Big Story E-Book

Debra Bliss

• Herausgeber: BooxAi
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Erika Freese is searching for her missing husband. Will she find him? Is he really, the man she thought he was? Danger lies ahead as the search begins. In the process, she may find something else. Romance perhaps?

Leseprobe

Big Story

DEBRA BLISS

Debra Bliss

Big Story

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2022 by Debra Bliss

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Published by BooxAi

ISBN: 978-965-578-000-0

All the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

ChapterOne

The northern winds blew bitterly cold that November, sneaking in through the cracks of the old ornate mansion. Erika sat alone by the massive granite fireplace waiting for Lance to return from his hunting trip in Winterton. As the phone rang, a shiver went up the back of Erika's spine. It was Colonel Kensington, a friend of Lance's from his days in the army.

“Good day, Mrs. Freese! Any word from Lance?” the Colonel asked in a cheerful tone.

Erika had not heard from Lance for two weeks since he left for Winterton. She had few, if any, friends in this desolate place they now called home. It warmed her soul to talk to a friendly voice. “No, not since he left two weeks ago, Colonel. And I,...well, actually, I am quite concerned!” Erika expressed with uncertainty in her voice.

Lance had taken only his pack mule and gear. Two-way radios were prohibited up on the rough mountain terrain. And there was no other means of communication available.

“Well, I will check back with you in a few days. And please do not hesitate to contact me, should you need anything!” Colonel Kensington graciously offered before hanging up the receiver.

Erika remained alone in the lifeless mansion for a few more days. Still no word from her husband. She decided that she needed to get out and among people. She would stroll up to the nearby cafe at Peaksboro and have some lunch. The town was crowded, as it generally was, during the noon hour.

Erika entered the little diner on the corner of Main and Buffington. There was a small round table in the back, which was secluded from the hustle and bustle of the crowd. As she sat peering through the frosty window, leafing through her book, a tall, handsome gentleman entered the cafe. Erika watched him carefully, and she had a feeling that, in some way, she had known him from long ago. But from where? Erika was puzzled.

At 42, the years had gone by fast for Erika. Life before Peaksboro was much different for her. Seven months had passed since she married Lance Freese and moved to the dark, desolate mansion on the outskirts of the small town.

Erika was somewhat of a debutante growing up in New Jersey. Her father was a very prominent and affluent attorney. Erika had attended finishing school at an early age and then went on to Newark State College. Her friends begged her not to marry Lance. He was a loner and used to leading a more rugged lifestyle than she was accustomed to. Previously Erika had been engaged in a prestigious career as a magazine journalist in New Jersey. She was a sharp, vivacious young lady. Erika had met Lance through a mutual friend who worked for the magazine publisher. Lance frequently traveled on business in the New Jersey area. He was a regional sales representative for the textile mill located in Peaksboro. All of his family were gone, and no one really knew that much about Lance's history. Erika had devoted her life to her career. And at age 42, she perceived that time was running out for her. She believed that she needed to settle down and get married. Her sisters were married with grown children. And, now, here she was in this lonely little burg. She had discarded her career as a successful magazine journalist in Jersey to commit to marriage. Her life in New Jersey was busy and consisted of lots of friends and family. She had enjoyed the nightlife and local events of the large metropolis. Erika had previously encountered several noteworthy single men, but no serious relationships had developed that is until she met Lance. He seemed different from other men and quite mysterious. This intrigued her. He was a man of few words, and he presented a challenge for Erika. This piqued her interest. And Erika always relished a new challenge. She would get this clandestine man to open up and share his every thought with her! Or so she thought! Her friends were right, she reflected. Erika did not realize that she would feel so alone and out of her element. She loved Lance deeply. But with no children and few female friends, her life at Peaksboro felt very empty and shallow.

“Your coffee, Mrs.,” the waiter had arrived with her order. As she looked up, the handsome stranger was glancing over her way from across the room. As she strained to get a closer look, he turned and grabbed his order from the bar. He abruptly walked away and ran out the cafe door so as not to be noticed by her.

“Sir, do you know that gentleman who was standing by the door and just left?” She questioned the waiter. “Why yes, Mrs. He writes for the Tribune. And he is very well thought of here in Peaksboro. Why do you ask?” the waiter questioned her with an inquisitive look and a raised brow.

