Harlequin Harold

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Original copyright © 2017, by Jupiter Hill.

Foreword:

Oakville is a small town in the state of New York, USA. It has 15,084 inhabitants and was founded in 1688.

The foundation of the community goes back to predominantly Dutch settlers. Most of them come from Brabant and Flanders.

The story is about Harlekin-Harold. It is the year 1996. The young journalist Coby Sandford visits her old hometown. She was invited by the representatives of the high school to give a lecture for the students as a former graduate. It is about the role of women in society, about girls who want to make a career and how they can do that best.

During their stay, a cruel series of murders begins. Young schoolgirls fall into the hands of a brutal psychopath who brutally murders them.

Coby smells a big story and stays longer in town than she originally planned. She meets some people and problems from her own past.

And she gets deeply involved in the murder cases and investigations of the authorities. Deeper than she would like.

Chapter 1 - The future belongs to you

Monday, January 22, 1996. Thick, grey clouds hang deep in the sky above the small town of Oakville in the state of New York. At any moment it will start to rain, at least that's what the clouds suggest. Today will be a very special day for the students. Today is the "Girls for future day" in the Oakville High School.

Withered leaves decorate the playground in front of the entrance of the high school. A sea of old, brown tree dresses covers the cold, bare asphalt. The wind drives the old leaves from the adjoining cemetery again and again in front of the red brick facade of the school, much to the annoyance of the director and the caretaker.

Director Reginald Booth has invited a special guest for the "Girls for future day". A former student. Coby Sandford is now 28 years old. Several years ago she moved from Oakville to New York City to work for the Daily-Tribune. She has won several awards in her young career and has even published a few books. For years, Coby has been fully focused on her career.

Coby Sandford will be speaking to the students today to inspire and encourage them. She is supposed to show the young girls that women today have good chances to make professional career and to be successful. It is 09:10 when Coby arrives at the school with her car. The English teacher Yann Engels welcomes her in the parking lot. And he is already looking forward to getting to know the young woman, he has only heard good things about her so far.

"Good morning, you must be Ms. Sandford. Nice that you still could arrange it. Did you have a good trip? "Good morning Mr. Engels. I arrived last night. It was a damn long ride. At least by my standards. I think it took me over three hours". "Please call me Yann, Mr. Engels was my father. I hope we didn't put you through too much trouble. "It's all right, Mr. Engels, Yann. I'm staying with my parents for a week. It's worth the trip twice as much". "Oh, that's nice to hear. I hope the girls behave themselves during their lecture".

Coby pinches her eyes in surprise. How does he mean that? Why shouldn't the girls behave? "How do I have to understand that Yann? "Well, some have these new mobile phones. We have forbidden bringing them to school, but especially the girls have problems with compliance". "Don't worry about that, Yann. I can handle it". "Your word in God's ear".

The headmaster of the school joins us. Reginald Booth is an old school teacher. His views and methods originate from a time long past. His brown corduroy suit underlines this impressively together with his grey-white hair.

"Ms. Sandford. I'm glad you came. I hope Mr. Engels has already warned you," - said the director. "I think I can tell the girls enough interesting things". "When I started teaching, girls didn't have anything like hormones at all. This behavior is an achievement of the seventies. Too much television and too lax politics". Coby answers him charmingly, but provocatively "You think emancipation is something bad"? "No. I simply don't think it leads to the desired result. But at least you have become something sensible. I'll see you in the auditorium.

"How nice of you Mr. Booth" - Coby mumbles after him as he leaves. Director Booth leaves Coby and Yann. He goes to his office to relax and have a cup of coffee and make further preparations.

"I'm very sorry about Ms. Sandford. Mr. Booth likes to hang around the old days". "It's all right Yann, I know the man from my own school days. And please call me Coby. Otherwise I still feel old". "Gladly. Come with Coby, I'll lead you into the auditorium" - you answer Yann with a smile on your lips.

Yann Engels leads Coby into the big auditorium. As you walk there and enter the auditorium, many memories come up in her. Memories from her own school days. Some are beautiful, others less beautiful. It is certainly not the old building. At least not inside. Red bricks and naked, grey concrete, everywhere you look. Since their graduation hardly anything has changed.

In the large auditorium, a total of 273 girls from the Oakville High School, as well as some members of the teaching staff, various parents and school employees are waiting for Coby Sandford's lecture. As Mr. Engels and Coby enter the room, the adults applaud. As expected, the enthusiasm of the teenagers is limited. For them it is another dusty, tough lecture. The French teacher Anna Walsh takes the floor and gives the introductory words.

"Girls, take good care. We have a very special guest today. Ms. Coby Sandford. Coby was, just like you are today, a student of ours at Oakville High School. She graduated here in 1986 and then studied journalism at Columbia.

She is a shining example of what women can achieve professionally today. In my own time, it was the highest of feelings to become a teacher or get a job at a bank. Our possibilities were very limited at that time. The generation of Ms. Sandford had a lot more opportunities. The eighties created a new image of women in society and in the minds of the population. And Coby Sandford is a good example that this development is far from complete. Well, Ms. Sandford, then I'd like to pass the word on to you.

"Thank you Mrs. Walsh. Whouuu, that puts me under some pressure now, frankly. Well, Mrs. Walsh has actually already mentioned and said everything. I was born here in Oakville, grew up here. I visited the Oakville High. Just like you do now.

A short question in between, who of you knows what she would like to become later. So what does she want to do here after graduating? Do you already have "career aspirations"?

Coby was a little jittery before this question. If none of the girls answers at this point, it will probably be a tough lecture. But some pupils answer Coby's question. Coby is relieved and takes the kids one after the other.

