Walk With Me
Once upon a time I had this brilliant idea, that I stole from a famous author, to put out a quarterly publication. In it I would put various short stories, novellas, book reviews and two longer serialized pieces. Well, that fizzled after a year. My day job, which has always been hectic, got extremely busy and shut down my writing, along with my myriad other hobbies, for ages. Walk With Me is one of those two serials that I was working on. It is a bit of a murder mystery mixed with bits of dark fantasy. A former LAPD detective turned private eye gets roped into investigating a murder in a small Louisiana town. Interspersed throughout are quirky characters, weird dreams, strange happenings and possibly some Lovecraftian horror. If that sounds more than a little Twin Peaks then you can view this as sort of an homage to that great show. Since this is being written piece by piece I've chosen to put it up as read only until I am done. You'll find that it is a bit rough in places and it will most assuredly be heavily edited when I am done. I hope that you enjoy it.
Chapter 1
“I think my husband is cheating on me.”
Many private investigators build entire careers off of those simple little words. Inevitably, however, they always led him to the same place; parked in a car outside of a seedy motel, drinking stale convenience store coffee watching for the slightest indiscretion. Sometimes it might take all week, which was the worst. Two days in and a mountain of trash later the car would reek of take out and farts. Which is exactly where he found himself on a Sunday afternoon, parked across the street from The Texas Inn, ironic since Texas was several days drive away from Cali, focused out the window through a high powered camera lens. He hoped that he could get the money shot soon. He had a client who wanted him to sweep for bugs first thing Monday morning. Every business man on the West Coast seemed to think that his company had spies everywhere trying to steal their secrets. Likely nothing would turn up, but the pay for Electronic Counter Measure gigs was good. It was at that point that the motel room opened and its occupants graced his camera lens with a steamy loving embrace before going their separate ways.
“Finally” he mumbled as he started his car. All he wanted was a hot shower, a burger, and a beer.
Just as he was pulling onto the highway his phone rang. “Ritter investigation, this is David.”
“David” came a melodious female voice from the other end. “You might not remember me, but this is Melody, Melody Scott.”
Despite himself he smiled a little. “Of course I remember you. It’s not every girl that gets me shot.”
There was laughter from the other end of the connection followed by “Darling I’ve apologized for that a thousand times. How many times must I say that I’m sorry?”
“At least one thousand and one. To what do I the pleasure of this call?”
“I was wondering if we could meet tomorrow for lunch to discuss some business.”
“Absolutely”, he replied “you just name the time and place.”
“How does 1:00 at The Venus Club sound, my treat of course?”
He quickly agreed and they said their goodbyes. A short trip later and he was home scrubbing in a hot shower. He always felt the need to scour himself after staking someone hoping to capture their infidelity on film. A half hour after getting into the shower he pulled back the curtain to step out into a humid bathroom. He toweled off and then used the towel to wipe the condensation off of the mirror. When it was clear he took a moment to examine himself. He had dark brown hair that was beginning to show a little grey despite only being forty. He was a little under six feet tall and too much beer and fatty foods were starting to make him a little flabby around the middle. He had always worked hard to stay fit but lately he couldn’t seem to find any motivation for exercise. There also seemed to be more lines around his eyes. He dropped the towel on the floor and threw on a bathrobe before turning out the lights.
He walked into the kitchen and went straight to the fridge to take out a beer. He cracked it open and took a long pull before doing anything else. Now armed he set about hunting supper. He pulled out hamburger meat that he had set out to thaw that morning. In minutes he had what he referred to as his bachelor burger. Bacon and hamburger meat all cooked in the microwave on paper towels. He picked up his beer to find that it was empty already. Grabbing a fresh one he moved into the living room, sat down in a slightly tattered recliner, and turned on the TV.
He started flipping channels. Cop show. Science show. Cop show. Reality TV. Another cop show. Black and white movie. Finally he settled on Star Trek reruns to satisfy his inner nerd. Hours later and several beers down he wandered into a study that used to be a small guest bedroom. He unlocked the cabinet containing his files and pulled one from the back. He spent the next forty five minutes staring at it as if at an especially difficult puzzle before putting it away again and tottering off to bed.
****
He woke up the next morning with a mild hangover. He supposed that he should be concerned by how frequently that was occurring but all he truthfully felt was apathy and a certain amount of nihilism. He staggered around getting himself together. He skipped breakfast, as usual, but made sure to shave. One had to look ones best for the clients. He gathered all his photos and notes for his first client as well as everything he would need to sweep for bugs and was out the door by 8:00.
His first stop was to yesterday’s client’s home to confirm her worst fears. He would have much preferred to meet in an office but he had yet to find one that he could afford and the small study he had at home wasn’t sufficient. This left either one of two options, at the client’s home or in public. He had tried public meetings before and they had been complete fiascos. Most clients took it stoically, some broke down in tears and one had been arrested for becoming so enraged that she started smashing the restaurant’s furniture. Public meetings were definitely out.
Still, there had been complications about meeting in homes. Once he had contracted for a wife to investigate her banker husband whom she believed was cashing his checks at another branch. Luckily for her he really was just working late. Unluckily for him the husband suspected the same thing of his wife and had hired his own PI to investigate her. The same PI took photos of him entering the client’s house and a huge scandal had erupted. The whole mess ended with punches thrown and no checks signed with his name on them. He sighed mentally and wondered if he’d have time to office shop that afternoon.
He was at his client’s by 8:30 and broke the bad news to her by 8:40. Despite his cynical nature he still felt somewhat sad for her. She was an attractive, middle aged, dark haired housewife who had the misfortune of being married to a dentist going through a midlife crisis. She took the news remarkably well. She cried, but not hysterically and insisted on paying him immediately even though he made a practice of not asking for his fees immediately. He made his goodbyes and was gone by 9:00.
At 9:30 he parked in front of Eco Friendly Housing Inc. or EFH for short. Their business manager had tried to explain to him what they did but he hadn’t really been listening. It had something to do with compact, prefabricated houses, made out of bamboo of all things. He felt that it was highly unlikely that anyone was spying on this operation.
Two hours later he left EFH Inc. He had found a half a dozen listening devices that he suspected came from at least two different sources. The manager was more than a little shaken by the level of espionage directed at them and frankly David himself was more than a little surprised. Despite being so rattled they were pleased with him and in addition to paying him on the spot they added on a bonus and an offer of regular spy sweeper. He told them that he’d get back to them. By 11:45 he was on his way to the bank. It would be nice to make a large deposit for once.
He pulled up to the vale station of the Venus Club at 12:50, straightened his tie, handed his keys to the vale, and walked through the entrance. He asked for Ms. Scott’s table and the Maître D, in his clean white shirt and vest, gave him a disapproving once over before leading him out onto the patio. When he stepped into the sunlight Melody spotted him instantly and threw an energetic wave while flashing him a bemused smile. She was still a beautiful woman even into her fifties, with blonde hair and stunning blue eyes. A media darling all her life she barely seemed to notice the glances sent her away. Seated at her table was a younger woman in her mid-twenties. She had chestnut colored hair; a trim figure that he suspected took hours in the gym to maintain and her blue eyes the same shade as Melody’s. Melody stood when he approached to give him a light hug and a kiss on the cheek. They sat and she turned to the girl next to her to introduce them.
“David, I’d like you to meet my beautiful granddaughter, Ashley. Ashley, I’d like you to meet the man who saved my life, David Ritter.”
He leaned over the table to shake her hand then settled back in his seat.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard about you almost all my life” Ashley said.
He chuckled and responded, “I’m not sure what all you’ve heard but you shouldn’t believe half of it.”
“Nonsense!” exclaimed Melody. “This man, when he was hardly more than a boy, was working security at a convention I was attending and he saved my life.”
“I know grans, you’ve told me a thousand times” Ashley said with a sigh. Her grandmother, however, kept on as if she hadn’t heard.
“There I was, at the convention, we had just finished answering questions about my latest movie, and I was making my way from the stage to the exit when out of nowhere came a deranged fan with a gun. I was so frozen with terror that I couldn’t even scream when this gallant, and handsome, young policeman came hurtling into him. They were struggling for the gun when it went off. I saw poor David step back with this confused look on his face. He touched his side where he had been shot and then he hauled off and slugged the bastard so hard he broke his jaw. He slumped to the floor and I finally remembered how to move just in time to catch him. I held him there in my arms until the medics arrived and I refused to let them move me.”
David could feel his face growing flushed at the retelling of this adventure. Truthfully he remembered very little of the encounter besides being very afraid himself. Likely Ashley knew the details, however embellished, better than he did. To cover his own embarrassment he reached for his water, however Melody must have noticed anyway.
“I’m sorry David; this isn’t why we called you here, not at all.”
“Why did you call me here if I may ask? Not that I mind the company of course.”
“We called you here on business but business should never be discussed on an empty stomach. Are you hungry?”
With that she signaled for the waiter without giving him a chance to answer. The waiter was very prompt getting to their table and practically fawned over the two ladies. However, he kept looking down his nose at David much to his annoyance.
After they had eaten, including dessert at Melody’s insistence, David leaned back in his seat ready to discuss business. Melody saw this and dabbed at her lips once more with her impeccably folded napkin.
“Ashley” she began “as you might have surmised has chosen to follow in my footsteps career wise. She has done quite well, I might add, on her own merit even turning down jobs she suspected that were offered because of my fame instead of her talent.”
A quick glance at Ashley showed the beginnings of a blush creeping over her face. Turning back to Melody he asked, “I’m very impressed, but what does this have to do with me?”
“Of course, my apologies, I got a little caught up. Most of her parts have been small ones but she recently landed a lead role in a small film, a thriller I believe, entitled Walk with Me. However, filming starts in a month in Louisiana and we’re concerned about how far away she’ll be. I worry about her safety.”
“Grans, I’ve told you that I’ll be fine” interjected Ashley.
“Indulge me child” Melody responded. “Ever since I lost your mother I’ve worried about you.” She turned back to David. “We’d like to hire you to go with her as added security”
He reached for his glass and sat back again to take a sip while he collected his thoughts. He glanced around at the many people walking by. After a moment he put his glass back onto the table, met Melody’s gaze and shook his head no.
“I’m afraid I have to say no. Private security isn’t exactly what I do. Besides that I have a case that I’m working on that I’m afraid to leave for that long.”
“Oh David, are you still working on that case? I had hoped that you had finally let it go.”
He shrugged and responded “I can’t let it go. I have to solve it.”
Melody looked like she wanted to say more, but she chose not to. The look of sadness she directed him spoke volumes however. Ashley simply looked embarrassed but he chalked that up to her age. With nothing left to say he thanked them for the meal, wished Ashley good luck and left to head home to a house that offered only a case of beer and a lonely file. He turned in his parking stub and waited for his vehicle. While he was waiting his phone rang. He was tempted to let it go to voicemail but on the third ring he flipped it open.
“Ritter Investigation this is David.”
“Hello” a woman said. She sounded like she had been crying. “I think my husband is cheating on me.”
“I think my husband is cheating on me.”
Many private investigators build entire careers off of those simple little words. Inevitably, however, they always led him to the same place; parked in a car outside of a seedy motel, drinking stale convenience store coffee watching for the slightest indiscretion. Sometimes it might take all week, which was the worst. Two days in and a mountain of trash later the car would reek of take out and farts. Which is exactly where he found himself on a Sunday afternoon, parked across the street from The Texas Inn, ironic since Texas was several days drive away from Cali, focused out the window through a high powered camera lens. He hoped that he could get the money shot soon. He had a client who wanted him to sweep for bugs first thing Monday morning. Every business man on the West Coast seemed to think that his company had spies everywhere trying to steal their secrets. Likely nothing would turn up, but the pay for Electronic Counter Measure gigs was good. It was at that point that the motel room opened and its occupants graced his camera lens with a steamy loving embrace before going their separate ways.
