Coming Home (Norris Lake Series) (30 page)

The living room had hardwood cherry floors with an expensive Indian weave carpet.  There was a large tan leather sofa facing the windows with matching cherry and glass-inlaid iron coffee table and end tables.  Two wingback chairs with soft brown and black plaid sat facing the sofa. To the left of the windows was a black marble fireplace with ornate black iron grating.  Matching lamps stood on each end table.  Candles in various colors and sizes in Wedgwood holders lined the mantelpiece.  A few leather bound books sat on the coffee table as decoration.  The sofa was lined with pillows and a colorful throw was haphazardly folded on the back of one of the wingbacks.  Half unpacked boxes sat against each wall.

“Have a seat my lovely lady,” Stephen said seating Jesse on the couch.  “May I get you something to drink?  Coffee, soda, tea, martini?”

“I would love a glass of iced tea. Thank you,” Jesse nodded.

“Anything for you, Sheriff?” Stephen said as Ben took a seat in one of the wingbacks.

“Nothing for me, thanks.” 

Stephen, dressed in a pair of khakis, black golf shirt and soft soled shoes, walked easily into the kitchen.  They could hear the sound of glasses and ice cubes.  He returned carrying two glasses of ice tea.

“Here you are my dear.  Now this was a pleasant surprise.  What can I do for you both?”

“This isn’t a pleasure visit.  We’re here to talk to you about the recent incidents in Norris and your involvement,” Ben said taking a seat across from Stephen and Jesse.

Stephen sat on the sofa next to Jesse and leaned back with his ice tea.  “What involvement could I possibly have? I just moved back to Knoxville last month.  I haven’t been here long enough to get in to trouble.  Of course, you wouldn’t be the first to believe that would you Sheriff.  What have your townsfolk told you about me?” 

“Why don’t you tell me what they would say,” Ben inquired leaning forward his elbows on his knees.

“The narrow minded inbred group would say I am the spawn of Satan.  Years ago, they looked at me and they thought freak.  I looked different and sounded different so I was isolated and ridiculed.  They were afraid of me. They thought I killed my sister.  At the center of the accusations was the Tarlington family, Michael and his father Robert.  I did nothing but they pointed the finger at me.  No one had one piece of evidence to support their beliefs.  All the same, they helped drive my family from the town.”  He leaned forward setting the glass on the table and putting his hands together as if in prayer.  “They thought I killed Beth.” 

He stood and walked to the window looking out.  “I was an orphan.  Beth’s father took me in.  The family treated me as if I were their own.  I loved them all.  I still love my father and visit him regularly. He walked back to his seat and took a drink. 

I went down into the pit of hell and not only survived but I became a successful business man.  I intend on using all the resources at my disposal to make the Tarlington’s pay for what they did to my family.” 

“Does that include starting the fire at the condo project, terrorizing and trying to kill Caitlyn?”  Ben paused. “Where were you on August 15th?”

“I can say that I wasn’t involved in any of those incidents, but can’t say I am sorry that they happened.  I can only hope that the Tarlington’s, all of them, are suffering some of what I have suffered, though I know they can never experience as much.  They haven’t lost the way I have.”  He shook his head sadly and returned to the sofa.

“Tell us about the night Beth died,” Jesse implored putting her hand on his shoulder. “If you can bear it.”

“Beth’s friends included three couples, Caitlyn and Curtis, Sarah and Rodney, and Michael and Beth.  I saw them out in front of a pizza place after a high-school football game.  They asked me if I wanted to come with them, but I didn’t.  Michael was nice to me for Beth’s sake but behind her back he teased me the same way others did. I wish I had gone with them now.  Maybe I would have been able to save her.”  He faded away for a moment deep in thought.

“What happened next?” Jesse prompted.

“They went out to party, you know how kids do.  Drink some beer, smoke some pot and make out. Sarah’s parent’s houseboat was perfect for the purpose.  Her brother Curtis was a responsible guy and a good pilot.  Curtis, Beth, Michael and I were in the same grade.  Sarah, Caitlyn, and Rodney were a year behind us. Beth never came home.  They said she went ashore.  They said that I killed her or she ran away.  No one ever knew what really happened.  Michael and his father turned the townsfolk against me.  They said I killed her in a fit of anger.  Painted me as an angry teenager. I was angry, yes, because of my
peer’s ridicule of me and there were times I lost my temper but never was it ever directed Beth.  His eyes reddened.  I loved her so much.  I would have done anything for her.  I would have died in her place.”

