Authors: Esther M. Soto
All these years, I've never admitted to him that I remember what happened that night. It seems like a lifetime ago, and those feelings I had for Tommy were buried deep, never resurfacing until now.
“Thank you,” says the GI I’m dancing with as the music ends.
He offers me a drink, but I decline. It’s time to move on to the next GI. We’ve been given instructions not to fraternize with the same soldier for a long period of time. We were encouraged to dance with as many guys as possible, which is good since I’m still looking around for my suspect. So far no luck. I mingle and move around the room. I’ve nearly circled the entire hall, and still no sign of my suspect. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he’s long gone. But I can’t think like that because if I lose hope, I lose what’s left of my sanity.
Just then, I see Doc talking to some older men dressed in their VA attire. As I approach the group, Doc spots me, excuses himself, and heads my way.
“How are you feeling, Ileana?” he inquires, obviously worried about me.
“I’m all right, Doc. How’s Sue?” Doc’s expression gives me pause. There’s something he’s struggling to get out. Finally, as if resolving an internal debate, he takes a deep breath.
“Sue is pregnant.”
I’m stunned. “How? I mean, is it...” I trail off because I don’t have the balls to ask him if the baby is his son’s, but he saves me the trouble.
“It is my grandchild. Seems that Al Junior had quite the sendoff with Sue before shipping out,” he says, smiling sadly.
Which means Sue was already pregnant and didn’t know it. My grandmother is not a product of rape. Relief fills my soul. But my heart goes out to Doc. I know he lost his wife about ten years ago and his son is all he has. Looking for privacy, Doc and I head outside. The sun is low in the sky, giving the landscape a fiery orange hue, the light reflecting against the cars and windows. Finding a quiet spot at the Hall entrance, we stand side-by-side and talk.
“This is good news, right?” I ask, knowing he barely has a family left. He smiles back, a twinkle in his eye.
“It is. I’m going to be a grandfather, very good news indeed.” He gives me a wistful smile. “You know, I thought there was something familiar about you when I first saw you.”
I narrow my eyes, curiosity getting the best of me. “What do you mean?”
He pauses. “This entire time, I’ve been trying to put my finger on it, and after seeing you all dolled up tonight, I finally figured it out.”
“Really? What’s that?”
“You have my late wife’s eyes. Just like Amelia’s. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before.” Doc struggles to keep his composure. “Dear, you look so much like your great-great grandmother. She was, well, one heck of a dame and a looker like you.” His voice falters at the end, and it squeezes my heart. “Will told me. About how your last name, how your name came to be.” His eyes are bright with moisture, like he’s seeing me for the first time for who I actually am.
But there’s more. There’s a hint of affection, pride. His eyes unravel something within me that I didn’t know existed. Something so foreign, I can’t identify the feeling. I reach out and hold his hands, trying to offer some type of comfort, as well as gratitude. Other than my mother, I’ve never met any relatives. I look nothing like my mother; she’s blonde, tall, and blue eyed. I always wondered whom I looked like, so to me, this revelation is incredible. Suddenly, he asks something nobody has ever asked.
“Ileana, are you happy?”
The question is so out of left field, I don’t know how to answer it.
Struggling to offer him a small smile, I say, jokingly, “Define happy.”
He remains stoic, focused on me.
My sad smile falters. “Don’t worry about the future, all right? I turned out okay, which is all you need to know.”
His eyes search my features with an anguished expression, mourning for me. My answer said it all.
No, I’m not happy.
But I don’t want him to worry.
I muster my best smile, leaning forward and kissing him on the cheek. “Thanks, pop.”
That gets a chuckle out of him. “What did you call me?”
“I don’t know, I’m just happy I got to meet you.” I want to reach out and hug him, my throat burning with emotion.
I try to regain composure, and the question that has been in the back of my mind spews out. I brace my hands on my hips. “Hey, Doc, can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” he says, putting his hands in his pockets, preparing to be challenged.
“Carol mentioned you might know something about lights out in the field, back when Will’s dad was alive?” I watch for a reaction, but he doesn’t seem to know what I’m talking about. “Also, the other night after leaving the field, I noticed my ears were ringing and my nose was bleeding. Do you think that’s something related to what happened?”
He ponders for a minute. “Honestly, I don’t know about any lights out there. Bill never said anything to me. As for the ringing and nosebleed, it could be related to what you have gone through...” As he seems to think things over, I go into agent mode.
“All right, Doc. What about any other cases with the same symptoms?” I ask. “Ringing in their ears, bloody nose, anything like that come up at your office since I showed up, or even before?”
His face morphs from thought to realization, then astonishment. “Yes—”
“Let me guess: Young male, early twenties?”
