Murder On Dark Fort Isle

By Elaine Charton

Someone is killing the teenagers of South Boston.
There are rumors of vampires and wooden stakes.
Rumors are running wild.
Detective Allison Wynn and her partner are assigned the case. They are also asked to work with Professor Orlando Valentine, college professor, psychic and so called vampire expert.
Alison doesn't like to work with psychics, believing nothing works better than good old fashion detective work.
As they race the clock to find the killer. Alison finds her questioning what she finds. Can they stop the killer, before they become the next victims?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elaine Charton
• Release date: Dec 26, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465764546

Elaine Charton

I can't remember a time I did not have a book in my hands, or at least near by. I grew up surrounded by brothers and being in the minority I usually had to watch what they wanted. Shows with cops, robbers and cowboys and if I didn't like the way they ended, and I usually didn't, I changed the endings. Because no matter how gory, deadly, ugly the world in my books, there must be a happy ending. When it's my book, I can be sure that happens.

Book preview

Murder on Dark Fort Isle

by

Elaine Charton

Smashwords Edition

* * * * *

Published by Charton's Corner at Smashwords

Murder on Dark Fort Isle

Copyright 2011 Elaine Charton

Cover Art Copyright 2011 E.A.Garry Copyright ©

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, except for brief quotations used in critical articles or reviews.

All rights reserved.

Dedication

For my Dad, Paul Joseph MacCormack.

You were my first hero and there is a little of you in each one I write. I miss you Dad.

Murder on Dark Fort Isle

Chapter One

Allison Wynn turned her car onto the boulevard toward her destination. Dark Fort Isle loomed large and menacing. When first built, during colonial times, the fort had been on an island. Its main reason for existence at that time had been to protect Boston Harbor. Time and progress had filled in the land surrounding the island, created the beach and the boulevard.

She smiled at the number of darkened, cars parked along the boulevard. That much of the neighborhood hadn't changed. This area was still used at night as a sort of lovers' lane. When she was in high school they called it watching the submarine races. She didn't think she wanted to know what they called it now.

In between several squad cars she could see a few cars with couples huddled together as they spoke with the officers questioning them. She bet all they wanted to do was get out of there and go home. Once word got out there'd been another murder, she doubted there would be many couples parked here again. Not for a while. Sex in the back seat seemed to lose its glamour when it included a chance of murder.

At the end of the row of squad cars, she pulled in next to her partner's green truck. She could make out the faint reflections from the lights of other cars up on the hill near the entrance to the fort. Probably the M.E. or Crime Scene techs.

Opening the back of her own vehicle, she took a pair of athletic shoes out of her gym bag. Thankful, for once, she had forgotten to bring the bag in last night after her workout. There was no way in hell she'd be hiking the hill to the fort in heels. Allison grabbed her flashlight out of the glove compartment and started up the hill to the crime scene.

In spite of, or maybe because of its name, Dark Fort Isle had always been the place to go for drinking, for picnics, for hanging with your friends. Many a hot summer night had been cooled with an ice cream or milkshake from Bobbie's and a few dates had ended in hot and heavy parking sessions in a car along the beach. Many of her friends had lost their virginity in the back seat of a car somewhere along this beach. She had waited for college to lose hers to a grad student who she dropped when she realized he'd never understand why she wanted to be a cop.

Rob. She greeted her partner as she got closer. She and Rob Stanton had been partners for a little over a year. She liked the fact the Rob wasn't afraid of her and gave as good as he got. She also liked the fact that she didn't have to live in her father's shadow with him.

Hey, sorry I had to drag you out of Pat's birthday dinner.

She shrugged. You know dad, he's just sorry he couldn't come with me. Mom wasn't thrilled but she's used to it. He'll be calling me in the morning wanting a full report. What about you? I seem to remember something about a hot dinner date with a cute redhead being the reason you couldn't come to dad's party?

Yea well, that had to be rescheduled, if she's available. I hope we find whoever is doing this and soon. It's wrecking hell on my love life.

Allison smiled and patted the side of her partner's face and continued on to the crime scene, Can't be helped, Studly. She called over her shoulders, while rubbing her arms with her hands, Damn, it's cold up here. She felt him place his jacket over her shoulders.

Here, wear this. I've got a sweatshirt on, I'll be fine.

Thanks. even in the spring; it could get cold out here at night. She followed Rob to where the victims lay. Watching as he pulled the sheet off one of them. A young woman, not more than seventeen or eighteen.