“Did you know that Curtis, Beth and Rodney have all died?  It’s not public knowledge but Rodney was killed last week.  I haven’t been able to reach his parents or his sister.” Sheriff Kane asked. “That leaves Michael, Sarah and Caitlyn.”

“No I wasn’t aware.”  He was pensive. “What if Sarah and Caitlyn were to join the dead?  That would leave Michael here and no one else who knows what happened that night.  Has your investigation gone down that road?”

“No,” Jesse and Ben chimed in at the same time. They looked at one another and then at Stephen.

“Likewise, if Michael, Sarah and Caitlyn died you’d have your revenge.  Ben leaned forward not expecting an answer.”

Stephen smiled. “That’s bright.  Threaten Caitlyn in public and then kill her.  I am not that dumb.”

“So what have you been doing hanging around Norris?”

“I am Caitlyn’s lover remember?”

“So help me, Kane, if you go down that road again with that crap, I am going to come over this table,” Ben said in a quiet monotone.

“Cool it, Mr. Law.  It’s about money. I want Tarlington’s condo project.  It just happens to be a profitable project that interests me and a couple of other investors.  Though I have played it off as personal business, it’s a coincidence that it belongs to Tarlington.  I really don’t have a serious interest if the price is too high.  I am an entrepreneur and an investment banker.  That requires independent analysis not personal interest.  If I let my personal interests drive my business, I wouldn’t be in business for long.”

“Where were you August 15th and August 31st  for the record?”

He pulled a blackberry from his belt and punched a few buttons. “On the 15th I was at the Hyatt Regency at a dinner for the Mayor.  On the 31st, I was in New York at the Waldorf; another  business meeting.  I can have my assistant provide you with a copy of the receipts.”

“I believe you but will check your story out just to make us all feel more comfortable.”  Sheriff O’Donnell agreed.

“Where are Caitlyn and Sarah?” Jesse asked. 

“Today’s Saturday.  Caitlyn told me the other day at the crafts fair that they were going out on a houseboat for the day.  I remember because we joked about it and she was looking forward to seeing Sarah.”

Jesse stood up and gestured for Ben to follow. “We need to go make sure they are all right.  Let’s go.”

Chapter 31

“Jake, what have you found?” Dominic asked.

“Boss, I went down to the local pub and poked around.  It took some pushing to get the information but everyone has a price, one way or another. I found out from the bartender that a dark haired man came in and solicited two men to kill two women.” 

“Good job.  What can you tell me about the women?”

“He mentioned a houseboat.  I went down to the marina.  The old man there remembers two women going out on a houseboat early this morning.  One of them was Sarah Jackson.  He didn’t see the other one close up but remembers hearing a second female voice outside the shop.  They didn’t come back last night, which he thought was strange.  He’d warned Sarah not to stay out after dark because the running lights were out.  He expected her back before nightfall.”

“Did anyone else see the other woman?”

“No other witnesses, but Caitlyn’s loaner truck was in the parking lot this morning.”

“What about the two men that were hired?  Did you find out who they were?” 

“Yes.  It’s two locals by the name of Randy and Jimbo.  I haven’t found out who hired them yet, but I will.”

“That’s your priority.  You find them and their employer.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I am going down to the dock and I won’t be back until I find Caitlyn.  You can reach me on my cell.”

He pulled the viper down the gravel drive parking in front of the small Andersonville boat dock.  He jumped out and strode down the dock looking for any sign of life.

An old caretaker pulled the door shut on the shop and locked up flipping on the evening security lights.  He grabbed his lunch box and started up the dock toward his truck. 

Dominic walked up to the old man blocking his way. 

“I need your help.”

“We’re closed, young man.  You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

“No, I am sorry.  That’s not acceptable.  I need your help now.  We can do this the easy way or the hard way.  The easy way involves me paying you twice what you make here in a month.  The hard way, well, I would rather you choose the easy way.” 

The old man paused.  “What’s so important, sonny, that you would offer to pay me that much and threaten me all in the same breath?”

“I have lost my wife.  She went out on a houseboat this morning and didn’t come back.  I have information that there is someone who is out to do her harm.  I need to find her to make sure she’s all right.” He paused.  “Please.” His eyes pleaded with the old man.

