Sleep Tight

by BJ Hyman

  Mitchell had been having a hard time finding a flight and was still stuck in Texas. At least that put him in the clear…not that Charlie would have ever thought that he was capable of hurting a fly.

  She wondered how Kellie was holding up as she waited for the next round of questions. She had been sitting in the room alone for about forty-five minutes, at her best guess. Brooks came in with the female officer that had been so kind at the apartment. She was carrying an overnight bag and placed it on the table between them. “We’ve packed you a bag. I don’t think that you should be anywhere that would put you in danger, so I’m putting you up in a cabin I’ve got out near the river.” Charlie looked up at Brooks as if he was speaking another language. “You are free to go for now, but I want to keep you safe. I’m going to be sending a couple of officers out there with you. I really do think that this is the work of the killer we’ve been chasing and I think this person is determined to finish the job. Are you okay with this?”

  Charlie nodded. Exhaustion flooded her. There was no way to tell what time it was in the windowless room and her phone had been taken as evidence. “What time is it?”

  “Close to five. We want to get you out there and fed, so I had Officer Shannah Hudson here gather you some things.” He indicated the pretty police officer who had been so comforting to Charlie. “I’m obviously not a woman, so I trusted her judgment on what you would need.”

  “Kellie is coming too. She’s in danger as much as I am. Look what happened last night. If my sister doesn’t come with me, I’m not going.”

  Detective Brooks nodded. “I figured as much, and Officer Hudson gathered a bag for her as well before coming back to the station. I’ve got an unmarked car ready to take you both to the cabin, when you are ready.”

  “What about Eli?”

  Brooks shifted uncomfortably. “We still have a few more questions for him.”

  “Anyone else?”

  “Charlie…” He shook his head. “It’s an active investigation. I really can’t tell you much.”

  “Is Dean still here?”

  “No. He has an alibi. There are witnesses to where he was.”

  “Kyle?”

  Brooks sighed. “He was released.”

  Charlie felt a panic rising in her chest. “So, you think Eli is the one? Is that why he’s still here?”

  “Don’t speculate, Charlie. Let’s just get you somewhere safe where you can rest and get some food in you. It’s been a tough few weeks. Let me do my job.”

  The fear in her chest nearly crippled her but she went through the motions as she picked up the bag and followed them to the car. Kellie was already tucked into the back and, when Charlie slid in next to her, they wrapped their arms around each other and cried.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-NINE

  Safe Haven

  When they got to the cabin, it was already dark outside. Charlie absently thought that it would be dark even earlier soon. Daylight savings time change was coming. She suddenly needed to know when. “I know we fall back an hour soon. Does anyone know when that happens?”

  Kellie cast a startled look in her direction but said nothing. It was Officer Juarez who responded. “It’s this weekend, ma’am. I’m pretty sure.”

  Charlie nodded. One more hour to sleep.

  A chill ran over her skin at the thought. It used to be that the idea of an extra hour of rest was exciting. Now, it just filled her with fear.

  Officer Lancaster turned off the car and started to get out. “Juarez, stay with the women while I check to make sure the location is secure.” He stepped out and slipped his gun from its holster. He had a flashlight that he held under his gun hand with his arms out and ready in front of him as he walked in a protective ready stance. They watched as he leaned around corners and disappeared around the back of the house. Soon, he reappeared on the other side and made his way to the front door. He tucked the flashlight under his arm as he pulled out a set of keys and unlocked the cabin. He returned the keys to his pocket and got back into his slightly squat stance before entering the cabin.

  Charlie looked around as best as she could. They weren’t far from the city lights, but it was still very dark. There wasn’t a street light, but the moon was bright and full. She leaned over to the cold window to look up at the stars. Being in town all the time, she rarely got to see this many in all their glory. She wondered at all the little pinpricks of brightness piercing the wide expanse of sky. Out here, you could see how they varied in size, brightness, and even color. It was beautiful.

  Lights coming on inside lit up the windows and drew her attention back to the door. Officer Lancaster came out, his gun and flashlight put away. Juarez got out and opened the door on her side while Lancaster opened Kellie’s. They quietly gathered their things and went in.

  Charlie was surprised to find that it looked even smaller on the inside than it did from the yard. The interior was one open room with a kitchen and a bathroom. It was not much more than a large suite at a hotel. There was a sofa that looked to be a sleeper sofa and a couple of sets of full bunk beds on the walls. The one room could sleep a tight ten with floor space to spare which explained the long farmhouse table with mismatched chairs lining each side right next to the kitchen island.

  Lancaster seemed to be the officer in charge. He pointed at the bunks. “You can take your pick. No one’s going to bother you. Is there anything we can get either of you?”

  Charlie glanced at Kellie’s miserable face as she gingerly sat on one of the bottom bunks. “It’s an odd request, but could you get me some scissors for cutting hair? I’d like to fix what was done to my sister as best as I can. We’d also like some food. You can pick…neither one of us is choosy.”

