Greene County Killer

by Ann Mullen

  Bill and Jonathan looked at me.

  “What pills?” I joked. “I ain’t got no stinking pills.”

  “Could you be called back into service?” Mom asked Jonathan, changing the subject.

  “Yes, I could at any time.”

  “I was just wondering if you guys finished up in the garage,” Mom inquired. “You were skinning a deer.”

  Billy slapped his forehead and said, “I forgot all about that.” He looked at Jonathan. “Don’t worry. We were putting the last of the deer meat in that old refrigerator out there when the blast occurred. The meat’s safe, but we didn’t get to clean up.”

  “I’m surprised that a bear hasn’t come along and done that for us.”

  I looked over at Mom. She looked back at me. “I sure hope not,” I said. “When a bear finds a source of food, you never get rid of it.”

  “Ain’t no stinking bears running around now,” Billy said, mocking me. “They’re in hibernation. We’ll check it out before we leave.”

  “Check it out, or clean it up?”

  “Both.”

  “If we have clean up detail, we need to get moving,” Jonathan said.

  “Listen, guys. Why don’t I go clean up the garage? You don’t want to go over to your folks’ house smelling like blood.”

  “You don’t know what you’re in for, Jesse,” Billy said. “You gagged at the sight of the deer hanging up. How are you going to be able to mop up blood? The garage’s heated. It probably smells rank right about now.”

  “I have an idea,” Mom suggested. “Why don’t we call that clean up crew who cleaned up the blood from my kitchen floor? I know you remember them.”

  “That’s a great idea,” I said. “Where’s the phone book?”

  “Do you know how much they charge?” Billy asked. “It’s outrageous.”

  “I’m sure they charge by the job size. This shouldn’t cost very much. It’s not as if someone was killed and blood splattered all over the place.” I looked up and saw the agony in Mom’s eyes. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry to bring those memories back. Please forgive me. I’m just glad I was there with you. Lord knows what the outcome would’ve been if you had been alone. I fret about that day often. Now that I think about it, maybe I should go home with you.”

  “And drag the babies out in this mess?” Mom said. “No, you don’t need to go with me. And don’t worry about what you said. I’ve come to terms with what happened. I had to save myself and my child.”

  “Yes, but I didn’t need to bring it up again and remind you of that horrible time. I’m sure the visions are still vivid in your mind. I’m so sorry.”

  “I don’t think I’ll ever forget that scene, but I try to put it behind me.” Mom walked over and hugged me. “Let it go, Jesse. I’m trying to.”

  “All right,” Billy said, changing the subject. “Go ahead and call them, but be sure to get an estimate first. Then make sure they dispose of what’s left of the carcasses.”

  “That’s gross. I’m not getting an estimate. I’m calling them and have them do the job. You two get going.”

  Billy and Jonathan got up and headed to the front door.

  A second later, Athena and Thor, who had been sitting guard by the fireplace, sprang into action. They started barking, and then Spice Cat came out from the middle of nowhere again and jumped up on the kitchen table.

  “Spice Cat, have you lost your mind?” Mom asked as she went over, picked up the cat, and then sat him down on the floor. “Now I’ll have to scrub that table. She went to the sink, washed her hands, and then grabbed a dishtowel.

  The phone rang, and for some odd reason, all of us stopped and stared at it.

  After three rings, I walked over and picked up the receiver. Hesitantly, I said hello.

  “Hello, Jesse. This is Cole. Is Billy there?”

  “Yes… yes, he is. Just a minute.” I handed the phone to Billy and said, “It’s for you. It’s Cole.”

  “Hello,” Billy said. “Thanks… thanks so much. We’re fine.” He listened without speaking for a few minutes, and then continued. “Are you kidding? Sure, I’ll tell him. We’re on our way over to Mom and Dad’s house. Why don’t you give us a call later? Maybe when you get a chance, you can drop by and we can compare notes.” Billy hung up the phone and turned around to look at us.

