C.F. Fowler - Marion Rogers 01 - A Ghost's Vengeance (8 page)

Chapter 12

 
Visalia is about 40 minutes south of Fresno on route 99. Located in the San Joaquin Valley, Visalia is the economic hub of the agricultural county. It took more than eight hours to drive to Jergins’ new community, but they found it worthwhile. The pedophile’s home was situated near both schools and parks. As they drove past, they saw him walking into his garage. He glanced at the car as it went by and Marion covered her face with a hat until they were out of his sight.

  They checked into the Comfort Inn and Gordon made a call to the local police. When done they went out for a steak dinner and then back to the hotel for the night. Gordon planned to go by the police station before they left the next day.

The next morning they checked out of the hotel, had breakfast and went to the main police station. Gordon pulled into the police department parking lot and, at Marion’s insistence, went in alone while she stayed in the car to listen to music on the radio. She relaxed with her eyes closed enjoying the oldies station. When she opened her eyes to watch for Gordon’s return she noticed a man in a suit being followed by a ghost. The apparition was a woman, probably in her 40s, dressed in a bathrobe and slippers. At times it appeared she was talking to the man; she was following every move he made.
     Marion opened the car door and tried to listen to the ghost but she was too far away. She got out of the car and was about to press the door lock button when she heard the ghost scream. She turned and watched as the man walked into the police station with the ghost in tow. As Marion followed them to the front door, Gordon was coming out.
            “Was I gone too long?” he said smiling.

“There was a man being followed by a ghost.” Marion said in a whisper.
      Gordon’s smile left his face and he said, “Where?”
      “They just walked into the station.”
      Gordon took Marion’s arm and walked in with her. They looked around but Marion didn’t see the man.
           “He just walked in before you came out. He has dark hair, a mustache and he’s wearing a dark gray suit.”
            Gordon walked over to the officer at the information desk and, after describing the man, asked if he knew who best fit the description. The officer said he would look around for him and went into the other offices. He returned with the man, who introduced himself as Detective John Barnes. Gordon asked if they could speak with him confidentially. Detective Barnes suggested an interview room, but Gordon requested they step outside, away from recording devices. Gordon showed him his badge and Barnes agreed.
              Outside, they walked over to their car and, with no one in earshot, Gordon explained to the detective Marion’s ability. Barnes looked uncomfortable and ready to leave when Marion told him about the ghost following him.
      “She’s in a pink bathrobe with matching slippers, in her 40s, and she follows you everywhere you go.”  Marion looked at the ghost and asked, “Why are you following this man?”
      “He knows,” she said.
      “Knows what?”
      “He knows who killed me.”
      “What is your name?”
      “Sandra Cummings.”
      Marion turned to the detective and said, “Her name is Sandra Cummings and she says you know who killed her.”
      The detective’s face went white. He was visibly shaken.
      “Yes,” he said, “I do know. But I can’t prove it. Tell her I’m sorry.” He reached in his shirt pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. As he lit one, his hands were shaking.
      “Relax, maybe she can help you.” Gordon understood his reaction.
      “I don’t know how. Come on, let’s get off the street.”
      They walked up the street to a bar. It was closed but he pulled out some keys and unlocked the door.
      “I’m a silent partner in this place,” he said as he turned on the lights and locked the door behind them. “Sit down. I need a little support from the fridge.”
       Barnes came back with three beers. Marion and Gordon passed as it was too early in the day for them. Barnes related the facts of the case: blood in her home, no body, nothing missing despite the electronics on display in the house. There were a few prints, some belonging to her neighbor.

“I know that guy did it. He’s hinky as hell. But there’s nothing other than his prints and he has a good story. So who does she say killed her?”

Marion looked to Sandra for the answer.

“Herb Johnson, my neighbor.”

Marion relayed the answer and Barnes slammed his fist on the table. He got up and cussed up a storm. He turned to Marion and said, “How can I prove it?”

Marion looked to Sandra and relayed the answer. “He raped her, after he killed her. He buried the body near a field in line with a row of trees. She says John Muir is standing guard.”

Barnes reached in his pocket for his car keys and said, “Let’s go!”

Marion and Gordon followed the detective in their car to a row of trees at the interchange of California State Highways 198 and 99. Marion noted the wooden carving of a man with a beard. As she got a closer look it was inscribed as being John Muir. This was the place. She looked around and saw Sandra standing between two trees in a row of trees extending from the sculpture.

“This is the spot where he buried her. She says he neglected to try to remove the evidence. You should be able to get DNA to prove the rape.”

