Darkness Rises_Book 1_Prelude To Insanity Read online

  Reese again was frustrated by the older man’s lack of zeal and made no effort to hide his disgust at Martinez’s uncommitted attitude. “So you don’t think that this has anything to do with any of the recent disappearances and we should just let it all go?” Reese asked feeling slighted by the older man’s lack of interest.

  “No Reese I didn’t say that but, I prefer to follow a little something called procedure.” Martinez scolded causing the younger cop to go on the offensive.

  “Sometimes I just don’t know about you man. You’re too strapped by procedures and guidelines that I think that maybe you’ve forgotten how to be a cop.” Reese snapped drawing a look from Martinez he hadn’t seen before. That look was doubt.

  Martinez couldn’t help but feel that maybe the rookie detective had a point. It wasn’t too long ago that he himself had been like Reese, so full of fire and eager to solve cases but, like him, Reese needed to understand that some cases just couldn’t be solved and rushing into situations blindly didn’t tend to make anything any easier. “You will respect my seniority and listen to me when I say that we’re going to follow procedure, I…” Martinez responded but was distracted midway through his sentence when he heard a jingle ringing off to his left. “Hold that thought.” He said to Reese noticing that the sound was being produced by a small cell phone that lay discarded on the ground barely visible amidst a small patch of weeds. He pulled a single latex glove out of his pocket which he promptly donned before picking up the electronic device. “This is why you don’t go rushing into things, Reese,” Martinez said holding the cell phone out to his partner. “You may just miss exactly what you’re looking for if you do.” He finished pointedly as he turned the screen to Reese whose eyes widened when he saw the picture of two teenagers smiling back at him.

  “Miss Hardcastle and Mister Larson. You sure are one lucky son of a bitch you know that?” Reese admitted.

  “Luck has nothing to do with it son. It’s all about following procedure. I think we should pay Miss Hardcastle a little visit and let forensics do their job here. Come on.” Martinez said making his way for the silver BMW followed closely by his discontented partner.

  * * * * *

  Cole awoke the second he heard voices outside of the open second story window of Laila’s bedroom. He sleepily wandered over to peer at the driveway, however, his drowsiness flew from him when he saw the two detectives lingering around their silver BMW discussing something he couldn’t quite make out. “Laila, wake up.” He whispered shaking her gently prompting her to respond.

  “Just five more minutes,” she begged wearily.

  “It’s those cops, Laila. They’re back.” Cole retorted and he had to jump out of her way to keep from being knocked down as she ran to her dresser.

  She quickly on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt whispering to him as she dressed, “Do you think someone saw us at Matt’s house last night?” she asked.

  Cole shook his head. “I don’t know. I didn’t see anyone.” He admitted but, he couldn’t be sure considering how on edge they had been the night before. “They’re coming to the front door.” He announced peering out the window one last time when he heard their footsteps growing louder.

  “What do we tell them? They’ll never believe that we were attacked by vampires and that some old guy saved our lives.” Laila panicked feeling completely drained

  Cole understood exactly how she felt but, he did his best not to let it show. “Maybe they’re just here asking more questions about your father and we have nothing to worry about.” He offered knowing that he felt skeptical of his assurance. He could tell from Laila’s eyes that she found no comfort in his resolve. “Come on, we’ll face them together.” Cole offered before making his way out of her bedroom to the stairs with Laila following him closely. When a knock did finally erupt at the door Cole relented that their fears were soon to be founded and he considered telling Laila to go back upstairs and hide out until they left, however, he knew that trying to avoid the cops was like a horse trying to avoid flies. With Laila by his side, he reluctantly opened the door wide noting the detectives dually as they came into view. Reese seemed to be preoccupied hanging behind Martinez with the look of a child whose entire world of reasoning had just been thrown into question.

  “Miss Hardcastle, Mister Larson I think we can skip the formalities of introducing ourselves but, I think it would be in your best interest to let us in so we can ask you a few questions,” Martinez said keeping his face straight and unwavering. He gave no hint to what his intent may be.

  Cole hesitated but, when Laila nodded her approval to admitting the detectives he stepped aside motioning with one arm for the two of them to come in. “Can I ask what this is about?” Cole stammered but Martinez simply walked passed him with Reese keeping a few paces behind.

