by Adam Kunz
The drive back to The Brick House is overflowing with awkward. I’m actually glad we’re on a motorcycle since there’s no opportunity for us to chat. I sense by how tense Parker’s holding himself that he wants to talk about this. I find myself dreading the moment when we reach the club, because I know he’ll make an attempt to explain himself.
When we stop in front of the club, I step off the motorcycle and remove the helmet. I shove it into Parker’s chest before he even has a chance to stand up. He sits there with a hurt expression on his face, waiting to see what I’m going to do next. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he wants me to hug him and give him a proper good night, but I can’t pull myself to do it. I mutter a quick “bye” and move past him toward my car. I don’t even look back to see how he’s reacting.
Plopping down into the driver’s seat, I don’t put the key into the ignition right away. I just sit there, staring at it in my hand. The roar of a motorcycle’s engine causes me to look out my back window to see Parker’s taillights driving out onto the street. A depressed sigh leaves my lips as I turn the keys in the ignition, starting the car.
Buzz…Buzz…
That horrid sound emanates from my pocket. Pulling out the phone, I unsurprisingly see a message from Unknown:
Poor Kevin’s suffering from a broken heart. At least you put him out of his misery…literally.
“Kevin?” I ask the empty car, dropping the phone into my lap. I pound on the steering wheel furiously, trying to get out all of my aggression toward Unknown. A sad cry pierces my lips. Angry tears roll down my face at the thought of something bad happening to Kevin. Grabbing the phone, I type a reply:
What the fuck did you do to Kevin? You sick fuck!
It only takes a few seconds before the phone pings with another message:
Temper, temper, Dani. Follow the breadcrumbs and you’ll find your answer…
I throw the phone into the passenger seat and just sit there, staring out the window through misty eyes. I never really pray, but for once in my life, I find myself praying for Kevin’s safety.
A knock on the passenger side window causes me to raise my head from the steering wheel and wipe the tears from my eyes. A second, louder, knock has me turning to see who it is. Alex stands outside the car, shivering in the cold. Her black and white face paint is smeared, and it’s obvious she’s had a few drinks.
“What are you still doing here?” she asks close to the window, her breath fogging it up.
I clear my throat as to not sound like a frog when I speak. “I was just leaving.”
“Hold on a second,” she yells at someone behind her, probably her ride home. She turns her attention back to me. “You look upset. Want to talk?”
“Not really, no,” I reply, but the tears get in the way and it comes out all phlegmy-sounding.
“Come on, open the door,” she says, jiggling the handle.
“Not right now, Alex, please.”
“What kind of friend would I be if I left you here crying your eyes out? Now open the damn door,” she says with a soft laugh.
I reach over and flip up the lock. She proceeds to stumble into the car, falling into a sitting position on the seat. “Whoa, that could have been disastrous. Remind me not to drink so much next time,” she jokes, but when she sees it doesn’t make me laugh, her face turns serious. She places her hand on my shoulder, rubbing back and forth. “I’m going to fucking kill, Parker, you know that, right? Did he do this to you?”
“No, it wasn’t him,” I choke out.
“Good, because I seriously wasn’t looking forward to prison life. So, then what’s wrong? I know you’re not crying like this over nothing.”
I want to answer her and spill everything, but I don’t want to drag her into this. Then again, maybe she’s already a part of this just by simply knowing me.
A heavy breath parts my lips before I speak. “There’s a lot going on that you don’t know about.”
“Then tell me. Is this about all the crazy shit that’s been going on around here lately?” She shakes off her drunken stupor and seems focused on my answer. It’s almost like our conversation is sobering her up.
“Yeah, it is actually.”
“What’s wrong, Dani? Just tell me.”
“If I do, you have to promise not to say anything to anyone. This can’t leave this car.”
“Pinky swear,” she says, holding up her pinky finger and waiting for me to complete the action.
“Someone is murdering people in our town and making it look like accidents.” Alex’s eyes never leave mine as I continue, “This person has been messing with me ever since Janice disappeared. Every time one of these crimes was committed, I received a text or some type of hint that this person did it.”
“Does your dad know all of this?”
“Yeah, but he doesn’t believe me, since this unknown guy erases everything he sends me before I have a chance to use it against him. I had to tell Parker because the psycho sent me incriminating stuff involving him and me.”
“Whoa, Dani—this is really effed up. Are you absolutely serious about this?” she asks, and I can tell the information is becoming overwhelming for her. I nod, causing her to slump back in the seat with a bewildered look on her face. “This is some dangerous shit, Dani. What are we going to do? Maybe I should’ve drunk some more.”
“We aren’t going to do anything. I don’t want you involved any more than you already are. The moment you begin to help me, I’m worried you might end up like the others,” I reply with a concerned look on my face.
Alex sits in a daze, seemingly not sure what to say next. I can see the wheels in her head turning. A knock on the passenger side window startles both of us.
“Are you coming or what?” a guy asks through the window.
“No, I’m going to hitch a ride with my friend here,” she answers.
“Whatever,” the guy states in frustration and storms off.
“Ass,” she mutters toward the window before turning to face me. “Hey, you don’t mind, do you? Giving me a ride home?”
