Stolen Innocents (The Shadow Series Book 2)

by Kline, Addison

  Jack was surprised at the agitation in his daughter’s voice. He peered back at his sons and could certainly understand Tristan’s concern. Neither of them had shaved in what appeared to be days. Liam had dark circles under his light eyes. Adam had a dangerous look on his face. They were in over their heads and he knew it. Jack ran his hand over the back of his head, wondering what he would say to them. Tristan pulled down five plates, one for each of them and Cole, and began to dish out spaghetti on each. She doused the pasta with marinara sauce and ample amounts of grated parmesan cheese. Jack grabbed two of the plates and followed his daughter into the dining room. Tristan placed a plate in front of Adam and Liam and watched as they started to chow down on the still steaming food. Tristan glanced at Jack with a knowing look as they sat down at the table with them. Jack eyed his sons precariously and confronted the elephant in the room head on.

  “So… How’s the investigation going?” asked Jack with an upbeat tone of voice.

  Liam looked up from his plate, exhaustion weighing down his typically handsome face. He replied, “We’ve hit a wall.”

  “That’s the understatement of the year…” said Adam with a bite.

  “Remember when we had three suspects?” asked Liam with a serious look on his face.

  Jack wearily replied, “Yes.”

  “Oh, good, because now we have zero,” said Liam bluntly.

  “What? How did that happen?” asked Jack with a perplexed look on his face.

  “Every single one of them has a rock solid alibi at the time of the second murder,” explained Adam.

  “That doesn’t necessarily mean that they are innocent the first time around,” Jack reminded.

  “They are linked. I know they are. I’d even go so far to say that it’s the same guy that killed Tiffany O’Mara twenty years ago,” said Liam going out on a limb.

  “We have no proof of any of that yet,” Adam reminded his brother.

  “This case is going to be the death of me,” complained Liam as he allowed his head to sink into his hands.

  “Have you talked to DiNolfo yet?” asked Jack reasonably. She would be the best person to give them advice at this stage of the investigation. She’d been through it all before.

  “Not yet,” Adam replied.

  “Don’t you think that’s a good idea?” asked Jack as the anxiety rose in his chest.

  Adam shrugged, “We can’t get a hold of her. Her cell phone is dead.”

  Jack rolled his eyes in disgust.

  “Now is not the time to be stubborn or proud. Girls are turning up dead! The killer is still out there, and lord only knows who he is or where he is or what he plans to do next!” shouted Jack across the table hoping to get his sons to wake up and spring into action. Jack gave his daughter a nervous look whenever he spoke about the murders. If he could he’d keep Tristan at home until all this was over, but he realized that that just wasn’t rational, and she wasn’t a child anymore.

  Through gritted teeth, Liam replied, “Says the stubborn old mule.”

  Jack gave his sons a glaring look.

  “What seems to be the problem, boys?!” Jack demanded.

  “We could get in real trouble for telling you this, so keep this under your hat…” warned Liam.

  Jack took his blue trucker hat off his head, revealing his graying black hair. He pretended to put something under his hat, before returning it to his head.

  Adam, satisfied with his father’s response, asked, “So you know how there have always been three suspects?”

  “Yeah…” Jack replied, his patience wearing thin.

  “And how the whole town thinks its Tommy who is responsible?” asked Liam.

  “Even though he’s not responsible… Yeah…” replied Jack with a start.

  “Well all three were released as suspects. We have nothing.”

  Jack looked around at the table that was filled to the brim with paperwork.

  “What do you mean you have nothing?! How is this possible?! Even Trafford had a rock solid alibi?” Jack yelled.

  “Him especially. Tommy was in an interrogation room with DiNolfo when the call came out for the second murder. Add in his alibi on the night of Courtney’s death and he’s off the hook,” explained Adam.

  Jack closed his eyes as he released a heavy sigh.

  Thank God.

  “And the others?” asked Jack.

  “Jesse Trafford was in a holding cell over in Sunbury. He got arrested after being involved in a bar fight. It couldn’t have been him,” explained Liam.

  “And Hunter McCord was at Steeplechase giving an anti-drug presentation.”

  Jack was amazed, “No wonder Tommy was so pissed off the other day. What about the gun you found at the scene?”

  “We actually checked into that and McCord couldn’t have been the one involved in Courtney’s murder. He was in jail at the time from fighting with Tommy.”

  “Unreal…” Jack noted.

  “What?” asked Adam.

  “Someone is trying to set these guys up. Tommy’s clothes found at the scene of the first murder. Hunter’s gun found just yards away. Trafford’s wallet found at the scene of the murder… Someone is trying to make it seem like they are all working together.”

  “But who?” asked Liam knowing damn well that neither of them had the answer.

  “And who would forget their clothes or wallet at the scene of a crime?!” said Adam incredulously. “Whoever is doing this is trying too hard, and they are bound to slip up.”

  “The last thing we want is for person responsible to have an opportunity to slip up,” said Jack nervously as he glanced at Tristan.

