by Chloe Young
Damon came to a stop and continued to watch Horace walk further and further out of sight. Soon he could no longer see him at all. He must have gone down to the pier on the other end of the beach; perhaps he had more luck catching fish down at that end. Damon approached the home of Horace and Max, it certainly looked like it could be condemned with all of the objects piled up outside of the front of it; old chairs, fishing poles, coolers, and the like. He assumed the door would be unlocked. After all, who would expect to find anything of any sort of value inside such a place. There was one item in that house that meant a whole lot to Horace though so Damon decided the trip inside was well worth it.
Damon turned the handle to the door and sure enough, the door swung wide open. He entered the living room area. Blankets and pillows were strewn across the couch and the coffee table was covered in empty cans and bottles. Damon looked next to the couch, but the spot that Max had called bed just an hour ago was now vacant. He continued to scan the small living area and called out to Horace’s loyal companion.
“Here, Max. Here, boy. I just want to spend a little time with you. That’s all.” Damon ventured into the kitchen which looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in years. Old frying pans and dishes covered the counter area and filled the sink. He could see old Horace coming back with his catch of the day and reusing the same plate and pan he had been using for the last few weeks. It’s amazing him and Max were still alive.
Max wasn’t visible in the kitchen area either. As Damon climbed the steps to the second story, he continued to call out to the dog. Max was obviously in hiding somewhere, avoiding the stranger who had entered the home. At the top of the steps, there were two rooms and a bathroom. After seeing the kitchen, Damon had no desire to step foot into the bathroom. He entered the first room which was full of boxes and bins of who knows what. There was no place for a dog to hide so Damon made his way into the other room. He supposed this was the master bedroom. The bed, however, was piled with newspapers. The guy must’ve kept every newspaper printed for the past fifty years. That explained how he would have had the article to tape onto his front door.
Damon peered under the bed. Sure enough, Max was lying down there, his tail between his legs. Trying to sound friendly, Damon called out to the old mutt. When that didn’t work, he decided to be a bit more forceful. Lying on his stomach on the floor, Damon put his arms around Max’s neck and dragged out from under the bed. The dog whimpered and yelped, but Damon scooped him up in his arms and carried him downstairs.
CHAPTER 21
Horace enjoyed his morning fishing trips. The beach was very peaceful early in the morning. As much as he enjoyed all of the people-watching over the years, he enjoyed that quiet serenity even more. As recent as a year ago, Max use to enjoy coming to the pier with him and sitting by his owner until a few fish had been caught. It was their time together away from the tourists and the house. Unfortunately, Max was no longer able to make the trip down to this end of the beach. Occasionally, Horace would fish closer to his home so that Max could lie down next to him. This morning, though, he felt like taking a bit of a longer walk. He was hoping to catch enough fish to last him a few days. His entire diet really consisted of what he was able to catch out here.
There were a few fishing boats and sail boats out on the water. While it had already gotten very hot, there was a nice breeze coming off of the water. From the end of the pier, Horace cast his line out into the ocean and patiently waited for a bite. Some mornings he would get something relatively quickly and other days, he was unable to get anything at all. This morning was one of those lucky mornings when the fish were biting. Horace reeled in his first fish, relatively small in size, but it would be enough for him and Max.
Once Horace had secured three decent catches, he decided to make his way back up the shore. Max was probably waiting for him and for breakfast. As he walked up the beach towards his home, he couldn’t help but wonder if Damon had gotten up and found the article on the front of his door. Or, if any of his house guests had found the article for that matter. Horace imagined that the strange circumstances of his brother’s death would be difficult for Damon to explain to other people. While Horace preferred to mind his own business, he wasn’t one to take threats from other people. He saw no harm in letting the young man know who was boss around here. Maybe he would decide to pack up, head home, and not return.
Horace passed by Damon’s beach house to see that that article had indeed been ripped from the door. He couldn’t help but chuckle as he continued on to his own home. He set his fishing pole down by the front door, turned the knob, and stepped inside. Usually Max was either waiting by the door or would come wandering out from wherever he was resting. Max was no longer able to come running to the door so Horace decided to wait a moment for him. When Max didn’t show, he called out to him. “Max, I’m home. I’ve caught us some food, pal.”
Horace began to worry as Max continued to be a no show. He always feared that he would return home one day and find that his dear friend had passed away. It really was only a matter of time. He just wanted him to go peacefully.
With tears beginning to well in his eyes, Horace entered the kitchen. Rather than cry, Horace could only scream. He had expected to see his friend lying still, eyes closed, peacefully resting for eternity. What he saw was completely inexplicable and horrifying. His best friend had been hanged from one of the rafters in the kitchen ceiling. Max just hung there, completely still and dead. The weight of his body dangling from that rope. He could imagine the way that Max must have kicked and pawed while he hung from that noose until he went completely still. Until he had taken his last breath. Until he had given up.
