†
“I guess you regained your appetite,” Aaron said, as Cody worked on his second helping of pancakes at Trudy’s Hill Country Diner in downtown Lost Maples. If Aaron hadn’t known Cody’s history, he would have believed he was bi-polar. His mood swings sometimes worked as if his brain had faulty wiring, sometimes short-circuiting and resulting in extreme behavior. Depression, anger, or high levels of positive energy could change in an instant.
Aaron knew little about the medical field and he wouldn’t even attempt to try and understand the human mind. But he’d experienced trauma and extreme levels of depression when he was a kid. It was something Cody and Aaron had in common, but there was a significant difference. Losing both of his parents at such a young age and growing up as an orphan at Saint Hedwig Youth Home had been difficult. It was a part of his life he wished he could erase from his memory, but he’d been forced to live with the knowledge that someone had murdered his father in cold blood. His mother’s suicide had made matters even worse for him. The difference between Aaron’s traumatic experiences and Cody’s continued suffering was a supernatural one that couldn’t be resolved by traditional mechanisms.
They were on their own in fighting their uncanny battle. All the traditional investigative approaches to solving a case were pointless if everyone involved knew and believed that demonic forces were at the center of it all. Cody had suggested that someone was helping the demon. Maybe even controlling it. But who? And why? Experience taught him that anybody he trusted could be suspect. The supernatural aspect was only part of the problem. If there was someone at the helm, then he needed to find out who it was, and, maybe, just maybe, be able to finally put Cody’s curse behind them.
He glanced at a gold cross dangling from their waitress’s neck as she set another plate of buttermilk pancakes on the table. It had TRUST IN GOD engraved along the crossbar. Cody stabbed one of the pancakes on the new platter with his fork and transferred it to his plate. Aaron lifted one corner of his mouth. The kid hadn’t said a word since they’d left the house, but at least he was eating well again. Hell, it was if he had just come off a forty-day fast. Aaron hadn’t even eaten half of his omelet and pancakes yet, and Cody was already on his third helping of all-you-can-eat pancakes.
The jingling of a bell drew Aaron’s attention to the front entrance. Sergeant Henderson greeted the hostess, and then spotted Aaron and Cody. He nodded at Aaron and walked towards his table at the back of the diner.
“Mind if I join you guys?” he said in a cheerful voice.
“Yes,” Cody said, with a mouthful of pancakes and contemptuous eyes.
“Well, that was just rude,” Aaron said, and jerked his head sideways at Cody. “Scoot over, so Scott can join us.”
Cody exhaled a loud and grunting sigh. He pulled his plate of pancakes across the table and moved over to make room for Sergeant Henderson. A waitress took his order of black coffee and a bagel with cream cheese.
“So, how are you guys doing?”
Cody dropped his fork on his plate and stared out the window.
“As well as you can expect,” Aaron answered, lowering his brow at Cody. He turned back to his coworker. “So, why aren’t you at church?”
“Ah, just one of those days. Didn’t feel like going.”
Aaron smirked. “Going the heathen route, then, eh?”
“Coming from a true heathen, I’ll ignore that statement.”
“Watch it,” Aaron said, and grabbed his glass of orange juice.
Cody shook his head and continued staring out the window.
“So, I’ve got breaking news to share,” Henderson said. “Good news, too.”
Aaron drank from his glass. “For you or for me?”
“For Cody, actually.”
That got Cody’s attention, but he didn’t say anything.
“So, enlighten us with this breaking news of yours,” Aaron said, twirling his fingers.
“Mayor Hollingsworth is dropping the assault charges.”
Aaron twisted his head back. “Really?” He snapped his fingers. “Just like that? I find that hard to believe. What’s the catch?”
“No catch, but I can say Richard had something to do with it.”
“I guess I’d better bring him a dozen donuts tomorrow morning.” Aaron winked at Cody, who rolled his eyes. He did smile, though.
“Better make them éclairs,” Scott said, laughing. “He can chow down on them while you guys discuss the FBI’s latest suspect.”
