Silver Knight
“Yeah, I thought the other bodies were all slashed apart,” added Rob. He was our other new member, but unlike Gabby who was a sophomore, he was a senior like the rest of us.
“Well, some of Mr. Jakes’ injuries appear consistent with those of the murdered victims,” Alex responded. “We think perhaps that Mr. Jakes stumbled upon something.”
“So you think maybe he saw something and didn’t realize the significance of it,” Sam said. There spoke a fan of CSI, NCIS, and Criminal Minds.
Alex nodded. “We hoped by talking with you that we could retrace his movements and possibly uncover something. The tiniest detail could be significant.”
Thirty minutes later Reynolds passed out a few business cards and said, “Thank you for your time. Just give us a call if you have any information you think might be helpful with our investigation.” Of course, we had not thought of anything remotely helpful, though we did try, listing the known bullies and troublemakers that Mr. Jakes had had run-ins with.
I began to calm down as soon as Alex left the building. But still I wondered what he was doing in Springfield. How in the world had he become a detective? And now with all these murders, the last one happening just a week ago, I was definitely freaked. As soon as they were gone, there was one moment of stillness as we looked at each other, then as one we ran to the pile of back issues of the Sun Times near the stacks in the middle section of the library and began looking up articles regarding the murders. Rob located the first one:
Murder in Springfield
By Butch Svenson
Monday, July 4, 2011
Police confirmed today that the mutilated body of a young woman was discovered along a lonely stretch of road just south of Springfield near Cloverdale Lake. The body had been ‘ripped and torn’ according to a police spokesperson. However, medical examiners say a sharp object had first cut the body. Then it appeared pieces were roughly torn away as if by animals. Identification of the remains has not yet been made.
A railroad worker conducting a routine inspection in the early morning hours yesterday found the corpse. Although the body was severely mutilated, little blood was present at the scene leading police to believe the murder may have occurred elsewhere. The body was then dumped near the abandoned railway station. Police are asking residents to call the State Police if they have any information regarding this homicide or know of any recent missing persons. The investigation is continuing, and police hope to release more details later today.
July 4th…just two weeks after I had turned eighteen on the summer solstice. I had been celebrating life since my return from Rome, but now I tasted a faint hint of ash as I swallowed.
Manning rustled his paper and said, “Here’s another one:
Murder Rampage
By Butch Svenson
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Another grisly murder in Springfield! As they reported for work early this morning, sanitation workers at the new landfill west of the city discovered the mutilated body of a young man. Police would not comment when asked if the injuries were similar to those observed on the remains of a young woman found on July 4th.
Neither victim has been identified. Both murders are described as vicious with no apparent motive or connection. An ambulance driver described the body as looking like a wild animal had savaged it. Police said they could not comment regarding an on-going investigation. Both murders took place late at night or in the early morning hours, and police are warning residents who have to be out to be cautious of anyone they don’t know.
When he finished, Sam read the last one out loud to us:
Serial Killer in Springfield
By Butch Svenson
Monday, August 8, 2011
Police have confirmed that another brutally mutilated body was found this morning. The injuries appear to be consistent with two other murdered victims from this past July. A tourist near Bridal Cave, a local attraction, discovered the unidentified corpse of a young woman. Police would not comment on the progress of the investigation but did warn citizens to stay indoors during the hours of darkness. No curfew has been announced, but police say all three murders took place during the night and were not caused by a wild animal.
There is a briefing by State Police officials scheduled for 6pm tonight. It is thought they will release the names of the victims at that time. All three murders in the Springfield vicinity lead police to believe the killer is local to the area. Residents are asked to phone the State Police about any person they encounter acting suspiciously. Residents are also asked not to go out alone at night but to travel in small groups whenever possible.
2 The Legend of Bridal Cave
We were silent when Sam was finished, each of them no doubt thinking about a serial killer in our town but not me. I was thinking that reporter Butch Svenson had better watch his back. I had seen torn and slashed victims through the centuries in my dreams and such markings always meant one thing…a demon. A demon I had just seen in our school…a demon that would not perhaps like a reporter who could connect the dots.
Is that why Alex played at detective? Did he want to cover up or conceal murders that he had committed? But I hadn’t smelled a reek around him, just that lightly spicy odor of Calvin Klein’s Obsession for Men cologne. Surely that meant he wasn’t killing. Not that I’d gotten that close to him to be able to tell. I had been lucky not to faint when he had said hello to me.
I knew he said he had stopped killing centuries ago, but…I also knew he had killed me during those times, so why not others? Or was it only me he killed these days? Of course, just killing didn’t create that demon stink. It was the taking of the human soul that created the revoltingly foul odor.
“How could Mr. Jakes be involved in those murders?” Vera wanted to know.
I shrugged and said, “Look it’s late, and I’ve got to get home. We’re reading The Fellowship of the Ring. It’s broken into two books, so I’ve planned for us to split that up into four sections. Book I has twelve chapters so let’s read through chapter six for our next meeting. We’ll have one discussion on the Goodreads website in a week. All of us should be through chapter three by then. I’ll email Gabby and Rob the info to create an account and join the discussion group. Is that all right with everyone?” They all nodded, and we headed in different directions except for Sam and Maggie. They waited for me by the door.