“Oh, I thought I might have encountered him prior to my residence here. That's all. Thank you!” Erika handed the waiter a tip for his efforts and gulped down the last swallow of hot coffee.

Erika decided to take a leisurely stroll through the burg. After all, what else was there for her to do in this sleepy little town? She wandered. All the way home, as the brisk wind blew, chilling her to the bone, her thoughts continually drifted back to the handsome stranger. Where could she have known him from? Why were her thoughts perseverating about this man? Her husband was missing, and she quietly chastised her mind for roaming.

When Erika arrived home, the telephone rang. She had previously placed a call to one of the ranger stations in Winterton. As she picked up the phone, the officer informed her that the weather conditions on the mountain were not good. She gave the officer a brief description of her husband. The ranger assured her that a search and rescue team would proceed as soon as the weather crises eased up a bit.

“I am coming up there myself!” Erika stated to the officer adamantly.

“I would not recommend that, ma'am. The roads are treacherous and icy! They are virtually impassable, and the main road into the station is closed at this time. It would do you absolutely no benefit to even attempt such a thing!” the ranger sternly warned Erika. She slammed the phone down and scurried up the long curved staircase leading to the master bedroom. Erika grabbed the heaviest winter clothing she could find along with her snowmobile suit. She shoved the garments into a large cloth bag.

She was determined to get started at the first crack of dawn. She stretched out on the king-size bed and drifted off to sleep.

As morning arrived, Erika sprung out of bed! She immediately telephoned Colonel Kensington. “Colonel, I need your help! I need you to arrange for a guide along with pack animals to accompany me to Winterton! I still have not heard from Lance!” Erika stated in a frantic tone.

“But Mrs. Freese, do not be ridiculous! You cannot possibly think that you can even get through to the main road to Winterton! Let alone search for your husband! This would be an impossibility for a force of men! Even if the conditions were good, it would be very difficult for a refined and delicate woman such as yourself! The mountain forest is much too vast and dense! You'd never make it!” the Colonel chided her with deep concern in his voice. “Just arrange it, Colonel! I will take my chances and worry about the logistics of the thing!” she snapped at him sharply!

“Fine! But I cannot possibly round someone up to assist you until the day after tomorrow! I will attempt to get Jon Vanblise, as he is the best guide known in this area! I don't know if he will agree or not, given the weather conditions and all! I will let you know as soon as I find out, Mrs. Freese!” the Colonel quipped as he abruptly hung up the telephone.

Erika spent the rest of the day in town purchasing needed toiletries for the excursion. She researched the perilous mountain range maps at the local library in town. In her studies she noted that this time of the year was extremely dangerous and susceptible to avalanches from the summit. Erika requested that the librarian make a photocopy from the geographic collections that she was reviewing of the routes along the mountain ridges. As a journalist, Erika was in the habit of taking extensive notes. She reviewed every piece of data that the library had on the subject. She then headed back home with her notes and maps in hand.

Erika snuffed out the fire in the granite fireplace, drew the large gold lamella drapes in the front room, and retired for the night. The large baluster bannister bed felt empty without Lance. As the wind blew open the shutter in the foyer downstairs, Erika became startled and went downstairs to see what the noise was. Staying in the large disconsolate house alone set her nerves on edge. Several hours passed as the wind continually whipped through the rafters, and the hardwood floors creaked. Erika could not sleep, worrying about Lance and what news the next few days might bring. Or was she thinking about the handsome stranger she had encountered at the small cafe?

The next morning the sun shone brightly in the east bay window and warmed the room. Erika arose slowly out of bed. Shimmering ice crystals hung from the edge of the roof, and there was a crisp frost in the air. The telephone suddenly rang. “Ah...the Colonel!” Erika muttered to herself. But to no avail. It was Erika's father calling her from New Jersey.

“How are you, darling? Your mother and I have been concerned since we have not heard from you in quite some time! How is Lance? Are you two getting on well there in Peaksboro?” Mr. Stein questioned his daughter.

“Well, actually, Lance is on an expedition up in Winterton and has not arrived home as of yet. But we are all fine here, daddy!” Erika attempted to reply in a convincing nonchalant manner so as not to cause her father any alarm.

“Oh really! I would have thought Lance would have waited at least a few more months before taking off on an expedition! You know being that you two are newlyweds and all! Darling, are you meeting new friends there? And have you had any journalism leads yet?” Mr. Stein was worried. He knew that his daughter was not accustomed to the solitude of a small town. He could sense by the trepidation in her voice that she was not happy with the situation.

