Pella Viscera: Shadow of Justice

By Camille DeMott

How long would it take for a Pella Vista to recover from the atrocious crimes committed by a beloved member of their community? A decade passed and the crimes on Cropely street can still be felt across Pella Vista. The perpetrator had been convicted and sent to a maximum security mental facility, how could the community still feel as though they were exposed and scared? The once safe town fell victim to the reputation that attracted the outlaws to flock to an abandoned strip mall. Gordon receives a promotion just in time for events to heat up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9780359802234

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Pella Viscera: Shadow of Justice

Pella Viscera: Shadow of Justice

Copyright © 2019 by Camille De Mott

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2019

ISBN 978-0-359-80223-4

Dahlia Blake Productions

EXHIBIT A

EXHIBIT B

EXHIBIT C

EXHIBIT D

EXHIBIT E

EXHIBIT F

EXHIBIT G

EXHIBIT H

EXHIBIT I

EXHIBIT J

EXHIBIT K

EXHIBIT L

EXHIBIT M

EXHIBIT N

EXHIBIT O

EXHIBIT P

Exhibit Q

EXHIBIT R

EXHIBIT S

EXHIBIT T

EXHIBIT A

Why did you do it? Gordon pressed, grinding his teeth silently.

Do what? Madeline returned with the sly smile Gordon remembered from their first encounter.

Why did you impersonate your mother?

I don't recall doing that.

I clearly recall it. You also recruited someone to impersonate her, so Elizabeth didn't recognize you.

Not ringing any bells for me.

We have a lot of proof against you. Your palm prints for instance. Madeline sat silently, with a difficult to read expression.

You never met Brandon. Madeline said so softly, Gordon nearly missed the statement.

Who is Brandon? Gordon's tension released in a single exhale.

My father, he was a brute.

Can you tell me more about him?

Tammy's father, my father, Elizabeth's father, Casey's father, Claudia's father, Tracy's husband, Emily's boyfriend, what else?

I mean tell me more about his behavior. I want to know how much of a brute he is, I mean was.

You remembered the anniversary. I remember the day he died. Truly a sad day, even for me.

How did he die?

I poisoned him. Doctor's thought he died of organ failure due to his excessive drinking and other bad habits, but it was the antifreeze that did him in.

Why did you do it?

Wouldn't you like to know?

So, you'll admit that you've killed nearly an entire family, but you refused to admit why you did it?

I don't think it's relevant. I don't see the point in explaining the why because the why doesn't bring them back to life.

You may have killed some of your family, but you killed daughters and sons, brothers and sisters of families that need closure too. Withholding that information is just as criminal as the act alone.

That's where we differ. My crime is far worse than the withholding of why I did it.

"How about this, your disclosure of information will dictate whether you get the death penalty or life imprisonment in a mental institution.

Do what you want with me. Madeline snickered as she blew a kiss toward Gordon.

I'm thinking about telling the jury how manipulative you are, but I also want to emphasize how competent you are to stand trial for the death penalty.

Fine, I snapped on all of them at separate times. They were all useless and overly emotional. The only one I didn't have the heart to kill is Elizabeth.

Wow, I thought you were made of pure ice.

Call me dry ice, I'm much colder.

I can't say I disagree, but that sounds like a contradiction. Gordon reclined in the chair. Madeline's expression morphed dramatically one of deep into thought as she began.

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Madeline and Elizabeth, happy birthday to you! They sing in unison with bright smiles and the confetti sprinkling from the balloons at the ceiling that were recently popped. Madeline sat in the chair with Elizabeth crowding around a cake with candles lit for them. They blew the candles out and as the heather smoke slithered into the air, she glanced to the pile of gifts by the wall on the left.

Presents after cake, right? Madeline asked excitedly.

Presents after cake, Tracy said coolly as she clapped her hands together for the group to distribute the cake to the family.

Madeline stood, disinterested in the cake and festivities as she gazed upon the pile of wrapped presents adorned with bows when something moved within a box. Madeline searched frantically through the pile when Tracy approached with a hand on her shoulder. I know you're excited. Here, you can open this one first. Tracy said with a wink as she grabbed one in the back of the pile that seemingly trembled. Madeline eagerly ripped the paper and shredded the box until a small rabbit winced at the new light flooding into the box.

A rabbit! Madeline shouted happily.

We're doing presents already? Elizabeth rushed over with a smile as she held her hands out just as eager as Madeline.

Madeline, you can open the rest of them. Tracy said as she handed all the boxes to Elizabeth leaving Madeline to the table where the subsequent boxes held pieces for a rabbit cage, rabbit food, and a makeup set up that she had requested a month previous. Madeline immediately disappeared into the backyard where she scurried into the treehouse where she began with the rabbit cage.

I love bunnies. Madeline whispered to the rabbit as she set up the cage against the open door of the treehouse as not to allow the rabbit to escape and plummet to the grass below. Only Madeline knew the sweet nothings that were mumbled to her new friend as she watched the bunny hop around the wood paneling and eat from her hands as they played. She enjoyed this treat for several hours before she was beckoned downstairs to say goodbye to her friends and get ready to wind down for bedtime which was quickly approaching.

I'm so glad you love your gift. Have you named her? Tracy smiled as she patted Madeline's shoulder.

I haven't thought about naming her yet. I'll come up with something. Madeline glances down at the tiny thing she gripped as the rabbit sniffed the air allowing its whiskers to flutter at the air. Tracy encouraged her to get ready for bed with a gentle shove as she returns to Brandon in the living room.

Do you feel any different? Madeline asked Elizabeth as she positions the cage by the window.

Nope, do you? Elizabeth asked as she stretched arms.

Not at all. Why did Alex say we'd feel different at thirteen?

