Flashback- 1989
Police lights lit up the area around the small house. Several people were standing outside of the police tape and observing the scene. In fact, most of the neighborhood was outside watching the scene before them. No one could believe that two teenagers were murdered a few ours ago. Nothing like this had ever happened before here. Especially not in Keyton.
Detective Kate Lockley never had a case quite like this. And frankly, she never thought she would. She eyed the two stretchers with body bags that were being rolled to the coroner's van, before going back to listening to her partner.
"It's a damn shame is what it is. We got a crying mother over there, two bodies, and no one else near the scene. Whoever did this, they're hiding pretty damn good. I'm sending out cars tonight to patrol the town, see if they see anyone new or suspicious," Detective Wilson said. Kate sighed and nodded.
"Ok then. I'm going to go and ask a few more questions. I'll meet you back at the station," she replied. Detective Wilson nodded and went over to talk to a couple of police officers. Walking over to the porch of the home, Kate sat down next to the grief-stricken blonde woman.
"Ms. O'Riley? I'm Detective Lockley. I was wondering if I can ask you a few more things?" Kate asked her. A handsome young man walked out of the house, a look of shock on his face, and sat down next to the crying woman.
"Who did this?" the man asked. Kate sighed again.
"We don't know anything at this point. As soon as we have any lead on the suspect, we will take action. We just need more information."
"We told you everything about what happened. Darla and I were outside on these steps talking. She had just sent the kids to bed and about an hour later, I went up to ask Connor if he'd help me fix the TV, when I found them. That's all," the man said. Darla's hand went up to soothe him.
"It's not your fault baby. You couldn't have helped them," she told him. Kate nodded.
"She's right Mr. McDonald. Both Connor and Dawn were already dead for close to an hour," she told him. Lindsey inhaled deeply and put his head in his hands. Darla started to cry again.
"Who would have done this to my darling babies? We don't have any enemies," she said. Lindsey rubbed her shoulders.
"Ms. O'Riley? Is there an ex husband? Maybe with a grudge?" the detective asked. Darla shook her head.
"No... no, he's in New York. He's been there ever since the divorce 14 years ago. He, he calls the kids on their birthday every year. He wouldn't do something like this," she replied.
"Are you sure? He might. From what you said, he did have an anger issue," Lindsey asked her. Darla's head snapped around to look at him.
"On me Lindsey. He never touched Dawn or Connor. He's not a murderer and he certainly would not murder his own children." The group was silent for a minute before Kate stood up.
"Mr. McDonald, Ms. O'Riley, I'm going to have to ask you to come with me to the station. Just for a few more questions," Kate told them. The couple nodded and Lindsey helped Darla up onto her feet and they followed Detective Lockley to a police car.
From the back of the crowd, smoke rose from a cigarette. The man holding it threw it on the ground and crushed it with his shoe. He smirked at the scene before walking away from the crowd. He got into his car and drove away.
The small town of Keyton seemed to mourn the next morning when people read the front page of the paper.
Two Local Teens Murdered In Own Beds.
"And here we come to our hotel pool. Built in a three week span, it's deep end is 30 feet deep and the whole pool is a grand 100-yeards long. There is a Jacuzzi on the side there that can hold up to 20 people..." Andrew said to the group. Everyone looked in awe at the gigantic pool that looked very inviting in the hot sun.
"So, we have access to the pool and the Jacuzzi right?" Gunn asked. Andrew, not happy about being interrupted, nodded.
"I'm getting in as soon as this tour is over," Faith said to Buffy, who agreed. Then to Andrew, "Does it have a heater for night use?"
"Yes, the heater is located over on the panel next to the gate. There are also switches for pool lights, the lights in the trees, and for music. There is a CD player installed and there are speakers all around the deck," Andrew informed. He showed everyone each button on the panel.
"Giving the tour?" Everyone turned around to see a man walk up to them. He was in his late twenties and still looked pretty fit. With him was a woman around the same age, her dark hair up in a ponytail.
"Everyone, this is Riley and Sam Finn. Riley is the lifeguard here at the Hyperion and Sam is the event coordinator," Andrew introduced. The honey blonde lifeguard smiled at the group.
"Well, so these are the testers? Did you tell them about the deaths?" Riley asked Andrew, who looked appalled at the question.
"What deaths?" Fred asked. Sam Finn smacked her husband's arm and sighed.
"See what you did Ri? If Mr. Green hears about this, it'll be your ass," she said. Riley shrugged and smiled.
"Someone died here?" Willow asked. Sam shook her head.
"Not here in the hotel, but on the land we're on now. About 15 years ago, two teens were murdered in their beds. The case was never solved. Anyways, that whole block was torn down and the hotel is now built over the land. Some people like Riley here think the hotel is haunted by the ghosts of the children. But it's not true," Sam explained.
"Yes it is. I saw the girl last week when I was going up to the room," Riley told his wife. Sam rolled her eyes and sighed.
"I hope we didn't scare you away now. But I can assure you, there are no ghosts, especially not in the Hyperion," she told the group.
"How horrible. Who would do such a thing to two kids?" Fred asked aloud.
"Well, I guess even boring towns like Keyton have a few interesting tales," Spike said. Wesley looked thoughtful for a second, as if believing in what Riley claimed.
"Well, enough of that. How about we head over to the bar next?" Andrew told the group. Everyone agreed to that.
"Hope you enjoy your stay here. I'm out here most of the time so anybody who feels like swimming, come on out here," Riley said. Everyone said goodbye to the Finns and followed Andrew.
"Now why'd you have to go and say that for Riley? If Mr. Green finds out..." Sam scolded. Riley leaned down to give her a soft kiss.
"It's just a story. You know, spook them up a bit," he replied. Sam, convinced that her husband wasn't going Loony Tunes, smiled and walked with him back up the sloped stairs to the hotel.
A boy sat on one of the pool chairs and watched the group as Andrew showed them all the outside spa room. He scowled at something in his line of view. Then without warning, he vanished from the chair.
Short, I know, but I wanted to get something out. Please people, review! I didn't get a single review for chapter 2. I'm having a good time writing this story but I'm not going to bother if no one takes the time to tell me if I'm doing a good job or not. Every time I get a review, it makes my day. Really, it does. Make my day people!