As they skidded to a halt in front of the house Alex nodded to the Sheriff that this was indeed the house from her dream. The motorcycle JT had borrowed was parked in front of the garage. The Sheriff asked Alex to stay in the car while he and the Trooper checked inside. Alex had no desire to see JT’s body again as she was sure it looked worse now, than it did in her dream.
Both men drew their sidearm and entered the house. It only seemed like seconds before Trooper Valdez came running out of the house and headed to his car. The Sheriff followed him out at the walk and came over to Alex.
“He’s just where you said he would be. Damn I’m so glad this is over. I like the fact that he didn’t waste the tax payer’s money on a trial. Fil’s going to wait for the Coroner to cut him down. I’m going to take you home. I don’t know how this town is ever going to be able to thank you.” The Sheriff took a deep breath and realized that the headache he’d been fighting for several days was now gone.
“Just don’t mention my name and that’s thanks enough.” Alex was serious.
“I also want to talk to JT’s Doctor and find out how a nut job like that can walk out of NEIMH.” The Sheriff radioed to Jim to get NEIMH on the phone and get some answers pronto.
“To tell you the truth he was a very nice guy. He had good manners and except for killing women he seemed like a regular guy. It’s probably why he won the confidence of the women he killed in the first place. He seemed genuinely nice and if I didn’t know who he was I may have liked him.” Alex thought he was nice to her at least.
“Great. That may have been how he fooled his Doctors in the first place. I just wonder what he was in NEIMH for.” The Sheriff shook his head as he pulled away from the Jennings’s place. “FYI you’ve made Fil a believer.”
“Really! Considering he was almost laughing out loud in your office I take that as high praise.” Alex didn’t care as long as the Sheriff believed her.
“He just doesn’t know you yet. If he did, he would have been out the door the moment you told us.” The Sheriff was driving a lot slower now.
“Interesting. Most of the people who believe in me are in Law Enforcement. What does that say about my life?” Alex was beginning to wonder.
“That you’re well protected and loved would be my guess. But I can only speak for me. Can I ask a personal question?” The Sheriff wondered where Sam was considering there was no training on the weekend.
“Where’s Sam? It’s complicated and I’m not really in the mood to talk about it. But I’m sure you understand what might be going on.” Alex thought that since the Sheriff was divorced he had a good idea of what might be going on.
“The job I imagine. I really thought you two were solid, but it affects everybody differently.” The Sheriff hoped they could work it out.
“Actually, I’m glad she missed all this craziness. I’m sure the Universe knew this case was going to be somewhat easy and wanted it to be less stressful on our relationship. She’ll come home when the time is right.” Alex gave the Sheriff a small smile.
The rest of the ride back to the Sheriff’s office was in silence which was fine for both. As the Sheriff’s office came into view Alex froze and grabbed the Sheriff’s arm at the sight of the news van. How did they get there so fast? He stopped the car so Alex could jump out and avoid any questions as to why she was with him. He would call her later after all the craziness died down. Alex may have to find someone else to have lunch with. The boys could be occupied for the rest of the day with media interviews.
But now Alex could go home and not worry about JT paying her another unexpected visit. She needed to go back and check out of her motel room. She could always reheat her fries and onion rings from last night. But they did taste better fresh and hot, not stale and hot. Maybe Carol could get away from the store, but then Alex remembered Carol didn’t always work weekends. She could go by anyway and see; she could get lucky.
Alex put the leftovers on her front seat and started her truck staring into space. What was she going to do if Carol wasn’t at the store? Oh well she’d have to wait and see. When Alex got within sight of the Sheriff’s office the news van was still there. But the reporter and cameraman were standing outside, which might mean they were done with the Sheriff. A quick call to Jim would answer that question and see if anyone was up for buying lunch?
“Hey superstar what are you up too?” Jim wanted Alex to know he knew who had solved this case.
“I’m looking for a lunch date. Are you free or at least reasonable?” Alex hoped Jim could get away.