A girl named Linda Jackson answers "I want to become a teacher". "I think that's great. It is a meaningful task to teach children something. And you? What about you? "My name is Judy Rhodes. I would like to study medicine". "Excellent, that's great" - you answer Coby. "She already studies men's bodies diligently" - the cheeky Amber Bates lets the guest lecturer know.

The rest of the girls are laughing. And Judy Rhodes sinks into her chair full of shame.

But Coby reacts calmly. "Some start earlier than others, that's okay. We live in the nineties. What kind of plans do you have, you joker? "I don't know. The main thing is that I make a lot of money with it". "Well, no matter what it becomes. If you want to earn a lot of money with it, you have to be good. Put all your energy into it. Then you can really achieve that goal.

Mr. Engels is involved in the lecture. "Latoya, tell Ms. Sandford about your career ambitions. "I want to be a journalist". "Welcome to the club. If you get behind it, you can do it". "Was studying hard for you"? "Yes, it was. Every study is difficult. Don't get any wrong ideas. Anyone who wants to achieve something in life has to work hard for it. There is no easy way. But it is worth it. And there is no reason why you should be satisfied with less than the boys".

Young Amy Clarke has a question for Coby. "Did you already know at our age that you would become a journalist? "No. I hoped it would, because I was very interested in writing back then, but you don't really know that. And at your age it was more important to me whether Tim Hart thought I was pretty". Amber Bates speaks again. "I know him, he works with my brother in the fire department.

"With the fire brigade, really? Aach, firefighters are hot or" - answers Coby and the girls giggle. Judy Rhodes adds - "Yes, also Amber's brother".

The group continues to giggle. Only the parents and teachers are embarrassed by Cobby's remarks about the local fire extinguishers. Coby still speaks a whole hour and a half in front of the girls. She has a lot of questions to answer and tries to respond to each of the students personally. They talk about school, studies, career aspirations and the modern world in which women play an increasingly important role.

As Ms. Sandford's lecture draws to a close, the girls applaud. She could reach almost all of the girls and help them with one or the other advice. Also the parents and teachers applaud. Coby and Yann want to have lunch together around noon. In the school canteen there is mixed salad, meat loaf and mashed potatoes. Some of the girls have two free hours after the lecture because their sports teacher is ill.

Coby and Yann enter the old canteen. The floor is tiled in brown. The walls are painted blue-grey. The seats are old and worn. Coby still knows them from her own school days. Hardly anything has changed since her time on the Oakville High. At least that's how it seems.

"The school hasn't changed much since I left Yann". "Yes, that's true. Unfortunately you have to say. It was actually planned to renovate a part last year. But a burst water pipe has completely eaten up the budget. And the parents... well, you know. Everybody wants to dance but nobody wants to pay the musicians".

Coby and Yann stay in the canteen for a while. Yann has a free lesson and likes to take advantage of it. They talk about the latest events and their own past school days. Yann can come up with many humorous anecdotes from his time.

In the meantime some of the girls leave school together. They go to Bill's Diner. It is only a few minutes walk away. Judy Rhodes, Amber Bates and Latoya Wagner eat there regularly during longer breaks. They sit on the blue leather chairs at their table and order salad.

Amber Bates asks the group - "Don't want to order any of you fries"? And Latoya Wagner answers her promptly "No, that's too many carbohydrates for me. I absolutely have to lose three kilos again, at least". "Nonsense, you have a great figure" - Judy says. "I would die for a pair of fries. Nice and greasy fried".

"Then order some Amber"! "No I must also lose weight. Stan said yesterday I look like a manatee".

Latoya almost bursts there the collar "Boah, why are you only with this idiot together? I would have killed him long ago if I were you". "Because he has a convertible. And because he's good in bed". "You are a dirty slut".

Judy Rhodes, meanwhile, has a completely different need. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom, will you watch my bag"? "Yes, sure, sweetie" - Latoya answers. Judy goes to the toilet of the diner. When she leaves the toilet again a short time later, her right shoelace opens. She bends down to the toilet in the hallway to tie her shoe again. There she feels two hands on her bottom. They press firmly against her jeans. Judy comes up again and screams "hey" in shock! A young man runs past her and answers only with a short "sorry".

Judy comes back to the table. The young man sits down at one of the other tables. He is wearing old, worn clothes. He seems to be one of the dropouts who live in the woods at the city border. Some also call it "home". Judy tells the other girls about the "Pograbscher" in the toilet corridor.

Latoya is determined to settle the matter for her friend. "I'll sort it out for you, sweetheart." Amber asks again in horror - "He did what? Grabbed your ass"? "Yes, with both hands. Full disgusting". "That's disgusting. Such a pig. You must show him". "Ads? I don't know Amber".

Latoya is still upset. "Honey, you mustn't put up with something like that. And certainly not from such a ragged guy. Who knows, he probably also has lice and infected you with them".

"And what should I do now? Amber Bates doesn't want to just let the stranger get away with it "Call the sheriff".

But Latoya is faster. She confronts the young man. She screams through the whole diner and arouses the interest of all the other guests. She accuses him of being a grabbing voluptuary who is groping young girls. The young man hardly has a chance to justify himself to her. Latoya doesn't let him finish at all. The atmosphere in the diner heats up very quickly. He says something, but the people who meanwhile interfere loudly drown out his attempts to explain. A couple of the male guests even become violent shortly afterwards.

Judy Rhodes is afraid, she calls the sheriff. She doesn't want the man to be tarred and feathered by overzealous men. Sheriff Joe Becker is called to action. A young man makes trouble in a restaurant, the colleagues from the headquarters tell him. The sheriff drives to the scene, Bill's diner. He arrives a few minutes after the call.

When the sheriff arrives, he comes straight to the point: "What's going on here? What's the problem with Bill? "This guy's causing trouble, Joe. He grabbed one of the girls by the ass. "Is that true little one"? "Yes Sheriff, he grabbed my butt. Even with both hands". The young man also says "That's not true. She has bent over...".