“Daddy, it's lovely talking with you, but I really need to be going! Everything is fine here! Really! Tell Mom I miss her and will phone you later! I love you both!” Erika reassured her father and curtly cut the conversation short. She felt remorseful for ending the call so abruptly, but she had to keep the line open in case the Colonel called with the news.

As the hours passed, Erika kept herself busily occupied with straightening up things in the house and ensuring that her gear was properly packed for the impending expedition.

“Hello, Mrs. Kensington! Is the Colonel in? I need to speak with him!” Erika stated impatiently as she could wait no longer for the Colonel's return call.

The Colonel broke in, “Mrs. Freese, I was going to phone you! I just spoke with Jon Vanblise, and he has agreed to guide you to Winterton. I am certain that you understand that I am strongly opposed to the idea! I surmise that Lance would oppose as well! Mr. Vanblise does have some other obligations that he must attend to prior to serving as your guide. So he will not be available until the day after tomorrow!”

“Saturday is much too late! If Lance is lost...well a lot can happen in two days!” Erika uttered wearily. It seemed to her that the Colonel was always putting her off. “It is always the day after tomorrow!” she murmured to herself.

“Look, Mrs. Freese, as I have stated before, as the road conditions are bad and the weather is terrible, we are pressing our luck as it is! And Mr. Vanblise is a very busy man at the Tribune as well! We are fortunate that he has agreed to render his services as a guide for you! Mr. Vanblise has left instructions for me to tell you that he will meet you in town by the Pub on Saturday morning at nine o'clock sharp! He will also make the arrangements for the pack animals that you requested. He also recommended that you carry as few implements and clothing as necessary!” The Colonel curtly provided Erika with the information and ended the call.

Saturday morning finally arrived. It was nearing nine o'clock. Erika had prepared as few necessities as she felt she could possibly get by with. She checked to ensure that the stack of extensive notes and maps was tucked securely in the grip. Erika was anxious to get this thing started. Growing up in the city, Erika had never even ridden a horse, let alone a pack mule. She wondered how she had ever ended up here in this dismal country, and about to embark on a journey she did not particularly care to take. There was no time for these thoughts of gloom. She must get going as she was to meet Mr. Vanblise at nine sharp!

It was nine sharp, and Erika was waiting in front of the Pub, as per her instructions from the Colonel.

But there was no sign of anyone. She had no clue as to what Mr. Vanblise looked like. At ten minutes after nine, a smarmy little gray-bearded man approached her.

“Mrs. Freese, I suppose. Pleased to meet you, ma'am. I am Eldridge Woolen. But folks around here just call me 'Eldy' for short. Mr. Vanblise should be along here shortly. I accompany him on these excursions most generally.”

Erika, being the cultivated gentlewoman that she was, was appalled at Eldy's appearance. She wondered how long she would have to put up with the company of this unsightly little man.

“Ah, yes..nice to make your acquaintance, Eldy,” Erika managed to choke out the insincere words. This was not as she had expected at all. And she was somewhat irate at his tardiness.

“Like I said, he'll be along here shortly, ma'am,” Eldy stammered.

“Well, he certainly is not one for punctuality, obviously!” Erika replied in a flippant tone.

Then off in the distance, a figure appeared, carrying a backpack and some gear. And to Erika's surprise, it was the same handsome gentleman that she had eyed at the cafe. It was Mr. Vanblise. He strode in an erect manner, down the street, in his suede jacket and faded blue jeans.

As he approached, he looked at her in astonishment. “Erika Stein! It has been a long time!” Jon Vanblise quipped.

Erika shivered. “It's Erika Freese, now!” At that moment, she realized that she had, in fact, made his acquaintance previously. It was at Newark State when she was doing her journalism internship. She had been working for a small local magazine publisher, at the time, in New Jersey. The previous acquaintance had been casual, although she had found him quite charming and attractive. Erika had spoken with him on several occasions but had never bothered to inquire as to what his name was.

“Yes, I should have known that the last name would be different! The Colonel had explained that the purpose of the expedition was to search for a missing husband. But I did not realize that it was you that I would be serving as a guide for,” Mr. Vanblise replied.

Erika found herself pondering how Jon Vanblise had gotten to the same bleak place that she was in.

