Dead Man's Bog © Stephanie L. Morrell
Dead Man's Bog was the talk of the town. The story was relived by many people who had a first hand account of the incident. It was difficult to believe that the Marshall family had any involvement with this. They were well thought of folks with no signs of violence or any criminal tendencies whatsoever. Friends and neighbors did their best to protect Cassie and her son, Josh, from the press. The annual Haunted Halloween Tour at the Marshall home offered more then the usual frights. This year the tour ended with a shocking finally of the police arresting someone for murder.
***
Cassie Marshall was busy decorating her home for the annual Haunted Halloween Tour . Every year she would sell tickets and donate the profits to her church. This year, however, would be different. This year the profits were needed at home. Cassie's husband left her without any means to cover bills or pay the mortgage. It was going on three months since she had made a full payment and the bank was threatening foreclosure. The idea of sharing this information humiliated Cassie, but she was desperate, and had no choice. The church members supported her need to keep the profits so that her mortgage payments were caught up. Everything had to be perfect for Halloween this year. Cassie did not want to end up homeless. ***
There was pounding on the front door.
“Hi, Brenda. What are you doing here?”
“Hey, Cassie. I wanted to see if you needed any help getting the place set up.”
“Thanks, but I'm good. There's still two days left before Halloween.” Cassie's long dark hair caught the sunlight and sparkled like polished gems. She stepped back from the door and motioned for Brenda to come in. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Do you have any soda?”
“Sure. Come on into the kitchen.” “Thanks.” Brenda took a look around and smiled at the décor.
The walls were covered in cobwebs, realistic looking bats hung from the ceiling, and the living room was set up for the Dead Man's Bog . Cassie had a cloaked manikin set up to look like a corpse and it was the party's biggest attraction. Each ticket holder was blindfolded before entering so that the fright was magnified a bit. No children under ten could go through without an adult to accompany them. The manikin's face was masked and covered in material that gave it an authentically human feel. The eye sockets were filled with soft boiled eggs to mimic an eyeball's texture. The nostrils and mouth were filled with custard and the chest cavity was grotesque with slimy artificial organs.
“Have you heard anything from, Greg?” Brenda took a sip of her soda.
“No. His parents and sister have been looking for him but no leads have worked out.” Her expression was grave. “I hate him for leaving me with this dept, but I don't want to see him get hurt.”
“Really?” Brenda raised an eyebrow. “Not even a little bit.”
“That's terrible.” Cassie let a smile slip across her lips. “Don't be evil, Brenda.”
“I'm your best friend,” she explained. “It's my job to be evil if it cheers you up.”
“I know, but it's not very nice.”
“What are you, Cassie, the morals police?” Brenda chuckled. “I can't deal with that.” She tossed back her shinny red hair and forced out a maniacal laugh. “Deal with that.”
“Maybe you're right.” She acquiesced. “I could live with him hurting a little.”
“That's the spirit.” Brenda cheered her on.
“Still, there is Josh to think of. He loves his father even if he won't admit it.”
“True, but he's also very angry with Greg for leaving the two of you. For all you know Greg is hiding out until Josh turns twenty-one.”
“Do you think so?”
“Cassie, of course I do. That man was a financial burden and has no plans to support you and Josh.” Brenda rolled her eyes. Forget about back support. Greg will never set things right. He just doesn't care.”
“I know you're right.” Cassie tried to fight back the tears.
“I'm sorry.” Brenda reached across the table and placed her hand on top of Cassie's.
“You know that I love ya and it just makes me mad to think of the way that Greg has treated you.”
“I appreciate your friendship, but this conversation is too depressing.” She took a deep breath and sighed. “I think I'll get back to work on my haunted house.”
“Are you sure that I can't help you, Cassie?”
“Positive. Now get out of here so I can work.” She smiled. “You've already seen too much.”
“I'm going.”
***
Cassie was unable to sleep as her mind was racing with thoughts. She worried about the bills, she worried about her son, and the threat of being homeless loomed over her like a vulture above its prey. Will things ever be right again? Cassie's thoughts were interrupted by a noise from downstairs and it sounded like breaking glass.
“Mom,” Josh yelled from the other room. “Are you alright?”
“What was that?” She asked loudly.
“I don't know,” Josh said while entering his mother's bedroom. “It sounded like someone breaking in through a window.”