While Barnes called for support to exhume the body, Gordon and Marion took their leave. As they drove toward Los Angeles, Gordon noticed that something seemed to be bothering Marion.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Marion realized she had been quiet for more than a half hour. She turned to Gordon and asked, “How did the visit with your Mom go so wrong?”

“Don’t worry about it. She has preconceived notions about who you should be. I love you for all the reasons you’re different.”

“Okay, but what about children. We’ve never talked about that. Do you want to have children? If so, how many?”

“I’ve never thought about it. I guess I just figured whatever happens happens. I have no preference one way or the other. What about you?”

“Same, never thought much about it. With people like Jergins around it doesn’t seem safe. I’d be worried all the time.”

“See how much alike we are! We are two peas in a pod. My mom doesn’t understand that. I told her to get used to it because that’s who we are.”

Marion smiled half-heartedly. “What will the police do about Jergins?”

“They will pay him a visit. Probably arrest him. He shouldn’t be living where he’s living. He’s a registered sex offender.”

“I don’t feel any better about that.” Marion turned toward the passenger side window and continued to stare out in silence. Gordon didn’t tell her he didn’t feel better about it either.

When they got home they debated the wedding date. Finally Gordon said he’d be fine with whatever date she chose. Marion wanted it sooner rather than later. They made no decision because neither one pushed for a resolution.

Chapter 13

  In April they attended the Dodger season opener. Marion was delighted with their season seats. There’s something special about the start of the season for a baseball fan. It’s the same for hockey, football, and basketball. Everyone starts with a clean slate and every team has the possibility of being world champs.

  Marion’s mind cleared of all other problems. She enjoyed the day with Gordon and felt anything was possible for them as long as they stood together.

  “Let me propose an unconventional resolution to our wedding date.” Marion put her head on Gordon’s shoulder. “I’ll ask Josh to plan it at his house. He has events there all the time. We’ll give him the list of people we want there and let him set the date and plan the whole thing.”

  “Wouldn’t that be putting a lot on him?”

  “Why don’t we ask him? If he says no, we’ll work something else out. He has a beautiful home in Sherman Oaks. We couldn’t find a better place.”

  Gordon embraced Marion and said, “That sounds perfect.”

  They arranged to meet Josh for dinner the next week and Marion laid out the proposal. Josh had no problem with it but told them they would have to accept the date, his plans, the whole nine yards. They agreed.

Chapter 14

 
Marion woke one night in May to see Catherine glowing brightly in front of her. Gordon was working all night, so she was alone with Catherine.

  “What? What is it?” Marion asked, trying to wake up.

  “He’s grabbed a little girl! You must come … now!” Catherine was clearly agitated.

  “Where?”

  “He’s still in California.” Catherine gave Marion the address but she didn’t know the city. “There is no mail delivery so I can’t see an address.”

  Marion went to her laptop and mapped the address. The only place in California with that address was a small town outside Fresno. She dressed quickly, throwing on jeans and a t-shirt, and called Gordon. The call went straight to voicemail. She left the address and called Fresno Police. They had no jurisdiction for that area but said they would route the information to the proper authorities. It was a good three-hour drive, so Marion decided to go on her own and contact Gordon when she arrived at the destination. Gordon often had to turn off his phone in certain situations. She had no idea how long it would take for him to get the message. She felt sure he would follow up with the authorities in the area.

  Arriving at the address just under three hours later, the house was dark and quiet. Marion sat in her car in front of the house and checked her phone. She had no bars on her cell — she was in a dreaded dead zone. Catherine appeared outside the car looking even more agitated.

  “Hurry! He’s molesting her in the basement!”

  “I called the police. Didn’t they show?”

  “They came, they talked, they left. They didn’t even search the house!”

  “Catherine, can you unlock the door for me to get in?”

  “Yes!”

  “Then do it and then go down and disrupt him as best you can. Where is the door to the basement?”

  “Follow the hallway to the back. The kitchen is to the left and the basement door is by the stove.”

  Catherine disappeared and Marion moved toward the front door. It was unlocked. She entered as stealthily as she could. She heard noise toward the back of the house. Moving slowly because the house was dark, she heard a child screaming and a man cussing. As she approached the basement door, Jergins came running through it, naked. She used her self-defense training to spin and kick him with her foot. He went sprawling across the kitchen and laid still.

  Marion ran down to the basement and found a girl, about 5 or 6 years old, naked and chained to the wall. The room was trashed, probably thanks to Catherine. The four locked trunks she saw in the house in Santa Clarita were there, open. They had toys and children’s clothing in them.

Marion could find no way to release the girl without the key, so she sat and held the little girl and told her she was safe now. Catherine was there but not easily seen in the dark. The little girl had no idea where the key was, so Marion grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her and promised to be right back.

