“She was murdered in the file room,” Asher stated firmly without emotion. “There was no struggle, just one, quick, deadly cut. The guard reported she was on her way to the file room just twenty minutes before her attack. Also, the patient was resident to the second floor, not the first floor. He wasn’t even her patient. She wouldn’t have had any reason to release him from his restraints.” Asher raised his head proudly, and his eyes narrowed. “You will not breathe my wife’s name nor make reference toward her again in this meeting. I will not permit it.”
There was an odd silence from the entire room. Howard stared at Asher in silence with his mouth partially opened. He shut his mouth and gently cleared his throat.
“I’m sorry if I’ve offended you, Mr. Asher,” Howard responded gently then returned to his seat, turned toward the mayor, and whispered, “I thought he was still in the hospital.”
The mayor shrugged.
“I will repeat Mrs. Reed’s earlier question,” Asher announced sternly. His tone commanded the attention of every person within the hall. “What is being done to capture this monster? You really expect four baby-face deputies and one overweight sheriff to search this entire town and all its farms?” He looked at the crowd within the hall. “Gentlemen, I believe it’s time you’ve called in some additional help.”
Mayor Bradford straightened in his chair. “Mr. Asher,” he announced firmly. “The police in other towns have their own crimes to worry about. Our police are competent enough to find this man. It’s just a matter of time.”
“People are dying,” Asher hissed lowly. “How many more lives will it be until you’ve caught this butcher? Perhaps I must find some outside help myself.” Asher looked past the six men on the council. “Offer a one hundred thousand dollar reward for the capture of this monster--dead or alive.”
Voices began to murmur loudly from the townspeople as well as the council. Mayor Bradford struck the gavel to the desk then pointed the gavel at Asher.
“That would be an invitation for every bounty hunter and gangster to flock to our quiet, little town,” Mayor Bradford snapped. “I will not allow you to turn this town into a battlefield.”
Asher approached the table, placed his hands on it, and stared directly into the mayor’s eyes. “You’d better hope your men get to him before I do, because if I find him first, there won’t be anything left of him to identify.”
Sheriff Freeman approached Asher. “Take a seat,” Freeman growled lowly and reached for his arm.
Asher spun to face the sheriff and pulled his arm back. The look in Asher’s eyes was enough to stop Sheriff Freeman. “Don’t you fucking touch me,” he growled then lowered his arm and relaxed. “I was just leaving.”
Everyone watched in silence as Asher walked along the aisle and for the door. Derek glared after Asher as he left the hall.
†
Deputy Monroe drove along the dark, back road in the wooded hillside area of the county. The light rain sprinkled across the windshield as the wipers squeaked while moving back and forth. The headlights reflected shadows within the trees lining the road. Something moved to the right of the police blazer. A woman suddenly appeared in the headlights. Monroe stepped on the brakes and clutched the steering wheel. He let out a startled cry as the tires skidded on the wet, gravel road and came to a grinding halt. The woman collapsed across the hood then fell to the road. Monroe stared at the front of the blazer a moment with a look of horror in his eyes. He hadn’t hit the woman. She hit him! He put the blazer into park and sprang from the vehicle. Monroe moved quickly, yet cautiously, to the front of the cruiser and looked at the fallen woman. Blood covered the teenage girl’s shirt, arms, and hands. Her eyes were open with a fixed stare. Monroe lowered himself to her side and felt her neck for a pulse. She was dead.
†
It was nearly dawn as the police blazer drove along the narrow lane and into the secluded clearing in the woods. An old, blue car came into view at the back of the clearing. The secluded location was a local hot spot for teenagers to park and fool around. Monroe sat in the driver’s seat of the police blazer with a young, newly appointed deputy alongside him. Monroe pointed at the car.
“That car belongs to the dead girl’s boyfriend,” he announced to his young partner. “She was with her boyfriend last night. His parents said he never came home.”
The young deputy looked at the old, rusted vehicle. “Look at the window,” he said softly while pointing a trembling finger.
