“Why do you say that?”
“He never caught anything. Never killed anything. He was a softy. Wouldn’t hurt a fly, although he pretended to try.”
“I see.”
“You ask me,” Darrel pointed his cigar at him, “I say it was random. Some sick asshole just saw him alone, and did it. Makes me sick.” He shook his head.
“Can I get the name of your friends whose cottage you all meet at? Where was it?”
“Bob Pope. Cottage is up, just north of Cedar Ridge. He’s here somewhere, or he was. We’re all meeting up for drinks later at Jerry D’s. You could ask him questions yourself then.”
“Thanks for your time Mr. Beelson.” He shook his hand.
On his way to the hospital, a weird feeling passed over him.
He decided to take the opportunity to question all Grant Hornby’s buddies at once.
After that, he was out of leads.
Chapter 27
When Avery opened her eyes, she saw Sadie and Noah in the doorway. Neither had noticed she was awake, and they spoke in low voices. Sadie turned to Avery, smiled, and left the room. Noah came and took a seat beside her.
A brief silence hung in the air, and the smell of his cologne wafted toward her.
“I hear you’re going home tomorrow.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you ready for that?” He leaned in toward her.
“I think so. The doctor thinks so, and he’s giving me some pills for the pain, so I think…”
“No, I mean, are you ready to be back in your apartment?” Avery stared at him. “If you’re not, that’s okay. Sadie said you could stay with her for as long as you need to.”
“I just wish I knew how he got in. I did everything, everything I could think of to make it safe.”
“I found out on the way over. The people in apartment fifty one, the ones on your left? They were away on holiday for the week. He broke into their apartment, and hopped the balcony onto yours.”
She thought about their crying baby.
I should have known something was different with all the peace and quiet.
“They’re fine. It was either lucky they were gone, or he’s been watching you, and knew they weren’t home.”
“But how did he get in through my sliding door?”
“There are a few ways it could have been done, but the officers at your home believe it was simply lifted out of the lock.”
“What?”
“All he would have to do is grab the handle and lift the door to unlock it, and slide it over on the track without making much noise. I understand, most folks on a high floor of a building would feel safe, but he got around it, so the sliding door was the easiest way to get in.”
Avery balled her sheets in her fists, and concentrated on them. Her stomach pains increased, as she used her muscles to lift her head.
Noah’s eyes darted around the ceiling. “Avery, you had six locks on your front door.”
“Silly me. I thought they’d be enough.”
Could he hear the pain in her voice, she wondered, or did he interpret it as irritation altogether?
“Well, if you’re not ready to go back, just let Sadie know, and you’re set, alright?”
Avery nodded. “Did you just come to question me?”
“Actually, I was wondering if you remembered anything else about last night?”
Avery let out a huff of warm air, and rested her head back on her pillow. “Not really. I remember a bit more detail. I’ve been going over it a lot.”
“Would you mind going over it one more time with me?”
“No, that’s fine. I woke up thirsty, and went to the kitchen to get water. Before I got there, I heard something, and ducked into the bathroom.”
“You didn’t tell us that before.”
“I’ve been on some heavy meds.” She tried to curve the edge to her voice, but her abdomen growled at her.
“Okay, go on.”
“So I locked myself in the bathroom, but then I thought I was just being silly, so I went out to the kitchen again.”
“How long were you in the washroom for?”
“Not more than a minute.”
“Okay, so that’s how he got past you to your bedroom.”
“I guess so. I saw the sliding door open, and the curtains blowing. I tried to get to the door, but that’s when he showed up, coming at me from my bedroom. The mask was more like the one on the news, than the one I saw ten years ago, but I still think it’s the same one.”
“Avery, the doctor says you were cut ten times.”
“I didn’t even know that, or if I was told, I didn’t remember. I haven’t seen my stomach yet.”
Noah took out his phone, and Avery resisted the urge to ask him to leave, as he typed something.
“Then what happened?”
“He knocked me to the floor, and held me down with his weight.”
“How big was he?”
“Solid, but I wouldn’t say fat. He pulled out a huge knife, and I was sure he was going to stab me. The first cut was nothing compared to the rest. The first two, he took his time, and he was enjoying it. He laughed. I told you that right?”
Noah covered his mouth and nodded.
“Then, there were sirens, and he just started slicing into me. So fast.” She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she focused on the ceiling, instead of Noah’s face. “The pain was too much at that point. I think I passed out.”
“You were unconscious when the paramedics arrived.”
“You think he meant to cut me ten times? It would explain why he stuck around, even when the police were on their way. Who called the police?”
“Your neighbor across the hallway. He said he heard muffled screams that woke him, and he called right away.”
“I couldn’t scream at first. At first I was just shocked.” Avery let out a huff, “I bit him.”
“What?”
“I thought I was prepared for anything. I feel like ever since I was attacked, I’ve just always been ready. Locks on the doors I checked so often, I convinced myself I have OCD. Never really trusted anyone, or let myself be too vulnerable. Never walked anywhere alone at night, and never went into that forest again, except with you.” She turned her head to look at him, and he waited.
