SHORT STORY - THE HAND

Hello Everybody,
It's a public holiday here in South Africa, 'Workers Day', so with time to enjoy I am going to share another short story with you.
The Hand - When Inspector Higgins investigates a missing person, he uncovers a gruesome murder

Hope you enjoy and honest comments are always welcome.


THE HAND
"The bed was empty." Jake told the inspector for the third time.
"Did anybody sleep in the bed?" Inspector Higgins inquired again.
"I don't know, how many times I must tell you what I saw. I told you I went upstairs with a cup of tea in my hand and opened the door. The bed was empty. I called out her name and there was no reply. I walked into the room, put the tea down, and looked around. The curtains were drawn and the windows closed, the lamp was on. I went down stairs and phoned Kerry, her phone was off." He said and sat down with a sigh.
"Jake, according to witnesses, Kerry disappeared three weeks ago, are you aware of this?" The inspector asked in an icy tone.
"No, it is not correct, she was here yesterday, and we still watched a movie before she went to bed." He replied displaying a fidgety reaction.
The inspector got up, put his notebook into his pocket, and told Jake not leave town, as there would be more questions to be answered over the next few days. Jake got up, nodded, and walked with the inspector to the door. He stood there and watched as the inspector get into his car and drive away. Jake sighed and went inside.
Jake was unusually nervous. He did not appreciate the police questioning him. He went into the kitchen and opened the fridge. Removing a can of coke, he opened it and drank it. He did not understand what they meant by saying she disappeared three weeks ago. Trying to fathom out the reasoning for their call and snide remarks, he wondered if indeed some disaster took place.
He went upstairs and checked the bedroom again. He had to find a clue. He did not know where Kerry went. He looked through the dressing cupboard all her clothes were there. The drawers, all neatly packed showed no signs of disturbance. He walked towards the window and drew the curtains, the sun light streamed into the room and he looked out at the garden. He stood there speculating on what could have happened. He turned around and walked towards the dresser, looking around he could not find the cup of tea he remembered putting down. Rubbing his head, he began to feel confused. Did the police remove the cup or did he make a cup of tea? Shaking his head, he walked towards the bathroom door and found it locked. He knocked and called out her name. Silence, no reply, he wondered why the door was locked. He stood looking at the door for a few minutes, feeling confused, he knocked on the door again.
He ran downstairs, to the kitchen and opened a drawer. The spare house keys were there he knew, now where was the bedroom key, he asked himself, as he searched through the bunch of loose keys. A few minutes later, he found the keys to Kerry's room and went back upstairs.
Jake unlocked the bathroom door and as he stood there, he felt the blood drain from his head. Not prepared for the ghastly sight, he looked and could not believe what he was seeing. Unable to move, as if frozen from fear, he stared. Kerry was dead, to all appearances. Her mouth opened and eyes showing a look of horror, one leg slung over the top of the bath. The knife still inserted into the side of her chest and the blood trickling out from the wound. A tap was dripping, he heard the sound of water, but afraid to enter, he kept looking at the dead body in total shock, feeling sick unto death, and motionless.
A few minutes passed and still staring at the dead body, he regained his sanity, closed the bathroom door, and locked it. Jake went down stairs and back to the kitchen. His mouth was dry, and he needed something to drink. He took another can of coke from the refrigerator and gulped it down as though it was his last drink. Wiping his mouth, he went into the lounge and picked up his phone. Dialed the inspector's number, and thought about the consequences and the trouble this could bring.
"Hello, Inspector Higgins."
"Hello, Inspector, it is Jake, please get back here it is awful, hurry up!" Jake said his voice full of fear.