The back driver’s side window had been shattered. They drove closer to the old car. Despite the light rain, blood remained streaked along the shard glass. Monroe stopped the blazer. Both men climbed out and drew their weapons. They cautiously approached the vehicle and peered into the backseat. Blood covered the old, leather seat. The right, rear passenger door was open. The young deputy stepped around the broken glass just outside the car, indicating the glass had been broken from the inside. Monroe hurried around the back of the car and studied the surrounding area. There was blood on a nearby tree. The girl had apparently traveled the gravel road the entire distance. She was found just a mile from the secluded area. It seemed improbable that it was her blood on the tree. Someone had entered the woods by the vehicle, which was in the opposite direction. Both deputies followed a small deer path through the woodland. There was another tree with a large amount of blood on it. The rain hadn’t been heavy enough to wash it away.
“Monroe, look,” the deputy cried out with panic and pointed past the tree.
A young boy lie on his back in the thick brush beyond the tree. Insects and slugs covered his damp, blood-soaked body. He had several gashes on his arms and upper body, indicating there had been a struggle with his attacker. His throat had been slit, ultimately killing him. The telltale symbol was carved into his neck just like all the other victims. Monroe shut his eyes and lowered his head.
†
Five days later...
The quaint general store was the original general store from the 1800’s before the town was even known as Stony Ridge. It was reminiscing of an old cabin. The hardwood floors were all original and creaked with every step. The sounds of creaking floorboards were heard throughout the entire building. Jacey studied the rows of candy bars through the glass of the candy case. She wasn’t often allowed chocolate, and she wanted a candy bar today more than most days. Her mother, Russell, and Jill, who owned the general store, were talking over one another without any pauses between sentences. Their conversation bored Jacey. Most adult conversations bored Jacey, and she easily blocked them out.
“What does it matter,” Jacey’s mother said firmly. “The killings have stopped.”
“I’m just glad they’re shutting down that damned institution,” Jill huffed from behind the candy case.
“Personally,” Russell interjected, “I don’t care if someone grinded the bastard in their garbage disposal.”
Jacey suddenly looked up and tilted her head with a look of surprise. “Someone did that?”
Her mother frowned. She picked a fine time to start listening to adult conversations. “No, darling. Uncle Russell was just making a bad joke.”
The door opened with the jingling of a bell. Asher entered the general store and strolled along the aisle. Two other customers looked at him and whispered as he passed. He approached the counter and smiled cheerfully.
“Good morning, Jill,” Asher said pleasantly. He then nodded to Russell and Jacey’s mother.
“Morning, Asher,” Jill said with a slightly raised brow. “What can I do for you?”
“Six bags of fertilizer,” he announced. “The plants need some TLC. Katie would be furious if she saw the condition of her garden.”
Jill flashed a fake smile. “Taking up gardening?” she teased.
“Little choice, I’m afraid.”
She rang out his purchase and spoke casually. “So, have they found the guy yet?”
Asher’s smile faded into a preoccupied smirk. He removed a lollipop
from the box on the counter and handed it to Jacey. She accepted it without hesitation.
“Uh, no, they haven’t,” he replied and looked back at Jill. “I think he finally moved on. I’m sure they’ll catch him one of these days.”
Asher then gave a general nod and went to collect his bags of fertilizer. He carried the first two bags from the store and appeared oddly cheerful. Russell watched with a look of disapproval and shook his head as Asher walked out the door.
“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Russell muttered. “He killed him.”
Jacey looked at the door with wide eyes. She then looked at the lollipop and quickly returned it to the box on the counter.
“Wouldn’t doubt if he ate him,” Jill remarked lowly under her breath.
Jacey suddenly gasped and covered her mouth.
Her mother glared at the woman behind the counter. “Jill,” she scolded then looked at Jacey and squeezed her shoulder while smiling sweetly. “Honey, Mr. Asher didn’t eat anyone.”
