Murder she wrote

13. An unwanted visitor

For the first time in four months, I went back to my butcher's shop. It was a really bloody place, filled up with dead animals. It wasn't the happiest place on earth, but it was my sanctuary. I hid most of my very sharp knifes there, as they made perfect sense in the context. However, I knew it wouldn't be enough on the long run. 

I ran this place. I had two employees, and an additional hand that came seasonally ( only in winters). Daisy, Murray and Harvey. I always kept an eye on them. They were older than me, sometimes tried to be my bosses, but I'd quickly put them back in place. Today, as I worked on a pig, the door opened, making the little ring ring. 

" Is Jill Adams in the house?"

Murray pointed towards me. His plastic glove was covered in blood. I saw the person's nose winkle— No. It couldn't' be. The person was Sarah Parker, twenty-three year old woman. She had nice brown hair and very blue eyes. Her face was a mask of call when she turned towards me. She took out from her pocket a shiny golden plate. 

" Police. I have to question you about a possible murder suspect."

Oh snitzel. Oh crappity loo. How could it be? How did she kn— Possible murder suspect. She didn't know anything about me, did she? 

" Ma'am, I'm kind in the middle of something. Is it time sensitive?"

" We think the perp could continue, yes. Time sensitive."

I noticed she talked as if she hadn't recognized me. There weren't any other Jills in the city, let alone the crapping county. She knew it was me. She knew who I was, and she was keeping a perfectly straight face. 

" Can I go wash up? Meet you outside in ten?"

" Sure, Mister Adams."

Sarah got out, waited outside the shop. I told Murray to handle my work and I went in the back to wash away the pig's blood and put on my civil clothes. When I arrived outside, Sarah was finishing up a call.

" Sure... Okay. Call you right back. Promise. Yeah. See you."

The dial tone replaced whoever had been on the other line. 

" Look, JJ... I wanted to keep it pro, but you're maybe in grave danger."

I smirked. Grave danger? 

" I'm serious. There have been a series of murders... And..." 

She paused, probably trying to find a good way to say whatever she was going to say. 

" They are all extremely like the book Rylie Rider has just published."

I couldn't help but let out a giggle. They thought Rylie, my Rylie was a murderer? Wow. Wow, wow, wow! 

" JJ, I'm being serious!"

" I know, I know...  But firstly, I don't know why you want to tell me this. Secondly, Rylie wouldn't hurt a fly, never mind a human being!"

" She wrote in excruciating details about the murders we found."

" And that proves what? Sarah, Rider's no killer."

" I won't tell her you're the one who snitched if you do, you know!"

" I have nothing to snitch, Sarah! She's no freaky killer, she's just a writer with good skills."

" That happened to write about murders that just happened?"

" Sarah, do you seriously believe this?"

" I... The department doesn't really believe me. They think I'm crazy."

" It's been a month since her book's been out. It's pretty well known. Maybe there's a copycat out there."

" That's what they said. But the murders traced to before, some of em'!"

" That could be a coincidence and you know it. Look. Sarah, I love seeing you again, don't get me wrong, but I've been with her five months and they've been the best months of my life. Please don't try to ruin it with theories. She's a writer, of course her texts are vivid. That doesn't mean she's a killer!"

Sarah sighed and looked away.

" I ain't being petty. I know something's off with your girl, JJ."

" How did you know we were together anyways?"

" She wrote a note for you at the front of the book and..."

" And?"

" Social media stalking. Mandy."

" You spoke to Mandy? You stalked me?"

" Not you... Her. I was doing my job. And then I got a little interested in you."

" We've been separated for three years, Sarah..."

" And I regret that."

I sighed. I knew, when Rider's book came out that stuff would go south. 

" Look. I just want you to be careful, okay? Can I simply ask that?"

" I will. You should head back to your police department. I've got work to do, and you too I bet."

" Don't you man-handle me now."

" I'm simply stating a fact, Parker."

" Sayonara, Adams."

I watched her go away. She had that nice little ass in her uniform. I shook my head. No. She came from a past I don't like. She came from a place I need to forget. She came from a place that's unneeded. Rider's enough for me, she's more than I deserve really. 

And I need to get rid of Sarah soon. She thinks too much about the murders and the books. Damn... I should've been more intelligent than that.