Murder in the Pinelands

By Susan K. Droney

When a teenager is brutally murdered in The Pinelands, his friends insist it was the work of The Jersey Devil.

Christine Daniels, an investigative reporter, works with the police to determine what really happened to the teen that night.

• Language: English
• Publisher: World Castle Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Apr 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781949812848

Susan K. Droney

Writing is Susan's number one passion. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, spending time in her garden, and visiting family and friends. She has many novels, short stories, and magazine articles to her credit. Raised in western New York, she now resides in New Jersey. For information about Susan's current and upcoming titles, please visit http://www.susandroney.com or http://susandroney.blogspot.com

Book preview

Murder in the Pinelands

By

Susan K. Droney

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, locations, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

World Castle Publishing, LLC

Pensacola, Florida

Copyright © Susan K. Droney 2019

Smashwords Edition

Paperback ISBN: 9781949812831

eBook ISBN: 9781949812848

First Edition World Castle Publishing, LLC, April 8, 2019

http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com

Smashwords Licensing Notes

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews.

Cover: Karen Fuller

Editor: Maxine Bringenberg

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter One

The moon was full, just like it is tonight. Suddenly the wind came out of nowhere and whistled through the trees, snapping branches and sending them crashing to the ground, causing the creatures of the forest to scurry for cover from the impending storm. The bright moon had disappeared, and the forest became pitch dark. The storyteller’s voice was low and dramatic. All of a sudden a loud crash sounded, and heavy footsteps thundering through the forest came closer and closer. He paused for emphasis, and then continued. Then a piercing, blood curdling scream echoed through the woods. The hair stood up on the back of the necks of the campers, and they huddled together, too afraid to even move a muscle. The booming footsteps were almost upon them when they abruptly stopped. Even the wind had died down. Everything grew deathly still. Not even a leaf on a tree moved. The campers waited, too afraid to move. They listened and waited.

The storyteller, unobserved, snaked an arm behind the girl seated tightly next to him and touched the back of her neck.

She screamed.

He laughed. Gotcha.

That’s not funny, Aaron. Jensyn Richards looked apprehensively behind her. Let’s get out of here. This place gives me the creeps. She ran a shaky hand through her long brown hair.

Aaron Blake, her boyfriend and the storyteller, put an arm around her. Come on, since we’re here, let’s stay a little while, Jensyn. I was just fooling around.

Well, I don’t think it’s funny. She bit her bottom lip. "I want to leave now! She shined the flashlight she held tightly in one hand at his face. I mean it, Aaron."

Anyone else want to leave? He looked at his best friend Evan Stone, and then at Evan’s girlfriend Kennedy Williams, who sat with her arms wrapped so tightly around Evan it looked like she was holding on for dear life. Both of them aimed their flashlights in Aaron’s direction.

Evan looked away from his friend’s face and stared into the dark woods. Looks like a storm might be headed our way. Maybe we’d better get going, Aaron.

Aaron laughed. I don’t think there’s a storm coming. His eyes narrowed. Don’t tell me you’re afraid, too. He flashed his own light on Evan’s girlfriend. Hey, Kennedy, did you know your boyfriend is afraid of his own shadow? Watch out, Evan, the boogey man might get you!

Evan’s jaw hardened. I didn’t say I was afraid, but your Jersey Devil stories are getting old. We should go.

It was your idea to come here. He shrugged. Jensyn and I were going to see a movie or just hang out, but you begged us to hang out with Kennedy and you. So, don’t put the blame on me.

You didn’t have to come with us, Kennedy said sharply. It was your choice.

I didn’t know you were planning to come here, Evan. You knew the party was cancelled.

He studied Evan’s reaction. Evan and he were complete opposites in every way. Evan was clean cut, with reddish blond hair and a slim build, where Aaron was muscular, with broad shoulders and thick wavy black hair. Evan didn’t care much for sports, but devoured books and was a straight A student. Aaron loved football and studied just enough to squeak by.

I already had the beer, Evan explained weakly.

What’s wrong with the beer? Aaron asked.

Nothing. Why? Evan looked at his girlfriend.

I don’t know. I don’t feel right. Aaron shook his head.

There’s nothing wrong with the beer, Aaron. Mine’s fine.

Says the boy who’s afraid of his own shadow, Aaron retorted.

If you’re so brave, why don’t you spend the night here all by yourself? Evan challenged.

I don’t have to prove anything to you, Evan. I’m not afraid.

