The Man In Forest Hills Read online

  They all begin to laugh.

  “Goodbye.”

  He then begins to make his way with Harper towards the car. He hasn’t gain back all his leg muscles and mobility, so he takes his time, just like the nurse advised him to.

  Harper makes sure Kent is in the passenger seat and then gets in the driver seat.

  “Where we off to?”

  Kent says, “I want to go home.”

  Harper says, “Home?”

  Kent says, “Yes, home.”

  Harper begins to drive and has an unsettled look on his face. The whole ride to his house he is wondering how Kent will react to the crime scene of his wife and his son being murdered. Harper doesn’t know what to think.

  Several minutes later they pull up to the house and into the driveway.

  Harper asks, “Buddy are you sure you want to do this?”

  Kent replies, “I’m sure. I’ll be fine.”

  They both get out the car and proceed to the front door. On the walk up to the door, Kent looks up at the brick wall and sees the initials C and A engraved on a single brick. He takes a deep breath.

  THE FIRST BRICK

  Kent and Amy pull into the driveway of this beautiful house. Amy rushes out the car and runs to the front door. Kent begins to yell at her.

  “Babe, don’t go in without me.”

  “Come on babe don’t be so slow.”

  “Here I am,” he says as he catches up to her right at the front door.

  He points to a brick by the front door. Amy’s eyes begin to gravitate towards it. The brick has the initials C and A engraved in it. Amy has a big smile on her face.

  “Baby, when did you get this done? That is so beautiful.”

  “I had someone put it in a couple days ago. I knew you would like it.”

  She adds, “It’s beautiful. Can we go in now?”

  “Go ahead and open the door.”

  They both walk in the front door and take a look inside their new home. Amy walks into the kitchen and is in shock with its features. Kent walks into the doorway of the kitchen and just stands there and looks at Amy with a smile on his face.

  He jokes, “This is where I need you to spend most of your time.”

  Amy quickly turns around with a smirk on her face.

  She responds and says, “So now I know why you married me. I finally figured you out.”

  They both begin laughing hysterically.

  He says, “Of course. What? You think I married you because of your good looks and your great body? Guess again! You know I had a plan the whole time.”

  He walks over to her and stands right behind her. He takes his right hand and begins to caress her backside. He then moves his left hand to her left breast. He starts kissing her on the back of her neck and then proceeds to her cheek. She begins to get excited and starts moaning. She takes her left hand and puts it down his pants and then turns around. He looks her in her eyes and says, “Look what you started. You know once he gets excited he can’t stop.”

  “I know. I like him that way.”

  He picks her up and puts her on the counter. She lifts her skirt up and they begin to kiss each other very passionately. Kent begins to undress. They both are breathing heavy.

  “We never needed any furniture to make love. Why start now?”

  They both start to laugh, but then quickly resume to kissing. They resume to kissing and Kent pulls his underwear down and pulls hers to the side.

  Several minutes later they both are lying on the floor looking up at the ceiling. Amy turns and kisses him on the cheek.

  She smiles, “Wow that was good. Great way to break in the new house.”

  He looks at her and begins to laugh.

  She says with excitement in her voice, “I really love this house baby. Thank you for this.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. Years ago I told you I was gonna get you a big house. I had to keep my promise. I knew you would like it. Now we just need some furniture in here. We can’t make love in the kitchen all the time.”

  “Yeah your right babe.”

  He jokes, “Only twice a week.”

  She turns to him and begins to laugh. They both get up and put themselves back together.

  3 - BLOODY CARPETS

  Kent and Harper walk into the house and see broken lamps, furniture rearranged and broken family pictures all over the place. They both stand there in shock. Harper proceeds to the living room. A couple seconds later Kent follows right behind him. Harper hears him coming into the doorway and tries to stop him. He insists, “Buddy I don’t think you should walk in here. I’m serious.”

  “Why not?”

  He begins to walk into the living and sees Harper looking down on the carpet. Kent walks up to the same exact spot as Harper is standing in and looks down to see a huge blood stain on the carpet. Tears begin to come down from his face. They both are silent. Kent begins to speak but the words can’t come out of his mouth.

  He says, “This is…”

  “What’s that?” Harper asks.

  Harper looks at him confused. Kent tries again as tears slowly fall down his face.

  “This is where they killed Amy. You can tell by the amount of blood and how big the stain is.”

  Harper shakes his head with a sad look.

  “Buddy let’s get out of here. Come stay at my place for a while.”

  Kent gives him an angry look and sticks out his chest out and says.

  “What makes you think I don’t want to stay in my own house? This is where I belong. This is where I made my family Harper. And you think I should leave? What the fuck is wrong with you. I’m gonna find out who did this to me and my family and when I do I don’t need you to be around. What’s gonna happen is gonna be very bad. I mean I will avenge Amy and Ryan’s death and I don’t need you to be a part of it.”

