Darkness Rises_Book 1_Prelude To Insanity Page 12

  * * * * *

  Cole refused to leave Laila, staying with her throughout the course of the day and late into the evening doing his best to comfort her despite his inability to empathize with how she had to be feeling. After leaving the creek they returned to her house which still remained empty and lifeless and it seemed that her father’s disappearance would take her mother from her as well. He would stay.

  Laila had eaten little of the spaghetti dinner Cole had made for her and she now sat silently on the couch in quiet contemplation. Cole remained silent sitting next to her hoping that his proximity would show her that he wouldn’t let her down but he also felt that he should allow her time to come to terms with anything that she needed to. He kept glancing at the front door assuming Laila’s mother would have come to her senses and returned home for her daughter. He figured she would be angry that he was over so late. Many years had passed since he first met Gina and he figured she wouldn’t take kindly to him hanging around with her daughter under the generally assumed belief by most parents that young men and women couldn’t be trusted alone.

  Sensing his uneasiness, Laila looked up at the analog clock on the wall which read half past eleven before proclaiming absently, “She won’t be home tonight. You can stop worrying.”

  Her reassurance caused him to breathe an involuntary sigh of relief. Cole wanted to say how angry he was at her mother, that she should have never left Laila alone considering the circumstances, and that she was the most incapable parent he’d ever heard of but he kept his thoughts to himself even though he couldn’t keep them from flooding into his mind.

  “Do you want to call home?” Laila asked holding her cellular phone out to him but he shook his head. “Are you sure? You’re mom’s probably worried sick about you.” She added keeping her arm extended.

  Briefly, he considered calling his mother, however, he stopped when a familiar road was broadcast on the muted television screen. “Turn it up.” He said quickly with his curiosity piqued by the image of Calkins Road.

  Laila immediately fumbled for the remote feeling the same curiosity rise in her when she realized what had caught his attention. The image was of early morning, with dawn just breaking through the final elements of night and as the camera panned the area they both knew what the video was about, as the image of a dark mass still burned lightly some distance down the road.

  “…..Police still have given no statements as to who started the vehicle fire nor have they said if it was accidental or an act of arson. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has made no claims as to where they’re planning on taking their investigation.” The reporter trailed off and the scene switched from the fire. Detective Martinez stood outside of the small district courthouse looking frustrated as several microphones were shoved into his face.

  “Sir is there any information that you can share with the public,” one reporter asked off camera causing Martinez to furrow his brow as if he were contemplating an appropriate answer to the obvious question.

  “Til we have more information we are officially viewing this vehicular fire as an accident.” He answered as only a seasoned veteran could. He kept his tone quiet and unexcited. Indecipherable arguments and questions came at him from many different angles however one question seemed to catch everyone’s attention causing the uproar to cease momentarily.

  “Sir you have been present for almost every one of these investigations. You’re a homicide detective are you not?” the question lingered for a moment before Martinez responded with a simple “yes.”

  “If that’s the case then is the department worried that this may be the act of a serial arsonist in our area?” the reporter finished obviously frustrating Martinez to such a point that he turned from the microphones only to have Detective Reese step in from off camera to stop the reporters from continuing their pursuit of the older officer.

  Reese didn’t compose himself as well as Martinez. He scolded the reporters, “Look, people, you need to let us do our job and until we get all of the information we need we have nothing further to say.” His look was one of disgust as he motioned over a couple of uniformed officers and whispered something into their ear before turning to follow the older detective. The footage ended abruptly returning to the newsroom where a female reporter added a final piece to the story.

  “With seven other similar ‘accidents’ in the past two months surrounding the Santa Ynez Valley, we can only hope that our local law enforcement is doing everything in their power to determine the cause of these mysterious fires as well as the confirmed disappearance of six of our local residents. In other news…..”

  Laila sat at the edge of the sofa so intent on the broadcast that she looked as if she would fall from her seat at any moment. “Seven,” Laila noted correcting the report of six confirmed missing. She could feel her heart tightening as she remembered the picture of the pool of blood that the two detectives had shown her earlier and was awestruck at the sheer audacity the cops displayed towards the media’s questioning.

  “It was my dad’s truck.” She said allowing the thought to linger like a ton of bricks dangling precariously above them. “They didn’t tell us where they found it.” She said, at last, knowing that if either Detective Reese or Martinez were present she would have slapped each of them for withholding that information from her. “I need to go to where it happened,” Laila declared evenly.

  Cole felt an ominous fear wash over him as images of his strange night not so long ago, on that very road, came flooding back to the forefront of his memory. “Right now?” he asked not liking the prospect of stumbling into the path of a possible serial killer just so that she could satisfy her curiosity. Cole couldn’t help feeling guilty when he looked into her eyes. She seemed to plead with him to agree to a midnight excursion however, the images of himself struck vulnerable against the shadowed stranger became even stronger followed by the warning Red had given the night he had dropped Cole off at his house.