Aaron raised his eyebrows. “The feds have a suspect?”
The waitress brought Scott his order. He thanked her and waited for her to leave the table. “Specifically for the Slavic case. Those FBI agents were in Richard’s office on Friday afternoon discussing it.”
“And why, exactly, am I just now finding out about this?”
“I’m sorry, Aaron,” he said, as he spread cream cheese on his bagel. “I guess he didn’t want to bother you with this until Monday.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
†
Sheriff Donovan called Aaron into his office as soon as he arrived for work on Monday morning. Sergeant Henderson started following behind Aaron, but Sheriff Donovan stopped him. “This don’t concern you, Scott. Buzz me when the FBI gets here.”
“All right, but—”
“Just go sit yer butt down. Do one of them crossword puzzles or somethin’.” Sheriff Donovan shut the door behind Aaron. “Have a seat.”
Aaron sat in the chair opposite the Sheriff. “So, I hear the feds have a suspect in mind.”
“That’s what I wanted to chat with you about.” Sheriff Donovan leaned back in his chair and rocked in it. “While investigating that Slavic boy’s murder, they did some poking around at his school. Spoke to several students.”
“And?”
“And one of ‘em seen someone leave the boys restroom around the same time Peter Slavic was killed.”
“Yeah, Jonathan Estrada. Same kid who claims Cody killed Peter.”
“I ain’t talking about him. This witness says he seen a girl.”
“What? The surveillance footage doesn’t show anybody leaving the restroom. Who’s the witness?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“Why not?”
Sheriff Donovan took a deep breath and leaned forward. “Because he claims it was Samantha Jimenez.”
“What?” Aaron cried out, laughing. “Are you kidding me? That’s ludicrous.”
“Agent Kelson showed the witness several pictures taken out of the school yearbook. The kid says, without a doubt, Samantha was the girl walking out of that restroom.”
Aaron tilted his head back and pressed his hand against his forehead. “You cannot be serious.” He straightened up in his chair and shook his head. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What does Agent Kelson think about this?”
Sheriff Donovan’s phone buzzed. He pressed the speaker button. “Is he here?”
“Yes, sir,” Sergeant Henderson acknowledged.
“All-righty, then. Send him in.”
A few seconds later, Agent Kelson entered the office. “Morning, gentlemen.”
“Good morning, Agent Kelson. I was just bringing Lieutenant Sanders up to speed on yer investigation.”
“Does he know about—”
“About naming my stepdaughter as a suspect for Peter Slavic’s murder?” Aaron gave the agent a sideways glare and raised his voice. “Are you freaking insane? You think Samantha killed him?”
“She’s simply a person of interest at this point, but we do have a witness placing her at the crime scene at the time of the murder.”
“And do you have video proof?” Aaron stood and leaned back against the Sheriff’s desk. He crossed his arms over his chest. “DNA? Fingerprints?”
“No, we don’t.” He crossed his own arms over his chest. “Just yours and Cody’s.”
Aaron let out a slight laugh. “Right, so maybe one of us did it. Going with that theory
again?”
Sheriff Donovan got up from his desk and stepped around it. “Now let’s all just clam down. We’re all friends here. We’re just here to discuss the evidence. Okay?”
Aaron opened his arms wide. “What evidence? I can show you video evidence that disproves that kid’s testimony. Show me some real evidence, and then we’ll talk. Until then, that kid and Agent Kelson are full of shit.”
Sheriff Donovan pointed to the FBI agent. “If it weren’t for him, Cody would still be locked up in San Antonio.”
“Video evidence or not,” Agent Kelson in a calm voice, “we still have to follow up on this claim. I could’ve paid a visit to your home this weekend, but I chose to speak with you directly first.”
“Tell me what you believe, Agent Kelson. Do you think a thin twelve-year-old girl could have done it? Does that make any sense to you?”
“Doesn’t’ matter what I think. It’s what the evidence tells us.”
“You have her on video?” Aaron raised his eyebrows. “No?”
“Aaron, sit down,” Sheriff Donovan ordered.