  “And booze. I need booze.” Kellie piped up from the bed surprising them all.

  Charlie chuckled. “Are we allowed alcohol?”

  Lancaster smiled. “Sure. You have a preference? I can grab you some beers and pizza. Does that sound good?”

  Kellie pulled the hat from her head and laid it on the blanket next to her. “I’d like some burgers and fries. Lots of them. And whiskey.”

  Both Lancaster and Juarez had to hide their smiles. Juarez looked over to Charlie. “Anything else?”

  “Is there soap and shampoo here? Real soap and shampoo?”

  Lancaster went to the bathroom, opened the door and flicked on the light. He leaned in for a quick inspection. “Looks like it. Nothing fancy. These guys that use these hunting cabins aren’t really into moisturizer.”

  Charlie nodded. “That’s fine. I know I want to be able to take a bath and I’m sure Kellie feels the same. I’d like to wash this day off of me.”

  Juarez started toward the door. “Sure thing. Anything else?” He asked, looking to Lancaster.

  “Nothing I can think of. Thanks, Juan.”

  With a snick of the lock, he was gone. Soon the headlights flashed across the back wall and blinded Kellie for a moment. She put up her hand to protect her eyes while it shined through like a lighthouse beacon. Lancaster walked over to the television across from the sleeper sofa and picked up the remote. “Either of you want to watch anything?” Both shook their heads. “Mind if I put on the news or the game? It’s all about waiting things out right now.”

  Charlie waved a hand while she crossed to sit by her sister. “That’s fine. Go ahead.” The sofa faced most of the room, so he sat on the edge while turning the equipment on. As soon as she sat, Kellie leaned over to put her head on her shoulder. They stayed like that in silence with only the soft sounds coming from the television. Charlie vaguely recognized that it was the local news. She knew the rich timbre of the voice of the male 6 o’clock anchor.

  Lancaster had the audio at a reasonable level but, then Charlie noticed that the sound abruptly turned down. She strained to hear what was being said. The body was discovered in this apartment building behind me. Local police will not comment as to whether this murder is connected to the other young women in
recent weeks. Charlie jumped up and headed toward the TV. He looked up and fumbled with the television remote as she got closer. Just as she could see the screen, the channel changed to ESPN, but not before she caught a glimpse of a reporter standing in front of her own apartment complex. “Turn it back.”

  He looked down at the floor. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Miss Ray.”

  “Turn it back.” She reached for the remote in his hand which he pulled back further away from her.

  “They don’t have any facts yet, Ma’am. All you’re going to hear is what the producer and reporters are speculating, and they don’t have all the facts.” His voice was quick and pleading.

  “I don’t care.” She reached out her hand, but he patted the seat next to him as he turned the channel back to the news. She sat down. By the time the channel changed, the report was already over and they were on to the weather. Their cheery faces just upset Charlie even further and she pushed off the sofa to go huddle again with Kellie on the bed.

  Lancaster called out to her. “I’m sorry, Miss Ray.”

  She didn’t answer him.

  It was about an hour later when Juarez came back with the requested items and food. They ate silently at the big table until Kellie looked over to Juarez as she chewed on the second half of her burger. “Thank you.”

  “No, problem, Ma’am. Greasy fast food can be a comfort.”

  “Did you hear any news while you were out?” Charlie avoided the eyes of Officer Lancaster as she asked Juarez.

  He put down his burger from which he had just taken a very large bite. He wiped his hands with an already nearly used up napkin as he chewed and considered his answer. She saw him look to Lancaster for guidance. She flashed him a look that dared him to deny her any real answer. He nodded at Juarez before putting several fries into his mouth and taking a sip from his soda. Juarez swallowed his bite and took a gulp from his own extra-large cola before answering. “Not much. I think they’ve released everyone they were questioning for the night, but they’ve reserved the right to bring them back in. I heard that Miss Kellie’s boyfriend has finally found a flight out of Houston. He should be in the air by around 7 tonight.”

  “Mitchell is on his way?” Kellie seemed on the verge of a breakdown. Tears rimmed her eyes. Charlie noticed broken capillaries in Kellie’s cheeks and the skin around her eyes from crying and rubbing so hard. She wondered how her own skin looked.

  “That’s what I understand, Ma’am.”

  “Kellie.”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “It’s Kellie. Not Miss Kellie or Ma’am. Just Kellie. I’d prefer that.” She took a few fries and popped them into her mouth.

  Juarez smiled. “Okay. Then call me Juan.”

  “Charlie.” She looked at both the men and nodded.

  Lancaster cast a glance around the table before putting a finger in the air. “Jack.”

  Charlie stared at the table as she picked at the sesame seeds on her finger smashed bun. “Are we going to see Detective Brooks tonight?”

  Lancaster answered. “Tonight, is for rest for you two. And protection. He’s working the leads he has. You can trust him. He’s good at his job.”

