CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Shurley was glad to finally be heading home. For once in a long while she would be able to have dinner with the kids. She had reached a point where she was overly tired and just a few nights at home with Britt and Ameila. Tonight was going to be that night.

  Pulling into the driveway Shurley parked her sheriff’s car gathering up her thermos and radio as she headed in the house. She could not wait to change into something more relaxed and comfortable. Shurley had made sure to radio Ameila to ask her to take the hamburger meat out of the refrigerator since she had placed it there last night to thaw.

  Changing her clothes the washing her face off she made her way into the kitchen calling out to Britt and Ameila both at the bottom of the stairs, “ Hey guys, I’m home. Gonna be working on diner.” She hollered out to them.

  Both Britt and Ameila leaned out of their bedrooms calling down to her, “ Yep, okay mom. Be there in a few.” They said as the disappeared back into their rooms to finish up their homework. She smiled as she headed into the kitchen to start diner. It had been too long since they had sat down together and just had some time to talk over anything they needed to discuss or share with her.

  As she grabbed four big Idaho potatoes rinsing them off, she laid them on a paper towel to be cut and sliced into French fries. Taking a large pot from under the count she poured the oil into and sat it on the stove on low heat. She needed some music so she flipped on her radio and found some old timey rock which suited her. Laying out the hamburger she began seasoning the meat and rolling big balls to be pounded out in burgers for frying.

  Some hummed along as she worked deep in thought about the last few days events. It had been the longest of time since anyone had been shot to death or even killed in this town. Trying to wrap her head around the what and why was profound and there did not seem to be any clear answers. What would drive a wife of almost fifty years to murder her husband? There just did not seem to be any reasons that made any sense. As she continued in thought while working on the burgers Ameila came up behind her putting her arms around her waist and hugging her.

  Tightly holding on to her mom Ameila spoke, “ It’s nice to have you home for dinner tonight. It’s been a while, you know.” Ameila said with a grateful smile. “ It’ll be real nice for all of us to just sit down eat and chat a bit. What can I do to help?” she asked knowing that she wanted very much to spend as much time with her mom as her mom wanted to spend with them.

  “ How about you handle those fries for us?” Shurley asked glad to see that Ameila was good to pitch in. Shurley loved her job and for the last five years had given every second that she could for the town’s people. It was well known that she was always available for anyone that needed assistance. However, her only two children, Britt and Ameila who were twins were growing up much faster than she wanted and this job required her to be away from home and them far too frequently. She loved her job, but she also loved her children more and at times she felt as though she was choosing her job over them.

  After forty minutes of prep and cooking with a lot of talking diner was finally ready to be eaten. Britt had joined them setting the table and putting out the necessary items that went along with burgers and fries. Everyone was seated as Shurley took their hands and said,

  “ A word of thanks. There’s so much going on I think we need an extra layer of blessings Lord guard us and guide us so that we may always be good people to ourselves and one another.” With that the Cole’s dined together for the first time in weeks. Nothing last forever though and even the gathering of family could have its peace broken by a human being’s bad behavior.

  Ameila started off the dinner conversation , “ It’s awful what happen to Mr. Hank and Ms. Hazel. Have you discovered what happen and why yet? It’s so sad for her daughter and their family, isn’t it?” she asked curious as to what could have gone wrong.

  “ All we know for sure is it seems as though Hazel shot Hank and then herself. The why is still unknown, but maybe when her daughter arrives, she can shed a little more light on it. What is so confusing for me is the fact that they were only weeks away from celebrating their fifth anniversary. How strange that Hazel would do something like this now, you know?’ Shurley admitted to her children that bizarre situation was still unknown.

  As the family sat talking about things happening in school, up and coming projects and events the hand-held radio sounded off with a panic call coming in, “ Berta, Berta to sheriff. Sheriff, Berta, Berta, come back.” The voice of Berta from the station sounded loud and clear.

  Shurley held her fork in midair as the voice broke in looking to both of her children. She put the fork down pushing her chair away from the table and standing saying, “ I’m sorry , I have to take it.” She walked over to the counter picking up the radio and responding, “ Sheriff Cole to Berta, come in.”

  : Sheriff there’s been a triple shooting out at Mack’s and Ruth’s place. You need to go now. I’ve already asked Ryan and Louie to head that way.” Berta said in one long breath.

