“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.
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.