  “Take a seat you two.” Martinez urged Cole and Laila pointing towards the couch in the den. Neither made a move to comply until Reese coupled Martinez’s efforts.

  “Now!” he said firmly making a point to imply that he wasn’t in any mood to play games.

  “Fair enough, we’re going.” Cole offered to the young officer as he and Laila walked passed Martinez who remained stoic and calm in comparison to Reese. For several moments neither of the officers spoke putting both Laila and Cole on edge as they sat waiting for the line of questioning that was soon to follow.

  “Do I have to ask you what you were doing last night or are you going to fess up and tell me?” Martinez said keeping his hand in his pocket wrapped around the cell phone that would expose any lie that the two lovers might perpetuate.

  “What time?” Laila asked keeping herself as innocent sounding as she could, however, she knew from her clammy hands and her inability to maintain eye contact provided a pathetic illusion at best.

  Martinez walked in front of her and bent down condescendingly. “Look, young lady, if you don’t answer our questions you’re going to be hating life really soon,” Martinez promised assuring her with quiet undertones in his voice hinting that he wasn’t simply making an idle threat.

  “You can’t….” Cole began hoping to deter Martinez’s attention from Laila but, Reese snapped in from behind him.

  “We can’t do what? We’re here investigating the second arson that one or both of you are apparently linked to and you’re going to tell us what we can and can’t do. I don’t think so.” He said certain that he had gotten his point across to Cole when he sat back apparently defeated.

  Satisfied that Reese had controlled Cole’s retort adequately Martinez scrutinized Laila as only a seasoned officer could. “You look anxious dear. Is something on your mind that you want to tell us?” He asked softly, resembling a concerned grandfather more-so than a streetwise detective.

  Laila’s shoulders slumped as she considered every possible lie that she could begin to tell but, something about the way Martinez continued to fumble with something inside of his jacket pocket and his accusing glare told her that she would be found out in an instant if she tried to pull one over on the two detectives.

  Cole remained silent knowing that he would follow any story Laila relinquished but he hadn’t anticipated her response and was almost as surprised by it as the two detectives since they were certain that they would have to work for the information they sought.

  “We didn’t start that fire on Calkins Road last night.” She stated flatly keeping her eyes level with Martinez who glanced at his partner with a look resembling disbelief before regaining his composure.

  “Ok but, you do know about it?” Martinez was quick to point out and Laila nodded her agreement. “How about you son, do you know anything about how that fire got started?” He asked focusing on Cole.

  Cole was still watching Reese intently. He did little to hide his hatred of the younger detective and would have continued to stare him down had Martinez not prompted him a second time. “Sir I have no idea how the fire got started and we had nothing to do with it. I assure you that’s’ the truth.�
� Cole replied awkwardly knowing that with every movement he made and every word uttered he was only being scrutinized further.

  “What I want to know is how you two knew about the fire. Were you out near it when it happened or did someone clue you in on it?” Martinez asked hoping to catch the two lovers in a lie but, Laila immediately recognized that the older man wasn’t bluffing. He had something on one of them connecting either her or Cole to Matt’s house and she knew where a lie would lead them.

  “What do you want to know?” Laila asked causing both Reese and Martinez to regard her curiously.

  Cole didn’t say a word aware that anything he may have to add to her story could jeopardize her efforts if he didn’t hear what she had to say first.

  “We just want the truth from you young lady.” Martinez offered softening his demeanor drastically though, he was obviously intrigued with what she had to say.

  Reese continued to glare at the both of them hinting that he wouldn’t believe a word they said. They were kids. Lying kids he believed and they didn’t know how well he’d been trained.

  Laila noted Reese’s demeanor and kept her attention focused on Martinez. “I went over to Matt’s house the other day.” Laila began but Reese quickly interjected.

  “You mean the one that blew up last night?” Reese asked sarcastically before being silenced by a single raised hand from Martinez.

  “Yeah, that one. As I was saying, I went to Matt’s house to ask if he knew anything about my father’s disappearance however, I wasn’t treated warmly.” Laila said swallowing hard as she searched for a way to offer the truth without sounding completely insane.

