Bewitching

Ch 2: Web of lies

Casey sat across from the one and only Georgia Garner. His brother had spent all of his childhood following her around like a lost puppy.  He never understood it. She was quiet; too mysterious and into some weird shit. There had always been rumors around her and her creepy as hell older brother.  That rumor turned out to be true. He had always felt she was hiding something and the night that her father died his suspicions only grew.  He was happy she skipped town because soon after the crimes just suddenly stopped.  People stopped disappearing.  He was determined to find out just what her family was hiding, he was hopeful it would lead to solving the murders that suddenly plagued his town. 

He narrowed his eyes at her, tapping his fingers on the cover of the folder in front of him.  His partner stood beside him stoically. 

"It's been a long time Garner," he started, sucking his teeth. "Nine years?" He leaned forward peering into her eyes. "You haven't changed much."

"Am I under arrest or something? Did you call me for a reason or just to reminisce?" She quipped, unenthused. 

He could not help the smirk that appeared on his face. He opened the folder in between them and shoved the pictures in her direction.  He watched as she cringed and averted her eyes. He would have never taken her for squeamish.  The night her father died she was rigid and unmoving.  

"Do you recognize any of these ladies?" He finally asked her. 

"I haven't been in this town in years, why would I recognize them?" She cocked a brow, leaning back and crossed her arms over her chest. "Why am I here Casey?"

"Well, it's been nine years since your brother disappeared. When he disappeared the murders in this town suddenly stopped. He had always been on my watch list. It's like I'm chasing a ghost. " He stood up from the chair, walking around to sit on the edge of table next to her. "Is there anything about that night that could possibly help us? More women are going to die, Georgia."

"You know Casey, the night my father died was one of the most traumatic nights of my life and not to mention he tried to kill me, too.  I came here as a courtesy, but it just seems like you're trying to pin this on me.  My brother probably walked into the ocean, and god I hope he did." She clutched the necklace around her neck.  He trained his eye on the piece of jewelry.  The small ruby necklace was traced with symbols he could barely see, but something about it was familiar. 

She quickly noticed him watching her and tucked the necklace into her shirt. "I'm leaving. I wish you the best in your investigation, but I do not know anything." She got up to leave and he reached out to grab her forearm. She stopped startled and he quickly let go.

"Sorry," He said lifting his hands up, remorsefully. "I just wanted to give you my card in case you think of anything.  You can call me at any time.  He watched her as she rushed out of the door. Taking a glance at his partner, he shrugged. "I don't think she's telling the truth. Did you see that necklace?"

His partner, Ross Lowry, shook his head. Ross was quiet and reserved, and not very observant. The crime in the town rarely called from much observation and Ross took advantage of that. There was not much a police force to begin with and he took advantage of that, too. 

"She did seem nervous," he remarked. "I don't think she had anything to do with these murders, though." Casey nodded in agreement. Although she might not be the suspect they were looking for, he had a feeling she knew who it was. 

***

Georgia walked out of the police station. It was one thing to be reminded of that nightmare of a night, but for Casey to basically accuse her was another thing. She reached into her purse searching around for her keys. 

"Georgia!" Wyatt's voice rang loudly in the air. She looked up to see him leaned up against an old rusty truck. It's nothing that would have delighted her more than seeing another Dorsey brother today. 

"Wyatt," she said, glancing back at the station, and then back at you. "I thought you were going to see your brother. " 

"Yes and of course I was told he was too busy to see me, so I waited out here for you." He smiled at her.  His smile had always been her favorite thing about him.  And his eyes. His smile was always so kind and he gave it out generously.  He was always incredibly handsome so girls flocked to him like vultures to a carcass. In high school, he always enjoyed the company of others.  His parents were not around much so he was always throwing parties. He had won best smile in school. 

It was a smile she now dreaded.  He was so happy to see her and all she wanted to do was get away from him.  She could not bring herself to be around him, she had secret that she was fearfully she wouldn't be able to keep if he kept smiling at her like he was. 

He must have sensed her reservation, because that beautiful smile disappeared off of his face and was replaced with a look of concern. 

"So...," He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.  "It's been so nice to see. I've missed you like crazy. You were my best friend, y'know." 

She was silent. 

"Why did you leave? You didn't call you, you didn't write..." He stopped, she suppose, waiting for her to explain. 

When she didn't he continued, " You know I looked you up a few times and I couldn't find a thing. It's like you vanished." 

"I'm sorry Wyatt," she whispered.  "After that night, I just could not be here any longer." 

His smile returned. This time is was only a tiny one, but it still had the same impact. "So can you at least tell me about your husband? My brother called you Mrs." 

Georgia swallowed uneasily, a feeling of despair overtaking her.  She looked down at her ring finger with a smile.  She had stopped wearing her ring a while ago, but the feeling of it being there never went away. "Chris was a beautiful human. I probably didn't deserve him. He died three years ago. He was a fire fighter. He had lung cancer for about a year and one day he was gone."  She could feel the tears welling in her eyes and quickly shook her head before they could come to the surface.

She took a deep breath pulling herself together. "I have a son. Jamie and he's four and that pretty much sums up what I've been up to." 

She hit the key fob, unlocking her door. 

"It was good to see you," she said, opening the door and sliding into the driver's seat.  "I really hope I see you again."