“I thought of everything, but it wasn’t enough. I choked, but then I saw my opportunity, and I bit his hand.”
“You’re alive, Avery. It might be because of a concerned neighbour, or because the man who attacked you didn’t plan to kill you, but it’s probably because you screamed eventually. You fought back. You did everything you could to shout. How hard did you bite him?”
“It was hard to even get his hand in my mouth because of the way he was covering it. It seemed like it hurt him, but I don’t know if there was blood.”
“Okay.” He got on his cell phone again, and Avery looked back up at the speckled ceiling tiles. She scrunched the bed sheet in her hands, and fiddled with them. “I was fooling myself, thinking I was safe. That I was in control. I was just scared.”
“Avery, you can’t think like that. Like a victim.”
“That’s what I am. That’s why my parents came to see me for the first time this year. It’s why you’re here.”
“Feeling sorry for yourself isn’t going to help you right now.”
“I brought it on myself.” She muttered, but Noah heard it.
He stood from his seat. “You made a mistake, calling the news, but like you said, it might have helped our investigation too. We have a lead on the mask. I think we owe it to you. It wasn’t right how you went about it, I’m not encouraging it, but you’ve helped us too.”
“You said I might have screwed myself, back at the police department.”
He sighed. “I did say that, and I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. I was angry.”
She could see him staring at her from her peripheral.
“Well, it’s fine.”
“You ha
ve to let people help you Avery. Let Sadie have you at her place.”
Avery closed her eyes, and envisioned going back to her apartment. Even in her imagination, she couldn’t bring herself to open the door.
“I don’t think I can go back.”
She felt his hand wrap around hers and she turned to him as he spoke. “I didn’t just come here to find out more about the victim in my case, Avery. I came to see how you were.”
The words made her heart beat faster and for the first time since her attack, her thoughts were solely on something else.
“I’m sorry.”
“I told you not to blame your…”
“No, I’m sorry for breaking your trust when I called the news station. It’s not even that I didn’t trust you.”
Noah stared into her eyes, and she wondered what he saw in them.
“You can trust me Avery.”
“I do now. I just wanted you to know.”
He nodded, but as she squeezed his hand back, he pulled it away. “I’ve got to get back.”
“Thanks for coming.”
He nodded again. “You take care.”
She watched him stride out the door, and wondered if she had crossed the line, at the same time she hoped he would come right back.
Chapter 28
Noah couldn’t stop thinking about the energy that went through him when Avery squeezed his hand. He knew he shouldn’t have told her he had a personal interest in visiting her, but through the pain in her eyes, he saw a spark of interest when he spoke those words. If he hadn’t let go when he did, he couldn’t have convinced himself that she didn’t see his true feelings for her, the way he felt hers for him. He told himself he towed the line, but if she felt the same energy he did in that moment, they crossed the line together.
On his way to Ethan’s office, the thoughts muddled in his head, and he bumped into Owen.
“Hey, welcome to the case.” Owen shook his hand, and Noah couldn’t help but smile.
“Thanks man. It’ll be great getting to work with Ethan.”
“No love for me huh?” Owen laughed.
“I guess it’s cool that we get to work together again.” Noah faked a yawn and Owen laughed. “No man, I’m actually tired. Haven’t slept in a while.”
“Well, you’re gunna want to get in that room. Charla came, and her aunt too.”
“Why’s Maggie back?”
“You’re gunna wanna hear this for yourself.” Owen opened the door, and they rushed down the hallway, to the room they questioned her in earlier that morning. Owen followed behind him, and closed the door.
Noah was startled to see Maggie Henderson in tears, while Charla sat beside her, and rubbed her back.
“Noah.” Ethan nodded to the chair behind him. “Mrs. Henderson, could you start from the beginning?”
“I went back to my sister’s, to say goodbye, and that’s when Charla told me you guys wanted to speak with her. She told me she was going to tell you sooner, but… she didn’t think it was relevant.” Noah struggled to understand her through her sobs.
“I told Aunt Maggie about what happened with Avery.” Charla looked up at Noah, with her hand on her aunt’s arm. “That same year, when she came to visit, I had to tell her. I was feeling guilty, and Jolene and I weren’t talking anymore. I didn’t have anyone to talk to, and I saw how it affected Avery, more than just physical, you know? Everyone in school knew she went to a psychiatrist. I just couldn’t keep it a secret. Aunt Maggie told me to go to Avery’s family and tell them, but I couldn’t.”
Noah looked at Ethan, and shrugged. “Mrs. Henderson, you’re shaken. You did the right thing in telling her to come forward. You’re not in trouble.”
She shook her head, and looked at Charla, who took her hand and held it. She swallowed hard, and wiped her eyes.
“I think my husband…”
“Mrs. Henderson?” Ethan asked.
“I think my husband might have killed those girls.” She choked, and shook more tears from her eyes. “I don’t know for sure, but I think he did.”
“What? Uncle Arnie?” Charla turned to her, but Maggie stared down at her hands. “Aunt Maggie, what are you saying?”
