Who Killed Aylee?

Chapter 19

Patrick 'Silas'

I pull into the large parking lot and see her car parked in a shaded area. I look around for her and see nothing. I see Aylee's bench and decide I should just go sit there while I wait for her. I'm sure she is just doing what she always does. Talking to her best friend.

Aylee's bench is long and narrow with a gold placket to the back. It has an engraved picture of Aylee with her curly hair and almond shaped eyes, thin lips with a huge smile. She really was beautiful. Her full name Aylee Victoria Slater engraved underneath.

" Hello Aylee." I laugh to myself for how stupid I feel. " I'm Patty, I mean Silas. I just so happen to be madly in love with your best friend, well sister let's be honest." I scratch the beard I sport now since my star told me she liked it. " I love her and I just realized just how much so forgive me I haven't told her yet. She finished the job for you Aylee, those involved in your murder are put in jail. That's right, I can't believe how strong she is either. She's stronger than me, that's for sure."

I look around and don't see her. She must be on the walking trail that loops through the park in the woods. She told me she walks that loop when she is anxious. I can imagine her being anxious today. I'm sure she has a lot of energy to get out.

" She is the best part of me. She is my world now and it kinda snuck up on me. I didn't realize just how amazing she is until just recently. I was trying to make her hate me, or be scared of me. Instead she just kissed me and from that moment I was puddy in her hands. I knew I would move mountains if she asked." I scratch my head and laugh about how completely fucked up she had me that night. I went to my room angry and turned on all at the same time. She had thrown me off and I was already falling.

" I am very sorry but I have to take your friend with me. We need to make a new life and start over. Most likely with new names." I laugh again at how crazy that sounds. It would be my fourth time really. I entered the world as Patty, moved and started working as Patrick and then went undercover as Silas. Who would I be this time? I don't think it really matters as long as I get to call myself hers. She is all I want, all I need.

After twenty minutes I realize she isn't here. I called her name multiple times with no answer. I run to the car and look through it. Just a box of cookies and a receipt for the cookies and a coffee. I don't see the cup. I look around the car more and she has a bag packed. Was she going to leave me? Why? Was I not good enough for her? Why wouldn't she say goodbye?

I walk to the garbage closest to the bench and I see a cup on the ground, not in the garbage. I pick it up and see the name Penny on it. Looking around I feel the panic take over my body. I pull out the tracking app and look for her.

It shows her here for two and a half hours and then moving away from here. It stopped about 20 minutes ago. It's not an advanced tracker, it was only for this area and goes a certain distance so at least I know what duration she went. It was never meant for her to get far.

I look around to see if anyone has video footage. I see a camera on a porch next to a red door. I run over and knock on the door. While I wait I realize I haven't seen a kid on the playground the whole time. That is very odd for nice weather. I knock again and the door opens.

" Can I help you?" A lady about your sixties answers.

" Hello ma'am I'm Special Investigator Patrick Haley. Have you been home all day?" I ask, showing her my badge.

" Yes I have." She says looking around. Not at me or my badge.

" I was wondering if I could see if some footage on your porch camera could help my case." I say pointing to the camera. " I think someone was taken from the park and I think you might have some footage to save her."

She stares at me like she is scared and then nods yes . " Don't take out your badge again, okay?" She is scared. She looks around and opens the door for me. When she closes the door she locks it. " I know you're one of the good guys. I can see it in your eyes but the last time something happened..." she shakes her head " about a year ago, the police showed up and told me to erase my footage."

I follow her to the kitchen where she was making coffee. She points to the chair and I sit. Looking around the room, everything is a bit on the older side, doily lined everything. China cabinet full of white and blue china dishes. Her cat comes to investigate and brushes against my jeans.

" Now who is she this time?" She asks " last year it was the Slater girl, this year is another."

" Penelope Saint ma'am" I advise her. She stops holding her computer with the look of fear in her eyes.

" Saint?" She repeats. She knows the name, the gossip, the stories.

" Yes, but before you tell me you don't want to help, I would understand why. She isn't one of them. She helped find Aylee Slater's killer and took down the whole club that has been plaguing this town for years. She was getting out when someone got her."

" Plus, you love her" it wasn't a question it was an observation. " Like I said it's your green eyes honey, they give away everything. Your entire being is her."

" Yes ma'am." I say out loud to someone that is real for the first time, unable to deny it anymore. " We were going to leave and start over but I think she was taken."

" She was honey. Plate DUK 4545 Ohio. White van." She says and my jaw falls. She was watching. She saw it?

" Did you see them?" I ask

" No honey I didn't. I am a nurse and I work nights. But high crime in my area makes me check every day when I get home." She ques up the video and sets it down in front of me. " She didn't even have a chance. They hit her in the head. I'm sure she must have had a concussion, she went out fast. They hit the back of her head."

I watched just as she said it's not a full shot, it's a partial of the van but full plate and her whole assault was recorded. I watch it three times and then I close it. She is standing by the garbage drinking her coffee, then taken." Thank you ma'am."

" You're welcome." She sets the cup down. " But if anyone asks, I know nothing, saw nothing and will say nothing."

" Understandable" I say knowing she could be at risk for just helping me. " I'll be going"

" Okay honey. I hope you find her." She says walking behind me to the door. " Patrick?" I turn and look back at her. " Get her away from her father. He is the worst human I have ever met. I have seen too many injuries for him in the ER."

" I promise. I am getting her out of here as soon as I find her." I promise knowing even if I have to blindfold her and get her out I will.

I call a tow guy I know and have them come get the car towed back to the club house. Then head back to the station for some research.