"And there you thought pig you could really grab it" - Latoya shouts angrily in between. "No not at all, we collided. I swear that was not intentional"! But the Sheriff is very skeptical about the young fellow "You belong to these drunken rednecks, don't you my boy"? "We are not antisocial sir. We only live in the forest". "Don't you have any wives there" - asks Bill, "Whatever your son. The performance here is over. You come with me to my office".

Latoya and Amber comfort Judy in the meantime. Stephan Mills is temporarily arrested by the sheriff. He has to go into the sheriff's office and make a statement. Sheriff Beck asks the three girls to stop by the office after school.

Coby Sandford arrives at her parents' house after dinner with Yann Engels. She hasn't seen her parents in a year. But they talk on the phone regularly. She rings at the door of the white wooden house where she spent her whole childhood.

Her father Paul smiles and opens the door for her. "Hello Cookie. Nice that you are there". "Hey Dad. Nice to see you again. "Don't just stand there, come in my little one. Your mother is in the laundry room right now".

Coby enters the house where she once grew up. Her father Paul still works as a plumber. Her mother Marta is a housewife. But she also earns something as a cleaning lady. The family always led a life of simple people here. Nevertheless, Coby has many beautiful memories of her parents' house. But also as many bad ones.

Marta is overjoyed to finally see her daughter again and to be able to embrace her. "Hello dear. It's nice that you are finally here again. I missed you so much". "I missed you too Mom. I missed you too". "I hope you sleep with us and not in some hotel" - Paul says to his daughter. "Of course Dad". "And how long will you stay Cookie? "I think I'll stay the whole week".

Father Paul is happy about this - "Then you could take care of Aunt Alma's house". "Paul, don't start now. Let her get here first". "Yes, yes. I'm just saying. The house doesn't get better when it's empty. I would prefer you would move in there Cookie. But that is probably not to be reckoned with in the near future, is it?

"Oh Dad, we already had that. I like it in New York". "Yes and only God knows why. It's just that it would be ideal. It's at the end of the street, you could come by for dinner every day". "Sorry child, your father is like a prayer wheel. Not everyone wants to live in this little nest, Paul. "Yes, all right. I've understood it for a long time. But it's still time that you at least sell the house. Some people have already asked me. And a little savings in New York certainly doesn't hurt".

"I think about it Dad. Promised". "Alma left you the house so you could move back here. But I don't think she's angry if you sell it now either". "Who wants a coffee? "Yes, thank you Mom. I like to have one". "Thank you, not for me either. I have to leave right away. In the waterworks the worm is hanging across again. See you later Cookie". "Bye Dad".

Coby drinks coffee with her mother. She gets herself updated on small town life. And a lot has happened since last year. There is a lot of gossip to kick.

Judy Rhodes, Amber Bates and Latoya Wagner come straight to the sheriff's office after school, as agreed. They have to make their statement.

"Hello Sheriff Becker." "Hello, girls. Nice of you to come. How are you Judy"? "Thank you, I feel much better already". "Have you already told your mother what happened to Judy? "No, not yet". "Shall we call her little one". "No I..., I can do it. I just need some time Sheriff". "Ok, take all the time in the world. But tell her. I'll send you one of my deputys so you can make your statement". "It's good Sheriff" - Judy replies. "Tom, you take over the girls. Take their statements to the Mills file". "It's good, Sheriff. Follow me".

Young deputy Tom Duncan leads the three to a separate room. There he wants to record the statements of the three. He listens to the same story three times. All three talk to him alone. Judy almost feels sorry for the incident. She even feels sorry for Mills in a strange way. But what has happened has happened.

"So Judy. You can speak frankly with me. How did you experience all this"? "I came out of the toilet in the diner. Out in the hallway. My shoe opened. Then I bent down to close it again. Suddenly I felt two hands on my "Po Deputy". "Ok. And how would you describe the grab? Was it like a firm, testing grip or rather a loose laying on of hands? "What do you mean, Mr. Duncan? He grabbed my butt"! "Judy, I have no doubt about that. I fully believe that. But the question is whether he touched you immorally on purpose or by accident.

Judy Rhodes gets into a rage. She doesn't understand the question. "By accident? I mean hello? He touched my ass". "Nobody is questioning that here. Mills claims he bumped into you because you bent over all of a sudden. We can't just completely ignore his version. If you accuse him of deliberately grabbing you, it has serious consequences for him. I want you to think carefully about whether that was intentional or whether it might have been an accident. Do you understand"? "Yes. I mean, it all happened so fast you know? "I can imagine that Judy.

After Judy, first Amber is next. "So Amber. What did you see? "Actually nothing at all". "Nothing at all"? "Judy came from the toilet. You couldn't see into the hallway from our table. I just saw this guy come into the main room and sit down. "So you didn't see him touch Judy"? "No. But Judy was totally upset. She doesn't suck something like that out of her fingers Deputy". "And did you maybe hear something, anything? "No, Mr. Duncan. But Latoya also talked me into it all the time. I wouldn't have heard anything anyway. It's like a "prayer mill".

"Ok Amber. Would you get it for me". "Yes of course Deputy Duncan. Tom Duncan doesn't have a good feeling about the interview. Nobody really saw anything, actually it's testimony against testimony. And it doesn't want to get into his head why a "grapscher" should just sit down a few tables away.

"Hello Latoya." "Hi Mr. Duncan." "Is your father Paul Wagner"? "Yes exactly, why"? "Please give him my regards. He used to be my gym teacher". "You got it". "Latoya, how did you hear the incident"? "Well, Judy came back from the toilet. There she told us that he was groping her". "But you didn't see or hear anything, did you? "No. But I believe her, she is my girlfriend and I know that she can't lie at all.

