Mirror in the Forest: Book One (21 page)

“Mrs. Miller what is that knife? I’ve never seen that before,” Jessica asked, putting her plan in motion.

Sara looked up from the case in surprise and turned to look at the dagger.

       “Oh, that old thing?  Well, I will tell you young lady that is not for sale,” Sara began.

Jessica raised her eyebrows and silently cursed her bad luck. She would have to somehow steal it. She knew she couldn’t be that lucky.

“Is it personal?” Jessica asked.

Sara smiled and continued to gaze at the dagger.

“It was given to me from a very good friend. It has masonic symbols from the old Knight’s Templar. There are many replicas, but this one is priceless,” she said, turning back to Jessica with a proud smile. “You could say it is my best protector…well besides my rifles.”

“Wow,” Jessica mouthed.

Sara waved a hand again and said, “I’m sure that a girl like you doesn’t care about some silly knife.”

Jessica smiled and said, “History is not a strong subject of mine, but very interesting though.”

Sara winked and said, “Yes, and great conversation piece for a good looking man.”

Jessica giggled while Sara snorted.

“Now, my dear. Let’s take a look at those necklaces,” Sara said.

Jessica tried to focus her attention on the necklaces, but all she could eye was the vase, and then the dagger, while trying to figure out how fast she could escape the store.

They moved their way down the case, and Jessica was directly in front of the vase now.

Jessica had to be careful not to knock down the space heater too. That would be bad.

Jessica looked up at another necklace hanging from the wall.

“What about that one Sara?” She asked pointing to it.

Sara frowned and turned around reaching for the necklace.

“Well, I’m not sure that is your mother’s style, but…..”

Crash!

Jessica moved quickly out of the way as glass, flowers, and water splashed all over the floor.

Jessica drummed up some fake embarrassment, putting her hand over her mouth. “Oh no! I am so sorry Sara! I’ll pay for it.”

Sara turned, startled by the noise, and then came around the counter as Jessica stood there with startled eyes.

“I don’t know what happened. I just bumped it by mistake,” Jessica said, breathlessly.

Sara suddenly smiled. “Oh, young lady. Don’t worry about it. It was just a cheap department store vase, not an antique. No need to be upset.”

“Are you sure?” Jessica asked.

Sara scoffed and waved her hand. “No….no of course not. Stay here, I’ll get a mop.”

“At least let me help,” Jessica offered, turning her attention to the dagger.

“Stay there, and if any customers come in, just tell them to walk around it,” Sara said walking through the beaded curtain.

Jessica heard movement in the back of the store while Sara retrieved a bucket and mop. So, Jessica took the opportunity, and walked behind the counter. She tested the dagger first, and found it just hanging from some hooks. She picked it up easily, but it was heavy.  

“Do you have any towels?” Jessica asked, trying to make Sara take more time to come out, so Jessica could make her escape.

“I got them!” Sara said.

Jessica was too late. She tried to run, but her feet suddenly were not working. She could only stand there and keep swallowing hard. She knew it, she just knew this wouldn’t work. She could now kiss her future goodbye.

She slowly turned to see Sara standing there silently glaring at her from the doorway as Jessica held the dagger.

“What are you doing?” Sara demanded, taking a step closer to Jessica.

Jessica stared wide-eyed at the older woman. “Nothing…..I just…..wanted to look at it.”

Sara continued to glare at Jessica. “Jessica, I never took you for that kind of person. I can’t believe this. You were always such a good girl. I knew you changed somehow, and I know it’s not for the better.”

Jessica shook her head furiously, her mouth suddenly going dry. “I swear to you Mrs. Miller. I was going to put it back where it belonged.”

“Give it to me!” Sara demanded, taking a step closer to Jessica.

Jessica put the dagger on the countertop, and started to shake in fear. She knew this was a bad idea from the get go. She should have just walked away. She should have never come here to Sara’s shop. She was no thief.

“I’m sorry!” Jessica cried. Real tears were starting to well up in her eyes.

“I am going to call the Sheriff’s office, and you can speak to them,” Sara said, angrily putting the mop and bucket down.

“Please…..please don’t,” Jessica pleaded, she could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks. “I will just leave, and we can forget this ever happened, okay?”

“No, young lady. Kids nowadays have no respect, and my store will not be robbed. I am going to make an example of you,” Sara hissed, as she walked towards the phone sitting on the case.  