Aaron shook his head and sat in his chair. Agent Kelson sat in the seat next to him. “Look, I don’t believe she did anything, but we have protocols we have to follow. There’s a claim and we have to follow up. We’ve already cleared you and Cody. Your alibis are rock solid, but Samantha had access to your axe, and she wasn’t with you in San Antonio when Peter Slavic was butchered.”
“It’s bullshit. You’re wasting your time.”
“I hope you’re right, but unfortunately, she had opportunity and motive.”
Aaron cocked his head back. “Motive? Like what?”
“She told Principal Newman about the bullying. According to the principal, she was very upset that Peter Slavic wasn’t reprimanded for allegedly bullying Cody. Then there’s the whole karma thing. Samantha’s friends stated she believed karma would make Peter get what he deserves someday.”
Aaron tightened his jaw and glared at the agent.
“I’m not saying she did anything. I’m just saying we need to talk to her about this.”
“What about Jonathan Estrada?” Aaron raised his eyebrows. “Did you interview him?”
“The kid claiming he saw Cody kill Peter Slavic?”
“That’s the one.”
“His parents wouldn’t allow it, but they weren’t shy about sharing their own theories.” Agent Kelson grinned. “They think the devil did it. Like Satan himself.”
“Maybe they’re on to something there.”
“What?” Agent Kelson blurted. “Did I hear you correctly?”
“You heard me.” Aaron’s demeanor was calm and serious. “The FBI investigates unexplained phenomena, right?”
“Now who’s been watching too much television?” Agent Kelson rubbed two fingers over his left eye. “You completely misunderstood my joking about Agent Hirsch. There is no so-called X-Files division. That’s all Hollywood. And nothing more.”
Aaron didn’t smile.
“Let’s give the Lieutenant a chance to explain himself,” Sheriff Donovan said, and leaned back in his chair. “So? Want to tell us what in heaven’s name you’re talking about?”
Aaron glanced at each of the men in the room and remained silent. What had he just dug himself into? He regretted making the statement about the devil, but it was the truth. A demonic force was responsible for all the violence in Lost Maples. But how was he going to explain it to the Sheriff and a federal agent that was clearly skeptical about anything involving the supernatural world? Aaron had once shared those feelings of skepticism, but coming face to face with creatures of the underworld had a way of opening up a former skeptic’s mind about the occult and demons.
“Well?”
Aaron took a deep breath. “All right. Just hear me out. We have a kid who gets butchered like an animal during school hours in a restroom. Nobody sees or hears a damn thing, which is strange in itself. You would think someone would have heard screams. The only person who claims to have witnessed Peter Slavic’s murder is a kid who also thinks he saw a demon.”
“Are you telling me you believe that?” Sheriff Donovan stated. “That a devil did it?”
“What I’m saying is that maybe we shouldn’t be approaching this like a normal murder investigation. What if that kid did see something? I mean, out of the ordinary. We know he was in the restroom with Peter, so he saw everything.”
“Maybe he did it,” Sheriff Donovan suggested.
Aaron tilted his head upward and shook his head. “Yeah, right. That’s just as likely as Samantha doing it.”
“He didn’t have any blood on him,” Agent Kelson said. “But he definitely saw who did it. And we know your kid Cody didn’t do it. Evidence disproves that. So, why would Jonathan Estrada claim it was him, without a doubt?”
Sheriff Donovan ran his hand through his hair and rubbed the top of his head. “This case is making me reconsider running for another term. It’s like we’re chasing ghosts.”
Aaron glanced at the Sheriff and hesitated before he continued. “Let’s try to keep an open mind here, because of the unexplained things that have been happening in this town. Now let’s focus on Peter Slavic. How does someone commit a brutal murder in a school while it’s in session and not show up on a single camera? Nobody, except for Jonathan Estrada, heard or saw anything.” Aaron turned to both men and raised his eyebrows at them. “Can you explain it? Because, the only thing I can think of is something supernatural, which by its own definition fits the bill of the unexplained.”
“Wow,” Agent Kelson said. “That’s quite a statement.”