“No, I don’t mind at all. I do have one question for you though.”
“Yeah, what’s up?” she replies, sounding distracted.
“Do you believe me?”
“It seriously scares the shit out of me to say this, but for some strange reason, I do,” she answers, her voice wobbly.
“Thank you.”
Chapter Twenty Eight
Putting the car in reverse, I back out of the parking spot and pull out onto the street, heading home. Alex starts to ask a question, but stops, almost like she hasn’t thought it out completely. A heavy sigh sounds from her direction, and I understand exactly how she feels. I’ve been feeling that way for what seems like an eternity now.
As we pass by the spot where I broke down earlier, thoughts of Kevin clutter my mind. I hear his voice resonate in my head and I start to become emotional again. I’m terrified to find out what Unknown meant by his text. I don’t want to deal with another person gone from my life.
“What’s that?” Alex asks. I follow her finger, pointing out the windshield at something in the distance. When we get closer, I see that it’s a truck pulled off to the side of the road.
“Oh, no. That’s Kevin’s truck,” I say, my voice trembling.
I bring the car to a crawl while moving behind the truck, and eventually put it in park. My car’s headlights are the only source of light in the area. From where I’m sitting, the vehicle looks abandoned. I grab my phone and dial Kevin’s number. The phone begins to ring on my end, and then in front of us as I hear a faint melody sounding from outside.
I hang up, realizing that his phone is in the truck. “Dammit.”
“Dani, what’s going on?” Alex asks, becoming more panicked every second. “Did that guy do this?”
“I think so. I need to call my dad.” The moment I go to press my father’s name, a message pops up at the top of the screen. I want to ignore it, b
ut can’t. The message reads:
There’s something waiting for you in the front cab…
“What is it?” Alex asks when I glance over at her and she sees the grim expression on my face.
“He wants me to check the front of the truck.”
“Screw that, Dani. You’re not getting out of this car. Call your dad and have him deal with this, okay? It’s his job, not yours, and now you’ve got proof,” she explains in a frantic manner, complete with arm flailing.
Taking her advice, I ignore the text and call my father. It rings twice before he picks up.
“It’s almost midnight. I hope you’re on your way home,” he says when he answers.
“Dad, I need you to come quick. Kevin’s truck is out here and he doesn’t appear to be in it.”
“Now, calm down, Dani. Where are you?”
“I don’t really know exactly where we are, but I think there was a sign that said three miles to Holden Ridge. We’re on Edgemount Road. Please hurry and bring backup. Something doesn’t feel right,” I explain, knowing full well something isn’t right. I need my dad to see this in hopes that he might believe what I’ve been saying is true.
“I’m sure there’s a rational explanation for this. I’ll be there soon, okay?” he replies calmly, which only succeeds in frustrating me more.
“Dad, I know there’s something wrong here. Just hurry, please.”
I hear him sigh into the receiver. “I’ll be there soon.”
Hanging up the phone, I stare at the abandoned vehicle in front of me. “He says he’ll be here soon,” I murmur, not taking my eyes from the truck.
“Oh, thank God.” I look over and see Alex making the gesture of the cross on herself. It looks like both of us have had a spiritual moment tonight. “Now, we just wait this out until the sheriff gets here, and—”She stops talking when she hears my car door unlock. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“You don’t understand. I have to check the front of the truck. The last time I ignored a message from Unknown, it didn’t end well,” I respond and pull on the door handle.
“Have you ever thought that’s what he wants you to do? And don’t think you’re leaving me in here by myself,” she argues, grabbing my arm.
“Alex, just stay in the car. I’ll be right back. I’m tired of running from this fucker.”
“Well, then I’m coming with you. Two’s better than one, right?” she asks, and I can tell she’s just as scared as I am—maybe even more so.
We open our doors at the same time and cautiously exit the car. The darkness is thick around us, even with my lights on high beam. I can make out Alex’s face over the roof as we exchange worried glances before moving toward the truck. Once she reaches the space between the vehicles, she bolts across in front of the headlights in order to cling to my arm. Her heart is beating so quickly, I feel it through her hands.
Apprehension really sets in when we move toward the driver’s side door. I reach out to grab the handle and push in the button with my thumb, causing the door to pop unlocked. The slightly rusty door creaks open when I slowly pull back, causing us both to wince at what we might find inside. We’re on a slope, so when I let go of the door, it practically falls open.
Together, we peer into the front seat and find that it’s empty. I groan. Unknown’s just screwing with me. I hate this guy with every ounce of my being.
“Okay, so there’s nothing there. Can we go back into the car, please?” Alex asks, pulling on the sleeve of my sheriff’s jacket.
The instant I’m about to reply, my phone vibrates. Checking it, I see that my dad is calling me.
“Where are you?” I ask.
“I’m on my way. I’m about five minutes out.”
“Good. See you soon, and please hurry.”
When I hang up the phone, I see Alex standing by the bed of the truck with her back to me, but she isn’t moving. I notice the light from her phone is on and she seems highly concentrated on what she’s looking at.
“Alex?”
“Dani,” she responds, seeming like she’s in a daze. “I think there’s blood on this truck.”