Inspector Higgins, with a frown upon his face, stared at the disconnected phone and pondered what Jake was up to now. He recalled how anxious Jake sounded and decided to go back to the house. Higgins picked up his phone and called his assistant. Within minutes Paul, still a rookie entered his office and before he could say anything Higgins told him, they would be leaving for Jake's house. Paul nodded and waited. Higgins grabbed his jacket and the two men left the office. They left the building, walking towards the car in silence, it began to rain, not a hard rain, a slight drizzle and they ran towards the car. Once inside he started the engine and soon was driving towards Jake's house. He told Paul about the call from Jake and instructed him to check the house again for any clues once they arrived.
The car stopped and he saw Jake standing on the patio, looking rather nervous and impatient. Inspector Higgins walked up the stairs, followed by the constable.
"What's the trouble, Jake?" exclaimed Higgins, giving him a hearty slap on the back.
Jake looked at him and without replying walked inside the house. Higgins and Paul followed. Jake stood in the living room and looking at Higgins with a fearful expression upon his face, his hands clasped.
"Inspector, we never checked the bathroom, it was locked, and I went downstairs to fetch the spare keys." Jake sounding nervous said.
"OK Jake, relax, let us sit down and you can tell me all about the bathroom," the inspector said, exchanging glances with Paul.
They went into the lounge a pleasant neat room with a small rectangular table in the center. They sat down and both the inspector and the constable, staring at Jack watching how nervous he appeared waited for him to talk.
"We should not sit here and waste time. We should get upstairs and see what is in the bathroom." Jake said while flexing his fingers.
"Jake calm down, we are here to help, tell us what you saw before we go upstairs."
"It was horrible, I opened the door and there she was, dead, a knife protruding out of her chest, the bath filled with blood," he said and still twitching his hands.
"This was after we left I presume."
Jake stood up, walked over to the Inspector, and clutched his arm with a strong grip.
"Don't you believe me? He gasped.
Higgins not expecting to hear such a horrid story stood up, jerking his arm free and told him they would go and inspect the bathroom. Higgins while walking upstairs, still felt the sting in his arm from the tight grip of Jake and realised how much strength this timid man had. They walked upstairs and into the bedroom. Standing back, watching Jake who still appeared nervous and his hands shaking as he inserted the key to unlock the bathroom door. The door opened and he stood there with the inspector and constable behind him. Nothing, absolutely nothing, the bath was empty and clean. The inspector pushed passed Jake and glanced around the room. He opened a cupboard, packed with towels all neatly folded. He looked at the window it was closed. He walked back to the bath and felt the bottom. It was dry.
He walked out of the bathroom and shook his head.
"She was there I tell you not less than one hour ago," he threw a startled look at Higgins
"Jake calm down," the inspector told him.
"No, it is impossible, I know what I saw, she is dead," he screeched.
"Jake come now, let us go downstairs, and talk about this," The inspector said with a chill suspicion growing in his mind and nudging him towards the bedroom door.
They went downstairs and back into the lounge. Jake sat down and holding his head, he looked at the inspector as he nodded his head with a very hard look in his eyes.
"I am telling you the truth, she was laying in the bath, her eyes they had such a fearful look and her mouth, it was open as though she wanted to say something."
"Jake are you on medication?" asked the inspector.
"No, nothing, I am not sick"
"Jake I am going to phone for more support and we are going to search the entire house and once we have done that, we can discuss the dead body," Inspector Higgins said and got up.
He took out his phone and called the station. Jake got up and offered them a drink. He went into the kitchen and came back with a few cans of soft drinks. Each taking one and drinking in silence waited for the backup control to come over to the house. A few minutes later, they heard the sound of screeching sirens. The inspector walked towards the front door, greeted the officers, and told them to begin the search. He stood on the patio and watched the rainfall.
Inspector Higgins took out a cigarette and lit it. Blowing the smoke towards the rain, he tried to fathom the reasoning behind Jake. He could not understand what Jake had seen and hoped the search would reveal a few conclusive clues to solve the mystery. His suspicion aroused more as he continued to think about the matter. He became determined to keep a sharp eye upon Jake.
Jake came out and stood beside him.
"Inspector, do you think I am hallucinating?" asked Jake.