“Ha ha. I would love to have lunch with you, but I’m slammed with calls from reporters. I can call in an order for all of us if you want to pick it up.” Jim was getting hungry and didn’t see a break to get away anytime soon.
“You got it. Can you text me when it will be ready. I’m going to stop by the hardware store and talk to Carol.” Alex could explain bringing lunch to a busy friend if the TV reporter was still there when she returned with the food.
Alex had ten minutes until the food would be ready. Carol wasn’t working so Alex chatted with Jason, her son, and brought him up to date from where she had left off before, until she needed to leave to pickup the food.
When Alex walked into the Sheriff’s office the TV reporter was still there, but no cameraman in sight. Alex recognized the man as the one who did the interview with Sam about her after she was attacked by Richard Greenway. She liked how he seemed sincere and concerned about her speedy recovery.
Alex stopped at Jim’s desk like she was just there to drop off food. Jim was on the phone and it sounded like he was talking to NEIMH about JT. Jim put the call on hold and let the Sheriff know the call he had been waiting for was on line one. The Sheriff excused himself and the reporter headed towards Jim and Alex.
“Alexandria Whitney isn’t it. Mike Kelly Channel 3 News. I’m glad we finally get to meet face to face. I guess now you won’t be the only celebrity in Hastings. The Sheriff has just wrapped up what seems to be the biggest case this county has ever seen.” Mike was quite taken by Alex’s charming personality, but considering they both played for the same team the attraction ended there.
“Yes, the city is lucky to have him. Are you all done interviewing him? I just stopped by to have lunch.” Alex held up the sacks of food and hoped that didn’t come off as pushy, but she wanted him to leave.
“Absolutely, need to get back so we can get this on this evening news. Have a good evening.” Mike thought it was odd that Alex was there, but after all she’d been through in the past she and the Sheriff could be good friends.
Alex and Jim ripped open the bags and started laying out food for the three of them. Jim must have wanted a change because he ordered a side of Sweet Potato Fries. This looked really good to Alex who was glad he did as she took several pieces.
“This was for all of us correct?” Alex had assumed so.
“Yup, I just thought we’d like something different today.” Jim was sorry this little ritual would soon end.
“I think we should do this every week so we can stay in touch. You never know when I’ll have another dream.” Alex smiled wide at Jim just as the Sheriff came out of his office.
“Please, no more dreams for at least a couple of months. That was Dr. Mary LeDuc from NEIMH. You’ll never guess what JT was institutionalized for?” The Sheriff was still in shock.
“No clue. But by your look something really minor I’m guessing.” Alex would believe anything.
“He was arrested for violating a restraining order. Our boy was a stalker and then they put him in NEIMH for anger management issues. Apparently he almost beat one of the other guys in his cell to death. Several of the guards had to restrain JT. He has a very short fuse when it comes to anyone who annoys him. Apparently he’s no stranger to a straight jacket. He’s had one on, on more than one occasion at the Institute. Needless to say the good Doctor was shocked to find out about his other activities over the years. But a person who is now d
iagnosed as looney tunes is capable of anything I guess.” The Sheriff forgot the clinical term.
“So JT is just plain looney tunes or nuts even? He seemed so nice.” Alex smiled at the Sheriff who was busy putting his hamburger together.
“Okay Ms. Smarty pants, I don’t remember the words she used exactly. But she will send over a report for his file and you can read the official diagnoses. I’m just glad he’s dead and my town can get back to being boring again. What are your plans for the rest of the weekend?” The Sheriff wanted to sleep for days at his first chance.
“I want to go see Mrs. Borden to let her know JT’s dead and that she can crossover, if she hasn’t already.” Alex took a big bite out of her burger.
“Say what” The Sheriff was in mid bite and couldn’t believe what he just heard.
“Mrs. Borden, victim number three. Her ghost was up in the old cabin. You remember Trooper Valdez was there with me.” Alex knew he had a lot on his mind but Mrs. Borden was the one who gave them JT’s name.