  “It seems that our firebug has struck again. Around three in the morning someone set fire to a house on Rt. 33 in Ruckersville. Unfortunately, this time the residents were home. Two people were killed. One of them was the sister of a Greene County deputy.”

  Chapter 8

  When Chief Sam and Sarah divided up their property for their children, they planned it so that the road would end at their house. There were four sections of land on the left and four sections on the right of Bear Mountain Road for their six children, leaving two extra parcels (in case someone like Geneva came along and needed a place to live). The rest of the expansive acreage was at the end of the road where the chief and Sarah’s huge house sat. It was a fine house, too. I remember the first time I stepped foot in it. It was so overwhelming. Their Cherokee heritage was quite prevalent. Even though Sarah was not Cherokee, she loved being surrounded by her husband’s treasures, beliefs, and his past.

  One day I decided that I would add to our home as much as I could to keep my husband’s culture highlighted. So far, I have done my best. I shopped at the Noon Whistle Pottery in Stanardsville and bought many fine pieces of pottery. I purchased several dream catchers from a store in Charlottesville and hung them throughout the house, and then I took a ride with Mom and Claire over to Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria and stocked up on homemade jams and jellies. That seemed like a lifetime ago. So many changes have occurred since then, but the best of it all was the day I married Billy. All of these thoughts were going through my head as I walked down the hall to check on the kids.

  Mom helped me put the kids down for a nap before she left, and so for the first time in a long time, I had time on my hands. I felt lost. My life had been so busy that when I finally had some time to myself, I didn’t know what to do. I paced back and forth, the dogs trailing me. Even the cat was restless. I walked to the back of the house and sat down in a chair in the family room. Spice followed me and then jumped up on my lap. He purred and drooled.

  “You silly cat,” I said to him as I rubbed his head. “I guess I just don’t give you enough attention, do I? That’s okay. Carrie and Benny will be here soon and then you’ll have someone to play with. They love you to pieces.” I propped my feet up on the ottoman and reached over for the remote control. I clicked on the television.

  Live footage of the carnage at Jonathan’s place was played out all over the screen, followed by the fire at the house in Ruckersville. The two incidents were being linked, and the reporter stated that the police were looking for a serial arsonist—one who was also a killer. The fires occurred approximately three to four hours apart. The Blackhawk name was mentioned several times during the broadcast, but the names of the two dead people from the fire in Ruckersville were being withheld. Speculations were made by the reporter that the two dead people were Jeremy and Lynn Myers. Lynn Myers was the sister of Greene County deputy, Ronnie Crumpler.

  That name sounded familiar. Then it occurred to me. The small country market down the road a few miles from our house was Crumpler’s Market. I wondered if there was any relationship. I would have to check to see if there was. I had met the store owner some time ago after I moved into Billy’s house. He was such a nice man. I hated to hear that this might be his daughter. I would stop in and see him the next time I got out. I could always use a gallon of milk.

  I was filled with sadness. I turned off the television and got up to go to the laundry room. I thought that maybe there were some dirty clothes that needed to be washed, but I should’ve known better. The hamper was empty. I looked up at Billy’s coat hanging on the rack. I grabbed it, put it to my nose, and sniffed. I do
n’t know why I did that, but it made me feel better. The jacket smelled of smoke and Billy’s cologne. I ignored the smell of smoke.

  The phone rang just as I was about to hang up the coat. I dropped it on the washing machine and ran to the kitchen to answer it. I was lonely, but not lonely enough to have the kids awakened by the phone. It would just make them cranky.

  “Hello,” I said, noticing that the Caller ID readout listed the office number.

  “Hello, Mrs. Blackhawk. This is Sue Ellen from the office. Is Mr. Blackhawk home? I need to speak with him.”

  Several months ago, Billy hired a pleasant and very competent secretary named Sue Ellen Posey to run the office. It was time. I was pregnant and Mom was done with office work.