Deputy Duncan once again clarifies - "There's no question that Mills touched her. He said that himself. Only he claims it wasn't intentional. He would have bumped into her by mistake and "come to her bottom with his hands". "And they believe him, don't they? "We cannot imprison or punish a man if there are no witnesses. Especially since grabbing in and of itself is legally considered a trivial offence. "Boah, that's gross. And now what? Is there no justice"?

"We had to let him go after three hours. And since there is no valid testimony, there will be no trial". "That sucks! You will be punished for everything. But touch a woman and you will be let go. At least if you are white". "We still keep an eye on the boy. More we cannot do first of all Latoya".

There's no evidence that Mills deliberately touched Judy Rhodes. So there will be no trial. But the Sheriff has an eye on the dropouts in the woods anyway. And now much more.

Coby Sandford visits Aunt Alma's house. Her aunt died a little more than a year ago. She left her a house. It is not particularly large. It is a small bungalow with a mixture of brick and wood facade. 98.00 sqm living space, plus cellar and veranda. It is beautiful and cute. But for a family foundation anyway too small. She intends to sell the house. Just as her father had suggested.

Cobby's aunt and her parents had hoped that she would move back to Oakville. But Coby has no interest in returning to Oakville in the long run. She enters the house to see if everything is still in order. After all, her father wants her to at least turn her inheritance into money. And for that it should be halfway in good shape. At some point she will inherit her parents' house anyway.

She enters the house via the small veranda. Everything is fine in the house. It's just a little dusty and cold. Aunt Alma's furniture doesn't only look very old-fashioned on Coby, it is her. But she is practical. No useless small stuff. Only furniture, a few pictures on the walls. Coby dares a little tour to inspect the whole house.

Except for a raccoon who has settled into Aunt Alma's old bedroom, everything is untouched. Coby goes into the cellar. He is nice, big and spacious. Here you can find some apparently useless rubbish. Coby was the last time down here as a child. Wistfully she thinks back to her childhood and reflects on how quickly time passes.

Meanwhile the story of Judy Rhodes spreads like wildfire in the city. Some men, young and old, are very upset about it. And about the Sheriff not holding him any longer. The dropouts in the forest have long been a thorn in the side of the city's inhabitants. And the relationship doesn't seem to improve much in the future.

For the people in the city, the drop-outs are a bunch of lazy bums and social parasites. And that may be true of some of them as well. The pupil Linda Jackson is with her grandfather in the public library. He works there as a janitor. Jesse is very worried about the rumour that is raging in the city.

"Have you heard about Judy Rhodes?" - asks grandpa Jesse his granddaughter Linda. "Yes. It was the big topic of conversation this afternoon at school. "Just terrible this story". "He touched her ass. I think she'll survive. And who knows if he did it on purpose Grandpa". "I didn't mean that either because of Judy Rhodes my angel. It is well known that she already has some experience with men". "Why Grandpa then?

"Because of that boy in the woods. It was one of those dropouts the people tell. Who in this town wants to believe the boy at all? "You think he is innocent"? "I say it like this. In 1954, a white woman, Elena Baker, accused me of looking at her in a lewd manner. Then half a dozen white cowboys gave me the thrashing of my life. My version, it didn't exist at all. Nobody listened to the words of a Negro. At that time we were just good enough to be shot in the front line of war. That's the way it is today. And nobody asked for justice or proportionality at that time. I just hope none of the men here do anything stupid.

"That's a terrible story grandpa. But the boy was white as far as I know". "But he is an outsider. Nothing is as terrible as the naked truth my child". "What happened to Elena Baker and the men? "They have all been dead for a long time. Well, who laughs last...". "I don't think anybody does anything stupid about such a trifle". "There you know the stupidity of the people here not small. This place has always been violent and irrational. And it always starts with a little "trifle". "Well then I hope that you are wrong and my faith is justified". "Your word in God's ear Linda. And I hope so too".

Chapter 2 - Out of the air?

Wednesday, January 24, 1996. The cheerleaders of the Oakville-High meet like every Wednesday evening for training in the gym. Judy Rhodes and Latoya Wagner will also be there. The girls study new choreographies for the football team. The training is hard and nerve-racking. It usually goes from 17:30 - 19:30 o'clock.

Loud pop music roars from the stereo in the corner next to the mirror. The old parquet feather floor trembles and vibrates under the rhythmic dances of the girls. The air is stuffy and musty in the old hall. Because as so often the ventilation system doesn't work properly. The walls are painted blue and red. A tribute to the state of New York. And at the same time the colours of the football team.

The team leader, Dana Vanderburgh, tries to teach the girls the new movements. Partly with moderate success. Dana is known for her quick and bitchy manner. Again and again it comes to quarrels and catfights within the team. Some of the girls are not very green on principle.

Dana Vanderburgh screams at her teammate - "Damn! Latoya, move your ass"! "Move your ass"! "What's so hard? Three steps to the right, pose B, 180° turn, pose C, 180° turn and three steps to the left. Are you checking this or not or what? "Of course you check. But just because you've practiced it at home doesn't mean everyone else can do it the same. "Ohhh, my tears are coming. The others will get it right, too. Is it because of the steps or because of your fat ass Latoya"?

"Do you have your days or is Dylan not really getting it for you anymore, sweetheart? "What? I don't have to listen to that any longer. You know what bitch, just fuck off. Nobody here needs you to chase them". "Uuuuhhhh, you know what. I take you seriously only if you once a few decent boobs have grown".

Judy Rhodes can't hear the infantile arguments any more. "Stop it, it's good now"! "No, it's not. She goes". "You know what Dana, for my sake. Your choreo is shit anyway. And I have better things to do than listen to your frustration". "Well then go away". "I'll do the bitch"!