“Finally” he mumbled as he started his car. All he wanted was a hot shower, a burger, and a beer.
Just as he was pulling onto the highway his phone rang. “Ritter investigation, this is David.”
“David” came a melodious female voice from the other end. “You might not remember me, but this is Melody, Melody Scott.”
Despite himself he smiled a little. “Of course I remember you. It’s not every girl that gets me shot.”
There was laughter from the other end of the connection followed by “Darling I’ve apologized for that a thousand times. How many times must I say that I’m sorry?”
“At least one thousand and one. To what do I the pleasure of this call?”
“I was wondering if we could meet tomorrow for lunch to discuss some business.”
“Absolutely”, he replied “you just name the time and place.”
“How does 1:00 at The Venus Club sound, my treat of course?”
He quickly agreed and they said their goodbyes. A short trip later and he was home scrubbing in a hot shower. He always felt the need to scour himself after staking someone hoping to capture their infidelity on film. A half hour after getting into the shower he pulled back the curtain to step out into a humid bathroom. He toweled off and then used the towel to wipe the condensation off of the mirror. When it was clear he took a moment to examine himself. He had dark brown hair that was beginning to show a little grey despite only being forty. He was a little under six feet tall and too much beer and fatty foods were starting to make him a little flabby around the middle. He had always worked hard to stay fit but lately he couldn’t seem to find any motivation for exercise. There also seemed to be more lines around his eyes. He dropped the towel on the floor and threw on a bathrobe before turning out the lights.
He walked into the kitchen and went straight to the fridge to take out a beer. He cracked it open and took a long pull before doing anything else. Now armed he set about hunting supper. He pulled out hamburger meat that he had set out to thaw that morning. In minutes he had what he referred to as his bachelor burger. Bacon and hamburger meat all cooked in the microwave on paper towels. He picked up his beer to find that it was empty already. Grabbing a fresh one he moved into the living room, sat down in a slightly tattered recliner, and turned on the TV.
He started flipping channels. Cop show. Science show. Cop show. Reality TV. Another cop show. Black and white movie. Finally he settled on Star Trek reruns to satisfy his inner nerd. Hours later and several beers down he wandered into a study that used to be a small guest bedroom. He unlocked the cabinet containing his files and pulled one from the back. He spent the next forty five minutes staring at it as if at an especially difficult puzzle before putting it away again and tottering off to bed.
****
He woke up the next morning with a mild hangover. He supposed that he should be concerned by how frequently that was occurring but all he truthfully felt was apathy and a certain amount of nihilism. He staggered around getting himself together. He skipped breakfast, as usual, but made sure to shave. One had to look ones best for the clients. He gathered all his photos and notes for his first client as well as everything he would need to sweep for bugs and was out the door by 8:00.
His first stop was to yesterday’s client’s home to confirm her worst fears. He would have much preferred to meet in an office but he had yet to find one that he could afford and the small study he had at home wasn’t sufficient. This left either one of two options, at the client’s home or in public. He had tried public meetings before and they had been complete fiascos. Most clients took it stoically, some broke down in tears and one had been arrested for becoming so enraged that she started smashing the restaurant’s furniture. Public meetings were definitely out.
Still, there had been complications about meeting in homes. Once he had contracted for a wife to investigate her banker husband whom she believed was cashing his checks at another branch. Luckily for her he really was just working late. Unluckily for him the husband suspected the same thing of his wife and had hired his own PI to investigate her. The same PI took photos of him entering the client’s house and a huge scandal had erupted. The whole mess ended with punches thrown and no checks signed with his name on them. He sighed mentally and wondered if he’d have time to office shop that afternoon.
He was at his client’s by 8:30 and broke the bad news to her by 8:40. Despite his cynical nature he still felt somewhat sad for her. She was an attractive, middle aged, dark haired housewife who had the misfortune of being married to a dentist going through a midlife crisis. She took the news remarkably well. She cried, but not hysterically and insisted on paying him immediately even though he made a practice of not asking for his fees immediately. He made his goodbyes and was gone by 9:00.
At 9:30 he parked in front of Eco Friendly Housing Inc. or EFH for short. Their business manager had tried to explain to him what they did but he hadn’t really been listening. It had something to do with compact, prefabricated houses, made out of bamboo of all things. He felt that it was highly unlikely that anyone was spying on this operation.
Two hours later he left EFH Inc. He had found a half a dozen listening devices that he suspected came from at least two different sources. The manager was more than a little shaken by the level of espionage directed at them and frankly David himself was more than a little surprised. Despite being so rattled they were pleased with him and in addition to paying him on the spot they added on a bonus and an offer of regular spy sweeper. He told them that he’d get back to them. By 11:45 he was on his way to the bank. It would be nice to make a large deposit for once.
He pulled up to the vale station of the Venus Club at 12:50, straightened his tie, handed his keys to the vale, and walked through the entrance. He asked for Ms. Scott’s table and the Maître D, in his clean white shirt and vest, gave him a disapproving once over before leading him out onto the patio. When he stepped into the sunlight Melody spotted him instantly and threw an energetic wave while flashing him a bemused smile. She was still a beautiful woman even into her fifties, with blonde hair and stunning blue eyes. A media darling all her life she barely seemed to notice the glances sent her away. Seated at her table was a younger woman in her mid-twenties. She had chestnut colored hair; a trim figure that he suspected took hours in the gym to maintain and her blue eyes the same shade as Melody’s. Melody stood when he approached to give him a light hug and a kiss on the cheek. They sat and she turned to the girl next to her to introduce them.
“David, I’d like you to meet my beautiful granddaughter, Ashley. Ashley, I’d like you to meet the man who saved my life, David Ritter.”
He leaned over the table to shake her hand then settled back in his seat.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard about you almost all my life” Ashley said.
He chuckled and responded, “I’m not sure what all you’ve heard but you shouldn’t believe half of it.”
“Nonsense!” exclaimed Melody. “This man, when he was hardly more than a boy, was working security at a convention I was attending and he saved my life.”
“I know grans, you’ve told me a thousand times” Ashley said with a sigh. Her grandmother, however, kept on as if she hadn’t heard.
“There I was, at the convention, we had just finished answering questions about my latest movie, and I was making my way from the stage to the exit when out of nowhere came a deranged fan with a gun. I was so frozen with terror that I couldn’t even scream when this gallant, and handsome, young policeman came hurtling into him. They were struggling for the gun when it went off. I saw poor David step back with this confused look on his face. He touched his side where he had been shot and then he hauled off and slugged the bastard so hard he broke his jaw. He slumped to the floor and I finally remembered how to move just in time to catch him. I held him there in my arms until the medics arrived and I refused to let them move me.”
David could feel his face growing flushed at the retelling of this adventure. Truthfully he remembered very little of the encounter besides being very afraid himself. Likely Ashley knew the details, however embellished, better than he did. To cover his own embarrassment he reached for his water, however Melody must have noticed anyway.
“I’m sorry David; this isn’t why we called you here, not at all.”
“Why did you call me here if I may ask? Not that I mind the company of course.”
“We called you here on business but business should never be discussed on an empty stomach. Are you hungry?”
With that she signaled for the waiter without giving him a chance to answer. The waiter was very prompt getting to their table and practically fawned over the two ladies. However, he kept looking down his nose at David much to his annoyance.
After they had eaten, including dessert at Melody’s insistence, David leaned back in his seat ready to discuss business. Melody saw this and dabbed at her lips once more with her impeccably folded napkin.
“Ashley” she began “as you might have surmised has chosen to follow in my footsteps career wise. She has done quite well, I might add, on her own merit even turning down jobs she suspected that were offered because of my fame instead of her talent.”
A quick glance at Ashley showed the beginnings of a blush creeping over her face. Turning back to Melody he asked, “I’m very impressed, but what does this have to do with me?”
“Of course, my apologies, I got a little caught up. Most of her parts have been small ones but she recently landed a lead role in a small film, a thriller I believe, entitled Walk with Me. However, filming starts in a month in Louisiana and we’re concerned about how far away she’ll be. I worry about her safety.”
“Grans, I’ve told you that I’ll be fine” interjected Ashley.
“Indulge me child” Melody responded. “Ever since I lost your mother I’ve worried about you.” She turned back to David. “We’d like to hire you to go with her as added security”
He reached for his glass and sat back again to take a sip while he collected his thoughts. He glanced around at the many people walking by. After a moment he put his glass back onto the table, met Melody’s gaze and shook his head no.
“I’m afraid I have to say no. Private security isn’t exactly what I do. Besides that I have a case that I’m working on that I’m afraid to leave for that long.”
“Oh David, are you still working on that case? I had hoped that you had finally let it go.”
He shrugged and responded “I can’t let it go. I have to solve it.”
Melody looked like she wanted to say more, but she chose not to. The look of sadness she directed him spoke volumes however. Ashley simply looked embarrassed but he chalked that up to her age. With nothing left to say he thanked them for the meal, wished Ashley good luck and left to head home to a house that offered only a case of beer and a lonely file. He turned in his parking stub and waited for his vehicle. While he was waiting his phone rang. He was tempted to let it go to voicemail but on the third ring he flipped it open.
“Ritter Investigation this is David.”
“Hello” a woman said. She sounded like she had been crying. “I think my husband is cheating on me.”
Chapter 2
David winced as he slid onto the barstool and placed a hand to his ribs. When he opened his eyes Joe, the bartender, was sliding a Newcastle across the counter towards him. He picked it up and took a swig before hoisting it in Joe’s direction. Joe threw him a mock salute.
“Tough day at the office?”
“You could say that” David replied. “I caught up with a bail jumper this morning.”
“Yeah? So what’s up with the ribs?”
“He didn’t appreciate my services. He decided to express his displeasure with a two by four.”
“Damn! What did you do?”
“I took the two by four and returned the favor. Might have used the taser for good measure. Had to spend a nice chunk of my reward money on an ER visit.”
“Well, in that case the first round is on the house.”
“Joe, you’re a saint” he said before taking another pull of his beer.
“How’s school going?”
“Good. It’s a bitch to pay for with the tips from this place. Thinking about finding something else to do.”
“Can’t blame you there. I think about the same thing all the time. I’d hate to see you go though. You’re the best bartender in this hole in the wall.”
He set his empty bottle down and waved for another. He spent the next half hour pounding back beers. Finally Joe came by with a fresh bottle and a concerned look on his face. He was scratching the dark stubble on his cheek.
“David, I’m a little worried about you here. If you have any more I’m gonna have to ask for your keys.”
David looked up at him and stuck his hand in his coat pocket. He pulled his keys out and was about to drop them on the counter when his phone began to vibrate. He almost let it go to voicemail but he caught it on the final ring without checking the number.
“Ritter Investigation, this is David” he said before taking another pull of his beer. At first he didn't hear anything and he was about to hang up when he heard soft sobs.
“David?”
“Melody” he asked in reply. His only answer was a brief pause and then in a husky, tearful voice “Ashley is dead.”
He set down his beer without a pause and said “I’ll be right over”.
It started drizzling while he was on his way and was full on raining by the time he swung his beat up old Buick into the driveway. He spent several minutes rooting for an umbrella before giving up. He clapped an old fedora on his head and stepped out into the rain. He turned up his collar and jogged along the short cobblestone path, past the immaculate flower beds, towards the front of a massive colonial style home.
