The newspaper reported on three murders.
The police tried to keep it quiet as not to start panic
in the area of Winterfeed, it being a small community with only a handful of
police at the small station in this rural area. A population of only two
thousand people not many crimes had ever happened here.
Our division asked to help as our chief was a close
friend of the sheriff and he only admitted to our chief that he thought he had
a serial killer on his hands. He did not want the FBI sticking their nose into
his case. I was one of the people picked. I packed enough in my suitcase to
last a couple of weeks hoping it would only take that long to catch this crazed
person. They had found three women raped, strangled and left in a stream where
a fisherman had come across the first victim three weeks ago. The second women
was found a week later by a couple walking their dog. The third women had been
found near the stream, she was harder to identify as she had been mauled by
animals and dragged a short distant.
My partner and I drove up Sunday morning the sun was
starting to warm as it was the last week of June. The town nestled in amongst a
beautiful setting of trees with a steam running beside the highway until we
turned off towards town. You would have thought this place was out of some
movie scene, old buildings with bright colors doors and window coverings. With
a few older men sitting outside a café, a look from them told us they knew who
we were and why we were here. This town reminded me of where I grew up a small
town similar bringing back good memories of my childhood.
It was not long until we spotted the police station, parking
the car Bill and I emerged into the hot dusty street, it was not paved as we walked
the dust covered our clean boots. The door was wide open and an elderly lady
sat behind an old desk that had seen better days. Her smile was infectious as
she moved towards us with her hand extended. Introduced herself as Mrs, Bolton,
she let us know she only helped out the real police girl was off having a baby.
Her boss was expecting us, he had just gone down to the
café for lunch and should be back in half an hour, if we wanted to get settle
at the hotel across the way as he did not like being disturb eating his lunch.
Saying we would take her advice we headed across the
street, the man at the desk, wore glasses with large dark rims making his face
look smaller than it actually was. His shirt had mustard left over from lunch
splashed down the front. Asking if we needed help with bags we told him they
were still in our trunk and we would bring them in later.
Handed us keys he went back to watching the television,
saying over his shoulder the café down the street closed at seven so to make
sure we got there for dinner by six, as it was the only place to eat unless we
drove out to Extern twenty miles away.
We had noticed a coffee pot at the station so headed back
to wait for the sheriff to arrive. Asking to read the reports on the murders
Mrs, Bolton handed over the files that sat on her desk, telling us to help
ourselves to the homemade cookies from her kitchen.
Just finishing our coffee, we hear heavy footsteps on the
stairs and a bulk of a man stepped through the door, noticing he certainly did
not miss any lunches or the homemade cookies. His stomach hid his belt, his
beard his jowls, but greeted us with a smile and firm handshake. He was
obviously happy for our help.
After going through the files with him again, he told us
he did not have any suspects, thinking it had to be someone not from the area,
as he knew everyone that lived here in town and the surrounding area. They all
were good folk.
We suggested that we were going to head out to where the
bodies had been discovered to have a look around he offered to drive us so we
all got into his car. As we were leaving another police, car arrived and a
young officer came towards the car poking his head in the driver’s side window.
The deputy’s name was Gary, he looked no older than twenty as he nodded towards
us. Asking George the sheriff if he should come too, George told him to catch
up on his paper work and we would see him later. His look showed disappointment
not to be included, going up the stairs two at a time he turned then headed
inside the door.
We headed back out of town along the highway I noticed
a few men fishing so I was sure the bodies had been dumped at night the men
agreed. George stopped at a pullover and we started down towards the stream. Many
footprints scattered the area hopefully the team had cordoned off the vicinity
before all these prints appeared. George stood back as Bill and I walked the surrounding
area back and forth a few times.
Bill spotted a piece of cloth on a branch pulling a
plastic bag out. I canvassed the tree closer slipping under the branches, a
cigarette lay half-covered by a leaf, and I too put it in a bag. I was sure the
killer stood here after he killed one of the girls having a smoke. Looking
further under the leaves, I spotted a black button beside a rock, when I picked
up the button I could see a faint red spot. Calling to Bill, he said it
certainly looked like blood to him. George bent down losing his balance, Bill
catching him before he landed on me. That man needed to lose some poundage.
It would take a week before the samples came back from
forensic, we put a rush on them sending them to our station. Getting back, we
realized we had not eaten except a cookie at the station, we headed out to the
café before they closed.
A grey haired women who looked like she should be home
with her grandchildren instead of waiting tables handed us the menu telling us
the meatloaf was today’s special with homemade pie for dessert. Taking her advice,
we asked for a beer as we waited.
The meatloaf was the best either of us had tasted, the
apple pie as well, feeling too full we now knew why George was over weight as
the portions were huge.
Walking back to the hotel, we got our bags from the trunk
headed inside for an early night. There was a different man at the desk who
gave us our keys asking if we needed anything before he went off duty. No one
operated the desk after nine he informed us.
Guess if the place burned down you were on your own I
quipped to Bill. Saying goodnight I headed for a bath to get all the dust and
greenery off me. Setting the alarm for seven I was out in know time until the
ringing of my alarm.