"No, I am trying to understand where the body could have disappeared to in such a short time." Leveling a straight glance at his face, he answered.
"I tell you, it is the truth. When you left, I went back into her bedroom and looked around; everything was as she had left it. Nothing was moved, but for some strange reason, I could not find the cup of tea I brought up to her this morning." He said and folded his arms.
"Ah the cup, now we have a missing cup and a missing body." He said mockingly.
"I am telling the truth, don't joke about this," Jake becoming rather angry replied.
"Jake calm down, once the search is over, we can discuss this, in the meantime let us enjoy the fresh air."
Jake did not answer and went back inside. The inspector took out his phone and dialed a number."
"Peter, this is Inspector John Higgins, from Parklane, I need a favor."
"What can I do, John?" the voice on the other side asked.
"I need you to do a full check on a Jake Random."
"Jake Random, better give me some other information, I recall doing a check just three weeks ago."
"Jake Random he lives at number thirty seven, Park Lane."
"Ah the same Jake, well have you got time, there is a lot on this guy."
"OK I will come down to your office, see you in about an hour," He said and put the phone down.
He looked up at the gray sky and wondered what the visit to Peter would reveal about Jake. He turned around and went inside to see how the search party were doing. He walked up to his constable who confirmed the search upstairs revealed nothing. He continued and told him the search was still in progress and almost completed. Higgins told him he would be leaving and would see him back at the station.
Inspector Higgins went to his car without saying goodbye to Jake and drove directly to Peter's office. He parked the car, went into the tall glass and steel building, and took the elevator to the seventh floor. The receptionist recognized him and greeted him. She got up and went into Peter's office. Peter came out and greeted his old friend. Together they went into his office and Peter offered him a drink. He walked towards the drinks cabinet and poured two whiskeys and topped them up with ice. He handed a drink to John, walked around his solid oak desk, and sat down. Taking a sip of his whiskey, he looked at John and shook his head.
"Tell me, what do you know about Jake?" Peter asked.
"Well, there was a girl, Kerry who disappeared three weeks ago and her family filed a missing person report. We have investigated all leads and the last clue led us to Jake. He admitted she stayed there for a few days but does not know where she is."
"I suppose he has told you some weird stories, like finding dead bodies or strange people entering his house." Peter chuckled.
"He told us about discovering a dead body but when we investigated, nothing," Higgins replied.
"Talking of sudden disappearances the one you mention of Kerry, is not the only remarkable one which has come under my direct notice. Indeed, I know of another few women who have disappeared under mysterious circumstances."
"Do you suppose there is a link associated with Jake?" inquired Higgins.
"I am not surprised; we have been investigating him for three years. For some strange reason Jake has always been linked to the missing women. We have absolutely nothing on him."
"Strange, I have heard the stories of the missing women but linking them to Jake, there must be some logical explanation." Higgins frowned.
"Yes I say that all the time. This is your first case regarding his involvement. We will have to work together and come up with a strategy." Peter said.
"Whatever he is doing, we will uncover his devious deeds." He said and put the glass down.
Peter offered him another drink and he declined. He told Peter he would get back to the house and chat with Jake again. He stood up greeted him and left the building. Driving his car on his way back to Jake's house, he kept thinking about the other women who had disappeared mysteriously.
Arriving at Jake's house, he closed the car door, walked up the stairs, and rang the bell. He waited for a response. Again, he pressed the buzzer, no reply. He turned the doorknob and surprisingly it was unlocked. He went inside walked towards the lounge, nobody. All was deathly quiet, he peaked into the kitchen, called out Jake's name and went back into the lounge. The only sound he heard was the solemn ticking of the clock as it counted out the seconds on the mantelpiece. Pondering his next move, he decided to go upstairs and look around Kerry's bedroom. He went upstairs, to the mysterious bedroom. Standing in the doorway looking around one more time, he saw the bed and noticed the covers were ruffled. He stroked his chin and with a frown upon his head was convinced the bed was neat and tidy that morning. He walked towards the bed and moved the covers. Startled at what he saw, he took his phone out of his pocket and called Peter.