As he reached the columns, which seemed to stretch up forever, he realized two things. The first realization was that he was dressed as a complete cliché. His second one was an embarrassing one. He leaned against one of the columns and took three deep breaths trying to slow his heart rate back down. After a minute he straightened up and folded his collar back down.
True to Melody's taste she had a giant brass door knocker in lieu of anything as simple as a doorbell. He knocked three times and the door was opened almost instantly by a maid. She was wiping her sleeve across her eyes as she held the door. Stepping back she ushered him in and offered to take his hat and coat. They dripped on the floor and he felt self-conscious about tracking in water.
He couldn't help but glance around first. The house was two stories and immediately upon entering you saw a staircase that rose up from the main sitting room and branched off to both wings of the upper floor. It was like a set straight out of Gone With the Wind. He didn't have long to look though as the maid lead him into a smaller room off to the right where he found Melody.
She was sitting on a white love seat with another maid sitting beside her stroking her hair. Tissues littered the floor around her. He didn't say anything as he approached her but she must have sensed him. She looked up at him with naked anguish on her face and when he drew near she locked her arms around his waist and began sobbing again. He opened his mouth to speak several times but he could not find the right words. Instead he stroked her hair the way her maid had been doing. Her sobbing grew louder and more violent. At one point he noticed that her hands were balled into fists and he was afraid that she was going to start hitting him. Luckily her sobs eventually subsided again and she let go of him to dry her eyes and compose herself.
When she seemed almost calm he knelt in front of where she sat and said “tell me everything.” She nodded her head and blotted a fresh tissue on her eyes.
“The police called a few hours ago to tell me....” she almost let out another sob, but placed a hand over her mouth, “to tell me that Ashley is dead. They wouldn't give me many details over the phone, but apparently she was” she paused “murdered.”
He felt his shoulders slump. He wrapped his arms around Melody and she laid her head on his shoulder. He could feel her breath against the nape of his neck.
“I’m so sorry” he croaked out.
She straightened up to meet his eyes. “Don't be sorry dear, you didn't do this. A monster did this. Besides, there were plenty of others that we could have called when you said no. Ashley was unconcerned and I let her persuade me.”
He wanted to thank her for letting him off the hook, but he felt that would be crass. He held her close until she was calm, or as calm as could be expected given the circumstances.
“I didn't call you here to make you feel bad” she finally said. “I need to ask a favor of you.”
“Anything” he replied. “How could I say no to you again?”
“I need someone to go to Louisiana to collect Ashley's things and her...” she trailed off before she could finish her sentence.
“Of course” he said without hesitation. “I'll get a plane ticket tomorrow.”
“Nonsense” she exclaimed. “I know several pilots and I will have you flown there on a private jet. I know a producer who owes me a favor and will be happy to lend it to me. You'll get there faster, more comfortably, and without all of that TSA nonsense. Can you fly out tomorrow at 7:00?”
“I’ll go straight home to pack and clear my calendar.”
“David?” her voice was quieter.
“Yes Melody?”
“I want something else.”
“Just name it.”
“I want you to find the monster that killed my baby. I’ll pay your regular fee plus expenses.”
“Melody, I think the police there could do a better job than I could.”
Her hand jerked forward and grabbed his wrist. He could feel the nails of her fingers dig into his skin. He hissed in pain and looked up at her face. Her eyes were wide and unblinking.
“No David. I want it to be you. I trust you.”
“Ok. I’ll do it” he said. Her grip relaxed at once. He pulled his arm back to massage his wrist.
“You don’t owe me anything though. I can’t ask you to pay for this.”
“Nonsense” she replied. She started fussing with the front of her nightgown trying to smooth it out. “I’m asking you to fly across the country for me. Just because you feel guilty doesn’t mean that you won’t have bills to pay.”
He stared at her another moment before nodding his head. “Ok. I’ll let you pay the expenses.”
Melody patted his hand. “That’s ok then. You should go home and pack. You have an early flight in the morning.”
He nodded again and leaned over to kiss her cheek. “I’ll find whoever did this. Don’t worry.”
The rain had mostly cleared up when he left and he drove home on damp, dreary streets. He hung his wet coat up in the bathroom and started the arduous process of packing. He dug out a black Samsonite that was far past its prime. He started cramming clothes into it almost haphazardly. As an afterthought he added his Smith and Wesson .357 and couple of boxes of bullets even though he seriously doubted that any gun play would be called for. He called his clients, all two of them, to clear his schedule and then he spent a little time researching the town that he was flying to the next day.
He got to the airport early and as he pulled up he saw that Melody was there to see him off. She was dressed in black and had a pair of large Anne Taylor sunglasses on that covered her face hiding the evidence of her tears. He parked in long term parking and grabbed his luggage before walking over to where she stood waiting. She hugged him gingerly and not with her usual open armed demeanor. He still whimpered a little as she touched his side. He couldn’t help but wonder if some part of her blamed home after all. She let go of him before he found the nerve to say ask her and pulled out a large manila envelope from her purse.
“I’ve made all of the arrangements for you. In here is your hotel reservation, car rental info, a list of contact numbers for the studio and the police department, and a fold out map. Please, just bring Ashley home to me” she pleaded with a hitch in her voice.
“I will. I promise” he replied as he took the envelope from her.
He hugged her once more and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek before climbing aboard the plane.
It was a pleasant enough, if long, flight across the country. They made one refueling stop along the way and he spent the time napping, raiding the mini bar, and looking through the packet of info that Melody had provided. She had reserved him a room at a bed and breakfast and a Crown Vic to drive when he got there.
He chuckled quietly and smiled. It seemed that even in her grief she had a sense of humor and had gotten him the ultimate cliché car for a private investigator. He also found several hundred dollars in cash that she had conveniently forgotten to mention. He sighed knowing that he would have done this job for free but also knowing that Melody would be highly offended if he refused her generosity.
David winced as he slid onto the barstool and placed a hand to his ribs. When he opened his eyes Joe, the bartender, was sliding a Newcastle across the counter towards him. He picked it up and took a swig before hoisting it in Joe’s direction. Joe threw him a mock salute.
“Tough day at the office?”
“You could say that” David replied. “I caught up with a bail jumper this morning.”
“Yeah? So what’s up with the ribs?”
“He didn’t appreciate my services. He decided to express his displeasure with a two by four.”
“Damn! What did you do?”
“I took the two by four and returned the favor. Might have used the taser for good measure. Had to spend a nice chunk of my reward money on an ER visit.”
“Well, in that case the first round is on the house.”
“Joe, you’re a saint” he said before taking another pull of his beer.
“How’s school going?”
“Good. It’s a bitch to pay for with the tips from this place. Thinking about finding something else to do.”
“Can’t blame you there. I think about the same thing all the time. I’d hate to see you go though. You’re the best bartender in this hole in the wall.”
He set his empty bottle down and waved for another. He spent the next half hour pounding back beers. Finally Joe came by with a fresh bottle and a concerned look on his face. He was scratching the dark stubble on his cheek.
“David, I’m a little worried about you here. If you have any more I’m gonna have to ask for your keys.”
David looked up at him and stuck his hand in his coat pocket. He pulled his keys out and was about to drop them on the counter when his phone began to vibrate. He almost let it go to voicemail but he caught it on the final ring without checking the number.
“Ritter Investigation, this is David” he said before taking another pull of his beer. At first he didn't hear anything and he was about to hang up when he heard soft sobs.
“David?”
“Melody” he asked in reply. His only answer was a brief pause and then in a husky, tearful voice “Ashley is dead.”
He set down his beer without a pause and said “I’ll be right over”.
It started drizzling while he was on his way and was full on raining by the time he swung his beat up old Buick into the driveway. He spent several minutes rooting for an umbrella before giving up. He clapped an old fedora on his head and stepped out into the rain. He turned up his collar and jogged along the short cobblestone path, past the immaculate flower beds, towards the front of a massive colonial style home.
As he reached the columns, which seemed to stretch up forever, he realized two things. The first realization was that he was dressed as a complete cliché. His second one was an embarrassing one. He leaned against one of the columns and took three deep breaths trying to slow his heart rate back down. After a minute he straightened up and folded his collar back down.
True to Melody's taste she had a giant brass door knocker in lieu of anything as simple as a doorbell. He knocked three times and the door was opened almost instantly by a maid. She was wiping her sleeve across her eyes as she held the door. Stepping back she ushered him in and offered to take his hat and coat. They dripped on the floor and he felt self-conscious about tracking in water.
He couldn't help but glance around first. The house was two stories and immediately upon entering you saw a staircase that rose up from the main sitting room and branched off to both wings of the upper floor. It was like a set straight out of Gone With the Wind. He didn't have long to look though as the maid lead him into a smaller room off to the right where he found Melody.
She was sitting on a white love seat with another maid sitting beside her stroking her hair. Tissues littered the floor around her. He didn't say anything as he approached her but she must have sensed him. She looked up at him with naked anguish on her face and when he drew near she locked her arms around his waist and began sobbing again. He opened his mouth to speak several times but he could not find the right words. Instead he stroked her hair the way her maid had been doing. Her sobbing grew louder and more violent. At one point he noticed that her hands were balled into fists and he was afraid that she was going to start hitting him. Luckily her sobs eventually subsided again and she let go of him to dry her eyes and compose herself.
When she seemed almost calm he knelt in front of where she sat and said “tell me everything.” She nodded her head and blotted a fresh tissue on her eyes.
“The police called a few hours ago to tell me....” she almost let out another sob, but placed a hand over her mouth, “to tell me that Ashley is dead. They wouldn't give me many details over the phone, but apparently she was” she paused “murdered.”
He felt his shoulders slump. He wrapped his arms around Melody and she laid her head on his shoulder. He could feel her breath against the nape of his neck.
“I’m so sorry” he croaked out.
She straightened up to meet his eyes. “Don't be sorry dear, you didn't do this. A monster did this. Besides, there were plenty of others that we could have called when you said no. Ashley was unconcerned and I let her persuade me.”
He wanted to thank her for letting him off the hook, but he felt that would be crass. He held her close until she was calm, or as calm as could be expected given the circumstances.
“I didn't call you here to make you feel bad” she finally said. “I need to ask a favor of you.”
“Anything” he replied. “How could I say no to you again?”
“I need someone to go to Louisiana to collect Ashley's things and her...” she trailed off before she could finish her sentence.
“Of course” he said without hesitation. “I'll get a plane ticket tomorrow.”
“Nonsense” she exclaimed. “I know several pilots and I will have you flown there on a private jet. I know a producer who owes me a favor and will be happy to lend it to me. You'll get there faster, more comfortably, and without all of that TSA nonsense. Can you fly out tomorrow at 7:00?”
“I’ll go straight home to pack and clear my calendar.”
“David?” her voice was quieter.
“Yes Melody?”
“I want something else.”
“Just name it.”
“I want you to find the monster that killed my baby. I’ll pay your regular fee plus expenses.”
“Melody, I think the police there could do a better job than I could.”
Her hand jerked forward and grabbed his wrist. He could feel the nails of her fingers dig into his skin. He hissed in pain and looked up at her face. Her eyes were wide and unblinking.
“No David. I want it to be you. I trust you.”
“Ok. I’ll do it” he said. Her grip relaxed at once. He pulled his arm back to massage his wrist.
“You don’t owe me anything though. I can’t ask you to pay for this.”
“Nonsense” she replied. She started fussing with the front of her nightgown trying to smooth it out. “I’m asking you to fly across the country for me. Just because you feel guilty doesn’t mean that you won’t have bills to pay.”
