They Watch

By Angela Dublin

A famous Novelist disappears on Highway 97. Her beautiful black Labrador companion is also missing. Ten years earlier, a young woman is cut to pieces by a presumed Serial killer. He was never apprehended. More recently, women have been disappearing in the Okanogan Mountains outside of Tonasket, Washington.

Sheriff Raymer and Deputies Mingo and John have set up a search party. Time is running out as darkness is fast approaching. No one is safe. The local reporter, Anna Doblin comes upon the grisly scene out on Highway 97. Where is the missing person? Is she still alive? So much blood...Her black Mustang, still playing Janis Joplin, sits idling beside the road. A pool of blood darkens the dirt beneath the open door. The shadows of night stir ominously. someone or something is out there. Killing. Waiting and watching. It is time. Time to feed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angela Dublin
• Release date: May 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301272365

Angela Dublin

Angela Dublin is the Author of several books, (Children's and Thriller's). Banjo Bongo Bug's Greatest Adventures and Bringing in the Clown are both available via Amazon. They Watch, (Thriller) as an e-book will be available Apr. 1, 2013. She is currently working on her newest Novel, Drogheda, A Viking Saga.based on Ivarr, the boneless.She loves Writing, Reading, Artwork, Painting, and Movies. She lives just outside Tonasket, WA., on the banks of the Okanogan. Angela has a beautiful German Shepherd, Kika, that is her constant Companion and friend, and who is the reason she is working on another Novel, Dogs of War. A moving story of our Canine Hero's.Angela has written short stories for several magazines, won several poetry awards and many achievements with her paintings. She attended College in Puyallup, Washington. She has also owned and managed three business's over the past twenty years.She has two beautiful Adult Children, Josh and Britt who have given her four wonderfully entertaining Grand Children. Angela resides in Okanagon County with her German Shepherd, Kika.

Book preview

They Watch

Copyright©2022 Angela Dublin

Distributed by Smashwords

MANBEAST

When man begins to play with fire, he will get burned. When he begins to tamper with genetics, the only outcome is complete destruction.

Dena Benning had been driving for more than six hours. Staring out the windshield of her 2006 Convertible Mustang, she felt exhilarated. On top of the world! She was finally doing something just for herself. A vacation of a lifetime lay just ahead. Two weeks of peace and quiet. She couldn’t wait for the breakfast in bed, fishing on the lake, sipping Chocolate Martinis by the water. No distractions, except for the mosquitoes. As she drove north on Highway 97, she pondered over the leaflet that lay sprawled across the top of her briefcase perched a bit precariously on the passenger seat. Then her eyes alit on the back light of her car radio clock. They only had about another hour and they would be there. Dena peered into the rear view mirror. The small boned dark haired woman spoke out loud. They had been on the long winding road for hours. A road that reminded her of a place in one of her Novels. A road to nowhere land, winding, weaving, stretching on and on. The view filled with rock caverns, and boulder laden walls with pine trees here and there. She drove just above the Okanogan river and she giggled as she thought of the movie, A River runs through, with Brad Pitt standing knee deep in his own river, fly fishing. His beautiful blonde hair gleaming in the sun. Ok. Enough of those thoughts, lady! She glanced in the rear view mirror at the ansy dog. And then she plugged in her favorite singer, Janice Joplin. She watched as the sun began to set on the horizon and knew the darkness was fast approaching. It would be only minutes before the sun was completely gone and the driving would have to continue under a night sky. Well Shadow Dog, guess we only have about one hour and we are there! What do you think about that girl? Are we going to have some fun, or what? Dena flashed a big smile at her Black Labrador. The big dog sensed the change in Dena’s tone and suddenly she too was anxious. Shadow began to bark. Shadow! Shush! What’s the matter with you, huh? Dena knew what her furry friend wanted. She was beginning to feel the discomfort too. Jesus, she exclaimed. Damn it was dark out. Too dark. The road ahead seemed to wind forever and she couldn’t see a light anywhere. The harvest moon was full and bright, casting its reddish glow over the hills. Janis Joplin played on the radio as Dena pressed down on the accelerator. The needle on the dash hovered at seventy- five miles per hour as the sleek mustang raced around the curves like a bullet. Within minutes she had gone another ten miles and still there was no sign of a rest stop. There wasn’t anything but pavement for miles. No houses, no lights, and no damn bathroom. Not even a flippen gas station. The pressure in her bladder had become unbearable. The last thing she wanted to do was to pull over. Her foot slammed down on the gas pedal and the car propelled forward with a thrust of speed as it turned and swerved around the snaking corners. Within minutes she had driven another ten miles and still nothing. Dena mused about the luxury of her vehicle and she loved her car with its leather bucket seats and surround sound system. Too bad it doesn’t have a portable potty! The woman exclaimed out loud. Mother Nature was not about to wait. The last thing she wanted to do was to have to pull over. It was pitch dark out! Slowing the Black Mustang, she spotted a pull off just ahead. The place was lined with tall Ponderosa pine trees that encircled a graveled parking area. Out in the middle of nowhere and not a car in sight. A perfect spot if I don’t say so myself! What do you think Shadow? You got to go too? The beautiful Black Lab, woofed back at Dena. Pulling over to the edge of the giant Pine tree lined edge of the pull off, she brought the sleek black car to a halt. Sitting inside with her fingers tapping the steering wheel she braced herself and pulled up the nerve to step out into the dark of night. God I hate this shit! Oh well. Guess we have to do what we have to do! Isn’t that right Shadow! Dena opened the door and looked sharply at the big dog. Shadow seemed more nervous than she felt. It big black body stood rigid on the back seat. Well? Come on then, get out! Come on Shadow, its o.k. The dog climbed out of the back seat and up onto the driver’s seat. Then she looked at Dena before jumping out onto the pebbled ground. Instantly she stopped dead in her tracks. Her big floppy ears flickered and her wet shiny nose went up to test the air. The hair on her nape stood on end. Suddenly, the big dog took off like a flash, racing down into the sage brush covered trail. Laughing, Dena said to no one in particular,

