Visions Of The Past

by Elizabeth Mahood

  “What about my brother? Was he one of the students that raped her?” Ellie asked on a whisper. Hank looked at her and then to Cade, then back to Ellie.

  “I can’t say. I know they were all good friends and Alex, he seemed to always be angry. Your father isn’t an easy man to please.” Hank stated. Ellie huffed.

  “Yeah, I know that first hand.” Ellie said. Hank flopped in the kitchen chair.

  “Talk to Jeff and Darius. They might know more about it.” Hank said almost falling out of his chair. Tears started to spill out of his eyes. “My wife, now my boy. What’s the point of living now? I don’t even have my job and now that you know I messed with DNA; I won’t even get my retirement.” He stated barely audible to Ellie and Cade.

  “Look Hank, I think an early retirement might be in the best interest of everyone. You can retire with respect. You have done a lot for this community and this town. I have to ask you one question. Did you ransack Nora’s room and write Die Bitch on the walls?” Cade asked. Hank looked up with confusion. “I know you went to her room before we saw you at Badger Brew.” Hank shook his head.

  “I went there to talk to her about the bricks. We found out that the blood was from a pig and I wanted to let her know she could go back to her house.” Hank stated. He seemed sincere. “I knocked and no one answered. I left and then saw you both sitting at the coffee shop so I figured you would have already told her about the findings.” Hank stated. “Why would I write that in my own son’s blood.” He stated, choking back tears. Ellie heard voices again, they were calling to her from the woods.

  “Chief, where do those woods lead?” Ellie asked pointing out the back window. Hank followed her finger then turned back to look at her.

  “That’s the state park and then it flows into Cade’s father’s property.” He stated. Ellie barely heard him. She felt herself moving towards the back door. Voices, cold night air, guns, girls and Cade’s voice calling out to her. She couldn’t respond to him. The voices were calling her and she couldn’t stop them.

  Chapter 25

  Ellie felt the cold breeze on her face, the voices kept drawing her farther and farther into the woods. She felt like she was in a dream. She wasn’t in a vision but the sense to continue forward was stronger than she had ever had in her life. “Ellie.” The voice called out. “Allison.” Ellie whispered. She kept walking until her legs felt like they were going to give out and then she stopped. Something was holding her back. Her mind began to buzz and she couldn’t breathe. “Ellie help me.” She heard again. “Allison.” She said a little louder. “Where are you?” Just as she was about to step forward, she felt warmth seep into her arms and around her waist and something was pulling her back. “Allison.” She screamed and reached out her hand. A familiar scene drifted through her mind, women on the ground, guns and men. This was the spot she had been taken to, she could feel it with her entire body and soul. She tried to move away from the warmth towards her sister but it held her back. A voice far in the back of her mind, drifted into her subconscious. Cade.

  “I’m not letting you go Ellie.” She heard him say. Her mind started to reset and the visions were blurred. She felt herself take a deep breath and then opened her eyes.

  “Cade?” She said on a whisper. Cade was holding her up against a tree with his arms wrapped around her. Just in front of her was a long drop off leading to the Lac De Flambeau River. If Cade hadn’t grabbed her, she would have plummeted down the river bank into the freezing cold water.

  “Ellie what the hell where you doing? You were screaming your sisters name and walking so fast I could barely catch up.” Cade stated still holding her close with his face buried in her hair. “You scared the hell out of me baby.” Ellie turned around and held him close. Finally, she pulled back and looked up.

  “This is the place they took me that night. My sister was here as well, I just know it. Your property is due North which is the way I ran that night. But I think they took the rest of the girls and the body of Leslie Cooper this direction to throw off the cops. What is this direction?” Ellie asked. Cade shook his head.

  “Besides the river, just the state park and then the Query is on the other side of…” Cade stopped as understanding reached his eyes. “I think we need to pay a visit to the query.” Cade stated hauling her around the other side of the tree. Ellie sat on the ground.

  “How did I even get out here?” Ellie asked. Cade watched her as he sat down next to her.

  “You bolted out of Hanks house and into the woods. I called your name so many times but you just kept going. I lost sight of you but then I heard you scream. I grabbed you just as you were about to step forward.” Cade said shaking his head. Ellie closed her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder.

