Book Four - Part 8 - Rhyming Evil - Chapter Fifty-Six

Another Weekend in Montie

There would be plenty of news coverage of the tragic events which led to the suicide of Lydia Brewster.

Jennifer Ralston and her cameraman were on the scene thirty minutes after everything was over. She was able to get a few comments from Captain Page, and a brief statement from Jimmy Brewster. As requested by Baker, Jennifer didn’t attempt to interview Blake. But Jennifer would close out the news report with a positive.

“Here at Channel 08, on behalf of our Producers and Directors and staff; our utmost and deepest condolences for the Brewster family during this terribly sad and tragic event. We hope the time that passes helps to heal the hurt and pain. This is Jennifer Ralston, Channel 08 news, reporting live.”

Lee had spent a good portion of his day with the return trip from DMV and was able to get his driver’s license easy enough, and twenty minutes after that, he was at the Licensing Bureau to pay for the application fee for his private investigators permit to carry a registered weapon in his name. Everything was time-dated and stamped with the state of New York's seal. For all outward appearances, Lee Austin is legal.

After stopping off at Burger King to grab something to eat, he would spend the rest of his Friday night searching the Internet for better than three dozen aliases and trying to pinpoint in advance where Freddy may strike.

Thanks to Baker’s computer with all the sensitive information she had on him, Lee had a working knowledge of how Freddy operated.

Killer or assassin for hire, take your pick. They were all high to mid-level people and if it benefited him, if in the same region, he would take on a personal kill.

Freddy killed either drug dealers or suppliers who profited off unsuspecting kids. He also killed those who dealt in either underground trafficking of underage boys and girls (and sometimes young women 18-25) that would be sold off as prostitutes or brought into the porn trade (films). But the most graphic in nature that would make you vomit, were the underage snuff films.

Even though Lee hated Freddy for what he did to his brother and Carol Anne, he still held a microcosm of respect for what he was doing. If Freddy had never pulled the trigger that day, he wouldn’t be getting ready to do what he promised Ricky he would do.

Hunt Freddy down and kill him.

Before his weekend was over, he would find that Freddy, over the last seven months has used three names more than once, or so it would appear. these names surfaced in hotels around the country and went into the vicinity of a murder. as with Baker's computer, hacking other systems around the world is just as easy. But it appeared those would be the names he would track Freddy with and hopefully, get ahead of him.

Of course, the weekend isn't all about anger, pain, death, and retribution. For some, it's more about enjoying one of the three weekends left before school started.

And if you were at Standing Room Lake, You would see Stevie and Ellie, along with her parents, Barry, and Jolene Whitmore, cruising up and down the Lake.

There or other boaters and water skiers out as well as a few swimmers enjoying an already sweltering day. The length of the beach was pretty much filled with hundreds of people out to get a tan or get their tan darker. And the kids? Building sandcastles or filling their plastic buckets with sand and burying a parent alive.

In other places, shoppers shopped. Parents looking for the best deals on those back-to-school items. New clothes, shoes, tennis shoes, backpacks, and other assorted school materials.

For some parents, it would be their last time buying school clothes for their son or daughter. Graduation would be coming. For the newbies, it was their first year.

As one parent said at a checkout line after paying $112.75 for her sons first year, “This is only the beginning. I’ll probably spend another $10,000 by the time my son graduates.”

She looked at the cashier and the lady behind her as she swiped her credit card to pay her bill said, ”It’s almost enough to make a parent want to run away from home!”

Those that weren't shopping, were taking care of their yards, mowing lawns, or tending to their floral gardens. To them , they knew that in a few months everything would be gone until next spring when the ritual would start over. By November, the snow would start falling and staying around far too long like a friend who extends his stay far longer than you wanted. The only difference is that the snow will leave when it's ready and not before.

Andre Devon invited J.W. to his house for another backyard cookout. By this time, J.W. had confided in Andre about Patrick, and that, “Although we really haven’t made a commitment to each other, it's slowly headed that way.”

So, there they were, Andre, his wife, Vanessa and daughter, Jenny, with J.W. and Patrick, a get-together of friends, just as it was meant to be.

There had been a brief point when Patrick lightly squeezed J.W.'s hand, and Jenny came up to him and said, “That’s nice. I have girlfriends that holds hands, too. We are the bestest of friends. J.W.? Are you and Patick bestest friends?”

J.W. looked over at Andre and Andre shrugged as if to say, “Poncho, you’re on your own.”

Kneeling down, J.W. stared into her bright green eyes, smiling, and said, “Jenny, we are the very best of friends.”

“And honey,” said Vanessa, “his name is Patrick, not Patick.”

“Oh. I’m sorry Pat-trick. I’m happy you have another friend like my daddy does.”

J.W. stood and winked at Andre.

