Page 42 of The Catcher (High Peaks Murder, Mystery and Crime Thrillers #5)
N oah scanned the headline of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise , the words blurring together as his eyes struggled to focus.
“Joshua Anderson: What made a school guidance counselor kill?” The familiar pattern played out before him: psychologists offering opinions on the killer’s mental state, media sensationalizing and speculating on overlooked factors, neighbors expressing astonishment, and the self-righteous wagging judgmental fingers.
It was a scene he had witnessed countless times before, the aftermath of a deadly killing spree laid bare for all to see.
But behind the headlines and sensationalism lay a truth often overlooked — the pain that had driven Joshua Anderson over the edge.
It wasn’t justified, but it was understandable.
After losing a child to suicide after bouts of bullying, picking up the pieces was a painful process.
The media rarely covered the actual impact it had on those left behind.
After all, stories of parents forming foundations and charities to raise awareness about bullying were few and far between — hardly the clickbait material that drove media attention.
In the aftermath of tragedy, for every parent who managed to find a silver lining, others saw only dark clouds.
While most never acted upon their despair and anger, occasionally, a mother or father would succumb to their grief.
In a final entry within Elizabeth’s journals, her father had laid bare his reasons.
He refused to let his daughter be forgotten or to have the actual reasons behind her decision to end her life dismissed as mere mental illness.
In his own way, he had ensured her memory endured by combining a passion they both shared — geocaching — with her love for The Catcher in the Rye, sending a message that resonated far beyond their community.
Just as the killer of John Lennon had become infamous for his deadly actions and association with a book, so too would Joshua’s actions not go unnoticed.
In the end, four teens were dead; three had survived, with one ironically saved by McKenzie.
Nicholas Wilson was back in treatment, and according to McKenzie, who visited the boy daily, he was making progress.
Noah closed the newspaper, the weight of the world bearing down on him as he lay in his hospital bed, his lower legs and hands a canvas of burns.
He glanced out his window toward the mountains.
The fall in the Adirondacks was beautiful, but beneath its scenic veneer lay a darkness that no amount of autumn foliage could conceal, and few would ever know.
As he drifted into thought, Noah couldn’t help but wonder how many more lives would be lost before society woke up to the reality of its cruelty.
Noah glanced over to the partially opened door after hearing a knock. He shifted slightly in his bed, surprised to see Callie, carrying a colorful bouquet of flowers. “Hey, you,” she greeted him with a warm smile.
Callie entered, her long brunette hair cascading down her shoulders in loose waves, framing her delicate features.
Her icy blue eyes sparkled with warmth as she greeted him with a smile.
She wore a fitted black blazer over a crisp white blouse and tailored black pants that accentuated her slender frame.
A silver necklace adorned her neck, adding a touch of elegance to her ensemble.
“Thorne,” he responded, returning a smile.
“I brought you flowers, but I see others beat me to the punch,” Callie remarked, gesturing towards the numerous vases already adorning the room.
“No, that’s all McKenzie. Yeah, when he placed the order over the phone, they couldn’t understand his accent and thought he wanted twelve dozen,” Noah explained with a chuckle.
Callie laughed and placed her flowers among the others. Pulling up a chair close to the bed, she asked, “How are you doing?”
“No complaints,” Noah replied. “Well, I could, but it wouldn’t get me anywhere.
Still, hospital food is every bit as bland as I remember, but beyond that, okay.
I’m on the mend. The doctor says I should be out of here in about another week.
I will require some rehabilitation, some long-term care, and possibly a few surgeries to fix my lower legs. ”
Callie nodded sympathetically, briefly lingering on his bandaged legs and hands. “The other two are already out and appear well,” she informed him.
“I heard. Natalie came by yesterday,” Noah added.
“Ah, okay. Yeah, I bumped into her at the grocery store. She was very appreciative. Couldn’t say enough about what you had done.”
“We. It was both of us, Thorne.”
“Right, but because of your quick actions, they skated out of it with only a few burns,” Callie replied, her expression momentarily somber as she glanced at his injuries. “If there is anything you need over the next week, give me a call, okay?” she offered sincerely.
“I appreciate that; between you, Porter, McKenzie, and family, I think I should be okay,” Noah replied gratefully.
The door swung open, and a tall, good-looking guy entered, holding two cups of coffee. He wore a jean jacket, a plaid shirt, green khakis, and sandy boots. “Hey,” he said to Noah before handing Callie a coffee. “Oh, I’m sorry, I only got two. Can I get you one?”
“I’m good. Thank you.”
