Chapter 1

Abbie tossed and turned in her bed, pulling the covers over her head. She had one more day of work before starting her long weekend. She usually didn't have trouble sleeping, but tonight was different. Abbie rolled to the side of her bed and reached for her phone. It was only 10:45pm. An exhausted Abbie made the decision to pull the covers back and roll out of bed. She would go on a walk, just a short one. Late night walks have always helped relax her mind. Of course she would bring her gun with her, she's a policewoman! Abbie walked to her closet, grabbed a dark green jacket, and headed out the door.

Abbie walked the streets of historic Sleepy Hollow, closely observing the people of the night. Most people were coming and going from the local bar, while others headed home. Abbie made her way from downtown to a park on the outskirts of town. Abbie pulled her phone from her pocket to check the time. There was a missed call and a few unimportant texts. Distracted by her phone, she didn't hear the screeches of the car headed towards her. She stared at headlights, frozen with horror. "This is it, this is how I'll die," Abbie thought to herself.

Instantly Abbie found herself lying in the grass, nearly four feet from the sidewalk and car. She slowly rose from the ground and looked around. She wasn't dead, or even seriously injured. The next thing she noticed was a man kneeling down beside her. "Are you hurt," he asked.

Abbie shook her head, slightly disoriented. "Other than a few scrapes, I think I'm okay. Did you save me?"

He laughed, "I pushed you out of the way. I'm sorry I didn't get the plates on the car, he sped off. Let me help you up."

The man helped Abbie to her feet as she dusted grass and dirt from her clothes. "Thank you. How did you push me out of the way? I thought I was alone, I didn't see anyone else around me."

"I'm very quick, quicker than most people, lucky for you. Do you have a way to get home," he asked.

"I can walk, I'm only 10 minutes away from home anyway," she replied.

The man nodded. "If that's what you want. Just be safe okay?"

"I will. I didn't catch your name," she said.

"Henri DuPont," he replied. Abbie committed his face to memory. Henri, tall, short strawberry blonde hair, very quick.

"Are you from around here?" "I lived here a long time ago, now I'm back. I don't think you told me your name either," Henri said.

Henri was attractive, Abbie had to admit. She couldn't help but give him a tiny smile. "Abbie Mills, I work for Sleepy Hollow PD."

"Well Ms. Mills, do get home safely. There's all sorts of ghouls and goblins roaming this town, or so I've heard," he joked.

"More than you know. Thanks again Henri. Have a good night," Abbie said as she turned her back to him and started walking home."

Abbie walked through the archive room doors carrying two French vanilla ice-coffees. She wasn't anticipating starting work at 6:30am, but an unexplained death occurred overnight.

"Oh thank God you're unharmed," Ichabod said as he ran to Abbie and gave her a tight hug.

"Crane, Crane, you're going to make me spill the drinks. I told you last night I was fine," Abbie said as she freed herself from his grip.

Ichabod took the cups and set them on an already crowded desk. "I know, but I couldn't help to worry. I find it hard to believe that this assailant was able to drive off without being caught. I'm glad that you are safe."

"Thanks Crane. Now, let's get down to business. I hear there's a new case," Abbie said as she took a seat at the desk.

Ichabod removed several photos from a brown folder. "The victim is a 37 year-old male. He was found in a ditch, nearly seven feet from his car. The cause of death is unknown."

"Whoa, wait a minute," Abbie said as she looked through the photos. "This man was driving a green Honda Civic, that's the same car that nearly killed me."

"Ms. Mills are you positive," he asked.

Abbie nodded. "Yea I'm sure. I couldn't forget that car. Plus the car had a broken headlight, I remember that. What is the estimated time of death?"

"It is believed he died around 11:45pm," he replied.

Abbie stood up from the chair and took a deep breath. "So the man that nearly killed me died less than an hour later. Talk about bad karma."

"Bad karma indeed. Now tell me about this mysterious stranger that saved you from an untimely death," Ichabod said as he took a sip from the cup.

"His name is Henri DuPont, recently returned to town. He has an nice accent," Abbie said.

"Ms. Mills, perhaps Mr. DuPont saw something. You should speak with him, perhaps we can gain new information," he suggested.

"That's not likely. Henri was on foot and the victim's body was found 10 miles away from where I was almost hit. Plus I have no idea how to contact Henri. I never asked for his number."

"Well, I'm sure we will gather more information in the coming days. Now let's finish our Starbucks Frappuccinos before the whipped cream dissolves," Ichabod said as he took another gulp.