Well, looks like she really had to go! Dena had already pulled her black stretch jeans down and had proceeded to squat just inside the lighted door. Holding on to the handle for balance she tried to make it fast. There was nothing like having to squat to pee, thought Dena. Hoping she wouldn’t get any on the back of her pants as she tried to stay balanced. Balance being the key word. Boy, thought Dena, when you are in a hurry, nothing seems to go fast enough. Suddenly, the night air was shattered by a sickening yelp. Oh my God, yelled Dena as she jerked at her pants, trying to get them over her butt and up to fasten, as she felt the adrenaline rush that raced up her spine. Shadow? Shadow! Where are you? She yelled loudly into the night as she tried to stand up in the dark with both hands on the waistband of her pants. Just as she began to pull her pants zipper up, she sensed she wasn’t alone. Something was behind her, a menacing presence. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck prickled. She felt that something was right behind her. It’s hot breath blowing on the back of her head. The small statured woman was clearly shaking in her shoes. Her mind raced. What was it? Who was there? God she did not want to turn around. Maybe she should just jump into the car and drive. But consciously she knew she wouldn’t have a chance. Whatever was behind her was too damn close. Slowly and fearfully she turned her head. Her eyes saw for a split second what was there. The night air split with a horrendous scream, that echoed across the rock strewn canyon walls and throughout the valley below. Then, total, utter silence. The only sounds on the night air were the tunes of Janis Joplin on the radio and the rumble of the lone Black Mustang as it sat idling by the road side.

Dena Benning and her dog Shadow had completely vanished. The cooling wind swirled around the car, blowing up a small whirl of dust as it made its way through the boughs of the tall pine. The breeze caused a slight rustling sound as it echoed eerily throughout the canyon below. Without warning, another sound broke the silence of the impenetrable darkness. It was like a panther type, echoing scream. A piercing guttural growl followed, and it turned into a horrifyingly wolf like howl. The cry of a beast as it celebrated the end of the hunt. Every animal went silent in their quest for cover. More cries and howls followed. They filled the night. Every animal and bird grew silent as they sought cover. It was if every animal and bird for miles were afraid of some kind of predator. Evil was watching.

