Mirror in the Forest: Book One (27 page)

Mark was glad that he was on the day shift again, even though his time was almost over. Thanksgiving had passed having spent the holiday with Hal, and his family.

It was hard for him, though. This was his first holiday season without his mother, even though he tried to suppress it, there were moments.

Mark’s Aunt Ginny was wonderful, but she could never get her turkey as tasty as his mom made hers.

Yet, as Mark stood in the woods near the old ski resort this was not the way he wanted to start off the holiday season.

A couple of hunters, vacationing in the area for the holidays, were hoping to catch some meat for the winter, instead made a gruesome discovery.

Mark did not want to be there, he just wanted to run away and go somewhere happier. He wondered if he was cut out for police work after all. This was the second death in this town in a little over a month, and that just did not happen here in Leon’s Crossing.

He dreaded the next day having to hear from Baker again about how he was going to petition the state to get a city police force installed, but Mark had to smile. This was a county issue, so how would city cops help?

The state police, their detectives, the coroner, and his other deputies surrounded him.

Paul had gone off to vomit somewhere in the woods. Mark told him not to mess up the crime scene. The coroner snickered at the nervous deputy as he ran into the woods heaving.

He wondered what luck that Sara Miller, and now Rick Tanner, the town drunk, were both dead on his watch.

He looked up to see the body of Rick swinging softly from the tree from the light wind coming off the mountain. Mark had to admit he felt a little sick to his stomach from it, too.

They were waiting for a professional tree service to come and help cut him down. The rope was tied pretty tightly on the branch of the tree.

The coroner had climbed a ladder and surmised he had been there almost a month from his experience, but would get autopsy reports back later. He was so badly decomposed from the elements, that the only way they knew it was Rick Tanner was an expired driver’s license in his pocket.

Mark rubbed his hand through his shaved head. He knew his hairstyle was not the eighties feathered type, but didn’t care. He was not one for that kind of thing. The only khakis he wore were his uniform.

While most men were copying Miami Vice, with the blazer over a T-shirt, he just opted for the T-shirt and a good pair of jeans.

He wanted to chuckle as he had spotted that style around town, even with it being cold and damp here in Washington all the time.

Maybe he should shock everyone and get the
Thriller
jacket, and one glove, he thought amused.

Mark made a face at this thoughts, he was just trying to distract himself so he wouldn’t have to gaze at Rick’s remains too closely.

The only thing that was keeping Rick together now was the cold weather, and his bones.

Mark shivered again, and went to see if Paul was all right. Paul nodded, still holding his stomach, but asked to stay away a little longer.

Bill approached him and asked, “Do you think it was suicide?”

Mark nodded in acknowledgement, answering, “Looks that way.” He glanced over at the fallen ladder again. All evidence pointed to suicide. He knew Rick was starting to go crazy, but he never thought he would do this. He had never shown up to his initial court date for his assault on Jessica Winters, and the judge had issued a warrant for his arrest.

Turned out that Jessica’s dad did talk to Dale Cooper, and Cooper pulled his usual strings to get Don Winters what he wanted. Mark thought that was probably why Rick ran since they had all went to school together, and Rick knew what Dale was capable of.

He still wondered why Rick had gone after Jessica, but never had the chance to ask him, and he guessed he would never know.

He did wonder if it did have something to do with her dad. He would question him, but Mark knew Don was out of town a lot lately. Besides, Dale would cover it up if Don gave something away. He wondered if something more had been going on between Don Winters and Rick that he didn’t know about. But, how could he prove it?

However, something was bothering Mark.

Bill had said when he took him to the county lockup all he did was scream about how he knew how Sara Miller died, and how a mirror made her do it, referring to Jessica.

He wondered if Rick had upgraded his drug use to hallucinogens and that was what caused him to attack Jessica at the funeral. Or maybe he had been completely sane and wanted to place blame on Jessica for something he did…..Jessica had just been chosen, because of Rick and Don Winters’ history.

Mark began to wonder if he had something to do with Sara Miller’s death and tried to say it was something else, but Mark didn’t know. For some reason it was bothering Mark that Rick was telling the truth, but how could that be? Mark tried to clear his head from the thoughts that raced through his mind. He didn’t have enough evidence of anything to build a case against Rick Tanner other than his assault. Yet, the missing dagger continued to bother him to this day.

