“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 back. Storm jerked and slammed against the wall. Andrew tried to reach out, but was frozen in place. He saw Storm collapse to the floor, driving the arrow in further. Andrew screamed, but no sound came from his mouth. His eyes were drenched with tears as Andrew closed them. When he opened his eyes again, the room was empty and dark. The killer didn’t want to see Storm’s face. Either it was someone that knew her, like Wyatt who still had feelings for her. Or it was a cowardly bastard afraid to face an innocent young girl.
Deputy Miller remained posted by the front door. Deputy Brown entered through the back door while at the same time Talia came in the front of the house. They both drew their weapons. Talia didn’t say word, but motioned that they would go into the dining room first. They each took up a position on the sides of the entrance to the dining room. Talia counted off to three on her finger and they spun into the opening with weapons ready. No one was there. Talia was visibly disappointed. The next room was the kitchen.
Andrew was finished in Storm’s room. He left the room and was about to go back down stairs. He saw a couple of shadows enter the dining room. Suddenly Andrew dropped down on his belly. They were looking for him. Andrew withdrew silently back into Storm’s room. He didn’t bother to close the door as it might give him away. Andrew couldn’t afford to be caught in the house. It would finally give Talia reason enough to have his license suspended, or worse, jail. He walked over to the dormer and slowly opened the window.
There was no sign of Andrew in the kitchen, so they continued by going back to the foyer. Talia indicated they would precede upstairs. She was the first to go followed by Deputy Brown. Slowly, and with caution, they walked up the stairs. First they searched Peter’s room and next they went to Storm’s. Talia carefully pushed the door open some more. She motioned to Deputy Brown and instantly they stormed the room. Andrew wasn’t there!
“Damn it,” Talia cursed.
“Maybe he was never even here,” Deputy Brown put away his weapon.
“Check the window,” Talia ordered just as she noticed it was open. Would Andrew have been so desperate to climb out on the roof? That’s what she thought that day at the Sheriffs department building. But he wasn’t on the roof then, nor now, Talia suddenly realized. Andrew had hidden somewhere. Talia snapped her fingers realizing that Andrew was hiding under the desk in the records room that day. Talia spun around just in time to see movement in the hallway.
“Let’s go!” Talia barked. “He’s heading down the stairs.”
Andrew leapt to the floor from the last two steps, rolled and stood to his feet once more. He didn’t bother to look back and kept on towards the back door. Andrew threw open the front door. The area was clear. He hesitated a moment and could hear Talia and the deputy giving pursuit. Andrew bounded outside and jumped off the top step. He sprinted into the dark woods and swiftly faded out of sight.
Talia and Deputy Brown, weapons still drawn, clamored down the stairs. The back door was already open.
“Hurry!” Talia bellowed.
They quickly exited the house. Talia searched the area with her flashlight. There was no sign of Andrew. She had no way to prove that he was even there. Next time, she would be ready. Next time, Andrew Knight wouldn’t get away.
Andrew observed Talia and the deputy as they stood on the back door steps surveying the area with flashlights. When the beam flashed his way, Andrew dove down on the snow and blended in as best he could. It must have been enough, because they gave up and went back inside. They headed to the front of the house.
“Did you find anyone?” Deputy Miller asked.
“No,” Talia cursed.
Talia and her men walked up to Father Michael.
“Let him go,” Talia commanded.
“Thank you,” Father Michael said, rubbing his wrists. “May I go now?”
“Yes Father,” Talia replied. “You may go.”
“Thank you,” Father Michael said. He got in his car and drove off.
“What now?” Deputy Nash asked.
“Keep the area secure,” Talia ordered as she walked to her own car. She turned, and with an icy tone said, “If you catch Knight anywhere on the grounds, take him out.”