“I told him, your uncle, what happened. I told him about what you and Jolene did. About putting her in the hospital, sending her to the psychiatrist.”
Noah hadn’t noticed Owen leave the room, but when he came back in, he brought a box of tissues. Maggie took a handful, and hung her head.
“Aunt Maggie, how? How could Uncle Arnie have done this?”
“Mrs. Henderson, why do you think your husband is a killer?”
“I never thought he was before today, I swear.” She raised her head, and looked at them with wide red eyes. “When my sister phoned me about it, it got me thinking. After meeting with you, and talking to Charla. I just know it. I was scared to even think it, but I’m more scared to go back there. To go home.” Her hands gripped the tissue covered in black mascara stains.
“Please, Mrs. Henderson, you’re safe. What leads you to believe your husband did this?”
“I told him about what Charla and her friend had done. I told him, about the young girl they frightened, and I remember he was interested. Kept saying poor girl.” She sniffled. “I knew he felt sorry for her, for Avery, and it was strange. It almost made me angry.”
Noah and Ethan exchanged a glance. “Why?”
Maggie’s big eyes stared up at him, and she covered her mouth with her hands.
“It’s alright Maggie.”
“He… beats me.” She looked down at her hands when she spoke, and Charla took her hand off of her arm.
“No.” Charla shook her head.
“It’s not something I’ve talked about. This is hard…”
“Aunt Maggie?” Charla studied her.
Ethan broke her concentration. “So he’s violent, and that’s why you think…”
Maggie nodded. “And I couldn’t understand how he could hurt me, and feel bad for this girl he didn’t even know. He never felt bad about anything he did to me, and there he was asking questions about it. He wasn’t acting interested—he was mesmerized by the story.”
“What did he do to you?” Ethan asked, and Noah noted his subtlety needed work. “How has he hurt you?”
“There’s not enough time to tell you.” She shook her head. “He’s hurt me too many times to count.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Oh Aunt Maggie.” Charla hugged her, and Maggie put her head down again. “I’m so sorry.”
“I…I dealt with it. There were times I wanted to leave, but I couldn’t.”
“Does my mom know?”
Maggie shook her head. “No one knows, and if they suspect it, they haven’t told me, but they wouldn’t suspect it, because Arnold…”
“Mrs. Henderson?”
“He’s a master manipulator. He’s well liked, funny, strong, driven. Everyone thinks he’s a good guy. No one would have guessed.” She turned to Charla. “I’m sorry Char.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Charla shook her head with tears in her eyes. “I just…I wish I’d known. I still can’t believe…”
“Mrs. Henderson?”
“My husband is away more often than not. Sometimes it’s business, he’s a salesman, and this time it’s hunting. He loves to go hunting.” Ethan and Noah exchanged looks. “I looked up those murders after I spoke to you this morning. I didn’t go home; I went to my sister’s. The man you’re looking for, every time there was a murder or attack, Arnold was away.”
“How did you figure that out?”
“It wasn’t hard. When he’s home, I don’t go anywhere without him. When he’s gone, he’s always back when he says he’ll be. Says I’m lucky I can depend on him that way.” She shook her head. “When he goes away for longer than a day or two, I take a trip to the city. Every time. I always take an opportunity to go to the city library, and sit and read there. I never check any books out, but I mark it down in my c
alendar when I get to go, so I can look forward to it. I don’t actually write it, I just highlight the date in my cell phone.” She slid the phone across the table, and Ethan picked it up. “It’s all there.”
“Mrs. Henderson, where is your husband now?”
She looked at the clock on the wall. “He should be back home any minute.”
Ethan stood from the table, and Owen followed him out.
“He’s going to know something’s wrong when I’m not there.” Maggie called to them.
Noah stayed back, “Is there anything else Mrs. Henderson?”
“He went on another trip. Did he do it again? Did he kill another girl?”
“No, but a girl was attacked.” He looked at Charla.
“Avery?” Noah nodded and Charla’s mouth hung open. “Oh my God.”
“She’s going to be alright.”
“Isn’t that proof enough?” Maggie turned to Charla, who stared up at her. “I told him about her and now he’s tried to kill her.”
“Listen, Mrs. Henderson, can you stay with your sister for a while? You can’t go back home now.”
“She can.” Charla nodded. “I’ll call my mom.”
“No, let’s just tell her when we see her, alright?” Maggie rubbed her nose with the tissue.
“It’ll be a while until we can let you go. We’ll get it sorted out.”
Charla nodded again, and looked at Noah. “Are they going after my uncle?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Chapter 29
“Inspector Cotter’s a hottie. Know if he’s single?” Sadie stood by the window, and sniffed at the flowers she had received.
Avery watched her pull her hair up into a pony tail and wished she could have a real shower.
“He dresses well too. He can’t be single.” Sadie tightened her pony and turned back to Avery.
“I have no idea. It’s not like it would have come up.” Avery sipped her juice as Sadie shrugged. “He doesn’t wear a wedding ring.”
Avery wondered if her curiosity had anything to do with the talk she noticed them having in the doorway.
Lies Come True Page 9
