3:3
MURDER IN RED CANYON
Police and Sheriff investigators are currently examining the terrain surrounding a badly mutilated body found in a dry riverbed just south of Red Canyon Road. Coroner Lyle Simmons said the deceased was a girl in her teens. Her name has not yet been released, pending notification to her family. Simmons said the victim died sometime around 1:00 AM this morning.
“This is one of the most horrific things I’ve ever seen,” said Officer Brent Danielson of the Canon City Police Department.
According to the police report the girl had gone with three of her classmates to the area to drink alcohol earlier in the evening. The others in the group noticed her missing at about 12:30 AM. They began to search the woods and found her body only two hundred yards away from where their car was parked.
Few details have yet been given about what has been determined as foul play. It has been stated that the attacker used a knife or other extremely sharp object.
Sergeant Lunderman of the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office said that a manhunt is currently underway as the scene is being studied. He went on to say, “We are appalled at such a terrible crime and are dedicated to finding this person’s attacker.”
Although Canon City police officers were the first on the scene, the crime falls under Fremont County Sheriff jurisdiction.
3:3
The tall man stood at the front of the platform in the center of the room. He was anxious to get the ritual started. He very much enjoyed the tasks involved in what he considered to be his life's work. It was a feeling of control, of power. To feel the body shudder as the life was snuffed out of it. It was better than any drug. The slickness of the blood on his hands was entrancing, the way it glistened in the candlelight.
He had developed quite a taste for the killing. But tonight would be even better. Tonight would be the first complete ritual. He had the scripture. He had the talisman. And now, he had a circle of seven. Everything was in place. He was ready to begin his transcendence. That day would mark the rise of a new kingdom. He would destroy the earth and rattle the heavens.
It would all start with one. That one lay before him, tied down to the altar. She would be the first.
Not the first to die.
The first to be truly consumed.
3:4
Stacey’s anger subsided as she drove into Canon City. She was still mad at Jack but at least her hands had stopped shaking. She knew he was up to something that he wasn’t telling her. It wasn’t like him to call off of work when he wasn’t sick. It wasn’t like him to sleep in past eight in the morning. Even on his days off he always got up by seven. Always. He was tired because he’d been up late doing something. He was hiding something.
Stacey took a couple of deep breaths trying to calm herself down. She didn’t want her mother to see how mad she was at her husband. Her mom wasn’t that fond of Jack to begin with. She had always hoped that her daughter would marry someone with more ambition. Although Jack hadn’t been out of work a day since they’d been together, he’d never had what Marion considered a career position.
Christopher sounded from the back seat, “Are we there yet Mom? I’m hungry.”
Stacey turned into the Village Inn parking lot.
“We’re here.”
He son leaned forward, “Good, cuz I’m hungry.”
“Alright, baby, alright.”
She saw her mother’s car parked in front of the building. She looked down at her watch.
“Shit. We’re twenty minutes late.”
Chris looked in the rear view mirror at his mother’s reflection.
“Don’t say shit, mom. It’s not nice.”
Stacey held herself from laughing, “Okay Chris. Sorry.”
When they entered the restaurant she peered into the non-smoking section. Her mother sat alone at a booth in the corner. Stacey took her son’s hand and walked quickly.
“Sorry mom,” she said approaching the table.
“You’re late,” her mother said looking up at the clock on the wall.
“I know mom. That’s why I said sorry.”
“Well, sit down. I’ve already ordered our drinks.”
“Hi Nana!” Chris said excitedly, hugging his grandma.
“Hello, young man. Shouldn’t you be in school?”
“He got a three day weekend. Teacher’s conference.”
Marion noticed the redness in her daughter’s eyes.
“You look tired dear. Haven’t you been sleeping well?”
“I’m okay,” she said attempting a smile, “I was just kind of restless last night.”
“Money problems again?”
“No mom, we’re fine. We’ve got everything we need.”
Marion sat back in her seat, “I’m telling you, there’s nothing like financial stability to help you sleep.”
“Please. Don’t start.”
“I’m just saying that if that husband of yours would get a better job…”
“What?” she interrupted, “I’d sleep better?”
“Well…yes.”
Stacey looked Marion in the eyes with a tense glare, “Jack’s employment doesn’t bother me, mom. It bothers you.”