  Of course, Billy let me make the decision about who to hire since he didn’t want me to get jealous of his choice. Not that I’m the jealous type… anymore. The only person I’d ever really been jealous of was my sister, Claire, because she seemed to have it all. Then I met Billy and realized I had wasted too many years wanting what she had. Go figure.

  “I’m sorry, Sue Ellen, but Billy’s not here. He went to see his mom and dad.”

  “The phone has rung non-stop all morning. The press wants an interview. I’ve put them off as long as I can, but now they’re showing up at the office. I finally locked the front door. I’m in Mr. Blackhawk’s office now.”

  “I tell you what, Sue Ellen. Lock up and go home. Let the answering machine pick up. Call in and check the machine about every hour or so to see if a real client has called and then your day is done.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Blackhawk. Normally, things like this don’t get to me, but this time it’s different.”

  “I know exactly how you feel. And Sue Ellen, please call me, Jesse.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Blackhawk… I mean, Jesse. I’m sorry that I had to call you about this. And I’m terribly sorry about Daniel Blackhawk. I know you and Mr. Blackhawk must be so sad. Losing his brother is awful.”

  “Billy… you can call him Billy.”

  “I’m just so used to calling him Mr. Blackhawk. I think I should keep it professional. I’m afraid I might slip in front of a client and that wouldn’t look good.”

  “I guess you’re right. But please, call me Jesse. I’m not your boss.”

  She laughed.

  “I’m married, too, Jesse. I know who the boss is.”

  “Hey, do you know the man who owns Crumpler’s Market? Is he related to that deputy? You know the one whose sister was killed in that fire in Ruckersville?”

  “Oh, wasn’t that so sad? Yes, it was his daughter. Her husband was the one who was accused of having an affair with the wife of the guy who jumped bail and was finally hauled in by Jonathan Blackhawk. Then the man hung himself in jail. It turns out that the guy was innocent after all. He was arrested for beating his wife, but it turns out that the other guy was the one who did it. It was awful.”

  I didn’t say anything. It seemed to be too much information for me to take in at one time. Later, I would sort it out, but for now, the facts added up to only one thing: These two cases were related.

  “Jesse, are you still there?”

  “Yes, Sue Ellen, I am. Thanks for calling. I’ll tell Billy about what’s been going on at the office. Go home and get some rest. You deserve it.”

  “Thanks,” she said. “I’ll be back in the office first thing in the morning. Have a good day.”

  I said good-bye and then hung up the phone. The minute I placed the receiver in the cradle, it rang again.

  “Hello,” I answered.

  “Hello, this is Lu Ann Knots. Is this Jesse?”

  “Yes, it is. What can I do for you, Lu Ann?”

  “I’ve been trying to reach Jonathan, but his cell phone is turned off. Do you, by any chance, know where he is? I need to talk with him.”

  “He’s over at his folks’ house.”

  “Could you give me their number?”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea to call over there. They’re planning their son’s funeral. I’ll be glad to pass along a message.”

  “Oh, you’re right. I understand that he’s staying at your house. Would you mind if I stop by and wait for him. I have some important news that just can’t wait.”

  “Sure, you can. Come on by. How long do you think it will take you to get here? I only ask because the children are napping and I don’t want you to ring the doorbell.”

  “I’m in Stanardsville at the moment, so I would say about an hour. Is that all right?”

  “That’s fine. I’ll see you then.”

  “Thanks, Jesse. I’ll be there shortly.”

  I hung up the phone and stood there for a little while just in case it was going to ring again. Finally, after deciding it wasn’t going to ring again, I turned and walked down the hallway. As soon as I got to the nursery door, the phone rang. I spun around and ran back to the kitchen. I snatched up the phone and said, “What?”

  “Are you all right?” Billy asked.

  “I’m sorry,” I replied. “This is the third phone call in the last fifteen minutes. I didn’t want the children to wake up, yet. You know how they get when they don’t get a full nap.”

  “Who called? Was it anyone important?”

  “Yes, it was. Sue Ellen called and said the phone has been ringing off the hook. The press wants an interview. I told her to go home and let the answering machine pick up. I could tell that she was in a tizzy. She needed a break.”