  “That’s why we need to find out who the guy is that did this. He had to have left some sign, some trace of DNA at the scene…” suggested Liam.

  Tristan, who was quietly listening as the conversation developed, interrupted her brothers and her father, “Sorry to interrupt, but what makes you think it’s a guy…”

  Adam and Liam both gave their sister a pained expression.

  “Tris, you didn’t see the crime scene and I hope to God you never have to see anything like that in your life,” said Liam.

  “It was brutal. Blood everywhere. The brute force and strength needed to do that much damage… It couldn’t have been a female. It was grisly…” explained Adam with a grimace on his face.

  “Not to mention what we found at the Bone Tree.”

  “Besides, we found a men’s size eleven footprint in the mud,” added Liam.

  Jack didn’t like the direction the conversation was taking. He eyed his daughter carefully. She seemed to have something that she was desperately trying to say. Tristan looked at her brothers unrelenting in her resolve. She knew from personal experience that a woman could do as much damage as a man – especially when motivated by anger.

  Tristan continued, “You said the Bone Tree, right? In York Forest, right behind Monte’s?”

  Tristan’s questions had piqued Jack’s interest. “Baby, do you know something that you’re not telling us?” Jack asked.

  Tristan got up from her chair, and began gathering the empty dishes from the table. She had a worried expression upon her face; a look that caused Jack’s stomach to jolt in fear.

  With her eyes full of honesty, knowledge and depth, Tristan said, “I know who you are looking for.”

  ***

  Roger O’Mara stood by the fireplace in his living room as he prepared to lecture his family to an intense degree about increased safety measures taking place within the O’Mara residence. Gwen had gathered up the family per Roger’s request. Trixie and Ally sat on the loveseat with disgruntled looks upon their faces. Misty-Lee and Angie sat on the couch with Cory, who was trying to kick free. Gwen sat down beside them with an exhausted look on her face. Misty-Lee asked Angie to hold Cory for a moment. She took him and held him like a sack of potatoes out from her body. She treated him like he was something vile and disgusting. Cory, in turn, kicked his legs and compla
ined, “Put me down!”

  “You’re not very maternal are you?” Misty-Lee quipped as she looked at Angie’s repulsed face.

  “Children and I don’t see eye to eye,” said Angie who never had any desire to have offspring of her own.

  “What’s this all about, Roger?” asked Gwen wearily.

  Roger cleared his throat.

  “I want to make sure I am very clear.”

  All eyes were on Roger as he prepared to deliver what he presumed would be unwelcomed news.

  “Until this is cleared up… I want no one leaving the house. No one is to use the cars unless you are going to work or school. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Dad!” Trixie complained! “It’s senior week!”

  “Beatrix Ann O’Mara! I don’t care if the President has invited you to supper! You’re not going out unless it’s for school.”

  Trixie sighed dramatically.

  “Young lady! In case you haven’t noticed your sister was murdered! Another woman was just murdered, too! I’m not losing a third daughter! I refuse!”

  Angie spoke up, “Dad’s right, Trix… It’s dangerous out there…”

  Part Three

  The Long Way Down

  My past has found me,

  And I've found him.

  Hiding in shadows, rotting within.

  The mask is gone, the bed is made,

  No intention of giving me

  All that I gave.

  Blinded by the day,

  You escaped from view.

  Cowering in corners,

  Covering up clues.

  The dawn erased him,

  Swallowed by the blue

  Waves crashed upon him,

  Erased from my view.

  Awoken from slumber,

  Mind dizzy and askew.

  Thoughts, I had many,

  But words, very few.

  And I'll never understand,

  Why this is true,

  But night time always,

  Brings me back to you.

  ~Excerpt from Phantom Flight by Addison Kline

  Chapter 24

  June 18, 2000

  Seattle, WA

  7 P.M.

  Felix DeSanto strolled up Mariner Avenue with a bounce in his step and a bouquet of yellow roses in his left hand. He pushed the sleeve of his suit jacket up as he glanced at his gold Rolex. It was exactly seven o’clock. Felix had felt badly for how things had ended with Angie and he wanted to at least apologize. Although he could be a real jerk in the office, outside the confines of Seattle Commerce One, he was a somewhat decent human being. While he had eyes for lots of women, including Angie, he had never actually cheated on his high maintenance wife, Monica. In fact, it was Monica who urged Felix to pay Angie a visit to apologize. Although Felix couldn’t give Angie her job back, he wanted to stop by with a small token of his gratitude for all of her help through the years. Felix climbed the steps to 2324 Mariner Avenue and entered the old brownstone building that Angie called home. He hoped that she would be willing to see him.

  ***

  The phone rang loudly on Officer Liam Morrow’s desk as he sat combing through Tiffany O’Mara’s case file. He and Adam had escaped the chatter of the Morrow Manor, and decided they could concentrate better at the office. Liam was busy making a comparative list between Tiffany O’Mara’s case file and Courtney O’Mara’s file. He broke his concentration for the first time in hours to answer the phone on his desk.

