A Dangerous Snag (An East Pender Cozy Mystery Book 8)

by Leona Fox

  That was all a fantasy. He had burst into the abandoned warehouse, his gun drawn, only to find it empty. In those few horrible moments the terrible truth dawned on him. Somewhere along the way he had missed a vital clue. He raced out of the warehouse and made it back to the police precinct as quickly as he could, but he was too late. He was greeted by haunted faces. Nobody had to say a word for him to know what had happened. He slumped in his chair, took a bottle of whiskey out of his desk drawer and began pouring. He didn't stop.

  About a week later he went to the funeral, standing away from the main cluster of people as he didn't want to intrude or steal the limelight from Sami. He saw Sami's family, a mother, father, and brother, and all looking hurt. He had caused this, he bore the burden of responsibility. When the funeral was over he immediately went back to the chief to offer his resignation, which the chief did not accept, much to Andy's surprise. However, counseling was mandatory. So Andy had to go to sessions twice a week with May, and although it took a while she eventually got him talking. Things in his private life were not going well, however. Things with Louise had become strained and it wasn't a surprise when she eventually left him. The job had become too hard. He was stuck on desk duty but in every case he saw Sami. The press had destroyed his name, but now had moved on to other crises, other controversies. They didn't care that Andy was still around, that he still had demons to fight.

  The kidnapper was still on the loose and Andy wasn't going to rest until he had been brought to justice. On whiskey-fueled nights he pored over the letters again, still trying to find some clue as to who the man was and where he was located, yet it all was futile. If he wasn't good at his job, then what good was he to anyone? He confided these thoughts to May, and she looked upon his desolate soul with sympathy. Andy saw little hope for the future because the city had become an enemy. Every person he met could have been a monster, and somewhere, hiding in plain sight, was the man who had kidnapped and killed Sami. It drove Andy crazy and eventually his mood became untenable. One day, when he walked into May's office, he knew something was wrong.

  “Andy, I have to be honest with you,” she began, “I have been giving updates to the chief but it appears you are not making any progress. You were sent to me so I could try helping you move on from this tragedy. As a cop you will be in these situations again. You need to keep a clear head so you can make the right judgment calls but, in all honesty, I cannot send you back out on the streets because you still are lost in this case. The chief wanted to know when you would be ready to go back on duty but I don't think you are. Indefinite leave is not an option considering the budget. I only can help you so far, and present you with the tools you need to recover, but the hard work is up to you. If you still want to be a cop, if you still want to make a difference, then you're going to have to do the hardest thing you've ever known. You are going to have to work on yourself every day to try getting back to a place where you feel like yourself again. Otherwise, you're going to lose your job and I fear for your psychological state if that happens. We both know you were born to be a cop and anything else is a waste of resources. So I have a proposal for you. I don't think you ever are going to get back to your best while you're still here in the city because it has too many painful reminders. So take a look at this, if you still want a chance at being a cop, of course.” She tossed a file onto the table in front of him.

  Andy listened to her with a dull look in his bloodshot eyes. For a moment he considered walking out of the office and turning his back on the life he had built, surrendering his dream of being a cop. If he couldn't save Sami then what good was he? But the need to be a cop was strong, it had been entrenched in his soul since childhood. For something to have been a part of him for so long meant it wasn't easily tossed aside. So he found himself reaching out for the file and opening it. Inside was an application form for the position of chief of police in a small town called East Pender.

  “You'll have to clean yourself up to get it, but I think it would be good for you.”

  Andy still was looking groggy, yet still was determined to figure out the letters to ensure history did not repeat itself. Ellen and May walked back in to the office to find him alert, still muttering to himself.

  “Andy, we need to go now. They've already started the search for the day. We need to be there to help them look,” Ellen said.

  “Yes, yes, we'll get there, don't you worry about that. I just need to stay here for a while. I need to look at these letters. There's going to be something hidden in them, I just know it. Just like last time. I just need to look closely and make sure I don't miss anything,” Andy mumbled.

  “We don't have time for that!” Ellen yelled.

  “The town needs a leader. Andrea needs to see that you're there, working just as hard as everyone else. If the chief of police isn't going to show up, then why is anyone else going to stay there?”

  “What I'm doing is more important,” he said, without even moving his eyes to meet hers.

  The Andy she was looking for was not there and Ellen threw up her hands in frustration. Thankfully, May was there. She pulled Ellen aside.

  “I'll handle this, dear. You go to the search party. I'm sure seeing you there will lift their spirits.”

  Ellen looked at her, then looked at Andy, and then she left. May moved closer to Andy, ready to counsel him again.

  When Ellen arrived at the base of operations there were just a few people present; everyone else was out searching for Scott. Kelly was helping to direct things, along with the officers. The other emergency services had turned out as well, and the manpower they had was phenomenal. Yet, still there was no sign of Scott or the person who had kidnapped him. Upon Ellen's arrival, Kelly saw she was in a dark cloud and asked what was wrong. Ellen pulled Kelly aside and ranted to her about Andy and how he was so consumed with the old case that he was losing sight of this one, and that she was worried about his state of mind. The words flowed fast and furiously, and by the end of it she was almost out of breath.