It looks like we may have a serial killer on our hands. He said.

Allison didn't answer. Anger poured through her, who was this bastard? She nodded to Otto, the medical examiner, who was stood near the second body. She walked over to where he stood, reached down and pulled the sheet off, a muscular young male, definitely an athlete laid there, blood sleeping in the ground below him. Just like the last time, a young couple who looked to be fresh out of high school, a wooden stake through each of them.

Shit! She swore loudly after taking another look. Letting the sheet fall over the body she stated, Same as the last ones?

Looks that way, Otto replied, It would appear our killer has something of a vampire fetish.

Allison looked at him as if he'd lost his mind. I think you've been inhaling too much formaldehyde. You need to get out more.

What's wrong detective? Maybe our killer believes these people are vampires. It does look like a ritual murder. Haven't you heard the only way to kill a vampire is to put a stake through his heart?

Don't tell me you actually believe that crap? Rob asked staring at the two of them.

Otto simply smiled, Sometimes there is more to life than what the eye can see, detective.

Allison pointed to the bodies, "My anatomy may be a tad rusty but aren't those stakes a bit low for the heart?

Ok, so he, or she, missed. Otto smiled.

A bit gory for a female killer, wouldn't you say? What makes you think the killer is a female? Allison asked the two men.

Nothing in particular. I just think most women wouldn't try something this gory. At least not the ones I know.

Your sexism is showing, Rob.

Ah, true Detective, but this time, I fear he may be right. Otto stood and grabbed his bag, motioning to the two men waiting with stretchers.

Oh? Allison and Rob both turned from their investigation.

Look at him. Otto pointed to the young man that had just been lifted onto a stretcher. Tall muscular and unfortunately very dead, all his dreams and ambitions cut short by some psycho. He's obviously an athlete, my guess would be football and it would take a very strong woman to kill him. Unless she surprised him, even then she'd have to be fast."

So, what you're saying is given the right motivation a strong woman may have done this? Maybe someone as strong as Allison?

Could be, I sure wouldn't pick a fight with her and I'd advise you likewise. Pat Wynn made sure his girls could defend themselves if needed. If there were anything of you left after she finished, he'd take care of it. Even from a wheel chair, you don't mess with Pat Wynn.

If you two are finished discussing my family, Allison said, We have a long night ahead of us. We're obviously not dealing with the ordinary here. It certainly looks like a serial killer and whoever he or she is they have one hell of an imagination.

You got that one right, partner.

Allison shook her head. How many people have seen this?

Just the officers who called it in. They had done a check earlier this evening and didn't see a thing.

When was that?

After the first murder, the commissioner had requested they increase patrol presence here but apparently it hadn't been enough. With the budget cuts everyone was stretched thin and homicide was no different.

Probably three hours. There was nothing unusual then. When they drove around this time they found this. He nodded toward the bodies, I got here same time as the crime scene guys. The uniforms were already talking to the kids parked in front of Bobbies. Rob pointing over Allison's shoulder. What the hell is she doing here?

Alison turned to see her least favorite TV reporter climbing the hill. I'll handle her. She stopped the reporter and her camera man before they got too close.

Mary Anne. She nodded to the camera man. Hey Mike, how's the kids?

"Doing good, Ashley is queen of the third grade because you came to her class. She told us she wants to

Be a cop, just like you."

Don't worry; she'll change her mind half a dozen times before high school.

The reporter stepped between them. I'd love to stand here and listen to this friendly chit chat, but some of us have a job to do. Mary Anne thrust her microphone in Allison's face. I see the M.E.'s truck over there, Detective; does this mean there's been another murder?

No comment at this time, Ms. Magruder. She barely disguised her frustration at seeing this person here. She never liked journalists and her career as a cop only reinforced her opinion of them. Maryanne Magruder was her least favorite.A uniformed was coming up the hill and she waved him over.

Officer, escort these people off the crime scene. And make sure she talks to no one. There were only two or three cars parked at the bottom of the hill but the last thing she needed was for one of the couples being questioned to meet up with Mary Anne.

The reporter glared at her. The public has a right to know, Allison.

And they will, when we have something to tell them. When that happens, I’ll let you know.

Exclusively?

Depends on what I do, or don't see on the news before then. She turned and headed back up the hill not waiting to see if they left. Mary Anne was a smart reporter; she wouldn't print unfounded information, not if she would have a chance at something better later.

