In The Defendant's Chair Read online

  “But…”

  “Listen, I do like you and I do enjoy being with you. I’m probably going outside my bounds here but… even though we work together I still want to see you… if you’re okay with it.”

  “I’m okay with it,” Tyler said giggling.

  Caiden smiled then kissed her gently on the lips. It was a wonderful first-time kiss for Tyler and she wanted nothing more than to melt. Her heart pounded and suddenly she wasn’t hungry any longer.

  After clearing her throat, Tyler looked into his eyes and knew she had fallen in love. “Shall we go see what’s happening in the kitchen?”

  “Sure.”

  But as they stood, Prince jumped up from the fireplace and started to growl.

  “Prince, this is Caiden. You know him, what’s the matter boy?”

  Prince ran to the back door and jumped up on the small window. He began barking and pawing at the door.

  “I guess he wants out,” Tyler said.

  Caiden opened the door and Prince ran into the yard and darted for the shed. He was barking and growling and jumping up and down.

  “What’s up?” Nate asked rushing into the room.

  “I don’t know,” Tyler answered.

  Nate grabbed the flashlight he had left on the hallway table. He flipped on the outside light and ran into the darkening afternoon.

  “Well,” Maddie said drying her hands. “I’ve almost got dinner ready.”

  Caiden ran out the door following Nate. With all the noise, it was obvious the dog trapped something or someone behind the shed. Nate and Caiden slowed as they walked toward the dog. The fence was shaking, which only meant something was trying to escape.

  “Who’s there?” Nate yelled. “Come out now!”

  Prince was hunched down on all four growling louder than ever.

  “What if it’s an animal,” Caiden whispered.

  “Then it won’t answer me,” Nate replied.

  “Good conclusion.”

  The fence was shaking and the tree above the shed began to move in the windless night. Nate ran behind the small structure with his flashlight in one hand and a pistol in the other, but nothing.

  “Damn, whoever it was jumped the fence.” Nate flashed the light on the ground to see if anything was left behind. But all looked as it should. Just a few rakes and leftover firewood from the previous winter.

  Nate gave Caiden a strange smile shoving his gun back in his holster under his shirt. “Long story,” Nate said and Caiden grinned.

  Maddie and Tyler were already at the table when the men came back inside with a panting dog.

  “Find any bad guys?” Maddie asked.

  “Nope,” Nate replied.

  “Did you really expect to catch one?” Maddie added.

  “Nope,” Nate answered with a smirk. “Just wanted a little exercise before dinner.”

  Caiden took a seat next to Tyler and Nate kissed Maddie on the cheek before taking his seat.

  “I just love a sarcastic woman at dinner time, how about you, Caiden?” Nate asked winking at Maddie.

  “Oh, well,” Caiden started.

  “Don’t worry about answering that,” Maddie added. “That is what I call a trick question. A lose-lose question. Don’t answer it.”

  “Well, this is my Aunt Maddie,” Tyler added with a smile.

  “Nice to meet you,” Caiden said trying to shake her hand from across the table.

  “So, you’ve now been introduced to my weird family. You still have time to run if you hurry,” Tyler said laughing.

  As they ate, Caiden looked over at Tyler and said, “If all the food is this great all the time, I don’t care how weird your family is. I’m staying put.”

  “Ah, payback,” Maddie laughed.

  “You catch on fast,” Nate winked.

  After Tyler left the table to fetch the coffee and dessert, Caiden leaned toward Nate and whispered, “All kidding aside, who are you guys? And are you here to help?”

  “Well, if you’re in as deep as you claim,” Nate whispered, “we shouldn’t talk here. So, what kind of help do you need?” Nate asked as loud as he could.

  “Oh, well… I’m behind in some of my…um…credit cards?” Caiden replied in a loud voice trying to sound credible.

  Nate nodded his head and answered loudly. “I see.”

  Tyler returned with the cheesecake and gave her uncle and Caiden a weird look.

  “Never mind,” Maddie said as she took the cake from Tyler. “I’ll help you with the coffee.”