I thought so, Evan chided.

You know, Evan, I don’t care what you think. He turned to Jensyn. Are you okay? Is your beer making you feel weird?

Just a slight headache, but I doubt it’s the beer, Jensyn said. You know I hate it here, Aaron. Especially when we’re the only ones here. And you have to make it worse by telling your stupid Jersey Devil stories. She shuddered.

Especially telling them where the Jersey Devil is known to roam, Kennedy added.

Don’t tell me you actually believe the myths about the Jersey Devil. Aaron chuckled. Come on, Kennedy. You’re smarter than that.

Knock it off, Aaron! Jensyn snapped. Come on, let’s go.

Kennedy Williams tilted her blonde head in the direction of Evan. Ready? she asked as she stood.

Evan scrambled to his feet and slipped a protective arm around her. I’m ready. Come on, Aaron. We’ll find something else to do.

Aaron cocked an eye at them, but remained seated. Okay, I’m sorry. I was just having some fun. No one believes the stories anyway. He frowned. The Jersey Devil sightings are just the product of overactive imaginations.

I don’t care. I don’t want to be here. This is the last time I’m ever coming here. Kennedy shuddered. Let’s leave, Evan. She tugged at his arm. "Now."

"Don’t tell me you really do believe all those stories, too, Aaron said as he slowly shook his head back and forth. Unbelievable. Come on. They’re nothing more than a bunch of fairy tales."

Can you prove it? My great-grandmother once came face to face with the Jersey Devil, and she was never the same after that, Jensyn stated firmly. She was a nervous wreck, and refused to leave her home.

Aaron slapped his forehead as he roared with laughter. Yeah, and didn’t she spend most of her life in and out of mental institutions? You told me you even thought she was crazy from the stories your grandmother told you. I don’t think her mental state had any connection to the Jersey Devil. Her insistence on believing in something that doesn’t exist and the voices she heard is what got her committed in the first place.

Shut up, Aaron. I told you about my great-grandmother in confidence. You promised you’d never tell anyone. Her eyes narrowed. I’m getting out of here right now, with or without you. And if I were you, I wouldn’t take the stories of the Jersey Devil lightly. Just remember they haven’t been disproved either, and a lot of people around here still believe he exists.

You’re losing your grip on reality, Jensyn, he said Tell her, Evan. You don’t actually believe there’s any truth to it.

Evan shrugged. Who am I to say? There’s documented information. There have been many reputable people throughout the years who say a creature does exist. He frowned. All I know is if the stories are true, I don’t want to end up eye to eye with whatever may be roaming these woods.

Oh come on! Give me a break! There are just as many who say it’s nothing but a big hoax! He scowled. Go on then, if you’re all so damned scared. I’ll wait by myself to see if the elusive devil appears. He laughed again, and then grabbed another beer from the cooler and popped the lid. I’ll prove to you that I’m not afraid to be here by myself, Evan.

Jensyn’s eyes narrowed. No one’s asking you to prove anything, Aaron. I want to go now. I don’t know why you’re acting like such a jerk tonight. And you had no right to joke about something I told you in confidence.

I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. His head was throbbing. He was sorry he’d broken her confidence. He didn’t feel like himself, and his mouth seemed to be speaking before his mind processed what he was saying.

Well, I can’t forgive you for that. If there’s no trust then there’s nothing. How can I tell you anything if you’re going to shoot off your big mouth? Her lips drew into a tight line. Tonight I’ve seen a side of you that I’ve never seen before, and I don’t like it. Maybe it was always there and I ignored it. She shook her head slowly back and forth. Don’t call me again, Aaron.

Come on, Jensyn. You don’t really mean that. He quickly got to his feet and took her arm. If you want to go then we will. I won’t bring up the Jersey Devil again. I promise. And I really am sorry for what I said. I don’t know why I did it.

She pulled her arm free. I don’t care anymore if you stay here or come with us. We’re still done. Maybe you should stay out here alone and prove what a big brave man you are.

Her words stung. She wouldn’t really break up with him over something so silly, would she? Aaron wished he hadn’t brought up her great-grandmother. He was wrong and he’d broken a confidence, and then made matters worse by making fun of the woman. He didn’t know what had gotten into him. His head was splitting. He’d had one beer, but he felt like he’d had a dozen. Not that he knew what it would be like to drink a dozen beers, since he’d never drunk more than two or three at the most. Maybe it hit him because he was coming down with something.