He stared at her another moment before nodding his head. “Ok. I’ll let you pay the expenses.”
Melody patted his hand. “That’s ok then. You should go home and pack. You have an early flight in the morning.”
He nodded again and leaned over to kiss her cheek. “I’ll find whoever did this. Don’t worry.”
The rain had mostly cleared up when he left and he drove home on damp, dreary streets. He hung his wet coat up in the bathroom and started the arduous process of packing. He dug out a black Samsonite that was far past its prime. He started cramming clothes into it almost haphazardly. As an afterthought he added his Smith and Wesson .357 and couple of boxes of bullets even though he seriously doubted that any gun play would be called for. He called his clients, all two of them, to clear his schedule and then he spent a little time researching the town that he was flying to the next day.
He got to the airport early and as he pulled up he saw that Melody was there to see him off. She was dressed in black and had a pair of large Anne Taylor sunglasses on that covered her face hiding the evidence of her tears. He parked in long term parking and grabbed his luggage before walking over to where she stood waiting. She hugged him gingerly and not with her usual open armed demeanor. He still whimpered a little as she touched his side. He couldn’t help but wonder if some part of her blamed home after all. She let go of him before he found the nerve to say ask her and pulled out a large manila envelope from her purse.
“I’ve made all of the arrangements for you. In here is your hotel reservation, car rental info, a list of contact numbers for the studio and the police department, and a fold out map. Please, just bring Ashley home to me” she pleaded with a hitch in her voice.
“I will. I promise” he replied as he took the envelope from her.
He hugged her once more and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek before climbing aboard the plane.
It was a pleasant enough, if long, flight across the country. They made one refueling stop along the way and he spent the time napping, raiding the mini bar, and looking through the packet of info that Melody had provided. She had reserved him a room at a bed and breakfast and a Crown Vic to drive when he got there.
He chuckled quietly and smiled. It seemed that even in her grief she had a sense of humor and had gotten him the ultimate cliché car for a private investigator. He also found several hundred dollars in cash that she had conveniently forgotten to mention. He sighed knowing that he would have done this job for free but also knowing that Melody would be highly offended if he refused her generosity.
Chapter 3
The sky was black when they touched down. The last hour before they had landed the plane had been rocked several times with turbulence. When he stepped out onto the tarmac the sky cracked one last time with thunder and rain began to fall. David pulled his jacket closed tight and ran towards the main building. It was only a few dozen steps to the entrance but he was soaked before he got there.
He stopped inside to wipe water off of himself before heading to the rental kiosk. He shivered as he pulled out his rental form. The young woman at the counter looked up at him and smiled.
“Got caught in the rain?”
“Yeah. It just came out of nowhere.”
She was nodding her head. “It changes fast around here. Just wait, it’ll be sunny and hot here tomorrow.”
He finally found the forms he was looking for and handed them to her. “Hot? Its freezing out there right now.”
She just shrugged. “Wait just a minute Mr. Ritter. I’ll send someone to bring the car to the front entrance.”
While he waited he looked over his hotel information. Since a movie was being filmed in town all of the hotels were full. He shook his head when he saw that he was staying at a place called the Sawmill Inn Bed and Breakfast. A minute later he saw his car pull up and he walked out still wiping rain off of his coat. He plugged in the address into the cars GPS and pulled out of the lot.
“I hope the signs are in English at least” he mumbled as he pulled onto the interstate.
Forty five minutes later he saw the sign for Rosepont, population 26,000, and luckily the sign was indeed in English. Just on the outskirts of town the GPS sent him down a two lane highway past empty fields. After several miles he found himself in front of a sprawling Bed and Breakfast surrounded by a picket fence. The sign hanging by the walkway said ‘Welcome to the Sawmill Inn’.
David climbed out of the car and grabbed his bags off of the back seat. Following the flag stone path he stopped on the porch. Above the door hung a giant crosscut saw.
“Well, that doesn’t look ominous at all” he said to himself. About that time the door swung open and a large lady stepped out wiping her hands on an apron.
“You must be David” she called out. “You’re just in time. I just finished lunch, complete with a plate of hot biscuits.”
“Well, I can’t turn down hot biscuits now can I?”
She pushed open the screen door and ushered him in. “We’ve got you set up in the Cooper Suite. You’re just gonna love it. Biggest suite in the house. Yes sir. Just gonna love it.”
He followed her upstairs as she rambled. At the end of the hall she pulled out a key and unlocked his room. The door opened and he was greeted to a red room with heavy black and white drapes in a chevron pattern.
“Like I said best room here. Oh, I suppose you’ll be wanting your key. Can I get you anything? Lunch will be in just a few minutes. Want some coffee?”
He opened his mouth to respond but every time he did she cut him off. Finally he took hold of the door handle and started slowly closing it on her.
“I’m fine Mrs?”
“Oh, Mrs. Hammil. But everyone calls me Joyce.”
“Well Joyce, I think I’m going to freshen up. I’ll have to take a rain check on lunch but thanks anyway.”
He quickly shut the door before she could say anything else. He carelessly dropped his bag beside the bed before falling backwards across it. After a minute he sat up and started rubbing the back of his head before pulling out his cell phone. His call was answered on the third ring.
“Are you there” Melody asked.
“I’m here. Just got checked into the Sawmill. I’m about to head over to the morgue and identify the body. I’ll call you back when I’ve finished making the arrangements.”
“Good. Hurry.” Click.
He shook his head while he put away his phone. A quick google search gave him the address of the local morgue. He rubbed his head again and forced himself to start moving.
Opening the door just a crack he peaked down the hall. When he didn’t see his hostess he slipped out the door and ran bent over to the stairs. Stepping lightly he made it down the stairs, past the dining room and out the front without being spotted. As he slid into the driver’s seat he wiped the back of his hand across his forehead.
A short trip found him parking in front of a nondescript brick building. He opened the door to a dingy front office. Half of the fluorescent lights were flickering or out. Behind the counter sat alone attendant in lab coat. He had greasy hair and his feet were up on the counter while he read a magazine.
He looked up at David. “Help ya?”
“I’m here to see Ashley Scott’s body.”
“Oh, the hottie in tray 12. She’s our VIP guest.”
David frowned but bit his tongue. The attendant kept talking as he got up. “I saw her around town some. Always wanted to see her naked.” He licked his lips.
David felt his fists clench. “The body please.”
“Ok. No need to be testy. I need to see your ID.”
David pulled out his wallet and tossed his license on the counter. The attendant looked at it bending it slightly back and forth before handing it back.
“Got a call yesterday authorizing you to sign for the body. Hate to see her go though. Just follow me.”
David stared hard at his back as he followed him, still clenching his fist. He shivered when the cold air of the morgue hit him. The attendant turned around and smirked at him.
“Creeped out at the idea of seeing a dead body?”
David narrowed his eyes at him. “I’ve seen plenty of bodies. The only thing that creeps me out here is you. Now how about you just show me the victim.”
The attendant sniffed and spun on his heels. He led him to a storage unit along the wall and checked the number against his clipboard. He wrenched the handle open and slid the tray out. Stepping back he glowered at David as he pulled the sheet back.
David couldn’t help but gasp. There was his friend’s granddaughter on a slab. He forced himself to pull the sheet back further. The sight of her torso made him grit his teeth. Her body was covered in wild stab marks. His hands were trembling but he forced himself to lift her arms to inspect them. Numerous shallow cuts were on her arms and hands especially her palms and fingers.
He gently placed her arms back by her side and pulled the sheet back over her body. Taking his hat off he ran a hand through his hair.
“Not so pretty anymore is she” the attendant asked.
David moved suddenly and grabbed him by his lapels. “How about you just shut your damn mouth and get her body ready to go home you son of a bitch?”
He forced his hands to relax and shoved the attendant backwards. He smoothed out the front of his lab coat and thrust his clipboard towards David.
“Just sign this tough guy and hope I don’t press charges for assault.”
David snatched it from him and scribbled his signature on the page. He dropped it on the floor and walked out. Shoving his hands in his pockets helped keep them from wrapping around the attendant’s throat.
Outside he pulled out his cell phone and stared at it for almost five minutes before hitting the dial button. It rang twice before there was an answer.
“David?”
“Hey Melody.” He couldn’t think of what to say next and fell silent.
“Have you seen the body” Melody finally asked.
“Yeah. I just left. They’re processing the paper work to get her home to you.” He didn’t tell her what the attendant had said. Thinking about his words made him want to go back inside swinging.
“Is it bad?”
He wanted to lie to spare her but he couldn’t. “It’s bad. Whoever did this left her pretty messed up. But I swear I’m going to find this monster and make him pay.”
Melody’s voice took on a hard edge, “If you get the chance, kill him. Painfully.”
He didn’t know how to reply so he simply hung up.
Back in the vehicle he looked up the address for the police station. He followed the directions to a new brick building. Inside was a pretty blond working the front desk.
“May I help you sir” she asked him.
He took his hat off and held it in his hands. “My name is David Ritter. I’m acting on behalf of Melody Scott. I came to see if I could speak with the detective in charge of the Ashley Scott murder investigation.”
Her face fell when she heard Ashley’s name. “Oh that poor girl. You need to speak to Charlie. Excuse me, I mean Sergeant Miller. One second.”
She hit the intercom button on her phone. “Sarg, I have a David Ritter here to speak with you about the Scott case.”
“Send him on back Candy.”
“Yes sir. Oh and are we still on for dinner?”
A chuckle came over the intercom. “You know we are honey.”
“I’m just making sure that cute young thing in traffic hasn’t been hitting on you again.”
“Oh lord, just send Mr. Ritter back please.”
“Hey, that’s not a denial mister.”
She was smiling though when she looked up at David. “Go on back sweetie, last door on the left.”
David followed her directions and knocked on the open door frame. A tall man with close cropped hair stood up from behind his desk and walked around with his hand extended.
“Sergeant Charles Miller.”
“David Ritter” he replied as they shook.
“How may I help you Mr. Ritter?”
David held up a hand. “Just David please.”
He glanced around the office. Pictures were leaned against the wall around the room but most weren’t hung yet. “New office?”
“New station” Miller replied. “The old one got blown up.”
David jerked back slightly. “Uhm, what?”
Miller waved his hand in front of him. “It’s a long story. What can I do for you?”
David shook his head before taking a seat. “I’m here representing Melody Scott the grandmother of Ashley Scott. She asked me to stop by and inquire about the progress of the investigation.”
Miller leaned back in his seat. “There isn’t much I can discuss I’m afraid while this is an ongoing investigation. I hope you can understand.”
David nodded his head. “I understand perfectly. I worked as a detective for the LAPD for 10 years. Anything that I can relay would be helpful though. Any suspects that you are investigating?”
Miller shook his head. “We’re still conducting interviews and having the forensic evidence processed. It’s still too soon to have anyone in mind for this.”
David sat back and rubbed at his eyes. “I’m sorry Sergeant Miller. I don’t mean to pester you. The Scott family is very dear to me and I’m just hoping for a speedy resolution to this investigation.”
I understand. Have you seen the body yet?”
“I just came from there. I… I’ve seen some things but whoever did this was a monster. Not the only monster that I met today.”
Miller leaned forward putting his arms on his desk. “I take it you met Craig while you were there?”
“The creepy morgue attendant?”
“That’s the one. He’s a ghoul. I’ve been trying to get him gone for a year now.” He shook his head while he said all this.
“I almost slugged him several times.”