  * * * * * *

  “Good morning, Ms. Brighten,” the guard said as Tyler swiped her badge through the machine.

  Tyler glanced up and grinned. “Morning.”

  “Hope you had a good weekend.”

  “Yes, very nice. My family’s in town,” she added.

  “Good, good. Have a great day, Ms. Brighten,” the guard added as Tyler headed for the elevators.

  “Tyler, wait up.”

  Caiden’s familiar voice was a welcomed sound, especially this morning. After their covert talks over the weekend, Tyler was now suspicious of everyone at her work… even herself.

  “Hey,” she said as Caiden handed her a cup of cappuccino. “Thanks.”

  “You’re quite welcome. I stopped by the new coffee shop this morning on the way in.”

  They were quiet on their ride up. Other people’s conversations suddenly seemed more interesting and important than theirs. As the doors pinged and opened for the twelfth floor, they were surprised to see their boss, Ferriday, at the counter.

  “Good morning,” Ferriday said as they again swiped their badges and looked into the eye scanner.

  When the door opened, he followed them inside. Both Tyler and Caiden knew they were in serious trouble before he said a word. Tyler stood next to Caiden with her heart pounding.

  “I need to speak with you two,” he said.

  “Yes?” Caiden replied.

  “A new sample was sent over this weekend. We need you to compare it with the other one you’ve been working on. You’ve done such a great job we’re hoping you’d be just as thorough on this new batch.”

  Tyler and Caiden gave each other a strange look. Without knowing what else to say or do, they simply nodded their heads.

  “Good,” he said. “We’re on a tight schedule with this one. We’d like it analyzed as soon as possible. Seems it’s a little girl and her parents are very anxious to know what’s wrong.”

  With that, Ferriday left with his hands resting in his pockets.

  “What was that about?” Tyler asked.

  Caiden sighed and shook his head. “I have no idea.”

  “I want to see that new sample,” Tyler said sliding into her lab coat.

  Before they started, Caiden called Nate.

  “Hi. Could you meet us for lunch today? I’d feel better if you and Maddie knew what we’re working on…. great, see you at noon.” Caiden hung up and glanced at Tyler. “They’ll meet us in the lobby.”

  “Hey Caiden,” Tyler yelled from her computer. “This sample is from the same place as the other one.”

  Chapter 31

  THE GIRLS FOLLOWED Gabe down the dark trail, inhaling the aroma of pine, sassafras and maple. It had been an hour since the sun fell below the large thick trees that surrounded them. It seemed more like midnight than seven in the afternoon.

  “Why is the ground so soft?” Lacey asked.

  Carrie answered this one for Gabe. “Years of fallen leaves are beneath our feet. Who knows how deep it goes?”

  The coolness of the evening and the damp forest floor created a calming effect that could easily have become addictive.

  “How much farther, Gabe?” Carrie asked.

  “We’re almost there,” he answered from a few feet ahead of the girls, “it’s just through these trees.”

  “That’s all I see are trees.” Carrie shouted. “Can you be a little more specific?”

  “We’re here,” Gabe said pointing o
ff to his right.

  An old house sat nestled between the tall pines. If it had not been for the light on a telephone pole next to the house, the clearing would have been pitch black. Broken shutters clung to the old structure with what little strength they had. Fallen roof tiles was scattered around the yard. Several of the windows were either cracked or broken. Harsh weather had long stripped the house of its color. The front stairs had been replaced with wooden crates and weeds grew in the flowerbeds. The yard was relatively clean and recently mowed, but grew mostly weeds.

  “About time,” Skyler stated brushing small insects from her shoulders and head. “I’ve probably got ticks all over me!”

  “You’ll live,” Carrie said as she followed Gabe through the small yard. “That dreaded fever you’ll get from them only pops up from time to time.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Skyler mused.

  “Mom!” Gabe yelled as he got closer to the old run-down house. “Mom, where are you?”

  A small woman’s silhouette appeared at the screen door. Carrie waved to her and smiled. But the woman took several steps away and disappeared inside.