“We better call the police.” Cassie snatched her cell phone off of the cherry wood nightstand. “Someone could be inside with us right now.” She dialed 9-1-1.
The dispatcher told Cassie that she and Josh should lock themselves in the bedroom until the police arrived…and they did. ***
Two officers pulled up within a few minutes and made their presence known. Officer Nash went around back while Officer Briggs pounded on the front door until Cassie and Josh let him in.
“Where did the noise come from,” Officer Briggs asked in haste.
“It came from downstairs,” Josh answered. “It may have been in the basement but I can't be sure. My Mom and I were upstairs when it happened.”
“Alright. I want the two of you to wait outside by the patrol car until I come and get you.” “We will.” Cassie reached up and patted Josh on the back. “Let's go, Kiddo.”
The two of them waited outside on that cold October night and wished for the scare to be over. ***
The two officers returned from their search at the same time without much to report.
“Looks like someone tried to break in through the basement window, but everything is clear now.”
“Are you sure,” asked Cassie.
“I'm positive,” said Officer Nash reassuringly. “The glass was smashed all over the basement floor and that proves it was hit from the outside. Whoever is responsible must have been frightened by the noise and took off before we arrived.”
“Do you think they might come back?” Cassie fidgeted with her dark hair nervously.
“I doubt it. In situations like this the person in question is usually afraid to return. They might even be aware that we showed up.” Officer Briggs handed Cassie his card. “Officer Nash and I will patrol the neighborhood tonight and keep an eye on your house.” He turned his attention to Josh. “It would be a good idea for you to board up that broken window as soon as possible.”
“Sure. I'll go inside and take care of it right now.”
“Aright, Son.”
“Thank you for your help, Officers.” Cassie offered them her hand. “We appreciate your kindness.”
“Yes,” agreed Josh. “Thanks a lot.” He, too, shook the officers' hands.
“Do the two of you want to stay somewhere else for the night?”
“Were fine, Officer Briggs. My son will board up the window and you will be on patrol so things should be fine.”
***
Josh Marshall felt that his break from college was a permanent one. He took the semester off because of financial problems at home and the situation was only getting worse. The partial scholarship that he won seemed meaningless now. His father ran up the bills and now he and his mom were paying the price. Josh saw how hard his mother worked at the beauty saloon and wished she could get a break.
“No one who works that hard should be in fear of loosing their home.”
“I know, Josh. It's so unfair.” Ally spoke gently into the phone. “People must be really mad at your father.”
“Not really,” Josh said with disgust.
“You've got to be kidding me.”
“The only person who knows about my dad is my mom's friend, Brenda. Everyone else thinks my dad is this great guy because he acts real friendly and nice to the neighbors.” Josh rolled his eyes. “What a freakin phony.”
“Do you want me to come over, Josh?”
“That's alright. Besides, I have to get up for work tomorrow.”
“I forgot that you started your full time job.”
“I can't stay in school and my Mom needs my help with the bills.” Josh ran his fingers through the thick mane of dark hair on his head. “Better get going.”
“Will you call me tomorrow?”
“Sure, Ally. I'll give you a ring after I get back from the construction site.”
“Good. I love ya, Josh.”
“Love you too, Babe.”
***
It was Halloween and the Haunted Tour opened at dusk. The townspeople showed their support by purchasing tickets in advance. Cassie had everything all set to go and her hopes were beginning to improve. The money from the tickets could set things right with the bank. The next step would be to sell the house so she and Josh could move on. *** The Haunted Halloween Tour was open for business and the Marshall property was packed. Josh ran the backyard events while Cassie was in charge of the home. Volunteers came out in droves this year and the sentiment was fully appreciated. Cassie and Josh recognized this as a sign that there were still decent people in the world. Hours passed and people left, but they were soon replaced by more. The house remained packed throughout the night and things could not have been more perfect. Somewhere around ten o'clock the mood quickly changed when a young girl began to scream. ***
“Mommy,” shrieked eight year old Penny Thomson. “Please help me mommy.”
“Everything is fine, Penny.” Mrs. Thomson tried to reassure her daughter.
“I'm scared, Mommy.” She tore off the blindfold and began pounding on the manikin's chest. “Make him go away, Mommy.”
Penny ripped off the mask revealing something other then the face of a manikin. It was the face of a dead man and that man was Greg Marshall.
