankie and Kate to get back here…and hopefully the entire Sheriff's Department.

  He grinned as he walked with a swagger closer to her. “I might just have some fun with you before I carve up that pretty face.” He took a finger and ran it down Johanna's cheek. “Yeah, you'll do just fine.”

  She wanted to reach out and break his long bony finger. Her skin crawled as he moved his finger to her lips tracing them. His foul breath made her stomach lurch. She gagged as the bile crept up her throat. Two of his front teeth were missing. The others were either rotted or stained a dark brown. “I'm a little old for you from what I've heard,” she said sarcastically. “You like them young.”

  His face darkened as he removed his finger from her face. “Smart mouth on you. Anybody ever tell you that your mouth is gonna be your downfall?” He grabbed her arm and twisted it. “You need to be taught a lesson and I'm just the one who has to teach it to you.”

  Johanna gritted her teeth as a searing pain shot through her arm, adding to the pain in her already throbbing head. She had to act fast. She brought her knee up and slammed it as hard as she could into his balls.

  He howled as he grabbed himself moaning in pain. “You'll be sorry you did that, bitch,” he raged.

  She eyed the still open door and made a dash for it. She raced across the porch and was heading down the steps when she felt her neck snapping back.

  Fellows had a tight grip on her hair and was yanking her back across the porch. She kicked and punched at him but he didn't loosen his hold on her. He dragged her back inside of the house. His strength seemed almost super human. He kicked the door shut then bolted it, still keeping a firm hold on her.

  “I should kill you right now, you fucking bitch!” he snarled.

  “Then do it and get it over with.” She glared at him. “What are you waiting for?”

  His eyes narrowed into small slits. “Nah. You'd like that, wouldn't you? I want your girlfriend to watch. I want Francine to sit and watch until you take your last breath. Then I'll get rid of her, too. But first I'll do to her what I started and never got to finish all those years ago.” He laughed. “She was a feisty little one.”

  His laugh unnerved her. “I swear if you lay one hand on her I'll—”

  “You'll what?” He leered at her. “Can't stand the thought of a man touching your woman?” he spat. “You're sick!”

  “You're not a man. You're an animal!” she shrieked. “You're not human! You won't get away with it, Fellows.”

  “I have so far,” he replied smugly. “No one can catch me.” He nodded. “Bunch of imbeciles is all I see. Couldn't catch me if I was standing right in front of them.” He grinned. “And the best part is I was.”

  Johanna eyed him. He wasn't going to kill her until Frankie showed up. He enjoyed the game he was playing. He loved the power he assumed he was lording over her. It was only a matter of time before she was rescued. The longer he stalled, the better the chance that she could get out of this alive. If only Frankie and Kate would return. A thought suddenly struck her. What if George and Arlan didn't come back up to the house with Frankie and Kate? What if everything checked out with the police officers at the gate and they came back alone? They'd be walking right into a trap. She had to think. Her throbbing head made it almost impossible to form a logical thought. She gritted her teeth as the pain in her head almost blinded her. She'd find a way out of this.

  Somehow she had to warn Frankie and Kate. The only warning she could think of was that the minute she heard their footsteps on the porch, she'd let out a piecing scream. They'd know something was wrong and would take action. He might kill her, but at least Frankie and Kate would stand a chance. And if that's what she had to do, she would. She'd give her life to save the life of the woman who had given her more than she'd ever dreamed. Frankie's beautiful face flooded her mind. An ache caught in her throat as she thought about all they'd shared together and all the future plans they'd made. How dare he tear down everything they'd built? How dare he even step foot in their home?

  “Why you looking at me like that, bitch?” he snarled.

  Johanna didn't realize she'd been staring at him. She took a deep breath. “Why are you doing this? Why go after the victims? They were little kids when you attacked them. Why are you victimizing them again? They never did anything to you.”

  “They put me in prison,” he growled. “Little bastards couldn't keep their fucking mouths shut.”

  “No, they didn't. You put yourself in prison. You murdered the mother of your child.” Johanna watched his face darken further. She was pissing him off, but she couldn't stop herself. She wanted answers. She wanted to know why and how he could commit such vile acts.

  His nostrils flared. “Shut up!”

  “Where's Alice?”

  “I said shut your fucking mouth now, bitch!” His jaw twitched. He scowled at her.

  “You killed the mother of your child. How could you do that?”

  His eyes grew darker. “That crazy bitch
wasn't fit to be a mother. She deserved what she got. I did the world a favor when I got rid of that worthless piece of shit.”

  “Those innocent children didn't deserve what you did to them. And what you did to your own child is unthinkable. But that wasn't enough. You had to take her mother from her.” Johanna knew with each question he was losing more control. She looked into his eyes. His eyes didn't even look human. She knew he was going to kill her whether Frankie came back or not. There was no way he'd let her live. She wanted him to know what a horrible inhuman monster he was. “Why did you do it, Carson?” He looked momentarily stunned when she called him by his first name.

  “Shut up!” He grabbed her and slammed her against the wall. “One more word out of you and I'll shut you up for good, you fucking bitch!” He panted as sweat poured down the side of his face.

  Johanna sucked in her breath. She knew she'd gone too far, but at this point she had nothing to lose. She'd probably be dead before the night was through unless Frankie and Kate came back. They had to eventually. If only she'd kept her gun with her, if only she hadn't opened the door. It was too late for what ifs now. She couldn't change what she had or hadn't done. She'd slipped up and had no one to blame but herself. She should have at least retrieved her gun before opening the door. She had to think. She'd do everything humanly possible to stay alive. If she could manage to get him into the kitchen she might be able to reach the control panel and press the panic button. At least an alert would go out notifying the Sheriff's Department that she was in trouble.