I’m sorry, Jensyn, he said again. Can we talk about this?

Come on, let’s go, Kennedy said, pulling on Evan’s arm. Let’s give them some space. We’ll go back to the car and wait for you two.

We don’t need any space. I’m coming with you, Jensyn said. Are you coming or not, Aaron?

Want to grab a pizza and we can talk? he asked. It’s still early. He rubbed his temple.

Aaron, get it through your thick head. I don’t want to see you again. Now let’s go.

You confuse me, Jensyn. One minute you don’t care if I stay here, and the next you’re telling me you want me to leave with you. He smiled faintly. If you didn’t care about me you wouldn’t care either way what I did.

Look, I’m not begging you to leave. You don’t have a way home. That’s the only reason I want you to leave with us. How will you get home?

Come on, man, let’s go, Evan cut in. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.

I know. Aaron sat back down and took a long swallow of his beer. His jaw tightened. Go then, Jensyn. If you really don’t care about me, what does it matter to you what happens to me?

Evan stared uneasily at his friend. How will you get home, Aaron? I drove, remember? We can’t just leave you here by yourself, he said. I’ll come back for you after I take the girls home and we can talk. Okay?

He shook his head. No. You can pick me up in the morning. I have some thinking to do.

You sure? He looked around. All you have is the blanket we were sitting on.

I’ll be fine. He looked at Jensyn.

What if it rains? Evan persisted.

Can we just go, Evan? He doesn’t want to come with us. You can’t force him. Besides, I’m not feeling well, Kennedy said. Come on. I want to go home.

I’m feeling a little sick, too, Jensyn admitted. It feels like someone hit me in the head with a brick.

Take them home, Evan, and I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll call when I’m ready.

There’s no cell service out here, remember?

I know. Just go. I hope you girls feel better.

Quit being so damn stubborn and come with us, Jensyn insisted.

He lifted his eyebrows. Does that mean you forgive me? he asked hopefully.

No. I just don’t think you should be here by yourself.

His shoulders sagged. I’ll be fine.

Suit yourself, then, she replied impatiently.

He watched as they abruptly turned without another word and left.

****

Jensyn stumbled on the way to the car. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I feel lightheaded, like I’m going to pass out, and my head is killing me.

That’s how I feel, Kennedy said. Must be something going around.

Evan helped steady both of them. I’ll get you home as soon as I can.

Promise me that you’ll go right back for Aaron. He can’t stay out here all night by himself, Jensyn said. Promise me.

I promise. I knew you wouldn’t really break up with him. Evan smiled.

He makes me mad, but I love him. I can’t imagine him not being in my life, she admitted. And don’t you dare tell him I said that.

****

A few minutes later Aaron heard the engine of Evan’s car come to life, then pull away. He sat for a few minutes, confident that Evan would come back for him tonight even though he’d told him not to. Evan would never leave his best friend out here all alone. It was going to be chilly tonight, and Evan knew that Aaron had nothing with him to protect him from the elements, especially if it rained on top of the dropping temperature. He flashed his light around, but saw nothing he could use as a temporary shelter if it started storming before Evan returned. All he had was the blanket, but it would be better than nothing.

Aaron sat quietly, finishing his beer as he thought about how he could get back into Jensyn’s good graces. He’d think of something. They’d had arguments before and always made up. After a day or two they’d be back together. He was sure of it. In the meantime, he’d plan something special he could do for her. But he knew he could never take back what he’d said, especially since he’d violated her trust. All he knew for sure was that he couldn’t imagine not being with her.

He pulled out his cell phone and checked the time. A half hour had gone by. It would be at least another hour or so before Evan returned for him. Aaron swallowed the lump that had steadily been building in his throat. Why hadn’t he gone with them? His headache was growing worse. Aaron pulled his thin jacket tighter around himself. The wind was picking up, and the first heavy drops of rain began to fall. He picked up the blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders. He couldn’t stay here in the woods—he’d have to start walking. Maybe someone would see him on the road and give him a lift, or Evan would see him on his way back. Aaron didn’t relish walking the way his head felt, but walking was better than sitting in the woods where no one could see him. He tossed the blanket aside.

A twig snapped behind him, startling him. He aimed his flashlight toward the noise. The light flickered and went out. Damn, he muttered. Another twig snapped. Aaron twisted his head in the direction of the sound as snapping twigs drew louder. Evan and the girls were getting even with him. That was it. They wanted to prove he wasn’t as brave as he’d boasted. He relaxed a little.