  “I'm sorry, this isn't appropriate behavior for a maid of honor,” she said with a wry smile. Kelly placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

  “Maybe not, but if I didn't listen it wouldn't be appropriate behavior for a best friend. But right now I think Andrea needs a friendly ear more than anyone. I've tried talking to her but I don't want her to think I'm bugging her. Maybe you could go and see how she's doing? You're always better at that sort of stuff than me.”

  Ellen nodded and walked over to where Andrea was pacing back and forth, chewing on her nails. She looked about as bad as Andy did and evidently was lacking sleep, although she brightened a little when Ellen appeared. They walked over to a small table and sat down, although Andrea's leg jogged; the poor woman was unable to settle her nerves.

  “The longer this goes on the more worried I get,” she said.

  “I keep thinking of his little face. He used to come in all the time and tell me all these stories he had made up. He'd collect different things like bits of rocks and stuff. One day I asked him why, and he said it's so that when his dad came back he could take these and remember all the stories. God...I can't even imagine...what will I do if I have to welcome Tony back with news that Scott has died? The only thing that keeps him going is knowing that when he comes back he gets to play with Scott,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. Ellen was surprised there weren’t any tears left given how much emotional trauma Andrea had suffered during the past couple of days.

  “Is it worth it all, motherhood I mean? I see so much stress and worry...”

  “Maybe it would have been easier if I never had had Scott, sure, but when he was born he gave my life meaning in a way that I never thought was possible. He's what I love most about this world. He's so happy and curious and, yeah, it's not always been the easiest life but I'd never change it for anything. Not even now. I've been so lucky to see him grow up and...and I just hope I get to see him grow into a man.”

  At this she bu
rst into tears and Ellen provided a shoulder for her to rest upon. Andrea wept for a little while, until the inevitable moment came where she inquired about Andy.

  Ellen gulped. “He's orchestrating things behind the scenes. You know what it's like being in charge of things. He'll be here later,” she lied.

  “I feel better with him around. Somehow when he's here I feel like he'll be able to do the impossible,” she said.

  Ellen didn't say anything in reply, for she was afraid this case would break Andy. He barely had managed to recover from the first case. If this one went the same way how would he ever be able to find a way back?

  Chapter 7

  In a dark room a man looked at the array of tools before him. There were knives, pliers, screwdrivers and a number of other implements resting on a cloth draped over a table. Sunlight shone from a small skylight, illuminating the otherwise dark room. There was a bed in the corner and a pile of books nearby. A pair of glasses rested on the bedside table. The man walked over and picked them up. He pulled a cloth out of his shirt pocket and cleaned them, then placed them on his head.

  He was an unremarkable man, one you wouldn't have given a second look if you were to have passed him on the street. He was of average height and had pale skin. His blonde hair was turning to white, and while it may have been lustrous once, it was now thin and wispy; his scalp was visible. Piercing blue eyes rested behind his glasses. He wore a beige shirt that was open at the collar and held within it a slightly rotund body. He moved slowly and deliberately, as though everything was in his control.

  He rested on the bed, groaning a little as his knees popped with a cracking sound. When had he become so old? He chuckled to himself. He always had been older than his years and he never paid any mind to his actual age. Birthdays had ceased to have any meaning for him a number of years ago. Now he simply existed as a force of nature, a tool for justice and once his task had been completed there was no need for him to be in the world any longer.

  The bed creaked under his weight and he picked up one of the books, leafing through the pages until he reached the passage where he had left off. As soon as his eyes danced over the first few words he heard the boy whimpering. Frowning, he placed the book on the bed and opened the door to the other room, where Scott was shivering. Had he not made sure the boy was warm? He had little sympathy since the boy seemed to be unaware of his part in the larger scheme of things.

  “What is wrong now?” the man asked.

  The boy's lower lip was trembling and he clutched the pillar as though it were a safe haven. The whimpering stopped, though the boy too afraid to speak.

  “Talk to me!” the man yelled, frustrated at himself for raising his voice. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath before he continued.

  “Listen to me. I do not want you to be afraid of me. You do not know what I am planning. This is bigger than just you, so stop your whimpering and grow up. There is no time for fear in this world. If you're afraid then people are going to sense it and you are going to suffer for it. You should be stronger, you should fight. Are you nothing but a coward?!” he said, pounding a nearby table with his fist.

  A can of food toppled and rolled off the table, landing on the floor with a dull thud. The gesture made Scott cry out in fear.

  The boy was looking the worse for wear even though it only had been a couple of days since he had been taken. It only would get worse, the man thought, and he steeled himself against what he had to do.

  “Take me home! Please! I want to see my mom!” the boy said. The man closed his eyes and shook his head.

  “Be quiet,” he said, but Scott was so afraid he began babbling and repeated the plea.