“Sorry, she was Mr. and Mrs. Ridgeway’s daughter. That’s right; I forgot you talked to her. Do you want me to go with you?” The Sheriff was wishing hard that she didn’t.
“Nah. You’ve done enough keeping the world safe from vicious Serial Killers. I got this one.” Alex wondered if the Sheriff would pick up on her sarcasm.
“I know. I can’t believe Mike said that about me. The minute he said it I wanted to yell “So not true” but then I’d have to tell him the truth and you made me promise not too. So there.” The Sheriff made a face at Alex and knew she was kidding.
“Exactly and I appreciate both of you keeping my secret. So can I assume I’m free to stay at my place tonight and from now on?” Alex was getting full and ready to go home.
“Yes you can.” The Sheriff was grateful this case was closed and Alex could go home.
Alex was looking forward to getting home and checking in with Oliver and the kittens. Maybe if it was still early enough she’d run over and see Mrs. Borden before it got dark. One less thing to do on her Sunday.
Chapter 48
Alex was on autopilot as she drove home. Her mind was wondering about so many different subjects that if anyone could see what she was thinking they’d wonder who had the remote. When she made the turn into her driveway she was hoping to see Sam’s truck; but the universe wasn’t ready for these two to get back together just yet.
Alex walked in the back door and again felt a strange vibe that she didn’t like that much. What was causing her to feel like something was off? Sam was gone, but not forever so what was the problem? She just needed to occupy her mind with something other than dwelling on Sam. She would get Oliver and head for the Borden place. Alex turned to leave and found JT standing in front of her.
“She’s coming for you. You need to know that. You need to leave.” JT smiled slightly and then faded away.
“Who’s coming for me?” Alex turned completely around to see if anyone else was there. “Who?”
Alex couldn’t believe what just happened. Who was coming, Sally? She didn’t know where Alex lived, but then how did JT find out.
“Oliver, where are you; I need you.” Alex felt a heaviness come over her like she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Going somewhere?”
Alex froze in her tracks. The sound of that voice brought back the memory like it was just yesterday that Sally tried to kill her up at Old Woman’s Hill.
“Even when you’re dead your voice is annoying. I guess JT ruined your plans; you just can’t catch a break can you?” Alex was wondering where Oliver was as well as Anna and Ramon.
“Looking for your little friend. He’s preoccupied with finding your kittens. I was able to move them to another location without him seeing me. He’ll be looking for quite a while I imagine.” Sally maybe a crazed killer, but she wouldn’t have hurt the kittens.
“You really are sick. You hurt those kittens and I’ll take you to hell myself.” Alex’s heart was pounding as if she’d just run a mile.
“I want you dead; not those kittens. Talk about bad karma – seriously.” Sally looked at Alex with a sick smile.
“Oh and how do you plan on killing me? You’re dead remember? Oooh, I’m so scared. What, are you going to try to scare me to death! My heart’s fine.” Alex remembered poor old Pablo and his bad heart.
“I had no problem killing JT. What makes you think you’ll be any problem.” Sally had a very evil look on her face.
“You killed JT. He was hanging from a second floor railing. How’d you pull that off?” Alex was eyeing the door.
“First an iron skillet to the back of the head. It wasn’t hard enough to kill him, but enough to knock him out cold. Then the second step, which took me several hours, was to drag that bastard up those stairs and dump him over the banister. But you’d be surprised at how strong you can be when you’re raging mad. The hardest part was finding rope in the garage. My husband was such a disorganized loser.” Sally moved towards the wooden block holding all of Alex’s cooking knives.
Alex bolted towards the door and knew she’d never get away in the truck if Sally could go through the door like Oliver could. She only hoped she could out run her and get to the Borden place and possibly get some help from Elizabeth, since Anna and Ramon were no where to be found. She felt only another ghost could help in this situation and she really hoped that the cabin was over the hill like Oliver said it was.
