Weeping Willows: A Thrilling Mystery Novella (Dark Desires Book 1) Read online

  It was now 24 hours and Melissa's dad and mum agreed to meet at the police station. Craig and Suzie were met by Uncle Frank and Aunt Lizzie, who was crying hysterically on her husband's shoulder. Being a retired detective himself Uncle Frank was very familiar with the procedure. He left Aunt Lizzie in Suzie's care and marched off to file the missing persons report. Both she and Craig were interviewed by the police and asked to be available as they tracked Melissa. They were informed that they could leave. Suzie and Craig were dumbstruck, they could not believe that this was happening. Questions flitted through their minds. Where was Melissa? It appeared as if she had disappeared into thin air.

  Parting ways, Suzie numb with shock and Craig nervously anxious as he recalled how the police had harassed him as he had been the last person to see her. Uncle Frank had never really liked Craig and he made Craig feel extremely uncomfortable at the station. Craig remembered how he kept giving him those questioning looks. Even Suzie had noticed that Uncle Frank was treating Craig like a suspect.

  The atmosphere had been loaded with tension. Even as he consoled and comforted his wife through all the paperwork being filed. Suzie had been surprised at how efficient he had become. Being a quiet man, he controlled the entire situation. This was a nightmare, Suzie could never have imagined that she would be searching for her best friend when she had awoken this morning. Sure, she had thought that it was a bit strange that Melissa hadn't called her but never in a million years could she have imagined that this would be happening. Horrific thoughts raced through her mind. “Oh God, please let Melly be okay and please let them find her.”, she prayed silently.

  - Chapter 5 -

  A search party ensued. The police were already combing the countryside of Rosewood Creek, but as of yet no Melissa. She appeared to be have disappeared off the face of the earth.

  Miles and miles of road stretched ahead. Loud country music blared from the car radio. Thick forest like vegetation lined both side of the road. The truck moved on, the man reaching into his cubby for the pack of cigarettes, quickly lighting it up and took in a quick puff, while his thoughts flitted. He'd been doing so well kicking the smoking habit until now with the stress of recent events had proven too much.

  A sudden fork in the road appeared, one leading directly to Rosewood Creek while the other leading to Hanover miles away. As he drove towards Hanover for another hour the turn into the dirt track suddenly appeared. He had almost missed it. He quickly turned right and swung the vehicle onto the beaten gravelly track. The truck bumping on the loose rocks as he made his way down the winding land.

  Tall pine trees outlining the horizon, he opened the window to inhale the fresh pine scent. It was heavenly, this untouched land. He looked up ahead at the thin, grey spirally smoke. In the distance, up ahead stood the large study farmhouse that he'd grown to love. It brought a feeling of coming home. Its location isolated from prying eyes. He could now smell the wood smoke emanating from the chimney.

  It felt comforting. He made a quick turn into the pathway leading up to the farmhouse. Switching of the truck, he sat for a few minutes gathering his thoughts. He hadn't told Emma that he would be coming. She would be surprised that he had made a trip out. He needed to get his story straight.

  Arriving at the farmhouse without calling right in the middle of a semester, Emma was definitely going to have a go at him, she'd nag endlessly. He would have to take it in his stride. A lot had happened these past few weeks. His nerves were shot to hell. The police were grilling him mercilessly. He'd kept cool. Nobody needed to know about his past. It was left buried. His life and future depended on it.

  - CHAPTER 6 -

  The light in the window went out. The cottage looked deserted but the man knew better. She was probably settling down for the night. The stillness was unusual even for her. He'd been watching from a distance as he always did. She'd looked so forlorn and lost, he noticed the deep black shadows beneath her eyes. Her friends’ disappearance was taking its toll. He'd expected that.

  He believed in his heart that it was necessary. He thought that she of all people should be happy to be rid of someone troublesome. He felt that he had done her a huge favor. God knew, the green eyed witch had been an obstacle. He had dealt with her effectively and with her out of the way, the girl would be all his.

  He'd been waiting for a long time, a very long time. It would be soon now. Of that he was sure. He got into the vehicle feeling elated at how well things were going for him. Cloaked in the security of darkness, his mind began racing, plotting, making plans on his next move. He considered himself superior, very smart, he'd covered his tracks very well. It would be a few more days before she would be found. That bought him some time, a sleepy town's law enforcement moved at a snail’s pace in keeping with their laid back lifestyle.

  He whistled to his favorite tune feeling enormously pleased with himself. He had plans alright, major plans. A wicked smiled tilted at the corners of his mouth as he glanced at himself in the rearview mirror. He thought of himself as brilliant, a master of his own destiny!