Jessica moved back to the corner of the counter and realized she was trapped inside of the store. She had nowhere to run or go, she would be arrested and her dreams of a good school were over. She felt so defeated.

Sara was so angry, that she almost tripped over her own shawl a couple of times.

Then something happened that would haunt Jessica’s dreams the rest of her life.

Sara stepped into the water, and turned the telephone towards her. Sara picked up the receiver and began to dial the Sheriff’s office when the space heater next to her suddenly jerked. Sara looked over at the heater in stunned silence as she held the receiver in her hand. She had no time to react. The heater dropped to the floor, right into the water with a loud crash.

Sparks began to fly everywhere around her, forcing Jessica to duck and cover her face. She cried out as the sparks flew over the counter, hitting her exposed skin, and burning her slightly.  The sparks crackled and hissed, making Jessica turn towards the wall a few more times. Then there was silence. It was deafening. Not a good sign, because Jessica didn’t know where Sara was.

Carefully, Jessica stood and peered over the counter, finding Sara lying on the floor, she screamed in horror, staggering back against the wall in shock, knocking down a picture.

Jessica could not see Sara’s face, but her body convulsed a couple of times, then went still once the sparks stopped flying around.

Jessica put hands over her mouth, and began to sob uncontrollably.

Sara Miller was dead. The heater falling to the floor when she stepped into the water electrocuted her. It happened so fast, that Jessica barely had a chance to comprehend how an innocent mistake could turn so tragic so fast. Jessica couldn’t figure out how the heater suddenly fell to the floor. It was right in the middle of the huge glass case! There was no way it fell on it’s own. No, it was pushed. Pushed by an unseen force.

Jessica had never really seen a dead body before, except at her great grandmother’s funeral, but this was different. This was not a funeral where the deceased was dressed up and ready for viewing, no, this was an actual dead body.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and her hands shook, but she still could not move from the sheer horror of the vision in front of her.  

Tears still flowed down her cheeks as she frantically looked around.

She began to run to the phone and call for help, but the dagger sitting on the counter caught her attention.

Fear and panic began to take hold, but there was one thing she needed and that was the dagger.

She heard an odd noise come from the body of Sara making Jessica jump in fear as she picked up the dagger. She had to get out of there before she was caught and arrested for the murder of Sara Miller. Panicked thoughts raced through her mind, as she imagined being handcuffed by Mark, and sent off to prison for the rest of her life.

Jessica looked outside, and could see it was now dark. Hopefully, this would make her escape easier.

Still sobbing almost uncontrollably she put the dagger in her jeans and covered it with her jacket. She hurriedly picked up the picture she knocked over, and examined it. Satisfied there was no damage to it, she hung it back on its hook. She did not want to leave any evidence behind that she had been there. She took her jacket, and rubbed her fingerprints from the frame, then she picked up the phone receiver, and placed it back on the hook, and moved it back to it’s original position. Then she wiped everything down, so no one found any traces of her there.

A few more sparks crackled around her as Jessica gingerly stepped from behind the counter, and around the water that was now electrified.

She made her way through an aisle, and prayed no one walked into the store at that moment, because she had nowhere to hide if they did.

She peered outside, putting her hood on over her head. She hid behind the wall for a moment when a group of people walked by.

Jessica could feel the sweat running down her face as waited for them to pass.

She began to chant a silent prayer, hoping they hadn’t noticed Sara lying in the middle of the floor.

Counting down another few minutes, Jessica took a shaky breath, and pushed the bell up to not be heard when she left. She opened the door, running as fast she could down the street and into the alley where her dad’s truck was parked, realizing she didn’t even look for oncoming traffic.

She ran down the alley, and finally reached the truck. She violently opened the door, standing there for a moment, trying to catch her breath.

She took out the dagger and threw it onto the passenger seat.

She got in and closed the door, and leaned her head on the steering wheel crying hysterically for a few moments as the shock of what happened began to sink in.

It was a terrible accident she tried to tell herself as she pictured Sara’s corpse lying on the floor of the shop.

A horrible accident, she continued to think as she grabbed the steering wheel, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. She was gripping the steering wheel so hard, her knuckles turned white.

Jessica finally sat back, ran her hands through her hair, and wiped her puffy eyes.

She looked over to the passenger seat, and grabbed the dagger.

She studied it for a moment, admiring its quality and weight. This dagger was no replica. It was very old, and invaluable. Getting this from Sara Miller had been no joke.

