The Deep Dark Stone Path

Chapter 42 *James*

The next morning, I wake up to my dad calling me downstairs. I hurry to get dressed and rush downstairs. A cop stands at the front door. “Goodmorning, James. I need you to come with me down to the station regarding the Terry Hulsey Investigation.” I look at my dad and he pats me on the back. “I’ll come by and get you after work. I only have a half day today. Good luck.”, he says. I walk across the porch and down the stairs and get into a police car.

“We went to the Meyer place and found their bodies. So, you are saying now that your father killed the Meyers, stole from them, and burned down their house?”, the cop asks. I nod. I have been sitting in an interview room for half an hour and I am already tired. “There is a team of people at the house now looking for evidence. Your step father is definitely a suspect and his alibi doesn’t coincide with his story. He was drunk and doesn’t remember much about that day he says.”

The door opens and another cop waves to the one I’m talking to. They whisper to each other and I only catch a bit of what they are saying. They exchange glances and the other guy gives the guy who was talking to me a file. Then my guy take a seat and the other guy leaves. “Well the team found a bloody boot print, and that gun in your step fathers room. Any other evidence would have been lost in the fire. What size shoe does your step father wear?” “I am pretty sure he wears an eleven and a half.”, I reply. “That is exactly the size of the bloody footprint they found at the scene. Do you recognize that print?”

He shoves a picture in my face. I do recognize it. “Terry had a pair of boots with that print and so did I. My mom bought us matching boots. Mine got too small and Terry told us his got torn up at work not long after the fire.” The reality of it all sinks in. My step father is a murderer. “He has a court hearing next month and we would like you to testify against him-.” I interrupt him before he tries to persuade me. “Anything it takes to put him behind bars.”

The cop nods and says, “Can you think of any other reason your step father could be incriminated or involved?” I stare at the floor. “He killed my mom. A-and he beat both of us since my brother died.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “How did he kill your mom?” “He bashed her head into the wall. She fell into a coma and died in the hospital.” The cop gulps. “Do you have any proof of the abuse?” I stand up and take my shirt off. “Is that enough evidence for you?”

The cop covers his mouth and looks down at the floor. My stomach and back are covered in scars. There is still a bruise on my ribs from the week before he killed my mom when I smarted off to him. “Come on, James. We have to take pictures of this for evidence.” I follow him down the hall and everyone stares at me and whispers as I follow the cop. They can see the proof. There is no way Terry will not be convicted.