Not funny, man, Aaron called out as he peered into the pitch-black woods. I know you’re there, Evan. Are Jensyn and Kennedy with you? The snapping twigs stopped. Come on, Evan. You’ve made your point, he called. He glanced around himself. What the hell?

His voice caught in his throat as two red glowering, what he assumed were eyes glared back at him. Aaron tried to run, but fear kept his feet frozen to the spot as the glowing red eyes blinded him. His headache intensified, and he slumped to the ground.

Chapter Two

Jensyn stirred and then struggled to open her eyes. Her head felt like it would explode. She winced as she pulled herself to a sitting position. She rubbed her temples. It took her a few minutes to remember where she was. Jensyn glanced around Kennedy’s bedroom, and then her eyes drifted to the partially opened bathroom door. She laid back on the pillows, not able to pull herself out of bed.

A few minutes later Kennedy came out of the bathroom. I feel like shit, she muttered. My head is so fuzzy.

I know what you mean, Jensyn agreed, noting Kennedy’s sickly pallor. Her blonde hair was tied back and her thin body heaved involuntarily.

Kennedy brought a tissue to her mouth as she made her way to the bed and sat on the edge. I’ve had dry heaves all morning. I hope they pass soon.

Do you think we have food poisoning or something? Jensyn asked.

From what? We didn’t eat the same things, or even eat together last night. Maybe it’s the beer.

It can’t be. I only drank less than half a can.

Kennedy nodded. I didn’t drink much more than you did. She paused. "Maybe something was wrong with the beer. It was bad or something. Maybe Aaron was right."

Jensyn shrugged. Maybe. She grabbed her cell phone from the nightstand and glanced at it, shocked to learn that it was early afternoon. She checked her texts.

Kennedy glanced at her. Did Aaron text?

No. She was disappointed that he hadn’t, but he was stubborn.

He will, Kennedy said confidently. She lifted an eyebrow. Or you could call him.

Jensyn thought about it for a minute. She couldn’t stay mad at Aaron, and she had to admit that she was just as stubborn as he was. Jensyn pressed a button and waited. When the call went to voice mail, she clicked off. He’s not answering. I’ll send a text. She quickly typed a message, pressed send, and then set her phone down. I asked him to call me so we can talk. Maybe he’s still asleep.

And don’t forget how wasted he was, Kennedy reminded her. He might sleep most of the day.

He wasn’t wasted. He never drinks much. You know that. She sighed. I don’t know why I got so upset about him telling you and Evan about my great-grandmother. In this town everybody probably knows anyway.

Kennedy chuckled. It’s no big deal. I think everybody has someone in their family a little off balance. Just because a lot of them aren’t institutionalized doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be.

She laughed. You’re right. It was just a bad idea all around to go, especially since there wasn’t a party. Why did Evan insist on going?

Kennedy frowned. I don’t know. I guess he didn’t want the beer to go to waste since he got it before he knew the party was canceled.

Has Evan called?

No. He never does unless there’s something important going on. He usually just comes over. He’s about the only person I know who hardly uses his cell phone or goes on social media.

Jensyn laughed. I know. I saw his page. Maybe you should fix it up for him, she suggested. It looks a little bare compared to everyone else’s.

I offered, but he refused. As long as he’s happy with it the way it is, that’s all that matters.

I guess. Jensyn stretched leisurely and noted that her headache was starting to ease up a little. I think I’m going to grab a shower. Maybe it’ll make me feel a little better.

Go ahead, Kennedy said. She sprawled out on the bed and grabbed her cell phone.

Forty-five minutes later Jensyn rejoined her. I feel a little better now. Kennedy didn’t respond. She was staring at her phone with a perplexed look on her face. What wrong, Kennedy?

Her eyebrows knitted together. I just got a strange text from Evan. He said he’s coming over, and if you were still here to keep you here. It’s important. She looked at Jensyn. I tried to call him, but he didn’t pick up. He hardly ever texts. I wonder why he didn’t call.

Did he say if Aaron was coming over, too? Jensyn asked.

No. Check your phone to see if Aaron texted you back yet.

Jensyn checked, and her heart sank when she saw no response to her text, and found no voice messages. He hasn’t answered. Maybe he’s just going to come over with Evan, she said, hope rising in her voice.

Yeah. He probably wants to talk to you in person, Kennedy agreed. "Let’s