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Category:
Action/Thriller
Criminal profiler, Janna Fitzpatrick must confront a terrifying specter from her family's distant past. A past that everyone thought was dead and buried.
Summer 2005
“Sullivan County sheriff’s deputies were called after they were advised that a seventeen year old boy was discovered missing. Our sources at the sheriff’s office tell us that the young boy, Daniel Carter, of Kingsport, reportedly went out late last night with some school friends on a dare to visit a wooded area just west of Big Elm Road. He was heard to say that he was hunting for and I quote “A devil dog.” Or the “devil dog from hell” unquote. We will have more news on this story as it becomes available.”
The blonde haired newswoman went onto another story and Creed Hunter turned off the television. It was summer time. Creed for one was in favor of year around school. It kept the kids off the streets and out of law enforcement’s hair. He picked up the phone to call the office and let his secretary Ella Simms, know that he was running late. While he waited for her to answer the phone he poured himself another cup of coffee.
“Good Morning! Hunter, McBride and Benton.” Ella’s voice was bright and chirpy when she answered the phone.
“Ella this is Creed.” Creed said into the phone as he walked
over to his computer and turned it on.
“Yes, Mr. Hunter?” Creed’s secretary acknowledged him, Ella Simms had been his secretary for the last three years. Before that she had been Grayson James Hunter III’s, secretary. He was Creed’s father and his father had recently retired at the age of sixty-one.
“I’m running a little late can you move my appointment with Walter Tate to one o’clock and tell him to meet me at Pig’s in a Blanket. I’ll have lunch with him but tell him he’s paying.” Creed laughed and hung up with Ella Simms. Walter got irritated when Creed said that he would have to pay but he was good natured about it because it was a tax deduction. Walter Tate was his tax attorney. Yes, even attorneys had attorneys. Creed sat down at his computer. He had several emails from friends and family members. Then there was one from an email address that he did not recognize, Jmfitzpatrick .sullivancountytn.com. He opened it up after clicking ok on the warning message that said it could possibly contain a internet virus and started reading the contents.
“Mr. Hunter, it has come to our attention that you could possibly have some information regarding a recent case that we are working on. I was unable to reach you at your office. But I would like to discuss this with you further at your earliest convenience. Please call as soon as possible and thank you for your time.
JM Fitzpatrick, Sullivan County, TN Sheriff’s Department
(423) 555-4213
Creed clicked on the attachment and within seconds the attachment was downloaded. When he saw what it contained he started choking on his coffee. Crime scene photos started appearing on his computer screen. He started to hyperventilate. He almost always fainted at the sight of blood. He bent down with his head between his legs and sat down on the chair. The crime scene photos that appeared were very graphic and disturbing. He pressed print. And while the printer spit out the photos he read the email again. Then picked up his phone and dialed the number showing on the screen.
“Fitzpatrick!” Came a soft feminine voice on the line.
“Ah, I’m calling for a JM Fitzpatrick.” Creed said clearing his throat.
“This is she. Who’s calling?” The soft feminine voice asked a little sharply.
“Mrs. Fitzpatrick, this is Creed Hunter you sent me an email with an attachment. Do you remember?” Creed asked.
“Yes, Mr. Hunter thank you for getting back to me so soon. Do you think that I could meet with you this afternoon? Say at the Justice Center in Kingsport?” Again she asked in that soft feminine voice. It was so weird but Creed felt a shiver move up and down his spine and it wasn’t because he was cold. He moved uncomfortably in his desk chair.
“Well Mrs. Fitzpatrick I’ll have to check my schedule and see if I have any pressing appointments.” Creed said as he pretended to flip through an appointment book.
“It’s Ms. Not Mrs.” She said with a soft laugh Creed just about fell out of his chair.
“Mm, ah, well it looks like I have no pressing appointments, what time would you like to meet?” Creed asked a little breathless, he didn’t know why she was having this affect on him. He hadn’t even met the woman. She probably looked like Big Bertha from Statesville and everyone who was involved with law enforcement knew about Big Bertha.
“Well why don’t we meet at one o’clock at the Justice Center
and we’ll figure it out from there. Oh and Mr. Hunter could you bring the estate files of your great-grandfather. There is something in them that we are interested in.” She requested, “The kind of information in his files that I’m looking for is about some land that your family owns in Kingsport. It is around the Rotherwood Mansion and the Big Elm Road area.” She stated more specifically.
“Sure, why not? I’m a history buff. I’ll see you at one o’clock then.” Creed promised and hung up the phone. He reached into the drawer of his desk that contained the estate papers of his deceased great-grandfather, Dr. Grayson James Hunter I. Then stood up and reached for his dark blue Brooks Brothers suit jacket. He stopped by the kitchen to turn off the coffee maker. Picked up his brief case and headed out the door of his condo but not before he set the alarm system to active. In this day and age, you couldn’t be too careful. As he walked down the stairs and put on his Oakley’s to shield his eyes from the bright morning light of the Tennessee sun.
“Ella, it’s Creed again. Tell Walter that I’ll have to reschedule an emergency has come up and if you need me I’ll be in Kingsport. You can reach me on my cell phone.” Creed explained
to his secretary as he got into his BMW Z-8 Roadster and left Birchfield Commons. An exclusive gated community on Boone Lake and drove onto I-26 and headed toward Kingsport,Tennessee. He was meeting a mystery woman that somehow knew more about him then he knew about her. He turned onto Shelby Street, drove around the block and pulled into the Kingsport Justice Center parking lot. He noticed a Sullivan Country Sheriff’s deputy walking toward a Ford Explorer. The official emblem of law enforcement symbol reflected on the driver side door. Creed got out of the car and walked over to the deputy who was standing next to Ford Explorer.
“Hey Darrell, what’s up?” Creed asked smiling as he stuck out his hand and shook the deputy’s hand. Darrell Crawford had been on the force for the past four years. Darrell had joined the Marines back in the late 90's and was stationed somewhere overseas with the Special Forces. When he returned home. He went straight to work with Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff.
“Not much, I hear you’ve been called in on a case.” Darrell commented as he unlocked the door to the Explorer.
“Really, who told you that?” Creed was surprised that his
being there was public knowledge.
“Ooooh, a sweet little bird.” Was all Darrell Crawford said as he got into the Ford Explorer and backed out of the parking space.
“Well, why don’t we just announce it to all the newspapers, Ms. Fitzpatrick.” Creed said sarcastically to himself and walked toward the Justice Center.
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