“Diana, what is he doing here?” Sam wanted to know.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” Maggie was grinning. “He followed Diana to be with her.” She sighed at what she apparently considered a romantic thought.
“Hello…” I waved my hand in front of her face. “I did not tell him where to find me. I don’t want him here! He kills me, remember?” I could feel myself wanting to hyperventilate and consciously tried to calm my heart as I could feel it beginning to thud against my rib cage again. “I’d like to make at least 30 this time around.” In most of the dreams I had, I knew that I often died at a young age. I was too young to die.
“But, Di, he could have killed you in Rome and didn’t. In fact, he helped you. Besides, you have been with him before. He must be sorry for the past mistakes.” Maggie’s smile went from ear to ear. Mistakes? I took a deep breath, which helped a bit. It wasn’t her fault she liked him. If I didn’t know about him, I would probably like him too. “How can you not like someone who looks like Johnny Depp except for the black hair?” she wondered.
I rolled my eyes. I think she’d watched every movie Johnny Depp had ever made, including all the old 21 Jump Street shows.
“Look, there were a lot of murders in Rome, right?” They nodded. “And he was there. Now murders are taking place here and where’s he?”
“Here.” Sam exchanged a glance with Maggie, looking serious. “So you think he’s involved?”
“I don’t know, but I think we need to check it out. Those wounds described in the papers are very similar to the wounds many demons leave on bodies. On the other hand, they’r
e not the typical wounds caused by a human form demon.”
Sam was truly getting into it and said, “The last murder took place at Bridal Cave. Why don’t we go check it out? You know, see if we can find any clues.” Why did the theme song from Scooby Doo suddenly start playing in my mind?
“Before we go anywhere near Bridal Cave, we’d better have some weapons,” I said.
As they nodded agreement, Maggie added with a nervous grin, “Silver ones.”
The Legend of Bridal Cave goes something like this: Centuries ago long before the paleface arrived in the Ozark Mountains, there was a tribe of natives known as the Osage Indians. They lived along the north shore of what is now known as Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Our tale involves two tribes: the Big Hills and the Little Hills.
The leader of the Big Hills tribe was Chief Neongo and the Little Hills tribe had Chief Elkorn. Now Neongo had a son named Conwee who loved the daughter of Elkorn, Wasena. He desired the lovely maiden and wished to make her his wife…but she refused.
Not to be dissuaded, late one moonlit night, he and several other braves crossed the Osage River close to the junction of the Niangua and snatched Wasena and her friend Irona from their beds. Fleeing the pursuit of the Little Hills tribe, Conwee, his braves, and his captives took refuge within a beautiful, stalactite filled cave as the sun rose.
Wasena managed to escape and fled to the top edge of the towering cliff that looms hundreds of feet above the Niangua River with Conwee closely pursuing. Eluding his grasp and without a backward glance, she ran forward and launched herself into the open air before plummeting to the valley below—death being preferable to being with one she did not love. The cliff became known as Lover’s Leap. All or nothing…in love there are no half measures.
Irona, on the other hand, fell in love with Prince Buffalo, another son of Chief Neongo. To honor her friend Wasena, Irona and Prince Buffalo’s marriage ceremony took place within the cave. From that time onward, many marriages have taken place in what’s become known as Bridal Cave.
When we arrived at Thunder Mountain Park where the cave was located, the park office was already closed.
“So how do we get in?” Maggie facetiously wanted to know as we looked at the gate. Like most of the parks in the area, a single bar extended from a guardhouse type structure where the rangers would sit to collect the entrance fee as the cars drove through. It was the only thing blocking the road. The bar might stop a vehicle but certainly wouldn’t stop us if we went in on foot.
“You’d think they’d post some guards after a murder,” Sam said as we crossed into the park.
“Just be glad they didn’t. Let’s hurry. We only have about another hour of good light,” I said.
Fortunately Sam’s dad owned several guns, and Sam had brought an AWC Amphibian S Ruger MKII in .22 caliber. It was a ten shot pistol with built-in silencer that was no louder than a CO2 BB pistol. It did sport a barrel length of nine inches though, so he'd cut the bottom out of his right hand jeans pocket and carried the gun barrel down in that pocket—safety on. It was fairly well concealed while still accessible in a hurry. He kept several extra clips also loaded with silver bullets in his other pocket.
I had purchased a couple of 1 ounce silver bars at a local pawn shop last summer, and Sam took them to Cherokee Gun Smith and convinced the owner, Anderson, to cast the .22 caliber bullets for us, telling him it was for a display case for his father. He must have believed him because the police had never come calling. I had my silver dagger from Rome, and Maggie had brought a few silver tipped arrows and a bow. She’d taken archery last fall and wasn’t half bad.
We were familiar with the area because we’d been hiking in the woods for most of our lives. I loved the woods and had always loved the story of Wasena and her leap. People talk today about “leaps of faith” and “looking before you leap” and it all stems from her. We hope for the best but take that plunge even knowing it might be the end.
