Slaughter Series

by A. I. Nasser

  “He’s on his way to the Coles,” Elizabeth yelled. “He wanted to search the house before Miranda returned for her husband’s funeral.”

  William let go of Elizabeth’s hair and started pacing the office back and forth. A sense of urgency raced through him as he contemplated calling the man and risking to leave behind evidence of their mutual involvement. Until now, Ivan could only be traced back to Elizabeth, which William had planned carefully if ever the need for deniability arose.

  “Call him,” William said. “Make sure he doesn’t leave that house without bringing us information on the bindings.”

  Elizabeth frowned. “What are you saying?”

  Before William could reply, a light knock sounded on his door and his secretary popped her head inside. The young woman’s mouth opened and closed in shock at seeing Elizabeth on her knees, disheveled and in tears, and William had to snap his fingers to get his secretary’s attention.

  “Sheriff Alexandra Bail’s here to see you,” the petite brunette said, her eyes shifting back and forth between William and Elizabeth.

  William grabbed her by her sprained wrist and pulled her to her feet, Elizabeth clenching her teeth tightly against the pain. She quickly began to adjust herself as William waved to his secretary to let the Sheriff in. As the door closed, he looked over to where Elizabeth now sat comfortably and composed on the leather couch, as if nothing had happened. He shot her a warning glare, and the look on her face was enough to comfort his worries of her stepping out of line.

  In the grand scheme of things, he was glad Elizabeth had the decency to keep her mouth shut when needed. There was no doubt where her loyalties lied.

  Another knock on the door, and Alexandra Bail stepped into the spacious office, followed by a second woman in a two-piece suit that screamed out FBI. William felt his muscles tighten, and a quick look at Elizabeth confirmed his concern.

  “Mr. Chairman,” Alexandra said, walking up to William and shaking his hand. “This is Agent Sally Brians of the FBI. She’s been in town for a few days now looking into the riots and missing children reports.”

  William faked his most welcoming smiled and shook the other woman’s hand, immediately uncomfortable with her presence. “I was not aware the FBI took interest in local issues,” he said.

  “Normally we wouldn’t,” Sally replied, equally uncomfortable in the presence of the old man, her gut churning in unease. “However, Fiona Bright is on the run, and we’ve had reports of missing children from across state borders. It’s a federal concern now.”

  “I see,” William said. “This is Elizabeth Gardiner, my advisor on the Council, and close, personal friend.”

  Sally returned the redhead’s obviously strained smile and briefly noticed how she was cradling her right hand in her left, the former a bit more swollen. Her blouse also seemed to be a bit out of place.

  “What can I do for you, Sheriff?” William asked, bringing the women’s attention back to him.

  “I’m here to inform you that Daniel Cole died last night in his room at Melington Hospital,” Alexandra replied.

  William gave her a solemn look and nodded slowly. “Yes, we heard,” he said, his voice low.

  “We’re suspecting murder, but we won’t know for sure until the lab results come back.”

  William frowned. “Murder? Who would want to kill Daniel Cole?”

  “From what I understood, he had a lot of enemies here,” Sally said.

  William cocked his head at her and smiled weakly. “Is the death of our former Chairman also a federal concern?”

  “It is when he’s a suspect in a federal case,” Sally replied, unfazed by the old man’s remark and unwilling to give into his words. “You wouldn’t happen to know anyone who would want him dead now that there’s an investigation going on, do you?”

  William shrugged and looked at Elizabeth for mock confirmation. She mimicked his gesture.

  “The man was catatonic, Agent,” William said. “I really don’t know how he could have been regarded as a threat.”

  Sally could instantly sense something off about the old man, every inch of her telling her he knew a lot more than he was letting on. Still, she knew her limits, and she didn’t want to raise any red flags until she was certain with facts to back up any action she might take. For now, the Council was off limits.

  Alexandra sensed Sally’s frustration and quickly stepped in. “Have you heard from Michael Cole at all, Chairman?”

  “No, not since he disappeared,” William replied. “Wasn’t he dating Rachel Adams’ daughter?”

  Sally almost smiled. She could see how the old man was playing the fool, and he did it well. Apparently, William Brewster had been playing people for years. There was definitely something he was hiding.

  “They had broken up months ago,” Alexandra said, although Sally knew she didn’t have to explain that to Brewster. The man already knew that; she could see it in his eyes.

  “What a shame,” William clicked his tongue. “Those two made quite the adorable couple.”

  “And nothing from Rachel Adams either?” Sally asked, cutting short the man’s nonsense.

  William shook his head and again turned to Elizabeth for confirmation. “Elizabeth?” he asked.

  “No,” she answered firmly. “Nothing.”

  Alexandra nodded. “Well, that’s it for us,” she said. “I thought it be best if you got the official statement from me.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff,” William said, smiling as he shook Alexandra’s hand. “And be sure to keep me updated. I want to know exactly what happened to Daniel.”

  “I will,” Alexandra said.

  Sally shook the old man’s hand, their grip lingering for a second as their eyes locked, each trying to read the other. When it was clear that William knew the Agent could see through his antics, his smile widened and he gave her a quick wink.