The sergeant laughed. “Believe me I’ve felt the same way.” The smile left his face. “We’re going to find this guy. Don’t worry.”
David chewed on his lower lip a moment before responding. “I hope you don’t mind if I do some asking around of my own.”
Miller spread his hands out and said “Just let me know if you learn anything.”
David stood up and reached across the desk to shake his hand again before leaving. He tipped his hat to Candy who smiled and waved at him.
He was almost to his car when he heard his name being called Turning around he saw Sergeant Miller walking hurriedly towards him.
“Just wanted to say, if it was me, I’d start with a young lady named Christina Bell. That’d be Ashley Scott’s personal assistant. We haven’ gotten much out of her. Poor dear is pretty deeply shocked. But maybe you’ll have better luck. Most likely find her out at the shoot off of Farley Swamp road. Need directions?”
David grabbed his hand again and shook it. “Nah, I have a GPS but I appreciate your help a lot Sergeant.”
Miller sketched him a salute and walked back towards the building. David climbed back into his car and started it up.
“Well, I guess I’m headed to the movies.”
The sky was black when they touched down. The last hour before they had landed the plane had been rocked several times with turbulence. When he stepped out onto the tarmac the sky cracked one last time with thunder and rain began to fall. David pulled his jacket closed tight and ran towards the main building. It was only a few dozen steps to the entrance but he was soaked before he got there.
He stopped inside to wipe water off of himself before heading to the rental kiosk. He shivered as he pulled out his rental form. The young woman at the counter looked up at him and smiled.
“Got caught in the rain?”
“Yeah. It just came out of nowhere.”
She was nodding her head. “It changes fast around here. Just wait, it’ll be sunny and hot here tomorrow.”
He finally found the forms he was looking for and handed them to her. “Hot? Its freezing out there right now.”
She just shrugged. “Wait just a minute Mr. Ritter. I’ll send someone to bring the car to the front entrance.”
While he waited he looked over his hotel information. Since a movie was being filmed in town all of the hotels were full. He shook his head when he saw that he was staying at a place called the Sawmill Inn Bed and Breakfast. A minute later he saw his car pull up and he walked out still wiping rain off of his coat. He plugged in the address into the cars GPS and pulled out of the lot.
“I hope the signs are in English at least” he mumbled as he pulled onto the interstate.
Forty five minutes later he saw the sign for Rosepont, population 26,000, and luckily the sign was indeed in English. Just on the outskirts of town the GPS sent him down a two lane highway past empty fields. After several miles he found himself in front of a sprawling Bed and Breakfast surrounded by a picket fence. The sign hanging by the walkway said ‘Welcome to the Sawmill Inn’.
David climbed out of the car and grabbed his bags off of the back seat. Following the flag stone path he stopped on the porch. Above the door hung a giant crosscut saw.
“Well, that doesn’t look ominous at all” he said to himself. About that time the door swung open and a large lady stepped out wiping her hands on an apron.
“You must be David” she called out. “You’re just in time. I just finished lunch, complete with a plate of hot biscuits.”
“Well, I can’t turn down hot biscuits now can I?”
She pushed open the screen door and ushered him in. “We’ve got you set up in the Cooper Suite. You’re just gonna love it. Biggest suite in the house. Yes sir. Just gonna love it.”
He followed her upstairs as she rambled. At the end of the hall she pulled out a key and unlocked his room. The door opened and he was greeted to a red room with heavy black and white drapes in a chevron pattern.
“Like I said best room here. Oh, I suppose you’ll be wanting your key. Can I get you anything? Lunch will be in just a few minutes. Want some coffee?”
He opened his mouth to respond but every time he did she cut him off. Finally he took hold of the door handle and started slowly closing it on her.
“I’m fine Mrs?”
“Oh, Mrs. Hammil. But everyone calls me Joyce.”
“Well Joyce, I think I’m going to freshen up. I’ll have to take a rain check on lunch but thanks anyway.”
He quickly shut the door before she could say anything else. He carelessly dropped his bag beside the bed before falling backwards across it. After a minute he sat up and started rubbing the back of his head before pulling out his cell phone. His call was answered on the third ring.
“Are you there” Melody asked.
“I’m here. Just got checked into the Sawmill. I’m about to head over to the morgue and identify the body. I’ll call you back when I’ve finished making the arrangements.”
“Good. Hurry.” Click.
He shook his head while he put away his phone. A quick google search gave him the address of the local morgue. He rubbed his head again and forced himself to start moving.
Opening the door just a crack he peaked down the hall. When he didn’t see his hostess he slipped out the door and ran bent over to the stairs. Stepping lightly he made it down the stairs, past the dining room and out the front without being spotted. As he slid into the driver’s seat he wiped the back of his hand across his forehead.
A short trip found him parking in front of a nondescript brick building. He opened the door to a dingy front office. Half of the fluorescent lights were flickering or out. Behind the counter sat alone attendant in lab coat. He had greasy hair and his feet were up on the counter while he read a magazine.
He looked up at David. “Help ya?”
“I’m here to see Ashley Scott’s body.”
“Oh, the hottie in tray 12. She’s our VIP guest.”
David frowned but bit his tongue. The attendant kept talking as he got up. “I saw her around town some. Always wanted to see her naked.” He licked his lips.
David felt his fists clench. “The body please.”
“Ok. No need to be testy. I need to see your ID.”
David pulled out his wallet and tossed his license on the counter. The attendant looked at it bending it slightly back and forth before handing it back.
“Got a call yesterday authorizing you to sign for the body. Hate to see her go though. Just follow me.”
David stared hard at his back as he followed him, still clenching his fist. He shivered when the cold air of the morgue hit him. The attendant turned around and smirked at him.
“Creeped out at the idea of seeing a dead body?”
David narrowed his eyes at him. “I’ve seen plenty of bodies. The only thing that creeps me out here is you. Now how about you just show me the victim.”
The attendant sniffed and spun on his heels. He led him to a storage unit along the wall and checked the number against his clipboard. He wrenched the handle open and slid the tray out. Stepping back he glowered at David as he pulled the sheet back.
David couldn’t help but gasp. There was his friend’s granddaughter on a slab. He forced himself to pull the sheet back further. The sight of her torso made him grit his teeth. Her body was covered in wild stab marks. His hands were trembling but he forced himself to lift her arms to inspect them. Numerous shallow cuts were on her arms and hands especially her palms and fingers.
He gently placed her arms back by her side and pulled the sheet back over her body. Taking his hat off he ran a hand through his hair.
“Not so pretty anymore is she” the attendant asked.
David moved suddenly and grabbed him by his lapels. “How about you just shut your damn mouth and get her body ready to go home you son of a bitch?”
He forced his hands to relax and shoved the attendant backwards. He smoothed out the front of his lab coat and thrust his clipboard towards David.
“Just sign this tough guy and hope I don’t press charges for assault.”
David snatched it from him and scribbled his signature on the page. He dropped it on the floor and walked out. Shoving his hands in his pockets helped keep them from wrapping around the attendant’s throat.
Outside he pulled out his cell phone and stared at it for almost five minutes before hitting the dial button. It rang twice before there was an answer.
“David?”
“Hey Melody.” He couldn’t think of what to say next and fell silent.
“Have you seen the body” Melody finally asked.
“Yeah. I just left. They’re processing the paper work to get her home to you.” He didn’t tell her what the attendant had said. Thinking about his words made him want to go back inside swinging.
“Is it bad?”
He wanted to lie to spare her but he couldn’t. “It’s bad. Whoever did this left her pretty messed up. But I swear I’m going to find this monster and make him pay.”
Melody’s voice took on a hard edge, “If you get the chance, kill him. Painfully.”
He didn’t know how to reply so he simply hung up.
Back in the vehicle he looked up the address for the police station. He followed the directions to a new brick building. Inside was a pretty blond working the front desk.
“May I help you sir” she asked him.
He took his hat off and held it in his hands. “My name is David Ritter. I’m acting on behalf of Melody Scott. I came to see if I could speak with the detective in charge of the Ashley Scott murder investigation.”
Her face fell when she heard Ashley’s name. “Oh that poor girl. You need to speak to Charlie. Excuse me, I mean Sergeant Miller. One second.”
She hit the intercom button on her phone. “Sarg, I have a David Ritter here to speak with you about the Scott case.”
“Send him on back Candy.”
“Yes sir. Oh and are we still on for dinner?”
A chuckle came over the intercom. “You know we are honey.”
“I’m just making sure that cute young thing in traffic hasn’t been hitting on you again.”
“Oh lord, just send Mr. Ritter back please.”
“Hey, that’s not a denial mister.”
She was smiling though when she looked up at David. “Go on back sweetie, last door on the left.”
David followed her directions and knocked on the open door frame. A tall man with close cropped hair stood up from behind his desk and walked around with his hand extended.
“Sergeant Charles Miller.”
“David Ritter” he replied as they shook.
“How may I help you Mr. Ritter?”
David held up a hand. “Just David please.”
He glanced around the office. Pictures were leaned against the wall around the room but most weren’t hung yet. “New office?”
“New station” Miller replied. “The old one got blown up.”
David jerked back slightly. “Uhm, what?”
Miller waved his hand in front of him. “It’s a long story. What can I do for you?”
David shook his head before taking a seat. “I’m here representing Melody Scott the grandmother of Ashley Scott. She asked me to stop by and inquire about the progress of the investigation.”
Miller leaned back in his seat. “There isn’t much I can discuss I’m afraid while this is an ongoing investigation. I hope you can understand.”
David nodded his head. “I understand perfectly. I worked as a detective for the LAPD for 10 years. Anything that I can relay would be helpful though. Any suspects that you are investigating?”
Miller shook his head. “We’re still conducting interviews and having the forensic evidence processed. It’s still too soon to have anyone in mind for this.”
David sat back and rubbed at his eyes. “I’m sorry Sergeant Miller. I don’t mean to pester you. The Scott family is very dear to me and I’m just hoping for a speedy resolution to this investigation.”
I understand. Have you seen the body yet?”
“I just came from there. I… I’ve seen some things but whoever did this was a monster. Not the only monster that I met today.”
Miller leaned forward putting his arms on his desk. “I take it you met Craig while you were there?”
“The creepy morgue attendant?”
“That’s the one. He’s a ghoul. I’ve been trying to get him gone for a year now.” He shook his head while he said all this.
“I almost slugged him several times.”
The sergeant laughed. “Believe me I’ve felt the same way.” The smile left his face. “We’re going to find this guy. Don’t worry.”
David chewed on his lower lip a moment before responding. “I hope you don’t mind if I do some asking around of my own.”
Miller spread his hands out and said “Just let me know if you learn anything.”
David stood up and reached across the desk to shake his hand again before leaving. He tipped his hat to Candy who smiled and waved at him.
He was almost to his car when he heard his name being called Turning around he saw Sergeant Miller walking hurriedly towards him.
“Just wanted to say, if it was me, I’d start with a young lady named Christina Bell. That’d be Ashley Scott’s personal assistant. We haven’ gotten much out of her. Poor dear is pretty deeply shocked. But maybe you’ll have better luck. Most likely find her out at the shoot off of Farley Swamp road. Need directions?”
David grabbed his hand again and shook it. “Nah, I have a GPS but I appreciate your help a lot Sergeant.”
Miller sketched him a salute and walked back towards the building. David climbed back into his car and started it up.
“Well, I guess I’m headed to the movies.”
Chapter 4
“I'm looking for Christina Bell.”
The guard at the kiosk lowered his paper briefly and glanced at David.
“Name and business?”
