Blood in the Marsh

by Ciana Stone

  He pulled his pad out of his jacket he had thrown over the back of the chair. “Okay, can you remember what kind of car it was you saw stopped on the road?”

  She frowned then shook her head. “It was dark, black, maybe blue. Not new, but not real old. I don’t know what kind.”

  Michael looked at Chelsey.

  “I think it was dark blue,” she said. “And I think it was a Ford, a Taurus or something like that.”

  “And do either of you remember anything about the woman?”

  Chelsey shook her head. “I didn’t see her.”

  “What about you, Lyra?”

  “I don’t know. It was foggy and the blinking lights made it hard to see. She looked—I don’t know. She just looked average. Thirty-five, forty maybe.”

  Michael noted that on his pad. “What color hair?”

  Lyra closed her eyes, “Brown, I think.”

  “Long, short?”

  “Long. It was long, hanging on her shoulders.”

  “Good. Now, about the men. You said they took you and Patty into the marsh. Did any of them say anything?”

  Lyra tensed and started shaking again. “One of them told me to shut up if I wanted to live.”

  “Then what happened?”

  She told him everything she could remember up until the point the men pinned her on the ground. Then she fell silent. Michael looked up from his pad and saw the hard look on Nick’s face. But he had to ask and Nick knew it.

  “Okay, now I need to know what happened after they killed Patty.”

  Lyra looked at him with an expression that was a combination of fear and humiliation. “They…”

  Nick gave Michael a warning look as Michael opened his mouth. Michael’s eyes flashed but he fell silent.

  Nick turned to face Lyra. “Lyra, look at me. I know this is hard for you to talk about and I know it’s embarrassing. But Michael can’t do his job and we can’t make sure those bastards get what’s coming to them unless you’re straight with us. And more importantly, if you want to get past this you’re going to have to let go of it and the first step is talking about it. I want you to be able to put this behind you. Will you please try to tell us what happened?”

  For a minute Lyra didn’t respond. She looked down and sighed as she thought about it. She was embarrassed for everyone to know what had happened, and felt it would make them all think less of her. But she knew that eventually the truth would come out. In the end, she decided it was better if they heard it from her.

  Looking up at Nick, she nodded. He smiled and gave her shoulder a slight squeeze. “Okay, just take your time.”

  She turned to Michael and, as before, when their eyes met something seemed to seize her entire being. As much as she was drawn to Nick, there was something about Michael, something that called to her. It was terribly disconcerting. She had to look away for a moment to compose herself.

  Summoning her courage, she met his eyes again. “Four men pinned me to the ground. I begged them to let me go but they stuffed a cloth in my mouth. Then one man knelt down and…and put his fingers inside me. I thought he was going to do more and I closed my eyes. Then I felt this terrible pain in the left side of my neck, just under my ear, and that’s all I remember.”

  Michael nodded. “The doctor confirmed that you weren’t raped. And apparently the pain you felt was from an injection.”

  Lyra’s eyes popped open wide and her breath caught in her throat. She looked quickly from Michael to Nick then looked down at the floor.

  “When the man put his fingers in you, did you notice if he was wearing gloves, or if there was anything on his hands?”

  Lyra looked up at him with an odd expression.

  “There was evidence of a lubricant,” he said. “The doctor said it was the same kind used by most gynecologists.”

  She thought about it. “I don’t know. They were all wearing gloves, black gloves.” Her brows knotted together as she concentrated. “No, wait! His hands were cold and slick. He touched my leg and it felt like his hand was wet or something.”

  A puzzled look came on her face. “Why would they do that? I know they raped Patty. I saw them. So why did they…I mean, what was the point of what they did?”

  Michael shook his head. “I know it sounds crazy, but it’s almost like they just wanted to know if you were a virgin or not. The doctor said there was no tearing or trauma to the tissue so you definitely weren’t raped.”

  Chelsey had been completely still and silent up until that point. She looked at Lyra with wide eyes. “Are you kidding? Why would they want to know if you’re a virgin. You’re not are you? Oh, shit, Lyra, you are! You’re still a virgin!”

  Lyra wanted the floor to open up and swallow her at that moment. She saw the expression on Michael’s face but didn’t have the courage to turn and look at Nick. She could, however, look at Chelsey. “There are more important issues here. In case you’ve forgotten those animals killed Patty.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Lyra’s face was set in a hard mask as she turned back to Michael. “Is there anything else?”

  “No. Listen, I really appreciate you telling me. I know it’s been rough but it will get better.”

  She stood and walked through the house to the back door. Pushing it open, she stepped out on the porch and stared out across the yard. Nick followed and watched her for a few minutes from the door. At last, he walked outside.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “How about a rope so I can hang myself?”

  He walked in front of her and leaned back against the railing. “I don’t think that would solve anything. Besides, Michael’s right. It will get better.”

  Lyra was exhausted and drained but her anger had finally surfaced. “Better? Well I sure hope so because as far as I can see this has been without a doubt the absolute most horrible night of my entire life!”

  “But you survived.”