Doc looks at me like I just read his mind. “Yes! How could you know that?” he asks in awe.
I smile at him. “I’m good at what I do, Doc. Is he here?”
“I haven’t seen him here—”
“Great. I need you to drive me like the devil back to the farm and tell me who this lucky man is.”
Doc nods. “I’ll meet you in the parking area. I have to talk to Will before we go.”
Part of me is glad he’s not here. If this man is, in fact, my suspect, I need to go get him, so I’ll need my gear.
While Doc meets up with Will, I look for Carol and excuse myself from the dance, telling her I have a headache and Doc is giving me a ride back. She’s saddened but satisfied, giving me a quick hug. In no time, Doc and I are climbing in his car and on our way to the farm.
Doc tells me the suspect’s symptoms are more severe than mine. Worst news of all, my suspicions were right: both Doc and Will know him, and he had planned to attend the dance. Deep down I don’t want it to be him, but I can’t worry about that now. All I can do is concentrate on getting my clothes, grab my gear, and go get him before it all gets out of hand.
We finally arrive at the Shaw farm, and as soon as Doc parks his car, I jump out and head for the house.
“Wait for me, Doc, I’m going to grab my things and I’ll be right out,” I shout over my shoulder, rushing up the stairs to MJ’s room.
I’m on autopilot. I change my clothes and check my weapon. I clip the holster on my belt along with my badge and handcuffs. I pocket my iPhone, instantly feeling like myself again. My clothes and my gear are an extension of me, a second skin. I’m almost to the finish line.
Filled with renewed energy, I rush down the stairs, hearing the kitchen door open. When I get to the landing and turn toward the kitchen, I stop dead.
There, in Carol’s kitchen, Will is standing with Doc and my mystery man. The man I saw at the club. The man Tommy and I followed that night.
My training kicks in and I don’t think; I react. The second my eyes meet his, my hand is grabbing my weapon, and before Will can utter a word, my Glock is pointed at the man. Doc doesn’t move a muscle, but his eyes are glued on me.
“FBI, get your hands up!” I command. All three men stand there stunned, unmoving. Will finally speaks.
“Ileana, calm down. This is my cousin Wayne Shaw.” Will holds his palms up in a placating gesture. “Doc told me about your talk tonight, so I brought Wayne over to clear things up.” Jesus.
I was trying to get to him before I had to face Will.
He is Will’s cousin, Miriam’s son. Now I understand Carol’s reaction to that woman. Wayne is the one Will has been helping out on the neighboring farm. Doc told me in the car how they grew up together, how they’re like brothers. This is not good.
Will pleads with me. “This is all a mix-up. Wayne here’s been sick, which is why he went to see Doc and why he hasn’t been able to keep up with his farm. I asked him to come home with me so he could explain.”
“Really? Hello, Wayne, go ahead, explain this misunderstanding,” I say in a sarcastic tone.
This is the man that strangled all those girls. My God, he was hiding in plain sight, seventy years in the past. He looks just like he did at the club. Tonight I get a better look. He’s in his early to mid-twenties. His hair is slicked back and he’s clean shaven, wearing a white shirt and trousers similar to those he wore that night at the club, but there’s a difference. He’s pale as a ghost. He looks sick. His lips are devoid of color, and black circles frame his bloodshot eyes. Like he’s anemic or something.
He’s standing in the kitchen right across from me, flanked by Will and Doc. He has fooled everyone, including Will, into thinking he’s harmless, but I know better. He recognizes me, I can see it in his eyes, yet his expression is one of surprise and aimed at Will, like he doesn’t know why he’s been brought here in the first place.
“Miss?” he addresses me in a calming tone, as if I’m a lunatic trying to harm him. “I don’t know what the beef is—”
Will interrupts him. “Wayne was the person I needed to talk to. The night before I found you, I ran into Wayne outside the field. He was out there having a little fun with one of the girls, and she got mad at him and left him out there stranded.”
Wow. Can Will be this naive? I don’t move a muscle. My weapon is still pointed at Wayne.
Doc shoots Will a disbelieving glare. “You knew this entire time Wayne was out there the night before Ileana showed up, and you didn’t
think
of mentioning it?” Outrage and disappointment seep through his voice.
Will looks confused. “It was just a coincidence. Wayne didn’t do anything.”
My jaw muscles are pulsing. “You have no idea what he’s done, Will, and you haven’t seen the things I’ve seen,” I say, now in full agent mode. My voice is even, mechanical. “Isn’t that right, Wayne?”
“I don’t know what she’s talking about, Will,” he says, feigning incredulity. No wonder these women didn’t feel threatened. He’s good.
