Chapter Seven - The Cold Coffin

The street light above the Open Coffin was still broken, but it didn't matter: police lights blazed like sunshine on the store. Sergeant Obee knocked on the door, announcing the police in a loud voice, but there was no answer.
"Locksmith!" he shouted.
The locksmith ran up to the door and had it open in seconds. Search warrant in his shirt pocket, the veteran policeman walked in.

The place reminded him of the city morgue. Skeletons. Skulls. Coffins. Knives with fake blood on them. Permits were required to sell knives. He picked one up. Plastic. Didn't people know there was enough real violence in the world? He could not relate to people wanting violent fantasy.

The police brought in bright lights, making the sinister contents of the store seem out of place and unreal. Searching, they found nobody, but located papers indicating the owner. The name matched the database entry he used to get the warrant. He has also used the owner home address to obtain a search warrant for the man's motel room.
There was a door to the back. He opened it and went further into the store.

Outside, the Fenton RV screeched to a halt. Jack and Maddie were staring intently at radar screens, and computer monitors filled with realtime police reports. Danny jumped out and ran to the store with Jazz behind him.

As they approached the door they were stopped by officers.
"This is a crime scene, no entry allowed!"

"Hold up Brian, let them in." said the Sergeant.
Danny looked at the Sergeant "Have you found Sam?"

"No sign of anyone here son, but wait a minute, I want you here when someone does arrive." Danny and Jazz looked at each other.

Minutes later, two policemen brought in the checkout man, in handcuffs.
"We searched the motel Sarge. Nothing."

The Sergeant faced the man with contempt. "Where were you last night Halloway, between 7 and 10 PM?"

"I was delivering a sale Officer. This kid over here is a witness. You know I have been a good boy for the past two years." Sergeant Obee knew Halloway well. He was the one who sent him to prison for 10 years for armed robbery. The ex-con had been on parole the last two years, and yes, had been keeping clean and reporting to his parole officer on schedule.

"Now wait a minute!" protested Danny, "I can only say where you were between 8 and 8:45 PM."

"The girl's computer shows her last transmission from home at 8:50. Her parents came home at 10 PM to discover her missing. That still leaves a 70 minute window for you to make a big mistake Halloway."

"I have a witness for that time too. I gave a hitchhiker a ride back to Cedarville. I can show you where I dropped him off."

"Take him downtown boys, and take a statement from him. We're hanging on to you Halloway until we know everything."

"Sure Sarge, I've got nothing to hide." The man smiled. Danny and Jazz knew he was involved somehow.

The police took him away. Another officer took pictures, then left.
"What now sergeant?" Asked Jazz. Danny looked around as if the police had missed something, but couldn't find any clues.

"If Halloway's alibi checks out, we can only hold him for 48 hours. Then we have to release him, but believe me, we'll be watching him like a hawk." The sergeant's cell phone rang.
"Obee here...what? When? I'll be right there!" He started towards the door, turning towards the last officer.
"Lock this place up. A kidnapper just phoned the Manson place with a ransom demand! Halloway is in custody,
so it can't be him."
"Kids, go home and go to sleep. Danny: don't leave town." The sergeant left.

The last officer escorted Danny and Jazz to the RV and then locked the door. The Fenton's left.
What a weird RV he thought. But this store was even stranger. Skeletons and knives, black leather jackets, and in the back room: purple fuzzy slippers. The stuff they sell in Cedarville! He left.