Then a sudden calmness came over her as she ran her fingers over the handle. She took the dagger out of the sheath, caressing the cool metal under her fingertips.

She never wanted anyone to die; nevertheless she knew this was the only way she could continue to make her life better.

Sara Miller was older, and lived her life, and Jessica continued to convince herself that is was her turn to live hers. It was her turn to live in the spotlight. It was her turn to be noticed, and respected not just throughout Leon’s Crossing, but maybe, the country, and the world.

Jessica suddenly smiled slightly at her success in securing the gift for The Spirit.

Jessica put the dagger back on the passenger seat. Looking around, knowing now no one had spotted her; she calmly started the truck, and took off into the night.

Mark took another sip of his beer grinning as the eight ball went into the side pocket.

He was enjoying his night off, and things seemed to have quieted down this week.

The homecoming dance this year had been a complete flop, because most of the kids were gone by the time Mark got there to take over for Deputy Brown.

Other than a few minor issues, everything was back to normal. Also, Mark found out Dale Cooper took some time off to be with his daughter, so he only had to deal with the Assistant Prosecutor now, and Mark had to admit, he was much easier to work with.

The brunette with the slightly teased hair gave him a sultry frown as she held her cue stick.

“I guess I lost,” she said softly as she eyed him.

Mark grinned again and said, “Maybe not.”

She waited patiently as he began to approach her. He needed some female companionship tonight, and couldn’t remember her name, but didn’t care.

“Ready to go Sheriff?” She asked as he came face to face with her.

“I think so,” he said as his eyes moved to her chest.

They put their cue sticks back in the holders, and were about to leave when the bartender’s phone rang.

Mark thought he heard the bartender’s surprised voice as he put on his jacket, but wasn’t sure, because he was too caught up in how much fun he was going to have tonight.

“Sheriff!” The bartender yelled.

Mark closed his eyes and sighed. The brunette pouted, and Mark turned and smiled at her.

“I’ll only be a moment,” Mark said winking at her.

She smiled, and said, “Don’t take too long.”

Mark made his way to the bar, and dropped the money onto the counter.

“You better take this, Sheriff,” the bartender said, with a strange look in his eyes.

Mark scrunched his dark eyebrows took the phone from the bartender’s hand, and asked, “Yeah?”

“Mark, I know it’s your night off, but you better get your ass into downtown,” Hal said over the phone line.

Mark sighed and rubbed his eyes in annoyance. “Why? You can take care of it.”

There was a hesitation, and Hal said, “Mark, Sara Miller is dead.”

Mark froze. Sara Miller was the owner of the antique shop right near the station. He had known Sara for years. She gave a beautiful eulogy at his mother’s funeral, because they had been good friends when Mark was younger.

“Wait….what happened?” Mark asked, suddenly becoming sober before he wanted to.

“Paul and I think it was an accident, but I just want you to make sure. I called the Coroner and The State Police, both are arriving now,” Hal answered.

Mark sighed again, feeling a sudden headache coming on. “I’ll be right there.”

Mark hung up the phone, and the bartender looked on from the bar.

“What happened?” The bartender asked.

Mark looked back at the unnamed brunette and gave her an apologetic look.

“Sara Miller is dead, but Hal thinks it was an accident,” Mark said adjusting his jacket.

“Damn shame,” the bartender said, shaking his head. Everyone knew Sara Miller.

Mark knew he would have to put his grief aside for a bit until he found out what happened. The thoughts of Sara’s words at his mother’s funeral danced around in his head. Now, he would have to be the one to speak at hers.

He left the bar without another word.

Mark arrived to curious onlookers surrounding the shop, and yellow tape around the perimeter to keep them out.  

The county coroner’s van was sitting on the street along with the Sheriff’s vehicles and a couple of state police officers, the fire department, and the ambulance. Whenever there was a suspicious death, they were required to call the state police in to help with the investigation.

Mark groaned inwardly when he spotted the reporters from all local news outlets beginning to arrive. He hated giving statements, and would be forced to later.

He got out of his car, and walked over showing his badge to the state officer standing outside. He was still in his civilian clothes. He didn’t have time to change as he rushed over to the store.

“Mark,” the officer said grimly.

“Matt,” Mark said. “What happened?”

The officer looked inside and said, “Looks like she was electrocuted.”

With wide blue eyes, Mark opened the door to step inside, and found the coroner and his assistant taking pictures of the body on the floor.

Hal and Paul were standing there speaking with the state police and the coroner.