Chapter Six
Ten years later...
Three horse and riders galloped through a large, lush field in the warm afternoon sun. All three horses were neck and neck as they thundered through the field racing one another. The twenty-two-year-old woman was Jacey McMurray now grown. She rode her gray horse and attempted to pull ahead of the other two riders. A large, brown and white paint horse carried a blonde-haired, fifteen-year-old girl, Monique Harris. The black horse was ridden by another fifteen-year-old girl with dark hair, Coleen Cooper. At the last moment, the girl on the black horse pulled ahead of the other two. All three slowed their horses to a more relaxed gait.
“I win,” Coleen proclaimed while grinning.
As they approached the woods, the horses remained excitable, but none of the three appeared to notice.
“I’m so glad you invited us to spend the week with you, Jacey,” Monique said and patted her paint gelding.
“You’re lucky, Monique,” Coleen sulked. “None of my relatives have horses, and I’d certainly never be allowed to bring Thunder with me.” She hugged her black horse as they rode.
Jacey entered the path in the woods ahead of them to lead the way then turned sideways on her horse to look back at the girls.
“I really wanted to have both of you here. My mom and Uncle Russell went on their two-week cruise, so we’ll have the entire house to ourselves.” She grinned at them. “Kind of like girls’ time.”
“I’m so glad you invited Coleen along,” Monique said cheerfully. “You know we’re practically twins.”
Jacey laughed softly at her young cousin’s comment. “You girls are lucky. I wish I had a close friend growing up. My best friend was my pony, Patches. None of the girls my age liked riding, and I usually showed up the boys.”
“Us too,” Coleen replied and appeared pleased about it.
“We’re going to ride all day and watch scary movies every night, right?” Monique said excitedly.
“We certainly are,” Jacey replied happily. “I took time off work at the library and the local paper.”
“You’re cousin is so cool,” Coleen marveled.
They rode through the woods and peered along several other trails. There seemed to be never ending trails throughout the woods, providing hours of trail riding within the game land.
“What was that big, old building we passed when we drove through town?” Coleen asked. “The one behind the cemetery with the big fence around it.”
“That used to be the nuthouse,” Monique said dramatically.
“The place that burned all those years ago?” Coleen asked. “I thought it burned to the ground.”
“No,” Jacey replied. “Just the east wing.”
“Didn’t look burned to me,” Coleen announced. “Just slightly abandoned.”
“It’s been abandoned for almost ten years,” Jacey informed her. “But not for long.”
“They’re finally tearing it down?” Monique asked.
“No,” Jacey replied. “They’ve been renovating it the last six months. They tore down the remains of the east wing a few months ago.”
“Are they bringing more crazy people?” Coleen asked.
“No, it’s going to be some sort of laboratory and museum for scientists,” Jacey explained. “I intend to do a story for our local paper. They’re supposed to be arriving next week and having some big, formal party. Shelly, the paper owner, promised I could do the story.”
“That sounds cool,” Monique said with excitement in her eyes.
Jacey attempted a smile then sighed softly. “It’s tough competing against Brenda. She’s been writing for the paper for a few years now and has seniority over me. She’s aggressive when it comes to interviews.” She then considered her own comment. “Brenda’s aggressive when it comes to just about everything.”
“Yeah, we have a girl like her at our school,” Monique announced. “She’s boy crazy.”
“No boys for you, huh?” Jacey asked and smirked.
Both glared at her and made faces.
Coleen patted her horse’s neck and grinned. “Thunder is the only man for me.”
Jacey smiled knowingly. She had been the same way at their age. Actually, she hadn’t taken an interest in boys until she was eighteen, and even then, it wasn’t anywhere near the way other girls reacted around them. Honestly, she could still take them or leave them. A certain young deputy soured her on men. They rode for several minutes in the woods then came to a clearing. A large, modern cabin with an all-glass sunroom came into view. They were directly behind the home, allowing them to see the beautiful, well-kept garden with its stone wall, waterfalls, trees, bushes, plants, and marble statues.