Gary was in the office alone, drinking coffee when we
arrived from the café after consuming eggs bacon and hash browns. George had
told him of us finding some evidence yesterday and wanted to hear what we
thought of it. Small towns are inclined to gossip so we did not elaborate on
our findings telling him it was a wait and see. A look of rejection showed on
this young man’s face. I felt guilty not letting him in on our find telling him
he would be the first when we knew, a smile crossed his face as Mrs. Bolton
arrived with a basket fill with scones and cookies.
Bill and I decided to question some of the town people
who lived close to the area where the bodies had been found. We got a list of
names and addresses from Gary headed out into the sunshine, it was going to be
a very hot day as the temperature was already at 70 degrees and only nine
o’clock. Gary offered to drive us and when we said it was fine we would wander
on our own, again a look of rejection.
The first four houses we visited had not heard or seen
anyone in the area, two had small babies that had colds so they were busy with
them. One woman thought she heard a cry for help but though it was from the
television. Her husband had been working that night. The fourth no one was home
except a teenage girl that was afraid to open the door to us speaking with the
chain on the door. Saying her family was in Extern shopping they had not heard
or seen anyone around, that did not live in the area. Her parents would be home
at six, if we wanted to talk to them.
The fifth house lay back in a clearing surrounded with
trees and a man was gardening out front hoeing rows of what looked like
vegetables. He stopped as we drove up walking towards our car introducing
himself as Jack. His wife worked the day shift him the night shift at the local
bar. He said he now went to pick up his wife before he started his shift
telling her not to answer the door when he was not home. He could not add
anything to our investigation, thanking him and left.
One house sat alone near the end of the road, looking rundown a
man answered as we knocked, he looked as unkempt as the house and yard with garbage
and tools lying on the porch. Before we said a word, he told us he was a busy
man and did not want anything we had to sell. Bill showed his badge, saying we
just had a few questions. He had nothing to say to us and closed the door
yelling not to bother him again. We would have to follow up with the sheriff on
this one. Guilt all over his face.
Both of us were sweating, our clothes-soaking wet so
decided to head back to town for a cold shower and change of cloths before
talking to any more locals and checking in with the sheriff. Dark rim small
face was on duty when we arrived, getting our keys, he asked if we had found
any clues yet. I noticed his shirt was different no mustard to be seen but
blotches of catsup instead, he was one sloppy eater. Harry had a badge on his
shirt today with supervisor written with a black marker on it.
Bill and I planned to shower and meet at the sheriff’s
office in an hour. Someone had been in my room, as I always put a strand of my
red hair on the door, it was on the floor. Just a habit of mine I picked up
from my early days of undercover work. Slowly I went over the room found my
suitcase had been gone through as well as my lingerie in the drawer. One pair
of my panties missing someone weird had been visiting. I looked to see if any
camera had been installed, nothing.
Showered and changed I headed out to meet Bill, he was
sitting having a coffee and scone talking to George and Mrs. Bolton she offered
me a scone, declining I poured myself a coffee. I would wait for dinner at the
café or I would need to go on a diet before I left this place, with the large
portions that they served.
The phone rang and you could hear a frantic voice, his
daughter had not come home last night, he thought she was staying over at a friend’s
house until the friend phoned today asking for her. We all headed out the door,
Gary standing waiting for directions, I said I would ride with him, his face
showed appreciation.
The man lived not far out of the town and we arrived ten
minutes after the call. His wife was nowhere to be seen George introduce us,
telling us his wife was away helping her sister out.
Mr Bailey was trying to hold his emotions in but broke
down, explaining about his daughter, who he had not seen since her babysitting
job that ended at 6 pm the day before. Sally was a sixteen year old a good girl
who did not have a boyfriend and was more interested in her music.
We all headed for the steam that went passed his
property, Mr Bailey insisted on coming with us. We must have walk for about a
mile when we came across the body laying half in and half out of the water. Her
neck had a bright scarf wrapped tightly around it. Her naked body sprawled, crawling
insects already aggressive. Mr. Bailey went to go to her as George held him
back whispering we need to get the forensic people here to catch this animal.
Bill and I carefully walk around looking for any clue
spotting a cigarette butt on the ground the bastard had stood here just hours
ago. George made a few calls as we waited for the doctor to arrive, I asked
Gary to drive Mr. Bailey home and call his wife to come home. He nodded and
took Mr. Bailey gentle towards his home.
After the crew had arrived and we combed the area, we
headed back to the station. George pulled out a bottle of scotch from his
drawer pouring us all a stiff drink I told Bill and George someone had been in
my hotel room. I thought George was going to choke as his drink came spurting
out of his mouth, asking how I knew that.
George looked at us both saying then it was someone from
his town, the tears welled up in his eyes. We sat in silence wondering what are
next steps would be. Four women dead and we were no closer to finding this
killer. Bill put a call into our station and wanted the results from forensic
by morning. Neither of us was hungry so headed back to the hotel.
Harry was standing talking to his co-worker stopped when
we came in the door. He had a smudge of dirt on his pant leg when he saw me
looking he said he had to be on his way. Getting our keys Bill followed me up
to my room, checking to make sure everything was in order. Suggesting we
shower, change, and go for a light dinner before the café closed for the night.