  “Mom!” Gabe yelled again. “My friends… come meet my friends.”

  Gabe looked at Carrie and shrugged his shoulders. “Follow me.”

  As she climbed over the boxes to get onto the porch, Carrie was reminded of her youth and living with her father. Her mother had died when she was born and Carrie always blamed her father for her early death. Drunk or sober, the man was a worthless slob and made just enough money to pay the bills. Extras didn’t exist in the Clarke house. But of course, booze was considered a necessity. Carrie learned at an early age she was responsible for finding her own way through life. Her clothes came from neighbor’s hand-me-downs, lunches were courtesy of the schools, and as for dinners, well, what’s a dinner good for anyway except adding on extra unnecessary pounds.

  It was the stench that hit her hard. The odor that emanated from inside the house sent Carrie spiraling backward to a time and place she fought so desperately to escape. Fear and revulsion along with some pity stormed through her. Carrie glanced around and wasn’t sure if she wanted to run, stay or destroy the small house. Gabe reached out and took Carrie’s hand. He helped her up onto the porch then helped the others. Carrie dusted off her pants, took in a deep breath and reminded herself she was on duty for The Agency.

  “You okay?” Skyler asked Carrie.

  “Yeah, just tired,” Carrie answered.

  “Mom?” Gabe yelled through the screen. Gabe opened the squeaky door and motioned for the girls. Carrie accepted his invitation and was followed by Skyler and then Lacey. “Have a seat. I’ll find my mom. Mom?”

  Carrie sat on the couch and the girls found a spot on either side of her. The room was small with only a couch and one recliner. A cast iron stove in the hallway probably heated the house. A kitchen was in the back with a bedroom or two and a small bath. Carrie had lived in just such a house and knew it well. Torn wallpaper hung from the walls and dust lined the shelves of a bookcase. The room was neat and tidy but could use a good deep cleaning.

  “Here she is,” Gabe said pulling on a small and fragile woman. She wasn’t much taller than him, and most definitely weighed a lot less.

  “Hi… I’m Carrie Clarke,” Carrie said now standing and offering her hand.

  The woman stood behind her son grasping firmly to his arm. Dark greasy hair fell past her shoulders. Large brown eyes and thick pink lips created an innocent sensuality. She was wearing a dull floral dress that was about two sizes too big. If Carrie had seen them both in public, she would not have believed she was Gabe’s mother, nor a surgical nurse at a hospital. To Carrie, she looked more like his younger sister.

  “Mom, say hello,” Gabe urged.

  The woman smiled but did not speak.

  “What is your name? I’m Lacey Harris.”

  “And I’m Skyler Brighten.”

  The woman nodded but still did not make a sound.

  “Her name’s Laflur Jolene Huntington. But she goes by Lafie.” Gabe wore a huge smile as he told them her name. It was more than obvious he was proud and loved her very much.

  “Please, come sit and talk with us,” Carrie urged.

  The woman didn’t move until Gabe almost shoved her into the chair and ordered her to sit. Carrie wasn’t sure, but to her it seemed Lafie was a little slower than most or maybe she was on some type of sedative. As the girls worked on making conversation, Carrie pulled out her small pocket computer to see if she could get a satellite link. Logging onto The Agency’s main frame, Carrie punched in the woman’s full name. After a few seconds a picture of a much older Lafie and her life history were there for Carrie to review.

  It seemed the woman was in her late nineties, although she looked no older than sixteen. Huntington was her maiden name, must of had Gabe with no daddy. She was a registered nurse with the State of West Virginia and did work for the West Virginia State Mental Hospital. That is, until she retired over thirty years ago. My God… Immediate family deceased… no brothers or sisters, she has no living relatives listed. What was even more concerning, Gabe wasn’t listed.

  “Lafie,” Carrie said interrupting Skyler in the middle of her sentence. “How old are you?”

  Lacey and Skyler didn’t say anything. Gabe continued to smile as if not sensing anything was wrong with her question.

  “Can you speak?” Carrie asked, her voice rising. “Are you capable of making sounds? You’re a nurse… or were until you retired. So I must assume you can talk.”

