by Ink Blood
“How are you holding up though, I mean with what happened with your sons?”
“Rather well under the circumstances. I’m leaving first thing in the morning to go back to the city for the funeral.”
“I wish I could’ve been there.” Andrew said sinking his head slightly.
“Don’t worry, if you need me after that I can always come back.”
“I was hoping to wrap this whole thing up tonight. But you’re welcome to record as much as you want a parting gift from me.” Andrew looked up again.
“Thanks, I was thinking about something. I can call for the diving team to help us. If the bodies are underwater they can recover it for you. Tom and I can work in the rowboats. I mean, I think that would give me great footage.”
“What if she attacks you, I was hoping to have a large group on the water, just in case. But you can work with them of course.” Andrew suggested.
Mr. Craft’s face lit up. “I’ll call the diving team as soon as we’re done here. If I call them soon they could make it here by six o’clock. I need to get bigger cameras and lighting, and sensor.” Mr. Craft’s jittery, more excited than Andrew had ever seen him.
He reminded him of the day Mr. Craft asked Tom to help. He was just as excited. Maybe some of Tom’s simple ways and childlike personality had rubbed off on him.
“Any footage you got, can I have copies.” Andrew asked.
“Sure, I wouldn’t dream of denying you that.” Mr. Craft agreed.
Mayor Gibbs entered the office and took the seat behind the desk. The computer’s set up against the far wall and a chair’s turned to face the computer. Mr. Craft sat on the other side of the desk nearest to the computers to control them. Andrew took the chair next to Mr. Craft. Mr. Craft told Mayor Gibbs of the earlier footage and was now eagerly awaiting the new footage from the last couple of days.
Recordings downloaded from the cameras lined up in files on the screen. As with the previous viewing the footage played on the main screen and a digital graphic bar jumped up and down on a lower panel as the audio played.
The first segment showed Janet walking through Helen’s house throwing things around and moaning. Christopher was running around the upstairs of the house and didn’t follow her down the stairs. Some places Janet vanished while only thing moved and a mug flung from the dry rack against the wall.
The second segment just showed distant lights from over the lake and passed across the water nearing the pier. After rocking a boat violently she walked along the pier and onto the lawn before vanishing without damage. There was no image or sound from Christopher.
In a third segment Janet appeared in the house again, she walked from the main bedroom down the passage. Christopher didn’t run circles around her as in the previous segment. He walked slowing calling for someone and wept softly. He wandered from room to room calling and crying, he was looking for someone and was upset because he couldn’t find them. He searched the upstairs and then ran down stairs, water still collecting on the floor where he stepped. He ran into the dining room and around the table. He stood for a moment then turned and ran into the kitchen calling with every step he took.
No answer.
He tried the basement door and wept loudly. Janet descended the stairs and joined her son in the kitchen. She took him into her arms and issued a moaning whisper, cuddling him and then disappeared.
“Isn’t there anymore audio, I mean what was that about?” Mayor Gibbs asked.
“No sorry mayor that is all I have.” Mr. Craft said.
“We do believe Christopher had attached himself to Olivia, maybe he was looking for her.” Andrew concluded.
“This is too sad. What happened with Martin at hospital?” Mayor Gibbs asked.
“Martin is still there. The Doctor wants to do tests on him, Deputy Davis is guarding him.”
“When is Martin going to show you the dump site?”
“As soon as he’s declared fit for trial.” Andrew said hopefully.
“You are planning to drag Martin out there to show you where he dumped the bodies?” Mayor Gibbs asked sarcastically.
“Yes, I also want him to face what he’s done.” Andrew shook his head.
“Good. Then I will see you there.” Mayor Gibbs said and walked out of the office.
The phone on the desk rang.
“Sheriff I’ve the hospital on the line, they phoned three times already. Can I put them through now?” Yvonne asked.
“Sure.”
A moment of silence followed before the call’s connected with Dr. Harris.
His friendly and cracking voice came over the phone.
“You can come and pick up you prisoner. I’ll have a report ready in the morning.” Dr. Harris said getting straight to the point.
“I’ll be there shortly.”
The Doctor ended the call.
“I’m going to pick up Martin from the hospital.” Andrew admitted. “I need to see some people then I’ll meet you at the lake later.”
“Sure.” Mr. Craft said and started to shut down the computers.
*~*~*
*V*
Andrew left the office and walked into the dull sunlight. Large cloud formations had moved in and small drops fell. He looked down at his wristwatch for the first time today and noticed it was already past one in the afternoon. The wind blew hard and ripped through his light clothing sending a chill down his spine. He hugged himself and headed back to his office to collect his jacket. He brushed his fingers through his hair as the wind ripped it from side to side.
He managed to collect his jacket from him office without any interruptions and made it back outside where rain continued to fall. Drops seemed larger and faster than the minute ago that he had stood outside. He shivered and headed to the Deputies vehicle unlocking and got into the vehicle very quickly.