  “Come with me.” She urged him rising from the couch in earnest anticipation. “We’d probably have better luck searching the area in the morning.” He offered hoping that his reasoning would be sound enough for her to agree.

  Laila couldn’t believe what she was hearing and she responded by glaring at him so intently that it seemed she would attack him out of sheer frustration.

  “Laila please…” he began but she walked passed him grudgingly towards the front door.

  “If you’re scared just admit it!” she scolded angrily as she reached for the door handle. Cole was up and in front of her in an instant standing face to face with her.

  “Fine, you’re right. I’m fucking terrified of that road. Is that what you wanted to hear?” he yelled and Laila backed away from him with fear readily evident in her eyes.

  “You’re starting to act like all of the other men in my life!” she screamed back defiantly and Cole dropped to his knees.

  “Laila please don’t go tonight. I’m begging you. I’ll go with you in the morning and every day for as long as you want but please, I’m asking you to trust me.” He felt small and pathetic looking up at her from the floor but, something told him that he needed to stop her no matter the cost.

  “Why?” she asked keeping her demeanor stern and her arms folded defiantly across her chest.

  Cole didn’t know how to respond to the simple question but, he tried anyway. “Laila, I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what’s out there or if it’s even real and I can’t explain why I need you to trust me. I just do.” He said lowering his eyes to the floor feeling exhausted. When she knelt next to him and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder he made no move to face her instead, he waited for her to respond. Silence loomed and the air was so thick that it felt suffocating. She urged him closer so that his head rested against her stomach.

  “Alright, babe.” She agreed hesitantly and although his tension was still evident he felt it melting away slowly as she gently caressed his neck and face. “I j
ust want you to know that I’m only waiting because of you.” She added quietly before bending down to kiss him lightly on the cheek.

  “Thank you.” He replied genuinely and she urged him up from the floor holding him loosely in her arms as they stood face to face.

  “I love you.” She said pushing her body against his so tightly that he was afraid that he would lose his footing but, he pushed back and they remained in place under their combined balance.

  “I don’t want to lose you.” He said acknowledging for the first time how much he truly had come to live for her.

  “Don’t worry, you won’t.” She assured him bringing her face close to his.

  He kissed her gently starting with her forehead and worked his way along the side of her face tasting each kiss with added clarity. She stepped back slowly bringing her lips to press eagerly against his before she held herself at arms-length as if assessing his intentions. She bit her lower lip gently as she backed her way to the foot of the stairs. “Babe, I’m going to take a shower. Will you give me a few minutes?” she asked and he nodded readily.

  “Take as much time as you need.” He whispered back.

  * * * * *

  “Come on babe, wake up,” Laila whispered to him and upon opening his eyes Cole saw her wrapped in a bathrobe with her hair hanging wetly about her face.

  “You look nice.” He noted causing her to blush.

  “You’re only saying that because I’m wearing practically nothing. Come on. Let’s get you to bed.” She urged him off the couch leading him up the stairs with his hand in hers. She took him to the only open door on the second floor and the smell of vanilla wafted from the room. He looked at her quizzically but she pressed two fingers against her lips shushing him before he could say anything. She motioned for him to go first closing the door behind them.

  He shut his eyes taking in the scent of the candles and the smells that they produced made him feel euphoric. He didn’t want to jump to any conclusions as to what she had in mind but, when he turned to face her he was speechless as candlelight licked at her bare body and the bathrobe she had been wearing was dropped in a heap at her feet.

  “Do you want me?” she asked keeping her tone serious and committed to the moment.

  Time seemed to stand still as he considered what she was asking but, in his hesitation, she pressed her naked body against his.

  “Do you want me?” she asked again breathing heavily against his neck.

  “Laila…I’ve wanted you since the day I met you.” He replied losing himself in the sheer lust he felt seeing her in such a prone state. He pulled his shirt off feeling a tad self-conscious in the heat of the moment but, he did his best not to let it show. She undid his belt the whole time keeping her lips locked on his and upon feeling his pants drop to the floor he shuddered in anticipation. He wanted to relent to what was happening, to not say a word but a sudden wave of doubt washed over him. “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked still holding her close but wanting her to know that he would love her whether she gave herself to him or not. At first, she was stunned by the question but she pressed against him causing his will to diminish so far that he was sure that it wouldn’t take her more than a simple “yes,” for him to readily take her.

  “You’re the only one that has ever treated me as more than an object and you’re the only one I want to give myself to.” She assured him and he slowly lowered her to the bed laying her gently on the satin comforter. “I love you, Cole.” She said pulling him down with her.

  CHAPTER 9

  When Cole awoke he attempted to get his bearings as he assessed his surroundings. His mind flashed through images of the night before which seemed so much like a welcome dream that he wouldn’t have believed it was real had he not awakened in Laila’s bedroom. She wasn’t in bed next to him and he figured she must have gone downstairs sometime earlier. He took his time getting dressed and took a cursory look out of her second story window to make sure that Laila’s mother hadn’t come home throughout the course of the night. When he saw that the driveway was empty he felt certain that there wouldn’t be any unwelcome surprises so he made his way to the ground floor. Laila greeted him with a smile when he exited the stairwell and he promptly made his way to the sofa plopping down next to her. “Good morning sweetheart.” He said kissing her lightly.