Mark almost flinched when he spotted Sara Miller on the floor.

They had since turned her over, and he could clearly see the damage of the electrocution on her body from her face, down her neck, her hands, who knew what else.

Her eyes were wide open in death, and her mouth opened from the look of pain. Mark looked away for a moment, and could only hope she went quickly. Her skin blackened in some areas of her hands and face.

The coroner approached Mark and shook his hand.

“Sheriff,” he said.

“What the hell happened?” Mark asked, looking back down at Sara.

“Looks like an accident. She must have spilled the water, and then the heater fell over somehow, and she stepped into the water,” the Coroner explained, writing his notes onto a clipboard.

“Who found her?” Mark asked.

Hal walked up and said, “I did. I was coming back from patrol to put one in the pen for the night for being disorderly, and I noticed her lights were still on. She usually closes around eight.”

Mark rubbed his head. His headache was getting worse by the minute.

He looked around and could see the mop and bucket on the floor, and some paper towels near the body.

He began to wonder how she made the heater fall, but must have bumped it while trying to clean up the water.

“I found her sister’s phone number, and called her already. She is on her way here. Stella said she would call Sara’s kid,” Paul said, with his usual nervous twitch.

“Alright,” Mark replied.

Another officer came out of the doorway to the back room and spotted Mark.

“Hey Mark,” he said, stepping around the body and shaking Mark’s hand.

“Hey Daryl,” Mark said.

Daryl Sanders was Washington State Police, and helped Mark out of many binds.

“Nothing suspicious from what I can see,” he said. “No signs of struggle or break in. Looks like a bad accident.”

“We’ll have her sister take inventory just in case, but you’re probably right,” Mark said, still scanning the store.

Even though his gut was telling him otherwise, he could find nothing out of place, nor any signs of a possible struggle.

Daryl took a few notes, and looked around.

Then Mark looked up behind the counter, and spotted the empty display over the cash register.

He carefully walked around the body of Sara Miller and went behind the counter. Seeing nothing else out of place, he eyed the empty display.

Mark stood gazing at it, catching Daryl’s attention.

Daryl walked up behind him. “Something on your mind Mark?”

Mark pointed to the empty display. “The last time I was in here a couple weeks ago, there was some kind of knife here, because I remember Sara telling me about it. She usually replaces the display right after she sells something. We better check the till of the register, and have her sister take full notes of anything else that might be missing.”

Daryl nodded and took more notes.

“Good catch. I hadn’t noticed it,” Hal commented.

“I just want to cover everything,” Mark said still rubbing his chin in thought.

“That’s why you’ll be a great detective,” Hal said, patting him on the shoulder.

Mark walked back around the counter, as they placed Sara's body into the bag. Mark made another round through the store with Paul and Hal; however, they couldn’t find anything else out of place.

The coroner announced he was ready to take Sara Miller’s remains to the morgue.

“Write up the report, I am going to go get changed,” Mark said to Hal.

“It’s going to be a long night,” Hal replied. “I’m getting too old for this shit.”

Mark stood there focusing on the empty display case behind the counter, and going with forensics. He knew deep down he should call it a day and declare it an accident after her autopsy was complete, then write it off as Sara Miller being careless about cleaning up a mess, and having a space heater near water, but something was bothering him.

Sara Miller may have been many things, but careless about her store was not one of them.

He clearly remembered her talking excitedly about that knife in the display, but could not remember what it looked like. He knew it was a prized possession of hers, therefore she had no intention of selling it unless she had to, she told him.

Mark suddenly turned and yelled, “Hal!”

Hal came out of the back room waiting for Mark.

“Go out to the crowd and ask if anyone spotted someone in the area who may have been around the shop in the last few hours,” Mark said.

Hal made a face, but did as he was told.

The coroner walked up to Mark and said, “You know if you find something, then Baker is going to start talking about bringing in a police force again, and going municipal with the blessing from the Governor.”

Mark scoffed. “You know Cooper would eat that right up. If he does, then all I have to do is deliver court notices.”

The coroner chuckled, still writing furiously on his clipboard.

“Sorry about her. I know she was friends with your mom,” he said, looking down, as his assistant got ready to take the remains away.

“Thanks,” Mark said as they went outside to make sure the crowd was separated to give Sara Miller some dignity.

Hal walked up to Mark and gave a negative shake of his head.

“Nothing?”

“Nothing, but you’re still not settled.”

“Nope, I’m not.”