“But if he got a better job, you’d be happier.”
“We have enough money. He likes where he works. Don’t worry about it.”
“He likes his job? More that he likes his family? Is that it?”
Stacey lifted up the menu so she didn’t have to look at her mother.
“I’m not doing this with you today. Can’t we just have a nice meal?”
Marion rubbed her left arm with the palm of her hand. Her skin had become pale.
“I’m just saying…I’m…”
Sweat dripped down her brow. The muscles in her face seized, “I…”
With a clenched fist over her chest she gasped. Stacey lowered the menu.
“Oh my God!” she yelled as Marion fell over and down to the floor.
Christopher screamed, “Nana!”
A waitress ran into the kitchen and picked up the phone. She dialed 911, keeping an eye on the dining room through the open door.
Stacey kneeled down beside her mother, holding her hand. Marion was unconscious. Christopher cried, hiding under the table. He stayed there, watching his mother and grandmother, until the ambulance came.
3:5
Jack pushed the door open and stepped inside. A cold gust forced its way past him, into the store. The tinkle of the little bell above the entrance went unheard in the icy howl. He closed the door quickly, blocking out the weather.
Sally was sitting behind the counter reading a book. She looked up with a smile.
“Hi, let me know if you need any help,” Her words were upbeat and friendly.
He walked over to her, placing his hands on the glass counter top.
“You can help me actually. I'm the one who called yesterday. I need to talk to Ms. Holland. It's really important.”
Her face got serious, “Grandma won't be here until tomorrow, she...”
“She’s your grandmother?”
“Yeah. We run the shop together. What's so important?”
“It's something that I really should discuss with her.”
She could see that he was genuinely upset.
“Is she in any kind of trouble?" She paused for a moment, “You're not from the state hospital, are you?”
“What? Hospital? Um, no. I'm just a customer.”
“Oh, ok,” She was embarrassed for asking. She didn't want it to get around that her grandma was until recently, a resident in a psychiatric ward, “I'll tell you what, I'll call and see if she’s home, okay?”
“That would be great. Thanks.”
She dialed the number and held the phone up to her ear. She let it ring ten times before giving up.
“She’s not answering, but if you tell me what the problem is I’m sure we could work something out.”
Jack looked her over for a moment. She was in her early twenties. She had jet-black hair. Her face was definitely too pale for that color. She wore thick eyeliner and bright red lipstick. She was very attractive, although Jack thought her sense of style left something to be desired. She seemed kind, honest. And she was the granddaughter. Maybe she knew something about all of this.
“Do you know anything about the necklace your grandmother sold me? It's a big stone bird with an oval glass container in the center of it,” he held up his hands to show her its size.
“No. I haven’t seen anything like that.”
She didn’t know anything. Jack's frustration was building.
“Damn,” he said under his breath.
“What’s wrong? Did it break or something?”
“No. It...”
He didn't know how to begin. He felt like an idiot standing there, trying to find the words to explain the most unbelievable truth he’d ever known. He was sure that she was going to think he was nuts. He told her anyway.
“Ok, here goes.”
He told her everything. The necklace, the story, the travel, everything. It took him almost a half-hour. When he was finished, he waited for a response. She didn’t speak.
“So, what do you think? You think I’m crazy, don’t you?”
“No. Not at all.”
She could see that he believed all of it. Of course, she did not. She figured that he believed it so much that he had been having dreams, sleepwalking, and...
Hell, who knows?
She didn't think he was crazy. Just confused.
“Well, that’s quite a story. If it works like you say it does, I’d like to try it out myself.”
“Yeah. I'll have to bring it with me next time.”
She slid a pen and a piece of paper over to him, “If you write down your name and number, I’ll have her give you a call when I talk to her. I’m sure she’ll be home soon. She’s never out very long.”
“Thanks.”
She watched him writing, “Your name is Jack? I’m Sally.”
He smiled and handed her the paper.
“I know you think I’m nuts, but I’m really not.”
“No really, I don’t.”
He turned and walked to the door. He could see that it was starting to snow. Little flakes were melting on the glass. He opened the door, stepping out into the frigid air. It was time to go home and tell Stacey what he had just told the girl. There would be a difference in his wife’s reaction though. She wouldn’t just say she believed him. She really would.
The necklace was at the house. He would prove it to her.