"Peter, get some backup and come to Jake's House. I have found a clue."
"What did you find?"
"Just get over here as quick as possible!"
"OK I am on my way."
Higgins stood staring at the ghastly sight and did not notice Jake standing in the doorway. Jake moved close to him and without any warning tapped him on the shoulder. Inspector Higgins with a fear of the unknown turned around and looked directly at Jake who seemed to have a scornful smile upon his face. Higgins advanced in such a way as to place himself against the edge of the bed to prevent him from noticing the ruffled bed cover.
"Jake, the door was open and I let myself in." He said in a stern voice.
"Inspector, you of all people should know trespassing in an offense."
"Not trespassing, checking for evidence Jake."
"Well did you find what you were looking for," he stood with his hands in his pockets.
"No, I was just wondering how she got out of the room." He said making sure Jake would not see his discovery. He needed time and knew he would have to keep Jake busy for a while.
"Well then let us go downstairs and have a drink." He wiped his forehead with a hand that trembled like a leaf.
"Jake, before we go downstairs, tell me about the bathroom one more time."
Jake moved back slightly and the inspector remained standing in the same position, hoping Jake would not look at the bed. Jake scratched his head and repeated the story to the Inspector. Higgins eagerly waiting for the arrival of Peter before Jake would discover the clue on the bed. Jake watching how nervous the inspector looked asked him if everything was fine. Higgins assured him all was well. Jake again suggested they go downstairs and have a drink.
"Jake, look I need to ask you another question before we leave the room."
"OK, what do you want to know?"
"What more can you tell me about Kerry?
"Kerry, she was so pretty with her long blonde hair and always lots of fun to be with. You know she loved clubbing, and when she stayed here I told her clubbing would get her into trouble, she would not listen."
"Jake do you know the clubs she frequented?"
"A few, I will write the names down for you, now let us go downstairs, I am thirsty."
They heard the door open and footsteps in the foyer. Jake turned around and frowned unsure of who could have entered his home. Higgins, wiped his brow, relieved help had arrived. He remained standing in the same position waiting for Peter to enter the bedroom.
Jake walked towards the door, turned around, and told Higgins to wait and not leave the room. He walked out and closed the door. Higgins heard the key turn, and knew Jake had locked him in the room. He walked towards the door and heard unknown voices. He took out his phone and called Peter. He was anxious and urged Peter to hurry up. Peter said they would be there in five minutes.
It was a long five minutes, which seemed to go on forever. He paced up and down the room while waiting for Peter to arrive. Finally, he heard a car stop and walked over to the window, looking out he saw Peter and several constables walk up the driveway. Relieved, he walked towards the door and called Jake. No response! He heard footsteps and called out again. Banging on the door, he heard Peter call him. He called out telling them to force the locked door open. Peter told him to stand back, he immediately moved back and without another second being wasted the door opened, and Peter came in.
"Peter look at the bed." Higgins said pointing in the direction of the bed.
Peter walked up closer to the bed and shook his head.
"A hand, could this be the hand of Kerry?"
He called the constable and told them to remove the hand and the bed coverings. They immediately started to carry out the instructions received. Higgins told him about the visitor Jake received. He confirmed he was unable to identify who it was, and how he locked the room as he left. They immediately went in search of Jake.
The house was empty Jake had disappeared. Both Higgins and Peter stood on the patio, gathered in their own thoughts wondered how Jake had disappeared and with whom.
"Well, I think we have enough evidence to convict Jake for the murder of Kerry that is if we can find him."
"I told you he was a shifty character, and finding him could prove more difficult than finding the rest of Kerry's body."
"Come, there is not much more we can do here, it would be better to get back to the station."
"You are right, let's go back."
They walked towards their cars, greeted one another, and promised to stay in touch. Higgins drove back to the station, his thoughts both many and conflicting, wondering who came over to Jake's house and why.