“My name is David Ritter of Ritter investigations. I'd like to speak with Ms. Bell about Ashley.”
The guard frowned at him before sighing and setting down his paper. He hit a switch that raised the guard arm blocking the road.
“Straight ahead, last trailer on the left. I think she's there packing up Ms. Scott's things.”
David thanked him and put his car back in drive. He parked in front of the trailer that he was directed to. Walking up the short set of steps he saw the name Scott on a small sign. His heart dropped a little as he knocked.
“Just a moment” he heard from inside.
A petite blonde opened the door. Staring up at him she wiped the back of her hand across red eyes.
“May I help you” she sniffed out.
“Are you Christina Bell?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Who is asking?”
“My name is David Ritter. I'd like to ask you a few questions about Ashley Scott. I understand that you were her assistant.”
“Another damn reporter! I don't have anything to say to y'all. Just go away.”
David threw his hands in front of him. “Easy. I'm not a reporter. Ashley's grandmother Melody sent me. I'm just trying to figure out what happened to her.”
Christina's eyes widened. “I'm so sorry. The damn reporters have just been hounding everyone on set looking for a story. Bunch of blood suckers.”
“I'm sorry to hear that Ms. Bell. May I come in?”
She jumped back and stepped aside. “I'm sorry. Yes. Please come in. I was just packing up Ashley's things to send home.”
David stepped past her into the small trailer. Boxes were stacked everywhere; on the walls hung pictures of Ashley and Melody. One was of Ashley surrounded by girls at a bar. He recognized Christina as one of the girls. In the picture she was laughing and her true beauty shone through. In another he saw Ashley kissing a man on the cheek.
“Who is he” David asked.
“That was her ex-boyfriend Shawn. Shawn Davies. He worked on set here.”
“Worked?”
“Yeah, he was an assistant carpenter. He got fired for fighting with the master carpenter. Everyone gave Ashley grief for dating him instead of the leading man. She didn't care though. She loved him.”
“Why did they break up?”
“Because of his temper. He got crazy jealous at all the rumors about her and Stan.”
While Christina talked David took out a small notepad and started writing. “Stan?”
Christina sniffed again. “Stan Abbott. He's the leading man in the movie.”
David gave a half grin. “Let me guess, tall, dark and handsome?”
She barked out a laugh and blushed. “Oh yeah, and he knows it.”
“Was there any truth to the rumors?”
She shook her head. “None at all. She loved Shawn. But he was a local boy and I think he was a little intimidated by Stan being from Cali.”
“Have you told the police about him” David asked.
Christina bit her bottom lip. “Well, kinda.”
David stopped writing and looked up. “What do you mean 'kinda'?”
“Well, I told them that they had dated. I didn't tell them that they had gotten back together because I knew that everyone else would suspect him”
David pursed his lips. “That's pretty crucial information Ms. Bell.”
She dropped her eyes. “I know. I'm sorry. They had just started seeing each other again and Ashley asked me to keep it quiet. I didn't want to get Shawn in any trouble.”
“It's ok. I understand. You did the right thing telling me, but you should know that I'll have to let Sergeant Miller know about this. He'll want to question Shawn again.”
She nodded but didn't look up. “It's ok. I should have told someone earlier.”
“Is there anyone else who might want to hurt Ashley?”
Christina shook her head. “Everyone loved Ashley. She was that rare person who was just genuinely kind to everyone around her. The only person who is profiting from this is that damn director.”
“How so?”
“Well, he puts on a good act of missing Ashley, but he has already started pushing to use this as free marketing for the movie.”
David started writing again. “What's this director’s name?”
“His name is Tommy, Tommy Tines. His last three movies were flops and this one is shaping up to go the same way. If he can land a bigger name actress using the sympathy card it would help out a lot. I've overheard him on the phone. He's secretly giddy about this.”
David snapped his notebook shut. He could feel his face grow flushed. Christina got wide eyed and stepped back.
David shook his head. “I'm sorry. Ashley's grandmother is very dear to me. I didn't know Ashley long but the thought of someone using her murder for profit pisses me off.”
Christina's voice shook. “It's ok. I think I need to get back to packing up.”
David nodded and slipped out the door. Outside he stood beside his car and looked around. A young man came rushing past carrying a tray of coffees. Sweat stained his long sleeve shirt.
“Excuse me” David said.
The young man whipped his head around so quickly coffee sloshed out of the cups.
“Damn!”
He wiped coffee off of his wrists. “What do you want?”
“I'm looking for the director. Do you know where he is?”
The young man scowled at him. “I believe he's on a conference call with the studio execs. Who are you?”
David sighed and pulled out a business card. “My name is David Ritter. I'm a private investigator looking into the murder of Ashley Scott. Would you ask him to call me. My client Melody Scott would consider it a personal favor.”
The young man gulped air. “Of course. I'll give this to him right away.”
David tipped his hat to him and walked off. In the car he pulled out his cell and dialed the police station. Candy answered the phone.
“Hello Candy, its David Ritter.”
“Well hello darlin, when are you coming back to see us again?”
He chuckled. “That's what I'm calling to find out. Is Sergeant Miller available?”
“Oh sure Hun, hold on.”
A moment later the phone clicked “Sergeant Miller.”
“If I have a lead on a suspect for you could I sit in on the interrogation?”
Miller was quiet for a moment. “Possibly. What do you have?”
David told him about Shawn. A low whistle came through the phone. “Ok, let me talk to my Captain. It's probably fine but let me make sure. I'll call you back.”
“Thanks Sarge.”
A few minutes later he pulled up to the Sawmill. Sitting in his car he looked across the street and saw a small bar. The sign said The Bridge. Checking his watch he saw that it was almost five.
“That’s close enough” he said out loud as he walked towards the Bridge.
****
It was almost midnight when he staggered into his room and fell onto his bed. Despite having had several beers he tossed and turned for close to an hour. Periodically he would check the clock beside the bed. Finally he felt himself start to drift away.
For a long time his sleep was black and uninterrupted. After a while though he felt the sensation of a gentle rocking motion and he slowly opened his eyes to find himself in a small boat. He sat up and looked around him at the water. It took him a minute, but he eventually recognized it as his grandmother’s pond. He had spent many summers fishing there as a kid.
“How did I get here” he wondered out loud. “I must be dreaming.”
“Of course you’re dreaming” he heard in reply.
He whipped his head back front and saw that he was no longer alone. Directly in front of him was a man in a dark suit. He held the ends of each paddle in his hands and was lazily rowing them across the pond. On his head sat a large fedora and with the sun shining from behind him it cast a deep shadow obscuring his face. David had to squint to look at him. He could just barely make out the shape of round glasses on him.
“Who are you” he asked the man. It occurred to him dimly that if he was dreaming then he was essentially talking to himself but it seemed so natural that he just blurted it out.
“I am the right hand. I’m here to move things. You have been tasked to help me before it is too late.”
“What does that mean” David demanded.
“It means that dark things are swimming to the surface”
The boat lurched violently to one side. Looking over the edge David saw large shadowy shapes swimming underneath them.
“You are a knight; it is your job to fight them.”
“I’m not a knight; I’m just a washed up PI looking for answers.”
The man in the suit leaned forward, sunlight twinkling off of his glasses.
“What you are is fat. You should go for a jog.” With that he shoved David overboard.
David expected the splash of water and instinctively held his breath. Instead he woke up sweating, wrapped in a sheet. He had kicked the comforter off onto the floor. He sat up in bed and ran one hand through his damp hair. His heart was racing and he needed a minute to catch his breath.
“It was just a dream” he told himself. He got up and walked to the bathroom to splash water on his face. Looking in the mirror he saw himself standing there in just his boxers. With one finger he pressed into his stomach. Sighing he dug through his wardrobe until he found a pair of sweats. He poked his head out of his door and looked both ways before hurrying down the stairs. He was creeping past the dining room when he was spotted.
“Yoohoo! Mr. Ritter, would you like some breakfast?”
He sighed. “Maybe when I get back Ms. Hammil.”
“Call me Joyce dear. And I’ll keep a plate warm for you.”
Stepping outside a sticky heat hit him. “Damn” he thought, “I can’t believe it was freezing two days ago.”
He started into a light jog taking deep breaths through his nose and out of his mouth to help pace himself. It had been years since he had gone running but it felt good to be moving. He decided to pick it up a little and opened up his stride feeling the ground really fly under his feet.
That was when the car backed out of a driveway into him sending him sprawling to the ground. His head struck hard enough that he saw stars. He tried to sit up, but couldn’t.
“Oh my God!” he heard a woman’s voice say. There was a slamming car door and then someone was cradling his head in their lap. People were talking but he couldn’t understand anything that they said. He could smell a lady’s perfume but when he tried to tell her how much he liked it the words got jumbled and he passed out.
“I'm looking for Christina Bell.”
The guard at the kiosk lowered his paper briefly and glanced at David.
“Name and business?”
“My name is David Ritter of Ritter investigations. I'd like to speak with Ms. Bell about Ashley.”
The guard frowned at him before sighing and setting down his paper. He hit a switch that raised the guard arm blocking the road.
“Straight ahead, last trailer on the left. I think she's there packing up Ms. Scott's things.”
David thanked him and put his car back in drive. He parked in front of the trailer that he was directed to. Walking up the short set of steps he saw the name Scott on a small sign. His heart dropped a little as he knocked.
“Just a moment” he heard from inside.
A petite blonde opened the door. Staring up at him she wiped the back of her hand across red eyes.
“May I help you” she sniffed out.
“Are you Christina Bell?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Who is asking?”
“My name is David Ritter. I'd like to ask you a few questions about Ashley Scott. I understand that you were her assistant.”
“Another damn reporter! I don't have anything to say to y'all. Just go away.”
David threw his hands in front of him. “Easy. I'm not a reporter. Ashley's grandmother Melody sent me. I'm just trying to figure out what happened to her.”
Christina's eyes widened. “I'm so sorry. The damn reporters have just been hounding everyone on set looking for a story. Bunch of blood suckers.”
“I'm sorry to hear that Ms. Bell. May I come in?”
She jumped back and stepped aside. “I'm sorry. Yes. Please come in. I was just packing up Ashley's things to send home.”
David stepped past her into the small trailer. Boxes were stacked everywhere; on the walls hung pictures of Ashley and Melody. One was of Ashley surrounded by girls at a bar. He recognized Christina as one of the girls. In the picture she was laughing and her true beauty shone through. In another he saw Ashley kissing a man on the cheek.
“Who is he” David asked.
“That was her ex-boyfriend Shawn. Shawn Davies. He worked on set here.”
“Worked?”
“Yeah, he was an assistant carpenter. He got fired for fighting with the master carpenter. Everyone gave Ashley grief for dating him instead of the leading man. She didn't care though. She loved him.”
“Why did they break up?”
“Because of his temper. He got crazy jealous at all the rumors about her and Stan.”
While Christina talked David took out a small notepad and started writing. “Stan?”
Christina sniffed again. “Stan Abbott. He's the leading man in the movie.”
David gave a half grin. “Let me guess, tall, dark and handsome?”
She barked out a laugh and blushed. “Oh yeah, and he knows it.”
“Was there any truth to the rumors?”
She shook her head. “None at all. She loved Shawn. But he was a local boy and I think he was a little intimidated by Stan being from Cali.”
“Have you told the police about him” David asked.
Christina bit her bottom lip. “Well, kinda.”
David stopped writing and looked up. “What do you mean 'kinda'?”
“Well, I told them that they had dated. I didn't tell them that they had gotten back together because I knew that everyone else would suspect him”
David pursed his lips. “That's pretty crucial information Ms. Bell.”