  Running up the stairs, she steeled herself for the possibility that the perv would be conscious. When Marion entered the kitchen, Jergins was gone. She tried the light switch with no luck. Looking around the kitchen for something to release the little girl was fruitless as well. It seems Jergins moved in but brought few personal items with him. Maybe this house was just for molesting and he lived elsewhere. Maybe he got sick and tired of replacing the items that Catherine broke.

  Marion had no idea where Jergins went but she needed something to release the little girl. Her car had some tools that she was sure could help get the chain off the girl. She hurried down the hallway and felt a shock hit her body as pain ran through her. She dropped to the ground and felt someone lift the back of her t-shirt and jab a needle in her hip. Slowly, she became drowsy until she lost consciousness.

  She awoke in pain. Her sides, her back, her head and face throbbed. Moving caused pain to shoot through her and she let out a groan. Marion’s breathing was rapid with a disturbing crackling noise and coughing as she tried to speak.

  “Good, you’re awake.” Jergins’ voice sounded different. It sounded confident, authoritative. “I brought breakfast with me because I knew you take much longer to come around and I’d have plenty of time to kill. I really wanted to gloat and won’t be deprived of this pleasure.”

  She opened her eyes and blinked to clear her vision. Jergins was standing about six feet away from the cage that held her. He was smiling, something she hadn’t seen him do before.

  “I figured your ghost told you what I was up to, so I have been making plans to silence the both of you and I think I came up with a genius plan here.” He laughed and walked around what looked like a barn, speaking to her and Catherine.

  Catherine spoke from behind her, outside the cage, “I’m sorry. I had no idea he was setting you up.” If a ghost can cry, that’s what Catherine was doing. It was hard to tell, as her hearing and vision were still clearing from the drug.

  “I have to tell you, it was very satisfying tasing you. Having you lie helpless in front of me. I got so aroused I had to take another run at that little one in my basement.”  He knelt down in front of her and said, “She was very upset that you didn’t help her escape. I think I made her feel better. I
know
I felt better.”

  “He tried to attack her but I prevented it,” Catherine said as she floated around Jergins. “I’m afraid I scared the little darling in the process.”
  “You tried but she wouldn’t let you,” Marion forced the words out as her crackling breathing sounds and coughing became more prevalent.

  Jergins’ face turned red and his anger erupted. He called her names and kicked the cage. He pulled out the stun gun and tased her from behind. As Marion screamed in pain and he laughed.

  “What are you going to do with me?” she said meekly hoping he would dial back his anger and hubris.

  “Oh but that’s the best part of this, for you and for me! I have a friend who likes bitches like you. He has room in his stable for you. He will keep you alive as long as your ghost shuts up and leaves me to my business. If she makes even a peep, I’ll call your captor and he will slaughter you in the most painful way possible. Isn’t that great!”

  Marion tried to move again and felt the pain again. “Why do I hurt so bad?”

  “Please, you didn’t think I wouldn’t want to punish you for the hell you been putting me through? I kicked you a few times, then dragged you to your car and dumped your worthless carcass in the trunk. I’m afraid I drive rather carelessly, so you were tossed around a bit. I left your car in the desert where I had my car waiting, and don’t think I moved you the least bit carefully. I hope you broke some bones, you bitch!”

  She reached down to feel her clothes. They were shredded in places. She looked down and saw blood. She assumed it must have come from scrapes and scratches as he dragged her unconscious body to the car. She felt her face and felt scratches and blood there as well.

  “Yes, you probably won’t be so pretty anymore, but fortunately, where you’re going, it won’t matter.” Jergins started laughing. It was more maniacal than she considered him capable. “I saw you in Visalia. I know you’ve been getting in my way. Fortunately I’ve found a way around the system and now all I need is to shut down that ghost of yours.”

  Catherine floated in front and said, “I have no way to break away from him. It’s not my choice — as long as he keeps up his evil behavior I’ll be there to watch.” She was crying: this was her hell. Jergins was doing his version of a happy dance around the barn.

  “Please don’t do this. I can get you help, no police. Please, Mr. Jergins, have mercy on us both. She is attached to you. Her husband abused her children. Don’t make her watch, please!”

  Jergins laughed, “Oh yes, beg me, kiss my butt. It won’t change a thing. I hate you both and hell on earth is here and I’m your judge. Now you just be a good bitch and your master will be by to collect you in a day or two. I left you a bowl of water, just enough to keep you alive. Oh, and just in case you had hopes of someone tracking your phone, I put it in the bed of a pick-up truck going in the opposite direction. Your friends should have a good time chasing it down!” He stood up, looking tall and proud as he said, “Enjoy your life, Marion Rogers.” And with that he turned and walked out of the barn, laughing in triumph.