  Reese didn’t give her a chance before adding his part. “Is that why you set fire to the house?” You were angry and you just couldn’t accept that the people in that house didn’t know what happened to your dad so you took it upon yourself to burn their home down. Could it be that they saw you light your father’s truck on fire after killing him and you were trying to silence them before they could come forward with your identity? Are you both in this together?” Reese accused them and Martinez couldn’t take the younger cops outbursts anymore.

  “Get out!” he shouted at Reese as he turned quickly to stand toe to toe with him.

  Laila and Cole glanced at each other both wondering how the scene before them would play out considering the senior officer seemed to finally snap amidst Reese’s rants and accusations.

  Briefly, Reese thought of putting the older man in his place but he thought better of it. The older detective was most likely no match for him physically but, he was well respected and could completely alter Reese’s future with the agency.

  “Screw this! I’ll wait in the car but, don’t come crying to me if they jump you and you’re all alone in here.” Reese yelled back before storming out of the house slamming the door recklessly behind him.

  Martinez took a visibly deep breath before returning his attention to his two prime suspects. “Where were we?” He asked trying to brush off the insubordination he was growing accustomed to with Reese however, with his cheeks hot and the growing desire to lay Reese flat out he knew that Laila and Cole could see right through his ruse.

  After a long moment of silence, Cole sat forward on the edge of the couch considering what he should say but, Martinez removed a small plastic evidence bag from his pocket and set it on the coffee table. Cole knew that they were both in too deep to dig their way out when he recognized the small flip phone sitting before he and Laila.

  “My phone. Where’d you find it?” Laila asked recognizing it instantly.

  “I think you know where I found it.” He offered folding his arms across his chest awaiting the answers he’d been promised.

  Cole was the first to speak feeling much easier talking to Martinez as long as Reese wasn’t around. “Sir, you wouldn’t believe the truth,” Cole assured him but, Martinez smiled casually at the profound statement.

  “Try me.” He said finally taking a seat.

  “Let me tell him.” Laila urged Cole before returning her attention to the lone detective, “I doubt you’ll believe a word I say but, here’s how it went down,” she began and Martinez seemed to listen intently as the story was related to him…….Laila held nothing back as she recounted the events of the night before and she wondered if he would immediately assume she was lying or worse, going insane. Cole remained silent noting Martinez’s facial expressions and subtle shifts as he listened to Laila however, something in the way he held himself suggested that he almost believed her and yet, both Cole and Laila expected the detective would have them in handcuffs awaiting a swift transport to the psychiatric ward as soon as he allowed her words to fully sink in.

  ‘Who in their right mind would buy the story that we were attacked by vampires and then saved by an over-prepared old man who they only regarded as Red?’ Cole mused knowing that if he hadn’t lived through the frightening events himself he definitely wouldn’t have believed them to be true.

  “Look, sir, I know it sounds insane but, I’m telling you the truth. That’s what really happened.” Laila said and Martinez seemed to snap out of a daydream before focusing his attention fully on her. His face was ashen gray and his jaw clenched visibly as he seemed to search for the words he wanted to say. After a long moment of what seemed to be an inner battle for Martinez, he swallowed hard pulling himself to his feet.

  “I have to go but, I don’t want to hear another word about the two of you going anywhere near that place again.” He scolded both Cole and Laila who nodded their accordance to the older detective. Martinez showed himself to the front door and the lovers watched him as he exited Laila’s house not offering any further acknowledgment of the two teenager’s ‘scary stories.’

  Cole considered walking to the window and watching Martinez leave; perplexed by how easily he had accepted their story though he believed that Martinez was simply going to call for a squad car to take the two of them in. When he heard Reese call out to Martinez, he and Laila listened closely.

  “So did you figure anything out or are you too busy going over the rules and ethics of being a cop to actually be good at being one?” Reese asked snidely.

  Martinez’s reply was simple and stern. “They don’t know anything. Get in the car.” Martinez snapped back.

  Laila and Cole both breathed I sigh of relief as two car doors slammed shut and the engine of the silver BMW roared to life.

  “Do you think he believed me?” Laila asked when she was certain that the two detectives had driven off.

  “I don’t know.” He admitted stoically unconvinced that Martinez wasn’t simply employing a ruse or preparing to bring a few uniformed officers to take care of them.