Latoya Wagner leaves the training insulted. She stomps into the changing room in rage and changes her clothes. Without further words she leaves the training. Meanwhile the other cheerleaders continue their training. When Latoya leaves the gym, Dylan Nash runs into her. Dylan is Dana's friend and member of the football team. Dylan and Latoya talk at the entrance of the gym.

"Hi, all right. Are you finished already? "Oh, hey, Dylan. No, the training is still going on". "And this without you? I thought that couldn't be. It is only shortly after 18:00 o'clock and the cheerleaders are already finished...". "No, the others continue. I just left earlier". "Well, if that's the case, would you like a coffee in Bill's Diner? I don't like to wait so long alone. That bores me".

"You are with Lana. Are you hitting on me? That might come across wrong if you see us together". "Should I turn you on? Let me worry about that".

"I don't think that would be a good idea, Dylan. Your dear girlfriend just disgusted me from the team. Hey, I drove here with Tiffany Simmons. Could you maybe "take me home"? "So no coffee, you're breaking my heart Latoya. But of course, I'll drive you home. It doesn't help anybody when I'm standing here so stupid".

Latoya gets into Dylan's car. He drives a big white truck. Dylan is one of the most popular boys in school. He is tall, blond, muscular and looks damn good. Latoya, on the other hand, has gained some weight lately. Nevertheless, the boys stand in line with her. She is an exotic on the Oakville High. Her mother is Mexican, her father is white and American of German descent.

Dylan likes to drive Latoya home. From high school to her it's barely 5 minutes by car. She lives in Roxberry, a working-class neighborhood near the city center. Her father runs a successful garage there.

The two of them hold some small talk in the car. Dylan tries to hit on Latoya repeatedly. At first she rejects Dylan's advances decisively. Then he parks his car in the parking lot behind the apartment building where the Wagners live. They talk for a while. Latoya has the feeling that Dylan needs someone to talk to. And that's exactly where he's right with her.

"I know Dana can be quite annoying. Sometimes she also makes me feel like a white-knuckle when we fight. But she can also be really cool. "She can also be cool? Dana Vanderburgh? I can hardly believe that. But even then, is that your idea of love? "I mean, she can be completely different if she wants. "Is it a little hard for me to believe that? You don't have much in common, do you? I heard you recently made out with Amy Clark".

"That with Amy and me was just a nasty rumor. "It's clear. So you really love Dana, don't you? "Yes, I really do. It's kind of weird". "Not to say sick, I mean Dana Vanderburgh, the bitch is a control freak. Too bad actually. I would have liked to thank you for the ride". "What's stopping you from saying thank you? "I meant this...".

Latoya leads her right hand back and forth as a fist in front of her mouth. She bulges her cheek with her tongue. She looks Dylan deep into her eyes. She plays with him and she knows how to play such a game.

"Phew, that warms my heart. Would you tell Dana"? "No, not a word to die. Dylan happily opens his pants. First the button, then the zipper. He pulls his jeans down a little, a red boxer shorts appears underneath. Latoya straightens the long black hair and bends over Dylan's lap. She gives him a French kiss, while her right hand massages his crotch.

Latoya clearly feels Dylan's arousal. The dent in his pants grows rapidly. He seems a little nervous. Latoya smiles at him and says "relax, sweetheart, Latoya will take care of it".

Then she bends her head over Dylan's crotch. The tip of her tongue licks over the plump pink glans offered to her. She tastes his pleasure drops and begins to lick his shaft from top to bottom and back again. Then she sucks his gorgeous, filled testicles into her mouth. First individually, then both at once. The delicate fruits waft gently over Latoya's soft lips into her moist, warm mouth cavity.

Her lips enclose Dylan's penis tip. Then she sucks him in deeply. As deep as she can, all the way. Her nose tip dips into Dylan's hairy front garden. Her head keeps moving up and down. She sucks on his hard cock as if there were no tomorrow. Dylan almost loses his mind.

It only takes a few minutes. Dylan is already moaning. His breathing becomes flatter even though his pulse is racing. His testicles move back and forth in the sack. Then his best piece rears itself up. Like a volcano he prepares to shoot. He trembles, then he sprays his creamy gift upwards. Deep in Latoya's mouth. His creamy lustelixier spreads in her greedy mouth. Latoya sucks Dylan to the last drop.

"Well, somebody was very happy. "Thank you Latoya. That was fabulous. In my head everything still runs cross and cross". "Of course, I sucked your brain". "You are really cool". "Ijaaa, cool".

Latoya kisses Dylan on the cheek. Then she gets out of his car. Dylan sees her entering the entrance of the apartment building. Then he drives back to the hall to wait for his girlfriend.

19:30 o'clock, the training is over. "You did a great job with the girls" - Dana Vanderburgh patronizes her team with compliments. Normally she doesn't give compliments. Maybe it's the fight she had with Latoya earlier and her departure.

As always, the girls shower after the sweaty training. Of course, Latoya Wagner's departure is the topic of conversation No. 1. Twelve naked young women are in the shower. But they are not unobserved. A hidden camera is in the locker room. She records image and sound in a live stream and sends it on.

The girls are standing in the individual shower cubicles. The floor is tiled in blue. The walls are white with small red accents. In the middle of the room is a large, wide pillar with mirrors, support boards and electricity to blow dry hair. The charm of the seventies is clearly reflected here.

Amy Clarke is very thoughtful. "Do you think Latoya will come back again"? And Tiffany Simmons answers you directly "What, today"? "No, I mean at all. To the team". But Dana has something against it. "No. Hell is freezing over. I don't feel like the bitch anymore". But Judy sees it differently. "Aren't you a bit too strict? You turned her on just like that". "I have the say. And how she performed I just can't let it go". "She certainly didn't mean it that way" - says Tiffany.