“Hey, I’m all ears if you have anything better. But I’m the only one in this room trying to think outside the box. Right now, you have jack shit.”
Sheriff Donovan exhaled a heavy sigh. “Agent Kelson, would you mind stepping outside? I need to have a little pow-wow with Lieutenant Sanders.”
Aaron closed his eyes. Great. That was exactly why he hadn’t said anything before then.
“Get some help, Sanders,” the agent said on his way out the door.
Aaron showed him his middle finger.
Sheriff Donovan glared at Aaron and waited for Agent Kelson to shut the door before speaking. “What bat-crappin’ crazy nonsense was that, Aaron? I hired ya’ fer yer experience and dang good record. What in God’s name happened? You been stealin’ drugs from evidence? ‘Cause you must be flying high on wacky tobacky to be considering ghosts and devils as murder suspects.”
“It’s called having an open mind and—”
“No, Aaron, it’s called going loopy and making a complete boob of yerself and my department in front of a federal agent.” Sheriff Donovan leaned back in his chair and shook his head. “Should we call the Ghostbusters now? Maybe an exorcist?”
“If you would just—“
“I’ve served this town fer almost twelve years now, and I ain’t never heard nothin’ as stupid as what you’ve suggested, even from the City Council. And let me tell ya’, buddy, some of them ain’t the sharpest knives in the drawer.” He got up and stepped around the desk and sat on the edge of it. “Tell me you don’t really believe this ghost nonsense.”
“I never said anything about ghosts.” Aaron’s heart pounded. His temples pulsated as he clenched his jaw. “I merely suggested the possibility of something supernatural at work here.” Aaron closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Because I’ve seen something like this before.”
Sheriff Donovan placed both hands on his forehead and ran them through his hair. “You really do believe this, don’t ya’? You think a devil killed these people? Because, if you do, I think you need yer head examined.” The Sheriff sat back in his chair, grabbed a pen, and pointed it at Aaron. “Want to know what I think?” Aaron did not respond. “I think I made a mistake letting you back on this case. So, this is what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna cooperate with the FBI and let them question Samantha.”
Aaron looked away and
shook his head.
“Hear me out. I don’t believe Samantha had anything to do with Peter Slavic’s murder any more than you do, but I sure as heck don’t believe some ghost did it, either.”
“I didn’t say it was a ghost.”
“Don’t matter what you said or didn’t say. It’s over. As of right now, I’m handing the reigns over to the FBI. Now get out of my office, and tell Agent Kelson to come back inside.”
“Whose idea was that?” Aaron said while rising from his chair. “Hollingsworth? Put the FBI in charge, so you can deny any incompetence and have someone to blame if this case isn’t solved by Election Day?”
“If anyone is going to get the blame, it’s you, Lieutenant.” Sheriff Donovan pointed a stern finger at Aaron. “And I will not put up with such a blatant act of insubordination. I’m still Sheriff of this here town and you will treat me with the respect I deserve.”
“Yeah, well, sometimes people need to earn their respect. The way you’re handling this case is anything but respectful, Sheriff. It seems to me that you’re letting the Mayor and his politics influence your decisions.”
“Boy, you are treadin’ on thin ice. I should fire your butt right now.”
“You know what?” Aaron took off his badge and tossed it on the desk. “I’ll save you the trouble.”
Sheriff Donovan gazed at the badge and then wrinkled his forehead. “Whatcha doin’?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?” Aaron removed his department-issued Glock 17 from its holster, released the ammunition magazine, and placed it next to his badge. He removed the bullet from the chamber and set it upright on the desk.
“Aaron, look.” Sheriff Donovan’s tone changed. “I know we’re both angry, but you ain’t gotta quit.”
Aaron placed his empty weapon in Sheriff Donovan’s hand. “Yes, I do.” He turned and headed towards the office door. “You can have Scott deliver my personal items when he and that FBI puppet come over to interrogate my daughter.”
Devil's Nightmare: Premonitions (Devil's Nightmare, Book 2) Page 40