  She barked a harsh laugh and stepped away from him, looking out at the yard again. “God, I can’t believe this! Of all the people on the planet, why did you and Michael have to show up out there? Why couldn’t Chelsey just call the police or her stepdad or something? Why did it have to be you and Michael?”

  “What are you saying? She came here because it was the first place she thought of. And Michael is a police officer. Besides, what’s so bad about us being concerned and wanting to help you?”

  Lyra whirled on him with her eyes blazing. “What’s so bad? Well, let’s think about it. I’m wheeled into a damn hospital and put on display for a room full of people—one of whom happens to be your friend, who, I might add, comes equipped with a camera. Then the doctor has to announce my…my…”

  “Virginity? That’s it isn’t it. You’re a virgin.”

  She put her hands to her face and turned her back to him. Nick walked around and pulled her hands away from her face. “Is that what has you so worked up?”

  She looked down, embarrassed to meet his eyes. Nick put his hands on the sides of her face and made her look up. “Lyra, that’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’ll be the first to admit that it’s unusual. But it doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”

  She pulled away from him and turned. “You don’t understand. I’m this way because I’m … I’m just one of those frigid women. I’ve just never been able to go through with it.”

  Nick took her arm and pulled her to him. “You will, when the time is right. Now, do you want to go home? You really do need to rest.”

  “No, I don’t want to go home. Can I sleep on your couch?”

  “I think I can do better than that.” He took her hand and led her inside. The door to Michael’s room was closed and Chelsey was asleep on the couch, her head buried under a pillow. Nick led Lyra to his room.

  “Make yourself at home. I’ll be in the den if you need me.”

  She nodded and he turned to leave but she called out to him. “Nick?”

  He stopped and looked back at her.


  “Thank you.”

  After a moment, he nodded. She climbed on the bed and turned her back to him. Even though she didn’t make a sound, he knew she was crying. Silently he edged out of the room and closed the door.

  Sunday—Brunswick

  Lyra rolled over and opened her eyes. The unfamiliar sight of Nick’s room made her eyes fly open wide and she sat up with her heart hammering in her chest. Then she remembered where she was.

  Getting up, she walked out of the bedroom and down the hall to the bathroom. A few minutes later, she went into the den. Chelsey and Michael were sitting on the couch watching television and reading the paper.

  Lyra fought back an unreasonable sense of envy at the sight. For goodness sakes, all they were doing was sitting on the couch together. She reminded herself that Michael wasn’t the man from her dreams.

  She looked around, wondering where Nick was. “What time is it?”

  Chelsey looked up and smiled. “Hi, you feeling better?”

  Lyra nodded and took a seat on an empty chair. “What time is it?”

  “Almost ten.” Michael checked his watch.

  “God, I feel like I’ve been asleep for a week.”

  “Actually it’s more like about twenty-four hours,” Michael said, laying his paper aside. “It’s Sunday.”

  Lyra looked at him in disbelief then looked at Chelsey. “Have you been here all this time?”

  “Yeah, I’m not leaving you behind anymore.”

  Lyra felt that Chelsey was blaming herself unjustly. “Chels, it’s not your fault, okay? I don’t blame you so please quit blaming yourself. By the way, where’s Nick?”

  “He went to the store but he’ll be back soon,” Michael said as he stood.

  “Oh.”

  “So how about some coffee?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  She followed him into the kitchen. He poured her a cup of coffee and leaned back against the counter as she added sugar and milk. “You feeling any better?”

  She nodded without looking up at him. He put his hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to be uncomfortable around me, Lyra.”

  His touch was like a current. For a split second she felt something swell within her, a familiar yet alien feeling that made her feel flushed and yet electrified. God how was she ever going to be able to be around him if he affected her like this?

  “Easy for you to say.” She m oved away from him, setting her cup down.

  “Yeah, I guess so. But I’d like for us to be friends.”

  She looked up at him with a mixture of embarrassment and irony. “Well, we might as well be, seeing as how we’ve been so intimate already.”

  Michael was surprised by her comment. He didn’t expect her to be strong enough to joke. But he was impressed. If he was honest with himself, he was more than impressed. Lyra Seville had somehow twined herself very close to his heart without even trying. It made no sense to him.

  “You’re an amazing woman, Lyra Seville.”

  “And you’re too damn charming for your own good,” Nick’s voice came from the back door.

  Lyra whirled around. “Nick!”

  He plunked several packages down on the table and scooped her up in a tight hug. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Better.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  She nodded and he kissed the tip of her nose then put her down. “Well, let’s get cooking!” They started unloading the bags. Michael joined in and after a minute Chelsey wandered in to see what was going on.

  The phone rang and Michael picked it up. “Hello?…Yeah, hold on.” He held up the phone. “Nick. For you.”

  . “I’ll grab it in the den. You guys get breakfast started.”

  He returned a few minutes later with a hard look in his eyes. “I’ve got to go out of town for a few days.”

  Lyra turned around and looked at him with a question on her face. He walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be back by the end of the week. Think maybe we can take a look around Lucius’ house when I get back?”

  “Sure, if you want to.”

  “Great. Well, I’ve gotta get going. Do you want me to take you home?”