  In an agitated tone, Liam said, “Elkhart Police Department. Officer Morrow speaking…”

  A deep and serious voice spoke from the other end of the line.

  “Hi. This is Detective Mitch Croyden with Seattle PD. Is Sergeant DiNolfo in?”

  “I’m afraid she’s out of the office. Is there something that I can help you with?”

  “I guess so… I am investigating a murder here in Seattle and we believe that the suspect is now in the Elkhart, Pennsylvania vicinity.”

  “Could you fax me everything you have? We’re dealing with a double homicide. We’ve got very few leads at this point.”

  “Of course. Please give me a courtesy call after apprehension. What’s your fax number?”

  Liam provided the detective with the Elkhart Police Department’s fax number.

  The detective continued, “I’m sending it now and please call if you have any questions.”

  ***

  Angie gently shut her bedroom door trying not disturb her still heavily grieving mother. Gwen had gone upstairs to rest after listening to Roger’s intense lecture on family safety. Angie exchanged her uncomfortable trousers and blouse for a pair of sweats. As she lowered herself onto her chair at her vanity, her exhaustion was beginning to show. Angie looked at the mirror with a wary expression. The weight of her sister’s murder, along with all the questions from the police were certainly taking its toll on her too. She reached up and slowly pulled her hair pins from her neat bun that was secured atop her head. Piece by piece, her blonde hair fell down her back and over her shoulders. Angie’s eyes looked heavy and dark with deep circles weighing underneath. She hoped the police would arrest their suspect soon. She didn’t know how much more of this she could take.

  ***

  Felix walked down the long hallway towards Angie’s apartment when he saw something hanging on Angie’s apartment door. Felix quickly approached the door and determined it was a letter. He plucked the letter off the door and unfolded it. He arched his thick eyebrows as he read Jeremy’s goodbye letter to Angie.

  Damn Jer… That was cold.

  After he was done reading the letter he stuck it back up on the door with the worn piece of scotch tape that was attached. Felix went to knock on the door, but as his knuckles met the wood surface, he realized the door was slightly ajar. With an eerie groan, the door opened and Felix stepped over the threshold of Angie’s disheveled apartment.

  “Ang… Are you here? It’s me… Felix…”

  Felix waited for a response but no one answered him. There was something definitely off. The apartment was in utter disarray. Felix wondered if the apartment had been broken into prior to his arrival. The TV was missing, the furniture was gone, but there were some traces of evidence that someone once lived there. There were broken CD’s scattered about and broken on the carpet. Empty prescription pill bottles lay strewn about on the kitchen floor; others lay on the countertop on their side. Felix picked up a few of the bottles, but the medication was a long, official sounding word that Felix could not pronounce. A colorful assortment of pills lay on the countertop, the floor and in the sink. There was no telling what bottle they belonged to. There was just too many. Dirty clothes littered the hallway that led to Angie’s bedroom that she once shared with her husband Jeremy. Felix could detect a strange smell in the apartment. It was a foul and peculiar odor; a combination of mildew, ammonia, and decay. The smell lingered down the hallway and seemed to be seeping from under Angie’s bedroom door.

  ***

  Liam Morrow’s eyes widened with shock as Adam handed him the fax from Detective Croyden. The machine groaned loudly as page after page of information cranked through. As Liam’s eyes lingered over the photograph of their suspect, his breath shortened.

  “Oh, my God… Tristan was right.”

  ***

  Angie’s face was tired and taut as she brushed her hair. Suddenly, the lines of her smile curved upwards as a thought came to mind. Her blue eyes stared forward, revealing an expression of both incredible sadness and unbelievable depth. Much like Courtney’s eyes, Angie’s eyes looked like water. But while Courtney’s eyes resembled a tranquil sea, Angie’s were more like the ocean within the stronghold of a storm. Like the Pacific in a maelstrom, ready to swallow ships whole and chew up sailors for lunch. The devil only knew what monsters lay within. Angie’s brows furrowed as her eyes casted a disturbing glance into the mirror. She spoke in a voice that was nothing more than a whisper.

  “All secrets must come to the light.”<
br />
  ***

  “Angie…” called Felix from the hallway as he slowly crept closer and closer to Angie’s closed bedroom door. The smell was getting stronger, more pungent and offensive with every step that Felix took. The hair on Felix’s neck stood on end as his hand reached for the doorknob.

  “Angie…” Felix said softly, haunted by the strange silence in the apartment.

  Finally, Felix mustered the courage to open the door. He twisted the bronze knob with bated breath. When the door swung open, a wall of stagnant, putrid air hit him. It was like nothing he had ever smelled before. It was a combination of death and decay, ammonia and vinegar. It smelled like something had died, and someone tried to cover up the smell. They failed miserably. Felix’s stomach tightened into a ball as he stepped into the room.