  “ What in the world. Who’s been shot now?” Shurley asked in disbelief looking at her children with surprise.

  “ Principal Jones and Renee and Keley Brower. All dead at the scene Sheriff.” Berta blurted out still dazed by the news herself.

  Shurley stood still for the longest minute ever trying to wrap her head around those names. What in the world was going on here. Three people dead at one time. How? Who? She was thinking. Finally regaining her senses she asked the dreaded question, “ Do we know who the shooter is Berta?” she asked afraid of hearing who had lost their mind now.

  “ Yes Sheriff, it’s Troy the high school coach. He’s not on scene and his location is unknown.” She said barely able to say his name out loud.

  : Oh, dear God, you’ve got to be kidding, Troy?’ Shurley repeated his name trying as hard as she could to grasp this information. I’ll be on my way in a few minutes. Need to change into my uniform. Tell them I’m on my way. Put up crime scene tape, start taking statements and Berta contact Coroner Dr. Walter Hammond again. Tell him we’ve got three more bodies. I’ll be there shortly.

  Britt and Ameila both had stood up beginning to put the food away. This was their high school coach and one of their co students. Even though neither Britt nor Ameila hung out with Kelley, they knew her very well. Since there were other friends that had attend the bonfire both Britt and Ameila were going to go to support their friends.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Shurley came back into the dining room but before she could speak Britt began, “ We’re going too. This is our high school coach and one of our co student’s mom. We have to see if we can help support any of our friends. We have to try to help.” He said with the sternest of looks in his eyes.

  Reaching out to touch his hand she smiled at them both. Without knowing how much she admired her children for wanting to help she simply nodded her head yes. She understood that something crazy was happening and both Britt and Ameila in their own way were trying to make sense of all of this violence.

  Fifteen minutes after the call of service Shurley, Britt and Ameila sat in the patrol of Hershel township heading out to Mack’s and Ruth’s farm. What terrible reason had brought Troy there to commit such a horrible crime was unknown, but lately the unknown had found its way to the little unknown town of Hershel.

  There within the folds of a good, quiet town where people were always super friendly, kind and caring a dark force of evil had seeped in. There it had begun to grow changing the lives and spirit of a town that very few people had ever heard of.

  “ Death sends it mightiest warrior to lay claims to all that co-habitat within taking life, liberty and serenity for no other reasons than it has the power to do so.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY- EIGHT

  Troy pulled into the driveway at Becca’s parent’s home. He turned off the truck sitting quietly for a few minutes. His head was spinning from what had just occurred. Not even Troy could believe that he had taken the life of both Renee and Kelley. The absolute truth about his situation had turned for the worse and there no way in the world that he could ever recover from his actions.

  Picking up his cell phone he dialed Becca’s number hoping that she would answer. He desperately needed to speak to her before it all came tumbling down. The cell phone rang more than three times before Becca answered with a slow hello, “ Hello.” She answered as though she was too frighten to speak.

  Relieved, Troy spoke glad that he could have a conversation with Becca, “ Becca please don’t hang up. I need to tell you something, please. Listen, I know you think that I cheated on you, but I have never ever been with anyone but you since high school, I swear. Renee did all of this and I have taken care of her and her sick sister Kelley. Please try to understand that if you are not a part of my life then I have no life. Would it be possible for us to consider trying to work this out I haven’t ever betrayed you Becca, I never would.” He finished hoping that he had persuade her to let him be with her again.

  Becca hesitated for a second then replied, “ Troy, I love you, I really do, but there are things I have to think about and I just need some time.” She told him.

  From the kitchen in the house another cell phone was ringing as Becca’s dad, Jack answered his phone. He had never expected to hear what was being shared with him about the events that had took place. He walked out of the kitchen tapping on Becca’s shoulder and putting his index over his lips to indicate for her not to speak. He placed the speaker on his phone and held it out so that Becca and her mother could hear what was being said.