As we approached the café, a car sat outside, as passed we both noticed the dirty tires,
Bill and I both moved closer as he bent down pretending to tie his shoe and scraped
some of the grit into a baggie. Whoever owned this car had been near the steam,
could be a fisherman.
Harry sat at the counter talking to the young waitress
drinking a coffee, nodding as we slipped into a booth. She looked relieved to
have more customers to deal with. Bringing over the menu telling us roast
chicken mashed potatoes and salad was today’s special. Bills appetite returned
I opted for the salad.
Harry left as we watched him get into the car outside,
asked the girl whose name was Jen on her name tag how well she knew Harry. She
had gone to school with him until he quit a few years back, she said he was
always trying to hit on her but she had a boy friend and was not interested but
he kept trying. The bell sounded as she went to bring our food.
Walking back, we spotted Harry in his car parked down the
street from the café, no lights on, his silhouette in the driver’s side.
Turning the corner out of sight, we waited, about twenty minutes Jen came
walking past his car he was asking if she wanted a ride, we could see her
shaking her head and carry on towards us. Harry started his car and came
towards us, seeing us he just kept going past. We had tipped our hand as he now
knew we were there watching him.
We walked Jen to her house and suggested she have someone
meet her after work to walk her home. She was unaware that we had seen Harry
ask her for a lift. Bill told her she should not get into any ones car even if
she knew them until the killer was found.
The next week there was no more bodies found which we
were thankful for and the samples came back, no saliva showed on the
cigarettes, too much dirt, they did have a small DNA sample on both. The button
did have a speck of blood of one of the girls on it. Now we had to place the
killer at the scene, as the areas were frequented by most of the population
from fisherman, to picnickers to people just out for a walk to cool off.
Walking back we
dropped into the station Gary sat alone head down writing. He smiled as we came
in happy to have someone to talk to. Offering us coffee declining we sat. The
first question out of my mouth how well did he know Harry from the hotel? Bill
sat letting me ask the questions. Had he ever been in any trouble, did he have
family living in the area?
Gary sat a bit in shock, then gave us a complete
background, he was a troubled teenager, his father kicked him out when he quit
school, his mother left them both when Harry was six years old. His Dad died a
year ago, Harry lived in the old house off Drayton road, he had let the yard get
overgrown, and the house was slowly deteriorating over the last year. He
thought there had been a bit of money, a car as there was no other kin. Did we
think Harry was the killer? Just keep an eye on him until we get a DNA sample
to-morrow.
Bill checked my room again for any disturbance I told him
was unnecessary as my hair was still in place at my door, saying goodnight we
would meet for breakfast tomorrow.
After my bath, I felt restless putting on a pair of
shorts and top I thought I would go over my notes, remembering leaving them in
my car I headed down stairs, The lobby was empty and dark. The door was locked
slipping the bolt I stepped out on the veranda the night was sultry with no
breeze. I opened the car door leaning over to pick up my notes I heard a noise
turning was the last thing I remember.
I could hear the stream roaring past as I came awake, he
had brought me to the deepest part of the stream, I saw the outline of my car up
on the layaway the headlights going out. Harry coming down towards me the moon
high in the sky shone on the fast flowing water I could make out he had a
bright scarf in his hand. I rolled into the cool water letting the moving water
take me down stream. Floating, it brought back memories as children we would
float for hours starting at the top to the bottom seeing who could stay the
longest in the cold water. I was the winner every time out of pure
stubbornness.
The water was starting to chill my body I was not a kid
anymore, so should try to get out soon. I could hear Harry thrashing through
the trees, a flashlight scanning near me, when it came close I went under. The
other side of the stream had a high sheer bank the incline was far to steep so
I had to get ahead of Harry before I emerged from the water. Still hearing him
over the gushing water he seemed to be farther behind, now was my chance,
pulling myself towards the edge I crawled out onto the ground, something moved
under me, just a mouse or rat I thought. Bending low against the ground I moved
towards the trees, A branch broke he was close, I had nothing to protect
myself, looking for a fallen bough or rock my hand came on a boulder.
I waited shivering, he emerged shining his flashlight
into the water, he thought I was still in the stream. I came cautiously up
behind him, he turned saw me and tried to
hit me with his light, I got him right in his face sending his glasses to the
ground, he yelped going down, giving him one more hard hit to the head he was
out.
He had the scarf hanging out of his jacket pocket I tied
his hands tightly wishing I could put it around his neck. I gave him one kick
to the groin and headed towards a house nearby with the lights on. Then phoned
my location to Bill and went back to wait to make sure Harry was not going
anywhere. As I approached he was trying to stand up, groggy as he swayed I
swept his feet from under him down he went. That is when he told me if I had
not come down to my car he had been waiting outside the hotel until my lights
went out and he was going to come up and strangle me in bed. He cried that I
had ruined everything for him.
The piece of cloth found matched a coat of Harry’ s in
his closet with the button missing, he would never see the outside again and
would spend many years on death row before getting the injection.
Maybe I would revisit my old town, maybe not.
Chilling, I think you should be writing a murder mystery series and start publishing them!
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