Sitting in the driver seat he suddenly reminded that he had to collect his vehicle from Helen’s home. He started the vehicle and headed towards the hospital with wipers slowly wiping away the rain which was falling even faster now. This storm would be hard and quick. Hopefully it would be quick and stopped before dark.
Arriving at the hospital Andrew found Davis and Martin sitting in the waiting room outside Doctor Harris’s office. The doctor was unavailable but Andrew didn’t have much to say anyway all he could do was waiting till morning to find read the report.
Andrew returned to the office with Martin and Davis.
Davis took Martin back to the holding cells handling him a little harder than he did thought out the day. He doesn’t make small talk with him. Neither did he answer any of the questions Martin asked. He shoved him into the cell with one hand and closed the door hard. He returned to Andrew’s office. Clearly Davis had more than enough time to think about all the evidence he saw and heard. Now took a toll on him. His respect for the great man had faded to nothingness and he saw him as nothing more than the criminal he was. According to the doctor Martin wasn’t suffering from any mental disorder that he was aware of, and he knew all of them.
“Are you ready to go?” Andrew asked as he spotted Davis platting through desks and chairs.
“Where are we going?”
“I need to collect my vehicle from Martin’s old house.” Andrew insisted heading for the door.
“Sure.”
Andrew and Davis left the office and drove out towards the lake.
“What did the doctor say?”
“He didn’t want to discuss much with me, except that Martin suffered a trauma and blocked the murders out of his mind.”
“So he can really not remember what happened.” Andrew remarked.
“Apparently so I thought he was putting on a charade to lessen his sentence.”
“So did I, well it would appear that we’re still without motive. I think we should have enough time to go and see that drunken man that was accusing me of cheating on Janet. Maybe he could clear this up for us.” Andrew suggested.
“He lives on t
he other side of town.”
Andrew fell silent then said. “Before I go there I would like to get my vehicle from Helen’s house. I think that is the best.”
“Why don’t you do it now?”
“I want Martin to show me where he dumped the bodies and I’d need my vehicle by then.”
“Do you think this thing will be over soon, the festival is in three days and the residence would be happy if the lake’s open?” Davis wondered.
“I’m aware of that. I hope that we can end this tonight and find Janet and Christopher. Hopefully thing’s will go back to normal by morning.”
Andrew turned into the gravel driveway at Helen’s house. From a distance he saw that she wasn’t home. Maybe she rested because all was quiet and the doors and windows closed. Maybe she went into town or just making the best of her time alone. On second thought she has most properly gone to town as her vehicle was nowhere in sight.
Andrew had collected the keys from Tom earlier so he didn’t need to get into the house. He just parked behind his vehicle and jumps out. “Wait for me. I’ll follow you to the guy’s house.” Andrew instructed and inspected his vehicle through the closed windows before unlocking the cab.
There was an overwhelming smell of chemicals, most likely what the forensics technician used. In the rear of the vehicle it looked like the carpet’s vacuumed and cleaned. The most overwhelming was the strong chemical smell that would take days to disappear. The vehicle baked in the sun for a couple of days and this led to the strong smell. Besides the smell there’s trapped heat inside the vehicle. The cold wind and rain now falling did little against the rush of heat streaming out of the cab as Andrew opened the door. It forced him backwards a few steps before he got in. He started the ignition and pulled out of the parking area. The grass flattened by the tires where it stood.
Davis had already turned his vehicle and the two drove off the property and back onto the main road leading back to town.
*~*~*
*VI*
Martin sat in his holding cell alone, broken and humiliated. His hand started to shake his head was pounding. He tried to sleep but failed. He stood up and called the officer who sat at the desk all morning. Clearly he wasn’t there. He returned and now he was sitting on the small single stretcher bed with his head buried in his hands. His head ached too much for him to keep it up unsupported. His eyes were burning from the lack of sleep he now felt again. He felt alone even the bright sunlight had faded on him. Rain tapped the small barred window that’s too high to look through. There was no one to protect him should the darkness come for him.
A giggle filled the air.
He looked up, saw nothing.
Small water splashing footsteps echoed on the tiled floor.
He stood up, saw nothing.
Martin withdrew to a corner behind the bed. He sunk down on the ground and buried his head in his knees. He felt the cold of the rain had found him and wrapped around him.
He started to shiver.
A small childlike shrike deafened his ears.
He started to mumble and wept at the same time.
Something knocked against a cell door further down the passage.
Martin stood up slowly eyes wide and his breathing accelerated.
More footsteps echoed loudly.
“Christopher.” Martin called in a whisper.
No response.
Martin felt weak and dizzy. He could barely hold his own weight. His legs felt like rubber and the bars were moving away from him, keeping him out of reach.
A soft voice called from the end of the passage.
“What is that boy I can’t hear you?” Martin asked unable to hear what’s said.
He steadied himself against the wall. Slowly he walked towards the bars.
“Daddy…” The voice called again.
“Come here son.” Martin encouraged at the bars.
Small footsteps echoed again, walking slowly forward.
“Daddy, it’s so cold. I’m scared.”