Wayne narrows his eyes at me. There’s a tell. He does recognize me. I just need to push a little more. I keep going, undeterred.
“Well, that’s too bad, Wayne, the party is over, no more fun. You’re going to have to give it up, forever.” I see his Adam’s apple move as he swallows. I’ve hit a nerve. “Now, if the itch strikes you won’t be able to scratch it. You’re going to have to go local, and then what? Shit like that is going to stick out like a sore thumb around here, especially in these times.” I smirk, my weapon and my eyes still on him. “Really, Wayne, who does that kind of shit, huh?” I say in a condescending tone.
Will can’t stand it anymore. “What are you talking about?”
“Will. Stay out of this,” Doc warns swiftly.
I continue my verbal assault on Wayne. “That last one, you really blew it. Did you have a plan, or were you winging it? I mean you don’t seem very smart or capable,” I taunt, my brows rising. “That’s why you like them stiff and limp so they don’t fight back, it’s the only way you can get it—”
“That’s enough!” Wayne snaps like a reflex. “Don’t worry Will, I’ll take care of this.” His expression switches from pleading to methodical. Staring at me, deadpan, he says, “Give me your gun, go home, and forget everything.”
What the fuck?
“What did you say?” I ask him in complete shock. His voice, his eyes are trying to do something I can’t identify. Like he’s trying to compel me? Hypnotize me?
“Wayne, what are you doing?” Will moves to grab his arm, but he pulls it away in frustration. He’s actually annoyed that I’m not complying!
“Give me your gun, go home, and forget everything,” he says it again, this time more forceful. I’ll be damned. He is trying to pull some kind of mojo on me! What a freak.
“Let me think about that one.” Tilting my head to the side, I squint my eyes as if in deep thought. “I don’t think so. I say we both take a walk to the field, and see what happens. Oh, and I think I’ll keep my weapon.”
His murderous glare is now evident. I got him. Will’s eyes are wide with realization.
I remain in position. “That’s it, isn’t it? Did you hypnotize them somehow? Is that why they didn’t fight back?” Of course! That bugged me to no end. Maybe he used mind control, kept the victims from defending themselves?
“Shut up!” Wayne’s voice falters as he slowly loses his cool.
“Or what?” I challenge, still pointing my weapon at him. “You’ll shove a dishrag in my mouth? You screwed up, Wayne, if you’re so smart, then why am I here?” I smile. “You were sticking out like a sore thumb at that club. It was just a matter of time—”
“I didn't
kill
those girls and you can’t prove a thing!” he yells, spit coming out of his mouth like a rabid dog.
“Actually I can. You left your DNA all over the victims, and you just had to go to the post office, didn’t you? Made sure to run into them there, so when you invited them to the club, they felt comfortable enough with you. Very clever, I must say, but not smart.” I chuckle. “You are such a cliché. The kitchen, the rag,” I shake my head, “you have mommy issues.”
At my words, he loses all composure; in the blink of an eye, he’s behind Doc holding a switchblade to his neck.
Fuck
.
“Now put the gun down!” he screams, his mask gone and the real Wayne emerging.
Will is in absolute shock. His expression is one of complete and utter disbelief. Doc shuts his eyes, mirroring my thoughts. Shit just went from bad to worse. I have to keep Wayne distracted until I can get that knife away from him.
“All right, Wayne, I’m putting the gun away,” I say calmly, returning my weapon to its holster. I slowly raise my palms up to show him I’m not trying anything. Doc’s eyes study me, waiting for a signal. I make quick eye contact to reassure Doc.
“What did you do, Wayne?” Will yells at his cousin, heartbreak, shock, and disappointment consuming him. As much as shattering the Shaw’s world breaks my heart, my priority is getting Wayne back to my time.
“You ruined everything,” he hisses at me. “I knew the second I saw you eyeing me at the club.” His grip is tight on Doc; he’s starting to lose it. I can sense it. I have to keep him talking.
“Eyeing you at the club, Wayne? Did you see me?” He probably saw me tonight at the USO dance, too. No wonder I didn’t spot him.
“Of course I saw you!” he screams like I’m stupid. “I felt you, too, and so did you, didn’t you?” His face has transformed from this innocent young man into a vile creature, not seemingly human. The hairs on the back of my neck rise up, tingling with alarm. He’s right. That night, I felt it too. This is going to go downhill fast.
Something dark and sinister has come out. I’m not the only one who notices. Will eyes him in disbelief, as if the man standing there is a stranger, not someone he’s known his whole life.
“You kept watching me but didn’t even come to talk to me. Girls couldn’t wait to come and talk to me. Sometimes I had to fight them off there were so many. You and that boyfriend of yours, both of you just kept watching me. That’s when I knew for sure.”