                     If he were taking some sort of stronger substance they would find it in     the autopsy report.

He was going to stop by Jessica’s house tonight, so he could inform her and her parents that Rick was dead by possible suicide after he notified Rick’s next of kin.

Mark looked down and told Bill to keep covering ground with the state police.

Mark walked around again to see if any other evidence came up. The detectives were still sniffing around the immediate area of the body. Mark had no idea what he was looking for. He glanced back at the hanging body, and suddenly felt a sense of despair for Rick. If this was suicide, then he died alone in the forest. It was too much to think about.

Mark spotted a path leading away from the ski resort, and wrinkled his eyebrows in question.

He leaned over and pushed some ferns, and saw a light set of footprints in the mud.

He turned around to call for another deputy, but everyone seemed to be busy. He knew he was farther away from where Rick’s body was found than what would be needed for evidence, but he was curious as to where these footprints led.

They looked like sneaker prints, and were not heavy into the mud, so he doubted that they were hunters. They did not look fresh either, but he decided to follow them anyway.

He continued to walk down the path, and further into the woods.

He noticed that this was leading to the lake, and then from there into a neighborhood. Jessica’s neighborhood.

There was a lot of junk back in this area from old mattresses to equipment from the ski resort. People used this area as their dumping grounds after the resort had closed.

Mark continued to follow the footprints, and came into an opening when something glinted in the rare Washington sun and caught his eye. He was not far from where Rick was found hanged, actually still pretty close.

Standing against a Douglas-fir was a full length oval mirror.

Mark didn’t know why, but he felt very troubled and fear began to spread through his body making him cold.

He looked around on the ground and found the footprints were gone, and shook his head in confusion.

There was nothing around him to indicate a human had been here recently.

“Sheriff?” Bill asked, coming through the radio making Mark jump.

“Yeah, I’ll be back in a minute,” Mark said slowly into the radio.

“Alright. The tree service guys are here,” Bill answered.

Mark cursed silently and said, “Just give me a minute.”

Mark let go of his radio with his eyes still locked on the mirror.

It was definitely an antique, and as he approached slowly he could see weird biblical markings carved into the frame.

Mark began to sweat as fear coursed through his body, and could not put his finger on why. It was just a mirror.

He tried to shake it off, but something kept gnawing at him. Could this be the mirror that Jessica’s friend, and Rick were talking about? Mark never believed in the paranormal, but wondered if he was going to change his mind soon.

He stood there taking a deep breath as his reflection came into the mirror.

He shook his head thinking this wasn’t something you see everyday and how could it have possibly gotten here?

Mark felt like he was in a trance like state. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the mirror was pulling him in.

Without thinking he leaned closer to his reflection, not knowing exactly why, however he had the sudden urge to reach out and touch the glass.

At the same time, a feral growl came from the glass, the blood red eyes with black pupils flashed over his reflection.

The growl was soft, but enough to scare him out of his trance like state.

He jumped back in shock and surprise, reaching for his revolver, and aiming it at the glass. It had happened so fast, he wasn’t sure if he had been imagining it. His hands were shaking so bad he wondered if he could pull the trigger, then he wondered exactly what the hell he was aiming at.

He watched the mirror again, but it now sat quietly against the tree looking normal besides the weird carvings in it.

He took a few deep breaths and holstered his gun. Sweat was beading on his forehead, and his hands were soaked from it. His grip slipped a couple of times as he tried to place the gun back where it belonged.

As his breathing slowed, he wondered if the stress of the last month or so was beginning to affect his mind.

He was starting to wonder if there was some kind of connection between all of the incidents the town was having lately.

Mark was calm enough now to look over the mirror more closely when a voice came through the radio.

“Mark? Where are you? We need you back here,” Bill yelled through the radio.

Annoyed, Mark answered him. “I’ll be right there.” Thinking he could come back at a later time, and investigate further, Mark took one last glance at the mirror, and walked away. The mirror wasn’t going anywhere.

He felt-no-he knew that eyes were following his departing figure.

Jessica knew she should be happy to see Mark right now, but not with the news he had brought them just a half hour ago.

“So, do you think it was suicide?” Mary asked, her voice shaking a little, and then lighting up a cigarette.