“Come to daddy son, daddy will help you.”
Martin was at the bars now he had to stop for a moment to catch his breath before he spoke. He couldn’t see down the passage, the bar holds his vision forward. He could hear footsteps drew near. Each step stabbed like a thousand knifes into his soul.
A soft weep echoed from the cell next to him.
Martin stuck his hand through the bars in an attempt to draw Christopher near.
“Here son, come to me.” He whispered.
“Daddy I loved you.”
“I still love you son.”
Water fell in the corner of the cell in which Martin’s locked.
“Daddy I can’t find her.”
“Who’re you looking for son?”
“Mommy she loves me.”
“I love you too, son.”
“Daddy…” The small voice whispered.
“Let daddy see you son.” Martin stretched his hand out even more until his shoulder started to ache as he pressed it against the bar. He’s cornered.
“Will you hurt me again daddy.”
“No son.” Martin said with a large lump in his throat. He felt the tears running down his face but he wanted to remain calm for his son’s sake.
“Why did you then daddy…?”
Christopher stood at the corner of the cell just out of reach of Martin. He moved forward slowly just so Martin could see him.
Martin gasped. The air was so cold that vapor escaped his mouth. His fingers felt frozen to the bone. His lips turned blue and his eyes burned as ice-cold wind had blown into them. He tried to reach out further to touch Christopher.
“I am so sorry son.” Martin whispered and wept softly.
“Why did you hurt me and mommy?” Christopher asked in a saddened voice.
“It was a mistake son.”
“Why do we have to be in the lake, why can’t we come home?” Christopher asked.
“I want you home, but it’s too late for that now son.”
Christopher fell silent for a moment.
“I don’t like it there, it’s too dark and cold, please daddy. Why can’t we come home?” Christopher pleaded.
“I am so sorry my baby, please forgive me.” Martin sobbed.
“Why, why then daddy, she’s going to get you.” Christopher stood inside the cell at Martin’s side. Water collected on the ground. His small face bent out of shape as he contorts with anger.
“Christopher.” Martin reached out for him.
“She is going to get you. She is going to hurt you. She will make you suffer.”
“Please son.” Martin realized that Christopher was too anger and he couldn’t calm him simply by talking.
“Murderer, murderer, murderer…” Christopher’s voice echoed through his whole body until he shook.
Christopher faded with a weep so heartfelt and cold that it could bend your mind and soul leaving scars for the remainder of your life.
Martin fell to his knees weeping loudly and uncontrollable.
Something startled him. Has Christopher returned? Something crept down the passage towards his cell Martin stopped weeping and stood up too fast. The room started to spin and he fell backwards his back hitting the side of the bed behind him. He got up cautiously and slowly moved forward until he pressed against the bars again. He felt cold, desperately cold and depressed like he had never felt it before. It was coming down the passage with a whisper but more like a moaning whisper, hissing and scratching as it moved. It was like a snake slithering on the ground. Its anger, depression and sorrow all mixed into one emotion.
Martin stepped back from the cell bars.
It wasn’t Christopher. It’s colder and harder than a small angry boy could ever be.
It hummed softly, moaning and whispering at the same time.
It was behind him, above him.
It was close enough the Martin could feel it all around him, yet he couldn’t see anything.
The sound got
louder and rang though his ears.
He tried to block his ears with his hands.
The sound won’t let him escape in any way possible.
The walls changed color on the other side of the cell, like a mist of black smoke rolled in. It took the light from the bulbs in the overhead lights. It snuffed them out with no difficulties. It crept in closer, onto the bars, the floor and ceiling of the cell, darkening them to a think oily black mass.
The sounds bounced around in the small enclosure. It was louder and more depressing, angrier and colder then when it had first entered the passage.
Martin couldn’t hide, he couldn’t run. It was here, it had finally come in and now it was choking him. He tried to breathe but almost every breath escaped him. The air felt too thick to stick in his lungs. He couldn’t move, think, he’s weakened by fear.
More light faded as the darkness surrounded him, pulling him to the ground and filling his mind and soul.
Martin saw anything. He couldn’t call out for help, not even a whisper. He closed his eyes and gave in to the darkness.
It’s over. This suffering was over at last.
*~*~*
*VII*
Andrew arrived at the drunken man’s house behind Davis. Andrew parked in the street in front of the house and walked up the paved footpath to the front door. A small hedge, no higher than a foot, guided the way. The grass’s neatly trimmed and two large trees stood in the front yard. To the right the driveway led passed the house to the garage further back from the front door. All the windows concealed the inside of the house with heavy curtains. At first glance it appeared that no one was home.
Andrew rang the doorbell. He shielded his face from the rain that fell fast and hard. Rain fell on his hair soaking it until it ran down his face and the back of his head, causing his hair to lay flat and dark. Andrew wiped the water out of his eyes occasionally and shook his head. Now and then he would make a sucking sound to get rid of the water collecting on his upper lip. Davis felt the same problem with the rain although it didn’t bother him as much.