Old Highway 97

A call came across the Omak Police Departments radio. Sheriff Raymer was having his first cup of rich aromatic coffee, when he heard the voice on the other end. He walked over to the radio and listened to the call. Hello? This is Al Johnson with Lands Trucking. I want to report something out here on the highway between Tonasket and Riverside. I’m sitting here at the pull off heading North. Might or might not be anything. But I just drove up Highway 97 and spotted a pretty black Mustang idling on the side of the road. The driver’s door is wide open, but there isn’t anyone around. Thought you guys might want to check it out. Sheriff Raymer put the microphone to his mouth as he grabbed a pad and pencil. What was your name again? Al, Al Johnson sir. Where is the location of this car, Al? Sheriff Raymer jotted down the information that Al provided and then he thanked the man for calling in. Downing the last of his tepid coffee he spoke once more into the mic. O.k. Al. Got it! We will get on it right away. And hey thanks again for reporting your concern. Probably nothing but we will check it out anyway. Al and Henry both signed off simultaneously. Henry’s brow creased more than usual. Staring down at the yellow scratch pad he could not keep his brain from thinking about a similar situation that had occurred two years ago in that same vicinity. Setting the now empty mug down a little too hard, he muttered to himself as he prepared to leave. Talking to himself as he reached for his keys he said, Hell Henry, knock it off. It’s probably nothing. Henry grabbed his favorite fishing cap off the peg and walked at a fast pace through the police department, calling over to his two deputies.

John and Mingo weren’t just ordinary deputy’s; they were best friends. All three of them had grown up together just outside the small town of Tonasket. Mingo did the local rodeo, riding Bronc’s and bulls for most of his younger years. John pretty much had his nose to the grind, even as a teenager. Both of the men were a few years older than Henry. John was bit too serious and Mingo made up for it by being a little too carefree. Henry often wondered where he fit into it all. Yet the three of them had become like brothers over the past umpteen years. John was raised by two very wealthy parents and it showed. His clothes were always neat and pressed. He wore his blonde hair cut in the typical California boy style and when he talked, well let’s just say his words were bigger than his mouth. An intelligent book reader, thought Henry. Mingo on the other hand was a full blood Apache. He wore his long graying hair pulled back in a ponytail and a yellow bandana was always wrapped snuggly around his forehead. He was a very soft spoken man who loved and lived life to the fullest. ‘The Apache,’ was the nickname he was given as a young boy. He had been named by his grandfather because the youngster always smiled. Yet, Henry had learned over the years that Mingo could be just as deadly with a smile. What’s up Henry? John asked as he approached the Sheriff who looked a bit shaken. Guys, I just got a call from some truck driver. He says there’s a Black Mustang sitting out on 97 and that there is no one around. The truck driver also said the driver’s door is wide open and the engines still running. Said he stopped to take a look but couldn’t find a soul. John and Mingo both looked at each other quizzically, then Mingo spoke up first. What are we waiting? Let’s get out there and check it out. Both men quickly grabbed their keys and weapons and made their way towards the door. Suddenly Henry called out to them. Hold on their fella’s. I need to check something out.

Henry leaned over his desk and pushed the mouse on the computer. Then he hit the enter button. The screen scrolled to a stop. Henry proceeded to read the articles on the screen. There were three that caught his attention immediately. All of them similar. But the one tie that they all shared stared out from the screen. They had all occurred out on Highway 97, between Omak and Tonasket. Missing women. All of them. The murderer or murderers had never been caught. There wasn’t even a description of the perps. Scrolling down, he found another article about a young girl who had been mutilated in that same area. However, she wasn’t missing. She had been found dead. He knew this one first hand. Shania Winters…! Yes! He remembered it all too well. Nothing had been the same after what he had seen that fateful day. Never would be. He read and reread each article, as understanding made its way into his conscious. This was not something new. It may even turn out to be related to all of these other stories, and deaths. As he scrolled down further he found two more pieces that were also similar, exception, they had occurred up on Aeneas Valley. Thirty miles, Northeast of Tonasket. All of the articles were written by the same Author and Henry made a mental note of the woman’s name. He intended to speak with this Ms. Maricella Butler when they got back from the scene out of 97. Before leaving, he yelled over at one of the operators to look up a Black mustang, license plate WA 425AG. Let me know as soon as you have something. Ready fella’s? Let’s go see what the hell is going on out there. I don’t like this one bit. Not one bit!" Sheriff Raymer grabbed his 44 Magnum revolver from the desk side drawer and holstered it. Ordinarily he would carry a 38 police special, but today he decided the bigger one was the better choice. All morning he had this feeling that today was just the beginning of a really bad movie playing out. Like a nightmare you don’t get out of without it leaving its mark. He just could not shake the deep seated unease as all three walked out the door of the Omak Police Department.

TWO-BUTLER’S MOUNTAIN

Larry and Bessie Butler lived in a two story cabin about 18 miles Northeast of Tonasket, Elevation 3600 ft. They had