Authors: Marianne Spitzer
“What’s happening to our town, James?”
Mr. Hanson tried to calm his wife. Finally convincing her talking to Father Mueller about Ben would help, she quietly followed him to the car.
Turning around Mr. Hanson said to Tim, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll hold down the fort, and the guys in the plant will take care of everything. If we need you, I’ll call the church.”
The town of Timmus Woods had two small churches. According to the dates on the cornerstones, St. Therese Catholic Church was built first and Good Shepherd Lutheran approximately five years later. Both built between the same two stands of towering oaks barely left enough room for parking. The parking lot wasn’t large enough to accommodate both churches at the same time. They staggered their Sunday services, so everyone could find a place to park. Weddings and funerals always caused a problem, since people from both churches usually attended.
***
Annamarie thanked Steve for taking her home. He came in to check the house for her while she called Daniel. She told Steve that Daniel was on his way home. She hugged him and thanked him again.
While she waited for
Daniel, she thought about how Ben’s funeral would bring out the entire town. It wasn’t an experience she was looking forward to, but she truly hoped it would bring peace to their little town. Her hope was short lived.
Chapter Nine: Sanity?
Sheriff Richardson paced while waiting for the coroner’s arrival. Hearing vehicles approaching he turned to see the coroner’s car followed by a black station wagon.
It was
afternoon. There was no chance the vehicles would be missed. The sheriff was sure phones were ringing at the office and all over town. Greta would be slowly losing her composure by now. He’d better call her on a private line to warn her, but first he had to show the coroner the crime scene.
After leading Dr. Webster to the office, Sheriff Richardson left to find a phone and called Greta. He was correct. The phone had been ringing off the hook. Greta told everyone the truth. She didn’t have any facts and they’d have to wait for a statement from the sheriff.
Walking toward the office, he saw the doctor’s assistant in the middle of the room trying not to slip on the bloody floor.
“What the hell is he doing?” asked the sheriff.
“Checking wounds.”
“For what?” the sheriff asked as he sat down in a chair in the outer office.
“Size,” was all Dr. Webster said.
The assistant finally spoke. “You’re right, Dr. Webster. Most of these wounds couldn’t be made by the two small knives on the floor. If I had to guess, I’d say it was some type of sword.”
“Sword,” the sheriff asked, “Do you see a sword?” His patience with the young man was rapidly waning.
“No sir, but it could’ve
been removed.”
“By whom, did you notice there’s not a drop of blood beyond the office in any direction? Do you suppose the killer flew out of here?”
“Well, a bigger weapon was used, and unless one of these men is lying on top of it, it’s gone,” replied the coroner.
Sheriff Richardson felt the start of a horrid headache.
“Hey,” grinned the young assistant. “Isn’t this town haunted by spirits, maybe…?”
“Shut up,” snarled an irritated Sheriff Richardson, his nerves fraying. That’s all he needed, his entire town believing in Daniel Logan’s spirits.
“I’ll take the bodies back to Oaklin and try to get answers. I’ll definitely find out the size of the wounds and whether or not they were made with those knives,” said Dr. Webster.
Dr. Webster’s assistant gave the sheriff the name of a company specializing in cleaning and sanitizing crime scenes. They promise same day service and return the property to as near original condition as possible.
The sheriff took the card and watched the men from the coroner’s office remove the bodies leaving an unbelievable amount of blood on the floor.
Dr. Webster commented, “Both bodies may have bled out right there on the floor. I’ll know more after the autopsies.” He followed his assistant out to the car.
Wearily Sheriff Richardson made the call to the cleaning company. Cleaners would be there within thirty minutes.
***
At two o’clock, Mr. Hanson arrived back at work. Meeting him at the door, the sheriff told him a cleaning company would be there any minute. He explained the company promises to return the office to near pristine condition.
“I hope so. We produce bottled milk. People won’t be happy two murders took place here. By the way, thanks for letting me know about Ben.”
“You’re welcome. I wish the results had been different,” patting James on the back. “I see the cleaning truck now.”
A white truck pulled into the dairy parking lot. Thankfully the company sign didn’t advertise crime scene sanitation. Three men dressed in coveralls and carrying buckets and cleaning implements walked into the outer office. One of the men asked James to show him the office.
Surveying the scene, he looked back at James and said, “Okay, this is a big job, but we can get it done. We may have to dispose of your sofa since its fabric is quite blood stained. We’ll begin with the floor so you can enter in a short while. Let’s go, guys.”
“Thanks,” James said quickly moving away from the dreadful scene.
***
Tim walked into the outer office and let James know the plant was completely shut down. All the employees had left.
“Thanks.”
“No problem, boss. Did everything go okay this afternoon?”
“We finished the plans for the funeral. Sheriff Richardson tracked me down at church to officially inform me the body was Ben’s, and what the coroner’s report stated.”
“I’m sorry. We all hoped they were mistaken about Ben.”
Shaking his head, James said, “Everyone knew in their hearts, but the sheriff had to follow the rules. Ben’s body is being transported from the coroner’s office in Oaklin to a funeral home there.”
Timmus Woods didn’t have a funeral home. Usually visitation would be at one of Oaklin’s funeral homes, with
a next morning church service and burial at Blessed Heart Cemetery.