  When Marion heard the vehicle drive off, she called to Catherine. Catherine floated to her with tears flowing down her translucent face. “Catherine, go to your mother. Ask her to call the number on my business card. Tell them I’m in trouble and need help. They’ll take it from there.” Catherine disappeared and Marion started to flex muscles to try and work past the pain. If she was still here when Jergins’ friend arrived she would need her physical strength to try to escape. However, it was just as likely the guy would sedate her for transport to her prison. She would need to pray for God to help them both.

  Catherine appeared in her mother’s living room. Adele was drinking coffee and reading the paper.

  “Mom.”

  Adele looked up. “Cathy! Oh honey, are you okay? The girls are good, don’t worry.”

  “Mom, do you still have the business card Marion gave you?”

  “The business card? I think Walter has it.”

  “Mom, please, this is a matter of life and death! Call him. You need to call her office and tell them she needs help. Please!”

  “Okay, Cathy. I’ll do it. Right now.” Adele picked up the cordless phone and hit the speed dial number for Walter. After telling Walter what her daughter said he assured, her he knew where the card was and would make the call.

  “Cathy, is that all? Do you have a location for her?”

  “She’s in the middle of nowhere. She said they would know. Oh, Mom! What have I done? I’ve sentenced us both to a life of torment!” And with that she disappeared.

  Josh answered line three when the receptionist told her a man named Walter was on the line and said it was urgent. He was in promptly at 8:00 a.m. as he was every weekday.

  “I spoke with you some time ago about Marion Rogers, my name is Walter Mansfield.”

  “Yes, Mr. Mansfield, I remember. What can I do for you?”

  “Please don’t ask me to explain, but Marion is in trouble and needs help. Cathy says it’s a matter of life and death.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Mansfield, I’ll take it from here.” Josh hung up and called Gordon.

  “Gordon, do you know where Marion is right now?”

  Gordon had just arrived in the Fresno area. “I’m about 15 minutes away from the address she left me last night. Apparently she went after Jergins herself.”

  “Alone! You let her go alone?” Josh felt panic and started tapping the keys on his computer.

  “You know as well as I that I don’t allow Marion to do anything. She’s a free spirit. She called the authorities and they went to the house but there was no evidence of anything unlawful. They made a note to follow up. I’m going to check out the house myself. Marion’s not answering her phone but I expect there’s not much coverage up here.”

  “Well then, before it cuts out on you she’s not there. I’ll text you the GPS coordinates.”

  “Thanks, Josh, but I want to check the house out. If Jergins is holed up there he might have a child there as well.”

  “I’ll get the house searched. You go after Marion. I’m on my way to meet you at the coordinates.”

Gordon pulled over not wanting to tempt fate. The text came through and he punched it into his GPS.
This can’t be right
, he thought. Speaking to Josh he said, “This is miles away in the other direction.”

“Moving south. Get going now and I’ll phone you back after I get the State Police to that address.”

  Gordon checked his map and started off toward the new destination.

  Marion was deep in prayer when Catherine returned.

“It will take a while until he gets back to the house, so I can stay with you.”

Marion smiled, “Thanks, Catherine.”

She tried to move but the pain was everywhere. She found it difficult to breathe. She figured he broke one of her ribs, which may have punctured her lung.

“I’m not capable of self-defense. When the person comes to take me, I won’t be in any condition to fight him. Catherine?”

Catherine had circled behind the cage. She floated back to the front and lowered down to be face to face with Marion.

“I’m here.”

“You were religious, when you were alive. I remember Walter saying you went to Sunday school every week.”

“Yes. My girls were going, too. Life was simple, uncomplicated, before I found out about my husband’s despicable actions.”

Marion tried to adjust her sitting position and couldn’t help crying out in pain. Tears began to flow, both for the pain and the child.

“All I can think of right now is that song by Ray Stevens.

  ‘Jesus loves the little children

  All the little children of the world’

“Do you believe that?”

Catherine smiled, “Yes.”

“Then no matter what is in store for me, you have to save that little girl from that monster!”

“They’ll kill you, horribly! You heard what he said.”

“Yes, but I’m not important here. She is. I went into this with my eyes wide open. She had no control over what happened to her.”

“‘Blessed be the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.’ That was one of my favorite Bible verses.”

“Yes, so you must go, save her. Do whatever you have to do!”

She heard the sound of a vehicle pulling up outside.

“He’s early. He must be excited about his new acquisition. Go, Catherine, hurry!”

Catherine faded out. At this point she didn’t care whether she killed Jergins or not. The barn door opened.