  “That’s fine. Did you tell her to check the messages every hour or so?”

  “Yes, I did. We had a very informative chat. Did you know that Lynn Myers is Ronnie Crumpler’s sister?”

  “Yes. And her husband was the one who was having an affair with the wife of the guy Jonathan went after for jumping bail. It all seems to be connected.”

  “How did you know this?”

  “I’m a private detective. I know everything.” Billy chuckled. “How did you find out?”

  “Sue Ellen mentioned it, and I put the pieces together.”

  “So, who else called?”

  “L-u A-n-n called for Jonathan. She has something important to tell him. She wanted the number at your folks’ house, but I told her it wouldn’t be a good time to call over there. She’s coming over here. She should be here in an hour.”

  “We’re coming home in a few minutes.”

  “Is everything okay over there?”

  “It could be better. We’ll talk about it when I get home.”

  “I’ll see you when you get here.”

  “I love you, Jesse.”

  “Same here,” I said and then hung up the phone. I walked over to the desk in the living room and picked up the portable phone. This time, if someone called, I wouldn’t have to run to answer the phone.

  I figured it was time to get dressed. I went to the bedroom and pulled out a pair of jeans and a fresh T-shirt and slipped into them. I stood in front of the full length mirror and looked at myself for a second. Compared to Lu Ann, I looked like a child. How can one woman be so toned? Amazon woman was the first thing to come to mind. That’s okay… I don’t need to be massive to get what I want. Am I jealous of this woman? Maybe my feelings had something to do with the fact that she knew the phone number here at our house. How did she know Billy’s phone number? Let it go… I told myself. There’s no need in getting jealous. Billy loves me… not her. Oh, Lord. Here we go again. No, I won’t let my insecurities take over!

  I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and then combed my hair. I told myself that I would take the time to get my hair cut, even if it was only a little bit. My long hair had become a nuisance. It always got in the way when I was holding one of the kids. Although, Billy did like it long. Perhaps I wouldn’t get it cut, but it sure needed a dye job. It was no longer red. It was a mousy brown.

  I heard the front door open and close.

  I walked out of the bathroom through the bedroom to the living room and looked
around. There was no one there. I got scared. I couldn’t think straight and couldn’t remember what I did with my handbag, so I ran to the bedroom and pulled open the top dresser drawer where I kept my .38 caliber handgun. I checked to make sure it was loaded—I knew it was—but I checked anyway. Then I held up the gun in front of me and walked back into the living room. I looked around. Why hadn’t the dogs barked? I walked down the hallway and looked in on the children. They were still fast asleep with both dogs on the floor by their cribs. If the dogs didn’t bark, then there was no reason to be scared. I lowered the gun and walked from room to room. I checked all the doors to make sure they were still locked. They were.

  “What is wrong with me?” I asked out loud.

  I heard a creak on the stairs behind me. I turned, raised my handgun, and prepared for the worst.

  “Whoa, girl. Hold it a minute.”

  “Jonathan! Have you lost your mind? I could’ve shot you.”

  Billy walked through the front door, dusted the snow from his boots and then looked up. “What’s going on here? Jesse, put the gun down.”

  My hands were shaking and I couldn’t seem to move. Billy walked over to me and slowly took the gun from me.

  Jonathan didn’t move an inch.

  My body trembled. I felt sick. I couldn’t speak.

  “It’s all right,” Billy said as he put his arms around me. “Everybody’s on edge. We just don’t want anyone to get shot.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, looking up at Jonathan. “I heard the door open, but nobody was here. Then you came creeping down the steps. Why didn’t you call out?”

  “Rest assured that I will next time. I like living.”

  I guess the look on my face had given me away, because Jonathan walked down the stairs, came over to me and gave me a big bear hug.

  “Don’t fret. Everything is okay, Jesse. I should’ve called out, or at least knocked on the door before walking in on you. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. Next time, I’ll announce myself. That way you won’t have to shoot me.”