What did she find out? Rob asked when she returned to the crime scene.

Not a thing. She was on a hot news hunt. Must have heard something on the scanner.

Rob nodded, Either that or she has a snitch in the station. She wouldn't be the first one.

Yea, luckily Mike Murphy was with her. He'll make sure she stays out of trouble. Right now, we have more important things to worry about than a headline hungry reporter. She strode across the grass to where the medical examiner was getting ready to leave. He and his crew were waiting for the reporter to get back in her car.

Anything new to tell me, Otto? She asked.

He looked up and shook his head. Nothing you can't figure out yourself. He headed for his car, followed by his crew pushing the stretchers.

Allison looked at Rob and nodded toward the open gate to the fort. "Let's go see if they have anything.

Rob took a flashlight out of his pocket. I told them not to go to far into the fort.

She nodded in approval. It's dark enough in daylight. They’ve closed off whole blocks of the fort while they restore it. We don't want anyone hurting themselves. Did they find any kids hanging in the fort?

Not that I heard of, probably still too cold.

Yes, it would be too much to expect a witness or two, I guess

Inside the gate, they had bought in a couple of big battery powered lanterns and placed them in the center of the parade ground. There were two officers walking the parade ground, scanning the area for anything even resembled a clue.

Find anything guys? Allison called out as she walked around the periphery of the parade ground toward one officer. Unspoken, Rob started in the opposite direction.

Not a thing, detective. A uniformed officer came up to her. Unless you count a bunch of branches piled up in the corner. We shone a light down the hallways but couldn't see anything except a few rats.

No one took a walk to far down there, did they?

No, Ma'am. The officer answered.

Good, I want no one playing hero, it's to dangerous down there. We'll check it out again in daylight.

Rob had made his way over to her. Nothing here that we can see right now, anyway.

Ok, let's lock up and come back in the daylight. Ally turned and looked down the entryway to the fort. Was that a shadow she saw there? Taking her flashlight she shone it down the hall, nothing.

Did you see something? Rob asked.

I thought I did, must be my imagination playing tricks on me. She pointed to the gate. Let's call it a night. I want the fort closed off and a patrol here until we come back in the morning.

That was close, he thought holding his knapsack close to his body. They almost saw me.

Do not worry, they will not harm you, I will not let them.

He didn't know where the voice in his head came from, but it had been kind and fatherly, even when it explained to him what he wanted done to the boy and girl. He'd been afraid the first time, but this time was easier. The voice had been right; the bloodletting had made him stronger.

Next time will be even easier. You will see, my son.

He liked the way the voice talked to him. No one had ever called him, my son. His own father had called him a lot of things, idiot, asshole, psycho, but never my son. Entering the empty cell, he'd made into a hideaway, he wrapped himself in a blanket and laid on the floor, he needed to rest. He reached for his bottle of pills, he was running low. Maybe he could have his brother bring him some.

Soon, you'll be strong enough you won't need those. Rest my son. Rest.

He closed his eyes and slept, not noticing the spirits that stood guard over him.

Orlando stood; glad to stretch after his long flight from Poland. He'd been in Eastern Europe for the past six months, visiting friends, doing research for his latest book and teaching the occasional class. He'd accepted a new teaching position at Massachusetts College. It would allow him time to see his sister.

Grabbing his case out of the overhead compartment, he walked out the airplane and into the terminal. All he wanted was to get in a cab and head for Angie's house. It would be good to see his sister and brother-in-law again. Lost deep in thought he almost didn't see the pregnant woman who jumped into his arms.

Lando!

Angelina! He hugged his sister and set her back on her feet, holding her at arm's length. Look at you! He laid his hands on her burgeoning belly. When are you due? Why didn't you tell me?

She insisted on surprising you. A deep male voice spoke from behind him. You know what she's like once she gets an idea in her head.

Orlando turned and hugged his brother-in-law. Hello, Simon. Yes, I do know what she's like. However, that's ok. We love her anyway.

That we do. I'm going to get the car, meet me outside once you get your bags. He kissed his wife. Try not to overwhelm your brother on his first night home, Sweetheart.

With an arm around his sister, Orlando steered her toward the luggage carousal. So baby sister, when are you due?

"In about three months. I was going to write you, and then you called to tell me you were offered a position at the college, so I