  “How’d you sleep?” she asked leaning into him as he put his arm around her. He couldn’t help but grin at the question and knew that he couldn’t describe how perfect he felt with mere words but, he tried anyway. “Like a newborn. How about you?” he replied and her response made him puff up unconsciously.

  “I’ve never had a better night sleep in my life.” She replied absently caressing his fingers stirring in one and out the other. Cole laid his head on hers taking in the smell of her hair with quiet satisfaction, “Are you going to come with me today?” she asked and Cole, although he wanted to remain with her all day alone in their quiet seclusion, agreed.

  “I made a promise to you and I intend to keep it.” He reiterated. “Can I make you breakfast first?” he asked and Laila was pleasantly surprised.

  “You want to make me breakfast?” she repeated for him as if he may have made an error in judgment. She had given herself to him that was true but, unlike other guys, his desire to treat her well had not diminished with what many may have referred to as a conquest. She found that the simple request made her even more fond of him. “You don’t have to.” She said wondering if maybe he would quickly jump off the hook if given the chance, however, he kissed her one more time before heading into the kitchen.

  * * * * *

  “This is where they found my dad’s truck,” Laila sa id pointedly as she surveyed the blackened asphalt on Calkins Road.

  Cole was still a bit a jumpy being out this way but, he steeled himself as best he could. “You think that Red guy saw anything?” Cole remarked looking past the horse corral to the old ranch home barely visible from the road.

  “You think we should go up and ask him?” Laila replied following Cole’s eyes.

  “It’s up to you.” He said hoping that her answer would be a “no” but, he didn’t count on it.

  “Will you come with me?” she asked and Cole knew that he was obligated whether he wanted to or not.

  “You know I will sweetheart,” he offered with only a brief hesitance. Together, they made their way up the concrete driveway that snaked through a line of twisting birch trees hanging close together like white skeletons looming over them. To their right, the horses in the small corral watched their passing with a fleeting interest but nothing more. Not long after, they came into full view of the old house pausing momentarily. *clang *clang *clang they heard the sound of metal hitting metal as they approached the house and they realized that the high pitched beating was coming from an independent building that covered an open garage up ahead and on their left.

  “What do you think he’s doing?” Laila asked and Cole shrugged unable to rationalize an answer.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t disturb him if he’s busy,” Cole suggested but Laila was already ahead of him making her way to the garage determined to talk to the old man.

  “Hello?” she called out between the clamor and abruptly the clanging died with a low ringing hum that echoed briefly through the summer air. She stopped waiting for a response and Cole remained at her side. “Excuse me Red can we talk to you?” She called out shuffling a couple more steps towards the garage.

  “Stay where you are. I’ll be right there.” They heard a gruff older voice call out to them as the garage door began to close. Cole knew it to be Red’s from the night he had originally met the old man. Laila looked at Cole for confirmation as this would be the first time she met the man but before he could respond, the side door opened and an old man with nearly white hair came out promptly shutting the door behind him. Much like Cole remembered him; Red wore a flannel shirt with a cross hanging deftly against his chest and his spectacles hung low on
his pointed nose looking like the grandfather from a candy commercial.

  “Ah Cole my boy, I wondered if I’d see you again. Who’s your friend?” Red asked pointing to Laila who quickly introduced herself.

  “I’m Laila Hardcastle. I was hoping I could ask you a few questions.” She admitted and Cole noticed Red twitch slightly when she mentioned her name.

  Cole offered his hand to the older man, “It’s good to see you Red.” He offered knowing how absurd his attempted familiarity must sound considering how brief his initial encounter had been with the old man.

  “Likewise young man,” Red acknowledged. He shook the young man’s hand and turned his attention to Laila. “Nice to meet you miss Hardcastle.” He said politely.

  “Call me Laila. Please.” Laila retorted immediately. She felt being called by her last name just seemed wrong.

  Red smiled at the young woman’s wishes and threw his hands up in an ‘I surrender’ gesture. “Ok Laila, What can I do for you? I’m an old man and my memory isn’t quite as good as it used to be but, ask away.” He offered keeping his attention focused keenly on her.

  “It’s about my dad. His truck was torched in front of your property and I wondered if you saw anything.” She asked wondering if the old man would have even the slightest bit of information for her.

  “Oh, that was your father’s truck?” Red asked his voice hinting at an apology that wasn’t forthcoming.

  “Yeah, it was.” Laila said a little curtly and she had to remind herself to focus on her manners, ‘after all he was an old man.’

  “I saw it. I was the one that called 911 and probably a few of my neighbors did too but, I didn’t see your dad.” Red offered. He hated deceit but, sometimes it was the only way.