  Still the woman said nothing.

  “Hello?” Carrie yelled and jumped up to confront the woman. “Are you in there somewhere, lady?”

  “Carrie!” Lacey admonished. “That’s uncalled for.”

  “Not really, she’s ignoring us. Hey lady, tell me to eat shit or something will yah?”

  “Please Carrie, Lacey’s right,” Skyler added. “This is not necessary nor is it proper.”

  “Fuck proper,” Carrie said kneeling in front of Gabe’s mother. “I want to know. Can you talk, lady? Because if you don’t say something, I’m taking this child into custody and having you locked away. I can do that yah know.”

  Lacey and Tyler dropped to their knees, but instead of trying to intimidate Gabe’s silent mother, they tried to pull Carrie away from her.

  “All it’ll take is a push of this button and it’s all over with,” Carrie yelled, shoving the small computer into Lafie’s face.

  “Please Carrie,” Lacey begged. “Stop this.”

  Gabe remained seated on the couch smiling. Nothing seemed to bother him in any way.

  “The town’s full of nuts. The train transports zombies to nowhere, and now we’re sitting in a fruitcake’s house.” Carrie’s cheeks were red from screaming and her small computer was only inches from the woman’s face. “One push, lady. Speak now or it’s all over.”

  Carrie sat back ignoring the pleas from her partners. But it was soon evident her harsh method was working.

  The woman looked into Carrie’s eyes and said, “That won’t be necessary.”

  Skyler and Tyler sat back, speechless.

  “Now can we talk, Lafie? Can we have a real conversation?” Carrie asked.

  “What do you want to know?” Lafie asked.

  “First off, what in the hell’s going on around here?”

  “Who are you and what do you want?” Lafie asked. “Did they send you to see just how far you could push me before I talk?”

  Carrie pulled out her badge and showed it to Lafie.

  “I see, so what do you want from me?” Lafie asked.

  “Well, we weren’t sent to spy on you if that’s what you’re getting at. We came to see your hole.” With this statement, Carrie could no longer hold it in and began to laugh. Her partners broke out in uncontrolled giggles.

  “FBI? How do I know for sure you’re with the FBI?” Lafie asked. “How do I know this isn’t some kind of a
trick?”

  “We all have badges,” Skyler added, giggling and rolling her eyes.

  “Anyone can get a badge made,” Lafie added.

  “I don’t mean to be rude,” Carrie said getting to her feet. “But I can’t tell you how weird your hometown is. Damn, I mean… here I am sitting in a living room of a woman who’s old enough to be my great grandmother but looks young enough to be my little sister, not to mention she has a son half my age. Twilight Zone City if you ask me and I’m not here looking for real estate either. I can tell you that much, and who in the world… wait a minute, what do you know that someone doesn’t want told and who are the theys?”

  The woman was silent again. Carrie studied her knowing there was more going on than she was saying. After a few seconds, Carrie decided it was time to check out the old house. She walked around taking mental notes. Nothing was out of the ordinary other than it was obvious they lived a poor lifestyle. Something was bothering her, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

  “What are you looking for?” Lafie asked now standing behind her in the hallway.

  “Nothing,” Carrie answered. She was proud her strange methods got the woman interested in what she was doing.

  “This is just a house. Here’s Gabe’s room and here’s mine. We have one bathroom. The kitchen is just off the living room. You’re free to look around.”

  “Not necessary,” Carrie said. But something was amiss. Then it dawned on her and she turned to confront Lafie. “Where’s your television, phone or computer?”

  “We do not have those things in this house,” Lafie answered.

  “Why not? Everyone does. How can you order your groceries or communicate with others?”

  “We do not need them,” Lafie said walking back into the living room.

  “Something just doesn’t add up,” Carrie stated when she finished looking around.

  “Excuse me?” Lafie replied.

  “You heard me,” Carrie said, taking a seat on the couch.

  Lafie sighed and turned her face away from the agents. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes. “Why are you bothering us? We have done nothing to you or anybody else.”