  * * * * *

  Martinez sped along thankful that Reese hadn’t already confronted him with a barrage of questions but was instead sulking angrily. Martinez was quickly growing tired of the overzealous younger cop and he considered taking the appropriate steps to have him suspended from duty when the time came.

  “Where are we going?” Reese asked but Martinez simply glared at the rookie causing him to immediately drop the matter.

  Satisfied that he wouldn’t hear another word out of Reese, Martinez allowed himself to regress a little as he replayed Laila’s story in his head. A story which had sounded all too familiar…

  Michael Martinez was the first generation of his family to be born in America in the small town of Aurora Texas. He had a normal life with a loving family however when the ‘Surgical Butcher,’ as the papers had called him, came to town and everything he knew and loved was destroyed. Reports had come in from concerned citizens stating that their livestock had been attacked and local authorities hastily reassured the public that it was nothing more than some disturbed kids playing a sick joke and that there was nothing to worry about. That was the story until residents began to disappear one at a time followed within weeks by whole families turning up missing. No one had been able to give a description of the suspect
who was seemingly nothing more than a dangerous illusion that was quickly dwindling the town’s population. He had heard his parents speculate that the killer was some off the wall nut job probably snatching people for body parts to sell on the black market however, as people began to disappear from their homes late at night the general public grew outraged at the lack of ability the local police had shown and the entire town was in an uproar. Being only seven at the time he couldn’t quite grasp the concept of a serial killer or what it meant to have one in town but, as he lay awake early into Christmas morning he heard shouting followed immediately by an indecipherable gurgle. He tried to remain silent as he rolled out of bed and made for the door of his bedroom which he peered out of carefully. He couldn’t quite make out the details from his vantage point but amidst the glow thrown off from the brightly lit Christmas tree there appeared to be a man crouching over a still body on the ground floor below. He silently crept towards the stairs never taking his eyes off the individual that remained intent on the sprawled form beneath him. He made his way down the stairwell easing his feet into place so he didn’t alert the intruder to his presence however upon reaching the bottom he could see that the unmoving body was dressed in his mother’s nightgown and he could do no more than assume that it was her while he looked on. He wished he hadn’t been given the chance to bear witness to the grotesque scene but, the intruder was so engrossed with Michael’s mother that he disregarded the little boy watching him from the stairwell. Michael remained still but he peered about the dimly lit living room and noticed a set of eyes that radiated at him from the darkness. It was Roberto Martinez, his father, who kept his gaze intent on the little boy with feral implications. Michael was frozen in place knowing something wasn’t right however, his father sprang at him with such speed that he was certain he wouldn’t have been able to escape even if his feet had been his own at that moment. Roberto had Michael dangling above the floor as he held his son forcefully by the throat with uncaring resolve prominent in his eyes. “Daddy, please. What are you doing?” Michael pleaded but, his father opened his mouth wide exposing a pair of razor sharp fangs seeming to savor the screams that erupted from his son. He reeled back as if he were a snake preparing to strike and Michael shut his eyes desperately trying to convince himself that he was just part of a horrible nightmare and that he would wake up any minute in his own bed to a normal Christmas morning. A loud crash of glass followed closely by the sound of flesh being ripped apart was the precursor to Michael falling to the floor in a heavy thud as Roberto’s grip loosened from around his throat. He immediately looked to the picture window that had been busted inward witnessing two cloaked figures stepping in over the now accessible opening with dire intent apparent in their strides. Each took their own targets with pinpoint precision firing bolt after bolt into the now convulsing intruder and his father which offered his own guttural protests but, they had been taken by surprise and the two cloaked figures dispatched them quickly. Michael couldn’t look away from the gruesome sight as the cloaked duo produced small vials from folds inside their robes and dispensed a strong smelling liquid generously onto the three bodies that lay sprawled amongst the living room. Instantly the smell of chemically burning flesh permeated the air and the bodies seemed to lose form and shape as they melted into the floor. Michael sobbed helplessly when the duo turned to him, one kept a crossbow leveled with his face while the other grabbed his head pushing it first to the left then back to the right painfully. The cloaked figure then looked directly at him for a long moment and try as he may, he couldn’t look away.