  Harper looks frightened and says. “Okay buddy, Okay. I just thought you might need to get away from all this for a little.” Harper takes a close step towards Kent and says. “Look buddy, I know everything that went down here was pretty bad. I mean I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. Amy and Ryan were my family too remember. I loved them just as much as you did brother. I will guarantee you that we will find whoever did this. Trust me brother. I am here to help you.”

  Kent looks at him and shakes his head and begins to laugh. Jokingly he says, “I don’t think you understand. The way I’m doing this isn’t the law enforcement way. It’s gonna be the other way. I don’t need you involved in this because when it all goes down I don’t need any heat coming down on you.”

  Harper tries to convince him.

  “My brother…”

  Kent stops him in his tracks.

  “Harper this is what has to be done. Right now I need to be alone. I just need some space.”

  Harper has a disappointing look on his face but understands that Kent has to do this all on his own. He begins to walk to the front door and turns around and looks at Kent.

  “If you need anything brother don’t hesitate. I mean it when I say that.”

  He shakes his head in confirmation.

  “I know my brother. I know. Take care of yourself.” Harper walks out the front door. As Kent watches him leave he knows that what happens next is something that he isn’t going to be proud of. He sits on the living room floor right next to the blood spot and looks at a photo of Amy and Ryan.

  Several moments later Harper gets back to the precinct. The sign on the front reads ‘BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT’. Boston was founded in 1630 and is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. Its police system is one of the strongest in the country. It dates back to 1838, it holds the primary responsibility to enforce and investigate within the city. It is the third oldest police department in the United States. This police department is responsible for bringing down the organize crime syndicates in the city and has made a lot of corrupt political arrest. This city holds some of the fin
est police the country has ever seen.

  Harper walks through the hallway and finally approaches his desk. Three other detectives walk over to him. Detective Mark Craven who sports a disgusting mustache and is a little on the heavy side has been on the force for eleven years. Detective Jake Marven sports a bald head and only stands about five foot nine has been on the force for thirteen years and is Craven’s partner. Lastly, lead detective Carl Maddox. Maddox has been on the force for sixteen years and is the one guy in the precinct that a lot of people fear. He stands six foot three inches and is a very muscular individual.

  Craven approaches Harper’s desk.

  “Harper how’s Kent doing?”

  Harper turns around in his chair with a look of disgust. “He’s good Craven thanks for asking.”

  Detectives Marven and Maddox walk up right behind Harper. Harper looks nervous.

  “Can I help you guys?”

  Maddox looks at him with a stern but serious look.

  “Talk to Kent, tell him were concerned about him. It’s a shame what happened to him and his family. It’s such a sad thing Harper.”

  Harper looks at with a strange look. He responds to Maddox.

  “I’ll let him know. I appreciate you guys concern. Now can you let me get back to work please?”

  Maddox looks at him with a disgusting look on his face. Captain Leonard walks into the room and can see the tension going on between Harper and the other detectives

  “Guys, we doing some work around here or we just getting paid to chat? Let’s get to work over here.”

  Maddox turns around and looks at Captain Leonard.

  “Yeah cap. We were just asking how Kent was that’s all. Were all done here anyway. Aren’t we Harper?”

  Harper looks at the captain.

  “Yeah were all done here cap.”

  The three detectives walk away from Harper’s desk. Captain Leonard puts his hand on Harper’s shoulder and says. “Let me see you in my office for a second.”

  They both proceed in to the captain’s office. Captain Leonard sits down at his desk.

  “Close the door behind you.”

  Harper closes the door then sits down in a chair.

  “Yes Cap. What is it?”

  Capt. Leonard says, “How’s Kent doing?”

  “Not good cap. He’s in a bad place and things look like they won’t be good for a while. I hope he can get better with time,” he sighs.

  Leonard shakes his head as he is listening to Harper talk.

  “That isn’t good at all. Amy’s parents have already identified the bodies. The funeral has to be a close casket. The bodies look horrible. I tell you Cap whoever did this really hated Kent.”

  Captain Leonard shakes his head to confirm what Harper says.

  “It could have been anyone cap. Kent was a by the book cop who got rid of a lot of scum on the streets. He made a lot of enemies.”

  Capt. Leonard, “Yeah your right. But anyway we have made the funeral arrangements for this Thursday and will take care of all the cost. I know he wouldn’t have time to do it himself with the mental state he is in. Just make sure he knows all of the details and make sure you get him there.”

  Harper proceeds to get out of the chair and says. “Yes cap. I will take care of everything. Okay Cap. Take care.”

  Several days later everybody is at Hargrove cemetery to attend the funeral of Amy and Ryan. Both bodies are at the grave site and people surround the caskets. Kent sits next to Amy’s parents with a pair of shades on. The catholic priest is talking.

  He explains, “Amy and Ryan are survived by their husband and father Thomas Kent. They are being laid to rest here today and are going home to God himself to look down on the ones they love.”

  Moments later as the graves have been laid into the ground and everyone has left the ceremony Kent remains to watch the dirt being poured onto the graves. Amy’s parents walk over to him. He sees them walk up slowly.

  “They will pay for this trust me. I will make sure of that.”

  The parents look at him with confirmation and begin to walk away slowly. Kent still remains and begins to talk to the bodies in the grave.

