Rachel Huntsman and the Village of Death

Chapter Three

Both Jenny and Rachel woke to the sound of thunder and rain. Rachel sighed and tried to get the image of Mrs Morris dead on the floor out of her head and focus on the weather. Even though it was torrentially pouring outside she got up out of bed and opened the window as she was almost dripping in sweat. Trying to regain a grip on herself and her nerves she walked downstairs, turning lights on as she went and poured herself another stiff drink, she knew that she was supposed to be at the police station first thing but she didn't think they were going to blame her if she slept in a little, besides it was only 4am, they could cope. Walking back up the stairs she turned the lights back off, back in her room she stumbled towards the window, determined to close it again before sleep claimed her once more. It was only then that she thought she saw a figure stood at the edge of the woods, watching the street, maybe even watching her. As terrifying as that thought was, she double checked the window, managed to close one curtain and collapse back into bed before sleep claimed her. Jenny however couldn't go back to sleep, she tried but thoughts swirled round her brain like a vinyl on repeat. What if the dinner went wrong? Sometimes she thought that the only friend she had was Mike and now that was questionable with everything that had happened between them in the last couple of months. It hadn't been major but due to this promotion he had been spending a lot more time at work, less time for them to have couple time or anything time. Work had been manic for her too, she had owned a business, still did but there was so much to do for it that she hadn't anticipated. As the business grew so did her working hours and the job list that went along with it. In the end she had taken on a couple deputies, shipped them off to a new office in London and had taken a backseat role for a couple months; to find herself again she had told people. In fact all she wanted was a bit of mystery and adventure teamed with a sunny holiday by a pool, cocktail in one hand, Agatha Christie in another. Not that people would have guessed that she wanted the chilled life when she acted so high maintenance and proper. Jenny tried making a coffee but it just tasted bitter, like her whole life at the moment. Nothing tasted right or smelt right, at first she had hoped, prayed that she was pregnant but after five negative tests and a Doctor's appointment they established that she just wasn't happy, she didn't fit. That's when she decided to 'find herself'. Pouring the coffee down the sink, she looked out the window, the moonlight bouncing off her blonde long hair and the silver nightgown she had hastily thrown on in her half asleep state. Maybe she should just book that holiday, she knew that Mike wouldn't be able to get the time off but she needed the holiday, a change of scenery, where people didn't know her. Again her thoughts floated to Rachel and what she had achieved, defying the odds in going to University and then moving here to take on the family business, that was dedication, even Jenny had to admit that. In school they hadn't been enemies as such but they hadn't ever been friends either, like most girls in school they had gotten into a couple of fights, noting serious but none the less they had fought. Jenny was worried about her, if she could have stayed the night with her she would have but she hadn't wanted to overstep the boundary and Mike to Jenny's surprise was already in bed when she got back home. With her fruit tea sufficiently stewed she took a sip and savoured the taste. She would be okay, she knew that but it was time and that's the annoying part, time. The sky was starting to get lighter now and Jenny began to relax, something about the dark at the moment seemed to be so misleading, so, she hated the word, scary.

Around ten, Rachel heard her phone ringing and groggily answered it. "Ah morning Miss Huntsman, it's DI Jones, just making sure you got my message about coming to the station?" Bollocks. That stiff drink really had sent her to sleep. "Yeah, sorry, overslept. Let me get dressed and I'll be on my way." Ending the call, she rolled out of bed, grabbed some clean clothes and made her way to the station, the café would be checked on her way back. The town was still eerily quiet, news of Mrs Morris had spread too and people kept looking at her and then averting their eyes as if if they looked at her they might die too. Jan Summers strolled by and smiled widely. "Morning Rachel, I am ever so sorry about what you had to witness yesterday, it's spread all over town. Anything you need, give me a call. My number is at the back of the Parish newsletter." Nodding, Rachel could not think of anything worse right now than having old patronising Jan Summers cook her dinner but talking to her seemed to do the trick. As for the remainder of the journey, the town's people didn't seem so distant and some people's pitying smiles actually reached their eyes and some even held genuine concern. Entering a police station these days was an unknown reality, would you be allowed in? Was someone going to be at the desk? Was this even the station cute DI Jones was waiting for her at? Walking in, the room smelt musky and dusty, there was almost the taste of stagnant water in the air. Graffiti covered the main desk, so she guessed that this station had closed and then reopened for this investigation. A speck of dust caught in her throat and Rachel found herself gasping herself into a coughing fit. "Ah Miss Huntsman." Jones deep voice came from down the corridor. "Sorry it's so unfit for purpose but this is all I have to work with for now." Rachel waved her hand in an attempt to say that she was okay but it obviously failed as he patted her back softly. "Would you mind following me to my work station?" Following down the hall, Rachel realised just how much time had passed since she had come home. The station had closed, most of the businesses had the same owners but the kids had changed, there was an atmosphere of get out and get out now. Maybe they were right if people were going to start being murdered next door to you. "How are you feeling this morning?" He turned to face her and checked her face. "Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks for the hot chocolate and the note. Jenny James popped round with dinner and a bottle of wine for me. How's Mr Morris?"