  “You saved me. In my vision, the drop off wasn’t there, it was just woods and my sister calling out to me.” Ellie said. Cade wrapped an arm around her lifted her face to him and kissed her.

  “You scared me.” Cade said kissing her again. “Let’s get out of here and head to the query. I want to get back and talk to the two goons who assaulted you the other day.” Cade stated, standing and holding out his hand for her to take. She allowed him to pull her up and they trudged out of the woods together.

  Cade drove back through town and out the other direction towards the query, crossed a small bridge that hovered over the Lac De Flambeau and Ellie shivered thinking of herself trying to survive in the freezing cold water. They drove down a long road until they came into a clearing and large piles of rocks loomed all around the query yard. They pulled up in front of a building that looked to be the main office. Rock trucks moved back and forth in the yard loading different types of rock and heading out of the yard. The snow was making it harder for them to work and soon they wouldn’t be able to deliver any more rocks for the rest of winter.

  Ellie followed Cade into the office that was warm and smelled like metal and coffee. A middle-aged woman wearing tight dark blue jeans, a white blouse and an animal print scarf looked up and blinked at them from behind designer glasses. She snapped her gum and smiled at Cade.

  “Afternoon Sheriff. What can I do for you?” She said with a glint in her eye. Ellie rolled her eyes.

  “We were wondering if we could talk to Mr. Beemer.” The woman looked at Ellie as if she wasn’t even standing in front of her desk and then back to Cade.

  “He’s in his office with the IT guy. We are getting our system upgraded.” She stated batting her eyes at Cade. She watched him tense up and look at Ellie then back to the woman.

  “Mrs.?” He said to the secretary. She smiled.

  “Ms. Collins.” She winked and held out her hand. Cade didn’t take it and she pulled back slightly.

  “Ms. Collins, this is Dr. Nora Ridley and we are here on an official investigation. I think Mr. Beemer will make time to see us.” Cade stated with authority. She looked to Ellie.

  “Pastor Ridley’s daughter?” She said snidely. Ellie shook her head.

  “Yes, now please let Mr. Beemer know we are here.” Ellie stated. The woman got up, turned on her pink heels, headed into the office behind her desk and closed the door. Cade turned to Ellie.

  “Someone else having IT done? We can kill two birds with one stone.” Cade stated. Ellie nodded.

  “Curious that they are behind closed doors just to update software.” Ellie stated as the door behind the desk opened. The woman emerged and sat back down at her desk.

  “He will be with you in a moment. You can have a seat.” She stated pointing towards two plastic chairs near the window. They sat in silence. A few moments later the door opened and a man in his 30’s walked through the door. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Ellie.

  “Elinore Ridley. I would know your face anywhere. I was friends with your brother in school.” He stated with an air of confidence that she didn’t like. He had dark eyes and continued to look her up and down with a wolfish smile. Cade stepped in front of her and held out his hand.

  “J
eff Englund, right?” Cade asked, anger emanating from his body. Ellie watched Jeff’s smile fade slightly but put his hand out.

  “That’s right, Sheriff. Do you need your computers updated Sir?” Jeff stated, scrounging around in his coat pocket and withdrawing his hand with a business card. He thrust the card into Cade’s hand.

  “I’m sure some of your systems are in need of updating.” He stated with a smirk. Ellie stepped up next to Cade.

  “We were here to speak with Bruce but here you are and we also need to speak with you as well.” Ellie stated, handing him her card. He looked at it and then back to Ellie’s face.

  “FBI, I heard you were some kind of doctor. Do you use your weird visions to solved crimes?” He asked, sarcastically.

  “Yes, actually and they are pretty accurate and tell me a lot about what is going on around here.” She said, trying to use her best cop face. She had watched Cade use it several times and it seemed to put the fear of God in people. It was working because she watched a bead of sweat, trickle down Jeff’s face, his eyes constricted and his throat was moving up and down like he was having a convulsion of some kind.

  “What…what do you mean? Like what kind of shit do you know.” He asked, stammering out the words. She looked up at Cade who was smiling at her with his eyes. He knew exactly what she was doing.