He means Tommy. “You mean my partner, Tommy? Is that why you took off?” He made us; that’s why he ran.
Will is confused and torn, but I have no time to explain. I keep my focus on Wayne. “Yeah, that’s why I couldn’t take the shortcut, so I had to drive all the way down to Bloomingfield. I didn’t intend to end up here at the farm, but you two didn’t give me a choice.” Wayne can’t help himself. He’s got verbal diarrhea.
“Do you mean there’s another way, through the city?” I have a million questions for this guy. “Not just through the fields?”
He looks confused. “Well, yeah, you didn’t think I drove all the way to the city from the field that night, did ya?”
The look on my face gives me away. Tommy’s words from that night are starting to sink in.
That’s an awful long way to come to get some tail.
“Doll, this is not the only rabbit hole. You thought that was the only one?” He begins to relax, sensing he has the upper hand, yet doesn’t move that switchblade off Doc’s throat. “Nah, I drive up to the city, have my fun, then hop right back home. I just tell Mom I’m spending the night with a girl in the city, which is kind of the truth,” he says, smirking.
I have to ask. “So Wayne, once you hop through ‘the rabbit hole,’ how do you know where you’re going?”
He looks straight at me, his voice soft and seductive. “You go wherever your heart desires.”
What the hell? What does that mean?
Will is losing patience. “Wayne, put the knife down!” he yells at his cousin, causing Wayne to press harder, releasing a trickle of blood down Doc’s neck.
“Will, stop,” Doc calmly orders. I’m so proud of him right now. He’s letting Will know to back off and let me do my job. He knows I’ll get him out of this.
“Be quiet, Will, you’re interrupting,” I scold and he shoots me an
“Are you insane?”
look. I need more information if I ever want to get home.
“So is that what happened outside the club, you couldn’t get to your usual one in the city?”
His focus is back on me so I make sure to keep eye contact with him. He eagerly continues our discussion. “Yea, my car was parked in the city because I drove there that night.” He nods, absent-mindedly reminiscing. “You didn’t give me much choice, so I figured I had better come straight to this one here like Dad used to.”
He has my full attention.
Shit
.
“Your dad used the field? He was the first one, wasn’t he?”
His gaze rapidly flicks in Will’s direction, afraid he’s revealing too much, but I keep prodding.
“So the first three, those were your dad’s? Maybe all of them were your dad’s and you’re just trying to take the credit—”
“NO!” Wayne’s fury is directed at me. Good, but he’s clutching Doc even harder, squeezing him, hanging on for dear life. Clearly he thinks Doc is his ticket out of this. I keep my hands up in surrender, trying to placate him.
“The ones in the city were mine! He just let me watch the other times.”
The other times
. My brain is working overtime, running through the case files in my head and the info Carol shared with us.
“You mean the other five? Maybe he just wanted to teach you how to do it,” I say and he nods.
“Yeah, that’s what Dad said. To watch and learn.”
I was right. I hate being right sometimes. “So, did he teach you how to strangle them?”
I deliberately ask this question. It is my way of letting Doc and Will know why I can’t let Wayne go. Will and Doc are paralyzed. They can’t believe their ears.
“Yeah, he let me squeeze the last one, but I couldn’t do it...Dad was so angry with me—”
“Of course you couldn’t. You were much younger, right? It’s perfectly understandable.” I nod in agreement, mentally going through my list of victims.
“I was, but I worked on my grip, then after Dad died, I tried it on my own and it worked!” he says proudly. Suddenly something clicks in his brain, his face morphs into realization. “Wait, five? That’s all you found?” He chuckles, pleased with himself, and then frowns, like he can’t believe he just said that.
Fuck. There’s more?
“Why, are there more? Which ones? Maybe someone else took the credit…” I egg him on. I don’t want him to think he’s got the upper hand. I’m getting him to talk; I don’t know how, but he’s answering my every question.
The whole thing is surreal. We’re in the Shaw kitchen having this rational conversation about murders and time travel, like we’re sitting down having a cold one. In the back of my mind, I know I’m running out of time. After talking to this guy, I can’t let him walk away. If I do, he’ll continue to kill. He knows a lot more about this time travel thing than I do. If I don’t stop him, no one will. He’s coming with me, dead or alive. Wayne eyes me. He’s not as stupid as I think, because I can see he’s reading my expression and knows exactly what I’m thinking, just like I know what he’s thinking.
He said too much. He’s not letting me walk away either.
Blinking rapidly, he shakes his head as if trying to snap out of it. “Give me your gun. I’m sorry, but I can’t let you go back,” he says to me in that omniscient tone he tried earlier.