Outer Room

By Lorraine Blum

Fifteen years after the towns most brutal murder, the story begins

Has the homicidal maniac returned?

The recent murder of Jan's neighbor coupled with Suzanne's disappearance has the detectives reopening the investigation of this strange cold case.

This is a murder mystery/science fiction series that takes the reader on a journey of mystery, murder and wonder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503518100

Lorraine Blum

Rev. Lorraine Blum is an Interfaith Minister and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she began writing in childhood, selling mystery chapters to the girls in her ‘camp away’ group when she was fourteen and only stopped to continue her education. Obtaining a double BA Degree in Psychology and Public Speech from Herbert H. Leman College in the Bronx, later attending Tulane University in New Orleans, for her Masters in Social Work. She wrote poetry and stories for friends while growing up, and presently writes articles for ‘Ezine Articles, online. Her first book, a cook book called ‘The Magic Experience’ was published in 1978 in New Orleans and is in the New Orleans Library, as well as Nichols University Library. Some years after her formal education she attended ‘The New Seminary” and graduated with a degree in Spiritual Counseling. She was ordained an Interfaith Minister in New York City. Some of her other books, soon to follow, are: “Outer Room, Part Two” “Cookie Came Home” “Chocolate With His Top Hat & Tie” “Jolly’s Sacred Songs.” “Make Miracles & Millions Now” “Power Words (Affirmations)” She is currently working on a true life, comedy drama, treatment called “God’s Girl.” She would love to hear your comments: [e-mail]

Book preview

Chapter 1

Over and over again

T hey met on a dating line. Sue told him her mom was a photographer, and that her dad was an English teacher, that they believed in independence. She explained proudly how she put herself through school. She had a baby brother that died at the age of three when she was seven.

Once she explained that both her parents were deceased and how alone she felt. He told her how sorry he was she was all alone. He suggested bringing her home to meet his family, his father, four brothers and one sister, but that only one of them lived in the area. He described his nephews and nieces with affection. They wrote and talked often after that. She sent him a picture and looked forward to receiving one from him, however, she never did. One day he told her he would be attending a seminar in her city. They decided to meet and go out afterward.

She told her friend Jan she needed to shop for a dress because she was to meet Joseph, the man she had been talking to on the phone dating line.

Her friend met her at a local mall. Jan remembered the excitement in her laughter. Sue could not stop talking about him as she sipped her coffee. After shopping, in about every store, she picked out a baby blue dress to wear for the date, explaining to Jan, she thought this man was going to be very important in her life.

Jan liked Sue, they had known each other since grade school. Sue was one of the most popular girls in School until the fifth grade when she had a car accident, with her parents, and got hurt. After that, she could not walk without a cane and at that age it kept the boys away and even some of the girls. Her popularity suffered for a while. As a young woman, she excelled in everything she did and Jan was proud to have her as a friend. Sue’s out-going nature and kind smile won her many friends, and later the men overlooked her use of a cane.

She was pretty, five feet four inches tall about a hundred and fifteen pounds, he was six feet tall about two hundred pounds. She had long black flowing hair and blue eyes that matched the new dress. They met at an Italian restaurant outside of town. It seemed to be a strong attraction immediately. Though she no longer used the cane, Sue still had a limp and wore a brace. He got up when she entered the restaurant and pulled out the chair for her.

The restaurant was dimly lit, but the food was excellent. They talked for over an hour. She told him how she used her degree in teaching and how she loved her profession, bragging half the night about her students. He told her he was a scientist working on a very important project. He said he and his brother were coming back to her city the following month. They shared their thoughts that night like they had already known each other forever. Both of them loved cooking and dancing. He liked watching sports, she liked movies and the news.

After dinner he escorted her outside, complimenting her on her dress and opening the door in front of her as he did. They decided to go driving.

It was a very dark night, there was no moon. They looked like a sweet couple of silhouettes strolling in the night air. He held her hand as they went to his car. She, the schoolteacher type, he a bit more on the stern side, possibly an Army Drill Coach or Marine Sargent. They looked like they could be celebrating their 10th anniversary. The car drove off into the darkness.

The wine had made her a bit tired, she almost put her head on his shoulder when he pulled over and stopped along the way. He asked her to step out with him.

Come out here. Look how beautiful the sky is!

Just what she had always dreamed of, she thought, a real romantic.

It’s a bit chilly, let me get you a sweater.