The caretaker looked at him for a moment, assessing the desperate look in the young man’s eyes.  “Okay, I’ll take you out.  I will need to call my Pauline first so she doesn’t worry about me.  Then young man, I will take you out to find your woman.”

“Yes, you call Pauline.  I don’t want her to worry either.  Then, let’s get on with it.” 

The old man unlocked the shop and went inside for a moment.  He reappeared in a light jacket with a couple of lanterns, a cooler with sandwiches, chips and drinks and a sweatshirt.

“What do you have there?”

“Lights and food, just in case we’re out longer than morning.  Here,” he said tossing the sweatshirt to Dominic,” Put that on.  It’s going to get colder tonight and you’re not dressed for it. You pick up that cooler, boy and come on let’s go.” 

The old man walked to the end of the dock followed by Dominic, the cooler in tow.  They climbed on to a 40 foot houseboat. Dominic stowed the cooler.  The old man kicked the engine over turning on the running lights and threw off the bow and stern lines. 

“Come watch me boy, so you can drive if you need to.”

“Yes, sir.” Dominic said taking a seat next to the old man.

“I saw them leave this morning heading out towards Point 19.  It’ll take us a while to get there in the dark.  We can’t move too fast even with the running lights, but I can get us there.”

The old man looked at the worried face on the young man to his left.  It was a face haggard with pain and stress. 

He patted the younger man’s knee with a gnarled palm.  “Don’t worry, boy.  I know this lake like my old Pauline.  We’ll find her, son. It wouldn’t hurt non to say a prayer, you know…”

Somewhere in the dark, the water dripped on her forehead splashing cold drops against her eyelashes and down her face. She tried to wake.  It happened slowly as if she were swimming up through a deep pool.  The first thing she remembered was the horrible weight that had been pressed against her back.  It was gone but she still couldn’t move her arms and legs.  She lay on her left side facing a rock wall.  Her lips and throat were dry and there wasn’t enough light to see anything at all.  It was so dark that she had to blink her eyes to make sure that they were actually open. 

She remembered when she had visited Tuckaleechee Caverns when she was about ten years old.  They had taken a tour into the heart of the cave.  At one point the guide had turned all of the lights off so they could see how dark caves really were.  She had peered out into the darkness straining to see even the smallest ounce of light and held even more tightly to her father’s hand.  In her mind she had believed that all kinds of ghosts and monsters swirled around her while the lights were off.  Her father had held her hand and promised her that there were no such things as ghosts and monsters.  Why did he tell her that when it wasn’t true?

Tears started to run down her face again and she began to pray.  She didn’t pray often so she stumbled over her words trying to remember the Lord’s Prayer.  She moved her hands and could feel that her feet and hands were tied thus pinned to the floor.  No sound except the dripping of water broke the silence.  Disoriented, she wondered how long she had laid there.  She strained to remember what had happened remembering vaguely the man, Jimbo. 

She’d taken a chance after darkness set and crawled out of the cave.  After that she could only remember being crushed by a heavy weight and eventually being dragged back inside the cave.  It was all jumbled. She could remember one of them tearing off her shirt and then putting his hand down inside her shorts, shoving his fingers into her hard.  He’d jerked her pants down and panting heavily on top of her, the stench of his beer breath and sweat from his skin mixed with the thrust of his hard member deep between her legs.  She lay on her stomach as he’s pushed and shoved into her from behind time and time again. She thought it would never end and then he grunted as his sperm flooded warm inside her and out onto the inside of her legs. 

The second man flipped her over.  With her arms still pinned behind her back, and a piece of
duct tape across her mouth the second man mounted her. She recognized him as the one called, Jimbo.  She was already wet with the first man’s cum and Jimbo was rock hard.  He parted her legs with his knees.  Holding them wide apart, he thrust into her shoving harder and harder.  Putting his hands around her throat he grasped hard.  The airways closed beneath his palms, she could hear him grunting in excitement and yell loudly as he too came inside her.  He didn’t stop though and kept squeezing until the air stopped.  She kicked but his weight was too much for her.  She could feel the darkness sweeping over her and a peace settle in.  She was dying. 

Hours later she woke.  Her throat and the insides of her legs were sore.  They must have tied her up and left her here.  That meant that they were coming back.  She would have to try to get free before that happened.  If they thought she wasn’t dead, they would kill her for sure to keep her from testifying.  They could keep her here for a long time.  She began to work at her bonds scratching her fingernails against them in horror.  Time went by.  Finally, her nails were bloody she’d worked her bonds free.