Horace grabbed a knife from the counter and cut his companion down from the ceiling. Tears were streaming down his face. Horace had never felt so empty before in his life. He scooped Max up in his arms, sat on the floor, and cried.
CHAPTER 22
Damon came through the front door. Kristi, Mark, and Megan were all sitting at the table in the kitchen area. They were enjoying coffee and bagels that the girls had picked up at the grocery store the day before.
Kristi offered a bagel to her boyfriend. “Where have you been? I was worried about you when I woke up and you were gone.”
Damon accepted the bagel; he had worked up quite an appetite. “I couldn’t sleep this morning so I decided to get up and take a walk. Scope out the beach.”
Shoving down his last bit of bagel, Mark looked suspiciously at Damon. “So what’s on tap today then?”
“I thought we could head down to the end of the beach. There’s a place where you can rent jet skis. Thought that might be interesting.”
Megan jumped at the idea. “That sounds like a blast. Let’s get ready and get down there.” After the enjoyable dinner of the previous evening, she was looking forward to an opportunity for the four of them to bond.
Mark also thought jet skiing was a great idea. He was hoping it would give him a chance to show off in front of Kristi, he doubted that Damon’s athleticism could even compare to his own.
Megan and Kristi headed upstairs to put on their bathing suits and get themselves ready for a promising afternoon.
***
Sullivan looked at the picture from his camera and the picture taken from the surveillance tape. It was definitely the same woman. No doubt about it. He couldn’t help but admire her, she was beautiful and it was almost impossible to imagine her murdering Cliff in cold blood. However, this was enough to question her about the situation. Perhaps she saw someone else in the convenience shop at the same time she went in to use the restroom.
The detective scooped up the pictures and his car keys. “Barrett, I’m headed down to the beach to see if I can’t find this woman and see what she knows.”
Barrett took a long look at the photograph in Sullivan’s hand. “She is a beauty, isn’t she? Those are the ones you really have to watch out for. They sucker you in and then get you when you least expect it. She will p
robably try to use her charm to seduce you into thinking she is an innocent victim.”
Sullivan couldn’t help but be amused by the officer’s insight. He had never been confronted with a case of this magnitude, and really had nothing practical to contribute to the situation. “Don’t worry, officer. I know what I’m doing. Call me if we get any forensics reports back. I want to know if there’s any blood in that restroom.”
Sullivan got into his car and headed back towards the beach. He was hoping to question this woman and find that she wasn’t involved in any way.
***
Clint, with his hand shaking, placed the phone back on the receiver with a loud click. Annoyance was written all over his face. Susan knew what that meant without even asking her husband. Even knowing what his answer would be, she decided to ask anyway. “Is our car ready, dear?”
Clint scowled even more so. “The auto shop guy says he’s swamped today. He isn’t sure that he will get to our car at all today. It may have to wait until tomorrow.”
Susan peered out the window. It appeared to be a lovely day, lots of sunshine. “Maybe we should get out, take a walk, and grab something to eat. Then we will feel better. We can call the auto shop this afternoon, and see when our car will be ready. We haven’t been away from home for so long. Let’s try to make the most of it.”
Despite his frustration, Clint couldn’t help but to agree with his wife. It had been too long since they had had time together outside of their house. He admired the way that she tried to put a positive spin on things. “You’re right as always, honey. Let’s make the most of it.”
Clint and Susan left the hotel room, arm in arm.
CHAPTER 23
Horace had spread Max out on his favorite blanket in the living room area of the house. He couldn’t bear to face the reality that his best friend was gone. He knew that Damon had come back here to make trouble, which was more than obvious now. Sure, Horace had perhaps overstepped his bounds with that article and by writing Jonathan’s name in the sand. It really had all been in good fun though; no one was really hurt in any way. Not like this. Now Max was dead. Dead.
Horace had intended to mind his own business. But now Damon had to go and do something like this. Now it really was his business. He decided he would make sure that Damon’s friends found out the truth about what happened on this beach all those years ago. Only two people knew the truth, but that was about to change.
***
Damon, Mark, Kristi, and Megan made their way to the northern most end of the beach. It was an absolutely gorgeous day with the sun shining brightly above them. There were not a cloud in sight which made it difficult to tell where the ocean stopped and the sky began. There was just beautiful blue as far as the eye could see. At the far end of the beach, was a small store where people could rent wet suits, life vests, helmets, and anything else they may need to venture out onto the water.
Kristi looked out into the open ocean. There were several other people who had rented jet skis and who seemed to be having a blast maneuvering quickly through the waters. “Looks like it could be fun, but a bit dangerous out there.”
