“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.
Deputy Brown thought he heard something. He quickened his pace as he headed to the back of the house. As he came around the corner, Deputy Brown had his weapon drawn and flashed the light at the back door. Nothing was there.
Andrew relocked the door and was about to move on when he suddenly froze. Someone was jostling the door handle to make sure it was locked. Andrew held his breath and made no sounds. After a few minutes they stopped. Andrew closed his eyes so he could get use to the dark. Although the sun was nearly gone, the yard light would still give him enough light. He couldn’t use a flashlight because it would give him away.
The sun had disappeared behind the winter woods now. Deputy Nash was still talking to Father Michael, when he saw Sheriff Delsmann’s squad come up the driveway. The headlights nearly blinded them before the car turned and parked beside the other squad.
Talia got out and closed the car door. She walked up to Deputy Nash. He was not alone. There was an elderly priest with him. Talia was not thrilled.
“What’s going on deputy?” Talia demanded.
“Father Michael stopped to ask for directions,” Deputy Nash explained.
Talia for some reason was suspicious. “Directions to where?” she asked.
“8275 County Highway T,” Deputy Nash replied.
“Just a minute,” Talia said as she pulled out her blackberry. “I’ll look it up for you.” She keyed in the address using the GPS application. Talia smiled upon receiving confirmation. She looked at Father Michael, “You said 8275 County Highway T, right?”
“That’s correct,” Father Michael answered.
“There is no such address,” Talia said. She looked at Deputy Nash, and pointed to Father Michael. “Detain him.”
“What?” Father Michael protested.
“Why,” Deputy Nash asked.
“Somethings not right here,” Talia said. She looked accusingly at Father Michael and pointed a finger at him, “You know Andrew Knight don’t you Father.”
“Yes, why do you ask?” Father Michael answered.
“He’s here isn’t he,” Talia further accused.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Father Michael replied calmly.
“I want Father Michael placed under arrest,” Talia ordered.
“What is the charge,” Deputy Nash asked.
“Interference with an ongoing investigation,” Talia said. She spoke in her shoulder mike, “Deputy Brown, Deputy Miller, this is Sheriff Delsmann. I want you to search the house.”
“Why,” they responded in turn.
“We have an intruder on the premises,” Talia answered. “And his name is Andrew Knight.”
Andrew was in the foyer. He was kneeling down next to the broken hallway table and lamp. Andrew carefully examined the broken pieces of wood and ceramic. He looked in the direction of the door. From what he had read from the report, Natasha was the first victim. She was shot while answering the door. Andrew looked at the door before closing his eyes. Andrew envisioned the surprised look on Natasha’s face when she realized it wasn’t their expected guests. Andrew stood up and walked in the direction of the dining room. He entered the room and looked over the table that was still set for guests that would never arrive. Jonathan was in this room putting on the finishing touches for their guests. Andrew turned towards the doorway. He closed his eyes again. He saw Jonathan rush into the hallway and how he saw his wife lying amongst the broken table. Andrew sympathized with how angry Jonathan was feeling. He would have done the same. But the killer knew this and used it against Jonathan. But why was the killer waiting for Jonathan outside?
Andrew went in the kitchen next. This was where Peter was when his parents were murdered. The music on his I-pod muffled the sounds of them dying. Andrew returned to the dining room. When Peter realized his parents weren’t there, he went to investigate. That’s when Peter saw his mother. Andrew shut his eyes again. Andrew could picture Peter when he saw the killer murder his father. The rage inside of Peter must have blinded his judgment. Otherwise why would a young man take on a dangerous killer? Andrew reopened his eyes and he surveyed the room one last time.
Andrew returned to the foyer and started up the stairs. He paused and looked over the railing spindles that had dark stains on them. It was dried blood. Andrew continued on his way upstairs and down the hallway to Storm’s bedroom.
Andrew opened the door to Storm’s bedroom. He walked inside. Andrew scanned the room first, and then walked over to the bloodstain on the carpet. He knelt down to examine it. He was disappointed thus far that nothing provided any new physical evidence. Andrew could feel Storm’s presence in the room. He decided to use some of the techniques that Roxanne had taught him. He closed his eyes to focus on that feeling. He took deep breaths, clearing his mind of all the distractions around him. When Andrew reopened his eyes, he stood in the corner of the room as a silent observer; a shadow of things yet to be. Storm was on her bed. The music from her boom box was blaring and she was typing away on her laptop. That’s why Storm didn’t hear all the noise downstairs. Andrew saw Storm look at the time on her laptop. It appeared that she was late. Perhaps she wondered why her parents had not called for dinner yet. Storm shut down and put away her laptop on her night stand. She bounded off the bed and over to the boom box that was on her desk by the wall across from the door. Her back was to the door when she heard it open. Andrew wanted to scream out for Storm to turn around and lock the door, but she did not. She just thought it was her mom. Not bothering to turn around, Storm just said, “Yes, I know mother.” Andrew’s heart started to race and his breathing was erratic as the door swung open. He tried to move but couldn’t; he was just a shadow. Andrew saw the tip of the arrow in the sheath of the crossbow. Andrew saw the arrow strike Storm in the