  “I’m sure we will meet again, Agent Brians,” he said.

  Sally gave him a smile of her own. “I’m counting on it, Mr. Chairman.”

  William watched the two women leave, waiting until the door to his office closed before turning to Elizabeth.

  “Call Ivan,” he said, the anger in his voice as clear as day. “Tell him we have new plans.”

  FBI Report

  Samuel Barrister

  Samuel Barrister, East Oak Avenue, Melington, Connecticut

  Currently, Chairman of the Melington Council.

  I intend to step down once a new Council is elected.

  It was never my intention to be Chairman. I am only filling a void until someone more capable can take over. Honestly, I might even retire altogether.

  I used to own a small bakery off Lexington Street. The riots took care of that, though, and I haven’t been able to rebuild.

  Yes, I dealt directly with Daniel Cole and Rachel Adams when each was Chairman. It was my job to keep them informed on the happenings inside and outside Melington that directly affected our expansion prospects.

  No, William Brewster only dealt with Elizabeth Gardiner.

  I believe the two of them had a much closer relationship than what appeared on the surface, but it is only speculation, and I have no proof other than my own intuitions.

  No, I was not aware of that. Fiona Bright’s involvement in Council matters was entirely beyond my control. Daniel Cole considered the Sheriff – excuse me, former Sheriff – a friend, as did Rachel Adams. It was surprising when Fiona turned against Rachel and supported Brewster’s claim for Chairman.

  At that point, we were all very angry. Rachel was not very adept at filling Daniel Cole’s shoes, and a lot of things fell out of control during her short leadership. I believe it had a lot more to do with trying to clean up Daniel’s mess than anything.

  Of course I had heard the rumors, but I knew Daniel Cole well, and there was no reason to believe he was actually behind any kidnappings.

  Yes, I practically watched Alan grow up. I was there when his sister disappeared and was
one of the few people that tried to convince the family not to move away. Then again, a tragedy like such is never easy to deal with, and I doubted my words would have any effect.

  [Laughs] Of course not. That is nothing but an urban legend we tell our kids to make sure they eat their vegetables and stay out of the woods. I think Alan Carter was greatly affected by his sister’s disappearance that the only thing that made sense was to link the legend to it all. I heard he had been treated for that, but I guess it didn’t stick.

  Deborah Adams was very close to Alan since they were kids. It’s no surprise she would humor his delusions if it meant protecting him from the truth and her family’s involvement. There are many things people would do for the ones they love, some things more horrible than others.

  Nothing. It’s just a statement.

  Yes, I have three children and seven grandchildren.

  No, I believe it was a coincidence. Fires are not uncommon.

  No, my grandchild was not in the house at the time.

  Yes, also a coincidence.

  I couldn’t tell you for sure. After the riots, I am sure Fiona was beyond help. Kidnapping Rachel Adams might have seemed like a logical thing at the time. What happened to that reporter was quite tragic. What was his name?

  Yes, that’s right. I think he was covering the riots when they happened. I can’t remember for sure. My memory is not what it once was.

  No, I have never met Ivan Pullman. I know of the name only because of what happened.

  No. If William does not want to be found, he will not be found.

  I couldn’t tell. I believe the best person to answer that is Deborah Adams. If anyone knows where Alan Carter is, it’s her.

  Chapter 6

  It took Ivan Pullman thirty seconds to unlock the back door leading into the Cole house. He frowned in frustration, upset that he still wasn’t fast enough to break his own record, and toyed with the idea of locking the door and trying again. Pocketing his tools, he decided that there would be other times for practice. Besides, the Cole house was creepy enough without having to spend more time here unnecessarily.

  He had received Elizabeth Gardiner’s message a few minutes before, a warning about the FBI agents that were looking into the missing children cases. That in itself, had hyped him up a bit, knowing it was only a matter of time before he would be forced to face the agents and really showcase his talents.

  Ivan closed the door behind him, walking swiftly through the small vestibule that served as a storage room for the family. The second door was unlocked, and Ivan could immediately feel the stale air inside of an abandoned house the minute he opened it and stepped into the first floor hallway.

  The interior of the house was as majestic as the exterior; lavishly decorated with large paintings across the wall. The Coles obviously viewed themselves as royalty amongst the other residents of Melington. Then again, why wouldn’t they? The position of Chairman had been passed down from one Cole to the next, and Ivan wondered if it had more to do with brute intimidation rather than actual approval. From his dealings with the current Council, most of its members were pathetically spineless.

  Except for Brewster. The current Chairman was something else entirely. From the few times he had actually met with the man, Ivan already knew that William would be more trouble than he would have liked. The old man was smart and knew how to cover his back. Ivan was impressed with how the Chairman made sure their only contact was through Elizabeth Gardiner.

  Ivan pictured Elizabeth in his mind as he slowly made his way down the dark hallway, his flashlight illuminating the way. The woman was definitely a catch, and he mused at the relationship she had with the Chairman. She failed miserably at hiding her hunger for power, and it only made sense that she would stick close to Brewster during his tenure as Chairman. He could imagine her jumping for his position the minute the old bastard croaked.

