Weeping Willows: A Thrilling Mystery Novella (Dark Desires Book 1)

them come over to wish Suzie the best, telling her that they would look forward to seeing her next semester. Everyone was too kind.

  Walking away she told herself that she had been lucky living in a town like Rosewood Creek as people in the country were so warm and caring, she thought that city people would never be able to do this, a person could be drowned in a large city. She felt blessed for that. Fishing out her keys from her bag, a voice called out to her. It was Kyle, Craig's friend. Suzie looked up enquiringly. What was Kyle doing racing after her? What could be so important? She paused, greeting Kyle as he reached her panting out of breath. “Have you heard the news?” he exclaimed. It's all over the radio station, breaking news, “Craig's been arrested.” he said. Her keys fell with a loud clang on the concrete and with a look of shock on her face she stared at Kyle as horror etched her face. What was he saying? It couldn't be true. Leaving Kyle standing alone she picked up her keys, got into the car and drove off to Uncle Frank and Aunt Lizzie. She prayed that what Kyle had told her was untrue. God could not be so cruel.

  Two police vehicles were in the driveway of the Andrews residence. The solemn looks on the officer’s face spoke volumes, Suzie had seen it before, Aunt Lizzie lay passed out on the couch - she'd fainted. One of the officers held Uncle Frank around the shoulders as she wept unashamedly, totally beaten. He kept crying that his baby was gone. Suzie went cold, her best friend in the whole world was snatched from her. Melly was no more. She'd been murdered. Anger, rage tore through her she tried to push away her pain, she needed to be here for Melly's parents, they had shown her lots of love and kindness. She knew exactly how they were feeling. The sense of futility and loss of a loved one. It knocked the breath of a human being leaving them with a constant shallow emptiness. The pain, the suffering it was unbearable. The officers told them that a young couple, American tourist, were hiking on the outskirts of Rosewood Creek and Hanover, stumbled upon Melly's body. She'd been floating near the river just over the old bridge, Suzie felt cold thinking about her nightmare. It had come true. Melly's body had been discovered exactly where she had dreamt it was. The police had fished her decaying body out of the river. She'd been shot, they said and parts of her body had been sliced off. The killer had mutilated her body. Forensics would determine everything. The police told them a lighter had been found on the bank of the river. It was one of those very expensive types, a limited edition, with engravings of Craig Jackson. They told Melly's dad about Craig's disturbing childhood and past, they believed that he was the murderer killing Melissa in a fit of the rage. They had searched his place at the guest house and blood-stained clothing had been found, hidden in a box under his bed. The police stated that Craig was vehemently denying any involvement in killing her but the evidence spoke otherwise. They believed they had the right man! His trial would commence soon.

  - Chapter 13 -

  Melly was laid to rest on that Sunday afternoon, the 2nd of May, two months after she had gone missing. Suzie, Uncle Frank and Aunt Lizzie wept hysterically, broken as her battered body in the closed casket was lowered into the grave. Suzie felt as if her heart had been cut into tiny pieces, her beautiful friend had been senselessly killed, life snuffed out for no reason. People in Rosewood Creek gossiped among themselves that Craig with his broody expressions were always strange. The claimed that he'd fit the profile of a psychopath. The trial was set on the 14th of May, the word out there was that Craig continued pleading his innocence, claiming that he'd been framed. He'd loved Melly and wouldn't hurt her. The people on the street, as in most little towns were convinced otherwise. A perpetrator would pay.

  Justice must prevail!

  Meanwhile, Suzie had promised herself that she would wait until the trial had concluded and sentencing had passed, she'd decided to visit dad's family in New Zealand. They had made a trip out to London, coming to Rosewood Creek to see her, they had been nice, and they’d regretted the distance between the families and mourned her parents’ loss. Uncle Johnathan had offered to fly her out to New Zealand at her convenience, she was most welcome, after all they were family related by blood. Spending most of her days moping about the cottage mourning the loss of her parents and Melly, her moods alternating between weeping sessions and remembering the fun-filled days with Melly.