He said, as he walked to the back of the car.

Looking at the stars on this beautiful, clear night, she thought of how nice it would be to have a relationship again. All of a sudden, she felt as though her head exploded, warm fluid running down her face blinded her. She heard screaming and then realized it was her own voice. He coldly threw her down and tore off her clothes. His hands went all over her body. He began to bite her breasts. The pain was unbearable. She tried to push him away, but he was much bigger, next to him she was very weak. As she tried to move away he punched her in her face. She begged and begged crying and screaming,

Why, what did I do?

It was hard for her to form the words, she had no front teeth left and it was getting difficult to breathe. She was choking on her own blood. Before she could do anything to defend herself, he was inside of her violently violating her body.

No one will hear you bitch, shut up.

Please let me live.

Begging for her life she struggled to catch her breath, reminding him that she never hurt anyone, as though that would matter.

She tried to form the sentence but she could not.

I– teach–- children— that need me, I—am so --young. I—never—hurt

Her words were too mumbled, it was as if they were coming out in slow motion. They were too slow. Soon she could no longer speak. It began to rain, but that did not stop him, he kept on beating her. Finally, she was silent. He walked away and returned with a large rock. He held the rock high above her and crashed it onto her skull. Though she was already unconscious and critically injured, that was the fatal blow. Leaving her body uncovered for the wild animals, he drove off. This was something he had done several times before and most probably would repeat over and over again.

Many years later

Chapter 2

Unnecessary Changes

J an noticed immediately, as she walked through the door, that the furniture had been rearranged since her last visit, even the chair she loved to sit in was on the other side of the room. She felt very uncomfortable as she sat down to wait for the Doctor to call her in for her nine am session. A poster of Einstein with a statement under it ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge.’ replaced the painting. Even though she liked that poster better, she did not like changes. Nevertheless, she knew she could not do anything about it. Who would listen to her? She now had a diagnosis of schizophrenia; her opinion would never matter again. The door opening and closing took her out of her thoughts for a moment as she noticed another patient at the exit. The woman leaving looked just like Sue, a friend from long ago. Memories came pouring back. The last time she heard from Sue was when she had called her to go shopping. What a tragedy that was, she thought; she had been so excited going on a date that evening, who would have ever known? Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted.

The inner door opened and Dr Darksmith, a thin man of five foot seven, with a dark brown and grey beard and a thinning head of hair, called.

Jan, come in, please.

His black rim glasses almost fell off his nose when he spoke. She walked rather quickly, and sat down in the new chair near the desk.

Imagine if the good doctor knew about her plant, she thought, he would surely have her committed. Nevertheless, she knew it was true, her little world really existed. She read many books on microbiology after she experienced their world and was honored to meet those incredible, tiny, gentle people. However, she knew it was too soon for anyone in her world to understand their world. No, it was her secret and she could share it with no one, it was too dangerous, especially for the people there. She would never tell Dr Darksmith. The one good thing about their sessions was that they were only twenty-five minutes long, she could handle not saying anything that long.

Soon she would not have to come every other week, then it will go back to monthly visits when they are sure she is not a danger to herself. After all, she was only out of the hospital a little over three months when she returned to office visits.

As she sat down in his new chair, in front of his new desk, she could hear his new clock ticking loudly, it was annoying. Come to think of it, so was Dr Darksmith, she wondered why she had not noticed that before. First question came right away

Had a good couple of weeks I hope?

Jan glanced around the office.

I see you changed a lot of good furniture in just two short weeks Dr. Darksmith.

Jan you are observant. Yes, do you like it?

Jan continued looking around his impersonal office where there were no pictures at all, of family or even his achievements, except for the degrees on the wall.

I just do not understand what was wrong with the furniture you had before.

She replied. The doctor moved a new vase out of his line of sight.

Jan, didn’t you notice how old that furniture was, we needed some changes around here. Enough about furniture, how are you?

Jan gave the room a slight look of disgust then looked back at Dr Darksmith

I was having some anxiety for a while, but I am feeling better now.

The doctor looked concerned

Are you sleeping ok?

Jan looked around

I was.

The doctor looked serious

What does that mean?

Jan smiled

I am only kidding; I meant to say all these changes may change my sleeping habits, but I am only kidding.

The doctor smiled.

"Well then, the furniture did some good, it made you happy even for a moment in time, it gave you back that wonderful sense of humor and maybe some day you will play again and