  “ Jack this is Berta from the sheriff’s office I need and your family to know Troy killed two people just about thirty minutes ago at the bonfire. Be on alert. Sheriff wants you to stay away from Troy as he is armed and dangerous. He shot Renee and Kelley Browser while being intoxicated and arguing with them. Sheriff Cole is on the scene if you see him or he contacts any of you please advise us of this immediately. Do Not approach him. Understand?” she askedello?” she said with a very low tone as though she was freighten to speak

  Jack turned stepping back into the kitchen speaking in a very low tone, “ Understand. Troy is on the phone right now with Becca.” Turning to look at his daughter now fearing for her life.

  “ Stay inside if he comes by Sheriff will have a deputy swing by as soon as possible. I repeat, do not engage with him I’ll contact the sheriff. Call if he shows up. “ Berta stated then hung up so as to contact the sheriff.

  Becca pulled back the living room curtain peering outside seeing Troy parked in the driveway. She knew that she could go out there and Troy could not come inside. At this point Becca decided not to see Troy at all not knowing if he would harm her or not. She cleared her throat speaking in as calm a voice as she could, “ Troy, honey, this is not the time for us to try to be together. There are things that I think we need to talk about and now is not the time. Do you understand me, Troy?” trying to remain calm.

  Troy feeling disappointed looked at the house just wishing that Becca would come out so they could talk face to face. It slowly began to sink into his brain that in truth he was never going to be with her again. The window of opportunity for their dreams to come true had now passed. Choking back his tears he spoke as his voice cracked. He was full of pain that the only woman that he had ever loved no longer trusted him. His life had come to an awful ending that was not his doing. “ I messed up earlier tonight, Becca. I can never go back now. I’ve lost the only thing that I’ve truly ever loved all because of a lie and revenge. We’ll never be us again, will we?” almost wishing that she wouldn’t answer him.

  As tears welled up in her eyes Becca could sense the ending was near for her and her only love. Her answer was the only answer she could ever possibly give him, “ Troy, I do love you. I always have, but something has changed our world and right now I cannot let you back in my life. Please Troy, let’s wait and see if we can make things better in time. For now, we must remain apart. I’m sorry. I do love you, I always will.” The words fell out of mouth as she thought her hearty would snap in two pieces.

  There was nothing else for Troy to say, think or try to repair. His life as he had known it was gone and all he could do was to finish this entire process. “ Becca, I have always loved you. Remember me the way we were before the accusation. Remember me before tonight. I cannot live without you.” Still holding the phone in his left-hand Troy picked up the Twenty-Two caliber pistol and just as Becca stepped in front of the picture window to looked out, he held the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger.

  Becca screamed as she heard the gun explode inside the truck. Jack ran over to grab her and move her away from the window knowing that Troy had shot himself. He didn’t want Becca to stand there seeing her husband’s head with a bullet wound to it. He pushed her over to his wife and moved to go outside. He picked up Becca’s phone and dialed nine-one-one waiting for Berta to answer.

  Jack moved slowly, cautiously towards the black truck looking through the front windshield for any signs of life. As he moved closer and closer he began to notice that Troy’s head was laying back on the head rest behind him hanging slightly to the left. His eyes were closed as one stream of blood ran down from his right temple all the way to his chin. He could see the wound on his right temple and without examining the body Jack had no doubt that he was dead.

  “ This is the Sheriff’s office, Berta speaking, I may direct your call?” she said clearly into the receiver.

  “ Berta, It’s Jack Harmon, I need to report a self-inflicted gunshot death. It’s Troy. He just shot himself in the temple sitting in my driveway. We need the sheriff.” He finished as he stood there almost unable to believe what had just taken place.

  What had started out as a celebratory night for the high school varsity football team had ended up in tragedy beyond what any of the people at the bonfire, or in town could believe. In the span of less than two hours four citizens of Hershel had died all for the sake of revenge. What had happened in Hershel was the likes of nothing this town had every experienced. Usually, this type of crime scene only occurred in bigger towns.

  For most of the towns people all of this because someone wanted revenge for what had happened four years ago. Surely this kind of violence would have an end. The problem was the source of the violence in Hershel was not the people, but the one who was controlling, in sighting them and encouraging them to act on their worst fears and thoughts.

  This was game not for the human kind, but one born of the non-human domain. As for Troy, Renee and Kelley the final shot was knowing that it was GAME OVER.

  “ So, the evil is unmasked layer by layer and in its ending, there is no victory expect for the master of all evil.”