  - Chapter 14 -

  The season of winter was drawing to a close, months had passed with Craig’s trial continuing, the defense fighting a strong case in his favor. It was taking an intensive knock on them. Suzie and the Andrews needed closure. As yet no leads had become apparent regarding her parent’s killer or killers. The police had hit a dead end. Suzie awoke one morning she decided to take a long walk, she'd been too cooped up. Besides Uncle Frank and Aunt Lizzie. She's been spending all her time alone, mourning licking her wounds but the ugly truth was that life does go on, she would have to harden her heart and pick up the pieces. As painful as it was, she had to move forward, she owed it to Melly and her parents to live a productive life.

  Coming out today would be the first step. Breathing in the fresh air, she walked toward the cluster of weeping willow trees, her heart felt just a tad lighter, being out in the fresh air she felt a little better. Walking slowly, head down absorbed in her thoughts, Suzie reflected over the unfolding of the trial, she had the uncanny feeling that the case regarding Craig did not feel right. The evidence felt too pat. Sitting through the trial she could not explain why, but watching Craig she felt that she had gotten to know him quite well, she felt that he didn't appear to be lying. Her own thoughts shocked her. She wanted her friend’s killer to be put away, but a feeling deep inside kept gnawing at her. Something was not quite right. Although Craig's past had become public knowledge, Suzie could not shake the feeling that Craig's remorse in court appeared genuine. She kept asking herself what if this was true or was Craig just as phenomenal liar?

  The entire town of Rosewood Creak believed in his guilt. Shrugging away her thoughts she stared at the puffy clouds in the distance. The countryside smelled fresh, with a hint of pine. Suzie loved that smell. It was soothing, sparrow and finches whistled merrily on the adjacent trees, spring was definitely tiptoeing into Rosewood Creek. She loved it here. Seating herself on a clump of cut tree stumps near the adjacent forest, she surveyed her surrounding, lots of people were nervous in the open wilderness, not her, she loved Mother Nature, and it rejuvenated her. She sat quietly, enjoying the solitude. A sense of peace descending on her for the first time in a long while.

  The man stroked his beard carefully watching Suzie. He's burly shoulders hunching forward as he crouched behind the trees. He'd been watching her leaving the cottage and he'd followed from a distance quietly tailing her. A thoughtful gaze flickered across his face, he had planned to take her quietly from the cottage but he reflected that opportunity had just presented itself when she had made her way towards the forest. She lifted her face up to the pale sunshine and as he watched her he knew this was it. His moment had come. He crept up slowing behind her, she was oblivious to his presence, so lost in thought she was. Suddenly, Suzie sat up as the faint whiff of chemical rent the air. Just as realization dawned that she was not alone, a large hand with a cloth was pressed against her nostrils and mouth, tried to struggle as arms held her in a tight grip. The forest receded into a blur, her senses slowed. She slipped into blackness.

  The man gently scooped her unconscious limp body and hurriedly walked up to his truck, laying her body on the backseat of the truck. He didn't bother to tie up her arms just yet or to gag her as he'd done to her friend, he was confident that she'd be out for a long while. He quickly jumped into his truck and drove off towards the mountains, he'd be there in 20 minutes, the cabin wasn't too far out but its seclusion was ideal. His refuge, hidden in the rough terrain, he'd be safe. He was bringing the girl of his dreams home, he fantasied their future together was going to be magical. He'd planned an amazing life for them, he pondered these thoughts as he drove to the cabin. He felt exhilarated, everything was coming together beaut
ifully. He felt so proud of himself, basking in his glory of all his plans coming to fruition. He and Suzanne, he'd call her Suzanne, not Suzie like the others called her, he liked the name Suzanne as it rolled of his tongue. She was special, he'd been watching her for 2 long years at campus, silently learning her likes and dislikes. He knew she loved strawberry ice-cream and chocolate bars, she literally thrived off them. Oh yes, he'd learnt a lot about Suzanne, she was a creature of habit, enjoying her own company. He'd played them all, the police, the university, the green eyed witch and her boyfriend, they were all pawns in his game. He'd even gotten away with murder, three of them precisely but a lot more in his bag. He was brilliant! He smiled to himself devilishly. He's handsome face lighting up.

  - Chapter 15 -

  The fog in her brain would not clear, she tried to shake her head to clear it but the room kept spinning out of focus. She opened and closed her eyes wearily in the drug induced state. Realization dawning she'd been