And Judy adds - "Um, I think you both expressed yourselves clearly. And also meant that way". Amy stands for Latoya - "she's a great dancer". "Yes, maybe, I admit. But first she has gained weight and secondly she is learning slowly. When I don't need one it's a bean eater who looks like a sausage in our outfit and dances out of time because she can't remember the choreo".

Judy says - "You should just let a few days go by. Maybe that'll work out". "For the last time, no. And until she apologizes to me, I won't talk to that person anymore". Dana is visibly annoyed and gets out of her shower. She wants to forget the argument with Latoya. She doesn't want to think about it anymore. She wants to pretend that it never happened and that she doesn't know any Latoya at all.

Also the other team members are finished. After taking a shower they dry themselves off thoroughly. They blow-dry their hair and get dressed. Sometimes there is a tense silence in the room.

But Amy breaks the icy silence: "Hey, what's going on this weekend? "I think Brian Hill is throwing a party" - mentions Tiffany. "And are you going? "I think so. Or Lana"? "Yes. Absolutely."

While the girls are talking, somebody looks at them on a monitor and snorts. Again and again a strange voice mumbles to itself. "What about me? What about Harold? What about me? What about Harold? What about me? What about Harold"? Again and again the voice repeats itself in front of the monitor.

The voice becomes louder and louder and more aggressive. Again and again the same words can be heard. Judy Rhodes is the first to finish. She says goodbye to the others. "Bye girls, see you tomorrow" - then she leaves the building. Little by little all the other girls from the team also leave the old stuffy sports hall and drive home or have themselves picked up.

Latoya sits at home with her parents in the living room. The family has already eaten and is watching a video film. The phone rings. Latoyas mother answers. She talks briefly to the caller, then turns around. "Latoya Schatz, this is for you. It's Judy's mother's turn". "For me? Why is that? "I don't know. You have to ask her that yourself. But probably because of Judy I suppose".

"Hello, Mrs. Rhodes"? "Hello Latoya. Say, do you know where Judy is? We have just before 21:00 o'clock and she is still not home". "No Mrs. Rhodes. Unfortunately not, I left training early. I only know that the others have continued quite normally". "What do you think, who could help me"? "I'll text Judy and try to call her. But also ask Amy Clarke. Maybe she knows what stopped Judy". "Ok, Latoya. Thank you for your help".

Latoya texting Judy. It takes a few minutes, then she gets an answer. "Don't worry. I'm still with a boy". Her mother also receives an SMS. It says she would have gone to the movies with some of the girls. Lisa Rhodes then goes to bed calmly.

Thursday, 08:00 o'clock. School begins. All students are present, except Judy Rhodes. Actually Judy would now have French lessons together with Latoya and Amber. But now Latoya is worried.

"Hey Amber, where's the stupid cow?" "I don't know. Maybe she's still at home". "Hopefully. Her mom made me a little nervous". "Maybe she's in bed with a guy. You know Judy". "Amber, that's not funny". "It shouldn't be either. That wouldn't be the first time if you remembered". "Yes, probably you are right. Let's hope that she played bimbos again".

Wherever Judy Rhodes might be, she's not at home. Lisa Rhodes couldn't find her daughter even in the morning. Everything in her room is untouched. Judy usually comes into the kitchen at about seven to greet her mother, but not today. Today everything is different and her mother feels that something is wrong. She has no good feeling.

Lisa Rhodes is very worried. She is afraid that something might have happened. She calls the sheriff. Deputy Duncan greets her friendly and unagitated on the phone. "Good morning, Mrs. Rhodes. How can I help you"?

"Mr. Duncan, I think something happened to my daughter". "She didn't come home last night after cheerleader training. She wasn't there this morning either. That doesn't suit my daughter at all". "Does Judy have a cell phone Mrs. Rhodes"? "Yes Deputy Duncan, she did". "Even though I already know the answer, I have to ask you this question for the sake of form. Have you tried calling Judy?

"Of course, I've tried it umpteen times. But she doesn't answer"? "Ok Lisa. Listen, we can't issue a missing persons report yet. But I'll take care of it"! "She sent an SMS yesterday that she would go to the movies with some of the girls. "Oh, okay, that's something. Does Judy have a best friend? "Yes. Latoya Wagner and Amber Bates. The three of them have been together since kindergarten like bad luck and sulphur". "Ok, thank you. That's already enough information. Do you happen to have the mobile phone numbers of the two"? "Yes, of course.

"I'll start with the two of them. If we don't have anything tonight, we can get the missing persons report. "Deputy, please find my girl! "I give my best to Mrs. Rhodes. Try to keep calm. Even if it's hard".

Deputy Tom Duncan will coordinate the mission with Sheriff Joe Becker. He tells him about Lisa Rhodes call. And of her fears and worries. "Talk to the two girls. There are many things that children at that age don't tell their parents, but their best friends do". "That's what I do Sheriff. But what do we do if I don't find out"? "I'm sure Judy Rhodes is lying in some guy's bed. They say the little one is on the road a lot". "What about this boy, from the woods. Stephan Mills"? "Gently Tom, they have very dangerous thoughts. Little Rhodes wasn't at home tonight. So let's not start from the worst. "I hope you're right Sheriff". "Yes. And I first".

When it's 10:00, Deputy Duncan drives into the high school parking lot. He walks directly into the principal's office. He knows Reginald Booth all too well from his own school days. "Good morning, Principal Booth." "Tom? Good morning. What are you doing here"? "One of your students is missing. Judy Rhodes". "Judy Rhodes? Since when has she been missing? "She didn't come home last night. And so far there is no trace of her. Her mom is very worried". "Lisa Rhodes is always very worried. And if the rumors about Judy's libido are true, I can well understand that. I always thought you were missing after 24 hours.