  This only made the man become angrier and angrier until he eventually exploded and his cold, stern voice turned into a burst of venom. It was so loud Scott was stunned into silence.

  The man strode before the boy. “You do not understand what I am trying to do here. You are merely a pawn and all you have to do is be quiet. It is that simple and yet you cannot even do that simple task. No wonder the world is crumbling around us if this is an example of the youth upon which the future is founded. Why do you whimper and cry like a little animal? Do you not listen to me? Do you not believe me? Have I done anything to make you distrust me? I have not lied to you and I have not misled you. Everything I have done has been the truth, which is more than I can say for most of the other adults in this world. They always will lie to you. They will tell you that you can do anything you want, that you can be anything you want and the world is a land of opportunity. That is not the case. It's a horrible world, a world where monsters exist and evil wins every time, and good people get punished while those who fail continue to see the light of day. This will not mean much to you now but it will when you are older. If you listen to me your life will be much easier, as you won't have to go through that crushing moment when you realize everything you thought has been a sham.

  I'm sure you love your mother and father and you believe in everything they say, as though they have all the answers, but they are just as clueless as the rest. They think they know how to handle things but they do not. And where are they now? I bet your mother is praying for you, praying to a god that doesn't exist like so many people do because they are powerless against this. And do you think you are the only person who ever has been in this situation? You are not the first little boy to be kidnapped and, sadly, you will not be the last. But you need to be an example for others. You could show them that you do not have to be afraid. You sit there, holding onto that pillar as though your life depends upon it but if I chose I could kill you right now. I could make it quick and painless or slow and horrible. I hold the power here, and you think I will let you go just because you cry for your mother? Your youth has ended, little boy; it is now time to either become a man or a coward.”

  With that, the man spun on his heels and turned away from Scott, returning to his own room. He slammed the door behind him and pushed the deadbolt closed, glad for some peace. He returned to his book but only read a few more sentences before a smile played upon his lips. He rose and walked over to a desk, upon which sat a typewriter. The man pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and inserted it into the typewriter, enjoying the feeling of the keys under his fingertips. He straightened his back and sighed deeply, a wave of contentment washing over him as he got into character and typed out a message for the policeman. The typewriter keys clacked as his fingers glided over them, and soon enough the paper was being ripped out and folded carefully. Then the man pulled out a fresh envelope out and stuck a stamp on it. The address already had been typed. The man was careful not to give any clues as to his real identity.

  He placed the envelope in his pocket and left the building, enjoying the sensation of the fresh summer air around him. He walked into town, smiling and saying hello to people. East Pender was a friendly place. He much preferred it to the city but hated how the policeman had found such a paradise after all he had done. He did not deserve this, and if the man had anything to say about it he would take it all away from him.

  The man walked down the main street and passed The Chrome Cafe, smiling a little to himself as he breathed in the scent of fresh coffee. He had spent years preparing for this moment, honing his unremarkable appearance to blend into the background perfectly. People didn't even realize he hadn't been in East Pender for very long. After he mailed the letter he strolled around town, taking great delight in the fact that he knew a secret of which nobody else was aware. The town was buzzing and the tension in the air was palpable. The man followed a cluster of people as they made their way to the base of operations, and he witnessed all of them swarming into the forest in a hopeless search for the boy. They all were stupid. Did they really think he hadn't planned for this? What fools they were. In that moment he despised them. Their ignorance was just as responsible for Scott's disappearance as his own actions of taking the boy. They were too trusting, too willing to let their children run thro
ugh the woods on their own. It was a recipe for a disaster and they got what they deserved.

  He walked up to a woman who seemed to be organizing everything. She was pretty and blonde, and wore a sparkling ring on her finger. She seemed distracted and it took her a while to notice his presence, but that was exactly what he wanted.

  “Sorry, I didn't see you there. I'm Kelly, are you here to help?” she said.

  “Of course, I would love to,” the man said, being careful not to reveal his own name.

  “I heard what happened and it's so terrible. I only wish my working hours allowed me to help more with the search but I want to give as much time as possible to help out.”

  “That's all any of us can do, really.”

  “I take it there's been no progress?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. We've been combing the forest but you know what it's like, it's a big place and there aren't any clues as yet so we're searching blindly. But eventually we'll find Scott. There are only so many places to look. It's just a matter of time and patience.”

  “Yes, that is quite right. I see that a lot of the police are about. Is the chief here as well?”

  As he asked the question the man noticed a slight change in Kelly's expression, a flicker of doubt, and this pleased him greatly.

  “He's orchestrating things behind the scenes,” she said, and he managed to keep himself from smiling.

  “I'm sure he has a lot on his plate,” the man said, and moved away to join in the search.

  It pleased him to know the policeman was absent as it meant that his scheme was working. Soon enough it would be time to accelerate plans, and everything was in his control. However, as he joined the search he made a point to avoid looking at the grieving mother for he already had enough on his conscience.