She attempted to compose herself.

“Mr. Vanblise, now that we have the formalities down, can we proceed with the journey, please?” Erika asked him in a self-assured and terse tone.

“Please, call me Jon,” he said politely. “Yes, I have planned out a route, but it is going to be a rough go of it! The weather conditions, as I am sure you have heard, are not good and this is very violent terrain! Perhaps Eldy and I should proceed alone!”

“I won't hear of it! I may be a city gal, but I am quite capable of taking care of myself! I will be going with you! Do you understand? Erika barked back at Jon.

“Yes, but I...oh, let's get started,” Jon gave in.

Erika, feeling smug, pulled out the maps and notes that she had carefully prepared.

“Actually, Mr. Vanblise, I have a map with some of the most routinely utilized routes highlighted here,” Erika stated proudly as she pointed to the highlighted areas on the map.

“Let's get one thing straight, shall we? If you wish for me to guide you on this trip, I would highly recommend that you trash those! I know this terrain and those maps and notes of yours are just some bunk from the tourist books! This area is vicious, and there is no room for playing around! Do you read me, lady?” Jon retorted in a brash manner. He was unaccustomed to being questioned and resented the attempts on Erika's part.

“I'm sorry. I was just trying to be prepared, Mr. Vanblise,” Erika stated sarcastically.

“Oh, forget it. Let's go! And call me Jon, will you?” Jon glanced over at Eldy and rolled his big brown eyes.

ChapterTwo

The threesome headed to the outskirts of the burg and went to the pack mule stable. They chose the most rugged animals which they thought were capable of taking on the gear. As they headed down the trail, about two miles walking distance from the foothills of the mountain, the air became thick and extremely chilly and blustery. Erika could feel the icy cold air run up the nape of her neck. This was just the beginning of a very long journey, she thought to herself.

“Cold ain't it, Mrs.?” Eldy popped out.

“I am quite fine, Eldy!” Erika retorted.

As they prodded along, the ground became hard and ruddy. The ice had frozen indentations of animal hooves, making it difficult to walk. Erika lost her footing and slipped on the ice. Jon grabbed the tail of her jacket, preventing her from falling to the ground. She fell into his arms. “I am fine, as I have told you before!” Erika reminded Jon as her face became flushed. The two caught each other's gaze and held it for a brief moment. Erika quickly looked away and proceeded to walk straight ahead.

As nightfall approached, the three found a spot to make camp. Jon proceeded to set up a campfire and unpack the items they would need for the night. The stars were out and shined like pewter dollars into the red-tinted sky. The night was a clear one without a cloud in sight.

“We have already wasted an entire day and have gotten nowhere in regards to locating my husband! We have not even started up the mountain, Mr. Vanblise!” Erika scolded Jon in a brusque tone.

“Please call me Jon! You must be patient, Mrs. Freese! As I have told you before, this is not going to be an easy trek! Nor will it be a quick one!” Jon reminded her.

“OK, Jon. I guess I don't understand why you are working as a guide when I know that you are a very well-respected journalist and writer! Why would you take on this type of work?” Erika questioned his motives.

“I enjoy this type of work! I moved up here to get away from the exhausting tumult of city life1. I couldn't take it any longer! I needed some peace and quiet! I have that here. I can still use my skills in a slower-paced environment. I still cover stories for the paper, but I am free to pick and choose now!” Jon made his intent clear.

Erika's leg muscles were the consistency of jelly. She was totally fatigued from trudging along the narrow paths. Her body was shaking. She gave in to the exhaustion and dozed off to sleep.

“Good morning, Erika!” Jon greeted her cheerfully. She could not keep her eyes off of Jon as his strong arms meticulously folded up the tent and packed the gear in preparation for the day ahead. She took note of his manliness. Erika could sense the attraction between her and Jon. She felt drawn to him. There was definitely chemistry at work. But Erika must forget these feelings. After all, she was a married woman in search of her missing husband. She tried to shake off her thoughts as she stood up and took a deep breath of the cool mountain air.

Off again, Erika, Jon, and Eldy started on their way around the mountain. The terrain became even more difficult to navigate and the air more fridge as they progressed. A hazy fog eventually settled around them. Cliffs lay in from of them covered with passionless ice ridges.