She dropped her eyes. “I know. I'm sorry. They had just started seeing each other again and Ashley asked me to keep it quiet. I didn't want to get Shawn in any trouble.”
“It's ok. I understand. You did the right thing telling me, but you should know that I'll have to let Sergeant Miller know about this. He'll want to question Shawn again.”
She nodded but didn't look up. “It's ok. I should have told someone earlier.”
“Is there anyone else who might want to hurt Ashley?”
Christina shook her head. “Everyone loved Ashley. She was that rare person who was just genuinely kind to everyone around her. The only person who is profiting from this is that damn director.”
“How so?”
“Well, he puts on a good act of missing Ashley, but he has already started pushing to use this as free marketing for the movie.”
David started writing again. “What's this director’s name?”
“His name is Tommy, Tommy Tines. His last three movies were flops and this one is shaping up to go the same way. If he can land a bigger name actress using the sympathy card it would help out a lot. I've overheard him on the phone. He's secretly giddy about this.”
David snapped his notebook shut. He could feel his face grow flushed. Christina got wide eyed and stepped back.
David shook his head. “I'm sorry. Ashley's grandmother is very dear to me. I didn't know Ashley long but the thought of someone using her murder for profit pisses me off.”
Christina's voice shook. “It's ok. I think I need to get back to packing up.”
David nodded and slipped out the door. Outside he stood beside his car and looked around. A young man came rushing past carrying a tray of coffees. Sweat stained his long sleeve shirt.
“Excuse me” David said.
The young man whipped his head around so quickly coffee sloshed out of the cups.
“Damn!”
He wiped coffee off of his wrists. “What do you want?”
“I'm looking for the director. Do you know where he is?”
The young man scowled at him. “I believe he's on a conference call with the studio execs. Who are you?”
David sighed and pulled out a business card. “My name is David Ritter. I'm a private investigator looking into the murder of Ashley Scott. Would you ask him to call me. My client Melody Scott would consider it a personal favor.”
The young man gulped air. “Of course. I'll give this to him right away.”
David tipped his hat to him and walked off. In the car he pulled out his cell and dialed the police station. Candy answered the phone.
“Hello Candy, its David Ritter.”
“Well hello darlin, when are you coming back to see us again?”
He chuckled. “That's what I'm calling to find out. Is Sergeant Miller available?”
“Oh sure Hun, hold on.”
A moment later the phone clicked “Sergeant Miller.”
“If I have a lead on a suspect for you could I sit in on the interrogation?”
Miller was quiet for a moment. “Possibly. What do you have?”
David told him about Shawn. A low whistle came through the phone. “Ok, let me talk to my Captain. It's probably fine but let me make sure. I'll call you back.”
“Thanks Sarge.”
A few minutes later he pulled up to the Sawmill. Sitting in his car he looked across the street and saw a small bar. The sign said The Bridge. Checking his watch he saw that it was almost five.
“That’s close enough” he said out loud as he walked towards the Bridge.
****
It was almost midnight when he staggered into his room and fell onto his bed. Despite having had several beers he tossed and turned for close to an hour. Periodically he would check the clock beside the bed. Finally he felt himself start to drift away.
For a long time his sleep was black and uninterrupted. After a while though he felt the sensation of a gentle rocking motion and he slowly opened his eyes to find himself in a small boat. He sat up and looked around him at the water. It took him a minute, but he eventually recognized it as his grandmother’s pond. He had spent many summers fishing there as a kid.
“How did I get here” he wondered out loud. “I must be dreaming.”
“Of course you’re dreaming” he heard in reply.
He whipped his head back front and saw that he was no longer alone. Directly in front of him was a man in a dark suit. He held the ends of each paddle in his hands and was lazily rowing them across the pond. On his head sat a large fedora and with the sun shining from behind him it cast a deep shadow obscuring his face. David had to squint to look at him. He could just barely make out the shape of round glasses on him.
“Who are you” he asked the man. It occurred to him dimly that if he was dreaming then he was essentially talking to himself but it seemed so natural that he just blurted it out.
“I am the right hand. I’m here to move things. You have been tasked to help me before it is too late.”
“What does that mean” David demanded.
“It means that dark things are swimming to the surface”
The boat lurched violently to one side. Looking over the edge David saw large shadowy shapes swimming underneath them.
“You are a knight; it is your job to fight them.”
“I’m not a knight; I’m just a washed up PI looking for answers.”
The man in the suit leaned forward, sunlight twinkling off of his glasses.
“What you are is fat. You should go for a jog.” With that he shoved David overboard.
David expected the splash of water and instinctively held his breath. Instead he woke up sweating, wrapped in a sheet. He had kicked the comforter off onto the floor. He sat up in bed and ran one hand through his damp hair. His heart was racing and he needed a minute to catch his breath.
“It was just a dream” he told himself. He got up and walked to the bathroom to splash water on his face. Looking in the mirror he saw himself standing there in just his boxers. With one finger he pressed into his stomach. Sighing he dug through his wardrobe until he found a pair of sweats. He poked his head out of his door and looked both ways before hurrying down the stairs. He was creeping past the dining room when he was spotted.
“Yoohoo! Mr. Ritter, would you like some breakfast?”
He sighed. “Maybe when I get back Ms. Hammil.”
“Call me Joyce dear. And I’ll keep a plate warm for you.”
Stepping outside a sticky heat hit him. “Damn” he thought, “I can’t believe it was freezing two days ago.”
He started into a light jog taking deep breaths through his nose and out of his mouth to help pace himself. It had been years since he had gone running but it felt good to be moving. He decided to pick it up a little and opened up his stride feeling the ground really fly under his feet.
That was when the car backed out of a driveway into him sending him sprawling to the ground. His head struck hard enough that he saw stars. He tried to sit up, but couldn’t.
“Oh my God!” he heard a woman’s voice say. There was a slamming car door and then someone was cradling his head in their lap. People were talking but he couldn’t understand anything that they said. He could smell a lady’s perfume but when he tried to tell her how much he liked it the words got jumbled and he passed out.
Chapter 5
Beep
Beep
Beep
His eyelids felt like they weighed ten pounds and it took him ages to open them. After several slow blinks light filtered began to filter in.
"I think he's waking up!"
A hand took his. Looking up he saw a woman’s face with green eyes framed by brown hair.
“Ashley?’
The woman shook her head. “No, my name is Sam. How are you feeling?"
He groaned and tried to sit up. "I feel like I got hit by a car."
Another hand pushed on his shoulder holding him down.
"Don't sit up yet. Wait for the doctor. Who is Ashley, is that your girlfriend? Would you like me to call her?"
He finally was able to focus on the face that went with the voice. It was a young woman, maybe 30 with brown hair and blue eyes. That was where her resemblance to Ashley ended. Ashley’s face had been angular and lean. This woman’s face was rounder and he had the urge to reach up and cup it. He could see himself doing it and had to stop himself from acting on the impulse. Then her perfume hit him and it seemed vaguely familiar.
“No. No girlfriend. I just thought you were someone else is all. Were you the one who hit me?"
She bit her lower lip. "Uhm, yeah. I'm so sorry about that. I didn't see you there."
He glanced down at their hands which were still intertwined. "It’s ok. What’s a little headache worth against holding hands with a beautiful woman? I haven't even gotten your name though."
Her face turned red but she didn't let go. If anything she squeezed a little tighter. "My name is Samantha. Samantha D'Arc. My friends just call me Sam and seeing as how we met with a bang I figure we can skip straight to the friend part."
David laughed and instantly regretted it. He winced at the rush of pain to his head.
"Ouch. Don't make me laugh again."
"I make no promises. And your name is?"
"Sorry. I'm David. Ritter. And you can call me whatever since you're currently my only friend in town."
"She's your only friend? And here I thought that we got off on a great foot" came from the door. Looking over David saw Sgt. Miller standing in the doorway holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Well, if you're bringing me flowers then we must be friends. And how did you know spring mixes were my favorite."
"Eh, these are from Candy. I don't buy flowers until at least the third date. If you start that too soon they start to expect it. Hey there Sam."
"Hey there Charlie. What are you doing here?"
"Well darlin, you backed into my new friend David who is in town trying to do my job for me on the Ashley Scott case."
Sam gasped. "Oh that's horrible. Wait, you called me Ashley when you woke up.”
“I’m sorry. You have the same hair and eyes. At first I would have sworn that you were her.”
She nodded her head. “I guess I can see that. There are only so many women with this combo out there. How did you get involved in this?"
"Her grandmother is an old friend" David replied. "And how did you know that I was here" he asked Miller.
"Because I am a crack detective with sources all throughout the community."
"You mean the nosey old lady who runs the B&B called you" David quipped.
"Absolutely! You are the guest of the most gossipy woman any small town has ever been blessed with. So watch everything that you say and do. But dang can she cook."
"Duly noted. Tell Candy that I said thanks for the flowers.”
“No worries, I think she’s planning to introduce you to Susie already” he said. David noticed his eyes drift to the cover where Sam was still holding his hand. He almost let go but whether it was odd or not to be holding hands with a stranger he was oddly comforted.
“Is Susie the blonde that she’s so worried about?”
“Welllll, maybe.” He winked at Sam and David. “She’s probably trying to solve a problem that isn’t a problem.”
“Uh huh” David said with a smile. “So, why are you making a hospital visit today?”
“Because somebody called me yesterday and told me that they had a lead on a suspect.”
“Shoot! I forgot about that. Here I am just laying around when there is work to do.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Smart ass.”
“In all seriousness” David said, “I interviewed Ms. Bell yesterday. She told me some interesting things about one Shawn Davies. I took some notes but they’re in my room back at the Sawmill.”
“You mean these notes right here” Miller said with a smile while pulling out David’s notepad.
David frowned. “Did you go through my room?”
Charlie held up his hands. “Easy, Ms. Hammil let me in. I wanted to bring you some clothes and your wallet. Your notepad was in your pants pocket still and I brought it in case you felt like talking.”
“Sorry Sgt. I didn’t mean to get upset. It’s been a heck of a day and my head hurts like hell.”
“Hey, I offered to kiss it and make it better” Sam piped up.
David looked at her. “Did you and I just forgot?”
She smiled mischievously, “No, but I can. Least I can do for running you down.”
She quickly ducked down and kissed him on the forehead. Before David could reply the door opened again and a tall, dark haired man stepped through. He was staring intently at the chart in his hand.
“I’m Doctor Rogers, how are you feeling Mr. Ritter?”
He glanced up from his clip board and jerked a little when he saw Sgt. Miller. “Charlie, what brings you in here?”
“Just checking to make sure Sam doesn’t try to kill my new friend here again. Is it that hard to meet a man that you have resorted to running them over with your car?”
Sam stuck her tongue out at Miller but laughed along with him.
Dr. Rogers leaned over David’s bed and said “Again, how are you doing Mr. Ritter? Any headaches, confusion or amnesia?”
“A headache mostly. No amnesia but everything looks just a little fuzzy and it’s hard to focus.”
Dr. Rogers nodded his head absentmindedly. Reaching in his pocket he pulled out a flashlight. “Look at the light for me.”
While he shown the light in David's eyes Sgt. Miller continued asking questions. "What did you find out about Shawn Davies? We interviewed him several times. He was Ashley's ex-boyfriend but he had an alibi."
"According to Ms. Bell he wasn't the ex anymore. They had reconciled shortly before her murder."
"Well ain't that something" Miller exclaimed. "Didn't you used to know Shawn" he asked Sam.