"Yes, that's also the case. But you know how it is in a small town. Lisa Rhodes called me, very ill with worry. I want to talk to two of her friends". "And you really believe the two girls can help you? "I hope so. Friends often know things parents don't. You know, pubertal behavior. Maybe Judy has a secret boyfriend. Something like that".

"Yes, yes. I understand. What girls do you want to talk to Tom"? "Amber Bates and Latoya Wagner. They are Judy's best friends her mother said". "I let both call out the same. You can interview the girls here. Does it bother you when I'm around"? "No, of course not. But do me a favor and don't talk in between". "Strange, I used to say that so often to you". "I remember it well, Mr. Booth.

"I know I was a terrible student. "Well. There were far bigger chandeliers. "I'm glad to hear that. Director Reginald Booth sends his secretary to bring Amber Bates and Latoya Wagner into his office. He doesn't want to call them out over the loudspeakers. First of all nobody should notice anything. Sahra Hill picks up the two girls.

A short time later Mrs. Hill returns together with the two stunned teenagers. She knocks on the director's door and sends the two girls in. "Hello you two. "Hello Deputy Duncan. What are you doing here? Have we done anything wrong? Mrs. Booth hooks into the conversation in spite of an agreement. "No, I don't think so. Deputy Duncan is here to ask you a few questions. And I expect you to answer them honestly and as conscientiously as possible. No games and no pubertal bitchiness. Do you understand that"?

"Yes, we are not stupid. What is it about"? "It's about Judy Rhodes" - Deputy Duncan answers. "About Judy? What about her"? "Well. She didn't come home last night after training. Do you know anything about it"? Latoya twists her eyes. She pulls out her cell phone. The director still rebukes her for it. "This is not the right time for this nonsense" - says Reginald Booth to Latoya Wagner.

"Judy's mom called me last night. She asked if Judy was with me or if I knew where she was". "And what did you say? "The truth. I left early because I had a fight with Dana Vanderburgh. I didn't know what Judy was doing after that". Amber Bates adds - "That's right, Latoya left earlier. Her fight with Dana is one of the big topics of conversation in the corridors today". "How did it go on? "I told Mrs. Rhodes that I would try to call Judy and text her. "Well, did you"? "Yes, you see. I wrote her and she wrote her back.

Deputy Duncan goes into it - "She met with a boy? With whom"? "I don't know. Judy always had several guys on the hook. Who was that supposed to be... I don't know". "That's true. Judy is very fickle about boys. And she likes to try it out". Reginald Booth gets the blush of shame in her face. "Does that mean Judy Rhodes is a slut? But Latoya doesn't like this name. "Let's just call it popular, Rector Booth."

"Ok, ok. That means you have no idea with whom she could have met, but you think I probably understand that right"? "Well, there would be some guys here who would consider it. But they are all there today I think". Reginald Booth is not at all happy to hear about it. "If Judy Rhodes is so... popular, is there anybody outside Latoya school? "That's quite possible. She used to have a thing with that construction worker. John Phillips". "John Phillips, okay." "What are you going to do now Deputy Duncan"?

"Well. She's less than 24 hours missing. So we can't start an official investigation yet". "Does that mean you won't be interviewing any more students today"? "Right. We cannot do that until tomorrow at the earliest. Let's hope that Judy has shown up again by then". "What about this guy from the forest who was groping her"? "Listen carefully. You don't talk to anyone about it. And as for the boy at the dropouts, we'll ask him when the time comes. Until then everyone keeps their feet still. Is that "clear"?

Amber agrees. "Yes, of course. "Already clear". "Are we done now Mr. Duncan"? "Yes, Mr. Booth, for now. Let's hope it stays that way". The hours pass. But nothing happens. Neither her own mother nor her friends can reach Judy Rhodes. Deputy Duncan searches the city together with Deputy Jane Evers. But they don't find anything either.

Night falls. Lisa Rhodes is in the sheriff's office with her husband Eric. The time has come to file a missing person's report. Only now can the authorities begin an official investigation. Coby Sandford enters the sheriff's office. With an empty, disturbed look, she goes to the reception desk. She holds a small white parcel in her hand. It is tied with a string. Blood drips from the box.

Coby Sandford faces Deputy Evers. She can hardly speak, she stammers chopped off. She trembles all over her body as if she were having a seizure. "Can I help you, Miss?

"That, that, that, d... d... d... d... that, sta... nd in front of the entrance stairs. U... u... and there is B.... B... B.... Blood drips...". "It's all right, miss, come with me."

Deputy Evers takes Coby and the package with him to the interrogation room. "You wait here" - says Jane Evers to Coby Sandford. Then Sheriff Becker fetches you. The Sheriff enters the room together with Deputy Evers. The two law enforcers cast meaningful glances at each other.

Carefully Joe Becker opens the cord. He opens the package. What he sees there derails his facial features. Disgusted, he turns away. He struggles not to throw up. Coby Sandford faints at the sight of the contents. Jane Evers can catch them straight away. Then she also takes a look at the package. Also Deputy Evers fights with her last meal.

When Sheriff Becker can finally come up with a clear thought again, he immediately calls a psychologist for first aid. A good 45 minutes later, a man enters the sheriff's office. Joe Becker has never seen the man before.

"Good evening. My name is Sam Hegen, I come from forensic medicine in Allentown". Deputy Duncan welcomes the new man. "Good evening Mr. Hegen. Excuse me, we're all just something by the wind. Did you say forensics? We had a psychologist called in". "Jackpot my boy. I am both". "And if you were the milkman, we could use all the help we could get now.