Oh, he's a boy. Boy's probably feel different because they're starting to realize they're stupid. Elizabeth said with a grin.

Do you think Tammy feels different?

We'd have to ask her.

Do you want to come with me to ask?

Now? Elizabeth asked incredulously.

We both know she'll be awake.

...and Emily won't be?

Emily works late, when she works.

Alright, Elizabeth began as she crossed her arms but if we get caught this is your fault.

Elizabeth and Madeline navigated the maze of their backyard toward the fence. They slipped through the loose boards that neither girl questioned, Madeline cradling the rabbit in her arms, where they heard yelling.

Are you sure you want to ask her? It sounds like there's an argument? Elizabeth asked with a frown.

Poor Tammy, Madeline said softly as she scanned the windows praying there'd be a glimpse into the house. From a far window a silhouette of a female and male figure growled and snarled matching the sound of arguing until a hand rose into view and the sound of a punch cracked the air like breaking porcelain and Madeline felt tears welling in her eyes as she prayed Tammy would stay with them for the night.

My god, who would do that, I'll be right back? Elizabeth snarled with an angry fist pulsing at her side as she walked back to their yard, but Madeline proceeded to the door where she knocked several times, which caused the yelling to silence but the person that answered the door changed her perception of life forever.

What do you want? Brandon asked with blood shot wild eyes until he saw Madeline cradling a rabbit in her arms.

Dad, I just wanted to ask Tammy a question. Brandon growled incoherently, still boiling from his internal rage.

Go home, Brandon managed finally.

But daddy, I need to speak with Tammy.

If you don't go home now, I will make you go home.

Leave her out of this, she's your daughter too. You monster! Emily screamed as she lunged toward him and grabbed his shoulders to pull him back inside, pulling the door shut and the screaming ensued.

Madeline sobbed and wheezed with thick fountains of tears streaming down her face until Elizabeth met with her at the gate. What the hell happened? Are you ok? Elizabeth said quickly as she wrapped her arms around her, patting her back.

Oh God. Madeline sobbed into Elizabeth's chest without relenting.

What happened, are you ok? Madeline convulsed with uncontrollable tears and sobs, completely inconsolable.

Let's go inside. Elizabeth said as she led her back to her room where she sat on her bed attempting to control her breathing. Elizabeth stayed with her for who knows how long before she went to her room. Madeline glanced to her rabbit in the cage when she grabbed her and cuddled the tiny rabbit lovingly in her arms as she did when they snuck their yard.

I'll call you Brandy. Madeline said finally. Brandy wiggled her little nose before nuzzling into the crook of her elbow in response. Madeline sighed deeply as she replaced the rabbit in its cage so she could change into her pajamas.

Madeline wrote in a diary of her frustrations, her mind on the verge of something sinister though she was unaware of this fine line between breaking and not breaking. Madeline tucked the diary under her pillow and flung the blanket over her head, a small way to feel safe and unseen for a moment before sleep coddled her into a dream of darkness and depravity.

Madeline woke up early so she could confront Tracy personally. She fed Brandy, cleaned her up then walked out into the kitchen where Brandon and Tracy set up the dining table for breakfast. Madeline cowered back, stepping backward into the hallway but she was noticed.

Good morning, you're awake early. Tracy said with a smile.

I wanted to make sure Brandy was fed. Madeline said softly.

You named her, that's a cute name.

Yeah, Madeline replied absent-mindedly as she bit her tongue.

How'd you sleep? Brandon asked, the bruise around his eye perfectly purple, perfectly sore, and perfectly unnerving.

Fine, I slept fine. Madeline said quickly as he placed some forks near the clean plates and moving to the fridge to pour orange juice in the empty glasses at the table. I'm not hungry. Madeline gasped as she dashed back into her room and closing it behind her.

Madeline, Brandon knocked at the door, can I speak with you? Madeline quivered in fear but accepted his entry.

What do you want? She growled, imitating his growl from the night before.

I wanted to apologize about last night.

Why were you screaming at Emily?

She borrowed some money from me, and I wanted it back for some bills and we argued because she was drunk.

So were you. Madeline snapped back. Brandon paused, a deep sigh like he knew he got caught.

I just want to apologize because that was inappropriate of me and I shouldn't have done it.

Keep your apology. Madeline said, avoiding eye contact with him.

I understand. Brandon said as she attempts to hug her in vain, she maneuvered away from him and he stood up, defeated. Madeline watched him close her door and the sob she'd contained leapt from her throat in a gasp as the tears began again. Shortly after Brandon left, Tracy entered unexpectedly, an expression that made Madeline feel a little more comfortable.

What happened? She asked as she sat near Madeline.

Why was dad fighting with Emily?

She owed him money and she was belligerent with him. I'm sorry you had to see that. Please don't sneak out like that again. Madeline felt anxiety that was new to her, could it have been fear? Madeline sat without a response, feeling the stare of her mother's gaze searing her skin like a branding.

Most animals die of loneliness bought on their own. Madeline replied, an abrupt statement that confused Tracy when the words swam in her head.

Are you saying you want another rabbit so they can be twins like you and Elizabeth?

It's a fact. An animal that is used to being in a group is separated, it can die of lowliness if domesticated. Rabbits, rats, mice, horses, cats, dogs, lizards, snakes; all will die sooner alone. Madeline elaborated.

Oh, I see. Tracy sighed, glancing to the ground before moving her gaze to her daughter. Tracy watched as a dim spark ignited in her eyes, as though she watched the birth of a monster in all it’s terrifying glory. Madeline felt the ripple, the effect of this moment without ever knowing what it’s called; without a name to identify what exactly exploded behind her angry eyes.

Later that day, Tracy