  Charlie nodded once with a sigh. She picked up her burger and took another bite. It surprised her how hungry she was and how tasty the burgers were. It was just fast food, but it gave her a pleasure she didn’t think she’d be able to have so soon after what she had found just hours before. There was both a joy and a sadness that came from knowing that. She wiped at a tear with the back of her hand hoping no one would notice.

  Once they cleaned up from dinner, Kellie broke out the whiskey. She found a small glass in the cabinet and cleaned it out in the sink before she filled it all the way to the top. She found another juice glass and filled it halfway and gave it to Charlie. Then they got a towel from the bathroom and wrapped it around Kellie’s shoulders and slid a chair into a spot in the middle of the floor.

  Kellie took several very long gulps of the whiskey. Her eyes watered as she sputtered and choked on it. Charlie took a few sips but put the glass on the nearby table. She looked at Kellie and said, “Maybe I shouldn't be drinking while I'm about to cut your hair.”

  Kellie shrugged. “What more damage can you do?”

  Charlie laughed. “Oh, you'd be surprised.”

  Kellie had been taking another sip and got tickled. They both found themselves laughing. It didn't last long, and the smiles dried on their lips until they looked more like frowns, but it was nice to have a moment of levity in all the despair.

  Charlie snipped and shaped Kellie's hair while sipping on the whiskey. When she seemed somewhat satisfied, she took some hair wax into her hands and ran it through the new haircut to give it a test. The ultra-short hairdo actually accented Kellie's fine features. Her long thin neck and her cheekbones stood out in relief. Charlie was surprised to find she was pleased with the work she had done. “Go look in the mirror. Tell me what you think. You're the professional.”

  Kellie got up, went to the bathroom, and flipped on the light. She looked in the mirror for a long time. Her face was still puffy and ruddied from all the tears of the day. She came back with a small smile. “You did good. For a forced haircut, I think it actually looks good on me.” She hugged Charlie and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I think I'm going to take a shower. Do you mind?”

  Charlie ran her hand along the side of her sister's face. “Of course not. You do what you need to. I'll take one after you're done.”

  Kellie’s shoulders sagged as she grabbed the bag with her belongings in it and trudged to the bathroom. Soon, the sound of water running drifted through the closed door.

  Charlie sat for a moment on the edge of the bottom bunk that she and Kellie had chosen earlier. She didn't want to watch TV. And she didn't want to talk to the officers. She didn't know what she wanted.

  Well, there was one thing she wanted.

  She wanted Sabrina to still be alive.

  She slipped her feet from her tennis shoes and laid back on the soft navy-blue blanket and the little flat pillow that was barely serviceable as the tears began to flow again. As she lay on her back, the tears ran off into her hair. She listened to the sound of the night outside, the sounds of the officers watching local sports, and the sounds of Kellie rinsing the day off through the bathroom wall next to her. On the underside of the bunk above her, someone had scratched Nathan was here into the wood slats supporting the mattress. She reached up and slid a finger across the words. Is it in our nature to want to leave our mark on the world? To be remembered somehow…even in just the carved words on the bottom of a bunk bed in a cabin in the woods that nearly no one ever went to?

  A splinter caught in her finger and she yanked her hand back. She sat up just as the shower turned off in the next room. She pulled the wrists of the sweater over her hands and wiped at her face to cover that she had been crying. She stood and walked to the couch with her finger in the air. “Are either one of you good at getting out splinters?”

  Officer Lancaster pushed off from the sofa. “Let’s see if they’ve got a sewing kit or something in here.” Charlie followed him into the kitchen as he rummaged through the drawers. He turned around with a safety pin held aloft. “You think this would work?”

  “I can’t see why not, but let’s pour some whiskey over it to try to sanitize it a bit.”

  “Good idea.” He grabbed the bottle and went to the sink. As he was cleaning the sharp tip of the pin, Kellie stepped from the bathroom rubbing her head with a towel.

  “What’s up?” She gave Charlie a once-over for standing there with her finger up in the air like she was trying to make a point.

  “He’s going to try to get a splinter out. You leave some hot water for me?”

  Kellie tipped her head back at the bathroom. “Yeah.” She reached out a hand to Lancaster. “Let me do that.” He handed the cleaned safety pin over to her. “Is this the best we could do?” She shook her head as s
he pulled Charlie’s hand toward her chest. Her face was a study in concentration as she worked to open up the point of entry. “How did you get a splinter, anyway?”

  “Bunk beds made of wood. Old cabin. Need I say more?”

  Kellie smirked but never looked away from her work. Charlie watched her sister. You could still see her scalp in spots, but it could be well-camouflaged with some styling. Electricity seemed to shoot through her finger and she tried to yank away. “Hold it! I’ve just about got it.” Kellie pulled her hand tighter to her. In seconds, she was letting her go and looking at a wood shard attached to the top of the pin. “Amazing that such a tiny thing can cause so much pain.”