I take a few steps toward her and see that it’s her hand she’s studying so closely. The deep red color on her palm and fingers reflects in the bright light from her phone. My wide eyes meet hers when she stares up at me. Her frightened look turns to one of disgust as she wipes her hand along the truck in an attempt to get the blood off.
The vibration in my pocket has me drawing out my phone again.
“It’s a message from Unknown,” I blurt out.
“What does it say?” she asks, her voice quivering from fear.
“It says: ‘Check inside the truck’s bed.’”
“That’s it. I’m done playing around, Dani. I am way too fucking drunk for this, and I think we’ve made a huge mistake. I’ve got blood on my hands, and I’m about to lose my shit,” she says, her voice rising on every word.
I move closer to the handle that releases the top of the truck’s bed. “What if Kevin’s in here?” I ask, wrapping my hand around the handle and preparing myself to press the button with my thumb.
“Dani, don’t. Just wait until your dad gets here, okay? He should be here any minute now,” Alex tries to plead with me.
“I have to see,” I insist, pressing the button and turning the handle.
I open the cover over the truck’s bed.
It takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust in the darkness, and I can’t make out anything in particular because my car’s headlights aren’t illuminating the inside. As I lean in closer, I see a shape lying in the middle of the bed. I turn on my phone’s flashlight and point it into the back of the truck.
Alex lets out a blood-curdling scream before I can fully comprehend what I’m seeing. The only thing I know for sure is that a body lies there, but it’s not Kevin.
“Janice?” My heart constricts when I recognize the muddied white dress as my Bride of Frankenstein costume. I’m screaming on the inside, but I feel paralyzed. I stare at her lifeless body with tears filling my eyes. “Janice!” I finally release the scream I was holding in. I fall to my knees in a fit of crying. I thought I had tapped out my tear ducts over the past few days, but I was so wrong.
I see through my tear-distorted vision the lights from my dad’s cruiser as he pulls up.
“Dani, Alex, are you two all right?” he asks, rushing over to us. I hear Alex’s shaky reply of, “No,” but I can’t assemble any words right now. I feel his hands clasp my arms as he pulls me to my feet. “Dani, snap out of it. What’s happened?”
I point to the open bed of the truck and whisper, “We found…Janice.”
“What?” He steps past me and peers into the back of the vehicle. Brushing his hair back with his hand, he stands there analyzing the scene. He brings the radio attached to his shirt pocket up to his mouth and releases a sigh before pressing the button to talk. “Dispatch, come in.
I hear a crackled sound, “Copy Dispatch. Go ahead, Sheriff.”
His pained gaze meets mine as he responds, “I’m going to need backup out here on Edgemount Road. I’ve found the Oliver girl.”
Chapter Twenty Nine
I spin the Styrofoam cup in my hand and watch the coffee swirl at the bottom. It mimics how I’m feeling as I sit in my dad’s office at the station. The harsh fluorescent lights overhead hurt my eyes, so I keep my focus on the cup. I feel emotionally numb at the moment, and I don’t think the fact that I saw Janice’s lifeless body has truly sunk in. I can’t believe she’s dead, and now Kevin’s missing too. What’s next?
My turn for questioning is coming up after they finish with Alex. I never should’ve dragged her into this. I wonder how she’s doing over in the next room. Unfortunately, I can’t eavesdrop, since the walls of the building seem to be thick and don’t allow for a lot of noise travel.
Resting my head against the cool surface of the wall, I briefly shut my eyes. I try to think back to everythi
ng that’s happened tonight, but it all seems to have blurred together into one big mass of confusion. I don’t even know if I’ll be useful for questioning at this point.
I reach for my phone, but remember it was confiscated when I claimed to have received texts from Unknown again. My dad wasn’t too happy to hear the same old song and dance from me. Hopefully Alex is telling them about all the messages.
Through the large glass windows that look out from the office into the rest of the station, I spot Hattie Oliver talking to one of the deputies at his desk. When she begins to cry into her hands, I have to look away. No matter how much I don’t like the woman, no one should ever go through what she is right now.
The door to the office swings open, drawing my attention to it. My father and his head deputy, Samson, walk in. My dad takes a seat behind his desk and Samson posts up next to the door after it’s closed, like he always seems to do.
“I know this is going to be hard for you, but we have some questions that need answering.”
“Where’s Alex?”
“We sent her home since it was clear she had nothing to do with this,” he replies calmly.
“So, what you’re saying is you think I do.”
“That’s not what I’m saying at all. I just have some questions for my daughter.”
“Well, I have a question of my own that I feel I keep repeating.”
“Okay, what is it?” he asks, leaning forward on his desk and propping himself up on his elbows.
I exhale and look him directly in the eyes. “Do you believe me?”
I can tell from his lack of response that he’s still unsure. There’s a sense of hesitation, and wherever there’s hesitation, there’s doubt.
“If you’re referring to the messages from an unknown number on your phone, there were none,” he replies, pulling it from his pocket and laying it down on the desk. I’m really not surprised to hear him say that.
“They may not be on my phone, but Alex was there when I got them. Didn’t she tell you that?”