Tom Duncan leads Mr. Hegen to the sheriff and the rest of the deputies. Then he dedicates himself to the Rhodes family. He provides spiritual first aid. He has a long conversation with Lisa and Eric Rhodes. He gives them sedatives and one of the deputies brings them home. Coby Sandford has already been picked up by her father.

The sheriff and his crew are sitting together. Mr. Hegen joins them. He joins the group. He has to clarify who else needs psychological help. "Tell Sheriff what this case is about".

Joe Becker comes to Mr. Hegen with the blood smeared parcel. He sits down next to his chair on the table. Then he holds a little monologue.

"Mr. & Mrs. Rhodes were just here to report their daughter missing. We've been looking for her all day despite the regulations. But you know, the bureaucratic paperwork.

A civilian came in here earlier. With this bloodstained parcel, it was standing at our entrance stairs, only God knows how long. I opened it. There were two severed hands and feet in it. I found that extremely inappropriate, but the perpetrator was so kind as to give us some information. Like Polaroids and tape cassettes. Mr. Hegen is astonished beyond all measure. "Shit, you know what that means"?

Joe Becker is furious. He screams in rage. His head tarnishes fire red, his veins swell so much and come out so clearly that you think they'll burst at any moment. His eyes are blood-red and seem to keep stepping forward.

"Do you think we are stupid Mr. Hegen? Do you think we all have shit in our heads because we come from the provinces? I know very well what that means! We are dealing with a crazy sociopath here! And by God, I know this sick motherfucker will kill again"!

Nobody says anything. There is an oppressive and threatening silence. Then Sam Hegen speaks again. "I assure you, Sheriff, I didn't mean to say that. I just want to make it clear to you how serious the situation is. Where are the severed limbs? "I saw the seriousness of the situation in this damn package!

Jane Evers points to the refrigerator in the lounge. "Top left, in the freezer". "This is quite morbid" - replies Sam Hegen.

Chapter 3 - Merciful Death

Judy Rhodes will be the first to leave the Oakville High School gymnasium on Wednesday, January 24, 1996. She lives about ten minutes walk away.

The night is cold and starry. Judy walks home the same way she always does. Along the Angus Jones Avenue. Passing the old weapons factory. She knows this place only as a well protected small town. Judy is not afraid to walk alone in the dark, she never had that before.

But suddenly she hears steps behind her. She barely notices them at first. But then the footsteps slowly get faster. Judy turns around, but there is nothing to see. Except for the sparkle of the ice crystals that form on the street and the sidewalk. Judy stops for a moment. She looks at her mobile phone. She's been waiting all day for a message from her secret friend. But he has neither called her nor sent her an SMS.

Judy walks on. In front of her she sees the long Angus-Jones-Avenue. To the left and right of her, apartment buildings are blazing in the air. In some houses and apartments lights are on. Other buildings are uninhabited.

Since the arms factory was closed in 1990, the number of residents has fallen significantly. Only 15,084 people still live in Oakville. The city had its heyday at the beginning of the 70s. At that time 20,136 people lived here. Nevertheless it is still a beautiful little town and the rents, house and property prices are very favourable.

As Judy walks past Bushmill Park on the corner of Doylestreet, she hears a cry for help. "Help, help" - she hears from the overgrown park. The lamps are off. Often the light bulbs are simply stolen. People all too often attribute this to the drop-outs in the woods.

"Help, help" it sounds again. It is a child's voice. Judy is afraid, but she wants to help the child. She dares to venture into the dark undergrowth. "Hello, is someone there" - Judy replies. And as she dares further and further into the darkness, the voice "Help, help" sounds again. "Where are you then"- asks Judy. She sees a tape recorder on the floor, the voice seems to come from there. Then the darkness surrounds her.

When Judy comes to again, she can only see blurred at first. She lies on a table, a massive wooden table. Her wrists are stuck in fixed iron cuffs. They are so tight and sharp that they cut into each other's flesh. Their ankles are also in cuffs.

Judy's looking around. She sees a person walking through the room. She is all dressed in black. But the face is painted, like a clown. But it's not a clown. The face looks somehow different. And he wears a hat, no, much more a cap, a fool cap, red and white.

Next to Judy's head a pool of blood has formed. A metallic taste spreads to her taste buds. She stammers quietly and exhausted in front of her and asks for help.

"Please help me. I'm bleeding".

The stranger laughs and says to her: "This is your blood. You bleed from your ear. I think your little head has got something pretty good". The stranger speaks with a strange voice and can hardly stop laughing between the words. And Judy keeps asking the same question. "Who are you?

The stranger ignores Judy's question. He stands with his back to Judy and rumbles around in front of him. She repeats her question. Over and over again. And again and again she asks him for help. Then he suddenly turns around and screams out loud, "What about me, what about Harold"! Judy's head stings so loudly he screams. She has a severe concussion and a skull fracture.

"Help me Harold". "Hihihihi.... yes my child I will help you. Hihihihihi...". Harold stands with his back to Judy again. "What do you want from me Harold"?

He turns to Judy. He holds a big knife in his hand. Judy wants to cry best. But she can't. Her headaches are so severe, the pressure in her head from the skull injury so high that her body automatically suppresses it.

Harold's voice becomes deep and threatening. "What everyone wants. A heart full of hope, full of love and dreams! But before I get your heart we have a lot of fun"! "Please let me go! I didn't do anything to you"!

Harold makes fun of Judy and her fear. He mimics her as she bleeds more and more from her ears and nose. In between he keeps hitting his head and making miserable noises.

"I want to go home! "Hihihihihi, ok, on three". Now the tears run down Judy's cheeks. And with her tears the bleeding gets stronger and stronger. "I haven't done anything at all mimimimi...! You are all guilty! And you are all worth dying for"! "I don't want to die, please! "Are you crying now and wanting

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