Hazy View: Souls of the Vanished

by Ink Blood

  Martin said nothing.

  “You went home one night after a trip to the bar, didn’t you?”

  Martin didn’t move, he said nothing.

  “You and Janet were fighting. Shouting and screaming about something you must’ve heard.”

  Martin looked up and said nothing.

  “Christopher woke up because of all the noise didn’t he? Tell me what happened next.”

  Martin seemed to think. He still said nothing.

  “Something happened, didn’t it? You were so angry.”

  “No, the vehicle accident…”

  “There was no accident. You killed Christopher and Janet and dumped them somewhere in or near the lake.”

  Martin sunk his head into his hands and wept.

  “What happened, Martin?”

  “She was cheating on me with you!” Martin finally admitted.

  “Who was cheating, Janet…?”

  “Christopher isn’t my son.” Martin trembled.

  “I have a forensics report. Do you want to know what it says?” Andrew pulled the forensics report out of the folder and showed it to Martin.

  Martin stopped crying.

  “You know the day we were looking for the missing child in the forest. Do you know what I found?”

  “Nothing you told me that you found nothing.”

  “I didn’t find the child, but I did find blood, human blood according to the report. I also found a child’s slip on shoe just like those Janet loved to buy for Christopher. According to forensics they compared the blood with hair samples found in the shower drain in your old house.”

  Martin grew slightly pale. He said nothing.

  “You wouldn’t believe this. The blood I found and the hair sample was a match. There was also vomit inside the child shoe. After Christopher died you picked him up and that forced stomach content out. You put his shoes on after that, which transferred vomit into the shoe.”

  “What does this have to do with Janet and Christopher?”

  “Just listen. According to the report, they tested your hair from the drain to Christopher’s hair and guess what. Christopher was your son, I have it right here.

  Martin almost fainted.

  “The forensics officer sprayed the house with luminal. It’s an agent that reacts with protein in blood, even after it’s cleaned. When he put an ultraviolet light over it, it glowed up like a god dammed Christmas tree, what do you think of that?”

  “What your blood sample glowed, meaning what.” Martin asked confused, forensic tactics was never something he understood.

  “Not the blood sample.”

  Martin felt weak and drained. Andrew did more than he could ever expect and found the truth. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t remember what happened on that night.

  “If it wasn’t the blood sample then what…?”

  “Blood splatter in the main bedroom, the passage and lots of splatter on the stairs, indicating that Janet fell down the stairs injured. Do you want to tell us what happened that night?”

  “Someone came into the house and killed them?”

  “Well why would you drive them away with your service vehicle and dump them into the lake?”

  “I don’t know can’t remember.”

  Andrew stood up and turned to Frank. “I think it’s time we get him back to the station and get him ready to transport him back to Hazy View. He needs to stand trial for his crime.”

  The officer took Martin by the arm and led him back to the vehicle. Martin didn’t say anything. He walked without fuss.

  *~*~*

  *XI*

  Returning to the Sheriff’s office Andrew felt drained and tired. He could see Martin wasn’t in the state of mind to recall something that had happened three months ago. There was something about the way Martin was acting, it made Andrew feel a little uneasy.

  He couldn’t recall the events and took the accident as the most logical reasoning. Perhaps he blocked it from his mind. Andrew’s convinced that Martin was no longer acting or trying to mislead the investigation.

  With all the alcohol abuse the lack of sleep, he had slipped into a metal disorder. His priority was to get him back to Hazy View and get him certified fit to stand trial.

  Andrew sighed deeply as he got out of the cruiser. He walked into the office with Frank and Martin in front of him. Weather it was the heat or trying to put together the mind of a madman, Andrew felt mentally and physically drained. He couldn’t drive around the corner never mind across the country.

  At the counter in the reception area they separate. The officers took Martin back to the holding cells where he would spend the night, alone and in darkness. Andrew followed Frank to his office and almost fell into one of the chairs. Helen was in shock and only entered the office minutes later. It was the first time she’d seen anyone in Martin’s state.

  Martin was, according to her, truly convinced that his buried wife and son was at the bottom of the yard. He believed it was them who had died in the accident. How Martin had come to hear of the accident and obtained the accident report and death certificates would perhaps always remain a mystery. It wasn’t importance anymore. It was proven that it had nothing to do with Janet and Christopher’s deaths. Even Martin had to admit that he made a mistake. Clearly he would fight it to the end or until he snapped out of this mental block. Only he could now explain the details of what happened the night Janet and Christopher disappeared. The same question ran through Andrew’s mind repeatedly. What did actually happen the night Janet and Christopher disappeared? Accept for the vomit the technician found none of Christopher’s blood or body fluids. This meant that at least he had no injuries when he died. How did he die? Janet was bleeding before she fell down the stairs.

  “When will you be returning to Hazy View?” Frank asked after a long silence.

  “I was thinking of leaving in the morning, I need at least a good night sleep. I don’t want him to slip out of my custody.” Andrew informed.