  “No, I’m not ready to go back there yet.”

  “She can stay here,” Michael spoke up.

  “Is that so?” Nick turned to him with raised eyebrows. “With you?”

  “With us,” Chelsey said with a smile. “I’ll stay and keep an eye on her for you.”

  “That sounds better.” He turned to Lyra. “So, you’ll be here when I get back?”

  She didn’t reply. Instead, she walked out of the room. Nick followed her and turned her to face him. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “Yes, I’ll be here.”

  Nick pulled her to him and kissed her. Her body tensed. With regret, he backed away and held her at arm’s length. “Lyra with a ‘y’, you’re killing me. I gotta go. See you Friday.”

  Before she could reply, he gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked out of the door. She watched him get in his Jeep and hen went back to the kitchen.

  “Well, don’t just stand there looking beautiful!” Michael’s smile was teasing. “Get in here and earn your keep!”

  She smiled and started buttering the toast. Michael looked at her and Chelsey then sat down with a smile, leaning back with his eyes closed. “I could get used to this. Two beautiful women to wait on me hand and foot.”

  Chelsey turned and looked at Lyra with a wicked grin. Lyra looked down at the plastic tub of margarine and scooped up a glob on her fingers. Before Michael knew what had happened she had wiped the glob across his face.

  He jumped up, wiping at his face and sputtering. Chelsey and Lyra both burst out laughing and after a moment, he did, too. Lyra handed him a napkin to clean his face and he grabbed her arm, jerking her closer and rubbing his butter coated hand all over her face.

  She laughed and pulled away as he swiped at his face with the napkin. “Well, it should be an interesting week, anyway,” he laughed.

  Chapter Five

  Brunswick

  Lyra and Chelsey had been at Michael’s for the last four days and in that time neither one of them had left the house. Michael didn’t think it was a wise idea for them to be out until they found out whether the men who had attacked them had chosen them randomly or if they had been specifically targeted.

  He had the police making regular patrols by the house day and night when he couldn’t be there. Lyra appreciated his efforts but was about to go stir crazy and Chelsey was making it worse. The first day or so Chelsey seemed to be having fun playing house, cooking dinner, and having it ready when Michael got home from work. Yet, even with her making such a fuss over him, she hadn’t managed to get him alone. She made no secret about the fact she wanted to sleep with him and told Lyra that she was beginning to think something was wrong with him. She had done everything but come out and ask him to go to bed with her and he still hadn’t made a move.

  Ashamed of the feeling, Lyra was glad Chelsey hadn’t gotten her way with Michael. In the past four days, she had spent a lot of time examining herself and her feelings. She had never been in the position of being interested in two men. She thought about Nick and Michael and her feelings about them. Nick made her feel the kind of excitement she could only relate to facing an enigma, something out of the ordinary and potentially dangerous. She felt a little like a mouse caught in a serpent’s gaze with him. She was mesmerized by him and yet frightened at the same time.

  The most unsettling thing, however, was the strange images that flashed through her mind. The scenes were always of fire, a searing fire that seemed to swell all around her, licking at her skin. Through the wall of flame, she could see Nick. His dark eyes gleamed and his face wore an expression of what she could only interpret as excitement. Something silver glinted at the base of his throat. She tried to focus on it but could only tell that it looked like some small pendant or medallion.

 
Each time the images appeared, she tried to hold on to them, to examine them more closely. Was it a portent of things to come or was it simply her mind’s way of visualizing the attraction and anxiety she felt? She couldn’t decipher it.

  Her feelings for Michael were even more disturbing. Not because she felt a sense of danger, but because of the strong attraction she felt for him. Every time she saw him, her first glimpse would inspire an immediate sense of longing. She found herself wanting him in a way that made her very uncomfortable.

  The images that invaded her mind concerning Michael made her very ill at ease. It was more than memories from her dreams. I felt like true memories, as if she’d know him before. There were times she could see him in another place, a place unknown and yet familiar. In the visions, his hair was much longer, brushing the top of his shoulders. Each time the vision appeared it would abruptly vanish to be replaced with an image of Lucius gazing intently at her.

  Lyra didn’t understand any of it. Despite all her education, she was unprepared to deal with it. Emotion robbed her of objectivity. And yet, she could not help but consider things she had read concerning past lives, the theory of reincarnation. Was it possible that people who played important roles in one’s past life reappeared in a later incarnation to complete some goal? She didn’t have an answer, only questions.

  So far, there were no leads on the men who had killed Patty. There were no prints, and no clues had been left at the scene, which Michael found disconcerting to say the least. All crimes left some clues. All except this one. There were no skin or hair samples found on the dead girl; no blood or semen, not even fibers of cloth from the perpetrators clothing.

  And to make matters worse, another girl had been reported missing, bringing the total to three in less than two weeks. Nothing physical linked the missing girls, the stolen calf, strange circles in the woods, and what happened to Lyra. Michael seemed to think that it was all connected but would not tell her why or how.

  Lyra and Chelsey spent the morning doing laundry and sitting on the back porch. By noon, both of them were irritable and bored. Chelsey stood up and put her hands on her hips.