  - CHAPTER 7 -

  Hard thumps sounded from very far away. Why didn't the banging stop. Her head hurt, all she wanted to do was sleep but the thudding went on. Dragging herself from the mist of deep sleep, Suzie jumped up realizing that the pounding was coming from her front door. She pushed at the bed covers quickly slipping on her bathrobe as she raced bare feet to the front door. Who on earth could that be? She carefully opened the door keeping the chain still hinged and looked out. Two police officers stood there, with a guarded expression on their face. “Suzanne Edwards?” they enquired. “Yes.” she answered hesitantly. “We're sorry to disturb you at such an ungodly hour,” said one of the officers. Producing their badges, holding it up, the younger officer asked, “may we please come in Miss? It's important!” Suzie unlocked the door to let in the officers. Her heart was pounding wildly, she felt nausea and bile rush to her throat. “Have you found Melly?” she quickly asked. The officers looked uncomfortable as they glanced at each other trying to avoid meeting her eye. The older officer who introduced himself as Sergeant Williams stepped forward, pulled off his cap and looked Suzie in the eye as he said, “Miss, we regret to inform you that there has been a car crash and we believe it is your parents Jonathan and Judy Williams. We're sorry but we need you to accompany us for a proper certification.”

  There was a buzzing in her ears as the room appeared to be spinning, she felt like she'd been punched really hard in the belly. She felt arms grab her as she slipped slowly into the deep dark blackness. As Suzie came back to consciousness, she was aware of the two officers standing over her with sympathetic looks. She sat up shakily, questions filling through her mind. One of the officers apologetically asked if she was okay, if she needed something to drink. Suzie refused, feeling shell shocked. She asked them to wait, walking like a zombie she headed to the bathroom quickly washing and dressing. The officers whisked her into the backseat of the patrol car. Her world had just crashed forever. First Melly and now her dear loving parents. The world as she knew it had been altered irrevocably. She felt devastated. The policemen informed her that a vehicle had crashed into her parents car killing them instantly on impact. The driver had fled the scene abandoning his vehicle. The registration plates appeared to be false. That was all they knew for now. The police were hopeful that the perpetrator would be found. Suzie felt a torrent of mixed emotions. What kind of animal would do such a thing? It was appalling that any human being could be so heartless and cruel to her kind, sweet and innocent parents and leave them to die.

  She felt this incredible wave of pain and hate engulf her, the two emotions mixed in a crushing turmoil. She felt so alone, besides her parents and Melly, she had no-one. She was now alone, all alone.

  On arriving at the station, Suzie called Melissa's dad and mum. Uncle Frank and Aunt Lizzie arrived shortly. They were the closest thing to any real family she had left. Dad had a brother and sister in New Zealand and mum had
been an only child. They had never really kept up, just an occasional postcard at Christmas, with a few visits over the years. The station was abuzz with police going about their business. A drunken man bawled at one officer as he was led to lock-up, swearing and cussing as he was taken away.

  Suzie was asked to wait for a few minutes. A tall burly policeman stepped out of one of the offices. Suzie was weeping in the arms of Aunt Lizzie, the shock of what was happening sinking in. Uncle Frank patted her hand consolingly and with his soft voice said, “There, there my dear. It's going to be okay. We're here for you.”

  Aunt Lizzie stroked her hair and tried to brush the stream of tears flowing down her cheeks as she tried desperately to stifle her own tears. Suzie reluctantly pulled away as the officer cleared his throat. He introduced himself as Detective Matthews and asked them to follow him to the mortuary.

  The click of shoes echoed on the cold tiled floor as they were led through a cold empty corridor, metal cabinets lined the wall behind the double steel doors. Sergeant Matthews pushed open the doors as he led them through. He pulled out the drawer and lifted the white sheets. Suzie slowly stepped forward swallowing the hard lump lodged in her throat and stared at the lifeless faces. Their faces were a blush white and so still, they looked like they were in a deep sleep but the deep wounds, scratches and dark blue bruised lining their faces was an indication that this was not so.

  She nodded at Detective Matthews as Uncle Frank and Aunt Lizzie whisked her away. An investigation was now open on the death of her parents. Their lives had been cruelly snatched away. From that timeous moment on everything had just become a blur. She vaguely remembered Melly's parents telling her that she should spend the next few days with them in Rosewood creek. Uncle Frank kept reassuring her that she needn't worry, he would take care of everything even in the funeral arrangements. Suzie felt so overwhelmed at their kindness and grateful for having them in her life at this crucial time. The truth was that her brain felt like it had literally shut down.

  - Chapter 8 -

  The earth smelt fresh, a mixture of soil and dampness permeating through the air. A steady light drizzle continued, a few rows of vehicles lined the pavements opposite the cemetery. A few varsity friends and close friends of her parents stood together around the grave site with Suzie and the Franks. The priest voiced the final words of “The Lord is my Shepard.”

  Their caskets were lowered and finally laid to rest. Suzie placed the blood red roses on the caskets of her parents as tears rolled down her cheeks. She brushed them away with gloved hands, praying for their peace knowing that they would be received in heaven where they belong. Sobbing, Uncle Frank and Aunt Lizzie led her away from the grave site. She felt totally spent. The feeling of desolation, a second skin. For now she felt relieved at the support of Melly's parents and her heart went out to them for all that they had done for her. She admired their strength knowing full well that the uncertainty of Melly's disappearance still plagued them. They wanted and needed their daughter home. The fear of the unknown choking their every moment, the fear of what may be.