She crawled along the floor of the cave disoriented and exhausted.  As she pulled herself along on her stomach she could feel the cave walls pressing against her sides.  Her eyes closed as she fought back a wave of claustrophobic panic.  The total darkness helped somewhat since it kept her from seeing the solid rock walls on every side of her. 

She tried not to think of the miles of heavy stone that lay over her head which in a moment of shifting could crush her to a soft puddle of ooze.  “That would be better than being kept in like an animal in a cave.  Anything would be better than that,” she mumbled through cracked lips.  Her once shiny red hair lay in dirty, wet tendrils pasted along her forehead and back.  Dark smears of mud infiltrated the sores causing her to grimace in pain.  She pushed with her toes stretching her hands an
arm’s length in front of her for another hand hold against the upward sloping tunnel.  This must be the way out....it had to be. 

"Please God, let me find the way,” she said dropping her chin to the dirt.  Muffled moans escaped from her mouth, but there were no tears.  All of the tears had been cried away.  The hours passed and she made her way slowly through the tunnel.  As she rounded a corner, she realized that the tunnel was growing larger and a faint green glow of light lay about a 50 feet ahead.  Her efforts redoubled.  She scrambled to her hands and knees moving towards the light as a moth moves towards a flame.  Her one thought was to go to that light. 

Behind her she heard a sound.  It sounded like something being pulled along the ground, almost a rubbing sound.  Faintly, it was there.  She turned her head and stopped, listening for it again. 

"They’re coming,” she said softly.  "They’re coming."  The tunnel grew larger and larger until it opened up into a cave.  She stumbled to her feet, leaning heavily on the cave wall for support.  Her legs wouldn’t support her weight and she fell again to the floor. 

"Come on, work. Don’t do this to me now," she cried as if she could convince her legs to act on their own.  Holding on to the wall, she pulled herself up again and shuffled toward the glowing light.  The sound was getting louder and she could discern a shuffling step as someone, found his way to the larger portion of the tunnel.  Her legs held fast for the moment; mind over matter.  Arms outstretched she moved towards the cave entrance.  Crying she tried to run. 

"I have to get out of here.  Please God.  Please.  Please.  Save me." Breaking through the brush which covered the mouth of the cave, she stopped in the bright sunlight.  Her eyes closed instinctively as the bright light blinded her.  Squinting through the waning sunlight, she kept on stumbling along the shoreline towards the sand beach a few hundred yards away.  A fishing boat lay anchored just off the shore while two figures sat drinking on
its deck.  Behind her she thought she heard the footsteps stop abruptly just inside the cave’s entrance and she cried out in joy. 

She shouted  louder this time and waved her arms frantically, with all the strength left in her.  The heads of the figures on the beach turned at the sound and started to make their way towards the nude, bloodied figure. 

She crumpled to her knees on the sand crushing it through her fingers, sobbing uncontrollably.  She stayed there, the cool night air on her back, numbly staring at the ground.  A set of grimy blue tennis shoes stopped abruptly in front of her.  She looked at them and all she could think was that they were unusually bright blue as darkness enfolded her. 

"Hey lady, you look awful.  We need to get you some help right now." Bo’s old voice gently said.  "Charlie, hey come over here!"  

“Yo, you guys,” Charlie yelled waving at the two men who were looking along the caves on the coast,” he whistled a terrific blast and hollered, “I think my friend has found her.”

Within minutes Dominic was at her side.  He gently reached down and turned her over.  He crouched and put one arm under her shoulders and the other under her knees, picking her up in his arms.  “Don’t worry baby, I never gave up looking and I finally found you.  I’ll take care of you, honey.  Close your eyes. Rest now, you’re safe with me.” 

Swimming in a restless unconsciousness, her mind heard the sound of the motor fall away into the distance.  She listened until she could only hear the faint rumblings carried across the lake on the afternoon wind.  Thinking that the men who had chased her into the cave were playing with her like some sick game of cat and mouse, she stayed as she was pressed up against the cold rock wall near the back of the cave. 

Her senses were on edge as she began to realize how close she had come to being killed.  Her eyes sealed shut, her breathing came in gasps as she tried to quiet her heart which was causing the blood to pound in her ears.  It was a deafening sound inside her own head.  A faint melody wafted across the air. The sound was like water to a man lost in the desert.