Weeping Willows: A Thrilling Mystery Novella (Dark Desires Book 1) Read Free Page A

into
the dirt track suddenly appeared. He had almost missed it. He
quickly turned right and swung the vehicle onto the beaten gravelly
track. The truck bumping on the loose rocks as he made his way down
the winding land.
     
    Tall pine trees outlining the horizon, he opened the
window to inhale the fresh pine scent. It was heavenly, this
untouched land. He looked up ahead at the thin, grey spirally
smoke. In the distance, up ahead stood the large study farmhouse
that he'd grown to love. It brought a feeling of coming home. Its
location isolated from prying eyes. He could now smell the wood
smoke emanating from the chimney.
     
    It felt comforting. He made a quick turn into the
pathway leading up to the farmhouse. Switching of the truck, he sat
for a few minutes gathering his thoughts. He hadn't told Emma that
he would be coming. She would be surprised that he had made a trip
out. He needed to get his story straight.
     
    Arriving at the farmhouse without calling right in
the middle of a semester, Emma was definitely going to have a go at
him, she'd nag endlessly. He would have to take it in his stride. A
lot had happened these past few weeks. His nerves were shot to
hell. The police were grilling him mercilessly. He'd kept cool.
Nobody needed to know about his past. It was left buried. His life
and future depended on it.

 
    - CHAPTER 6 -
     
    The light in the window went out. The cottage looked
deserted but the man knew better. She was probably settling down
for the night. The stillness was unusual even for her. He'd been
watching from a distance as he always did. She'd looked so forlorn
and lost, he noticed the deep black shadows beneath her eyes. Her
friends’ disappearance was taking its toll. He'd expected that.
     
    He believed in his heart that it was necessary. He
thought that she of all people should be happy to be rid of someone
troublesome. He felt that he had done her a huge favor. God knew,
the green eyed witch had been an obstacle. He had dealt with her
effectively and with her out of the way, the girl would be all
his.
     
    He'd been waiting for a long time, a very long time.
It would be soon now. Of that he was sure. He got into the vehicle
feeling elated at how well things were going for him. Cloaked in
the security of darkness, his mind began racing, plotting, making
plans on his next move. He considered himself superior, very smart,
he'd covered his tracks very well. It would be a few more days
before she would be found. That bought him some time, a sleepy
town's law enforcement moved at a snail’s pace in keeping with
their laid back lifestyle.
     
    He whistled to his favorite tune feeling enormously
pleased with himself. He had plans alright, major plans. A wicked
smiled tilted at the corners of his mouth as he glanced at himself
in the rearview mirror. He thought of himself as brilliant, a
master of his own destiny!

 
    - CHAPTER 7 -
     
    Hard thumps sounded from very far
away. Why didn't the banging stop. Her head hurt, all she wanted to
do was sleep but the thudding went on. Dragging herself from the
mist of deep sleep, Suzie jumped up realizing that the pounding was
coming from her front door. She pushed at the bed covers quickly
slipping on her bathrobe as she raced bare feet to the front door.
Who on earth could that be? She carefully opened the door keeping
the chain still hinged and looked out. Two police officers stood
there, with a guarded expression on their face. “Suzanne Edwards?” they
enquired. “Yes.” she answered hesitantly. “ We're
sorry to disturb you at such an ungodly hour, ” said one of the officers. Producing their badges, holding
it up, the younger officer asked, “may we
please come in Miss? It's important!” Suzie unlocked the door to let in the officers. Her heart was
pounding wildly, she felt nausea and bile rush to her throat.
“ Have you found Melly?” she quickly asked. The officers looked
uncomfortable as they glanced at each other trying to avoid