“You know what she meant,” grinned Andre.

In another part of town, a couple were found sitting on the back porch of Dianne's home as she poured another glass of ice-tea for her and Johnathan.

He was getting stronger every day that went by. since the shooting July 12th, Jonathan had been lifting weights starting at ten pounds and now he was at 120. The rehab clinic was helping him restore his strength. He also took long walks and alternated that with short runs. Between that and Dianne's cooking, he put on a much needed twenty pounds. Another twenty wouldn't hurt.

After all, no married man wants to be tired on his wedding night.

The doctors had taken x-rays recently and we're pleased at how his progress was coming along. It was expected he could be back to work by mid-November.

Jonathan and Dianne were looking forward to a new life experience together and hopefully, a long one filled with rug-rats running around the house.

Then there was Baker and Ed. Stevie gone for the day, It was just them, alone. Alone to enjoy each other’s company.

With all Baker had endured over the past several weeks, she had more nervous energy and tension wound up inside her than even she or Ed knew.

But they would find out.

Both lost count of the orgasm's that screamed from beneath the sheets held in a total disarray. Neither released their hold on one another. Later, just as Stevie announced he was home; would they let go their lovers bond and with a sly grin, Ed said to her in a soft voice,

“Maybe I should get it replaced with some bionics, too.”

Baker laughed and punched him in his real shoulder.

“Don’t. You. Dare.”

Satchell. A man who swore he would never get involved with another woman again. A man who had called Samantha Saturday night and asked if he could stop by on Sunday.

Samantha readily agreed.

Give Satchell a badge and a gun, and he knew what was expected of him. But four years has gone by since June was killed. Samantha was his first real contact, or date, and he was nervous. He still wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do.

But he was there, sitting on her front porch, talking small talk, before Samantha said, “John, you didn't ask to come out here to see me to talk about the weather or how well your precinct is doing. What’s really on your mind”

Satchell inhaled sharply, exhaled slowly.

“You. You are on my mind.”

“Really? That’s surprising coming from a man who doesn’t want to be involved.”

“That’s why I’m talking about the weather,” he grinned. “It’s easier than talking about emotions.”

“John, I know how much you loved June and,”

“No, Samantha, you don’t know. Even Don doesn't know how much I loved his sister. Her family doesn't know the depth of my feelings for her. But I can tell you it's a depth I don't know if I can ever reach again.

“But there is something about you Sam, that I'm drawn to. Maybe it's the lilt in your voice, the sparkle in your eyes, your soothing voice, all those times when you touch me in a certain way. Maybe it's your resolve, your outlook on life. Even though I've tried to fight against it, I find myself drawn to you, and somehow, I'm not so afraid as I was four years ago, or a month ago, or even yesterday. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I want to try again, with you.”

“John, You never have to be afraid of me. Honestly, I would very much love to know more about the men behind the badge. I said it once before; I find you a very intriguing man.

And I would enjoy being anywhere you are as long as you wanted, and I say that without strings attached.

“John, let's work on the closeness of friends first, and take each step after that, not with a question or concern, but with an open mind to a future that is out there waiting to see what we'll do with it.”

Satchell smiled and stood up. For him, it was getting late. Then, recalling he almost forgot part of his reason for being with Samantha, he reached inside his coat pocket.

“Before I forget and I almost did, this is for you.”

“You didn't have to get me anything.”

“I know. I went into their specialty store the other day and the urge came over me. Please, Sam, take this as a gift, from … a friend. One who likes you very much.”

Satchell handed her the box. Samantha stood on her tip toes and kissed him lightly on his lips, then stood back and smiled.

“And that one didn't hurt either of us.”

“I’ll call you next week, say Wednesday. would you like to go out to dinner with me. Hell, I said that backwards.”

She laughed.

“I’d love to.”

“Look for my call then. I hope you enjoy the gift.”

“What’s your rush?”

“Monday’s come fast and early. Take care and be safe.”

Satchell walked down the steps, past her gated fence, into his car and was gone. He was smiling all the way home.

Samantha felt the warmness about her, then opened Satchell’s gift to her. Her eyes flew open in astonishment. It was a work of beauty, almost magical.

The silver holding the gemstones were intricately designed with two smaller hearts crossing over each other. But it was the moving picture of a night sky filled with stars and a full moon and two other things that took her breath away.

She looked up, but Satchell’s car was gone. As much as it would pain her to wait and tell Satchell he just captured her heart for good, but she would wait for the right time.

As she looked at the night sky and moon, on the right-hand side was an image of him and her. How he ever managed that, surprised her, but left her with huge smiles.

Of course, Samantha looked at it again in the daylight and she would see a blue sky and billowing white clouds. Yes, it was magical.

And Satchell? He didn’t have a clue.