  Leaving the cemetery, Suzie thanked them profusely for everything telling them she would never forget it. She told them that she appreciated their kindness but she needed to go back to her cottage, she needed time to mourn and grieve her loss. They both said that they understood and would come visit regularly. She thanked them as she left.

  The man had stood at the back of the gathering. He felt secure in his anonymity. It was a funeral after all. This gave him a chance to be closer to the girl, to observe. He stared at her pale face and tear filled gaze. Her brown eyes watery pools. She looked so beautiful. He wished he could gather her into his arm and tell her it would all be okay. He was doing all this just for her. He convinced himself that in time she would understand why he had to do what he did. It had all been for her.

  He watched silently, she had such grace and poise pulling herself together as she thanked everyone who had attended the funeral. A couple had stood just before him, he thought of touching her little hands as she greeted but on afterthought he pulled away. Stepping away, he walked briskly to his car. This was not the time. Their moment needed to be special, not surrounded by these inconsequential strangers. He would wait, he was accustomed to doing that. Patience was definitely his virtue.

  - Chapter 9 -

  The stream gurgled in the early morning. Birds whistled their melodious tunes. The man picked up his axe and struck at the wood. Beads of sweat glistening on his arms and his back as he swung the axe to and fro in a rhythm chopping at the firewood. He calmed the troubled thoughts. It was now two months and there had been no word.

  He missed her so much! He had told Emma, his sister, what had happened and was surprised that for once she appeared to be understanding. She'd told him to take as much time as he needed. If being on the farm gave him some semblance of sanity, then Craig could skip this semester considering the severity of the situation. He knew that it looked bad. He and Melissa had been fighting a lot recently and many people at campus knew of this. Her flirtatiousness was no secret. He knew it was harmless and Melly was impulsive and she'd fought constantly, accusing him of becoming too clingy and possessive.

  He had lied to the authorities and to Suzie, telling them that they had been quarrelling about a silly movie. The argument had erupted over Melly's flirtatiousness and Craig was ready to take their relationship to the next step but Melly had laughed at him. She said that Craig was being hasty and that she wasn't ready to commit to one man. She loved her freedom too much. Sure, she liked Craig but it was still early days. Craig in his frustration had accused Melly of cheating, he knew that this was not true but he had wanted to hurt her like she had hurt him in trivializing their relationship, she in turn had become furious and had forced Craig to stop the car as they were on their way to Rosewood Creek's movie theater. She had screamed at him ranting and raving at what an idiot he was, telling him that she wouldn't speak to him ever again. They were over! He had called out to her to get back into the car but she had stomped away on the quiet road. In his anger and against better judgment Craig had driven away in the opposite direction to the guest house that he lodged at, pride preventing him from chasing after her.

  The last he saw of Melly was her angry back as she marched off. The guilt he now felt at leaving her in the middle of nowhere gnawing at his insides. It was all consuming. He should have driven back to find her. Instead he'd left her, alone on a deserted road. He felt a deep seated sense of blame and believing that he was responsible for whatever had happened to Melissa.

  He wished that Melly would suddenly pitch up telling everyone that she'd went off with a friend to the city of London but deep in his heart Craig knew that something awfully dreadful had happened to Melly, the love of his life. He had wanted to hate her for mocking their relationship but he'd always know that his feelings were not reciprocated.

  Melissa had commitment issues.

  The aroma of baking bread brought Craig out of his deep reverie, Emma had been up at dawn attending to the chores that were required to running a farm. She loved it, claiming it was rewarding and made her life feel so purposeful.

  Since their parents had died while they were quite young, Emma had taken the role of much older sister-cum-mother to Craig. He'd been born when Emma was 12 years old and 7 years later when their parents had been killed in a tragic airplane crash Emma had become Craig's legal guardian. She'd been the solid rock that he could lean on through all the trying challenging times, especially when his anger and rage had consumed him making him lose sense of reality. The killing of innocent little farm animals, when Emma had found out she hurriedly sought professional help for Craig. He'd spent many long years in his childhood with his therapist, slowly coming to terms with the festering wound in his heart. Emma was the best sister ever, she stood by him through it all, as protective as any mum could be.

  Craig put down the axe, carrying the pile of wood inside and setting it down near the
hearth. Breakfast was already set at the table. Freshly baked bread, scrambled eggs, sizzling aromatic coffee, all prepared over the old fashioned coal store. Emma was setting plates, telling Craig to wash up and join her. Sitting across from Emma at the old polished mahogany table Craig discussed with her his part played in what had happened to Mel. Brother and sister both agreed that the police should not learn about his troubled past. Emma reassured him that Dr. Lenard was very discreet. They both knew that if the police dug too deep into Craig's past, he could be considered a suspect in her disappearance. Talk about his past coming back to haunt it – this time with disastrous consequences. It needed to remain buried where it belonged.