A light breath of wind rustled the leaves within the scenic woodland. The muted buzz of insects going about their business sounded. Always before the forest had made me feel safe, even with the knowledge that there were bears, coyotes, and the occasional mountain lion around. For the most part, if you left them alone, they’d leave you alone. Usually the soft light dappling on the slightly spongy ground through the leaves of tall ash and oak trees and gentle, caressing waft of air made me feel secure.
Except today—today I started nervously at the least sound and the shadows appeared ominous as I looked to see if anything lurked under the trees. I sniffed at the breeze trying to detect any foul odor that might signal the presence of a demon.
From the parking area, you had to follow a well-marked path to get to the cave entrance, but we headed onto a less worn trail from the guardhouse and bypassed the evidence of civilization. As we got closer to the cave, the trails became more worn and obviously well traveled. Around the cave, modern technology made itself known with handrails and cement tiles smoothing the way in places.
“Where was the body found?” I asked.
“According to that article it was ‘near’ the cave. Should we check the cave first and then look around outside?” Sam looked toward the left-hand trail that eventually led to a cliff.
“Let’s use the light we’ve got left to look outside and then go in,” I suggested. Maggie notched an arrow and we continued forward. We walked single file as we approached the cave area with Sam in the lead.
“Good evening. I wish I could say I was surprised.” Alex greeted us as he stood leaning against the wall just out of sight within the cave entrance. Sam nearly jumped out of his skin. My estimation of his ability with a gun went up a notch when it didn’t go off, but it did swing towards Alex. “Now turn around and get out of here before anyone else sees you.”
“Who else would see us?” Maggie asked, good thing because my voice appeared stuck, and I had that hyperventilation feeling again.
“Maybe the other police who have the area staked out in case the murderer comes back.” Alex frowned, not looking happy to see us. “I could hear you coming a mile away. So I sent my partner to make a round up by the cliff. Now get out of here before she comes back.”
“Did you do it? Did you kill those people?” My voice grated harshly when I said the word kill. At the question, I thought I saw a flash in his eyes—of pain?—but he quickly looked down and shook his head.
“No, Diana, I just arrived in Springfield a few weeks ago.”
“A few weeks? But how did you get to be a detective in such a short time?” Sam was incredulous. “I thought you were a reporter.”
“Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world.” Then he made a shooing gesture and said, “Go, get out of here. If you want information, then meet me later tonight at the address on the back of this.” He pulled out a business card and held it out. Maggie stepped up and took it from him.
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“Your dreams of me should tell you all to clearly that I could kill you easily here and now—all of you. But your experience with me in Rome should tell you I don’t want to hurt you. I suppose only time will prove it.”
He made another shooing gesture with a flap of his hand, so we headed back to Sam’s truck.
“I can’t believe we’re just going to do what he asks.” We kept walking, but Sam had lowered his voice to a whisper. Towing the line was never popular with Sam.
“He’s here. A body was found here. How do we know…?” Maggie’s faith was shaken.
I sighed and stopped. “Look. I think if he were taking souls, I would smell it. There’s no other reason for him to kill people. In Fredrickson’s office, I didn’t smell anything out of the ordinary. But one thing I do know from my past experience with him…it is not wise to go against him. So we should all get out of here.”
Unfortunately, just as we got close to the guard shack, Det. Reynolds stepped out from behind it. It just wasn’t our day
.
“I wondered whose truck was parked here.” She looked from one to the other of us suspiciously.
“Det. Reynolds…hey. We just thought we’d look around and see if we could find anything that would be helpful.” That might have sounded sensible, but Sam gave a nervous sounding giggle toward the end which totally blew it. A six-foot one high school football player that giggles always aroused suspicion. I could have smacked him.
“And did you find anything?” She raised her eyebrows as she took in Maggie’s bow and arrows slung across her back and then held out her hand to Sam. “I’ll take that.”
Sam swallowed but didn’t move. “Det. Reynolds, I have a carry permit, but this is my dad’s gun. I can’t give it to you.” If we lost that gun, we’d have to re-do ammo for another one. That’d be a pain and take time we could ill afford if demons other than Alex were around.
“Weapons are not allowed on park property.” She gestured with one hand to the official sign tacked on the wall of the guardhouse while the other rested on the butt of her gun. “Hand it over.”
As Sam hesitated, a gunshot exploded to our left and somewhat behind us. We all ducked, but Reynolds pulled her firearm and said, “Go on. I’ll speak to you about this later.” Then she ran towards the cave. We ran for Sam’s truck with our hearts pounding.
“Well? Are we going?” Sam wanted to know as we pulled up to my house after leaving the park.
“Yes,” Maggie answered when I could do nothing but shrug. I desperately wanted answers, but I also desperately wanted to stay away from Alex. Again, he could have killed us, and no one would have known about it. But he could also have killed me far more easily in the catacombs. No one there would have connected me with him.
By talking to me in public at the school, there were witnesses to our meeting. And now that Reynolds had seen us at the park, he would be further implicated if anything happened to me. He must have created a diversion for us to be able to leave the park. While Sam drove us back to my place, I wondered what excuse he gave for firing his weapon.