“That’s quite a garden,” Coleen remarked. “My mother would love to see that.” Coleen removed her cell phone and snapped a picture.
“That’s Konrad Asher’s house,” Jacey informed them. “He leads a bit of a secluded life.”
“Isn’t he the guy who murdered his wife?” Monique asked curiously.
Jacey looked at Monique with some surprise by the comment. That rumor had gotten around town right after his wife’s death, but they were never able to prove anything. Jacey just wondered where her cousin, who lived several counties away, had heard about it.
“He murdered his wife?” Coleen asked with wide eyes then made a face.
Jacey rolled her eyes and moaned. “Where did you hear such a ridiculous story?” she demanded to know.
“Uncle Dave,” both replied simultaneously.
Jacey shook her head with disapproval. “Should’ve guessed.” She looked at Coleen while cleverly raising her brows. “No offense, Coleen, but you’re Uncle Dave is clueless.”
“We know,” both once more replied together.
Although not related, Monique and Coleen were closer than most sisters, having been best friends since birth. Coleen’s Uncle Dave was one of those relatives everyone dreaded knowing.
“Last time my mother and I visited, your Uncle Russell told us all about Mr. Asher,” Monique informed her. “He said no one in town talks to him, he never leaves his house, and everyone is afraid of him.”
“I’m not,” Jacey announced firmly. “Since the death of his wife, I’ve heard all sorts of stories. Some claim he killed his wife using the escaped mental patient as his scapegoat; some are even convinced he set the fires himself. I will admit people in town do fear him, but that’s because they’re narrow-minded fools. I’ve never believed any of it.”
“Your uncle seemed to believe it,” Monique added.
Jacey sighed sadly. “I’m afraid my family’s been sucked in as well. You’ll find this town is filled with skeptics and superstitious ninnies.”
The sound of hedge clippers could be heard from the garden. Monique and Coleen jumped then looked toward the stone wall surrounding the garden.
“We’d better get out of here,” Coleen nervously suggested.
Monique nodded in agreement.
Jace
y reluctantly sighed and forced a tiny smile. “Why don’t you take the old mining road back to my house and find something for lunch,” Jacey suggested. “I don’t want to seem rude and not say hello.”
Both girls appeared horrified.
“No, he’ll kill you,” Monique gasped.
She laughed softly. “Don’t be silly. Go on--go home.”
Jacey rode up to the garden as the girls turned toward the wide, dirt road. Without fail, they sent the horses into a gallop and raced each other down the road. Jacey dismounted and tied her horse to the old, iron hitching post, which seemed oddly placed in such a remote area. She walked around the stone wall and nearly ran into a man leaning casually against the large, oak tree holding a hedge clipper. She jumped with some surprise then relaxed and smiled. A much older Konrad Asher smirked appearing pleased to have startled her.
“You startled me,” she said with a tiny sigh.
His smile was fixed and unchanged. “And you me,” he said in a calm, monotone voice.
Jacey somehow doubted that. He probably heard them coming a mile away.
“I wasn’t expecting any visitors today.” His smile brightened. “I was actually anticipating a peaceful day at home alone for a change.” He chuckled lowly at his own witticism.
Jacey smirked and held back her laugh. “I bet you were.” Every day was a quiet day at home alone for Asher. He rarely left his house. Asher turned his head toward the woods then looked back at her with the same, solemn smile.
“Your friends didn’t care to stop for some lunch?”
“That’s my cousin, Monique, and her friend, Coleen. They’ll be staying with me for the week.”
“While your mother and uncle are on their cruise, no doubt,” he replied.
She nodded slowly.
“Your cousin and friend could have stayed for lunch. I do enjoy entertaining,” he said with a mocking smile.
Jacey forced a nervous smile and covered by running her fingers through her long hair. “You know how kids are. They wanted to get back to the house and watch movies.”
The Deadliest Institution Collection Page 5