“Because of the trauma my wife has been through, the visitation will be Wednesday evening at church with the Mass of Christian Burial the following morning.”
“It sounds as if that’ll be easier on Mrs. Hanson.”
“I think it’ll be easier on all of us. Father Mueller took care of dealing with the funeral home, since my wife is too distraught. She lost her father a few months ago. Father Mueller called the funeral home we used then, and told them we wanted the same arrangements for Ben. It was a blessing for her not to have to meet with the funeral director to discuss details again.”
“How’s Mrs. Hanson doing now?”
“She’s home trying to rest.”
“Anything else you need me to do?” said Tim.
“I’m going to close the dairy for
a week. The Oaklin Dairy will step in and take our deliveries and service our customers. We need time to grieve. I’ll see you Wednesday night.”
***
Throwing his keys on the table when he ran into the house to check on Annamarie, Daniel told her he was sorry, but he couldn’t stay. He held her tight and let her cry.
“Father said some important client is coming in. We both have to be there regardless of what you’ve been through. He can be so cold-hearted at times.”
“I don’t understand. Your father should know at times family needs to come first. Would you drive me to the dairy to get my car? Steve brought me home. I don’t want to be here feeling stranded,” she stood to leave.
“Sure, baby. You’ve been through enough. Let’s go.”
“Daniel, something odd happened this morning. I don’t understand it.”
“What?” Daniel asked intrigued.
“When the men began to fight, Tim helped me. When I was out of the office, I glanced back and the door slammed. The men began to scream as if they were being attacked by someone other than themselves.”
“That’s strange, but I know it was the spirits.”
“Don’t start with that again,” she said crossing her arms and glaring at him.
“I mean it, Annamarie. What could close the door and cause that carnage? I don’t think it’s the spirits that haunt the woods, but your spirit. She saved you and then made sure they could never hurt you again.”
“If I believe that, I think I’ll go crazy.”
“
No, you won’t. You’ll just have to believe me when I tell you spirits exist.”
Unsure what to think or believe, she told Daniel she would consider what he said. He smiled promising to be home early and kissed her. She left the Jeep and waved as Daniel drove away.
***
Sitting behind the wheel of her car, Annamarie didn’t want to go home. If she went to her mom’s, she would break down again. She decided to go to Ray’s. On her way, she remembered the dream. Could those two men be the “double trouble”? Could all that blood be the “sea of red”? She shuddered at the thought and yet felt some peace thinking the dream was a warning. If it was, then she was being guarded. Perhaps she was psychic. It was easier to believe than having a spirit watching and protecting her.
She missed lunch and was hungry. Ordering a chef salad and cola, her mind started to replay the morning’s terror. She did her best to push the thoughts away. While she waited for her order, Garret came in appearing pale and shaky.
He looked as if he hadn’t slept in the past forty-eight hours. He sat down across from her.
“Have you or Daniel seen Bulk?”
Her words spat at him. “Listen, you damn near got me raped and killed this morning. Two guys came into the
dairy looking for you. They thought they could beat the information out of me. They’re both dead now so you’re safe. Maybe you should go see the sheriff just in case. He’s looking for you, too,”
He ignored her and asked again, “Have you seen Bulk?
“Not since yesterday.”
Garret was near panic when asking where Bulk might be. He was beginning to scare her.
“I know Daniel told you what happened at the cabin, and if you tell anyone, I’ll kill you.”
“You don’t scare me, Garret. Everyone knows any trouble in town eventually finds its way back to you. If you touch
me, Daniel will kill you,” she scowled at him. “The sheriff would love to throw you in a cell and toss away the key. Don’t give him another reason. After what I’ve been through, I should call him right now.”
She believed his
threat but placed her balled-up fists on the table in defiance. She wanted Garret to see her anger.
“Tell Daniel to watch his back.” He got up and walked out.
What she didn’t understand was why Garret would be upset about anyone knowing what happened. None of them was to blame for Ben’s death. Or were they? That question scared her more than anything, and she began to worry about Daniel’s sanity once again. Did he know more than he was saying? Was Garret being drawn into Daniel’s belief of spirits or was Daniel being drawn into Garret’s questionable dealings?
She watched Garret drive out of the parking lot without regard for the speed limit or passing pedestrians. Her salad lost its appeal, but she did nibble at the turkey, ham and cheese while she drank her soda. She left some money on the table and headed out to her car. Talking to Daniel was crucial now. She had her own questions plus he needed to know Garret was acting oddly, and Bulk was still missing. She found Daniel at his office.
***
Annamarie wasn’t the only person searching for someone. The sandy brown haired man found an empty booth at Ray’s and sat down. Picking up the menu, he glanced up and down the diner carefully. Greta was on duty at the sheriff’s station, which forced Ray to be both
waiter and cook.
Approaching the booth, he said, “Afternoon. What can I get for you?”
“I’ll have the meatloaf special and a cup of coffee.”
“Coming right up,” Ray said, handing the man a newspaper.
Ray headed for the back of the restaurant, returning with a plate piled with food and the coffee.
“Can I get you anything else?”
“When will the mechanic’s shop be open?”
“It should be open now unless Garret’s on
a run with the tow truck. Got trouble with your vehicle mister?”
“Just need to have something on my truck checked out.” He smiled, but his dark gray eyes were cold as winter’s frost.