R. Edinger: Night Kill

Talia had searched through all the books tall enough to hide the report. She found nothing. Talia was seated at Andrew’s desk. She tried the desk drawers, but they were all locked. She looked at her watch. Twenty minutes had gone by; too much time! Talia bolted out of the chair and immediately left the office. Once in the hallway, Talia now crept at a slower pace. She was now at the bathroom door.

Andrew walked up the stairs and that’s when he saw Talia exiting the bathroom. She smiled at him.

“Are you feeling okay,” Andrew asked, concerned.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Talia assured him. “I was just admiring your bathroom.”

“Coffee is ready,” Andrew said gesturing towards the family room down stairs.

They walked together back to the family room.

Talia along with Andrew retook their seats. Andrew poured them each a coffee.

“Just sugar,” Talia said.

“Okay,” Andrew answered. He put sugar in her coffee and handed it to her. Talia took a sip. It was perfect. Andrew fixed his own beverage and settled back against the cushioned sofa.

“So what is the real reason for your visit?” Andrew asked.

“W-What do you mean?” Talia stuttered a bit.

“It is to apologize for trashing me earlier?” Andrew continued.

“Yes, I do apologize for the way I jumped on you,” Talia offered an apology.

“Then let’s start over,” Andrew smiled.

“Let’s,” Talia smiled as well.

“Do you like living in Bayport?” Andrew began.

“Its quite different from Chicago,” Talia laughed. “It’s more laid back, quieter. Although I do miss the night life, you know like the blues clubs.”

“There’s a club down on Water Street called “The Elbow Room,” Andrew said. “It’s very much comparable to the clubs in Chicago. As a matter of fact the owner, Harlow Grant, is originally from Chicago.”

“So are you originally from Bayport?” Talia asked.

“My family is not originally from Bayport,” Andrew answered. “My great-great grandparents moved here in the 1800’s from New York.”

“Say it’s getting late.” Talia glanced at her watch. “I better get going.”

“I’m glad you stopped by,” Andrew put his cup down and stood up. “I’ll walk you to the door.” Talia handed Andrew her empty cup, which he put next to his. They walked together to the front door.

“I’m glad we had a chance to patch things up,” Talia said. Andrew opened the door.

“Me too.” Andrew smiled at her.

“We’ll have to do this again,” Talia said.

“Yes, we should,” Andrew answered.

They finished their good byes and Talia left.

Andrew closed the door and went back to the family room. He started to clean up, when the door bell rang. Andrew put down the serving tray and went to answer the door. When Andrew opened the door, no one was there! He scanned the area with discerning eyes, but there were no movements in the surrounding bushes and trees. How strange he thought. Andrew quickly closed the door and went back to cleaning up.

Talia was on her way back to the department. She took out her phone and placed a call. After several rings, the person picked up.

“This is Sheriff Delsmann,” she spoke insensitively. “Make sure no one; especially Andrew Knight gets a look at the crime scene. Talia listened, and then spoke, “Yes, at all costs.” She pressed the end button. Talia thought back to her little chat with Andrew. He was all pleasant and very nice to her, but she suspected that Andrew was playing her for a fool. Andrew Knight was a lot smarter than he was letting on. But now Talia was on to his little psychological games. She already anticipated his next move. For Andrew that would be to get a look at the crime scene so that he could compare it with the information in the stolen files. After that, logically, Andrew would try and see Storm Higgins at the hospital. Unfortunately for Andrew, the only thing he would find at both the crime scene and hospital would be more security. One way or another, Talia would have Andrew Knight’s head on a platter; guaranteed! Talia smirked at her own cleverness as she swung her car into the parking space at the department. Before getting out she said aloud, “Andrew Knight, you’re investigating days are over.”

The sun was slowly giving way to the night sky. Soon it would be dark. Deputy Nash was sitting inside his nice warm squad at the end of the long, winding driveway. At least he had the easy job while guarding the Higgins crime scene. The other two deputies on duty had to patrol the property. Sheriff Delsmann had given them orders to stop Andrew at all costs from getting a look at the crime scene. Deputy Nash and the other deputies actually liked Andrew, so did the rest of the staff. But for some reason Sheriff Delsmann didn’t, and since she was the boss they had to follow her orders.

A tan subcompact sputtered its way up the driveway and came to a stop in front of the squad. Deputy Nash got out just as the lone occupant of the car did the same. It was an older man with a priest’s collar and suit.

“Excuse me my son,” Father Michael said. “I’m looking for 8275 County Highway T.”

“Well Father,” Deputy Nash said pointing back to the main road, “When you get to the end of the driveway, take a left and go about two miles. Turn left, that’s County Highway T, and you should find it.”

“Thank you,” Father Michael said. He looked around at the crime scene tape and barricades blocking the driveway. He asked, “Is this the Higgins home?”

“Yes Father,” Deputy Nash replied. “It is still an active crime scene and we’re guarding it to make sure no one gets inside.”

“I see,” Father Michael nodded.

“It’ll be dark soon,” Deputy Nash said. “You had better get going Father.”

Andrew crouched down behind a large maple tree. He was wearing winter camouflage. He observed Father Michael talking to the deputy whom was guarding the driveway. A satisfying smile slowly spread across his face. Andrew slipped into the woods surrounding the Higgins house.

Deputy Brown was patrolling the eastern parameter of the property. He stopped to survey the area. With the dense woods and the fading sun, it was hard to see anything further than a few yards. Deputy Brown took his flashlight and flipped it on. He searched the woods with the brilliant beam of light.

Andrew dropped to the ground as the beam of light shone in his direction. As soon as the light passed, Andrew crawled along the snowy ground on his belly. He had only gone a short distance, when the light returned forcing him to cover his face and blend in with his camouflage.

Deputy Brown didn’t see anything, so he continued on his patrol.

Andrew watched the deputy walk around the backside of the house. He jumped up and dashed to the side of the house. He tried the window, but it was locked. Andrew spread apart the evergreen bushes that ran along the house. Andrew knelt down by the basement window, it too was locked. He heard footsteps crunching in the snow.

Deputy Brown walked back along his patrol route. He was searching the area with his flashlight, and this time shone it along the bushes by the house. He saw only the dull shades of green, brown, and white, nothing else. Deputy Brown continued on his way.

Andrew crept along the side of the house using the bushes for cover. He paused a few times listening to see if the deputy was on his way back. Andrew did not hear any sounds, so he crept on and was soon at the back of the house. Andrew quickly stood up and walked up the back steps to the door. He tried the door, but it too was locked. Andrew unzipped his jacket and removed a lock pick set. He bent down to take a look at the lock, and selected his tools. Andrew carefully inserted the picks in the lock and a few seconds later had the door open.