Convinced of his involvement in the murder of Kerry and having evidence, a countrywide search for Jake ensued. Over the following two weeks, Jake's house remained under police surveillance and during that time, nobody came near the house. Often Higgins would drive over to the house and chat to the surveillance team. Repeatedly the constable would tell him the same story. Not a soul came near the house, it remained completed deserted.
Higgins was at his office completing the huge amount of paper work accumulated over the past few weeks. The events surrounding the Kerry murder and the disappearance of Jake puzzled him. All the efforts to obtain information in this regard and the fate or whereabouts of Jake, had so far proved utterly futile.
He could not concentrate and knew whoever came to visit Jake that day, would be able to put closure on this case. His door opened and as he looked up, shocked, he stood up.
"Jake, where have you been, we have being looking all over for you."
Jake looking tired and confused, very poorly and miserably clad, walked in to the office, and sat down. He paused and looked at Higgins, asking for a glass of water. Higgins poured a glass of water and handed it to him. Jake gulped it down, and asked for another glass. Higgins obliged and sat down.
"I am going to tell you the truth," he said and wiped his mouth.
Higgins watched and waited. Looking at him, Jake told the inspector about his two friends, Perry and Kurt, both drug lords. He continued and told him of his addiction to heroin and the constant trouble of not being able to pay for his habit. Higgins surprised at the confession urged him to continue. Jake somewhat distraught held his head and told Higgins the drug lords almost killed him when his debt spiralled out of control. He managed to make a deal with them in exchange for drugs. They wanted young women and he had to find them. While out clubbing he would meet several young women, take them home and call the drug lords. He told Higgins both Kurt and Perry would come over to the house and instruct him to leave. He would venture off to another club and upon returning home, always found the house empty and no signs of any visitors the night before.
"I promise you, Inspector, I never questioned why they wanted women and what happened." Wiping his brow, he continued.
"Well Jake that is one helluva confession, but tell me about Kerry?" Higgins surprised at the turn of events asked.
"I had nothing to do with her murder. The day you were in the room, remember there was somebody in the house and I locked you in the room."
"Yes, I remember," Higgins replied.
"Well, it was Perry and Kurt; they grabbed me and took me to some old downtown warehouse. For two weeks I was chained like an animal and they tortured me." He cried.
"What on earth for?" Higgins asked.
"They wanted to know why I kept her hand and I kept on telling them I did not keep any of her body parts. They said I messed up big time and they were going to kill me."
"So they knew about her hand, I presume?"
"I still don't know what they mean about the hand, I really don't know."
"How did you manage to get out of the warehouse?"
"Last night, when they came to check up on me, they unchained me so that I could use the bathroom. I walked back to the chair and waiting for them to chain me up again, Perry received a phone call, and both of them left the building in a hurry." Jake wiped his brow, took the glass of water, and gulped it down.
"Continue and tell me what ensued." Higgins said while enjoying this confession of Jake.
"I waited for a few minutes and convinced they had left, crept slowly towards the door and found it unlocked. Upon opening the door, saw it was dark and raining, I went outside and ran as fast as I could. I tell you I was scared, I kept on running not knowing where I was going. I am not sure for how long I ran and walked but soon arrived in town. I was tired and found a park. I went there, rested, and waited for morning. Not knowing what time it was I came straight to your office." He continued and feeling more relieved after confessing, asked for some more water.
"OK, you are safe now, we will help." Higgins said while pouring him another glass of water.
Higgins sat down again and while watching Jake drink his water, picked up his phoned and called Peter.
"Peter, Jake is at my office and I have a confession," Higgins said and put the phone down.

THE END

Well that is the story, and hope you enjoyed. Update on the unpublished Sipho novel, received the proof copy from Amazon and decided I don't like the cover, so it back to work and well hopefully we get this one published one day!

Enjoy your day and wishing you all the best,
Your friend,
Laura