  He says, “Amy, now that you guys have your proper burial it’s now my time to put my own bodies in the ground. I love you baby. See you soon. Tell Ryan I love him.”

  He then begins to walk away and puts his shades back on.

  A couple of days after the funeral Kent picks up his phone and see that he has several voice messages. He clicks a button to check the messages. The first message is from Detective Harper.

  “Hey Tom it’s Darren. I’m calling to check on you buddy. I’ve been calling but no answer. Call me when you get this so I can make sure you’re okay.”

  Kent deletes the message then puts the phone down and heads to the bathroom. Several moments later he hops out the shower and proceeds to get dressed.

  Later he leaves the house locks the door and gets in his car. Kent phone rings while he sits in his car. He looks at the number and doesn't recognize it. He hit a button and answers the call.

  “Hello.”

  The voice on the other end says, “Hello, hello detective Kent it's Mary from the hospital. Hope this is not a bad time. Kent responds with a confused look on his face me says, “Hey Mary how is everything?” she asks, “Everything is going well. I just needed to talk to you in person. It's really important.”

  Kent sits up straight while in the seat and says. “Okay that's fine what is it about?” she says, “I rather tell you when I see you. I can't really talk about it over the phone.”

  Kent looks really shocked and responds.

  “Okay are you free now?” she asks, “Can you meet me at the diner on the corner of Dudley St. by the train station in ten minutes?” he says, “Yeah I'll see you there.”

  They both get off the phone. Kent stares at his phone for a few seconds knowing something is really wrong. Some must be very important if Mary wants to meet I person. Kent has had enough bad luck already and if this is bad news he won't know how to handle it.

  Several minutes later Kent pulls up to the diner, gets out his car and walks in. His eyes survey the room looking for Mary. He finally makes eye contact and Mary raises her hand to make sure he can spot her. Kent walks over and takes a seat in the booth. He asks, “How is everything?”

  Mary shakes her head and says, “Everything is good. No complaints here. Do you want anything to eat detective?”

  The waitress walks over with her pen and pad.

  “What can I get you guys?”

  Mary says, “I'll just take a coffee for now.”

  Kent adds, “I'll take the same. Cream with two sugars please. Thank you.”

  The waitress walks away and they both continue on with their conversation.

  “So what was so important that you needed me here?”

  She pauses for a second and stares him right in the eyes. Many seconds later she finally responds saying.

  “Remember you told me that if I remembered anything about the night I found you I should let you know?”

  He has a confused look on his face. He moves closer to Mary. He says, “Yeah of course. Is there something important that you remember? Let me know Mary.”

  Sort of frightened by his aggressiveness, she is quiet for several seconds. He adds, “Mary you need to tell if you know anything important. I need to know all I can.”

  Pulling her head up she begins to speak.

  “That night I found you I found something else too. I found this.”

  Covered by a newspaper she hands Kent a revolver. He takes a look at it and shoves it under the table. She explains, “I found that right next to your body. I don't know if that's the gun they shot you with or not but I just felt like I had to show it to you. I didn't want you see it at the hospital in the state you were in.”

  The diner begins to get a little busy. He turns his head and sees the amo
unt of people that have packed the place. He begins to speak.

  “They found several bullets from a revolver inside of me. This is the same gun I bought for my wife Amy. I thought her how to shoot and all. She hated guns though. She never wanted it anyway. Turns out it's the same gun that almost killed me.”

  She gives him a sad look takes her hand and lays it on his across the table. He looks at her then looks at the revolver under the table. The grabs the handle and slowly puts his hand on the trigger.

  TARGET PRACTICE

  Tom and Amy are walking through the woods to an undisclosed location. It’s a hot and sunny day and Amy begins to sweat. She’s frustrated and says, “Babe where are we going? It’s hot.”

  He speed walks through the woods. He looks back at Amy.

  “We’re almost there babe speed up just a couple of more minutes.”

  Several minutes later they get to their destination. He brings Amy to a shooting range off the grid. This is a secluded place where several cops go for their target practice.

  Amy says, “Where are we?”

  He turns around with a big smile on his face.

  “Were at target practice sweetie. This is where me and Darren come to get our frustrations out.”

  Amy has a disappointing look on her face. There are several broken bottles of liquor all over the place. Smashed pumpkins and tin cans of vegetables surround the place. Amy looks at him.

  “Target practice? I told you I don’t like using guns. What is wrong with you Tom? I don’t want to be here right now. You dragged me all the way out here for this?”

  He looks at her and recognizes she is really upset. He walks over to her with a smile on his face.

  “I just thought this would be romantic for us to spend time together babe.”

  He takes his left hand and places it on her lower back.

  “No Tom, you’re not gonna get me with that smile this time. You know how I feel about guns babe.” He keeps eye contact with her. With the same smile he takes a step back.

  “Amy I’m not gonna be there all the time to protect you so I need you to learn how to protect yourself. I’m serious. They’re some crazy people out in this world and if anything were to happen to you then I would go crazy.”