“Mommy.” Penny jumped back from the body and into the arms of her mother. “Take me home.”
Everybody in the Marshall home began to notice Greg's body and they reacted accordingly. Parents called to their children, gathered them up, and then frantically ran outside. The word quickly spread and made its way to the folks outback. Josh ran into the house and found his mother sitting on the floor next to his dad. He stood there in shock and hoped for a miracle. Perhaps this scene was a sick twisted joke and the man in the box wasn't real. Several police cars arrived and people were interviewed. Cassie and Josh had no explanation for this and they were both brought into the station for questioning.
***
The forensics report revealed that traces of Greg's blood had been found on the hardwood floor next to the coffin. Someone had attempted to clean up the evidence but a chemical compound detected the remaining blood. Greg's death was caused by a single blow to the head. The shape and size of the weapon used was undoubtedly a hammer. There was dried blood and bruises on the knuckles of Greg's right hand. Forensics believed that Greg took a swing at his attacker and the dried blood was not his own. Discovering the identity of the person whose blood was on Greg's hand would most certainly be that of the perpetrator's.
***
Cassie and Josh were finally sent home after hours and hours of questioning. No arrest was made just yet, but the police expected it to happen soon. Reporters and local news vans were parked in front of the Marshall home. Brenda and some other neighbors did their best to cause a distraction so that Cassie and Josh were able to get inside as quickly as possible.
“Is there anything that you want to confide in me, Josh?”
“Are you wondering if I killed him?” He asked the question without any emotion. “Are you actually asking me this?”
“I know how much you hated him.” She regretted the words as soon as they left her lips. “I just want to make sure that you are alright.”
“Sure, Mom. How about I ask you if this is your fault? You hated Dad as much as I did. You were just better at lying about it then I was.”
“That's not fair, Josh.”
“Oh. But it's fair for you to ask me?”
“No.” Cassie felt ashamed. “I am so sorry, Kiddo.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
“Did the police drill you as hard as they did me?”
“It was rough, Mom. They did their best to get me to confess, but I did nothing wrong.”
“I know that, Josh.”
“I even told them about the woman I saw outback and how she was very familiar.”
“What woman?” Cassie narrowed her eyes. “Who are you talking about?”
“I noticed this blonde woman and I could swear that I saw her before.”
“Oh my, God.” Cassie sat up bolt straight in her chair. “Was her name Lisa?”
“Who is Lisa?”
“Just answer the question.”
“I can't, Mom. I have no idea of what her name is. All I know is that she looked familiar.”
“Was this blonde woman short and thin with huge breast implants?” The tone of Cassie's voice was rising.
“I don't know if they were real or not but she was definitely huge.”
“Her name is Lisa York and I think I know where she lives.”
***
The police located Lisa York and brought her in for questioning. During interrogation she revealed her part in the murder of Greg Marshall.
Lisa and Greg had been lovers years ago. She even met Josh when he was just a boy. Greg stopped seeing Lisa and then started up with her two years ago. Lisa was always jealous of Cassie and the fact that Greg continued to go back to her. This time she wouldn't let him go. She followed him to the house one night and they argued outside. Lisa drove him away with her insanity and then smashed in the basement window. She hid in the crawlspace under the steps and waited for him to return. Lisa had been inside Greg's home before so she knew the layout rather well.
On Halloween morning Greg showed up when Cassie and Josh were out. Lisa and Greg had a terrible fight in the living room. Greg smashed her in the face and she fell to the floor. The first thing she saw was the toolbox that Cassie had used to set up for the Haunted Tour. Lisa snatched up the hammer and brought it down hard on Greg's skull. He was silent and still after that. She rolled the manikin out onto the floor, removed the cloak and placed it on Greg. She did the same with the mask, then rolled Greg's body into the coffin, and hid the manikin in the crawlspace under the steps.
Lisa York was arrested for the murder of Greg Marshall and was found guilty of the crime by a jury of her peers.
________________________ Stephanie L. Morrell is married and lives in New Jersey . She has completed her first novel, Notes from a Vampire, and is working hard to get it published. She has eight short stories published in online horror magazines. In print she'll have 6 flash fiction stories published in: 365 Days of Flash Fiction 2011 , Daily Bites of Flesh 2011 , and Daily Flashes of Erotica 2011.
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