  “I can send an officer with you. I’m sure most of them will jump at the chance for a road trip. He can help you. Make sure Martin gets to Hazy View. When you get there you can stick him on a bus and send him home.”

  “I’d feel better. Thanks.”

  “Go get some sleep. Martin won’t be going anywhere and in the morning I’ll have someone for you.”

  “Thanks. It’s still early. Maybe if you don’t mind I think we might even leave before dark. The road should be quiet and we can cover more distance tonight.” Andrew and Helen stood up and ready themselves to leave the office.

  “What time would you leave then?”

  Andrew thought for a second then said. “At six o'clock.” He looked at Helen who nodded back at him in agreement.

  “That’s fine. I’ll meet you back here then.” Frank said and walked them to the door.

  *~*~*

  Chapter Seven

  *I*

  The trip to Hazy View was quicker than the trip to Ohio. Martin sat without fuss and trouble. They alternated the driving between Andrew, Helen and the officer on loan from Frank. After long hours of conversation they discovered his name was Brat Russell. He was about twenty two and always did the small things around the office. He was still training. He had blond hair and green eyes, and a tall slender body. He’s neatly dressed and well-spoken.

  Now driving around the clock only stopping for food and gas, they were making progress faster than on their trip up-country. They took restroom breaks at every stop and where they could they pushed the envelope. During the trip Martin said nothing. Clearly he was thinking long and hard about his situation and had gotten use to people’s stairs at every stop.

  Helen had called her ex-husband, who had agreed to keep Olivia for an extra week. Not concerned with the reason, he welcomed the extra time. Now that Martin was in custody, he could show them where he dumped the bodies and they could find them and laid them to rest. Once the activities in the house seized and the lake was open, she would dri
ve to collect Olivia.

  Andrew was taking the last stretch to Hazy View almost two days after they left the small town near Dayton. He’s tired and felt his whole body ached, but it wasn’t that, that bothered him. He was nearing Hazy View just before ten in the morning and by this time the town was abuzz with activity. Surely someone would notice when they arrived at his office with Martin in cuffs. At the rate normal news spread, he was sure that this news would spread like a wildfire. He needed to hurry and get Martin in a cell before the town came down on him like a ton of bricks. He took a small comfort in knowing that no one, not even Yvonne or the Mayor knew that they were now drawing close.

  The first thing Andrew needed to attend to when he got back to his office was to process and officially charge Martin with the murders of Janet and Christopher Parker. He needed to check in with Mr. Craft and see if there’s anything new regarding the hauntings. Once he completed that he needed to track down the woman he believed lived in the trailer park. He would also track down the drunken man that had accused him of cheating with Janet, even if he Martin confessed.

  Once he had them in a corner, then he would possibly strengthen his case against Martin. With this information in hand he could take Martin to the house or to the dumpsite, so he could find Janet and her son and finally free them from the lake. Sounds easy, but so far nothing had turned out the way he had planned. All he had was luck, luck in finding the shoe and blood, luck in finding Martin behind the house and that he couldn’t flee because something was preventing the vehicle’s engine from starting. How long would his luck hold out? That was the million dollar question.

  *~*~*

  *II*

  Andrew drove into Hazy View through the main road, passing busy pedestrians and shoppers. No one notices the vehicle or Martin in the backseat next to a uniformed officer. He breathed a deep sigh or relieve as his office was less than two blocks ahead. He might make it there clear without drawing attention. He was nearing a stop, the only one before he reached his office.

  A vehicle pulled up next to him.

  Andrew turned to look.

  The driver in the vehicle hooted.

  Martin turned and smiled.

  The driver screamed something.

  Helen was in the passenger seat. Her window’s closed and she looked at Andrew, wandering weather she needed to lower her window. He shook his head, turned his attention back to the road and continued to the office.

  The vehicle changed lanes rapidly and followed.

  Andrew stopped in front of his office. He sighed deeply and turned off the ignition. The vehicle that had followed from the last stop halted with screeching tires. He stopped in the middle of the road and bolted out of the vehicle. He darted out of the road and rushed to Andrew’s window. Andrew had little time to react when the man, clearly angry, knocked on his window. Andrew looked at the man and turned away from him. He glanced through the parking lot noticing... There were several vehicles filling the parking lot.

  “How did they know? Nobody knew we’re on the way back?” Andrew looked at the man still standing at his window, not wanting to back off.

  “Looks like you in a spot of trouble.” Martin remarked from the rear with a grin on his face.

  “No thanks to you.” Andrew said and turned to Martin angry, his eyes turned hard and cold towards him.

  “What do you mean? I wasn’t even here. You’ve already failed, I knew you would. I didn’t think you had the stomach for it I’m afraid.” Martin remarked.

  “This is your doing. What made you think you can kill someone and then run away with your tail firmly tucked between your legs and there’ll be nothing coming from it. These people don’t know it, but they will soon know that their loved once death is the result of your actions. This thing about you being a legend will fade from memory before you can say sentenced.”

  Martin fell silent.

  Andrew opened the window and looked up at the man still waiting for a response.