  “Why don’t we just ask you a few questions first.” Cade stated. “Did you work on the security system at the Medical Examiner’s Office?” Cade asked pulling out his investigation book. Jeff looked at Ellie who raised an eyebrow.

  “Don’t look at me. He asked you a question.” She said. Jeff looked back to Cade and Ellie could feel the shift in his emotions. He was nervous.

  “Um, yes. It was ordered weeks ago by Doctor Martin.” Jeff said, shifting from one foot to the other. “I am the best IT guy in town.” He said with arrogance.

  “What time was the system ordered to go down?” Cade asked. Jeff shrugged.

  “5am.” Jeff stated. Cade looked up.

  “Do you have an invoice for services?” Cade asked. Jeff folded his arms over his chest.

  “No, Dr. Martin called and asked me to do it and I said yes. I left the invoice in her office after I brought the system back on line but then, she was shot and I haven’t gotten paid yet.” Jeff stated making it sound like Megan was at fault for going and getting herself shot.

  “You were in her office?” Ellie asked. Jeff hadn’t been expecting Ellie to ask him that and she felt him tense.

  “Of course, I had to go in her office to make sure that her computer was online, then I checked out the security room. Why?” He asked stiffly. Cade looked at Ellie and then back to Jeff.

  “We have information that says the video was turned off just before Dr. Martin was shot and then conveniently came back online just after the shooting. Just enough time for someone to steal two bodies and shoot the ME.” Cade stated, eyes blazing with anger towards Jeff.

  “I…I don’t know anything about that. I went in at 5 am, turned off the system, added the update and turned it back on. I checked her office and left the invoice, checked the security office and left.” Jeff stated angrily.

  “Did you check in or out with the security guard?” Ellie asked. Jeff shook his head.

  “There was no one at the desk when I got there. The desk was empty and so I went ahead and did my work.” Jeff stated. Ellie and Cade looked at each other.

  “Don’t you need a security card to get into the main building?” Ellie asked. Jeff nodded.

  “Sometimes but the main door to the offices and security office was open. I just assumed the guard was in the morgue. There was a funeral home vehicle out back and I just figured it was a pick up.” Jeff stated. “Look I get where you are going with this, but I did my job and left. I like Megan, I’ve asked her out several times and wouldn’t hurt her.” Jeff stated. Ellie watched him and felt, sincerity. That was the first honest thing he had said since they first started talking.

  “How did that go for you?” Cade asked. Jeff glared at him.

  “She said no if you must know. She’s odd but damn hot. I could over look her weirdness just get me some of that, know what I mean Sheriff?” Jeff stated winking at Ellie and nudging Cade. Before Ellie could stop him, Cade had Jeff backed up against the wall of the query office.

  “I better not find out you had anything to do with Megan’s shooting or I will shoot you myself. I don’t give a fuck about the law.” Cade stated with a growl. “You look at Ellie ever again like I saw just a few minutes ago, I will shoot you.” Cade stated again, up in Jeff’s face. Jeff turned pale and put his hands in the air.

  “Ok Sheriff, I get it. You got a thing for both girls. I get it, I wouldn’t mind a threesome myself.” He stated winking. Ellie closed her eyes. Dummy. She heard the fist connect with Jeff’s nose.

  “FUCK!!” Jeff cried. Ellie opened her eyes to see him holding his nose and blood pouring down his face.

  “I’m going to sue your ass.” Jeff screamed as he headed toward the door. Cade shook his hand and turned towards Jeff.

  “You go ahead and try. Don’t leave town, we might have more questions for you.” Cade stated angrily. Jeff looked towards Ellie and then back at Cade, nodded and headed out the door holding his nose.

  “Jeff.” Ellie called after him. He stopped and turned around. “When was the last time you saw Blain Rogers?” Ellie asked. Jeff paled.

  “Friday, why?” Jeff asked, eyes darting from Ellie to Cade. Cade stepped up beside Ellie.

  “He’s dead. Murdered.” Cade stated, leaving those words hanging in the air. Jeff shook his head.