Noah glanced at the newcomer, his gaze bouncing between him and Callie. “Um. Noah. This is Jake Richmond. He works?—”
“For DEC. A forest ranger. We’ve met,” Noah interjected, recognizing Jake from previous encounters.
“That’s right. I’m in the building across from your department,” Jake confirmed .
“It’s good to see you again. How…?” Noah trailed off, trying to figure out the connection between Jake and Callie.
“Oh! Um, Jake asked if I would go to the theater with him this evening,” Callie explained, her words sounding a bit rushed.
Noah raised his eyebrows. “The theater?”
She nodded. “To see a film.”
Silence stretched between them for a moment.
“Okay. Very good,” Noah replied with a feigned smile because a twinge of something unfamiliar stirred within him.
Was it jealousy? No, that was absurd. They weren’t an item.
And yet, he couldn’t shake the odd feeling.
“Well, I hope you both have a good time,” Noah said, clearing his throat as he looked back at Callie.
He sensed that she recognized his discomfort, especially when he seemed to want to be alone.
“Hey, thank you for dropping by and the flowers. I’m feeling a little tired.
I don’t mean to rush you, but if you don’t mind,” Noah added, hinting at his desire for solitude.
“Right. Sure,” Callie responded, rising from her chair and exchanging a glance with Jake. “Remember what I said. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“I will do,” Noah assured her.
As Callie held his gaze for a moment longer, Noah couldn’t help but feel unease. It was as if she was trying to decipher his expression before she exited the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
After they were gone, he exhaled a lungful of air, not realizing he’d been holding it in. Noah picked up his phone and checked his messages. There were a couple from Ray, Maddie, and Gretchen, who reassured him that the kids were doing fine and that she’d be by later with them.
He tapped on one from Savannah that had gone directly to voicemail while he was talking with Callie.
“ Good news. Whoever took you off the case has had a change of heart. They said a mistake was made. Oh, and Braithwaite was pushing for your badge, but his complaint hasn’t gained any traction.
He’s facing backlash for his actions over the Nicholas Wilson situation.
McKenzie is in line for a commendation, as are you.
We look forward to seeing you back whenever you’re ready. ”
He set the phone down and gazed out the window. He should have felt a sense of accomplishment, but he didn’t. There were no victories to be had in the aftermath of tragedy.
No more than twenty minutes had passed before there was another knock at the door.
Noah looked over to see an older gentleman in the doorway.
The man appeared to be in his early seventies, yet he carried himself with a vitality that belied his age.
Dressed impeccably in a dark navy-blue peacoat and a flat cap, he exuded an air of refinement.
“Noah Sutherland?” the man inquired.
“That would be me,” Noah replied.
The man entered the room, his demeanor calm and composed. “Thomas O’Connell. I was an investigator for the State Police. You left a message.”
Noah’s eyes brightened at the sight of Thomas. “Yes. Please,” he said, straightening up in bed, albeit with a slight groan of pain. He motioned to the chair beside him. Thomas took a seat, his posture attentive.
“I’m sorry to have brought you all this way.
I would have gotten back to you, but with all that’s happened…
” Noah shook his head. “When I called you, I had the case files from the money laundering investigation. I was hoping to review them with you; I had some questions about my father’s involvement, but… ”
“They went missing?” Thomas interjected before Noah could explain that they had been stolen.
“Yes. From my home,” Noah confirmed with a hint of curiosity.
Thomas nodded thoughtfully. “Things haven’t changed.”
“Yeah, and with all the time that has passed, I doubt you remember the case,” Noah remarked, feeling disappointed.
“How could I forget it? But you’re right, it has been a long time, so my recollection might be a little skewed,” Thomas admitted, his expression thoughtful. “So I guess it’s good that I took a copy back in those days,” he continued.
“You have duplicates?” Noah asked, intrigued.
Thomas nodded. “Let’s say I had trust issues with certain people in the department.”
“What happened? Why did you stop investigating?” Noah inquired, curious about the sudden halt in Thomas’ investigative work.
“It wasn’t my choice. I was removed from my position, then released from my job,” Thomas explained. “Someone said it was…”
“Someone higher up?” Noah interjected, sensing the underlying implications.
Thomas hesitated before replying, “That’s right.”
Noah smiled, a sense of camaraderie forming between them.
“Then it looks as if we have a lot in common and much to discuss. Please, close the door,” Noah said before glancing across High Peaks, a spark of hope reigniting in his eyes.
While the Anderson case was closed, another lay dormant, ready to become active.
THANK YOU FOR READING
If you enjoyed that, please take a second to leave a rating and review, both help, it’s really appreciated. The sixth book, Twice Missing will be out in 2024.
Thanks kindly, Jack.