  Elizabeth was one attractive prize, though, and Ivan couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy at the attention the old man was getting from her. Ivan would make it a point to say goodbye to her properly once he was done with his assignment.

  The house sighed around him, the floorboards creaking softly with his footsteps as he gently traced a line across the wall and walked into the living room. The curtains were drawn, yet he kept his flashlight aimed at the floor, giving the space just enough illumination for his eyes to adjust and make out the surroundings.

  Most of the house was devoid of anything interesting, and Ivan quickly abandoned a useless search in dresser drawers and kitchen cabinets for the study. Elizabeth had given him a detailed description of the house, and Ivan had concluded a while back that if there were anything to hide, the study would be the place to do it.

  Very cliché, Ivan.

  The study was near the east end of the house, its door hidden into the wall of a nook bordered with large, Victorian windows. Ivan doubted that the illusion was intentional, but it would have easily been overlooked if he hadn’t known what to look for. He pushed into the large space, a massive mahogany desk surrounded by shelves of books and more paintings which were probably less valuable than they looked.

  Ivan turned off his flashlight and switched the lights on, the lack of windows a welcoming comfort that he would not have to worry about raising suspicion. The room lit up in various colors and shades of brown and red, the scent of polished wood was strong as he quickly scanned his surroundings, picking out areas of interest. He had to be efficient, especially since he would not get another chance to comb through the house once the Coles returned for Daniel’s funeral.

  Ivan thought it strange that they would leave in the first place.

  He made his way around the large desk, impressed with how organized things had been left. He flipped through a few papers, and when he decided they were useless, he settled heavily into the large chair. He drummed his fingers on the armrests, eyes scanning the desk drawers before opening them, one by one. He scanned the files within, quickly sifting through them and tossing them aside when he realized they were useless. He ran his fingers along the edges of the desk, looking for any signs of a switch that might open some hidden compartment within the desk, but was rewarded with more of the same. Nothing.

  Ivan sighed as he abandoned the desk and made his way to the paintings, lifting them one by one in search for a safe, and slamming them back into place in frustration when he was greeted with blank walls. The couch was unimpressive, and even the small coat closet was a dead end. After a half-hour of searching, the realization slowly set in that maybe the study had been a bad call from the onset.

  Ivan stared at the large bookcase, barely taking in the various picture frames and growing more interested in the titles of the old volumes. A lot of them had to do with business and management, volumes upon volumes on politics, and of course, history.

  A few stood out of place, though, several volumes on the occult and old religions. Ivan reached for the first of these, pulling it off the shelf and dusting the cover. Flipping through the pages, noticing handwritten notes here and there which must have belonged to Daniel Cole. Ivan wondered what the man’s fascination with this topic was all about. From what he had heard about the man, the former Chairman did not strike Ivan as the superstitious type.

  He returned the book to its place and was about to reach for another one when the lights of the study flickered and went out. Cursing, Ivan felt for his flashlight but couldn’t find it, remembering he had left it on the desk. Feeling his way across the study, the sudden sound of a knob turning made him freeze.

  The temperature in the study suddenly dropped, and Ivan felt goose bumps spread out across his skin. He broke from his trance and hurried to where he had left his flashlight, a slow, monotonous creaking echoing through the study from behind him. He felt his way around the desk, instinctively putting it between him and whatever it was that was making the god-awful clicking sound with its tongue, and grabbed for his flashlight.

  The light came on quickly,
and Ivan aimed the beam straight into the darkness, illuminating the study enough for him to see that the closet door was open, and someone was stepping out. Ivan reached for his gun, the light from the flashlight dipping for a few seconds before he raised it again and aimed.

  Ivan’s mouth dropped open at the sight of Michael Cole. The man’s hair was caked in mud, his skin a marble-like texture that stretched against his bones, his eyes staring out in horror as he trudged out of the closet. He raised a hand out towards Ivan, his mouth opening and closing as if he were trying to speak, but nothing came out.

  Ivan felt his heart stop cold in his chest, and without hesitation, pulled the trigger.

  ***

  “I can think of at least a hundred other ideas that are better than this one.”

  Alan pulled on the strap of his duffel bag and slung it over his shoulder, staring seriously at Deborah as she glared at him angrily. She had not been pleased when he had told her he was going back, and despite every logical argument he could think of, he could see she was not going to let him go without a fight.

  Kathrine sat on the couch watching them, completely still, yet furious with her legs folded beneath her and clutching her own bag. For some reason, she had decided she would go with him, but Deborah had quickly put a wrench in that idea. Alan had to agree with her on that one. He had gone through too much trouble to get Kathrine back; he was not going to risk losing her again.

  “Do you remember what happened the last time you faced Copper?”

  Alan sighed. “This is not a choice, Debbie,” he said. “I did this. I let the woman in red out, and it’s my responsibility to end this. It started with a Carter, and it must end with a Carter.”