As they reached the high altitude, deep snow began to emerge. The cliffs of the mountainside became dangerous due to heavy-laden precipitation. The animals breathed hard with each step, and they were slowing down. Eldy got a rope out from the backpack and slid it through the bags of gear. He secured the bags of gear and the animals together.

“Stay close and hold onto the rope tight, Erika! This is where a man can get lost and never be found! These blizzards can be blinding!” Jon cautioned her.

They took the mountain pass toward the ranger station. The road had cleared but was still impassable. Erika covered her face with her wool muffler and shielded it from the razor-sharp freezing air currents.

They arrived at one of the park ranger stations after approximately forty-five minutes of hiking. The rangers informed them that a search party had been sent out, and this was too dangerous for pedestrianism, even with the pack mules.

Avalanches were a strong potential, as the weather had changed and some of the ice was melting at the higher altitudes. But Erika, intent on persevering, begged Jon to ignore the warning and forge ahead. They left the ranger station and continued on up the mountain pass. The snow started coming down heavily, and visibility was at a minimum. The pack mules were barely able to trod along the muddy paths. Erika again slipped and fell. Hanging onto the guide rope, she managed to keep from sliding down the steep embankment. But she had twisted her ankle badly. She could not feel her extremities. Her body was frozen and numb. The arctic winds wailed and moaned. Up ahead, in the distance, there was an old abandoned cabin. Jon swept Erika up in his arms and the three-headed for the old, broken-down cabin.

Eldy gathered up some of the firewood stacked outside the cabin and started a fire. Jon placed Erika's rigid body beside the warm fire.

“Looks like we're gonna be here for a while, chief!” Eldy cautioned.

“Mrs. Freese will be highly disappointed, Eldy. But I believe this is the only alternative we have now. We cannot go any further, especially while she is in this condition!” Jon replied to Eldy.

Erika fell into a deep sleep. Her body was in a state of shock from the blow to her ankle. Hours passed, and night befell upon them as the strong winds persisted. Eldy tightened up some of the loose boardings to keep the snow out of the cabin and put more kindling on the fire.

The snow had now eased up a bit the next day. Eldy decided to head back to the ranger station to summon help for Erika and let the rangers know of their whereabouts. Jon remained behind with Erika.

When Erika awoke, she found Jon sitting at the split log table gazing at her.

“What?” Erika asked as she gazed at Jon. She noticed the worried look on Jon's face.

“Erika, you have injured your ankle badly! Eldy went to the ranger station. Someone should be here in due time to help!” Jon replied.

“You should not have done that! I told you that I could take care of myself! It's just a sprain! At this rate we will never find Lance!” Erika snapped at Jon. She was quite irritated and disappointed with him.

Several hours passed. When Eldy arrived at the ranger station, he was surprised to hear that a few men had stopped at the station and checked in prior to leaving the area. One of the men fit Lance's description. The ranger stated that the men had decided that they were leaving the park but did not elaborate as to where they were going.

“They stopped off here a couple of hours after you left the station. They wanted to get going before the heavy winds set in,” the ranger indicated to Eldy.

Eldy had a very strange feeling about this, but he wasn't certain why. The rangers summoned an ambulance via the two-way radio. Eldy and the rangers jumped into the green jeep and headed towards the mountain. They arrived at the cabin and assisted Erika into the ambulance upon its arrival.

“Well, I guess our journey has ended at this point, Jon,” Erika quipped.

Jon and Erika exchanged glances. Jon felt a sort of melancholy sadness come over him as the ambulance pulled away. He couldn't put his finger on it. The ambulance carefully maneuvered around the steep winding curves taking Erika to the county hospital. Eldy and Jon headed back with the pack mules towards the burg.

“Jon, there is something very odd about this whole thing! I don't quite know what it is. Whey wouldn't this fellow have left word with the rangers if he thought his wife was looking for him?” Eldy quizzed Jon.

“My dear Eldy, I don't know. But right now, I don't think that concerns us!” Jon scolded him. Erika awoke around ten o'clock the next morning. She was very hazy-eyed, and her head was in a fog from the dose of strong pain medication that had been administered the previous night. The hospital room was sterile and smelled of strong disinfectant. As the nurse entered, Erika asked if there had been any word from her husband.

“No, Mrs. Freese, but a Mr. Vanblise left this number for you,” the nurse stated as she handed Erika the paper. Erika took the number as she asked the nurse when she was due to be released from the hospital.