  “Murdered, how?” Jeff asked looking sick to his stomach. Cade folded his arms over his chest.

  “I can’t say right now. It’s under investigation.” Cade stated.

  “You and he were friends in high school weren’t you, and my brother?” Ellie asked. Ellie watched Jeff’s sickened expression turn to panic.

  “Yes, so you might think about not dredging up old crap Elinore. You won’t like what you find.” Jeff stated. He turned and walked towards his work truck holding his nose.

  “There are a lot of men in this town with broken noses thanks to you.” Ellie stated watching Cade’s face. “Are you ok?” She asked moving towards him and taking his hand in hers. He finally looked at her.

  “My fucking hand hurts.” He said with a grimace. She shook her head again. Behind them, someone cleared their throat. Both of them turned to see Bruce Beemer standing in the doorway of his office.

  “I hope I’m not going to be on the receiving end of that fist Sheriff.” Bruce said with a raised eyebrow. “Come on in.” He said. Ellie looked at Cade who nodded and followed her inside.

  Chapter 26

  Cade stood behind Ellie as Bruce Beemer took a seat behind his desk. Cade looked around the small cramped office and saw a three-drawer filing cabinet sitting in the corner with a plastic plant sitting on top. In the other corner behind the desk sat a small table with a coffee pot and one cup that looked like it had never been washed. A window was on Cade’s left and a coat rack was in the corner behind him. He always looked at his surroundings not only to get a good idea about the person he was questioning, but military training had ingrained in him to always know where your exits were. He had Ellie to think about too so knowing how to get them both out if he needed to was important.

  On the floor to his right was an old computer monitor and tower and sitting on the desk looking new and expensive was a black flat screen monitor, a black key board and mouse. Papers’ were strewn all over the rest of the desk and a few photos littered the top. One was of Bruce and his wife Katherine in snow gear sitting on snowmobiles, Bruce with a few men Cade didn’t now holding large Walley still on their hooks and the third was Bruce with the same dark-haired girl he and Ellie had seen in a photo on Katherine’s desk at the Rainbow Shelter.

  “Is that your granddaughter?” He heard Ellie ask next to him. He looked at her wi
th pride. She was damn good at picking up on clues. He looked back to Bruce waiting for him to answer Ellie. Bruce smiled proudly.

  “Yes, she’s my little angel. I never imagined myself being a grandfather but, it’s hard not to love that beautiful face.” Bruce stated, eyes beaming. “Now, I’m sure you didn’t come here to talk to me about my granddaughter.” Bruce stated. Cade took out his investigation book.

  “This is Dr. Ridley; she works for the FBI and we are here to ask you a few questions if you have time sir.” Cade stated. Bruce looked towards Ellie.

  “Pastor Ridley’s daughter?” Bruce asked. Cade didn’t sense any animosity, just curiosity. Ellie nodded.

  “Yes, unfortunately.” She said. Bruce smiled at her.

  “Pastor Ridley can be a little hard to deal with.” Bruce stated cryptically. Cade saw Ellie look at Bruce curiously.

  “I agree, you would be the first person to say otherwise.” Ellie said. Bruce shook his head.

  “Let’s just say he and I don’t see eye to eye on several topics.” Bruce stated, then turned to Cade.

  “Ask away Sheriff.” Bruce said. He turned and stood to pour coffee in his dirty cup. He turned back to them.

  “Would either of you like some coffee? I can have Amber get you some paper cups.” Bruce asked holding up the coffee pot. Cade shook his head as did Ellie. Bruce was in his 60’s, with a smattering of grey hair combed over his balding head and had a slight belly. He was wearing Carhart jeans, shirt and Jacket. He sat back down, took a large sip of his black coffee and sat back with his large hands over his swollen belly.

  “How long have you owned the query sir?” Cade asked. Bruce shook his head.

  “Too long, I been thinking about retirement but don’t really have anyone to take over and I’m not sure I’m ready to be home all the time.” Bruce stated taking another sip. “I started working here as a driver when I was 16, been here ever since. Became the owner in 1996 and been doing it ever since.” He stated. The phone rang and after a few rings it stopped indicating that Bruce’s secretary had picked up the call.