Alex had never run this fast in her life, but then she was running for her life so it seemed appropriate. Coming up on the crest of the hill she stopped to look and see just how far behind Sally was. At least earth bound ghosts couldn’t fly as Sally was several hundred yards behind her.
“Alex what’s wrong?” Oliver suddenly appeared next to where she was standing.
“Oh thank Goddess. I don’t really know what to do. Remember the woman I told you was killed yesterday morning by JT; well she’s come to kill me now.” Alex wondered where he’d been looking for the kittens.
“Why is she coming for you?” Oliver was confused.
“She thinks I ruined her life. She wanted my ex-girlfriend, only problem there was that my ex didn’t want her. She’s crazy and now not only dead, but one really pissed off ghost.” Alex looked to see if the cabin was within sight. “Take me to the Borden place and please run.”
Alex felt her lungs were going to explode when she saw the cabin appear just up ahead. Fortunately it was a downhill run from there and her big worry now was stopping before she reached the cabin door.
Alex burst through the front door as if she was on a drug raid, but it was only because she couldn’t stop in time to walk through. The words “Son of a Bitch” came to mind as her shoulder wasn’t thrilled at being used to open the door instead of her hand turning the door knob. Alex closed the door and wished there was a dead bolt.
“Mrs. Borden, I need your help. Please Elizabeth.” Alex knew that her shoulder was probably going to hurt like crazy once her adrenaline levels returned to normal.
“Oliver can you double back and see if she has a knife with her.” Alex was hoping she’d left it behind.
“Why are you here?” Elizabeth Ridgeway Borden was not happy having unexpected guests crashing through her door.
“I can see you now! Thank you for that. I need your help. Please just listen to what I have to say. The man who killed you John Thomas DeFranco was himself killed sometime during the night by the woman who is about to come through that door and I need your help in sending her to the other side. Did I mention she’s dead too.” Alex really hoped Sally didn’t have a knife.
“Why doesn’t she want to go?” Elizabeth would like some company.
“She wants me dead. She thinks I ruined her life. She tried to steal my spouse and my spouse was just like you; loyal and didn’t want to leave me.” Alex was hoping that would work.
“That’s exactly what I told John; but he wouldn’t listen. He said the only reason I was talkin
g to him was that I wanted him to kill my husband. I loved my husband. I was just lonely and wanted someone to talk to. I would never have left or cheated on him; I loved him so much. You say this woman is coming to kill you?” Elizabeth was getting mad that this woman was trying to breakup a sweet couple.
“Yes, her name is Sally and she’s already killed her own spouse and now she wants mine.” Alex was backing herself into a corner so Sally couldn’t sneak up on her. Oliver raced into the room and nearly ran into Elizabeth and then went to where Alex was. Sally indeed had a knife and it was a big one. Oliver could try to take it away from her once she stopped walking. He wasn’t good with catching moving objects. It was something he would certainly work on.
When Sally literally walked through the front door the knife came out of her hand and fell to the ground just outside. So she had to go out and open the door before she could walk into the cabin with knife in hand. She was confused as to who was this new woman.
“What the fuck! How many dead people do you know?” Sally felt a little out numbered.
“Seriously. A lot more than you. So why don’t you put the knife down and pray they let you crossover. I really hope there is someone over there that will be happy to see you. Somehow I doubt it.” Alex looked for Anna and Ramon to show up and take Sally kicking and screaming to the other side.
“Oh fuck that. I’m going to stay right here and make your life a living hell; that is if I can’t kill you first.” Sally looked at Alex and started walking towards her.
“You watch your mouth young lady. I’ve just about had enough of you and your trash mouth.” Elizabeth was headed towards Sally to intercept her before she got to Alex.
“What are you talking about you crazy bitch.” Sally stopped as Elizabeth approached.
“Tried to steal her spouse did you? Where do you think whores like you go?” Elizabeth was going to shake some sense into this one.
Not A Good Reason Page 28