“The doctor will be in shortly. But I think he may want to keep you a few more hours for observation,” the nurse stated as she was exiting the room.

Erika dialed her home phone number. There was a chance that Lance might have arrived home and was unaware of what had happened to her. As the phone rang, Erika felt queasy with butterflies in the pit of her stomach. Must just be nerves from her recent ordeal, she thought. A strange woman answered the telephone. When Erika asked the woman what number she had reached, the woman abruptly hung up the phone. “I must have misdialed,” Erika muttered out loud to herself. When she attempted to ring the number again, the line was busy. Erika wondered who the woman could be. And why was the line now busy? Had Lance arrived back home so quickly? And if he did, why didn't he try calling her on her cell?

“I'll call the Colonel! He would know if there was any news!” she stated under her breath to herself.

“Kensington residence,” the elderly female politely answered.

“Yes, Mrs. Kensington, is the Colonel there? I really need to speak with him. This is Mrs. Freese,” Erika stated in a frantic tone.

“Just a minute, Mrs. Freese,” replied Mrs. Kensington.

“Ah, Mrs. Freese. Glad to hear from you! Where are you?” the Colonel questioned her.

“I had a slight mishap with my ankle, and I am at the county hospital. But that's not why I called. Just before I was taken to the hospital, the ranger station at Winterton informed us that a group of men checked in, and one of the men fit Lance's description. I tried to phone home, and the line was busy. I wondered if you had heard anything. I can't seem to get through on Lance's cell phone either!” Erika stated inquisitively.

“No, I have not heard a thing, Mrs. Freese! But I drove out by your place yesterday and eyed a lady entering your house. I thought it was a little odd. But then I thought perhaps maybe you had someone looking after the place while you were gone. In fact, I tried to call there myself, and the line was busy then, too!” the Colonel remarked.

Now Erika was very concerned. She wondered what on earth could be happening. She decided to give Mr. Vanblise a call.

“No, Colonel, I am not sure what is going on myself! Listen, I am going to see if Mr. Vanblise has any update on Lance. Please let me know if you hear anything! Thanks!” Erika stated in a firm voice and hung up.

The Colonel, being of suspicious nature, decided he would take another drive out to the Freese residence. As he prepared to leave, the telephone rang again. It was Jon Vanblise on the line. Jon apprised the Colonel of the news that the ranger station had reported to him.

“I'll meet you out there, Colonel. I am curious myself!” Jon hung up and headed out the door.

The physician entered the room. “Mrs. Freese, I am Doctor Overstreet. I have ordered an X-ray of your ankle. It looks like you took a nasty fall! You may have fractured your ankle. I would like to take a look at the X-ray. We may have to set the bone,” the physician informed Erika.

“Look, Doctor, I need to get home as soon as possible. I would have thought all this would have already been done!” Erika snapped at the physician.

“I will be back to see you this afternoon after I look at the X-ray,” Doctor Overstreet calmly stated. Erika's impatience did not affect his demeanor in the least. He turned around and exited the room.

“Oh, great!” Erika whispered sarcastically to herself. She once again picked up the phone and attempted to dial her home number. The line remained busy. She pulled out the paper that the nurse had provided to her with Jon Vanblise's number. She was nervous and fumbled with the antiquated hospital phone on the overbed table. She dialed Jon's number and he did not answer.

As Jon drove up the driveway of the grand old oak framed ornate mansion, he spotted a light on in the large picture window. The Colonel's sedan was parked in the driveway. Jon made his way up the winding cement walkway, speckled and cracked from the brutal weather changes that it had endured over the years, and noticed crimson red splotches at the foot of the large step leading to the massive entrance door. The door was ajar and there was a trail of what appeared to be bloodstains leading through the hall entrance and into the living room. Jon cautiously followed the trail against his better judgment. There lay the Colonel's lifeless body covered with blood. Apparently, the perpetrator had fled the scene. Jon immediately pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed the police station located in the burg.

“This is Jon Vanblise. I need someone out here right away! I...I was supposed to meet someone out here and well he's...there's been some sort of accident! He's dead! Please send someone right away!” Jon stated as he gave the individual on the other line the address.

Jon felt an eery feeling of terror! As he looked around the house, he noticed that someone had apparently exited the residence through the back door. The police arrived shortly. Although it seemed as though it took them an hour to arrive. The police questioned Jon.