She looked away. "Yeah, I dated his older brother Kevin. Until the accident."
Sgt. Millers face went pale. "Geez. I'm so sorry. I forgot about that. I don't know where my head was."
"It's ok. It was years ago. It was just a tragic end to a bad relationship."
Before either David or Sgt. Miller could ask further questions Dr. Rogers chimed in. "All I know is that Shawn seemed pretty agitated when they were in here last."
"What!? When was this?"
He stopped what he was doing and looked up to the ceiling. "Maybe three weeks ago."
"What were they in for?"
"Come by my office before you leave. I'll tell you what I can. Let's worry about Mr. Ritter here first."
After about five minutes of shining lights, having David follow his finger and other tests he leaned back against the wall.
“Well, I suspect that we have a concussion. I don’t think it’s too bad as you are pretty coherent but you should definitely take it easy for a day or two.”
“That’s it” David asked. “No CT scan or MRI?”
Rogers gave a short laugh. “I would love to run those tests if we could. Unfortunately you are in a very small hospital with a very small budget. Too small of a budget truthfully. We’re just going to have to trust in my medical expertise. Go home. Rest. Stay awake for the next few hours. Oh, and it would be best if someone stayed with you. At least for a while.”
"I'm sure Ms. Hammil wouldn't mind watching him a little" Sgt. Miller said. When he saw the look of panic in David's eyes he laughed again.
“Don't worry, I’ll take him home and sit with him" Sam said.
Dr. Rogers nodded before walking out.
“Friendly isn’t he” David said.
“If bedside manner was a class he couldn’t have passed by much” David replied. “Mind if I borrow your notes for the evening. I promise that you’ll get them back first thing tomorrow.”
“Have at it. But remember, I want to listen in on the interrogation when you bring the suspect in.”
Charlie nodded and took a long look at Sam and David. “Maybe I’ll tell Candy to hold off on the matchmaking.”
David and Sam both blushed. It was stupid, but he was still holding her hand and truthfully didn’t want to let go. They sat in awkward silence until and orderly came with a wheel chair. When they reached reception David asked to stop at billing. The Elderly lady behind the desk peered down through the readers perched on her nose at his records.
“It says here that you are paid in full.”
David blinked. “I don’t understand. Who paid my bill?”
She peered again. “It says one Melody Scott.”
“What!? How did she even find out that I was here?”
“When Sgt. Miller came through he brought us her number. Apparently it was the only number you had written down anywhere so we used it as your emergency contact. She immediately gave us a card number over the phone.”
“Sounds like you’ve got one very good friend after all” Sam said.
David smiled. “I thought I had at least three now?”
“Well, maybe that’s so” she replied.
Out in the parking lot they helped David into Sam’s car. “It’s nice to be inside this car and not behind it” David joked.
“Ha ha. Everyone thinks that they are funny” Sam replied. “Buckle up.”
No sooner had his seatbelt clicked into place before Sam roared out of the parking lot. He frantically started grabbing for something to hold on to.
“I’m not sure that I’m safer inside the car.”
She looked over at him with a smile. "Honey, nowhere is safe these days."
Beep
Beep
Beep
His eyelids felt like they weighed ten pounds and it took him ages to open them. After several slow blinks light filtered began to filter in.
"I think he's waking up!"
A hand took his. Looking up he saw a woman’s face with green eyes framed by brown hair.
“Ashley?’
The woman shook her head. “No, my name is Sam. How are you feeling?"
He groaned and tried to sit up. "I feel like I got hit by a car."
Another hand pushed on his shoulder holding him down.
"Don't sit up yet. Wait for the doctor. Who is Ashley, is that your girlfriend? Would you like me to call her?"
He finally was able to focus on the face that went with the voice. It was a young woman, maybe 30 with brown hair and blue eyes. That was where her resemblance to Ashley ended. Ashley’s face had been angular and lean. This woman’s face was rounder and he had the urge to reach up and cup it. He could see himself doing it and had to stop himself from acting on the impulse. Then her perfume hit him and it seemed vaguely familiar.
“No. No girlfriend. I just thought you were someone else is all. Were you the one who hit me?"
She bit her lower lip. "Uhm, yeah. I'm so sorry about that. I didn't see you there."
He glanced down at their hands which were still intertwined. "It’s ok. What’s a little headache worth against holding hands with a beautiful woman? I haven't even gotten your name though."
Her face turned red but she didn't let go. If anything she squeezed a little tighter. "My name is Samantha. Samantha D'Arc. My friends just call me Sam and seeing as how we met with a bang I figure we can skip straight to the friend part."
David laughed and instantly regretted it. He winced at the rush of pain to his head.
"Ouch. Don't make me laugh again."
"I make no promises. And your name is?"
"Sorry. I'm David. Ritter. And you can call me whatever since you're currently my only friend in town."
"She's your only friend? And here I thought that we got off on a great foot" came from the door. Looking over David saw Sgt. Miller standing in the doorway holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Well, if you're bringing me flowers then we must be friends. And how did you know spring mixes were my favorite."
"Eh, these are from Candy. I don't buy flowers until at least the third date. If you start that too soon they start to expect it. Hey there Sam."
"Hey there Charlie. What are you doing here?"
"Well darlin, you backed into my new friend David who is in town trying to do my job for me on the Ashley Scott case."
Sam gasped. "Oh that's horrible. Wait, you called me Ashley when you woke up.”
“I’m sorry. You have the same hair and eyes. At first I would have sworn that you were her.”
She nodded her head. “I guess I can see that. There are only so many women with this combo out there. How did you get involved in this?"
"Her grandmother is an old friend" David replied. "And how did you know that I was here" he asked Miller.
"Because I am a crack detective with sources all throughout the community."
"You mean the nosey old lady who runs the B&B called you" David quipped.
"Absolutely! You are the guest of the most gossipy woman any small town has ever been blessed with. So watch everything that you say and do. But dang can she cook."
"Duly noted. Tell Candy that I said thanks for the flowers.”
“No worries, I think she’s planning to introduce you to Susie already” he said. David noticed his eyes drift to the cover where Sam was still holding his hand. He almost let go but whether it was odd or not to be holding hands with a stranger he was oddly comforted.
“Is Susie the blonde that she’s so worried about?”
“Welllll, maybe.” He winked at Sam and David. “She’s probably trying to solve a problem that isn’t a problem.”
“Uh huh” David said with a smile. “So, why are you making a hospital visit today?”
“Because somebody called me yesterday and told me that they had a lead on a suspect.”
“Shoot! I forgot about that. Here I am just laying around when there is work to do.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Smart ass.”
“In all seriousness” David said, “I interviewed Ms. Bell yesterday. She told me some interesting things about one Shawn Davies. I took some notes but they’re in my room back at the Sawmill.”
“You mean these notes right here” Miller said with a smile while pulling out David’s notepad.
David frowned. “Did you go through my room?”
Charlie held up his hands. “Easy, Ms. Hammil let me in. I wanted to bring you some clothes and your wallet. Your notepad was in your pants pocket still and I brought it in case you felt like talking.”
“Sorry Sgt. I didn’t mean to get upset. It’s been a heck of a day and my head hurts like hell.”
“Hey, I offered to kiss it and make it better” Sam piped up.
David looked at her. “Did you and I just forgot?”
She smiled mischievously, “No, but I can. Least I can do for running you down.”
She quickly ducked down and kissed him on the forehead. Before David could reply the door opened again and a tall, dark haired man stepped through. He was staring intently at the chart in his hand.
“I’m Doctor Rogers, how are you feeling Mr. Ritter?”
He glanced up from his clip board and jerked a little when he saw Sgt. Miller. “Charlie, what brings you in here?”
“Just checking to make sure Sam doesn’t try to kill my new friend here again. Is it that hard to meet a man that you have resorted to running them over with your car?”
Sam stuck her tongue out at Miller but laughed along with him.
Dr. Rogers leaned over David’s bed and said “Again, how are you doing Mr. Ritter? Any headaches, confusion or amnesia?”
“A headache mostly. No amnesia but everything looks just a little fuzzy and it’s hard to focus.”
Dr. Rogers nodded his head absentmindedly. Reaching in his pocket he pulled out a flashlight. “Look at the light for me.”
While he shown the light in David's eyes Sgt. Miller continued asking questions. "What did you find out about Shawn Davies? We interviewed him several times. He was Ashley's ex-boyfriend but he had an alibi."
"According to Ms. Bell he wasn't the ex anymore. They had reconciled shortly before her murder."
"Well ain't that something" Miller exclaimed. "Didn't you used to know Shawn" he asked Sam.
She looked away. "Yeah, I dated his older brother Kevin. Until the accident."
Sgt. Millers face went pale. "Geez. I'm so sorry. I forgot about that. I don't know where my head was."
"It's ok. It was years ago. It was just a tragic end to a bad relationship."
Before either David or Sgt. Miller could ask further questions Dr. Rogers chimed in. "All I know is that Shawn seemed pretty agitated when they were in here last."
"What!? When was this?"
He stopped what he was doing and looked up to the ceiling. "Maybe three weeks ago."
"What were they in for?"
"Come by my office before you leave. I'll tell you what I can. Let's worry about Mr. Ritter here first."
After about five minutes of shining lights, having David follow his finger and other tests he leaned back against the wall.
“Well, I suspect that we have a concussion. I don’t think it’s too bad as you are pretty coherent but you should definitely take it easy for a day or two.”
“That’s it” David asked. “No CT scan or MRI?”
Rogers gave a short laugh. “I would love to run those tests if we could. Unfortunately you are in a very small hospital with a very small budget. Too small of a budget truthfully. We’re just going to have to trust in my medical expertise. Go home. Rest. Stay awake for the next few hours. Oh, and it would be best if someone stayed with you. At least for a while.”
"I'm sure Ms. Hammil wouldn't mind watching him a little" Sgt. Miller said. When he saw the look of panic in David's eyes he laughed again.
“Don't worry, I’ll take him home and sit with him" Sam said.
Dr. Rogers nodded before walking out.
“Friendly isn’t he” David said.
“If bedside manner was a class he couldn’t have passed by much” David replied. “Mind if I borrow your notes for the evening. I promise that you’ll get them back first thing tomorrow.”
“Have at it. But remember, I want to listen in on the interrogation when you bring the suspect in.”
Charlie nodded and took a long look at Sam and David. “Maybe I’ll tell Candy to hold off on the matchmaking.”
David and Sam both blushed. It was stupid, but he was still holding her hand and truthfully didn’t want to let go. They sat in awkward silence until and orderly came with a wheel chair. When they reached reception David asked to stop at billing. The Elderly lady behind the desk peered down through the readers perched on her nose at his records.
“It says here that you are paid in full.”
David blinked. “I don’t understand. Who paid my bill?”
She peered again. “It says one Melody Scott.”
“What!? How did she even find out that I was here?”
“When Sgt. Miller came through he brought us her number. Apparently it was the only number you had written down anywhere so we used it as your emergency contact. She immediately gave us a card number over the phone.”
“Sounds like you’ve got one very good friend after all” Sam said.
David smiled. “I thought I had at least three now?”
“Well, maybe that’s so” she replied.
Out in the parking lot they helped David into Sam’s car. “It’s nice to be inside this car and not behind it” David joked.
“Ha ha. Everyone thinks that they are funny” Sam replied. “Buckle up.”
No sooner had his seatbelt clicked into place before Sam roared out of the parking lot. He frantically started grabbing for something to hold on to.
“I’m not sure that I’m safer inside the car.”
She looked over at him with a smile. "Honey, nowhere is safe these days."