Nothing scared Damon when it came to this place or the ocean. The ocean was the one thing he owned. “It’s gonna be a blast. Just ride with me and you’ll see how exhilarating it can be.”
They opted to rent two jet skis for the time being. Each jet ski could seat two people, that way the girls could get a hang of riding around on one before they ventured out on their own. Mark was looking forward to showing Kristi just how much more adventurous and athletic he was compared to his male counterpart.
Mark got onto the jet ski and Megan climbed on behind him. As she wrapped her arms around him, he couldn’t help but wish that it was Kristi’s arms that clung onto him tightly. He knew that one day things would be right and that Kristi would realize that he was the right man for her after all. For now, he had to watch Kristi get on the back of the jet ski behind Damon, some strange guy who she found appealing for some reason that was completely unknown to him.
As Mark and Damon raced out into the open water, the girls couldn’t help but laugh and smile as they held on tightly to their men. It was so freeing to be out in the water, feeling the cool breeze, and moving at such a rapid pace. The warm water splashed up against their skin as they lapped over the waves. Damon had been right, it was exhilarating and lived up the expectation of being a great activity for the day.
Mark was having a great time cruising out in the water; this was the most fun he had had since the trip started. Damon couldn’t help but be fascinated by the depth and vastness of the ocean. He once again realized how easily things could go unnoticed out here. The image of Jonathan splashing about and screaming for help flashed through his mind. It wasn’t his fault that his brother had chosen to go that far out into the ocean when he knew he couldn’t swim back to shore.
Damon, being lost in the moment, made a sharp turn and nearly crashed his jet ski straight into the one being driven by Mark. Mark turned right behind Damon, feeling some anger and frustration rising to the surface. “Watch where the hell you’re going, man. I can give you some lessons if you need them.” He couldn’t help but sense that Damon had nearly crashed into him on purpose. He was sure that Damon was threatened by him and was trying to make him look like an idiot in front of Kristi.
Damon hadn’t liked a single thing about Mark since he had met him. He hated his macho behavior and attitude. He hated that he thought he could have any girl he wanted. He hated that he had a secret relationship with Kristi. It took a lot of will power for him not to act upon this hatred. Instead, he decided that it would be more satisfying to wait for the right time. However, at this moment, his level of self-control began to deteriorate.
Damon again made a sharp turn and began to circle around Mark’s jet ski. Mark, not wanting to get into an accident that would potentially hurt Megan and Kristi, stayed still in the water. Damon continued to circle around him.
Kristi, holding on tightly, couldn’t help but scream as she feared crashing into the jet ski and falling off into the water. “Damon, stop! What the hell are you doing? You’re going to hurt someone. Stop!”
Mark had to suppress his laughter as he watched Damon spiral out of control. He always considered this guy to be a loose cannon. Maybe Kristi would finally realize that this guy belonged in a psych ward, not at her side as a boyfriend. Megan just sat in shock, watching Damon circle around her at a dangerously high speed. She began to worry for her friend.
Kristi began to look more and more frightened, especially considering that Damon was completely unresponsive to her or anyone else. “Damon, stop right now! I’m going to jump off of here if you don’t stop.” She began to feel dizzy, her arms losing their grasp around Damon’s chest. Everything around her seemed to be a blur, and she couldn’t help but scream in fear.
Damon began to come back to reality. He didn’t want to reveal all of his cards right now, not this early on with everyone watching. He brought the jet ski to a complete stop his jet ski directly in front of the one Mark was commanding. “I’m sorry if I scared you. I was playing around, having fun.”
Megan didn’t see the fun in Damon’s antics. “You could hurt someone out here like that. What were you thinking? You scared Kristi half to death doing that.”
Mark recognized that Damon was beginning to lose control. He decided it might be more fun to play along with him rather than engage in conflict with him at the moment. That way the girls would see him as the mature, level-headed one. Maybe Damon would lose at his own game then. “It’s alright. Everyone is fine. Damon’s just having a good time.”
The look on Kristi’s face was pure disapproval. “Well, this isn’t my idea of a good time. I’m ready to go back.”
Damon knew that he had taken it too far this time, and decided he should not protest Kristi’s wish to get back to shore. With that, the guys carefully made their way back to the shore.
CHAPTER 24
With pictures in hand, Sullivan walked around to the front entrance and knocked on the door. After a few moments, he assumed that no one was home. This certainly wasn’t surprising; they were probably out on the beach somewhere. He would have to wait around for them to return. He really didn’t mind. There was nothing to do at the station, and the beach provided him with a lot more to admire. He really had no time in his personal life for a girlfriend, but it didn’t bother him to take in all of the sights at the beach, especially all of the bikini clad women.
The detective paced up and down the beach some, patiently waiting for their return. After an hour had passed, he decided to check in with their neighbors. Perhaps they would know something about who was staying at the beach house.