  “What’s the meaning of this?” He demanded standing half hunched over to look past Andrew to Martin in the backseat.

  Martin lifted his hands in greeting and smiled, revealing the cuffs on his wrists.

  “What’s the meaning of what Bob?” Andrew asked confused.

  “Is Martin back to clean up your mess? Did you really have to drag him back in cuffs?” Cleary the man was angry.

  “I’m afraid I’m not following, but if you could just move up a moment I’ll speak to all of you.” Andrew said and closed the window without a further word.

  Andrew fished his cell phone out of his pocket and entered the number on the business card. Once again Mr. Craft answered the phone without delay. “Good day Mr. Craft. I’ve just returned to town, could you please meet me at the office?”

  “Sure, how was your trip?”

  “Successful, but I’m afraid that I’ve returned to a world of trouble.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  “Did something happen while I was gone?” Andrew asked realizing that the crowd wasn’t there for him.

  “Janet attacked some children who disobeyed the restrictions on the lake. Two of the children drowned. I don’t think the residences are very happy.”

  “You’re kidding. When did this happen?”

  “Last night. The children wanted to go skinny-dipping. They thought they would be safe in numbers, but clearly…”

  “Will it take long before you get here?”

  “I’m leaving the house now.”

  “I need you to set up in my office so I can see the recordings.”

  “See you in a few minutes.”

  Mr. Craft ended the call.

  “These people aren’t here to welcome Martin back. There was another incident. This time Janet took two children.” Andrew looked at Martin. “This is still your mess.”

  “I can’t do this anymore.”

  “Do what?”

  “You’re right, this is my fault. I should never have left. I should’ve cleaned this up before it have started, I‘m truly sorry for those children.” Martin dropped his head in shame.

  The burden that’s weighing on him had become too heavy to bear and it’s time to lessen the burden.

  “Not just the children think of the four people that had died before them.”

  “There’d been more victims?” Martin asked surprised.

  “Yes, Janet’s attacking anyone who came near the water, that’s not all. Your family’s haunting you house and Christopher has attached him to her daughter Olivia. What do you think would that do to a six-year-old child to know her friend lives in a dark cold lake that scares him?”

  “How do you know what Christopher thinks, he’s dead.”

  “He spoke to Olivia.”

  Andrew got out of the vehicle, walked to Martin’s door and opened it. Martin got out slowly with his head bent forward too ashamed to look people in the eye with Brat Russell following suit.

  “I never thought this would happen.”

  “No you just thought you would get away with this, spreading your lies like poison and hoping we’re all too dumb to notice. Let me tell you something, we did believe you, these people defended you. If it wasn’t for Janet, we would never think something was wrong.”

  “I don’t know what I’ve done, but I know I’ve done something horrid and now it’s time to put it behind me, behind all of us and move on.” Martin whispered his voice scratchy and hoarse.

  “Put this behind us and just move on, is that the way you’re thinking now. Go tell that to the people whose mourning, the same people who trusted and respected you. You are sicker than I thought.” Andrew scolded and pulled hard on Martin’s arm, dragging him into the office.

  “I’m tired of always looking over my shoulder and hiding like a dog. It’s time to set things straight.” Martin said not looking up.

  “What do you think these people will do when they find out what you really did? Do you think for one moment that they’d put it behin
d them and move? They’ll just forgive you like you’re the god they still idolize?”

  “No, I just meant, it’s time I find out the truth.”

  “What truth, weather you did it or not…?”

  “I know I did something. I’m just confused about the details. I need to explain, make thing right again weather they forgive me or not, that’s not important. I’ve got to make it right with Janet and Christopher.”

  “You can explain later, come it’s time to face the music.”

  Andrew walked into the office with his head held high. Martin walked like a lamb led to the slaughter. He’s hunched over and sluggish. He’s as pale as the dead and close to weeping. Helen and Brat followed closely, ready to offer back up should Andrew need it when he faced the mob of people ready for war.

  As Andrew entered the office he’s met by more people than he had expected. He walked silently through the crow holding Martin by the arm. He led him into the office area behind a small counter and sat him near Yvonne’s desk. He turned and walked back to the group of angry residents, whispering and almost excited to see Martin, but confused about the handcuffs. There whispers became louder sounding more like a beehive.

  As Andrew reached the counter the crowd fell silent.

  “Good afternoon.” He greeted the group.

  “What is so good about it?” Someone called.

  “It had come to my attention that there was another incident at the lake while I was out of town. I’m deeply sorry for the loss as I’m about the other victims.” Andrew paused. “This is the reason the lake’s closed.”

  “What’s going on in the lake?”

  “We have evidence that the lake’s haunted.”

  “That is just a story, there’s no such thing as ghosts. Why don’t you tell us the truth for once?”

  “No, I am afraid that this time it’s true. I’ve however found the person responsible an as soon as the matter’s resolved then I’ll declare the lake safe and it‘ll be open before the festival.”

  “I heard rumors that the ghosts were two of our residence.” Someone called out again.