“It may well be, but we’re still investigating to cover all bases. We also found some items of his near one of the abandoned ski cabins, so we think he was hiding out there for a while, while avoiding another prosecution,” Mark explained as they sat at the dining table.

Mary shook her head sadly and took another drag of her cigarette.

“Poor Rick,” she mumbled.

Jessica was reeling from the news Mark was telling them, and she could have sworn the room began to spin. She had been through the area recently looking for the source of the smell, and now she knew what it was, she wondered how she missed the body hanging there.

She gulped, trying to take a drink of her water, but had a hard time swallowing it.

“I’ll call Don later and let him know,” Mary told Mark.  

Mark nodded, responding, “Alright. I am sorry to have to bring you bad news, but you had to know.”

“Well, Jessica won’t have to do anything now, right?” Mary asked curiously.

“She probably wouldn’t have anyway. Even with your husband talking to Dale Cooper, Rick would’ve pleaded a deal,” he explained. “I could’ve have called, but I figured telling you in person was better.”

“Case closed?”

Mark hesitated. “Not until there is a full investigation.”

“Rick was a good friend of ours in high school, and no matter how much Don tried to help him, it never worked,” Mary said, lost in her memories.

“To be honest Mrs. Winters, I think this was a long time coming, and I think he was using harder substances that were affecting his mental state which resulted as an attack on your daughter,” Mark commented.  

Jessica noticed a haunted look in Mary’s eyes. She wondered why her mom had that strange look on her face, thinking maybe because Rick had once been a good friend of her parents. That was the only thing she could conclude.

Mary sat there for a few minutes and held Jessica’s hand. She noticed her mother’s grip was harder than usual.

Mary was just saying she was comfortable enough to leave Jessica alone again, and return to the night shift, which meant more money for them.

Mary had asked for day shift right after Jessica was attacked, because when her dad was away, she didn’t want to leave her alone at night in the house. Jessica knew how to use the guns they had, but Mary still didn’t feel comfortable.

“Was there a note?” Mary inquired.

Mark shook his head. “Not that we’re aware of.”

Mary nodded and looked over at Jessica and smiling slightly in consolation. Jessica knew she was probably looking green around the gills from the news.

Jessica tried to keep her thoughts together, but by the same token she was highly confused. She wondered why Rick committed suicide, and for that matter, why he did it near the mirror.

She wondered if he was trying to seek help from The Spirit of the Mirror again, but was rejected and killed himself. She had to make sure she went to see the Spirit of the Mirror in secret and ask him about it.

She pondered if the mirror knew all along that he had been there, and didn’t want to upset her.

She noticed Mark shooting her glances, and wanted to smile at him, but held the grim look on her face. She hoped they could have some time alone again soon.

“Do either of you have any further questions?” Mark asked, glancing in between them.

“No, Sheriff. Thank you for letting us know,” Mary said.

“Yes, thank you,” Jessica added, looking over at her mother.

Mark gathered his hat and jacket, standing up from the seat at the table.

Jessica stood and looked at her mother. “Are you going to call Dad?”

Mary still looked shaken and said, “Yes, in a minute.”

“I am going to walk the Sheriff out,” Jessica said.

Mary shrugged and Mark said, “That won’t be necessary….”

“Please….” Jessica insisted, making Mark agree.

Mark shook hands with her mom, and Jessica followed Mark out of the door.

Jessica shut the door behind her and Mark turned to face her.

She was suddenly at a loss for words as she looked into his deep blue eyes. She could tell it had been a hard month on him with Sara Miller and now Rick Tanner. She could have sworn some wrinkles were developing around his eyes.

This was more than he was used to in this sleepy town.

“Actually, I do want to talk to you alone, but that can wait,” he said.

“When?” Jessica’s face burned red again, because she didn’t want to sound like a desperate little schoolgirl . “Sorry,” she mumbled.

“No, you’re fine. I’m not sure, but…..”

“My mom should be going back to night shift soon,” Jessica offered, turning an even deeper shade of red from embarrassment. She felt like such a child right now.  

Mark smiled, catching Jessica’s obvious embarrassment saying, “I hope you know that I am not trying to hurt your feelings or anything……”

Jessica shook her head, and thought how awkward this was, but knew her mom was around, and she didn’t want to say too much in case certain ears were listening through the door.  

“I understand. You have a reputation to uphold, and I guess what happened between us would hurt it,” she answered disappointed, but knew he had to keep his job.

Mark ran a hand over his shaved head. “You could say that, and believe me, I don’t like it either.”

Jessica felt her insides melt when he told her that, wanting to run into his arms and kiss him, but she held her ground, though her hormones were in overdrive right now. She loved seeing him in uniform. “I do understand, and I appreciate that you were at my game last week.”

Mark smiled and said, “You did really good.”

“Thanks!”

“There is something I wanted to ask you though before I go,” he said.

“What?”

Before Mark could ask, his radio went off. There was a car accident off of the interstate exit.

“I guess it will have to wait,” Jessica groaned slightly. She didn’t want him to leave.

“I better go,” he said.

“Okay,” she answered.

“Are you still taking your walks in the woods? If so, please be careful,” he said, as he opened the cruiser door.

Jessica smiled softly about his concern. “Not often anymore. It just freaks me out that I could have been out there and found Rick.” Jessica shivered from the thought.

“I’m glad you didn’t, believe me,” he said.

“Are you alright Mark?” Jessica asked, concerned for his well-being, and the faraway look in his blue eyes.

“Yeah, I just have a lot on my plate right now,” he answered, as he gunned the engine.

“’Bye Jessica,” he said.

“’Bye Mark.”

Jessica stood on the porch for a moment inhaling deep breaths, after Mark pulled away. She could not believe that Rick Tanner was dead, and had been right by her the whole time, and she never knew it. Now she knew what that smell was that day she was in the woods, and it almost made her throw up.

She started to shiver again, and went back into the house.

Her mother stood at the edge of the kitchen with a raised eyebrow.

“What?” Jessica asked, while Mary continued to stare.

Mary sighed a little. “You know there is so much I could say. I don’t approve, I think he’s too old……you’re not even out of high school yet……”

“What are you talking about?” Jessica demanded, getting a little annoyed.

“You know what Jessica, I know you think I’m stupid, but I’m not. I saw the looks you were both exchanging,” Mary answered.

“I never said that Mom, and what do you want me to say?”

“I have a feeling you are doing all of this for him, and not for yourself.”

Jessica shook her head in disbelief. “Not at all. I am doing all this to make you and Dad happy. Have you forgotten everything you’ve said to me the last few years?”

“Don’t be mad at me Jessica. If not, then I’m wrong, but I know what I saw, and at least I can say he’s a cop, so that makes him a good choice, right?” Mary raised her eyebrow again.

“Mark and I are just friends…”

“Mark?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Not, Sheriff?” Mary confirmed.

Jessica raised her hands in exasperation. “You found me out, I guess.”

“I’m not mad,” Mary said, putting up her hands in defense.

“Then what are you?”

Mary tilted her head in thought. “I’m not sure. I know young girls like older guys, and I can see why you like him. He seems decent enough.”

“I have nothing to say about Mark,” Jessica said, starting up the stairs.

“Alright Jessica. You do what you want,” Mary said, in a defeated voice.

“There is nothing I want to do Mom!” Jessica exclaimed, going into her room and closing the door behind her.

Jessica paced her room, and thought of how she could continue to associate with The Spirit of the Mirror.

She wondered if the spirit had made Rick Tanner commit suicide.

She wondered if that would be her…..

She knew she would have to talk to The Spirit of the Mirror soon, and see what he had to say.

She wondered if he knew all along that Rick Tanner was hanging there, and did not want to scare her.

He had to know, he just had to.

Jessica knew she would have to wait as the investigation continued for Rick Tanner. She couldn’t risk getting caught in the woods while the investigators were snooping around out there.

She also didn’t want to make her mom suspicious about her and Mark either.

She did smile as she thought of Mark. She knew she should be hurt that he hadn’t gotten together with her since the night they kissed, but she knew he was trying to do the right thing.

She didn’t know if she was in love with him, but knew she really liked him and wanted him to touch her again.

She thought of getting The Spirit to help her with Mark’s feelings, but decided that Mark was nothing she wanted the Spirit of the Mirror to touch.

He was hers, and hers alone. If she wanted it, she would go after him herself.

Jessica sat down when Alex called to get some help with his Geometry. He was failing it now, and Jessica needed the distraction.